American Dream: A Mother's Life Abridged

My birth mother, her motherc and sisters.

[This post responds to the desperate attempt by politicians to bash indigent mothers, a sad deflection away from the actual costly waste of white-collar crime. To use the most vulnerable as a scapegoat is despicable and predictable.]  

American Dream

George Carlin 1937-2008

My parents believed in the "American Dream" that if you worked hard and did the right things you would succeed. In recent decades, as George Carlin puts it, we've learned that "It's called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it." (RIP George)

The Dream has eluded me for my entire life. Apparently, I didn't work hard enough or do the "right things". Go ahead, tell me what you think.

Farmworker

My laborious career of hard work began when I was a child of eight years old. Together with my adoptive parents, and migrant farm workers, we picked peas during the long, hot summers in Half Moon Bay, CA. It took me a whole day to fill one crate of peas to earn $3.00. I suppose I wasn't motivated since I couldn't keep the money I earned; it went to my parents because we were poor.

Half Moon Bay

Please understand, this post is not me complaining. I learned long ago that it's pointless to complain. However, if my story can lend perspective to others, I'm telling it.

In my circumstance, the only manifested result that hard work got me was a sever case of tendinitis in my hands and arms alone with degenerative disc disease, leaving me disabled. (The good news, however, is thanks to technology and the State Department of Rehabilitation I can be rehabilitated - but that's another story.)

Domestic

Print by Edger Degas

My adoptive mother had me ironing for anyone who would pay me $0.10 per item, by age 11. She had already trained me, with a heavy-hand, how to clean the house, cook and buy groceries. When I was 14, my mother died and I began drawing a paycheck as a dishwasher, toilet scrubber, cook and cashier at a busy bus station off Hwy 80, just an hour north of Sacramento. I made $1.85 an hour.

Surviving my youth

High School Graduation

Despite my lack of privilege, and an abusive father, I was able to graduate a year earlier than my class --even after attending 13 different public schools. Till this day, my classmates in that tiny town still won't acknowledge me as part of their graduating class. Popular - I was not. But everyone knew me as "that girl who sings in the halls". The most common question asked of me was, "What are you?" They meant my ethnicity but I was a misfit, a loner, an outcast, and a stoner. My very existence annoyed them.

I began community college at age 16, while part of the foster care system. I was confused and abused. But my mother taught me many useful things before she died: survival skills.

Awarding winning photo by Teofil Rewers

At age 17, I became an emancipated minor, and dropped out of college to begin working full-time. I did a lot of hitch-hiking back then in between jobs but later I settled down to work a full-time job, a part-time job and was registered with three temp agencies -- simultaneously. I slept on the bus while traveling to and from work.

Wheels

Me and my bike

My first vehicle was a bad-ass Honda 550-4 with king and queen seats, butterfly handle bars and extended front-end. I may have been the only girl in LA county riding solo back then --at least I never saw another. I was young, attractive and believed I could do anything.

I married at 23, and together
we bought our first car. A year later, I had my son and returned to work when he was just eight weeks old. The man I married turned out to be like my father to my mother, violent. So I took my son and ran. We began a new life. As it turned out, however, it was hard to find a job with a toddler on your arm and no family or friends to help out. So I delivered newspapers for months, living like an animal, before someone told me I could get welfare.

Welfare, healthcare and childcare

By g0dot

Becoming a welfare recipient is a humiliating and invasive experience, right up there with being urinated on. In recent years it's become much worse. Frightened, traumatized mothers are fingerprinted and photographed as if it were a crime to be poor and they were just arrested for it. In Florida state the government now forces drug testing on applicants, and if you fail your family must wait three months to reapply.

[No Savings Found in Florida Drug Tests]

The last photograph of my mother

In my case I was able to find a decent job after using the welfare system for just four months. I had all sorts of advantages. For example, I had only one child and I was single, with no one holding me back or abusing me. I had a high school education and excellent communication skills. But most of all I had survival skills. My adoptive mother, who was 50 when I was born, lived through the depression raising two young boys with an abusive husband; isolated from family and friends. She taught me many skills to survive during hard times. I had the advantage of her experience.

