Dear Joanne, and Beyond Borders mates,
I'm very sorry that I missed the final class today, but I have to say it was well worth it. (here comes a LONG post, so get comfy, it's well worth it! I'll give you the coles notes version...)
Today I attended a conference in Cambridge called Venture 4 Change, put on by the folks of Capacity Waterloo . The conference was a mind blowing experience premised on the idea of bringing social innovators together in the name of uniting business and social innovation and change and especially of collaboration. (please pay special attention to the green text as they are links and can help to give you more information and insight)
The day began (with a wonderful breakfast and) with a really neat address from Tony Pigott of JWT (the marketing company responsible for branding and marketing Walmart's greener business model, STAND Canada, Tim Hortons etc). Tony spoke about how social venture can brand themselves and use marketing to get their message out and do more of the wonderful things that they do already. Tony is also the co-founder of BrandAid which is assisting developing world artisans build market power and bring their art to market in the interest of making money to sustain their businesses and communities. The brand aid website (linked above) includes micro-sites for all of the artisan communities that they are affiliated with. Check out this webisode (scroll down beyond Jan 17) for an introduction to one of their affiliates in Haiti: Croix des Bouquets-Fire Iron Art. Tony really hammered the point about building emotional capital and telling people your story. This is a helpful concept for us as beyond borders students looking to fundraise, or to do good things when we return from our placements. It is also helpful for me as I embark on growing Cookies with a Cause into something large, and a venture with the ability to increase the “good deed potential”. I want to share with you two very salient points of this opening address: 1) The artisan master from Croix des Bouquets said “if this is marketing, poverty needs marketing” illuminating that we need to open up space for poverty to be “showcased (if you will) in order to capture attention and much needed aid. The second salient point came from Tony's closing remarks – someone said “Canadians are the only people to take moderation to and extreme” and tony rebutted that this is no time to be modest. Canadians have so much to offer in the realm of social innovation especially to the global south. We need to recognize our assets, be confident in them, and use them for good in our global village.
The next even was a really neat panel discussion with a twist. They called it a “kitchen table discussion” where the panellists sat around a round table to facilitate discussion rather than a linear table that feels really top down and preachy. The topic of discussion was whether social ventures were a trend, or a way of the future. The 6 panellists hailed from a variety of backgrounds including youth programs, environmental programs and such. There were a few key points that came out of this segment of the day: 1)we need to do things with passion, and allow others the opportunity to engage in things that they are passionate about – give them something they believe in. This is close to my heart as I believe that this is the way that education and academia should be moving (I commented on this in a previous post). An education model that gives space to passion necessarily creates space for commitment and drive, and in turn excellence. 2) from this idea is that idea that we need to couple passion and leadership to be effective in effecting change. We, as young people, are the leaders and innovators of the future, so we need to figure out what we are passionate about and lead the initiatives that assist in those areas. 3) we must remember that the unsung heroes are the ones that are making a difference on a day to day basis. This does not mean Bono and U2; this means you doing the right things and good things in your daily life. This might mean finding a way to incorporate meaningful work as part of your job or career so that you are making a daily difference. 4) the final point that is a little bit cutesy, but definitely important: being driven vs being delusional. We must wither strike a careful balance between our dreams and reality, and if not, then err on the side of driven. The key here is to start small with real, measurable goals, and then move on – don't lose your drive to delusional ideas of unattainable results. The panellists were Julie McDowell of ClearlySo, Steve Cordes from YOU, Tina Venema of Philanthrokidz, John Colangeli CEO of Lutherwood, Peter Katona of Foodlink and Bruce Taylor founder of Enviro Stewards (Dave – this is of particular note to you, look them up, and talk to me if you're interested – this project screams your name) Each of the organizations are doing some effing cool stuff, and are worth a look.
Lunch was great (although I was a little bit surprised that their lunch buffet did not include a vegitarian option...), and the Lunch speaker was great (Sam Purdy, national director of the ReStore/Habitat for Humanity) but I am conscious of the length of this post, and so I will move on to other things.
After lunch we had something called “interactive open space session”. Topics were suggested and participants were free to move to which ever table topic they were most interested in. I suggested one of the chosen topics “ how do we engage the 'young ones' in social change. How do we user in the next generation of social innovators”. This discussion was rich and full. We discussed youth culture and how it can be connected to social venture and social innovation. There were 3 main points to our discussion and conclusions 1) delivering opportunities to youth, creating the opportunities and making youth aware that they exist. It is not that young people do not WANT to get involved, it is usually that they are unsure HOW to get involved. 2) Mentoring is infinitely important, and is a way to pass the torch. Mentoring can either be from field veterans, or even peer to peer. This gives young people and entrance into the field, and provides them with a guide to help navigate and find their place. 3) Communication is the missing link between social organizations and the young populations. This is how the field of social innovation can make youth aware of the opportunities, as well as match up young people with suitable mentors. Communication opens up space for dialogue, dialogue makes space to discuss need, and that is the crux of getting people involved. One thing that was said was really congruent with the work I am doing with kids is that we need to give young people ownership of their causes and initiatives. We need to help them get involved and then get out of their way so they can involve themselves as they see fit this will lead to meaningful involvement as a way of life, and not a chore.
The final part of the day (well, before the free booze came out) was spent listening to Jerry Greenfield tell the story of how Ben and Jerry's came about, and how they applied a radical business model that was built on the foundation of their core values of community and giving back. Some highlights – they introduces a business model that looks at financial statements as well as social statements to assess their business success, and giving back 7.5% of their pretax revenues to the Ben and Jerry's foundation – most business foundations only see a maximum of 1% of pretax revenues!!! these guys are amazing! And they learned to make ice cream through a $5 correspondence course that they split between the two of them! I spent as much time telling Felix the story as I did listening to the story. I wont re tell it here but please visit these links for more information on how Ben and Jerry's makes a difference: Ben and Jerry's, Wikipedia, Lecturer profile, Interview, Dough boy campaign, . OH, and one more important thing the Ben and Jerry's compay has announced that they are going fair trade: their ice cream (every flavour in every country, for the rest of time) will be 100% fair trade by 2013!!
