I've started attending an 8 week lecture series called 'Great Decisions" facilitated by LWV produced by the Foreign Policy Association. It covers global migration, the Middle East, nationalism in Europe, and other stuff. It really is like learning a new language. It is eye opening, humbling, terrifying and empowering.
Know this: I picture smart, 'uber-intellectual' women attending this sort of learning opportunity. And yet, here I find myself; more informed than most, completely clueless about a lot of shit, extremely interested and - here's the kicker - 20 years younger than the median age of the other lecture participants. Oh boy!
Anyway, the topics discussed last week ranged from Nationalism vs Populism (terms I always have to check their definitions to remind myself the differences) vs Immigration. And how all this pertains to Whiteness. And Money. And Diversity. And Hope.
Not all that long ago people in the US hated the Irish and/or the Italians who had immigrated here for a better life. Those immigrants were given the shit work, the shit places to live and scraps to eat. But as the original immigrants' children grew, became more educated then had their own children, they contributed more and more to society. Their cultures assimilated/melted into the fabric of our country.
I've said this before - I'm distressed by the migration coming to our southern border. Not because there is a hoard of 'bad hombre's' on our doorstep. But because I cannot fathom what is so fucking bad that would cause a mother to walk 2,000 miles with young children. It is A Human Crisis.
It's also a world wide problem stemming from shitty wars and global policies.
Which brings me to a comment one of my fellow lecture participants said, it had a specific point but struck me on a broad level. WHAT CAN I ABIDE?
It is easy to distain and dismiss 'Different' (immigrants, people of any color other than white, people getting government assistance, LGBQT, Republicans or Democrats, Liberal vs Conservatives, etc). It is easier to see "them" as Less Than because it makes "us" feel More Than. It is a crisis of essential Moral Values. WE are the problem.
So I ask myself, 'What can I Abide?' How much intolerance can I tolerate? And, most importantly, when I encounter intolerance, what am I going to do? I really wish I had a succinct, eloquent answer. I do not. For now, I am going to continue to educate myself; listen to all opinions and perspectives; recognize daily intolerances; until I finally find my voice for tolerance.
Let's talk Health & Exercise for a hot sec. February is get my ass back in shape month. I literally have nothing to do this month so I might as well get to the gym, eat better and drink less. Plus the Polar Vortex is over so there's no danger in going for an outdoor walk.
Be mindful my Friends!
Know this: I picture smart, 'uber-intellectual' women attending this sort of learning opportunity. And yet, here I find myself; more informed than most, completely clueless about a lot of shit, extremely interested and - here's the kicker - 20 years younger than the median age of the other lecture participants. Oh boy!
Anyway, the topics discussed last week ranged from Nationalism vs Populism (terms I always have to check their definitions to remind myself the differences) vs Immigration. And how all this pertains to Whiteness. And Money. And Diversity. And Hope.
Not all that long ago people in the US hated the Irish and/or the Italians who had immigrated here for a better life. Those immigrants were given the shit work, the shit places to live and scraps to eat. But as the original immigrants' children grew, became more educated then had their own children, they contributed more and more to society. Their cultures assimilated/melted into the fabric of our country.
I've said this before - I'm distressed by the migration coming to our southern border. Not because there is a hoard of 'bad hombre's' on our doorstep. But because I cannot fathom what is so fucking bad that would cause a mother to walk 2,000 miles with young children. It is A Human Crisis.
It's also a world wide problem stemming from shitty wars and global policies.
Which brings me to a comment one of my fellow lecture participants said, it had a specific point but struck me on a broad level. WHAT CAN I ABIDE?
It is easy to distain and dismiss 'Different' (immigrants, people of any color other than white, people getting government assistance, LGBQT, Republicans or Democrats, Liberal vs Conservatives, etc). It is easier to see "them" as Less Than because it makes "us" feel More Than. It is a crisis of essential Moral Values. WE are the problem.
So I ask myself, 'What can I Abide?' How much intolerance can I tolerate? And, most importantly, when I encounter intolerance, what am I going to do? I really wish I had a succinct, eloquent answer. I do not. For now, I am going to continue to educate myself; listen to all opinions and perspectives; recognize daily intolerances; until I finally find my voice for tolerance.
Let's talk Health & Exercise for a hot sec. February is get my ass back in shape month. I literally have nothing to do this month so I might as well get to the gym, eat better and drink less. Plus the Polar Vortex is over so there's no danger in going for an outdoor walk.
Be mindful my Friends!