For me and my child survival meant having a job with healthcare benefits. Healthcare was critical since my son had severe asthma. (Try leaving for work knowing your child can't breathe, HOPING the sitter will be able to do her job. JUST TRY IT!)  

Without health insurance, it is more responsible to continue receiving assistance if you have children. A parent who is without healthcare AND childcare simply cannot work if her children are too young to be left alone.

[Important note: The vast majority of welfare recipients use the system short term, even before President Clinton limited access to a two-year, lifetime maximum.]

The grind

As I continued to pursue the elusive "American Dream", working my fanny off full-time meant being away from my son 11 hours a day. As a result, he nearly died because I didn't notice his increasingly degrading condition. I was tired all the time and grumpy. There was no time for the loving care of a child. It was home by 6:00, dinner by 7:00 (while fighting with the homework situation), dishes, bath, bed, repeat. Saturdays and Sundays were for cleaning and laundry (some years I used a stolen shopping cart to push our clothes to the laundry mat), and grocery shopping for bargains everywhere.

After three years of missing too much work in order to care for my child -- my responsibility, I lost my job. I desperately tried to recover from this blow but to no avail. I had to return to the humiliation of welfare.

Homelessness

Poverty and homelessness

It was 1990, and I was pregnant with my second child, choosing not to have an abortion. My son was in kindergarten, and I became fearful that I would not be able to support my children, that they would grow up in poverty as I had. I found that the only way to have enough money AND a flexible schedule was to go back to school.

While carrying my daughter, and 18 units of coursework, the owners of our home took my money for an entire year but never paid their mortgage. That year, our Christmas present was an eviction notice. We became homeless. It wasn't my first time but it was the first time with children. My daughter was 10 months old.

Higher education, debt, and disability

My son and me at SDSU

It was over a seven-year period that I borrowed $67,000 to earn a BA and MA from San Diego State University, graduating with honors. I worked a few more years, and we almost made it until... I fell down the stairs and broke my foot, the summer of 2004. This event began a series of unfortunate events that ultimately led to using up all my savings, cashing in my retirement, selling my possessions of value and, finally, bankruptcy.

There was no way I wanted to return to the humiliating experience of being on welfare and having people falsely judge me. Now I live on Social Security Disability with no TV, stereo, home phone or any significant comforts --YET I still smile. I contribute in all sorts of unpaid ways. And I like myself. My children are successful because of the sacrifices I made, and the indignation suffered, which I could have done without.

Summary

So lets review: Two advanced degrees, 25 years work experience, unwavering determination -- yet poverty is still winning. The $67,000 I borrowed is now $146,000 and growing. It's unlikely that I'll ever be able to pay that off. It most certainly was not my intention to become injured or live my life in poverty. It just worked out that way. Still, I do not give up.

I know that I am a good person with much to contribute. The more people try to kick me to the ground, the more I rise - like the dirt they push me in. This stubborn human quality has kept me alive and young. (A significant amount of marijuana didn't hurt either. In fact, I would argue that it extended my life, helped manage depression, and offered my busy mind a way to focus its thoughts for creative good.)

 

Conclusion

Women with children, immigrants, and the disabled living below the poverty level are the most vulnerable in our society. They do not want you to see their condition. They are wrongfully ashamed because they are wrongfully judged. Avoid viewing at a "snapshot" of someone's life in a sad attempt to determine the quality of their character or worth to society. No one deserves that.

Long ago I learned that wealthy, comfortable people have little concept of the world that most of us live in. However, each of us would do humanity a genuine service by developing our compassion. Learn what life is like on the other side before the bottom falls out of yours, leaving you angry and disillusioned. Too many working families are one paycheck away from devastation and long-term poverty. Be your sister's keeper; withhold judgment of others. Money, possessions, and lifestyle doesn't make us better people, it only makes us appear to be.

[The article that inspired this post was published on April 16, 2012, by The Nation]
Tagline: Common Dreams Building Progressive Community 
Raising Kids Is Work? Tell That to Women on Welfare by Laura Flanders 

Related blog post: Happy 100th Birthday, Mom. The story begins...