Here's what I left the conference with: I had a mind blowing day. I was able to tell my story (well, stories, as I went to the conference wearing 3 hats: BB student, Cookies with a Cause, and my newly named youth program Youth4Change) and network with 150+ people who are kindred spirits and soul mates. The main theme of the conference, for me, was collaboration and bringing together like minds and like ideas to begin to create a network of people who are all connected in reaching the same goal. We were, in effect, breaking down the conventions of the old silo model. Instead of preaching, we were bringing the choir together. One of the round table panellists (John Colangeli) commented that people are not your strongest asset (for an organization), the RIGHT people are your strongest asset – I was in a room full of the RIGHT people. We were a bunch of people that are interested in sustainable capitalism. I participated in, and left this (AMAZING) conference with a similar feeling to other conference that I attend: with excited heart palpitations, and a heightened sense of vigour and (social change oriented) potency. There are others out there who are doing incredible things; people that care, people that “get it”. Today I networked like I have never networked before (PS Cat I met your friend Amanda from the women's centre, she's lovely, I'd love to keep in touch with her, can you connect us?!) I stole peoples brains (in the form of business cards and promises of future networking gatherings), gathered ideas, and re affirmed for myself that this, the cross roads between venture, innovation and change is really and truly where I belong.
There was a part of me today that was sad that I will be leaving for Ukraine in 1 month. I shared this with a fellow participant and she introduced me to the concept of “non doing” - she explained it as the time that we are NOT busy doing things to make sure things are going well the time that we allow the universe or cosmos to catch up with were we are at and give it the time and space to take it's own course. Sometimes the most powerful things that happen to us are the things that we didn't necessarily plan or control for. I am going to hold on to this little nugget, as I think it'll come in handy for me!
And perhaps you too....
*love*
PS I'll post some pictures when I upload them
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
"Thats so gay is so yesterday"
I am in a program that operates from a social justice framework, and includes the practices of inclusion, anti oppression and acceptance….. Most of the time.
In class (Beyond Borders) we have talked about the idea of some people being “Justice Seekers” with a focus on social justice, and calling out injustices where ever possible. This is me! I strongly identify with this role. I can remember in grade school trying to get the other kids to stop saying “retarded” because it hurt other people’s feelings, and even asking the other kids not to swing on the branches of the trees because the trees didn’t like it. Working from an anti oppression frame work informs so much of what I do on a daily basis. Being committed to anti oppression and social justice is (usually) what keeps me so busy – I have trouble saying no to helping out where help is needed.
I think that my final acceptance of traveling to the Ukraine to work with girls with disabilities rested on the idea that this is a population that is severely marginalized, and part mf my role as volunteer is also advocate [insert (highly egotistical) vision of social justice superhero flying in to save the day]. As I’ve mentioned, I have trouble turning down a request to help where help is needed.
Sometimes I fell like no one REALLY cares about social justice, and I tire myself out fighting to educate others as to why this is so important. I think this is the reason why I feel so at home in the SMF program (and Beyond borders for that matter): it is a place where there are like minded people who are interested in fighting for similar causes, and are as committed to justice as I am (some even more so).
Case in point: yesterday Carm Desantis’ SMF 208 family therapy class hosted an Anti oppressive therapy model symposium in the St Jerome’s Cafeteria. Carm really encourages her students to identify their preconceptions, and biases and not just ignore them, or stifle them, but address them and confront them in order to move beyond them. It was invigorating to see 100+ students grappling with the issue of Anti-oppression, and working from a framework they may be unfamiliar with. I think this is a wonderful class to have at a 200 level as it introduces students to the framework, and helps them climb inside and get comfortable using it, and I think it is something that stays with them as they move through the rest of their careers inside the academic institution, as well as out side of it.
With all the feel good stuff out of the way, I do have a bit of a bone to pick. Some times I feel like there are people who are “inclusive” because it is expected of them (in their academic setting) rather than because that’s what they believe in. Like someone who in classroom setting will laboriously make sure their language is inclusive, but write something like “yo guy, I look so gay” on a picture on facebook, or tell you they have a “retarded amount of home work”. There have been occasions where people slip up in classes as well – sitting through 10 research proposal presentation where all of the groups didn’t want to look at same sex participants because they “just weren’t interested in that population” (what’s worse is when they refer to them as “the gays” hahahah), or saying that anal sex is disgusting during a presentation on healthy sex. These are some pretty blatant examples; there is a plethora of others that are more covert, and more indicative of the system of oppression and discrimination that we operate within.
Let me bring you back to the Anti Oppressive Therapy Model Symposium. Each student group was supposed to watch a movie, identify oppression within the movie, and develop a therapy model that was anti oppressive. These students talk a lot about shedding their biases and preconceptions and addressing the client needs from a place of acceptance and non judgment. This is wonderful in theory, but as we walked around we identified several groups whose biggest oversight was putting this into practice. Example: one group asked us to discuss characteristics of the stereotypical man. When we hesitated, one group member prompted my colleague by saying “think of a characteristic of your ideal man, a man you would want to go on a date with”. EEK heteronormativity!!!! What this group member did not realize is that my colleague is a lesbian, and has no use for an ideal man that she would want to date; her comment reduced her sexual orientation to non-existent. There were many other examples of this happening at various groups (I won’t go through them all) which is shocking considering that nearly every group talked about identifying their biases, and checking their judgments “at the door” (so to speak).
Through these situations I always come away having had a really neat experience of multiple personalities: I’m black if you say nigger, I have a disability if you call something retarded, I’m multi ethnic if you use a racial slur, and I’m as gay and out as Harvey Milk if you’re being heteronormative (well 56% anyways hahahah). Dominique de Menil said “What should move us to action is human dignity: the inalienable dignity of the oppressed, but also the dignity of each of us. We lose dignity if we tolerate the intolerable.” I find myself so committed to protecting the right to justice and inclusion of others that I take any form of slight or oppression against anyone so personally.
