Every month, the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA) will be marching with workers from the Congress Hotel. If you're in Chicago (or near us), come this Sunday, Sept. 21st from 12-3. Send me an email at Julia@jcua.org if you're interested!
JCUA Marches with Congress Hotel Strikers during the Fighting Poverty with Faith Week of Action!
WHAT:
As part of the Fighting Poverty with Faith Week of Action, JCUA will be joining the picket line at the Congress Hotel on Sunday, September 21, 2008 from 1-3 pm.
Join us beforehand at JCUA from 12-1 pm for an interfaith text study on poverty and worker justice and a brief workshop on poverty and workers' rights.
WHEN:
Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008
12-1 pm - Interfaith text study & workshop on poverty and workers' rights
1-3 pm - March with Congress Hotel workers
COST:
FREE!
Please bring a bag lunch to the interfaith text study and workshop. Desserts will be provided.
WHERE:
Jewish Council on Urban Affairs
610 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60605
RSVP to Interfaith Text Study & Workshop:
michael@jcua.org
During the Fighting Poverty with Faith Week of Action, people of faith across the country will be mobilizing their communities to ask their local, state and national candidates what they will do to address the pressing issues of poverty and opportunity in America in their first 100 days in office.
In communities across the country, people of faith will be calling and writing the candidates, holding forums to discuss these issues with civic and political leadership, engaging in interfaith community service to aid those in need in their communities, and otherwise highlighting the need for increased leadership on these issues.
Poverty in American is a moral and urgent problem. This year, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs is hosting an interfaith text study and workshop on the connection between poverty and workers' rights in America. As we look across our country today, we see a nation where millions of people lack the basic necessities of life and where the futures of far too many young people are clouded by economic and social policies that have failed to promote a shared prosperity.
Our common scriptures present a vision of shared responsibility that commands that we leave the corners of our field for the poor and the stranger and mandates, "There Shall Be No Needy Among You" (Deuteronomy 15:4). Our common faith values call on us to respond.
Our task: Everyday faith organizations serve individuals in need within our communities. But our efforts to sustain our brothers and sisters living in poverty must be complemented with a serious plan from our political leaders to reduce the number of needy. By speaking out collectively during this week, we can spark a national conversation, and create a mandate for the officials elected this year to aggressively pursue a poverty-reduction agenda.
By acting during this time, you can be a part of a national interfaith movement to build the political and public will to address poverty in America.
Join Us! For more information visit: www.fightingpovertywithfaith.com and www.jcua.org. You can find resources on how to participate and locate events near you!
Contact Michael Deheeger at (312) 663-0960 or michael@jcua.org for more information.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
EFCA
- The Law that Could Give Labor Some Brawn -- Moira Herbst, Business Week
- Happy Labor Day. Drop Dead. -- Thomas Frank, Wall Street Journal
- Wal-Mart Warns of Democratic Win -- Kris Maher, Wall Street Journal
- Inside the Mind of Union Busters -- Art Levine, Today's Workplace Blog
- Wal-Mart's Desperate War Against Unionization -- ZP Heller, Brave New Films
- Employee Free Choice Act Summary -- American Rights at Work
- In Fight Over Law Securing Workers' Right to Organize, Corporations Bill Themselves as Underdogs -- David Sirota, AlterNet
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Video: Dania Speaking at a Mosque
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Prayer for Workers
I was asked to compose a prayer (initially as a bit of a joke I think...) but, I decided to go ahead and write one. It specifically is from a Christian tradition, but wouldn't take much to make adjustments...
God of Humanity,
You make us ever mindful of the need for creative expression in our work and our lives. Continue to form our understanding of creative labor. Transform the minds and hearts of those who guide our trainings for safe labor practices. Enable those who we encounter on a daily basis to be open to hearing of the challenges we your children are facing. Remind us of our own responsibility to speak against the injustices done to your people-the Body of Christ here on earth. Help us, as we continue to struggle for the dignity and worth of all your children. We ask this in your name, through the redemption of Jesus Christ your son, and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God of Humanity,
You make us ever mindful of the need for creative expression in our work and our lives. Continue to form our understanding of creative labor. Transform the minds and hearts of those who guide our trainings for safe labor practices. Enable those who we encounter on a daily basis to be open to hearing of the challenges we your children are facing. Remind us of our own responsibility to speak against the injustices done to your people-the Body of Christ here on earth. Help us, as we continue to struggle for the dignity and worth of all your children. We ask this in your name, through the redemption of Jesus Christ your son, and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Actually...
I lied about the Postville pics. They'll be up on Flickr momentarily. Meanwhile, most of them are posted on Facebook, witty commentary included.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Link to pictures
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=22281217297828145/l=412784537/g=138510861/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB
Above: more pictures from Postville. Most of them are also up on Facebook.
Above: more pictures from Postville. Most of them are also up on Facebook.
Notes from a Retreat
I’m beginning to realize that a big part of me really loves words and especially words turned into well worded evocative slogan, especially when that phrase or slogan is deep enough with meaning to provoke action. At our IWJ annual retreat last week, I encountered a phrase spoken by someone so deeply connected with the movement that I could not ignore it. Two of my colleagues from IWJ and I were leading the opening event of the retreat, a discussion of the book The Big Squeeze by Stephen Greenhouse. I was concerned that the discussion would be boring or deal with surface issues only, as I knew there was so much on people’s minds about what needed to get done on the retreat, outside of an assigned book discussion. I should have remembered that this was a gathering of men and women neck deep in the struggle for worker justice, a group who were surely ready to reflect on their everyday experiences. Keron Blair, a recent seminary grad and the freshly minted director of the New Orleans IWJ affiliate, was ready to reflect. In discussing his reaction to the stories of abuse, rights violations, victory and defeat in The Big Squeeze, Keron forcefully asserted in his lilting Jamaican inflected English that we must call ourselves and the religious and other communities we seek to mobilize on behalf of low wages to a hermeneutics of liberation. It has been over a week since I heard that phrase, and I am still challenged and even haunted by it. A “hermeneutics of liberation” seems to be a call to view the world, our struggles, and our campaigns through the ever present lens of liberation. How does this campaign, this organizing effort, that conference call or one on one contribute to the never ending process of liberation? What I am liberating myself, my co-workers, the workers I am working for and even the employers we are working against from? What are the structures of oppression that bind us all in a dance of violence and exclusion? These are deep, profound, and complicated questions, but they seem to me to be the right questions and the right framework to approach the world.
Liberation is a messy thing. It implies that all involved in the organizing process need to be freed from something. It also means that the more “successful” an advocate or organizer is, the less control she has over the process. Liberation is not me pushing my child in a stroller, teaching her about the world around her while I control where she goes, even if she can argue with me about it and maybe change my mind. I picture liberation as my daughter dragging me along by the arm, running ahead, behind, around, and all over freed to explore her own world. Liberation is a messy thing, but it seems to me that it is the goal we must strive for, above and beyond and through the (worthy) goals of increased union density, procedural justice, and even empowerment.
We were challenged at the end of the retreat to express our hopes and dreams for both IWJ and ourselves the work. It was a bit of an awkward situation for me personally, as I was encouraged to apply for various positions within IWJ to work at least on an interim basis. I have been sorely tempted to jettison the prospect of papers, reading, and accompanying 60 Tuftsians for working with the worker center network. I was reminded, however, of the story of Esther. Mordecai, when he comes to Esther to ask her to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people who are to be exterminated the next day, says (more or less) “for perhaps it is for such a time as this that you have been place here for the salvation of your people.” And I think that’s how I have to view this summer as a “for such a time as this” moment, where I have been placed in these 11 weeks to accomplish something and that beyond that I do not know what my upcoming “place” reveals about my role in the struggle for worker rights, but I know that I’m here now. It’s also interesting that Esther plays only a small (but nowhere near minor) role in the book named after her. She appears for a bit, but the action revolves around Mordecai, Haman, and others. It seems that even bit players, there in the right place and at the right time, willing to take advantage of the opportunity and liberated from the need for self-aggrandizement can play important roles in the struggle for liberation.
