Showing posts with label activism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label activism. Show all posts
Thursday, July 9, 2009
keep on keepin' on
The last weeks have been absolutely insane. There is no other way to describe it. I started my job with with the Change that Works Campaign a few weeks back. The campaign is focused on attaining health care reform that would allow ALL Americans access to QUALITY, AFFORDABLE health care. My story, like many others, hinges on the fact that the current system renders people helpless and uninsured. The lack of access to health care is devastating people's lives all over the state and country. Day after day I hear horror stories of lives and futures lost due to the seriously broken system. It's been great to work with people that are so committed to this progressive movement.... I've already learned so much from them and have grown leaps and bounds in the last weeks. They are great people that I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know. I must admit that I have been challenged incredibly by the campaign and am working diligently to try and make everything in my life mesh. It's an uphill battle, but hopefully things will soon work out and lead to a bit more of a rhythm that is sustainable. Do you have a health care story? I'd love to hear about it..... just post a comment or drop me an e-mail at: impact.the.present@gmail.com
Thursday, June 25, 2009
bitter sweet sympony
This story from my experience in Guatemala is one that is constantly bouncing around in my head. I think about this man at least once a week, if not on a daily basis. He touched me. His story shaped how I think about things. I will not forget him. Ever.
Our service team was split into three groups. Each evening, one of the groups took the opportunity to serve the individuals at the Homeless Shelter run by the Nuestros Ahijados. Because there were only two instructors, I went with the third group. Little did I know, but this second trip would directly shape my world view. It would be a moment in time that I will think back to for the rest of my days.
The students served the individuals just as each other team had done. The people at the center are so grateful for the services they receive. A warm meal and a roof over their heads is something that they don't have access to otherwise. This homeless shelther is the only one in Central America. Just think for a second about how backward that is.... there are millions of people who need the assistance, and there simply aren't resources to serve them.
Anyway, while the students were washing the dishes, I had the chance to chat with a few of the individuals at the Center. I was completely taken aback when one individual spoke to me in perfect, accent-free English. I spun around and proceeded to see him translating for others around him. He was sharing their thanks for our service. I kneeled down to be at eye-level with him and shared with him the purpose of our service team and that we were thankful that they had allowed us to serve them. That we were hoping to do our part to ensure that they knew we care about them. He asked why people would come and do such work; especially people from America. I responded by detailing the notion that our group was there to garner a world view. To better connect with the rest of the globe's inhabitants.
By this time, he and I were just chatting, the others had moved on to other things. He looked at me and told me that my group and I were great people. I looked him in the eye and responded by telling him that he, too, was a great human being and that the only thing that separated the two of us was chance. This conversation allowed me to share the common experience of humanity because there truly wasn't anything inherently different about us. We were two people living completely different lives, but I could have just as easily been in his place or he in mine. After I told him that he was a good person, he told me that I shouldn't say things like that. For a moment I felt that I had overstepped my boundary and that I had intruded on a past that he didn't want to share. But, I followed it up by saying that we shared the common human experience and that he simply had faced different barriers in his lifetime. I repeated myself, tell him that he was indeed a good person and that he deserved the best in life. He just looked at me and said, you really shouldn't say such things..... you're going to make me cry. At that point, I was holding back tears and hoping that he understood that I was being entirely sincere.
He shared with me that he was adopted as a child and grew up in Oregon with his adoptive family. He had lived the luxury of America but had decided to return to Guatemala. He had lost everything and was now standing before me embarassed to be in such a condition where he was forced to use the toilet and shower in front of me, a woman. That his life had been reduced to something that he was ashamed of.
Just as we began to move on in the conversation, Hector tapped me with his umbrella and told me that it was time to head back to our host families.
The gentleman looked me in the eyes and said words that I'll never forget, "Thank you for coming here; I hope that we will meet up some day in the states and I can help you like you've helped me here."
I walked out of the shelter holding back tears knowing that I had accomplished everything I had set out to do on this journey.