What I think am saying here (or more what I’m on about) is that we need to adopt anti oppression and social justice into our lives as a fundamental practice, rather than just a frame work to dabble in. Bj Rye has a poster up that says “a newspaper can’t be gay, but your best friend can be” and encourages people to explore how destructive language can be (please check out the thinkb4youspeak website) (also comment if you’re interested in hearing about how HORRIBLE the history of the word “faggot” is and I’ll post something, I just don’t want to take up and MORE space in this post).
Here’s my final though for today: we live in a world of difference. Where each person is very different from every other person and that this is what the makes the world GOOD not BAD. Many of us wouldn’t dream of calling a black person a nigger, or beating someone up because they are gay – we have moved away from such blatant and overt marginalization – we would, however, perhaps make the mistake of assuming that someone (or more specifically assuming that EVERYONE) is hetero sexual. which is just as damaging. We are all racisit, and all sexist, and all homophobic, but it is how we deal with these things that matters. We need to be aware of these things, and these tiny little small biases that exist and leak out, and in so doing have the potential to do a world of harm.
"If you're thinking about being my baby it don't matter if your black or white"
*love (Everyone) *
In class (Beyond Borders) we have talked about the idea of some people being “Justice Seekers” with a focus on social justice, and calling out injustices where ever possible. This is me! I strongly identify with this role. I can remember in grade school trying to get the other kids to stop saying “retarded” because it hurt other people’s feelings, and even asking the other kids not to swing on the branches of the trees because the trees didn’t like it. Working from an anti oppression frame work informs so much of what I do on a daily basis. Being committed to anti oppression and social justice is (usually) what keeps me so busy – I have trouble saying no to helping out where help is needed.
I think that my final acceptance of traveling to the Ukraine to work with girls with disabilities rested on the idea that this is a population that is severely marginalized, and part mf my role as volunteer is also advocate [insert (highly egotistical) vision of social justice superhero flying in to save the day]. As I’ve mentioned, I have trouble turning down a request to help where help is needed.
Sometimes I fell like no one REALLY cares about social justice, and I tire myself out fighting to educate others as to why this is so important. I think this is the reason why I feel so at home in the SMF program (and Beyond borders for that matter): it is a place where there are like minded people who are interested in fighting for similar causes, and are as committed to justice as I am (some even more so).
Case in point: yesterday Carm Desantis’ SMF 208 family therapy class hosted an Anti oppressive therapy model symposium in the St Jerome’s Cafeteria. Carm really encourages her students to identify their preconceptions, and biases and not just ignore them, or stifle them, but address them and confront them in order to move beyond them. It was invigorating to see 100+ students grappling with the issue of Anti-oppression, and working from a framework they may be unfamiliar with. I think this is a wonderful class to have at a 200 level as it introduces students to the framework, and helps them climb inside and get comfortable using it, and I think it is something that stays with them as they move through the rest of their careers inside the academic institution, as well as out side of it.
With all the feel good stuff out of the way, I do have a bit of a bone to pick. Some times I feel like there are people who are “inclusive” because it is expected of them (in their academic setting) rather than because that’s what they believe in. Like someone who in classroom setting will laboriously make sure their language is inclusive, but write something like “yo guy, I look so gay” on a picture on facebook, or tell you they have a “retarded amount of home work”. There have been occasions where people slip up in classes as well – sitting through 10 research proposal presentation where all of the groups didn’t want to look at same sex participants because they “just weren’t interested in that population” (what’s worse is when they refer to them as “the gays” hahahah), or saying that anal sex is disgusting during a presentation on healthy sex. These are some pretty blatant examples; there is a plethora of others that are more covert, and more indicative of the system of oppression and discrimination that we operate within.
Let me bring you back to the Anti Oppressive Therapy Model Symposium. Each student group was supposed to watch a movie, identify oppression within the movie, and develop a therapy model that was anti oppressive. These students talk a lot about shedding their biases and preconceptions and addressing the client needs from a place of acceptance and non judgment. This is wonderful in theory, but as we walked around we identified several groups whose biggest oversight was putting this into practice. Example: one group asked us to discuss characteristics of the stereotypical man. When we hesitated, one group member prompted my colleague by saying “think of a characteristic of your ideal man, a man you would want to go on a date with”. EEK heteronormativity!!!! What this group member did not realize is that my colleague is a lesbian, and has no use for an ideal man that she would want to date; her comment reduced her sexual orientation to non-existent. There were many other examples of this happening at various groups (I won’t go through them all) which is shocking considering that nearly every group talked about identifying their biases, and checking their judgments “at the door” (so to speak).
Through these situations I always come away having had a really neat experience of multiple personalities: I’m black if you say nigger, I have a disability if you call something retarded, I’m multi ethnic if you use a racial slur, and I’m as gay and out as Harvey Milk if you’re being heteronormative (well 56% anyways hahahah). Dominique de Menil said “What should move us to action is human dignity: the inalienable dignity of the oppressed, but also the dignity of each of us. We lose dignity if we tolerate the intolerable.” I find myself so committed to protecting the right to justice and inclusion of others that I take any form of slight or oppression against anyone so personally.
What I think am saying here (or more what I’m on about) is that we need to adopt anti oppression and social justice into our lives as a fundamental practice, rather than just a frame work to dabble in. Bj Rye has a poster up that says “a newspaper can’t be gay, but your best friend can be” and encourages people to explore how destructive language can be (please check out the thinkb4youspeak website) (also comment if you’re interested in hearing about how HORRIBLE the history of the word “faggot” is and I’ll post something, I just don’t want to take up and MORE space in this post).
Here’s my final though for today: we live in a world of difference. Where each person is very different from every other person and that this is what the makes the world GOOD not BAD. Many of us wouldn’t dream of calling a black person a nigger, or beating someone up because they are gay – we have moved away from such blatant and overt marginalization – we would, however, perhaps make the mistake of assuming that someone (or more specifically assuming that EVERYONE) is hetero sexual. which is just as damaging. We are all racisit, and all sexist, and all homophobic, but it is how we deal with these things that matters. We need to be aware of these things, and these tiny little small biases that exist and leak out, and in so doing have the potential to do a world of harm.