-Jacob
Liberation is a messy thing. It implies that all involved in the organizing process need to be freed from something. It also means that the more “successful” an advocate or organizer is, the less control she has over the process. Liberation is not me pushing my child in a stroller, teaching her about the world around her while I control where she goes, even if she can argue with me about it and maybe change my mind. I picture liberation as my daughter dragging me along by the arm, running ahead, behind, around, and all over freed to explore her own world. Liberation is a messy thing, but it seems to me that it is the goal we must strive for, above and beyond and through the (worthy) goals of increased union density, procedural justice, and even empowerment.
We were challenged at the end of the retreat to express our hopes and dreams for both IWJ and ourselves the work. It was a bit of an awkward situation for me personally, as I was encouraged to apply for various positions within IWJ to work at least on an interim basis. I have been sorely tempted to jettison the prospect of papers, reading, and accompanying 60 Tuftsians for working with the worker center network. I was reminded, however, of the story of Esther. Mordecai, when he comes to Esther to ask her to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people who are to be exterminated the next day, says (more or less) “for perhaps it is for such a time as this that you have been place here for the salvation of your people.” And I think that’s how I have to view this summer as a “for such a time as this” moment, where I have been placed in these 11 weeks to accomplish something and that beyond that I do not know what my upcoming “place” reveals about my role in the struggle for worker rights, but I know that I’m here now. It’s also interesting that Esther plays only a small (but nowhere near minor) role in the book named after her. She appears for a bit, but the action revolves around Mordecai, Haman, and others. It seems that even bit players, there in the right place and at the right time, willing to take advantage of the opportunity and liberated from the need for self-aggrandizement can play important roles in the struggle for liberation.
-Jacob
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Agitation
I love organizing and I love this organization.
Today, I went to a World View training hosted by Take Action, a political organizing group. I enjoyed the company of two co-workers, both "Apprentice" organizers here on volunteer programs.
The organizing did exactly what all organizing should do, at some point: it made me want to change things.
At one point, we were discussing the "staging" of the political scene. Progressive center-stage, supporting players, conservative center-stage, supporting players. And I got so angry and so frustrated, because we started to talk about the Religious Right. (In this entry, I'll focus on the Christians.)
The other day, I was interviewed about Catholic Social Teaching for a Catholic radio station. (I'll post the link here once the program airs and is archived, although that probably won't be until October.) The woman interviewing me asked how my faith informs my work. What I wanted to say was, "How could it not?"
Instead, I said something along the lines of (although probably much less articulately), "Jesus was a radical. When I think about my faith, I think about caring for the lowly. I think about working with the poor. I can't think about my faith separate from the Beatitudes."
And that's what I was thinking about today - what made me so angry. If you say that you're living out your faith in your life, how can you ignore Jesus' main message: love your neighbor?
Of course I want morality in politics. Of course I want the government's actions to align with my religion. But what I see as most important about my religion is access to a fair economy, a world where you get adequate compensation for working, where a human is a human regardless of their legal status, and if you're sick you can see a doctor without fear. A country where standing up to your boss doesn't mean you'll get sent back to political instability, where you are allowed to send money back home to your family, where you can put food on the table and watch your children grow up without worrying whether or not they'll have a home to come back to.
How about these things for a moral agenda? How about focusing on building a democratic system where citizens have a say? Where we care for one another and work towards changing our world so that all of us can lead a full, healthy life in which we spend time with our loving families and communities?
How about that?
Today, I went to a World View training hosted by Take Action, a political organizing group. I enjoyed the company of two co-workers, both "Apprentice" organizers here on volunteer programs.
The organizing did exactly what all organizing should do, at some point: it made me want to change things.
At one point, we were discussing the "staging" of the political scene. Progressive center-stage, supporting players, conservative center-stage, supporting players. And I got so angry and so frustrated, because we started to talk about the Religious Right. (In this entry, I'll focus on the Christians.)
The other day, I was interviewed about Catholic Social Teaching for a Catholic radio station. (I'll post the link here once the program airs and is archived, although that probably won't be until October.) The woman interviewing me asked how my faith informs my work. What I wanted to say was, "How could it not?"
Instead, I said something along the lines of (although probably much less articulately), "Jesus was a radical. When I think about my faith, I think about caring for the lowly. I think about working with the poor. I can't think about my faith separate from the Beatitudes."
And that's what I was thinking about today - what made me so angry. If you say that you're living out your faith in your life, how can you ignore Jesus' main message: love your neighbor?
Of course I want morality in politics. Of course I want the government's actions to align with my religion. But what I see as most important about my religion is access to a fair economy, a world where you get adequate compensation for working, where a human is a human regardless of their legal status, and if you're sick you can see a doctor without fear. A country where standing up to your boss doesn't mean you'll get sent back to political instability, where you are allowed to send money back home to your family, where you can put food on the table and watch your children grow up without worrying whether or not they'll have a home to come back to.
How about these things for a moral agenda? How about focusing on building a democratic system where citizens have a say? Where we care for one another and work towards changing our world so that all of us can lead a full, healthy life in which we spend time with our loving families and communities?
How about that?
Thursday, July 24, 2008
More Pictures
This Tuesday over 2000 people from over 70 different organizations, faith communities and labor groups marched to demand changed at the Port of Oakland - good jobs AND clean air. Here are some photos
Monday, July 21, 2008
White people like (unpaid) internships
Had to pass this along,
Stuff White People Like, #105 Unpaid Internships
Its in satire here but the reality of race is something that we still need to be thinking about. I feel that in a lot of our work class appears to be the most glaring difference between us and those we serve. In most cases we are here because we can afford to spend a summer with no (or little) pay. Class is a consistent difference but I believe that race is still there in the background as a factor in how classes shape out. Many of our non-white colleagues already know this.
I have done a good bit of reading on race (for a white person) and this blog is still one of the best guides to contemporary white culture. Plus its hilarious.
Stuff White People Like, #105 Unpaid Internships
Its in satire here but the reality of race is something that we still need to be thinking about. I feel that in a lot of our work class appears to be the most glaring difference between us and those we serve. In most cases we are here because we can afford to spend a summer with no (or little) pay. Class is a consistent difference but I believe that race is still there in the background as a factor in how classes shape out. Many of our non-white colleagues already know this.
I have done a good bit of reading on race (for a white person) and this blog is still one of the best guides to contemporary white culture. Plus its hilarious.
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Reluctant Strike Captain: Part I
After almost 3 hours of walking the picket line in front of the hotel, I was sitting with one of the strikers - we'll call her Providencia - trying to calculate the number of hours she still needed to work to fulfill the weekly quota and receive her weekly strike pay. She calculated how many hours she had already worked (9 hours and 35 minutes) meaning that she still had 5 hours and 25 minutes more to get her goal of 15 hours at the end of the day. She had come in at 11 with a baby and a stroller - so I told her to just stick around until 25 minutes after I left (was leaving at 4pm) and she would be okay.
Then she looked at me, angry and disgusted, and shouted:
'Que pinche dices?! YA me voy!'
What the fuck are you saying?! I'm getting outta here!'
'Hey, hey, hey, hey... No need to talk like that!' smiling as I said it. In situations like these I can't cop attitude or authority - these strikers have a pride and a misery I can never understand or touch - but I'm the strike captain for this shift so I have to do something. 'I'm new to this job, and I'm trying to figure out what to do. If I'm doing something wrong show me.'
She looked away.
'Hey.' Still looked away.
'Hey.' Nope.
'Hey, look at me!'
'I DON'T NEED MY EYES TO HEAR YOU!' Break point - she's mad. So now I either stop and come across as a heartless jerk, I apologize and seem insincere and weak, or I keep going and maybe get to something. It's all or nothing.