Our service team was split into three groups. Each evening, one of the groups took the opportunity to serve the individuals at the Homeless Shelter run by the Nuestros Ahijados. Because there were only two instructors, I went with the third group. Little did I know, but this second trip would directly shape my world view. It would be a moment in time that I will think back to for the rest of my days.
The students served the individuals just as each other team had done. The people at the center are so grateful for the services they receive. A warm meal and a roof over their heads is something that they don't have access to otherwise. This homeless shelther is the only one in Central America. Just think for a second about how backward that is.... there are millions of people who need the assistance, and there simply aren't resources to serve them.
Anyway, while the students were washing the dishes, I had the chance to chat with a few of the individuals at the Center. I was completely taken aback when one individual spoke to me in perfect, accent-free English. I spun around and proceeded to see him translating for others around him. He was sharing their thanks for our service. I kneeled down to be at eye-level with him and shared with him the purpose of our service team and that we were thankful that they had allowed us to serve them. That we were hoping to do our part to ensure that they knew we care about them. He asked why people would come and do such work; especially people from America. I responded by detailing the notion that our group was there to garner a world view. To better connect with the rest of the globe's inhabitants.
By this time, he and I were just chatting, the others had moved on to other things. He looked at me and told me that my group and I were great people. I looked him in the eye and responded by telling him that he, too, was a great human being and that the only thing that separated the two of us was chance. This conversation allowed me to share the common experience of humanity because there truly wasn't anything inherently different about us. We were two people living completely different lives, but I could have just as easily been in his place or he in mine. After I told him that he was a good person, he told me that I shouldn't say things like that. For a moment I felt that I had overstepped my boundary and that I had intruded on a past that he didn't want to share. But, I followed it up by saying that we shared the common human experience and that he simply had faced different barriers in his lifetime. I repeated myself, tell him that he was indeed a good person and that he deserved the best in life. He just looked at me and said, you really shouldn't say such things..... you're going to make me cry. At that point, I was holding back tears and hoping that he understood that I was being entirely sincere.
He shared with me that he was adopted as a child and grew up in Oregon with his adoptive family. He had lived the luxury of America but had decided to return to Guatemala. He had lost everything and was now standing before me embarassed to be in such a condition where he was forced to use the toilet and shower in front of me, a woman. That his life had been reduced to something that he was ashamed of.
Just as we began to move on in the conversation, Hector tapped me with his umbrella and told me that it was time to head back to our host families.
The gentleman looked me in the eyes and said words that I'll never forget, "Thank you for coming here; I hope that we will meet up some day in the states and I can help you like you've helped me here."
I walked out of the shelter holding back tears knowing that I had accomplished everything I had set out to do on this journey.
Monday, June 8, 2009
juxtaposition
As I've stated numerous times now, transitioning back into life here in the states has been more of a challenge than I ever expected. The drastic difference between the lifestyles of people here in the states with those in Antigua, Guatemala is appalling... and enough to make me physically ill. Some of you are perhaps thinking that I am going to transition into how difficult it was to use outdoor bathrooms or trying to hone in on what on earth it was that I ate that allowed me the pleasure of contracting E. Coli.. but, that's not at all where I'm going. The current disgust that I feel is toward the the American lifestyle; the desire to consume, consume, consume and then consume some more. The socialization of always wanting more... at the expense of others.... as millions of people die each day due to the lack of a serving of rice or beans.
The week after our return, Fargo held its annual Spring Cleanup Week. As the piles of items accumulated on my city block, I began to become outraged... Perfectly good items- barbeques, washers, dryers, bicycles, snow blowers, couches, mattresses, wall hangings, holiday decorations; you name it.. it was on someone's curb, waiting to be picked up and hauled away to the landfill. All of these items could have, for the most part, found a forever home at the local boys ranch or goodwill, but instead... laziness and convenience overcame residents and they simply hauled it to their front curb for disposal in the dump.