"If you're thinking about being my baby it don't matter if your black or white"
*love (Everyone) *
Sunday, March 14, 2010
We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same. - Anne Frank
I have to admit I have brain block this week. I have sat down on a number of occasions to write this blog post (due 3 days ago) but the ideas have just not been flowing. I wonder if it has anything to do with the deadly cocktail of March madness (end of term crunch) and a wonderfully wicked sickness?! Regardless, it's not often that I have nothing to say, so it's a bit jarring.
Tonight, as I was scraping at the bottom of the barrel for ideas, I decided to write about diversity through the lens of a party I went to last night.
Yesterday was hectic. It was the opening day for my chorus and our Spring Fling 2010. We sang through 3 full shows over the day (exhausting!) and then after that Felix and I rushed across town to an annual Fundraiser Party.
A few months ago I was horrified to arrive at the realization that one of my close relatives lives a life that embodies everything I despise about Western living. Like a perverted poster child: this family lives in the suburbs, married, owns their home, and exists comfortably in the upper middle class with his 2.5 kids (well, 2 kids) and a pet. They drive 2 large SUVs, they own a large boat and a jet ski, there’s a TV in every room of the house, they have all the toys. They are Costco members (but prefer Sam's club); they shop at Wal-Mart, they are proud to be consumers, and exercise their pride by consuming... more. (Please don't mistake this description for me not loving my relatives. I adore this family deeply... but just hear me out...)
When I was younger I loved going to this house because of all the "stuff", but as I got older and more socially aware, I was also aware of an increasing dis-ease I felt when visiting. It was around Christmas that I was finally able to name where that dis-ease stemmed from - they live the life, with the values, I fight so hard to counteract within our Western society!
I took some comfort in the fact that it was their life style causing the dis-ease, and not them. It was comforting to find that being opposed to their lifestyle and values didn't change the way I felt about them even a little bit.
Last night was a big night for them. They had over 100 people at their house; they had a brewery sponsor, media coverage of the party the whole 9 yards. They have been hosting this party for 10 years always for the purpose of raising money for children's charities. they now raise money for cancer.
It runs in the family, we are all at our happiest when hosting others and making them happy. These relative was no exception last night. they were alight with a glow of happiness (and drunkenness) it was their glowing smiles that lead me to a strange sense of understanding, like I reconciled my opposition to their lifestyle.
I realized, as Anne frank so eloquently put it, that we all live with the objective of being happy, and that our lives are all different, and therefore our happinesses are all different. My Rlatives draw their happiness from the people around them and although their lifestyle is very different (understatement of the century) than mine, they find their own ways to give back to the cosmos: like by being a good neighbor and friend, lending a hand when one is needed, raising money for cancer etc.
Sometimes I find that I get frustrated (and perhaps a wee bit preachy) when people don't see how problematic their lifestyles can be for the rest of humanity (like a millionaire cousin who spent $9million rebuilding a house but didn't bother to include ANY green technologies, not even solar panels... GRR). I don't think that I give enough space for people making a difference in their own ways.
I was going to call this post "it takes all types" because that was the conclusion of my reflection on this topic - it does take all types, but with that being said, it is helpful to remember that we are all working towards the same goal of happiness no matter how we define it to ourselves. I am most happy when facilitating the happiness of others, and I think I Have to pay more attention to how others derive their truest happiness to complete that symbiotic relationship. I have found a new confidence in Anne Frank's words "our lives are all different and yet the same".
(I promise to be more on time and less bottom of the barrel next week)
*love*
Tonight, as I was scraping at the bottom of the barrel for ideas, I decided to write about diversity through the lens of a party I went to last night.
Yesterday was hectic. It was the opening day for my chorus and our Spring Fling 2010. We sang through 3 full shows over the day (exhausting!) and then after that Felix and I rushed across town to an annual Fundraiser Party.
A few months ago I was horrified to arrive at the realization that one of my close relatives lives a life that embodies everything I despise about Western living. Like a perverted poster child: this family lives in the suburbs, married, owns their home, and exists comfortably in the upper middle class with his 2.5 kids (well, 2 kids) and a pet. They drive 2 large SUVs, they own a large boat and a jet ski, there’s a TV in every room of the house, they have all the toys. They are Costco members (but prefer Sam's club); they shop at Wal-Mart, they are proud to be consumers, and exercise their pride by consuming... more. (Please don't mistake this description for me not loving my relatives. I adore this family deeply... but just hear me out...)
When I was younger I loved going to this house because of all the "stuff", but as I got older and more socially aware, I was also aware of an increasing dis-ease I felt when visiting. It was around Christmas that I was finally able to name where that dis-ease stemmed from - they live the life, with the values, I fight so hard to counteract within our Western society!
I took some comfort in the fact that it was their life style causing the dis-ease, and not them. It was comforting to find that being opposed to their lifestyle and values didn't change the way I felt about them even a little bit.
Last night was a big night for them. They had over 100 people at their house; they had a brewery sponsor, media coverage of the party the whole 9 yards. They have been hosting this party for 10 years always for the purpose of raising money for children's charities. they now raise money for cancer.
It runs in the family, we are all at our happiest when hosting others and making them happy. These relative was no exception last night. they were alight with a glow of happiness (and drunkenness) it was their glowing smiles that lead me to a strange sense of understanding, like I reconciled my opposition to their lifestyle.
I realized, as Anne frank so eloquently put it, that we all live with the objective of being happy, and that our lives are all different, and therefore our happinesses are all different. My Rlatives draw their happiness from the people around them and although their lifestyle is very different (understatement of the century) than mine, they find their own ways to give back to the cosmos: like by being a good neighbor and friend, lending a hand when one is needed, raising money for cancer etc.