'Did you hear me? I'm sorry if I upset you, and I realize that I'm just some student that's going to go back to his life and I may never see you again, but I'm here to learn and unless you help me I will gain nothing - and you're gonna stay angry. So either you help me figure out what's going on and we both leave happy, or I write down something in the pay-roll book that makes you or my bosses angry and we're all screwed. Your choice...'
At this point her friend piped up - la Fria or 'Ice-lady'. When she came in that afternoon there were no hello's or smiles, only an abrupt 'I can only stay until 1:30 today, so don't tell me to stay longer!' Then she picked up a sign and started walking next to Providencia. Her eyes were the worst, though, dense with anger and apathy. Passionate anger can be dealt with because it still feels and reacts to what's around. Apathetic anger is dead and cold and can be moved only by miracle.
'You don know da kine-uh tings we do here ah da strike!' she began, shouting in English. Though she'd doubtless heard me speaking Spanish to Providencia I was still just another pinche gringo to her. I kept on in Spanish.
'But that's why I'm here, aren't you listening at all? What do I have to do to get someone to talk to me like a person, and not like a gringo?'
That did it.
In a rush of emotion they shared their stories - stories of frustration, hardship, impatience, the grind of raising kids and providing a decent life while balancing their strike-hours with new jobs. I thought about mentioning that though picketing isn't easy at least they're paid to walk out here, that they only have to walk and not scrub floors and be yelled at by management, that they can even talk to their friends while picketing, that even as a picketer their wages are better than those who actually work at the hotel they've left, that by being here every day they are fighting for their dignity and are a source of inspiration and strength for thousands in the city.
But in the face of hard reality stuff like this is just so much shiny, worthless propaganda - more annoyance than comfort.
Instead I shared my story, how my mom had been exactly like them - struggling to feed and clothe her youngest son in an indifferent world, shadowed by an abusive dead-beat dad, bad boy-friends, and dead-end jobs. It helped to smooth over the moment, but there was no peaceful resolution. When we restarted the picket line silence and awkwardness, linked arms akimbo, crashed our not-so-happy/united little march - locked into each step during the last hour or so before Providencia left.
Shots from a recent action...
Some photos from a faith action for the AFSCME 3299 strike. University of California are at the end of a five days strike to have their contract negotiated.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Become a Fan of IWJ!
Law of attraction
Here in the Twin Cities , We have being going after Wackenhut Security and their corporate buddies. Well yesterday we had an direct action on the Women in Business luncheon --where a number of entities were present. As we "moved on" the luncheon at a very nice downtown hotel, I must say that the security was so slow to react that if something major were to happen ,I don't think they would be prepared for anything. Back to this Law of Attraction notion --When we flyered the" hoity toity" luncheon we were asked to vacate the private property, as we complied "they"asked us to leave an public area(sidewalk). Up comes a contingent of Wells Fargo bankers who use the evil corporate entity of Wackenhut who fires folks for organizing for a living wage, affordable health care, and dignity in the workplace. I have been on the telephone with Wells Fargo employees , the whole summer and I don't believe that it was just happen stance or luck. Law of Attraction goes with the notion (ask= receive) (seek= find) (knock=opened)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Seeing the good in people
“Yes, I can try to help” was what he said with a beautiful smile. The most important job that we do here at the Restaurant Opportunity Center in Michigan is talking to restaurant workers and fill out a survey which can help us understand the condition for restaurant workers in the Metro Detroit area. This task can be either daunting or plain fun. Luckily for me, it happened to be the later. We approach restaurant workers either when they are about to leave work or simply when they are walking down a street. Approaching random people and introducing yourself is quite a challenge. At first I had thought it was an insane idea, but about 90 surveys later, I go out everyday with a motivation to get more. I have learnt that our goal is way too important for me to be held back because of the challenge the means brings forth. I’ve also realized that to get to 500 surveys, even 1 is a great success.
But what makes it all amazing; (something I’m constantly thankful for) is how wonderful people have been. In the past couple of weeks I have started to believe that people are, well…good. It’s that simple. If you choose to believe this fact, you’ll understand that we all mostly become the way we’re treated. Luckily for me, every person I’ve approached with a smile has responded with the same attitude. Even though it’s not everyone, most people want to help, be a part of something much bigger than they are, they just need a slight push, and of course, that smile goes a long way.
Life has thought me not to be too naïve, there are definitely people out there, who may not be as “nice,” as I’d like them to. But I’ve learnt that I can never let them get to me – there is always a bigger picture that I need to keep in mind. Different circumstances might have made them the way they are… I guess all I can do… is smile yet again… and hope that they realize that there is an alternative their current attitude. There really is "a good" in all people... i guess for me, the most important step has been to realize this fact... that has been one of the blessings of being a part of the work for social justice.
But what makes it all amazing; (something I’m constantly thankful for) is how wonderful people have been. In the past couple of weeks I have started to believe that people are, well…good. It’s that simple. If you choose to believe this fact, you’ll understand that we all mostly become the way we’re treated. Luckily for me, every person I’ve approached with a smile has responded with the same attitude. Even though it’s not everyone, most people want to help, be a part of something much bigger than they are, they just need a slight push, and of course, that smile goes a long way.
Life has thought me not to be too naïve, there are definitely people out there, who may not be as “nice,” as I’d like them to. But I’ve learnt that I can never let them get to me – there is always a bigger picture that I need to keep in mind. Different circumstances might have made them the way they are… I guess all I can do… is smile yet again… and hope that they realize that there is an alternative their current attitude. There really is "a good" in all people... i guess for me, the most important step has been to realize this fact... that has been one of the blessings of being a part of the work for social justice.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
God is...
“Let nothing bother you
Let nothing dismay you
Everything passes
Patience gains all
God alone is enough”
~St. Teresa of Avila
I found this quote again in the book that I am reading for my ILP. (The book is delightful and prompts great examinations.)
I found the prayer of St. Teresa profound for my week. My week consisted of no delegations (so far), very little interaction with the strikers, and mostly meetings with area priests and pastoral workers. All of the meetings have been fruitful in their own right- some we will be visiting again simply because there is more there that we are going to be able to do. Others, we will not visit again-because they are already set.
Let nothing bother you…there are times when I really have to wonder how the situation got to the point where I am called to this part of the world. How could things have disintegrated so far that it is even necessary to have people employed to speak and advocate for the needs of others.
Let nothing dismay you…I continue to seek God in the daily living here in Phoenix. It seems easier sometimes than others. I was driving with Joseph, my supervisor from a meeting with a member of the staff at the ASU Newman Center and a police officer was sitting in his pickup truck with the air conditioner on, full blast watching a group of Hispanic men cross the street away from him. I am trying to find God more and more often. Most often I encounter God when I am speaking to the strikers.
Everything passes…my time here in Phoenix is slipping away. I would love to see this plan and project through to the end, yet I know that this is not possible. It seems to go against my nature to begin something and then not see it through. I can think of 3 times in my life where this has happened. This project will make 4. Interesting.
Patience gains all…I am NOT a patient person. Enough said.
God alone is enough…in our reflection time today, I spoke about the word abide. We are told that if we abide in Jesus, Jesus will abide in us. I found this to be comforting. It served to remind me that this is not all dependent upon me, my supervisors, or even the strikers. Whatever the motivation we come to this journey with, I find comfort in remembering that this is not about me- and that I am able to be in solidarity with my brothers and sisters.
So, I sense that God is everywhere. I see God in the community here. I see God shining through imperfection. I see God present in others.
When the opposite happens
I had started this summer with expectation. There were things I knew I should, could and would do and I had expected certain outcomes. Well, let me just say quite the opposite is what happened. I love my job – that part I’m insanely grateful for. I work for this fabulous lady who has all her heart in what she does, and in all the right places. We do really great work and I meet a lot of workers with really fascinating stories which touch my very core. Well… I guess no need to say much about my work – I’m loving it!
What seem to have gone in the opposite direction are all the other things I had planned…for myself. I “lost” my laptop making it impossible for me to blog. Living in downtown Detroit with no public transportation can get a bit lonely to say the least and the inability to cook does have its down sides.