As I saw these endless piles of items, all I could think was how the money that it took to purchase these items could save thousands of lives in Guatemala. If people simply thought about their global neighbors for even a minute a day, this world would be a very different place. And if people aren't able to control their urge to purchase things, the least that could have been done was taken a trip to the local thrift store in effort to assist others. I mean, what I saw on the curb of most homes amounted to double, and even triple of all posessions of Guatemalan families. It's disturbing, devastating, and sickening to know what American society has instilled into us as normal.
While we have a difficult time normalizing Guatemalans' use of bathrooms that are nothing more than a hole in the ground, I wonder what they'd think about our lifestyles. About the sheer ignorance for the rest of the world. For turning a cheek to hunger and poverty. On the flight home I thought about what it would be like for our build leader, Hector, to visit the states. All I could think was that he would be overcome with disbelief, anger, and resentment at the lives that we live. That we are profiting off of the work that those in third-world countries labor over. That life here isn't really blissful.. but, rather it's ignorant and apalling... that it's disturbing that the most we do is schedule out 10 days a year to travel to another country and work for a few days. I guess, what I'm trying to say is that I think we've normalized American and Western consumerism and ideals far too much... and if we step back and look at it, it's perhaps the most disturbing culture of them all.
The week after our return, Fargo held its annual Spring Cleanup Week. As the piles of items accumulated on my city block, I began to become outraged... Perfectly good items- barbeques, washers, dryers, bicycles, snow blowers, couches, mattresses, wall hangings, holiday decorations; you name it.. it was on someone's curb, waiting to be picked up and hauled away to the landfill. All of these items could have, for the most part, found a forever home at the local boys ranch or goodwill, but instead... laziness and convenience overcame residents and they simply hauled it to their front curb for disposal in the dump.
As I saw these endless piles of items, all I could think was how the money that it took to purchase these items could save thousands of lives in Guatemala. If people simply thought about their global neighbors for even a minute a day, this world would be a very different place. And if people aren't able to control their urge to purchase things, the least that could have been done was taken a trip to the local thrift store in effort to assist others. I mean, what I saw on the curb of most homes amounted to double, and even triple of all posessions of Guatemalan families. It's disturbing, devastating, and sickening to know what American society has instilled into us as normal.
While we have a difficult time normalizing Guatemalans' use of bathrooms that are nothing more than a hole in the ground, I wonder what they'd think about our lifestyles. About the sheer ignorance for the rest of the world. For turning a cheek to hunger and poverty. On the flight home I thought about what it would be like for our build leader, Hector, to visit the states. All I could think was that he would be overcome with disbelief, anger, and resentment at the lives that we live. That we are profiting off of the work that those in third-world countries labor over. That life here isn't really blissful.. but, rather it's ignorant and apalling... that it's disturbing that the most we do is schedule out 10 days a year to travel to another country and work for a few days. I guess, what I'm trying to say is that I think we've normalized American and Western consumerism and ideals far too much... and if we step back and look at it, it's perhaps the most disturbing culture of them all.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
my Leidy
Serendipity... it's a strange word that doesn't get used nearly enough.. perhaps because there aren't very many times when it is fitting for the occasion. I; however, experienced serendipity while serving in Guatemala and am eager to tell you about it.
This experience in Guatemala was incredibly different than last year's stay. I wasn't sure if anything could top last year's experience, but I think that this time around, I was more aware of what was going on and therefore it led to a much richer and more fulfilling experience. We did things that were different from the previous trip... things that were much more fulfilling and awe-inspiring. Those stories are yet to come.... they will... but for now, I must switch gears.