Sometimes I find that I get frustrated (and perhaps a wee bit preachy) when people don't see how problematic their lifestyles can be for the rest of humanity (like a millionaire cousin who spent $9million rebuilding a house but didn't bother to include ANY green technologies, not even solar panels... GRR). I don't think that I give enough space for people making a difference in their own ways.
I was going to call this post "it takes all types" because that was the conclusion of my reflection on this topic - it does take all types, but with that being said, it is helpful to remember that we are all working towards the same goal of happiness no matter how we define it to ourselves. I am most happy when facilitating the happiness of others, and I think I Have to pay more attention to how others derive their truest happiness to complete that symbiotic relationship. I have found a new confidence in Anne Frank's words "our lives are all different and yet the same".
(I promise to be more on time and less bottom of the barrel next week)
*love*
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Comfort in Opposites
"So it seems to me that you two are polar opposites of each other. there are two ways of looking at this: the first way is that being opposite is a source of tension in relationships and that it has and always will cause friction and upset. The second way of looking at it is that opposites attract. You see your differences as a positive thing and they help to balance each of you. Felix, which view do you take?" "I tend to take the former..."
"And Denise?"
"Most definitely the latter!"
Case. In. Point !
Everybody, meet Felix! Felix is sometimes my other half, and sometimes my better half, but always my opposite. Felix is my other full time job.
(I was going to write you a post about Cultural Competencies, and then about being Canadian, but for some reason this felt like it needed to happen.)
A little bit about Felix: Felix is an early 1970s baby (I'm an early 1980s baby). He grew up in Winnipeg immersed in strong Chinese culture. He did a BA in commerce and economics at the University of Manitoba and then picked up and moved to Toronto to join the Bay st rat race. Felix goes to work in a suit, for an investment firm and supports the very political, economic, and social infrastructures that I have rebelled against all my life. Felix is a Green/Gold with a high need for structure, order and procedure. He respects authority, he is emotionally controlled and needs (alone) time to process, think, and reflect. Felix scores a 2/7 on the extrovert scale (I hope that I am properly highlighting the polarity of Felix and I). Felix and I will mark our 5 year anniversary while I am in the Ukraine - I'm not always positive exactly how we've made it this far (it surprises the h*ll outta him). regardless of our opposites, it is with felix that I feel most comfortable.
I have been writing my blog since October 2009 and February 27 2010 was the first time Felix visited it!! I have learned not to mistake that for non-support, but I think that it has been his way of ignoring the inevitable (through this have had a revelation)I'm leaving him for 4 months!!!!
I think that the excitement of going had distracted me from the realities of leaving!
Leaving is one of the most serious side effects of embarking on such a journey.
The most important things that I am leaving behind are Felix, and our "boys" Quixo and Juda (I would be remiss if I didn't include the cat, Mangia, as well; he'd get upset with me, and probably pee on something to spite me). These are the things (my partner, our relationship and our "children") I look to in order to recharge, get support and grow strength. The reality of leaving them behind has not set in as of yet, but the concept of it makes my skin crawl a little bit.
How do I seek comfort in something so discomforting?
I am reminded of Rigoberta Menchu who was forced to flee her native land, but yet it was this move away that enabled her to be changed, and in turn affect change. Lara will tell you that one does not have to travel the world to make a difference in it, and I agree, whole heartedly. I am not only looking to make a contribution and a difference, I am going to the Ukraine, first and foremost, in search of a different perspective on the global village, one that does not shine through a western lens.
As Canadians, as Capitalists, as Consumers (CCC), we have constructed our own interpretation of the world, and how it does, and should work. I think that the the grass roots movers and shakers (revolutionaries, if you will) who are affecting the most change are the ones that are able to divorce this westernized CCC lens and see things differently. I want to see things differently - not to be called a revolutionary (hahahahah), but to enable myself to affect the most change possible both at home (in Canada) as well as within the global village.
How does this relate to Felix?! Felix represents, for me, all of the things, and the comfort I am leaving behind. What am I leaving behind? I'm leaving behind my partner, and the boys, our house, my car, my native tongue, my friends, my community, my support system and safety net. I am leaving behind the comforts of "home". In my interview for Beyond Borders I used the new buzz line for interdisciplinary education: "I am comfortable being uncomfortable" thinking that I knew what it meant. I think that this experience is going to add an indescribable layer to the idea of being "uncomfortable" (are we ever really uncomfortable in our cushy western lives?!). I will concede that I am comfortable with idea of being uncomfortable, but I would like to amend my initial statement and have it read " I am terrified of learning what uncomfortable really feels like, but I am up for the challenge."
Oh and by the way, Felix doesn't know how to cook, like at all, so can somebody check on him now and again......?
*love*
Friday, February 26, 2010
Strength in Numbers... 1 is a number, right?!
I sing better as a chorister, rather than a soloist. I'm much better at crazy-eights than I am at solitaire. Tennis is WAY better than wall ball. I don't own an ipod, but I attend tons of concerts. I enjoy reading... the same books as my friends. When I talk to myself, I also answer. I talk on the phone while I pee... I am a social creature that feeds off the energy of others. I've explained that I am an extrovert, but I think it goes beyond just that - I am a community seeker, and a community creator: I can not function without community; My strengths as a student, as a professional, as a human being, shrivel up and die if I feel isolated, alienated and alone. One of my mottoes has always been "I can do ANYTHING, if you're standing next to me"
I was originally opposed to the idea of going to the Ukraine. Then Tina was offered the same placement and I was convinced: I could do anything as long as she was there with me. the prospect of traveling with Tina was multi faceted: Tina is in the same program as I am in (Sexuality Marriage and Family), with similar interests (Social Development Studies), she is a Beyond Borders classmate so we share the time and space process, she is my academic colleague, she has been my business partner all the way through Cookies with a Cause, a great baking partner, but most importantly, I wouldn't hesitate to call Tina one of my Best friends. As such, it was a cheap sales trick using our friendship to sell me on the Ukraine: I could have been offered a one way ticket into a tribe of starving cannibals, and the deal would have been sweeter with her there with me - *erm* not that I'd want you to get eaten or anything, I'm just saying... (this song just popped into my head - mainly verse 2[WWIII] and 3[Grandcentral station] ). But it worked, Tina and I were going to the Ukraine!