Something very interesting happened to me this last weekend ( this I’ll talk about in a later blog) and Alhamdulilah, I think it has thought me a priceless lesson – Life can sometimes be the opposite of what we had expected, what makes some people special is the way they respond to the outcomes.
To start off my own personal response to what life has handed me this summer, I’ll attempt to blog at least every other day – Insha Allah ( I’m learning why IWJ came up with this idea ). And then…well… why don’t I take it one step at a time...
What seem to have gone in the opposite direction are all the other things I had planned…for myself. I “lost” my laptop making it impossible for me to blog. Living in downtown Detroit with no public transportation can get a bit lonely to say the least and the inability to cook does have its down sides.
Something very interesting happened to me this last weekend ( this I’ll talk about in a later blog) and Alhamdulilah, I think it has thought me a priceless lesson – Life can sometimes be the opposite of what we had expected, what makes some people special is the way they respond to the outcomes.
To start off my own personal response to what life has handed me this summer, I’ll attempt to blog at least every other day – Insha Allah ( I’m learning why IWJ came up with this idea ). And then…well… why don’t I take it one step at a time...
WAGE THEFT Congressional Briefing Photos
Below are some photos from the Wage Theft briefings in DC from July 7/8. More coming...
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Justice a Partisan Issue?
I arrived in Washington, DC yesterday afternoon. I am here to document the Congressional briefings on wage theft which will take place Monday and Tuesday. I flew here by myself, early, because I have never been to D.C. and I wanted to check things out. I arrived late yesterday afternoon and decided to try to find a good place to watch fireworks. After stopping by the White House, I continued on in the direction of the Washington Monument because I figured I would be able to see the show from there. On my way, I saw a bunch of important looking people waiting to be let into the south lawn of the White House to watch the fireworks from there. All the people waiting were Bush appointees and friends of Bush appointees - only specific people were invited (I'm sure Bush didn't want to get heckled again - especially not on his own lawn). As I was casually glancing at the crowd, I recognized a girl I knew from college who I haven't seen or spoken to in over 2 years. She was with her boyfriend who works at the Pentagon and her boyfriend's friend who works for the Dept. of Commerce. I explained that I was alone and just sort of wandering around. Without knowing my politics, they quickly offered me an extra ticket for a girl who couldn't make it. So I got in and watched the fireworks with the White House a few feet away and the Washington Monument in sight. The President and his buds even came out onto the White House balcony to say hello and enjoy the view. It was quite an amazing night and totally unexpected.
So I kept my politics quiet and had intended to for the duration of the evening as I was so grateful to be invited to such an awesome event. My plan was not to fake anything - just not to bring anything political up so I wouldn't have to lie about anything. When one of the guys asked me why I was in D.C. and what organization my internship was for, my cover was automatically blown. He just looked at me and sort of laughed as I completely disclosed my politics by simply saying "worker justice." How absolutely absurd is that? This guy was able to tell I have liberal and progressive politics because I believe in justice? Since when is justice a partisan issue? I brought this up to him - the absurdity. He laughed and said that they are "trained" to know a liberal organization when they see one. Trained. I did not realize I was working on partisan issues here for a partisan organization. I am sure they are also trained NOT to tell "liberal" organizers that they are trained, but the guy had two or three gin & tonics in him by that time. Unbelievable.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
We the People....
I was reading over the Preamble to the Constitution today, as I tend to do on the 4th of July. Now I admit, I'm one of those kids who gets real worked up over how important citizenship is and I can rant from hours on the connections between civic virtues and religious ones, but today the words really struck me.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
I think of how divided the country (and even my own life) can feel. And yet here at its core, what so many people have bled for and wept over, are simple powerful ideas of justice and peaceful country where the well being of others is lifted up and the gift of freedom is celebrated.
How often as people do we define ourselves as what we are not? How often do we point a finger, wrap ourselves in a flag (or and ideology) and scream at another claiming we are right and the only ones who deserve to claim this country for our own. I feel like I am constantly allowing myself to be polarized and pushed away from my neighbors.
"a more perfect Union" - There's so much power and promise for who we can become as a nation, who we must always continue to struggle to become. As a Christian, the themes of the Gospel echo in my ears as I read the Preamble, begging me to "let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
So today, I hope, like me, you'll think about the treasure we could have in the real American dream - the one that so many of our brothers and sisters are continually struggling for today. Not of excessive wealth, cheaper gas, or name brand shoes, but of safe and clean neighborhoods, fair and honest wages, and the blessings of Liberty - the ability to live their lives and raise their voices without fear.
Happy 4th and God bless the United States of America as He continues to bless the World...
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
I think of how divided the country (and even my own life) can feel. And yet here at its core, what so many people have bled for and wept over, are simple powerful ideas of justice and peaceful country where the well being of others is lifted up and the gift of freedom is celebrated.
How often as people do we define ourselves as what we are not? How often do we point a finger, wrap ourselves in a flag (or and ideology) and scream at another claiming we are right and the only ones who deserve to claim this country for our own. I feel like I am constantly allowing myself to be polarized and pushed away from my neighbors.
"a more perfect Union" - There's so much power and promise for who we can become as a nation, who we must always continue to struggle to become. As a Christian, the themes of the Gospel echo in my ears as I read the Preamble, begging me to "let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
So today, I hope, like me, you'll think about the treasure we could have in the real American dream - the one that so many of our brothers and sisters are continually struggling for today. Not of excessive wealth, cheaper gas, or name brand shoes, but of safe and clean neighborhoods, fair and honest wages, and the blessings of Liberty - the ability to live their lives and raise their voices without fear.
Happy 4th and God bless the United States of America as He continues to bless the World...
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
How can I change the World?
I'll be one of the first to admit that I am not new to the idea of social justice but new to the implementation of my talents for social justice. Putting faith to practice is often times discouraging because that would mean changing everything about myself in order to call myself a person of faith. I fall into these ditches of self admonishment because I do not seem to ever fully be this perfect person of faith who puts all their faith in their practice. It frusrates me. It tears me apart. It drives me to be angry at myself and this is not just about social justice issues. After years of guilt and internal grief, it is hard to change. And why cannot change happen overnight or in one day? Is it that impossible, unreachable, unachievable? If I change only a small part of how I put faith to practice this summer, I will have changed the world, right?
By the way, the pic is entitled "My balloon buddy and I" - GO NOLA!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Justice...hmmm
POA to date…
Plan of Action-
So, my third week has begun, and there are new developments. I am being taken off delegations for the time being until the plan for the summer gets off the ground. The goal is to go into different parishes in the area and have them sign letters of intent asking the bishop to take a stance of non-hire to the companies that do not embody Catholic Social Teaching. I am pretty sad about the delegations aspect of the plan…I feel that I have had such a great opportunity to meet the workers, and to get to know them, and for them to get to know me.
As I continue to spend more time here in Phoenix, I continue to hear more wild stories about the current Sherriff here. He has begun a new campaign in which his officers and deputies are setting up blockades throughout the streets. It is very interesting how an attitude of fear can pervade throughout an entire county. I find this to be a bit frustrating. Why is one man allowed to reign terror on a community? The picture is found outside the county courthouse. I found it to be very ironic that the horse is standing on top of a book entitled “Justice”.
By the Way- my blog is:
http://www.deliberatepeace.blogspot.com
Check it out-leave a comment!
More PHOTOS
I have a few photos from our week they can be seen here,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29419856@N00/sets/72157605865515803/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29419856@N00/sets/72157605865515803/
Friday, June 27, 2008
Talking in front of the MTA Board!!
