Raymond Reyes makes compelling appeal

 

After 36 years of teaching and leadership at Gonzaga University, Raymond Reyes retired in 2024. At GU he served as a professor in the School of Education teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, an associate vice president, an associate provost and chief diversity officer.

As a member of The Fig Tree board, he invited those gathered at its March 8 Benefit Lunch to support the work with their donations. The following is his appeal.

"Are you feeling the love?" he asked, inviting attendees to put their hands on their hearts and feel their heartbeats. "Are you alive? Say, I'm alive. Put your thumbs up."

Inviting attendees to look at their thumbs and realize each thumb print is unique, Raymond reminded them that among the nearly 9 billion "humanoids speaking over 6,000 languages, nobody else has that thumbprint."

Then he asked guests to look to their left and right to see they are surrounded by beauty and say to those nearby, "You're beautiful."

"So, we've established that we are alive and hold the gift of life, that we are unique, that we are surrounded by beauty, the aesthetic of being, and that we are distinctively prepared to make a difference in the world with our generosity," he said. "You have all the ingredients to transform and to be a great transformer."

Next, he asked the group to say, "In order to G-E-T you have to A-S-K," reminding them that "love in your heart is not love until you give it."

Raymond then asked, "Are we living in times that we need to be more informed? Are we living in times when we need more inspiration? Are we living in times that we need to be more involved?

"To inform, inspire and involve is The Fig Tree's DNA," he said, adding that the four speakers at the event "gave voice to their lived experience, their soul song."

He said those with thumbs and cerebral cortexes "have to make a choice and a commitment to be human. We need to make a choice and commitment in this historic moment."

He then invited guests to give generously and be responsible for "our freedom at this critical historic time."

Affirming they can make a difference, he asked them to do more than they have ever done before.

Raymond announced that The Fig Tree established a sustainability endowment fund at the last board meeting to assure the long-term viability of The Fig Tree.

He added that Fig Tree writers do peace journalism and solutions journalism, needed now more than ever.

"The Fig Tree has 41 years of informing readers. It is a prophetic voice in these times to inspire us in nurturing involvement and engagement," he said.

Raymond invited guests to consider different ways they can connect people as they support publishing the newspaper and resource directory.

"Are you having a good time today? It's like a reunion, seeing people we haven't seen in a long time," he said, affirming the benefit is also an opportunity for connecting.

"Now it's time to walk the talk. Go to thefigtree.org/donate.html or send a check," he invited,

Raymond then suggested four ways the Fig Tree helps people act for social justice: 1) Its journalism keeps people close to the issues, challenges and opportunities. 2) It changes the narrative, helping people reimagine a different story. 3) It provides practical hope to stretch people's imaginations as they remain grounded. 4) It invites people to move out of their comfort zones, so they are motivated to move and change.

In closing, he asked people to donate and sign up to volunteer.

The 2025 Benefit videos are available on Youtube through the links on this Benefit 2025 page.