One of the strengths of our friendship is our ability to have blunt, open and honest conversations. On one of these occasions we got to talking about the trip and some of our mixed feelings about it. In our open and honest fashion, it came out that this may not be the best time for Tina to be traveling (this belongs to Tina; see her blog for her latest posting…). Things came unraveled pretty quickly – within 24 hours Tina’s decision was made and I’ve once again been caught in the Beyond Borders cyclone: in May, I will be traveling to the Ukraine alone…
Wwwwwwwwait, wait a second, alone? Like by myself? No one else is going to be with me? no… no, impossible… But strength in numbers….. right?
really? seriously? But… I… umm…
Once again I thought I had it all figured out, and have to reassess and begin the process again.
I am a bit of a fatalist. I believe that there are no such things as mistakes. There’s a lyric from a song call “fortuosity” from the 1967 film “The Happiest Millionaire” and the Lyric goes “sometimes castles fall to the ground, that’s where four leaf clovers are found”. From this seemingly unfortunate event emerges the four leaf clover; a wonderful learning opportunity: From this experience I will be forced to learn the strength in numbers; not just any number, but the strength of a specific number: the number One
I can feign optimism as much as I’d like, the fact still remains (huge and glaring in fact) I’m scared. Halfway across the world, away from my community: no choir and I’m stuck with solitaire, wall ball and an ipod. I can’t even create community because no body will understand me (my one small blessing is no squat toilettes)! January 14 I talked about fear, and finally overcoming my fear of the Ukraine. My fear and terror is back – with a vengeance. I’m ok, and I’m dealing, for now. The test will be when I get on the plane and go. I’m glad that I am reflecting on this fear now, because I am really interested to look back at this during my trip and afterwards to see how I dealt with something so unbelievably foreign to me….
Wanna come to the Ukraine with me?!?!?! puh… puh… puh… Pllllease?!?!
*love*
I was originally opposed to the idea of going to the Ukraine. Then Tina was offered the same placement and I was convinced: I could do anything as long as she was there with me. the prospect of traveling with Tina was multi faceted: Tina is in the same program as I am in (Sexuality Marriage and Family), with similar interests (Social Development Studies), she is a Beyond Borders classmate so we share the time and space process, she is my academic colleague, she has been my business partner all the way through Cookies with a Cause, a great baking partner, but most importantly, I wouldn't hesitate to call Tina one of my Best friends. As such, it was a cheap sales trick using our friendship to sell me on the Ukraine: I could have been offered a one way ticket into a tribe of starving cannibals, and the deal would have been sweeter with her there with me - *erm* not that I'd want you to get eaten or anything, I'm just saying... (this song just popped into my head - mainly verse 2[WWIII] and 3[Grandcentral station] ). But it worked, Tina and I were going to the Ukraine!
One of the strengths of our friendship is our ability to have blunt, open and honest conversations. On one of these occasions we got to talking about the trip and some of our mixed feelings about it. In our open and honest fashion, it came out that this may not be the best time for Tina to be traveling (this belongs to Tina; see her blog for her latest posting…). Things came unraveled pretty quickly – within 24 hours Tina’s decision was made and I’ve once again been caught in the Beyond Borders cyclone: in May, I will be traveling to the Ukraine alone…
Wwwwwwwwait, wait a second, alone? Like by myself? No one else is going to be with me? no… no, impossible… But strength in numbers….. right?
really? seriously? But… I… umm…
Once again I thought I had it all figured out, and have to reassess and begin the process again.
I am a bit of a fatalist. I believe that there are no such things as mistakes. There’s a lyric from a song call “fortuosity” from the 1967 film “The Happiest Millionaire” and the Lyric goes “sometimes castles fall to the ground, that’s where four leaf clovers are found”. From this seemingly unfortunate event emerges the four leaf clover; a wonderful learning opportunity: From this experience I will be forced to learn the strength in numbers; not just any number, but the strength of a specific number: the number One
I can feign optimism as much as I’d like, the fact still remains (huge and glaring in fact) I’m scared. Halfway across the world, away from my community: no choir and I’m stuck with solitaire, wall ball and an ipod. I can’t even create community because no body will understand me (my one small blessing is no squat toilettes)! January 14 I talked about fear, and finally overcoming my fear of the Ukraine. My fear and terror is back – with a vengeance. I’m ok, and I’m dealing, for now. The test will be when I get on the plane and go. I’m glad that I am reflecting on this fear now, because I am really interested to look back at this during my trip and afterwards to see how I dealt with something so unbelievably foreign to me….
Wanna come to the Ukraine with me?!?!?! puh… puh… puh… Pllllease?!?!
*love*
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
I've found the vein!!
Last week I promised I would say more about my new job...
Officially I have been hired on as the Youth Progects Manager working with two community development organizations: Phoenix Community Works Foundation and RAFT (Resources and Assets For Transformation). In this role I will be building a youth centred program that seeks to support youth in getting involved in the (global) community through social action for social change. My vision for the program is that we foster a sense of community and social conscience in the youth of today. Through this program, I hope to mentor youth and enable them to employ their strengths and interests to build healthy, sustainable and just communities through engaging in community initiatives and social actions which support local organizations. I will be building this program on a part time basis until I leave for the Ukraine, and then after grant writing, and secure funding, it will be a full time job for me. (yipee!)
That in and of itself is amazing, but that’s not all, believe it or not! Phoenix and RAFT are housed in the coolest place in the world: the Center for Social Innovation (CSI) which is a dynamic space in downtown Toronto. Their mission is to spark and support new ideas that are tackling the social, environmental, economic and cultural challenges we face today. They have created the type of environment that social innovation needs to thrive. This place is a mecca for community development and social innovation. CSI is home base for over 100 different organizations from grass roots organizations to full fledged social enterprises (the david suzuki foundation, the hoop factory, bikes without borders, canadian centre for pollution prevention etc.).