Tool of the Super-Rich

This photo exclaims a true statement. What it does not tell you, and what you did not learn in public school, is that Democracy is an "ideal" to which we aspire. America IS a republic. And the Republic is designed to protect the super-rich from you, the majority, the 99%.

When this country was formed, a distinct difference was made between those who owned property and those who did not. Voting was only allowed by white men who were property owners. This is the demographic the republic was designed to protect.

The concept of democracy requires people to be educated about their social situation as well as others. It cannot work with the super-rich pulling our strings, teaching us to repeat the words they put in our school books to support their way of life -- at our expense. This is the reason education reform needs to be among our highest priorities AND also the reason it is NOT.

Education doesn't just cure ignorance -- it cures poverty. The super-rich know it is imperative to keep us pitted against one another to maintain the status quo. They keep us busy fighting over race, ethnicity, and now religion. However, an unintended result of the Occupy Wall Street movement was some higher education for the masses. We have learned, and must remember, there is only one color, and that is green.

What purpose would the super-rich have for offering free, public education? Surely it was a kindness, right? [Sarcasm] The history of public education shows us it was designed to accomplish one purpose: To create a workforce. Immigrant labor was in abundance. But people could not communicate with each other. Too many languages were spoken by workers and that slowed efficiency in the workplace. The language barrier, as well as simple work skills, contributed to a significant number of accidents, which also interrupted production -- aka profits.

Enter public education. Let's teach everyone English. Accidents will decrease and productivity will increase. Simple.

Soon the super-rich learned they could also use public education to grow loyal patriots. Soldiers willing to fight and die under the guise of preserving life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness -- for the super-rich. No war is fought FOR "The People". Perhaps WWII but there are always motives beyond what we are told. I am fairly certain we all know war is about putting money in the pockets of the super-rich. Most every war that our soldiers have fought has been for oil.

Currently, the price of gasoline is around $4.35/gal in California. We have a president who actually cares about doing the right thing for America. (Recommend reading 'The Audacity To Hope' by Barack Obama) However, with all his good intentions, he is swimming upstream without a paddle. His efforts to significantly reduce dependency on foreign oil, and move us toward clean energy, will be uncomfortable at best, with the super-rich kicking and screaming the entire way.

Nobody thought Obama could push the healthcare bill into being. Not even his own administration. But President Obama is just getting started. Healthcare reform was cake compared to moving the country away from dependency on foreign oil.

The statement in the photo above is propaganda. It serves the super-rich. It is a ruse; a trick. There is no limit to what the ruling class will do to preserve their status. If you think these elite are not trying EVERYTHING to get inside your head, then they are winning. Don't let them.

I support President Obama and I think you should too. Solidarity of the people, for the people and by the people.

[Related post - Human Evolution: A spiritual endeavor]

Seeing is believing? Not necessarily - Helen Keller

"It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision." Helen Keller

Evidence that one does not have to SEE to KNOW. 

Helen Keller is the perfect example of how "seeing is believing" simply is not enough. Perhaps the saying is completely untrue. 

Our eyes can deceive us when we have preconceived ideas based in subjective thought about the visual world. 

We are distracted from Truth by the illusion of what we believe is real.

Follow my posts on Twitter @Tempibones.

Happy 100th Birthday, Mom. The story begins...

On this day, January 12, 2012, the mother who raised me since birth, and died when I was 14, would be celebrating her 100th birthday. She was an extraordinary woman who lived a harsh, stressful and criticized life. Intelligent, independent, compassionate and thoughtful, she was hunted and brutalized by a husband who beat her mercilessly. For 43 years she endured before she was able to divorce him and successfully escape.

People always want to know why a woman takes abuse. There are so many reasons. In her case, she made a promise to her dying mother-in-law not to abandon her son. Sarah's story is a tale to tell.

My mother's story is a true story, a woman's story. Sarah was a first generation Puerto Rican American, and one of 12 children. Conceived and born on the sugar plantations of Hawaii before it became a state, acquiring US citizenship in 1917, along with all other Puerto Ricans. 