So the most interesting thing happened yesterday. I am working on the food-service campaign and we went to talk in front of the LA Metro board to try and get them to be neutral in Aramark negotiations. We planned on having a local faith leader speak on behalf of the community, but because of difficulties with timing, she was unable to stay. I chose to wear my collar yesterday because I am wearing in instances where I think it would be beneficial and yesterday was my first time that I wore it during this internship. Through a series of instances it was determined that I would speak!! Needless to say I was a nervous wreck before hand. All I had to do was read from our talking points, but still was freaking me out. I tried to reach my bestest friend to pray before hand, but he was unavailable. When they called my name to speak, I almost peed my pants. I got up to the podium, my knees were shaking! I read my piece and surprisingly I got through it. I was able to read effectively and hopefully i got my point across. When I was done, it was such a sense of relief.
We were told during training that we shouldn't be the one's to be the face of the movement, but are to be the people behind the scenes, but here I was at one of my first actions, speaking before a board. I was happy to do it, but could definatley say that it was out of my comfort zone, but not in an area that was completely inacessible. I think I grew a little. I have always been hesitiant to think that I have what it takes to be effective, but when pushed I can do things that I didn't think I could do. That is the power of the spirit in my life. We;ll what the rest of the summer brings.
We were told during training that we shouldn't be the one's to be the face of the movement, but are to be the people behind the scenes, but here I was at one of my first actions, speaking before a board. I was happy to do it, but could definatley say that it was out of my comfort zone, but not in an area that was completely inacessible. I think I grew a little. I have always been hesitiant to think that I have what it takes to be effective, but when pushed I can do things that I didn't think I could do. That is the power of the spirit in my life. We;ll what the rest of the summer brings.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
American Citizens Deported!
On June the 24th a group of us here at CLUELA attended the ICE Commission hearings where workers and supporteds reported on atrocities committed in the name of national security.
The worse story was a younfg man whose brother who suffers from disabilities who was arrested for a misdemeanor. After his 3 months were up he was deported. His brother had gone to pick him up and he was gone.
When approached on this subject the goverment continued to deny that they would deport a us citizen.
Long story short it took 3 months to find his brother who had been living on the streets of Tijuana alone a frightened.
this was one of many stories told over a five hour hearing.
The worse story was a younfg man whose brother who suffers from disabilities who was arrested for a misdemeanor. After his 3 months were up he was deported. His brother had gone to pick him up and he was gone.
When approached on this subject the goverment continued to deny that they would deport a us citizen.
Long story short it took 3 months to find his brother who had been living on the streets of Tijuana alone a frightened.
this was one of many stories told over a five hour hearing.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Triumph in Failure
I had my first visit with a pastor yesterday in Grant Park. Kelly Fryer heads a church (Christ the King Lutheran Church - www.chicagolooplutherans.com) of only about 20 members, with no assets, no building, no long-range plans, no Christmas decorations with blonde-haired baby Jesuses, no bell-choir. Though raining, they insisted on having their service (capped by an animal blessing) outdoors, with wet hymn books, bulletins, and fogged-up eye-glasses. But oh, would it that all churches could be so bathed in Spirit they were! Not only was the pastor interested in helping out IWJ but so were many others in the congregation. The secretary, a smiley woman named Sandra, had actually TALKING to people in the days leading up to the service saying how excited she was that I was coming that day to talk about how they might get involved with our mission. And I even got a hug and a cup-cake for coming.
Then, on the bus back, I saw the strikers going round and round the front of the Congress Hotel. The Spirit said 'Get off' and I did. I sent a text to my girlfriend saying I'd be home late, said 'hi' to the co-ordinator, grabbed a picket sign, and joined the fray, full of memories the 1000+ people who'd mobbed the place the week before and another satisfying round I marched this past Friday. But today was different.
Nobody wanted to shout. Nobody wanted to sing. Even the picketer who Friday had blown his police whistle so loud it cracked the concrete vases didn't want to bother today. Making it worse, the exit way was crowded with up to 10 - 20 angry guests checking-out and checking-in - cars almost running into the picketers a few times. One man, surpassing his fatness only by his arrogance, even shouted at a group of three picketers:
'If you lazy m0therf-rs would get off your asses and get real jobs you wouldn't have any money problems to begin with!!'
Though the man easily equaled all three of them in weight and size they quickly ganged up on him, surrounding him, and started shouting him down with whatever English they knew, shaking their arms and fists and signs until he took refuge - hmm - behind his wife. The couple then shuffled off to the street, where they eventually fled via taxi.
The subsequent rise in the blood felt good, but within a few minutes the old lethargy came back. One picketer kept talking on the phone the entire time he marched, another only talked about how she wanted me to get water for them, and the others looked little more than apathetic - the only upside being the 6 hours of strike pay they would get from the union. There was no energy, no optimism, no happy chatter and laughing. Just the sad truth that so many have worked so long and so hard but with no result.
Yet they keep coming, every day, Monday - Sunday, from 6 am to 9 pm. Without fail, even though the strike - after five long years - has yet to bring about any change in working conditions or wages for any of them and has, in essence, failed. So why bother?
At a conference Arundati Roy spoke once spoke about people who strive for dreams 'in which failure is feasible, honorable, sometimes even worth striving for'...
'There are plenty of warriors that I know and love, people far more valuable than myself, who go to war each day knowing in advance that they will fail. True they are less successful, in the most vulgar sense of the word, but by no means less fulfilled. The only dream worth having... is to dream that you will live while you're alive, and die only when you're dead.'
And that's what I saw this day. For all their fatigue, frustration, uncertainty, they will never quit - even if it is only indifference and inertia that keeps their steps from becoming too heavy and painful, even if deep down they really don't care anymore. They are alive, and they aren't giving up. Ever.
It was a good day.
Then, on the bus back, I saw the strikers going round and round the front of the Congress Hotel. The Spirit said 'Get off' and I did. I sent a text to my girlfriend saying I'd be home late, said 'hi' to the co-ordinator, grabbed a picket sign, and joined the fray, full of memories the 1000+ people who'd mobbed the place the week before and another satisfying round I marched this past Friday. But today was different.
Nobody wanted to shout. Nobody wanted to sing. Even the picketer who Friday had blown his police whistle so loud it cracked the concrete vases didn't want to bother today. Making it worse, the exit way was crowded with up to 10 - 20 angry guests checking-out and checking-in - cars almost running into the picketers a few times. One man, surpassing his fatness only by his arrogance, even shouted at a group of three picketers:
'If you lazy m0therf-rs would get off your asses and get real jobs you wouldn't have any money problems to begin with!!'
Though the man easily equaled all three of them in weight and size they quickly ganged up on him, surrounding him, and started shouting him down with whatever English they knew, shaking their arms and fists and signs until he took refuge - hmm - behind his wife. The couple then shuffled off to the street, where they eventually fled via taxi.
The subsequent rise in the blood felt good, but within a few minutes the old lethargy came back. One picketer kept talking on the phone the entire time he marched, another only talked about how she wanted me to get water for them, and the others looked little more than apathetic - the only upside being the 6 hours of strike pay they would get from the union. There was no energy, no optimism, no happy chatter and laughing. Just the sad truth that so many have worked so long and so hard but with no result.
Yet they keep coming, every day, Monday - Sunday, from 6 am to 9 pm. Without fail, even though the strike - after five long years - has yet to bring about any change in working conditions or wages for any of them and has, in essence, failed. So why bother?
At a conference Arundati Roy spoke once spoke about people who strive for dreams 'in which failure is feasible, honorable, sometimes even worth striving for'...
'There are plenty of warriors that I know and love, people far more valuable than myself, who go to war each day knowing in advance that they will fail. True they are less successful, in the most vulgar sense of the word, but by no means less fulfilled. The only dream worth having... is to dream that you will live while you're alive, and die only when you're dead.'
And that's what I saw this day. For all their fatigue, frustration, uncertainty, they will never quit - even if it is only indifference and inertia that keeps their steps from becoming too heavy and painful, even if deep down they really don't care anymore. They are alive, and they aren't giving up. Ever.
It was a good day.
