James Skiest

Mr. Paulett
Moral Theology
11 January 2016
Reflection #2
The basic point of my service is to help others, especially those who, as a part of
their living situations, do not have the means to help themselves. As I am working
at the Oak Park Food Pantry, I will be helping whoever comes to the food pantry. My
service is so much more than that, though. While most of my 25 hours, if not all of
them, will come from service at the food pantry, I will and I do help others wherever
and whenever I can. I will help the impoverished through not only the service that I
give to them through the food pantry, but also through acting in a way that gives
dignity and defense to those who are impoverished. I will continue to live my life
according to the tenets of anarcho-communism. This contributes to justice,
because, as Martin Luther King, Jr. famously stated, Injustice anywhere is a threat
to justice everywhere. Capitalism is inherently unjust, as it promotes a hierarchy,
segregation, and destroys all egalitarianism. As I work at the food pantry and am
active in helping those most affected by capitalism, I will promote the idea of justice
and mitigate the negative effects of the hierarchyeven if it cannot be realistically
achieved until the proletariat revolution. My service, along with everyone elses
service will bring hope into the lives of all who do not have hope.

James Skiest
Mr. Paulett
Moral Theology
21 March 2016
Reflection #3
Unfortunately, I have not had the time to complete many definite hours of service
although I do have a plan to do so over spring break at the Oak Park Food Pantry
but I have lived my life in a way that gives service to others. I have fought for those
without a voice, and even given them a voice. This can be evidenced with my
activism at the Donald Trump rally and my general attitude. In a way, I have already
completed and far surpassed the requirements of the project by living every day in
the service of others. As Tears for Fears once sang, Even while I sleep, I am acting
on my best behavior. I am just using that lyric; ignore the fact that that is a song
about ruling the world. I will not try to pass that off as my service, because I know
there needs to be some form of record for the hours, but it has changed me.
Whenever I see anyone in need of money, I lend it to them; when I do not have the
moneywhich happens quite often, unfortunatelyI still make sure to talk to them
and wish them a good day. My service at the food pantry will only be a more
organized manifestation of what I am actually doing. My perspective has changed.
Working for others has made me happier, I have become more empathetic, and
more energetic for the cause of all those impoverished.