Fw: [Peace-discuss] Anti-racism

[unionyes]

EXCELLENT John !

I couldn't agree more !

I am not trying to being a " pain in the ass ", I would just like to hear from Marti what her idea of enpowerment is ?

David J.





  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John W. 
  To: unionyes 
  Cc: Peace-discuss List 
  Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 8:22 PM
  Subject: Re: Fw: [Peace-discuss] Anti-racism




  On Sat, Mar 7, 2009 at 7:56 PM, unionyes <unionyes at ameritech.net> wrote:



    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: unionyes 
    To: Marti Wilkinson 
    Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 7:55 PM
    Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Anti-racism


    You still have not answered my question !

    David J.

  You guys do seem to be talking past one another.

  To empower someone is to help them obtain or attain the tools they need to be able to exercise some control over their own lives.   It might mean helping them to find a job or otherwise get money.  It might mean helping someone to obtain food or affordable housing or transportation.  It might mean helping them find legal or medical assistance or get a better education or find affordable child care.

  Organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the Champaign County Health Care Consumers and the Center for Women in Transition are about empowering individuals in their struggle to meet basic human needs.  I'd say that C-U Citizens for Peace and Justice tries very hard, with few resources, to empower people in various ways.  The IMC and WEFT empower ordinary people to get their voices heard.

  I'm not sure where you want to go with this, Dave.  What's the point of hounding Marti for an answer to your question?

  The only thing I personally would add at this juncture is that organizations are not always the answer.  Individuals also need to do their part to empower other individuals.  If I'm ill and need a ride to the doctor or someone to pick me up some medicine or some food, there's no organization I can call for that.  I need a friend.   I'm always harping about friendship, it seems like, but to me a "progressive" organization whose members don't understand the essentials of friendship is like "sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal", to quote the Bible.  Or, to quote the Bard (no, not Carl), "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

  Sometimes it seems like we on this list all occupy our separate little "ghettoes", in the broad sense of the term, and don't really even know what is going on in each other's lives.  And that, to me, is where the rubber meets the road.  "Think globally, act locally" is to me the essence of empowerment.

  John Wason


   

      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Marti Wilkinson 
      To: unionyes ; AWARE peace 
      Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 7:03 PM
      Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Anti-racism


      You are avoiding my original question....

      Really?


      " What IS your definition of enpowerment?"

      Taking the talk and putting it to action! It's short, sweet, and to the point. It is also in my prior post.

      I also understand why this particular message board has been referred to as "Peace-Disgust" - While I would hate to miss out on any announcements towards interesting events I am starting to get tired of my inbox being filled with this crap.




      On Sat, Mar 7, 2009 at 6:37 PM, unionyes <unionyes at ameritech.net> wrote:

        So Marti !

        Good point you made about too lengthy of postings, BUT......

        You are avoiding my origianl question....

        " What IS your definition of enpowerment ?

        David Johnson

          ----- Original Message ----- 
          From: Marti Wilkinson 
          To: Peace-discuss List 
          Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 1:33 PM
          Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Anti-racism


          Taking the 'talk' and putting it to action. Martel Miller had some very sharp things to say at the last peoples potluck, he pointed out that it seems like all we are doing is talking, talking, talking and there is nothing really productive coming from the conversation. Seriously, has this particular discussion really managed to do anything other than showcase the attitudes and beliefs of the participants? I'm including myself in this as well. 

          I agree with John that as human beings we need to speak out for one another. We are all neighbors of this planet regardless of our political and socioeconomic affiliation, but there is a need to be cognizant of key differences and to be willing to work through them. 

          Lastly, I would suggest that everyone who participates here keep in mind that very very long emails often are not the most effective ways to communicate ideas. If someone feels the need to post the equivalent of a magazine article or book chapter it would be more productive to have a blog and provide a link where users can leave comments. Here the conversation can veer in so many directions it veers away from the original intent of the thread. Again this is simply a suggestion and not an attempt to dictate what people should say or do here.


          On Sat, Mar 7, 2009 at 8:17 AM, unionyes <unionyes at ameritech.net> wrote:

            So what is your definition of enpowerment Marti ?

            David J.




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