Hijab, Feminism, & Interfaith Dialogue
Dania is an intern with me in Chicago - she works on the floor below me at Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues while I work upstairs at the National IWJ office. She's the beautiful French-Canadian Muslim, veil-wearing girl who frequently stated throughout orientation week how fascinating she thinks America is.
During orientation week, I had several enlightening conversations with her. Even though she is a practicing Muslim and I am currently ambivalent about my faith, through speaking with each other, we discovered we have many of the same beliefs and ideas. Through these conversations, we both realized we were reading the same book - Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose." The book describes, "how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also the key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world," (Amazon Review).
Before speaking with Dania, I cannot recall having an actual conversation with a practicing Muslim. I consider myself very in tune with feminist ideals and I could never wrap my mind around the idea of wearing a veil and staying entirely covered-up in front of men. This practice seemed strange to me and I felt it rather sexist. But by talking to Dania and being prompted to look into the ideas behind wearing the veil, I've come to new conclusions. Now, I can draw parallels between the wearing of the veil to particular feminist movements when women demanded to be taken seriously not because of their feminine beauty and external looks, but because of their thoughts and ideas. Additionally, so much of superficial culture is in effort to define one's identity through clothing - "this is my style," "this is who I am because this is how I dress," when in actuality, no matter how unique your fashion is, it can clearly never come close to defining anything real.
Hijab on Wikipedia
Islam & Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth (Message Board)
The American Dream
I don't believe in it. As I walk down Chicago's streets I try finding this satisfactory smile that would be labeled as "The American Dream". But I haven't - neither from the poor or the rich.
I don't believe in your nation's dream because it revolves around materialism. It'll only convince you to pursue more and more and hey more again. The dream never takes shape because it is a dream and you are reality.
That's one thing I wish IWJ would have talked about. You can't be two persons. You can't fight for the rights of workers and then contribute to the system that puts them down, in whatever subtle action it may be. Bravo IWJ you did select the Retreat center instead of North Park, but it doesn't stop there.
Similarly to those that wear shirts with Che's face on it. Are you mad? If you knew anything about him, you'd know that's the last thing he'd want you to do. In order to support "la revolucion" you can't contribute to the system (i.e. the big manufacturer that tries to break it down). They're putting your ideology on a shirt, but they're getting your money in return and using it for their own profit. And so you never had a revolution, you had a counter revolution. It was in your mind and was signed on a shirt....but it stayed there.
That is where religion is important. It'll teach you the greatest of all revolutions and greatest of all liberations.
The interfaith part of IWJ makes no sense if it's there to speak about how religion restores "moral ethic" such as thou shall not kill, or speak ill, or abuse of others. Those are natural laws, not religious ones. Whether you're a monk, an atheist, agnostic, part of faith tradition or not, you comprehend those because it's part of your fitrah (natural and pure state as a human). That's part of being a human - not a religious person. It is your humanity that's being called upon.
On the other hand, being a religious person means you take the route to meeting your Lord. You become prophetic, not just human, but prophetic. You are beauty because of the struggle ( or jihad, yes my friends, jihad) against your nafs (yourself, your ego), which is the greatest of Jihads.
Religions will teach you more than natural laws, they'll teach how you shouldn't be a consumer, a materialistic person, how to contain your lowly urges. This is the true revolution. This is the one that liberates you and I and workers, and not only a picket line. Your fight for them starts with the fight against the lowest part of you. It starts with you and not only by attacking CEO's. This is where the interfaith part is adequate because all religions teaches us the highest of all spiritual liberations.
It starts and ends with you.
This is your revolution for you and him and her and us.
I don't believe in your nation's dream because it revolves around materialism. It'll only convince you to pursue more and more and hey more again. The dream never takes shape because it is a dream and you are reality.
That's one thing I wish IWJ would have talked about. You can't be two persons. You can't fight for the rights of workers and then contribute to the system that puts them down, in whatever subtle action it may be. Bravo IWJ you did select the Retreat center instead of North Park, but it doesn't stop there.
Similarly to those that wear shirts with Che's face on it. Are you mad? If you knew anything about him, you'd know that's the last thing he'd want you to do. In order to support "la revolucion" you can't contribute to the system (i.e. the big manufacturer that tries to break it down). They're putting your ideology on a shirt, but they're getting your money in return and using it for their own profit. And so you never had a revolution, you had a counter revolution. It was in your mind and was signed on a shirt....but it stayed there.
That is where religion is important. It'll teach you the greatest of all revolutions and greatest of all liberations.
The interfaith part of IWJ makes no sense if it's there to speak about how religion restores "moral ethic" such as thou shall not kill, or speak ill, or abuse of others. Those are natural laws, not religious ones. Whether you're a monk, an atheist, agnostic, part of faith tradition or not, you comprehend those because it's part of your fitrah (natural and pure state as a human). That's part of being a human - not a religious person. It is your humanity that's being called upon.
On the other hand, being a religious person means you take the route to meeting your Lord. You become prophetic, not just human, but prophetic. You are beauty because of the struggle ( or jihad, yes my friends, jihad) against your nafs (yourself, your ego), which is the greatest of Jihads.
Religions will teach you more than natural laws, they'll teach how you shouldn't be a consumer, a materialistic person, how to contain your lowly urges. This is the true revolution. This is the one that liberates you and I and workers, and not only a picket line. Your fight for them starts with the fight against the lowest part of you. It starts with you and not only by attacking CEO's. This is where the interfaith part is adequate because all religions teaches us the highest of all spiritual liberations.
It starts and ends with you.
This is your revolution for you and him and her and us.
Your Story is Important
At the end of the IWJ internship training we participated in the fifth anniversary of the Congress Hotel strike. Unite Here Local 1 reached an agreement with the rest of the Chicago downtown hotels for a living wage and other much needed benefits for employees five years ago. The owner of the Congress pulled out of negotiations saying that because it was one humble family owning the hotel....read more
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Privilege to be Guilty
Today, I had a bit of a crisis.
I guess that's not quite an accurate statement, as these thoughts have flown in and out of my consciousness since I was ten and realized that I, unlike some of my downtown-dwelling friends, lived in a nice, safe suburb.
This is my life. I've led a life of privilege. I have no memories of my family struggling to pay bills, no recollection of struggling to put food on the table, no inkling of what it's like to be in any kind of financial crisis. But this privilege goes beyond money.
I am white, heterosexual, and Catholic. According to society, I am at the perfect socio-economic level, somewhere between poverty and gross riches. Yes, I pay for my groceries on an intern's salary. But, if I don't have enough money, my parents will graciously foot the bill. I have a car and a cell phone, a laptop, and a $40,000 a year education. And I am often disgusted by all of these things, although I've never had the courage to give them up.
These thoughts began today at the grocery store where I think I experienced something some of my peers would refer to as "reverse racism." I say this with caution. I am many things besides "white." But, in the very short encounter with little time or information to draw from, this is how I experienced it.
I was in a line with an African American cashier, sandwiched in between two African American mothers, kids in tow. As I loaded the week's food onto the belt, I overheard snippets of a conversation about financial struggles. The topics were normal, price of gas, price of food, price of gas and food compared to price of car insurance, etc. The two people didn't seem to know each other especially well, but, for some reason, their conversation cheered me. I'm a true lover of people, of conversations, of reaching into unfamiliar territory and finding a friend. Goodbyes. My turn.
I stepped up to slide my Debit card and greet the cashier. I smiled and said hello. We exchanged pleasantries, and I prepared myself for an ensuing conversation. Nothing. Was it my food? My sweatshirt, proudly displaying the name of my pretentious (yes, I need to find a good synonym) college? My demeanor? Any of the other thousand indicators in my appearance that indicate who I am and present myself to be?
I felt somewhat discouraged. I moved down to bag my own groceries, as the cashier began a lengthy conversation with the woman behind me.
I walked out, experiencing some strong feeling between anger and frustration. Why can't we have a conversation about how much gas costs? Why can't you complain to me about alternative energy plans? I have a voice, too.