Sarah's life was always complicated by the fact that she did not have a birth certificate. Lack of documentation of her birth was a result of her family working off their freedom as so called "indentured servants" of the sugar industry. However, in actuality, they were political prisoners of the United States. Victims of political circumstance when the US paid Spain a few bucks at the end of the Spanish-American war, in 1898. Those Puerto Rican families who displaced the indigenous workers of Hawaii were given a choice: Surrender to your fate as a slave of the US sugar industry or stay in jail for treason against the new government of the United States.

Puerto Rican history is fascinating. Often overlooked and widely misunderstood, Puerto Rican history documents one of the many crimes against humanity that has gone unaccounted for by the United States. It was easy to do away with that nasty business because it only affected 6,000 people. That's the number of political prisoners they shipped from Florida to San Francisco in railroad cattle cars, like Auschwitz. 

My own birth certificate is a story unto itself as well. My adopted mother was like a mother-figure to my biological mom, and they were friends. After my teenage mother of Irish/Dutch decent, orphaned at age 11, had signed over her legal rights, Sarah took me home from the hospital. She had already raised two sons and was a grandmother when I was born.

When Sarah and her husband tried to legally adopt me they were denied. They were dark, Puerto Ricans, older and poor. My birth mother, on record, was white. My father was not listed correctly, nor does he know that I exist. My controversial conception was the result of a two week relationship with an older man who turned out to be married. A short, brown California born, Mexican-grown man with two children. The court had no idea I was already with my new family. So Sarah just kept me and didn't say anything.

My adopted father was a retired longshoreman, also a first generation Puerto Rican American. As an adolescent he bootlegged alcohol, ran numbers for bookies and prostituted his older sister. He was a bad dude. He got me a fake birth certificate, and they had me bean-dipped in the Catholic church. With that baptismal record, I entered public school. Those records alone determined who I was until I attempted to marry in my twenties. Imagine my surprise when I learned that I had no birth certificate. How that drama unfolded is yet another story.

I know, intense right?

Indirectly my unusual birth certificate saved my life while on a recent cruise of the Mexican coast, a story I intend to write. In brevity, I had dreamed of going on a cruise for more than 20 years, specifically of the Mexican coast or Alaska. With less that 40 hours to prepare, I was offered what I considered an opportunity of a lifetime. For a small fee to change the name on a preexisting booking, a Facebook friend (fellow teacher whom I had never met) privately asked if I'd be interested in replacing her cabin mate. This is where Horror Cruise innocently begins. (Posting soon)...

Happy birthday, mom. Thanks for doing your best to protect me from the storm. Your sacrifices are still alive in me, and they were not in vain.

Redefining God For 21st Century Man

"Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature because we ourselves are part of the mystery." Max Plank, Physicist, Nobel Prize 1918 

[Disclaimer: I am neither religious nor atheist. I identify myself as human. My loyalty is to the greatest good of all concerned --one choice at a time.] 

BLOOD - The twisted body of god TS

Whenever I tweet or blog about 'God' I sense a disturbance in the 'Force'. Meaning, often the readers who take time to comment do so because my entry has agitated them. They assume the worse. Verbally attack me. Then advise me to "read a book".

To the other extreme there are a few cuddlers that give off the 'can we pray together vibe'. It seems, however, there are far more people who assume the worse and go directly to verbal attack. To what purpose does this serve? I do not know.

Because the word "God" does cause commotion, I'll be using It freely --and in a good way. Get past the drama and read on.

The Buddy Christ - Dogma, Kevin Smith

To be fair, for the context of discussion I provide a brief definition of God in an effort get everyone on the same page with our evolving perspective. It is not necessary to agree with the definition for it to be useful. Although, be aware,  to have a productive discussion about the Nature of God requires some fundamental common ground -- especially when the content is so emotionally charged.

A non-dogmatic common definition of God supports peaceful discussion. 

God Is All of Existence, animate and inanimate, seen and unseen. God Is, that which has no beginning and no end; Omnipresent. Omnipresent Is The Body of God.

I arrived at this definition through years of loving research into the nature of world religions and belief systems as both a participant and an observer, forever fascinated by the contradiction, or lack thereof, among believers and their faiths. Me? I'm not the joining kind.