The building is set up as open concept office space that promotes collaboration and out of the box thinking. They have yoga classes through the week, community mixers, a communal salad bar 2x each week where everyone brings 2 ingredients and shares with others, they have a living wall (picture to left), a green roof, and there are even NAP ROOMS!!!!! There is a hum – the hum of good things happening; it is exhilarating just walking INTO the building.
What this all means: I have tapped into a diamond vein! I have spent the last 6 years in university taking core samples and exploring what lies beneath the surface. I have generally excelled at the things I have taken on, but not all of them were the right "fit" - I had not yet found my diamond. I think that one of the reasons that I am hyper involved, and have a voracious appetite for getting involved is my way of searching for that "fit". I have scratched the surface and finally found a rich reservoir beneath.
I entered the Sexuality, Marriage and Family program thinking that I was going to end up in the University of Guelph Couple and Family therapy program to wind up as a family therapist (I should have known those plans would change). Along the way some one asked me to reconsider this idea. She could see in me a highly developed sense of community, and a commitment to social justice and social action and thought that the family therapy program would kill that part of me. I didn't agree with her at first, and have come to realize that I thrive in a community setting (case in point: I have written about communities, and the importance of, on more than one occasion in my previous blogs), and need that community piece in order to feel fulfilled.
Finding the right "fit" is essentially finding that diamond - a wonderful experience - an experience I have now been fortunate to have twice this year, the first was deciding that I could manage going to the Ukraine, and then realizing that it was the perfect opportunity for me, and the second is this new job.
I think that we all want to make a difference in the world in our own way, and finding an avenue or opportunity which will best facilitate our efforts ensures that were are making the biggest possible impact. I am excited and invigorated by all of the things I am finding that fit with the way I would like to move in our global community, and am certainly looking forward to charting the difference in myself and the world around me.
Wish me luck!
*love*
Officially I have been hired on as the Youth Progects Manager working with two community development organizations: Phoenix Community Works Foundation and RAFT (Resources and Assets For Transformation). In this role I will be building a youth centred program that seeks to support youth in getting involved in the (global) community through social action for social change. My vision for the program is that we foster a sense of community and social conscience in the youth of today. Through this program, I hope to mentor youth and enable them to employ their strengths and interests to build healthy, sustainable and just communities through engaging in community initiatives and social actions which support local organizations. I will be building this program on a part time basis until I leave for the Ukraine, and then after grant writing, and secure funding, it will be a full time job for me. (yipee!)
That in and of itself is amazing, but that’s not all, believe it or not! Phoenix and RAFT are housed in the coolest place in the world: the Center for Social Innovation (CSI) which is a dynamic space in downtown Toronto. Their mission is to spark and support new ideas that are tackling the social, environmental, economic and cultural challenges we face today. They have created the type of environment that social innovation needs to thrive. This place is a mecca for community development and social innovation. CSI is home base for over 100 different organizations from grass roots organizations to full fledged social enterprises (the david suzuki foundation, the hoop factory, bikes without borders, canadian centre for pollution prevention etc.).
The building is set up as open concept office space that promotes collaboration and out of the box thinking. They have yoga classes through the week, community mixers, a communal salad bar 2x each week where everyone brings 2 ingredients and shares with others, they have a living wall (picture to left), a green roof, and there are even NAP ROOMS!!!!! There is a hum – the hum of good things happening; it is exhilarating just walking INTO the building. What this all means: I have tapped into a diamond vein! I have spent the last 6 years in university taking core samples and exploring what lies beneath the surface. I have generally excelled at the things I have taken on, but not all of them were the right "fit" - I had not yet found my diamond. I think that one of the reasons that I am hyper involved, and have a voracious appetite for getting involved is my way of searching for that "fit". I have scratched the surface and finally found a rich reservoir beneath.
I entered the Sexuality, Marriage and Family program thinking that I was going to end up in the University of Guelph Couple and Family therapy program to wind up as a family therapist (I should have known those plans would change). Along the way some one asked me to reconsider this idea. She could see in me a highly developed sense of community, and a commitment to social justice and social action and thought that the family therapy program would kill that part of me. I didn't agree with her at first, and have come to realize that I thrive in a community setting (case in point: I have written about communities, and the importance of, on more than one occasion in my previous blogs), and need that community piece in order to feel fulfilled.
Finding the right "fit" is essentially finding that diamond - a wonderful experience - an experience I have now been fortunate to have twice this year, the first was deciding that I could manage going to the Ukraine, and then realizing that it was the perfect opportunity for me, and the second is this new job.
I think that we all want to make a difference in the world in our own way, and finding an avenue or opportunity which will best facilitate our efforts ensures that were are making the biggest possible impact. I am excited and invigorated by all of the things I am finding that fit with the way I would like to move in our global community, and am certainly looking forward to charting the difference in myself and the world around me.
Wish me luck!
*love*
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
“Action expresses priorities.” - Gandhi
Do you order your daily responsibilities according to personal priority criteria? I certainly do. I have always thought the determining what is, and is not, a priority was a subjective process, and up to the discretion of each individual – I have learned that others do not feel the same way.
Here’s where I’m at: True to my blue nature, I have, once again, packed my life full of activities and responsibilities: I am taking a full course load, working 18 hours for the government, singing in a charity choir, volunteering 1.5 days a week at Lucy Mc Cormick, and another 3 hours at Youth without Shelter. I'm baking non stop again, commuting to Waterloo from Toronto everyday, and managing my household which recently has come to include an 18yr old (!). As if that wasn't enough, I went in to what I thought was a job interview on Tuesday morning only to find myself on the first day of my absolute dream job (more on that next week). Essentially, every minute of every day is scheduled. Please do not think that I am complaining. I take full ownership for the state of my schedule; I just wanted you to know what it looks like.
