I’ve had the opportunity to witness two different John Perkins speak. 
Both authors..activists and speakers with organizations designed to make this world a better, more peaceful place.

There is the John Perkins of Mendenhall, Mississippi. This Perkins is one of the major contributing and founding fathers for centers of reconciliation all across the US. 
Of course, his story brings about a sadness that is in itself, reconciled to a good God and a hopeful humanity – a God of justice, love and grace. 

The Perkins of the South speaks on the “Three R’s”: Relocation, Redistribution and Reconciliation. They represent some of the most important areas of cultural and racial understanding. These ideas allow us to heal among our broken pasts of slavery, war and harsh injustice. 

Perkins has such an amazing and gentle soul. [Not to mention, he preaches/speaks with a fire and tongue I’ve never witnessed – such passion and clarity.] When I heard him speak at Southern, there was a young 20-something guy that was asking a question on his struggle to find community and if there was any advice Mr. Perkins had for him…

Perkins looked at the guy and said, “First off, let me tell you…that you have such a beautiful heart and we are thankful for it…”

I loved this. It was simple and profound and no doubt meaningful for the guy who was expecting a clear answer – but Mr. Perkins made it intimate and changed the way we viewed the question. It was all of a sudden…personal and we were all pulled into the journey to seek a reconciled community. 

* * * * * 

The other John Perkins was an Economic Hitman. Basically, he traveled through a U.S. based firm to “strategically” important cities to convince the political and financial leadership of such countries to accept huge developmental loans from institutions like the World Bank, and other sister programs. Once these countries are loaded down with huge amounts of debt, they are basically at the mercy of the U.S. and are forced to concede to any amount of things – land, resources, etc.

I was able to hear him speak at Powell’s this past Friday. I had never read anything of his, nor have I heard him speak. According to most, it was the usual and nothing new or revolutionary, but it was important for me to hear.

I’m not a fan of huge profit – but I live in a country that is. Big corporations are all about cutting as much overhead as possible to maximize profit with major effects of lost quality, relationships and experience. 

Perkins spoke loudly that it’s okay to make money – it’s okay – but not at the price we’re paying now. Basically, it’s not about making the most money, but providing a peaceful and more sustainable economy. It was brilliant! A huge resounding, “Yes!” lit off in my brain. It’s nothing new, but it was so good to hear, especially in the midst of so many businesses that try to make profit off everything, leaving its customers and employees feeling used and underappreciated. 

What Perkins did for a living was to drive poorer countries into a debt that would never be paid off. It’s still being done today, but he offered us a hopeful look into places like South America, that are standing up to these U.S. businessmen that want to capitalize off their poverty. 

Perkins encourages a better world – we, as consumers have the power to change how this country works…how we buy food and treat employees.

We have the power to boycott Wal-Mart and Nike and McDonalds…The president and congressman will continue taking bribes, but we ultimately control this economy. Most revolutions succeed not by a popular government official or President – but by its citizens who take a stand and proclaim, “No, we aren’t going to buy your products because we know you are reducing our brothers and sisters into slaves.”

So I say in hope, that we are careful for what we buy and that we respect who makes such products that keep us alive and warm and fed.

“For Grant,” Perkins would say, referring to his Grandson. “…We need to make this world better for Grant.”

Both Perkins’ have inspired me to promote a world that needs reconciling and can also, at the same time, be sustainable and peaceful. The world cannot afford to live as we live here in the US. It was take five earths for us to do that. 

We have to change something. For our kids…and their kids. We have to work for peace and practice sustainability. 

We have to imagine that another world is possible because…
She is groaning…

and we can hear Her.