My question is this: Will the fighting ever stop? Just when you think you've had enough fighting about which religion is superior, enter Atheism, demanding its due and promising to be more of the same, same. 

"There is God vs There is not God."  

I look at that statement and wonder how do we not recognize that these two concepts cancel each other out? Somewhere therein lies clarity. Let us attempt kindness in our discourse and not let arrogance get in the way of what is good and what is right.

Genocide is unacceptable human activity

[Excerpt from 'My Personal Conviction to Tibetan Independence]

"Lets NOT say we are civilized, progressive, modern or, God forbid - Christian when we ignore our human responsibilities to each other."

After thousands of years of documented genocide, worldwide, we still turn a blind eye when the systematic annihilation of an entire people goes undeterred for generations in around the world including Tibet. China is wiping out a culture. Why are we letting this happen? Shame on you! Every world nation that looks away from these human rights crimes of torture and killing, SHAME ON YOU.

How many civilizations will be destroyed before we determine an acceptable loss? When will we make it stop? By 'we' I mean a collective body of humanity.

Where is our humanity? We, the people, are responsible for this existence. We have the capacity to affect change in our world. How can anyone rest in comfort knowing the horrific 'evil' of genocide persists today in the 21st century? Especially deplorable is having a written history to reference and still allowing genocide to continue.

Western history, anthropology, journalists, authors and clergy have documented hundreds of years of genocide. From Native Americans, the Maya and other indigenous people of Mexico and Central America to Serbia, Bosnia, Armenia, Darfur, Sudan, South Africa, Uganda, Congo, Cambodia and Syria

Generally speaking, genocide does not necessarily mean the immediate destruction of a nation, except when accomplished by mass killings of all members of a nation. It is intended rather to signify a coordinated plan of different actions aiming at the destruction of essential foundations of the life of national groups, with the aim of annihilating the groups themselves. (Wikipedia)

Seriously people, listen up. In 1994, in a hundred days, up to 800,000 Rwandans were clubbed and machete-ed to death. A good 'kill day' equaled 10,000 human-beings slaughtered --in their own country. Six million Jews in Germany exterminated? A number some people have the flippin' nerve to dispute. What if it were three million? One? Wouldn't that be enough, for Christ sake?!

Genocide Watch, The International Alliance to End Genocide, keeps a mindful eye on the countries in current crisis. The website has a downloadable list of the peoples in danger. 

Genocide is ugly. Nobody wants to look. Do it ANYWAY. Let it move you. Feel disgust with your privileged life as you complain about how difficult it is here in fat, first world. 

Shame on us all for letting this happen again and again and again. 


[I invite you to LIKE our Tibetan Independence Facebook page. Our goal is to connect with other legitimate organizations and movements to end genocide world-wide, permanently. Thank you for checking it out.]

Go Ahead: Believe yourself right out of existence

The spirit searches for structure, expression, and meaning

Whatever we put our intense focus upon increases our belief that the experience exists. 'What you think about you bring about.' 'Thought creates form.' [reference]

The word and meaning of belief is a topic unto its own. For this discussion, however, I boldly assert that belief is so powerful that one can believe itself right out of existence. 
How's that? 

Black Hole

The best example is Atheism, the belief in no deities.

Many atheists believe in nothing eternal. When life is over it's over. You're dead. You're nothing. As limiting as that sounds, it's what they believe; it's how they see the world, and act upon it. To them, it is real.

Of course not all atheists "believe" the above statement is accurate. Nevertheless, those who call themselves atheists, wearing it like a badge, I find equally as obnoxious as any other extreme. The views they share vary, making sense, since it is still just another belief. It holds no value, no proof, no reason, except to the individual believing it. Not believing is equal to any other type of belief --with one striking difference. 

The difference between atheists and non atheists is the certainty of nothingness in the future for the Self; a finite existence.

Muggles

Like Muggles (non-magic folk) who don't believe in magic, so are atheists doomed to their own fate: a finite existence. Wizards and witches, like believers in faith, have magic-like abilities. They believe in eternity; in unlimited creative potential to problem-solve. Infinite existence. Life everlasting. It's what they believe and how they act upon the world. (Of course not ALL believers would agree with the my analogy.) 

