Cori Bush Shares Some Hope this Holiday Season

 

by Pa Rock

Missourian by Birth and Disposition

Cori Bush, a Democrat representing Missouri's 1st Congressional District, is just finishing her first term in Congress and already, as a member of the infamous "Squad," has managed to stand out as one of the House's more progressive and active members.  Congresswoman Bush - a nurse, pastor, and Black Lives Matter activist - represents St. Louis City and the northern portion of St. Louis County in Congress.  I wish she was my representative, too, because I was dealt a dud.

But I am on Congresswoman Bush's mailing list, and have unilaterally made her my "honorary" Representative in Congress.

This week Cori sent around two emails that caught my attention.  Yes, it is the end of the year, and yes, all politicians and charities are busy putting out one last beg before the calendar year comes to a screeching halt, but I was impressed with Cori's two begs because neither one was intended to benefit her personally.

Cori Bush rose to political prominence as a community activist with a reputation for giving and caring that was largely forged in the fires of her own personal struggles.  (At one point in her life the future congresswoman and her children were living in a car.)   And, as someone whose core political beliefs were formed through political activism, Cori is still immersed in her community, knowing not only its needs, but also the programs and strategies which work to meet those very critical needs.

To that end, one of the emails that Cori sent out this week asked for donations to support the St. Louis Crisis Nursery.  She described that program thusly:

"The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery works to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing trauma-informed emergency intervention, 24-hour respite care, and support to families in crisis. Each year, they ensure that 5,000 children have a short-term, safe haven when their families endure an emergency caused by illness, homelessness, domestic violence or overwhelming parental stress. Unlike many other resources, their services are free and voluntary."

It is obviously an important program and one that this former Missouri Child Protection worker is glad to learn about and will support.

Cori's second email was more of a political beg, but one with an altruistic focus.   That email sought support and donations for an organization called "Justice Democrats" which tries to find and recruit political candidates from the ranks of activists - like Cori Bush - who are already out working hard to improve the lives of their friends and neighbors in the communities that they call home.

The email from Cori Bush and Justice Democrats outlined the political goals of the group.  Here are the eight primary components of their program:

• Medicare for All
• Cancel Student Debt
• Free College
• Big Money Out of Politics
• End Mass Incarceration
• End Mass Deportation
• Green New Deal
• Tax the Rich

Justice Democrats and the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery are both organizations that I can happily support. I thank Congresswoman Cori Bush for bringing them to my attention.

Stay warm and safe this holiday season, and when the opportunity presents itself - share some of your blessings with those in need!