Daneen Akers: Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints
Daneen Akers
Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints
“We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers,” said Bayard Rustin, a civil rights activist not nearly as well known as other leaders of that time. I first heard about him when I began attending Quaker Meetings in the 1990s, because Mr. Rustin was brought up by his Quaker grandparents. He said, “My activism did not spring from my being gay, or, for that matter, from my being Black. Rather, it is rooted fundamentally in my Quaker upbringing and the values that were instilled in me... Those values are based on the concept of a single human family and the belief that all members of that family are equal.” Maybe if he hadn’t been gay we would know more about him, and give him credit for organizing the 1963 March on Washington, among other accomplishments.
Mr. Rustin is one of the people featured in Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints, a picture-book collection of stories about real people, from Rumi in Persia 800 years ago, to contemporary saints from all over the world. Most sketches begin with the subject as a child, a nice reminder that saints are people first. It is also a reminder that many of our deepest convictions chime most clearly when we are children before we learn to unhear the call. Each of these saints resisted their culture’s conventions and insisted on proclaiming a God more inclusive, more loving than the culture allowed.
The author wrote the book because, when looking for something like this to read to her own children, she realized it did not yet exist. She wanted stories of people striving beyond what they were initially allowed to dream, and whose faith was the core of their action. She wanted validation for all the ‘others’ whom our religious traditions have tried to exclude from leadership; and she wanted validation for all the insiders who sought to open the gates wide to everyone.
Ms Akers curated a diverse group of saints. Of the 36 people included, I had some passing knowledge of 17. An easy criticism in any such compilation is the ‘what about’ complaint—why did you leave out my favorite saint? The obvious answer is that, at some point, you make a decision and move on. I was also heartened to read that Ms Akers is already planning a second volume.
The book is easy to read. Beautiful portraits capture the humanity and winsomeness of each subject. Mary Oliver’s keen, kind eyes especially leapt off the page at me. After reading several sketches in a row, the presentation feels slightly formulaic, but that could also be an argument for consistency, which is good for children. One story at bedtime would be the perfect serving size.
On September 25th, Diana Butler Bass posted an article in The Cottage titled 40 Days. 40 days until America’s election day, and her invitation was, “to consider this election season to be like Lent, a time of prayer and practice.” Every day for 40 days, pray and act. Pray—ask God for help, find gratitude, open yourself to awe. And Act—volunteer, donate, vote, help. Reading the biographical sketches of these holy troublemakers and unconventional saints has become one of my prayer practices. Reading them aloud to my children, one of my actions. After the disaster of the first presidential debate this week, her invitation feels even more urgent.
Holy Troublemakers is a good book for this time and a good meditation any time. We never outgrow hope; we never outgrow needing role models. And it’s never too late to be one.
Julia Sibley-Jones, October 1, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.