Again, I can't say it was a race thing. Maybe it was ageism. Or any other number of things, but as I obsessed over the situation, I was covered in an overwhelming sense of guilt.
Who am I to complain about the state of the economy? My family is financially secure. I have health care, an environmentally friendly car that runs on little gas and a credit card to back me up whenever I reach a financial crisis (which has never happened). And I don't deserve any of it. I was born into it.
This entire internship experience has been about re-examining my default understandings. Even as I type this, I analyze my thoughts and words for prejudice, for stereotypes, for bias. I work to uncover and unpack my notions of the world. And I hope to be able to see things from the perspectives of everyone else, of anyone else, of all else.
But the fact of the matter is, I have it good. And I guess this summer will be about finding out what I can use it for.
Until then, the guilt sits and the frustration lingers. I type on my laptop (paid for by Mom and Dad), listen to Liszt (which I was taught to appreciate during my 17-year long trek in music studies) and sleep at night, having confidence that tomorrow will not be a crisis in health, finances, employment, or any of the other countless things that so many of my brothers and sisters face.
So, I pray for my eyes to widen, for my ears to open, for my heart to expand. And I do so with the hope that, despite all of these labels, I am first and foremost human.
I guess that's not quite an accurate statement, as these thoughts have flown in and out of my consciousness since I was ten and realized that I, unlike some of my downtown-dwelling friends, lived in a nice, safe suburb.
This is my life. I've led a life of privilege. I have no memories of my family struggling to pay bills, no recollection of struggling to put food on the table, no inkling of what it's like to be in any kind of financial crisis. But this privilege goes beyond money.
I am white, heterosexual, and Catholic. According to society, I am at the perfect socio-economic level, somewhere between poverty and gross riches. Yes, I pay for my groceries on an intern's salary. But, if I don't have enough money, my parents will graciously foot the bill. I have a car and a cell phone, a laptop, and a $40,000 a year education. And I am often disgusted by all of these things, although I've never had the courage to give them up.
These thoughts began today at the grocery store where I think I experienced something some of my peers would refer to as "reverse racism." I say this with caution. I am many things besides "white." But, in the very short encounter with little time or information to draw from, this is how I experienced it.
I was in a line with an African American cashier, sandwiched in between two African American mothers, kids in tow. As I loaded the week's food onto the belt, I overheard snippets of a conversation about financial struggles. The topics were normal, price of gas, price of food, price of gas and food compared to price of car insurance, etc. The two people didn't seem to know each other especially well, but, for some reason, their conversation cheered me. I'm a true lover of people, of conversations, of reaching into unfamiliar territory and finding a friend. Goodbyes. My turn.
I stepped up to slide my Debit card and greet the cashier. I smiled and said hello. We exchanged pleasantries, and I prepared myself for an ensuing conversation. Nothing. Was it my food? My sweatshirt, proudly displaying the name of my pretentious (yes, I need to find a good synonym) college? My demeanor? Any of the other thousand indicators in my appearance that indicate who I am and present myself to be?
I felt somewhat discouraged. I moved down to bag my own groceries, as the cashier began a lengthy conversation with the woman behind me.
I walked out, experiencing some strong feeling between anger and frustration. Why can't we have a conversation about how much gas costs? Why can't you complain to me about alternative energy plans? I have a voice, too.
Again, I can't say it was a race thing. Maybe it was ageism. Or any other number of things, but as I obsessed over the situation, I was covered in an overwhelming sense of guilt.
Who am I to complain about the state of the economy? My family is financially secure. I have health care, an environmentally friendly car that runs on little gas and a credit card to back me up whenever I reach a financial crisis (which has never happened). And I don't deserve any of it. I was born into it.
This entire internship experience has been about re-examining my default understandings. Even as I type this, I analyze my thoughts and words for prejudice, for stereotypes, for bias. I work to uncover and unpack my notions of the world. And I hope to be able to see things from the perspectives of everyone else, of anyone else, of all else.
But the fact of the matter is, I have it good. And I guess this summer will be about finding out what I can use it for.
Until then, the guilt sits and the frustration lingers. I type on my laptop (paid for by Mom and Dad), listen to Liszt (which I was taught to appreciate during my 17-year long trek in music studies) and sleep at night, having confidence that tomorrow will not be a crisis in health, finances, employment, or any of the other countless things that so many of my brothers and sisters face.
So, I pray for my eyes to widen, for my ears to open, for my heart to expand. And I do so with the hope that, despite all of these labels, I am first and foremost human.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Demanding Change!
Gathered together,
strong, weathered, tired and tried.
Listening to lies,
Challenging the ties,
Not being bound,
destined to be found.
The truth is buried,
Crying to be uncovered.
Colors are struggling,
Screaming, "We are one!"
Put away your guns,
We will not be done!
Intimidation tactics,
just some childish antics.
Cries for peace will always be answered.
Today, along with about 400 members of the Phoenix community we gathered to demand a change in the tactics of Sheriff Joseph Arpaio. Many of the faith community gathered, community and labor organizers. It was a brave turnout since this "man" arrests people, makes the men wear pink underwear in an attempt to emmasculate them. They are handcuffed in pink handcuffs. Some are taken to the desert and housed in tents! This outrageous behavior has been allowed by the city government for too long! Citizens are demanding change! I encourage you to be informed about the injustices in Maricopa County.
Peace and Justice to all!
strong, weathered, tired and tried.
Listening to lies,
Challenging the ties,
Not being bound,
destined to be found.
The truth is buried,
Crying to be uncovered.
Colors are struggling,
Screaming, "We are one!"
Put away your guns,
We will not be done!
Intimidation tactics,
just some childish antics.
Cries for peace will always be answered.
Today, along with about 400 members of the Phoenix community we gathered to demand a change in the tactics of Sheriff Joseph Arpaio. Many of the faith community gathered, community and labor organizers. It was a brave turnout since this "man" arrests people, makes the men wear pink underwear in an attempt to emmasculate them. They are handcuffed in pink handcuffs. Some are taken to the desert and housed in tents! This outrageous behavior has been allowed by the city government for too long! Citizens are demanding change! I encourage you to be informed about the injustices in Maricopa County.
Peace and Justice to all!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
we object on the part of the awakening workers of this nation...
They have always taught and trained you to believe it to be your patriotic duty to go to war and to have yourselves slaughtered at their command. But in all the history of the world you, the people, have never had a voice in declaring war, and strange as it certainly appears, no war by any nation in any age has ever been declared by the people.
And here let me emphasize the fact-and it cannot be repeated too often-that the working class who fight all the battles, the working class who make the supreme sacrifices, the working class who freely shed their blood and furnish the corpses, have never yet had a voice in either declaring war or making peace. It is the ruling class that invariably does both. They alone declare war and they alone make peace.
Yours not to reason why;
Yours but to do and die.That is their motto and we object on the part of the awakening workers of this nation.
If war is right let it be declared by the people.
-Eugene Debs 1918
Riddle
A man is talking to God.
The man: "God, how long is a million years?"
God: "To me, it's about a minute."
The man: "God, how much is a million dollars?"
God: "To me it's a penny."
The man: "God, may I have a penny?"
God: "Wait a minute."
Question: What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but not once in a thousand years?
The man: "God, how long is a million years?"
God: "To me, it's about a minute."
The man: "God, how much is a million dollars?"
God: "To me it's a penny."
The man: "God, may I have a penny?"
God: "Wait a minute."
Question: What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but not once in a thousand years?
I am the People, the Mob...
I Am The People, The Mob
Carl Sandburg
I am the people--the mob--the crowd--the mass.
Do you know that all the great work of the world is
done through me?
I am the workingman, the inventor, the maker of the
world's food and clothes.
I am the audience that witnesses history. The Napoleons
come from me and the Lincolns. They die. And
then I send forth more Napoleons and Lincolns.
I am the seed ground. I am a prairie that will stand
for much plowing. Terrible storms pass over me.
I forget. The best of me is sucked out and wasted.