When we first got to the Dreamer Center on Monday, we had the opportunity to hang out with some of the kids for the afternoon. The area is incredibly lively, as there are hundreds of kids running around freely and happily. The center acts as a refuge from the violence, poverty and sadness that runs rampant in the streets of Guatemala. The center's beauty is indescribable if it's never been witnessed/experienced because not only is it visually beautiful, the significance that it holds symbolically to so many young people is more than it's physical worth. There was a young girl with a big beautiful smile that was running around with our students on that Monday afternoon. She was fun, and bright and really had something magnetic about her. The students played with her for much of the afternoon, and it wasn't until the next night that we learned of her home life. On Tuesday night, a group of us volunteered at the project's homeless shelter. We weren't expecting this beautiful little girl to run up and greet us when we got there. Leidy (pronounced Lady) had just showered and her hair was neatly combed. She wore her smile so wonderfully and joyfully. It made it hit home to all of us just how real it was for these kids in Antigua. Here was this wonderful little lady who was living in the homeless shelter... which is nothing more than a tile-floored room. There are no beds, no pillows, no blankets. There aren't doors on the showers and there aren't stalls for the bathrooms. The showers, toilets and wash facilities are all open air and completely visible to anyone within the center. It's humbling and heart-crushing to know where she goes each night.
We continued to see her as the week went on, and continued to thoroughly enjoy her company. The last day, when we were tying up loose ends, I was asked to come over away from the group for a minute. Victor, the service team coordinator, had my future sponsor child standing there with him. I had been prodding Victor for the entire time we were there telling him that I wanted to sponsor a child. I knew that I wasn't sure exactly how I was going to make it work... but, I knew I had to. The people of Guatemala have SO little and I have been blessed with SO much. The least I can do is give up some splurges to support a young girl's dreams of an education. Anyway, the girl that I saw when Victor brought me over to the girl with the most need, was Leidy. Standing there with her infectious smile and sweet face.... my heart melted and she just grabbed me and hugged me and held me for the next 20 or so minutes. It was incredible... I am so incredibly honored to be her "madrina" or her godmother, as they are called by the Nuestros Ahijados. I can't describe how wonderful it was to actually get to meet her and interact with her... she's truly an incredible little girl that I am so eager to get to know as the years go on. Today I packed up a little package for her and sent it back with some volunteers who happened to be in Fargo this weekend. Some stickers, bubbles, a couple new shirts.... and a picture of the two of us together. It's something so special... I strongly encourage you to change the life of a young child at the Center. If you're interested in sponsoring a child for about $28/month, please let me know... I guarantee you'll get as much out of the experience as you put in. I feel so incredibly grateful for my amazing experience with The God's Child Project.. It's truly a magical place where children are given the tools to succeed in life.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
summary
so, all of those updates that I had... I suppose I should get to them. I'll do my best; I'm trying to have a productive day, and this wasn't included in the checklist of chores... so, bear with me :)
First, the bill that I worked my ass off on failed miserably in the house. It was a mighty sad day for North Dakotans and I still can't quite get over it. The bill would have protected individuals who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender from being fired from their job or evicted from their home based solely on their identity as LGB or T. The arguments that were brought up against the bill were so juvenile, archaic and unjust that I can't even begin to describe them here. What I can say; however, was that I had the opportunity to be in the House Chamber when it was heard and voted on. The discussion lasted for well over and hour. One of the sponsors of the bill, Corey Mock, allowed me to sit with him and I can't say how grateful I am of this opportunity. He made an incredible speech that eloquently summed up the reasoning that this bill is a necessity in the state of North Dakota. I was proud to be a member of the "under 30" generation at that time. Even though we were extremely outnumbered in that chamber, we did the best we could to represent human rights, dignity, and equality. Corey also allowed me to push the "green" button at the time of the vote. I know this may not sound like a huge deal, but after you've worked for nearly 6 months every day trying to educate people and get them to send letters to their representatives and senators, that symbolic "button pushing" meant quite a lot. I'm thankful to have ended the journey like I did; it allowed for some closure and even though I can't say that I've quite moved on, it instilled a drive in me that I don't think I'll soon lose. I'm so grateful for the process that SB2278 exposed me to. It showed me how backward much of our government is, especially in ND. The fact that there is only 1 woman under 30 is sickening and that there are only 7 total individuals in the house and senate who are under 30 is even more devastating. These old white men are simply out of touch with their constituencies and even more frightening, the world. Involving myself in this process has forced me to consider running for office. I can't say when I'll do it, but I know I will. Someday I'll be sitting in that chamber and casting my votes for a more progressive and equitable ND.