To those who believe in nothingness I say, "Yes, I think you are right. For you there is, and will be forever and ever, nothing". Even if you don't think you believe in anything, those non-beliefs are so powerful you could believe yourself right out of existence. It's your view of the world, and how you act upon it. 

Crazy? From a 'survival of the fittest' Social Darwinist (Herbert Spencer) view, it is in humanity's best interest for the weaker of the species to die off; to not procreate, reincarnate, regenerate... It's like waiting for those Grand Old Party (GOP) folks to kick it, so we can start building a better life on Earth for all Humanity. They won't live forever because their proclaimed faith is null and void. 

Herbert Spencer

Moral of the story: Belief is a choice. We have freewill to do as we please; to think as we like. However, every choice has a consequence, an outcome. 

imzwei.deviantart

Living life believing that it is finite is a limiting perception; likely, not the most evolved way to live. 

Interdependence on a belief system that provides structure, hope and everlasting life... well that's something worth believing. Belief has value, longevity, and it demonstrates its power through those who knowingly use it.

I suppose the only real "rub" is with respect for what to believe...? For me, that is a personal matter; a life journey. A choice so powerful, It creates the future. 

Belief Itself Creates

Assertion: To say you believe in nothingness is still saying you believe in something. One belief is superior to the other --depending on your value for spiritual longevity.


Related post: Intent of Discussion on Belief

My Personal Conviction To Tibetan Independence

Perhaps I am over protective of the Dalai Lama and Tibet's anguish for liberation from China. Probably because the battle has raged on for my entire life. Shocking devastation to an ancient, peaceful culture for more than fifty years. Tibet requires minimal resources to sustain itself and asks for nothing. Tibetan culture is non-materialist, therefore consumes fewer products. Humble people experiencing a Oneness of Being as their reality. It's how they view the world.

Perhaps I am a little too sentimental.

When I was much younger I had the honor of meeting the Dalai Lama. I received a blessing from Him along with several tens of others at the Madre Grande Monastery, in the mountains of eastern San Diego, CA (a Paracelsian Order tolerant of all faiths and cultural traditions).

Madre Grande Monastery grounds
Dulzura, CA Photo

In the summer of 1989, the Dalai Lama made his second visit to the United States. At that time few understood the circumstances of his exile from Tibet. Mostly, people thought he and his culture were curious; different from us. I listened carefully as he spoke, communicating through a young Tibetan monk who translated for him.

I did not understand much about the details explained, as the translator struggled with the language barrier. However, what I did know for certain was this monk, from a faraway place, was truly Good. Good to the core of His Being. On that day I learned firsthand of the suffering, torture and genocide of the Tibetan people.

The Dalai Lama of Tibet has a similar juxtaposition to Buddhists, as the Pope of the Vatican has to Catholics. The Dalai Lama is a pillar of grace and wisdom for his people. And like the Pope, he is admired and respected across cultures and religions.
 

Pope John Paul II

On that hot July afternoon in 1989, I did not have the perspective I have today about the Dalai Lama's cultural relevance. But I did however experience the majesty of His presence. And, I gratefully received His personal blessing at a time in my life when I would have stood in line for any kind of human connection with God. 

Since that day I remain loyal to Tibetan liberty. I made a promise 22 years ago to do whatever was in my power to right this wrong. I was deeply moved by my experience and concluded that a culture with so much to offer the world must be preserved to flourish, for the greater good. 

Naturally, there is a religious and political spin on Tibet, which is significant. However, what is most important to understand, in today's context, is our misconceptions about religion affecting government.

1. Do not assume China's cruelty is a consequence of godless communism.
2. Do not fool yourself thinking a godless-world would be cruelty-free, or somehow more righteous; more fair. China has already proven you wrong.
   

Religion and government are political. But each has its own life, independent of each other. For comparative purposes, Cuba is a religious, communist country while China is a godless communist country. Everything else being equal, would you rather be oppressed in Cuba or Tibet? I rest my case.

