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A Sensible Strategy Facing an Uphill Battle |
| Section: NATURAL SCIENCE / WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE PRAIRIE? |
| Author: Frederick Kirschenmann |
| Publication: The world & I online |
| Issue Date: 12/1/1992 |
| Size: 1,613 Words, 9,876 Characters |
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Wes Jackson has steadfastly rejected the attribution of "prophet" to describe his role in society--and with some justification. Jackson points out that prophets traditionally represent "truth speaking to power" in nondemocratic societies. But we live in a democracy wherein the prophetic task is a collective responsibility and attributing the role of prophet to a select few has the effect of "letting the rest of us off the hook." Jackson wants to let no one off the hook.
But Jackson is a prophet nonetheless. He has a keen memory of the past, a passionate mission for the present, and a clear vision for the future. These are the principal traits of the traditional prophet. Moreover, while prophets were "chosen by God" in ancient societies, the community had to differentiate the "true" p...
. . .
.... We are one organism.
So the problem is finally theological in scope, and it is therefore perhaps no accident that Jackson is as likely to quote Scripture as to expound on a complex genetic code. And it is accordingly proper for us to call him a prairie prophet despite his protests. We can only hope that this time the people will heed the message instead of castigating the messenger. vbcrlf
(806 of 9,876 characters)
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