“We Just Do the Best We Can”

by Ellen Finkelstein

I have been reminded by our collective loss about how much one person influences so many lives. Some touch us profoundly and we are [temporarily] unsure how to carry the work of justice forward.

Maya Angelou was an incredibly strong voice of resilience and hope for me. At a time when I needed to believe, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” let me know that it is possible to survive and thrive. Her powerful voice and amazing history influenced me and generations of women (and men) to find my voice, to stand with those who are oppressed, to struggle for justice, to be an active change-maker, and to find joy.

Mike Yarrow told his granddaughter shortly before he died that “We just do the best we can.” Mike did magnificently; we should all aspire to do so well. He will be deeply missed by so many of us. I had the privilege to work with Mike in SNOW, to follow him as staff for WWFOR, and to continue to learn from and be challenged by him. As I work with Kaeley Pruitt-Hamm and Dante Garcia (former PATs) to continue one part of Mike’s legacy with this summer’s Peace Activist Trainee (Pat) program, I am reminded of his passion, his power to connect, to inspire, and to act – with his inimitable sense of humor and love of life [and Ruth!].

I am left thinking about all of us who work for peace and justice. How we might embrace the wisdom to “just do the best we can.” There are certainly enormous challenges and obstacles. But think of how we can support each other, do our part, and rejoice in all that we can – and do – accomplish. I recently heard “Change is inevitable but Justice is not. We have to work at it.”

Some of the things that give me energy and hope include the restorative justice pilot project in Seattle’s Central District; the incredible energy and leadership by young people of color to oppose a new Juvenile Detention Center; the creativity and exuberance of people working to oppose oil and coal trains and stop the Keystone Pipeline and celebrate the Earth; the Campaign Nonviolence that would “mainstream nonviolence” and offers us an opportunity September 21-27 to join with others; and the work by many to connect the dots among “silo” issues.

I was recently on the Gulf Coast of Florida and watched manatees swimming parallel to the beach as I walked with dear friends. A moment of beauty and joy and affirmation of why I do what I do. And why I believe that – together – we can still change the world.