I have a fairly packed schedule. Sometimes, negotiating and navigating priorities can be challenging, but I always do my best to make sure that I can satisfy all of the demands on me and my time. Most of the time, people and organizations are accommodating and flexible – except for one: school. (And thus begins my rant)
I often hear from professors that I need to “set my priorities” and “not take on so much that I lose sight of my priorities”. [Actually, my blood pressure went up a little bit just writing these two horribly presumptuous and condescending remarks.] The assumption made by these professors is that my education (more specifically readings, course work and class participation) is my priority, and that everything else comes after. On the contrary, I say, on the contrary! In fact, if I was going to rank my responsibilities, I would have to say that the artificiality, and tediousness, of the banking model education system makes it dead last on my list of priorities.
I have a view of education, and specifically the institution of education, that is in line with the problem posing model that Paulo Freire puts forth in Pedagogy of the Oppressed. At the core of my belief is the idea that education should support the existence in reality and not become a reality unto itself. The world of academia has lost sight of its actual purpose and has taken on the status of an alternate reality – in fact, I would argue that some academics believe the world of academia to be the only reality.
I have a real problem with this view because I always seem to be caught in the middle of the two worlds.
Freire says “thought has meaning only when generated by action upon the world” which I think should be the foundational principal of the institution of education. I think that a fundamental part of all education should either be born from action upon the world, or applied through action upon the world, rather than having knowledge exist in a vacuum, never to have an impact on the greater global community. to remove the action from the education, the institution is alienating any true meaning from the process. As Freire puts it “the teacher talks about reality as if it were motionless, static compartmentalized and predictable” and goes on to say that this way of education is “disconnected from totality”. By assuming, and enforcing, that course related responsibilities should be a priority in each student’s life the education system is denying every student the opportunity of real life experiences that add depth and meaning change to experiences. Universities especially should allow people the space they need to access and support their life through education in whichever way is most meaningful to them where teachers “trust people and their creativity” and are “partners of the students”. I believe that this would create a system where people would come out with a richer, fuller education that is more applicable to the work outside academia.
I think of the dialogical experiences and the educational models of Socrates, Aristotle and Plato that encouraged deep free thinking and compare it to our narrow minded and ultimately oppressive system. The institution of education had developed a vested interest in making sure students do things their way. I am a little disenchanted because I think that the system has become hyper-consumerized and has lost its status as the place for free, unbridled thought.
Gandhi said “Action expresses priorities.” My priorities are healthy communities, happy people and just action; none of which are realized by sitting in a desk downloading information. I express my priorities in the things i do outside of academia. I’m gonna hit the next person that asks me to “set my priorities”!
Thanks for reading my rant!
*love*
Here’s where I’m at: True to my blue nature, I have, once again, packed my life full of activities and responsibilities: I am taking a full course load, working 18 hours for the government, singing in a charity choir, volunteering 1.5 days a week at Lucy Mc Cormick, and another 3 hours at Youth without Shelter. I'm baking non stop again, commuting to Waterloo from Toronto everyday, and managing my household which recently has come to include an 18yr old (!). As if that wasn't enough, I went in to what I thought was a job interview on Tuesday morning only to find myself on the first day of my absolute dream job (more on that next week). Essentially, every minute of every day is scheduled. Please do not think that I am complaining. I take full ownership for the state of my schedule; I just wanted you to know what it looks like.
I have a fairly packed schedule. Sometimes, negotiating and navigating priorities can be challenging, but I always do my best to make sure that I can satisfy all of the demands on me and my time. Most of the time, people and organizations are accommodating and flexible – except for one: school. (And thus begins my rant)
I often hear from professors that I need to “set my priorities” and “not take on so much that I lose sight of my priorities”. [Actually, my blood pressure went up a little bit just writing these two horribly presumptuous and condescending remarks.] The assumption made by these professors is that my education (more specifically readings, course work and class participation) is my priority, and that everything else comes after. On the contrary, I say, on the contrary! In fact, if I was going to rank my responsibilities, I would have to say that the artificiality, and tediousness, of the banking model education system makes it dead last on my list of priorities.
I have a view of education, and specifically the institution of education, that is in line with the problem posing model that Paulo Freire puts forth in Pedagogy of the Oppressed. At the core of my belief is the idea that education should support the existence in reality and not become a reality unto itself. The world of academia has lost sight of its actual purpose and has taken on the status of an alternate reality – in fact, I would argue that some academics believe the world of academia to be the only reality.
I have a real problem with this view because I always seem to be caught in the middle of the two worlds.
Freire says “thought has meaning only when generated by action upon the world” which I think should be the foundational principal of the institution of education. I think that a fundamental part of all education should either be born from action upon the world, or applied through action upon the world, rather than having knowledge exist in a vacuum, never to have an impact on the greater global community. to remove the action from the education, the institution is alienating any true meaning from the process. As Freire puts it “the teacher talks about reality as if it were motionless, static compartmentalized and predictable” and goes on to say that this way of education is “disconnected from totality”. By assuming, and enforcing, that course related responsibilities should be a priority in each student’s life the education system is denying every student the opportunity of real life experiences that add depth and meaning change to experiences. Universities especially should allow people the space they need to access and support their life through education in whichever way is most meaningful to them where teachers “trust people and their creativity” and are “partners of the students”. I believe that this would create a system where people would come out with a richer, fuller education that is more applicable to the work outside academia.
I think of the dialogical experiences and the educational models of Socrates, Aristotle and Plato that encouraged deep free thinking and compare it to our narrow minded and ultimately oppressive system. The institution of education had developed a vested interest in making sure students do things their way. I am a little disenchanted because I think that the system has become hyper-consumerized and has lost its status as the place for free, unbridled thought.
Gandhi said “Action expresses priorities.” My priorities are healthy communities, happy people and just action; none of which are realized by sitting in a desk downloading information. I express my priorities in the things i do outside of academia. I’m gonna hit the next person that asks me to “set my priorities”!
Thanks for reading my rant!
*love*
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