Beyond that, things here were crazy with the flooding. We weren't in school from March 6 until April 6th... and that basically means that everything is being squished into the time remaining. It gets a bit difficult to teach (and learn) when things are so out of the ordinary. The water is receding and the flood threat has passed for Fargo; luckily without any major strife.
I've also been trying to get back into running. I used to run quite a lot in high school, but the drive and passion for it sort of passed. I tried to keep it up when I moved to Germany, but things just weren't the same there. And, obviously, since college, I have neglected to do this as well. I've slowly been making progress and am happy to say that two nights ago I ran 7 miles in 65 minutes. This may not seem like a very long way, but I am quite proud that I was able to accomplish the feat. I called Mr. Jeremy Tucker last evening and we collectively decided to run Grandma's Marathon together next summer. I think it will be a great goal to strive for.. and, it'll be some nice brother/sister bonding time :) I am super excited to continue the running outside in the nice weather. Every once in a while we get a nice day that teases us into thinking that we are going to actually have a spring.. I'm just waiting for the leaves to turn green and the grass to start coming back.
One last thing before I sign off... I have the privilege of leading another service team to Guatemala this May. We will be leaving on May 17 and returning on May 27. We are collecting items and if you are moved to give to this incredible cause, please let me know. This journey has been one that has most profoundly impacted my life. The ability to work with students for 4 months to unravel the intracacies of privilege, opression, poverty, and culture is inexplainable. I can't even say how happy and proud of my students that I am. They've truly demonstrated that they're slowing beginning to "get it." It can be overwhelming and unnerving to be exposed to the inequalities and atrocities in this world... and I commend them for working to understand how they can do their part to overcome them....
There are a million other things I could write about.. but for now, I must do some homework. Ta Ta my friends....
First, the bill that I worked my ass off on failed miserably in the house. It was a mighty sad day for North Dakotans and I still can't quite get over it. The bill would have protected individuals who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender from being fired from their job or evicted from their home based solely on their identity as LGB or T. The arguments that were brought up against the bill were so juvenile, archaic and unjust that I can't even begin to describe them here. What I can say; however, was that I had the opportunity to be in the House Chamber when it was heard and voted on. The discussion lasted for well over and hour. One of the sponsors of the bill, Corey Mock, allowed me to sit with him and I can't say how grateful I am of this opportunity. He made an incredible speech that eloquently summed up the reasoning that this bill is a necessity in the state of North Dakota. I was proud to be a member of the "under 30" generation at that time. Even though we were extremely outnumbered in that chamber, we did the best we could to represent human rights, dignity, and equality. Corey also allowed me to push the "green" button at the time of the vote. I know this may not sound like a huge deal, but after you've worked for nearly 6 months every day trying to educate people and get them to send letters to their representatives and senators, that symbolic "button pushing" meant quite a lot. I'm thankful to have ended the journey like I did; it allowed for some closure and even though I can't say that I've quite moved on, it instilled a drive in me that I don't think I'll soon lose. I'm so grateful for the process that SB2278 exposed me to. It showed me how backward much of our government is, especially in ND. The fact that there is only 1 woman under 30 is sickening and that there are only 7 total individuals in the house and senate who are under 30 is even more devastating. These old white men are simply out of touch with their constituencies and even more frightening, the world. Involving myself in this process has forced me to consider running for office. I can't say when I'll do it, but I know I will. Someday I'll be sitting in that chamber and casting my votes for a more progressive and equitable ND.
Beyond that, things here were crazy with the flooding. We weren't in school from March 6 until April 6th... and that basically means that everything is being squished into the time remaining. It gets a bit difficult to teach (and learn) when things are so out of the ordinary. The water is receding and the flood threat has passed for Fargo; luckily without any major strife.