I forget. Everything but Death comes to me and
makes me work and give up what I have. And I
forget.
Sometimes I growl, shake myself and spatter a few red
drops for history to remember. Then--I forget.
When I, the People, learn to remember, when I, the
People, use the lessons of yesterday and no longer
forget who robbed me last year, who played me for
a fool--then there will be no speaker in all the world
say the name: "The People," with any fleck of a
sneer in his voice or any far-off smile of derision.
The mob--the crowd--the mass--will arrive then.
-Francisco
Carl Sandburg
I am the people--the mob--the crowd--the mass.
Do you know that all the great work of the world is
done through me?
I am the workingman, the inventor, the maker of the
world's food and clothes.
I am the audience that witnesses history. The Napoleons
come from me and the Lincolns. They die. And
then I send forth more Napoleons and Lincolns.
I am the seed ground. I am a prairie that will stand
for much plowing. Terrible storms pass over me.
I forget. The best of me is sucked out and wasted.
I forget. Everything but Death comes to me and
makes me work and give up what I have. And I
forget.
Sometimes I growl, shake myself and spatter a few red
drops for history to remember. Then--I forget.
When I, the People, learn to remember, when I, the
People, use the lessons of yesterday and no longer
forget who robbed me last year, who played me for
a fool--then there will be no speaker in all the world
say the name: "The People," with any fleck of a
sneer in his voice or any far-off smile of derision.
The mob--the crowd--the mass--will arrive then.
-Francisco
New
New beginnings are like mornings: peaceful with the promise of more later. These days they’re cool and light, even early in the day.
I find myself savoring these moments. I know things will be rushed later in the summer, and inevitable deadlines and dilemmas will challenge me. But after the press of a semester’s end and what felt like non-stop student-dom day in and out, this time of new relationships and places, new information and procedure, new grace to goof up and learn is a change and a blessing.
-Cheryl
I find myself savoring these moments. I know things will be rushed later in the summer, and inevitable deadlines and dilemmas will challenge me. But after the press of a semester’s end and what felt like non-stop student-dom day in and out, this time of new relationships and places, new information and procedure, new grace to goof up and learn is a change and a blessing.
-Cheryl
Long Rows of Solitude Lead to a New Beginning
An experience that has lead me to where I am happened when I was fifteen years old and was working amongst undocumented workers in corn fields, onion fields, and orchards. This experience helped me understand the condition of workers. At first, each row I walked through felt like a long journey of solitude, but then as my coworkers (mostly male) helped me I felt I was making progress. They cared for me, even though I had done nothing to deserve it. They taught me that all workers should be treated with dignity and respect no matter who they are or where they come from. We sometimes worked 16 hour days and it was very difficult me. However, I was fortunate to have been there by choice instead of by obligation or need. Some workers could not find another job. No matter what their skills were they had no choice but to work there in order to provide for their children. I admire those workers and I am so glad to have experienced this with them.My journey to this point in my life has been wonderful, I am a Junior at Seattle University majoring in Theology and Religious Studies. I feel called in this direction because I know that one’s faith has the power to transform one, it also motivates and influences one more than almost anything else. As I am growing, I am learning that we as humans are called to believe in God for many different reasons. I find refuge in God, with God’s help I have learned how to love more passionately and to accept the love that is given to me. I have also been inspired to do acts of mercy. This summer I am hoping to come to a better understanding of what God wants me to do. I know that I need to pray a little more and ask for help in order to find my true path. I am willing to explore many paths but I know that this exploration will lead me down a row that may be filled with solitude like the corn rows I worked in. However, sometimes those are the best rows because they give you time to reflect and gather your thoughts and when you least expect it someone joins you and is ready to help you get to the end. I hope that the people around me see the difficulty of “my row” and decide to come along for the journey. And when we reach the end there will be water waiting for us, which to me represents a new beginning, a baptism, a new life with God… We need this in our society and I have faith that it will be accomplished.
-Ydalia
I'm an angry man.
I'm serious.
I'm an angry man.
I can thank the Evangelical Lutheran Church for this revelation, confirmed by a personality battery I took about two years ago. It said had problems expressing anger and that I would often try to avoid confrontation if it threatened my sense of personal well-being. Well, they were quite right. But it had more to do than with me being timid, and more with me just getting tired of offending people. Explanation...
I am NOT a quiet soul. I had a habit of stepping, unintentionally, on people's toes and feelings and views because of my unbridled exuberence and joy. Was I arrogant? Well, yeah, a bit. But I also had strong feelings and convictions and when you're trying to actually DO something, well, you have to DO something which means getting the attention of anyone who is doing something else or is doing nothing. Consequently you're easy to see, easy to target, and easy to criticize. I did learn a lot about the importance of listening, of giving others their space, and respecting boundaries in ways that give people room to feel safe, breathe, and grow. It was good.
But that's not why I got shy of confronting people.
I got shy because everytime I'd try worship ideas I'd get some status quo church crony up in arms that I didn't follow the script. Or I'd mention a word like 'beer' when talking to church people and I'd be labeled as a 'risk for our youth'. After years of hearing that kinda swill you just sorta clam up.
But I'm done now. DONE.
My pastor in Geneva, Lusmarina Campos Garcia (www.genevalutheran.ch) helped me to acknowledge and accept my radical nature. I had to accept it. Denying it was making me neurotic and touchy - much like those who were oh-so eager to rub my nose in my own crap while ignoring the mountainous PILES they squeezed through their backsides day-in and day-out. And since, this frustration, this heat, I now know as a pure and brilliant anger - a righteous anger.
-Francisco
I'm an angry man.
I can thank the Evangelical Lutheran Church for this revelation, confirmed by a personality battery I took about two years ago. It said had problems expressing anger and that I would often try to avoid confrontation if it threatened my sense of personal well-being. Well, they were quite right. But it had more to do than with me being timid, and more with me just getting tired of offending people. Explanation...
I am NOT a quiet soul. I had a habit of stepping, unintentionally, on people's toes and feelings and views because of my unbridled exuberence and joy. Was I arrogant? Well, yeah, a bit. But I also had strong feelings and convictions and when you're trying to actually DO something, well, you have to DO something which means getting the attention of anyone who is doing something else or is doing nothing. Consequently you're easy to see, easy to target, and easy to criticize. I did learn a lot about the importance of listening, of giving others their space, and respecting boundaries in ways that give people room to feel safe, breathe, and grow. It was good.
But that's not why I got shy of confronting people.
I got shy because everytime I'd try worship ideas I'd get some status quo church crony up in arms that I didn't follow the script. Or I'd mention a word like 'beer' when talking to church people and I'd be labeled as a 'risk for our youth'. After years of hearing that kinda swill you just sorta clam up.
But I'm done now. DONE.
My pastor in Geneva, Lusmarina Campos Garcia (www.genevalutheran.ch) helped me to acknowledge and accept my radical nature. I had to accept it. Denying it was making me neurotic and touchy - much like those who were oh-so eager to rub my nose in my own crap while ignoring the mountainous PILES they squeezed through their backsides day-in and day-out. And since, this frustration, this heat, I now know as a pure and brilliant anger - a righteous anger.
-Francisco
Other Blogs?
Here is a link to my personal blog that I just started. It's not that great yet, but maybe it will help with ideas.
If anyone else has blogs or blogs that they are a fan of - post them!
-Alex
If anyone else has blogs or blogs that they are a fan of - post them!
-Alex
Welcome!
Welcome to the IWJ Summer Student Programs Blog! I hope that everyones' first week is going well. The goal of this blog is to keep in touch throughout the summer, to keep each other updated, to inspire each other throughout the summer, and to keep everyone informed about events and workers' stories. Feel free to post any photos you took during orientation week, and photos you take throughout the summer. Social justice-related videos, articles, and stories are also great things to post! Here I've posted a mosaic I created of some photos I took during orientation week - more can be seen at our IWJ FlickR page where everyone else can feel free to post photos as well. Good luck and stay in touch!
-Alex
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