China is the same old story of Imperialism all over again. It wants what Tibet has and will not stop until it gets it. That's just old-fashion imperialism. Except with China it's godless communists instead of Western Christian Crusaders! One seems no better than the other. 

After thousands of years of documented genocide, worldwide, we still turn a blind eye. The systematic annihilation of an entire people has gone undeterred for generations in Tibet. China is wiping out a culture. Why are we letting this happen? Shame on you! Every world nation that looks away from these human rights crimes of torture and killing, SHAME ON YOU. 

How many civilizations will be destroyed before we determine an acceptable loss? When will we make it stop? By 'we' I mean a collective body of humanity. 
Where is our humanity? We, the people, are responsible for this existence. We have the capacity to affect change in our world. How can anyone rest in comfort knowing the horrific 'evil' of genocide persists today in the 21st century? Especially deplorable is having a written history to reference and still allowing genocide to continue.

Western history, anthropology, journalists, authors and clergy have documented hundreds of years of genocide. From Native Americans, the Maya and other indigenous people of Mexico and Central America to Serbia, Bosnia, Armenia, Darfur, Sudan, South Africa, Uganda, Congo, Cambodia. 

Generally speaking, genocide does not necessarily mean the immediate destruction of a nation, except when accomplished by mass killings of all members of a nation. It is intended rather to signify a coordinated plan of different actions aiming at the destruction of essential foundations of the life of national groups, with the aim of annihilating the groups themselves. (Wikipedia) 

Seriously people, listen up. In 1994, for a hundred days, up to 800,000 Rwandans were clubbed and machete-ed to death. A good 'kill day' equaled 10,000 human-beings slaughtered --in their own country. Six million Jews in Germany exterminated? A number some people have the flippin' nerve to dispute. What if it were three million? One? Wouldn't that be enough, for Christ sake?! 

Genocide Watch, The International Alliance to End Genocide, keeps a mindful eye on the countries in current crisis. The website has a downloadable list of the peoples in danger. 

Genocide is ugly. Nobody wants to look at it. Do it ANYWAY. Let it move you. Feel disgust with your privileged life as you complain about how difficult life is here in fat, first world.
 

Shame on us all for letting this happen again and again and again.

I do not know what liberation for Tibet will look like. I only know our collective efforts must make it happen. We cannot knowingly allow China, big as it is, to wipe out an entire culture. Simple people whom we can learn a great deal, tirelessly and against their will, fighting for their lives with almost no help at all. This is wrong.

Universal standards are already in place for human rights. What good is the United Nations if they are not going to uphold their own criteria for fair, humane treatment. There can be no fair treatment of any people when one group seeks to oppress and dominate another.

Wrapping this up, I'd like to request that we not call ourselves civilized, progressive, modern or, God forbid--Christian, when we continue to look away from the human horror of genocide. Don't think about the children who are enslaved and violated, who starve to dead and suffer of curable disease. Just turn away and go on with your day. What else can you do?

TIBETANS

You can do the right thing. Be a human-being and care. Do everything you can to bring about equality in all aspects of your life, and let your efforts extent outward. Support people and organizations that are doing the dirty work, and be grateful it's not you. Make it your mission in life not to rest until these human atrocities are no more.

This existence is our responsibility. We are the miracle. We are the way.

One mind changing at a time, evolving to a higher mind; a better quality of life. A life with far less focus on the material, and intense focus on loving, giving, and healing ourselves and each other.

Be the change. Be the example. Be the Good. Shout out for Tibet. Free Tibet on Facebook

Please note disclaimer: I have no ill feelings toward the Chinese people. Governments are not people. Chinese culture is rich and long-standing in the world. Inventions, ingenuity, cultural cohesiveness all commend respect. Their problems-solving skills have developed an efficient system for their way of life. They are not at all intimidated by outside influence. Efficient, however, does not mean effective. The world has something to teach China. We want them to participate in a global community. It serves the greater good. Peace will prevail.

Intention for Discussing Belief

Related post, Go Ahead: Believe yourself right out of existence
In my tweets and blog postings I often discuss the topic of belief. Use of the word 'belief' has caused some disturbance among those who misinterpret my intention with this topic. Hopefully, this posting will clarify my intentions.