I've also been trying to get back into running. I used to run quite a lot in high school, but the drive and passion for it sort of passed. I tried to keep it up when I moved to Germany, but things just weren't the same there. And, obviously, since college, I have neglected to do this as well. I've slowly been making progress and am happy to say that two nights ago I ran 7 miles in 65 minutes. This may not seem like a very long way, but I am quite proud that I was able to accomplish the feat. I called Mr. Jeremy Tucker last evening and we collectively decided to run Grandma's Marathon together next summer. I think it will be a great goal to strive for.. and, it'll be some nice brother/sister bonding time :) I am super excited to continue the running outside in the nice weather. Every once in a while we get a nice day that teases us into thinking that we are going to actually have a spring.. I'm just waiting for the leaves to turn green and the grass to start coming back.
One last thing before I sign off... I have the privilege of leading another service team to Guatemala this May. We will be leaving on May 17 and returning on May 27. We are collecting items and if you are moved to give to this incredible cause, please let me know. This journey has been one that has most profoundly impacted my life. The ability to work with students for 4 months to unravel the intracacies of privilege, opression, poverty, and culture is inexplainable. I can't even say how happy and proud of my students that I am. They've truly demonstrated that they're slowing beginning to "get it." It can be overwhelming and unnerving to be exposed to the inequalities and atrocities in this world... and I commend them for working to understand how they can do their part to overcome them....
There are a million other things I could write about.. but for now, I must do some homework. Ta Ta my friends....
Sunday, February 1, 2009
It's been SO LONG
since I've posted that I forgot my username and password. After 15 minutes of trying to locate it, I finally stumbled upon the right info! The last couple months have been really great and really busy for us! The new semester is well under way and both mikey and I are embarking on some new endeavors. Mikey transferred from the Mechanical engineering program to Industrial Engineering, and thus far seems to be really enjoying it. I took a new job in the Office of Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach and have also been loving the change of pace. I've also been very involved with the legislative session in ND, as there is a bill that seeks to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes in the state. I've been to Bismarck once already and have three more visits planned in the next weeks. I'm really hoping that we can get this through, as both Mikey and I feel that it is necessary that our state value all of its citizens equally, regardless of a component of their identity for which they did not choose. I will be sure to keep this blog updated more ... even if it's more words than photos... working with this piece of legislation has been a very interesting and rewarding experience!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
"Edit"
"Edit"
White lines on your mind
Keep it steady
You were never ready for the lies
White lines on your mind
Keep it steady
You were never ready for the lies
You don't have no doctor Robert
You don't have no uncle Albert
You don't even have good credit
You can write but you can't edit
Edit, edit, edit, edit, edit, edit...
Edit? you say.... Yes, as the school year is approaching and I am returning to my roots of social activism I can't help but notice all of the editing that should be going on in vocabularies of friends, relatives and acquaintances. I have a really difficult time correcting people or calling it to attention in person... but I just can't help but be offended when, for example, these words and phrases are used:
1. "retarded"
2. "that's gay."
3. "go have a pow wow"
4. "I got jewed"
5. "Indian giver"
I understand that people may not recognize that these words are hurtful, however, if you're reading this, ignorance is no longer an excuse. Please, do what you can to combat these hurtful and offensive sayings: curb your use of them!
White lines on your mind
Keep it steady
You were never ready for the lies
White lines on your mind
Keep it steady
You were never ready for the lies
You don't have no doctor Robert
You don't have no uncle Albert
You don't even have good credit
You can write but you can't edit
Edit, edit, edit, edit, edit, edit...
Edit? you say.... Yes, as the school year is approaching and I am returning to my roots of social activism I can't help but notice all of the editing that should be going on in vocabularies of friends, relatives and acquaintances. I have a really difficult time correcting people or calling it to attention in person... but I just can't help but be offended when, for example, these words and phrases are used:
1. "retarded"
2. "that's gay."
3. "go have a pow wow"
4. "I got jewed"
5. "Indian giver"
I understand that people may not recognize that these words are hurtful, however, if you're reading this, ignorance is no longer an excuse. Please, do what you can to combat these hurtful and offensive sayings: curb your use of them!
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