In my world I stand between two radically opposing views. Passionate views involving religion and politics. They are both wrong. They are both right.

Perception and semantics are grounds for war. My purpose here is to seek harmony between these two groups by attempting to bridge a gap in understanding regarding the emotional discussion of religion and belief.

First, I'll set the record straight. I am not religious. Not about anything. I am not suggesting this is the best way to live your life. I could, for example, stand to be more religious about brushing my teeth.

I think it is important to distinguish between what it means to be religious verses having religious beliefs, or having any other beliefs about existence. For example, would it be accurate to postulate that atheists are religious about spreading their point of view? Some are and some aren't, like any other population. Equally true, possessing beliefs does not make you religious by default. What's the point? We all believe, even if we don't admit it. Belief is the glue that holds our physical universe in tact.

Whichever your perception, or wherever you stand on the controversial subject of belief, I respect all points of view... as long as those views are not being shoved down my throat attempting to restructure my universe!

In addition to the sticky subjects of belief and religion, I enjoy a variety of controversial and problematic topics. My intention for discussing belief is to continue developing a fresh life perspective while preserving the continuity or overlap of existing concepts and theories, which I highly value. A spiritual perspective or a balanced world-view is being attempted.

As a rule, I make an effort to value the opinions of others. I reject the hurtful limitation of labels and withhold judgment as much as possible... considering my own shortcomings.

Identification with any specific group is for practical purposes only; typically to breakdown barriers and seek common ground. I am complimented that my assertions are equally unpopular with both believers and non-believers.

Adequately knowledgeable about world religions, belief systems, culture and linguistics, I have a passion for pushing boundaries and a gift for thinking abstractly.

Most of all I recognize and acknowledge the creative power of belief.

Photo by Holly

All that said, hopefully less misunderstandings will ensue so as not to distract focus from my intent. My intention being 1) to rationally discuss sensitive topics that limit human potential; and 2) to radically affect change in collective consciousness.

(Surely, I am not the only one weary of the hostel, unproductive arguments of what is considered right or wrong, good or bad... answers to which are limited by human judgement.)

I hope to affect change by communicating concepts that connect collective ideas in an effort to broaden human awareness. I value inclusive, creative, expansive thought intended to evolve the human spirit, potential and condition.

That is what I am about. Any questions?
Related post, 'Go Ahead: Believe yourself right out of existence'
Top photo: My daughter bouldering in Bishop, CA (June 2011). Photo by Leo.

Human Evolution: A spiritual endeavor

My background in education and training, with experience in a range of industries, has taught me a great deal about various methods and styles of delivering education to young people, teachers and the general public. As an individual who advocates for progressive, inclusive thinking and learning, I favor a 'holistic' approach to our education system.

 

Holistic education focuses on intellectual, emotional, social, physical, creative and spiritual potentials. It engages students in the teaching and learning process. A key goal is to develop life-long learners capable of thinking at a systemic level. 

Holistic education encourages personal and collective responsibility while honing critical-thinking skills in an effort to examine the moral, cultural and political context of one's life --from a world view.

The aspects of spirituality in Holistic Education are of particular interest to me. Humanity is losing connection with the unseen aspects of our existence.

Spirituality is defined as 'a state of connectedness to all life. The honoring of diversity in unity. It's an experience of being, belonging and caring; sensitivity and compassion; joy and hope. Its purpose strives for harmony between inner and outer life; to create a sense of wonder and reverence for the mysteries of the universe, and to experience the feeling of a purposeful life.

These are the values I believe move the human spirit towards its highest endeavors. The evolution of human potential. 

Resources:

Holistic Education: An Introduction

A Brief Introduction to Holistic Education 

School of Teaching and Learning, Ohio State University offers M.A. in Holistic Education

Ron Miller, founder of the journal Holistic Education Review (now entitled Encounter: Education for Meaning and Social Justice)

WHOLE --Integrating holistic practices into the education system Blogger at whole.org

Seeking a Brain, Heart and Courage: On Becoming a Holistic Teacher Research article

Holistic Education Network - Tasmania, Australia