Topic #19. Brainstorming
(Showing 1-13 of 13)

1. Brainstorming
Tue, Sep 28, 1999 - 11:29 AM/EST

This message was started in another thread, but I

wanted to start a brainstorming thread for people

to give ideas about positive ways to deal with

racism and/or do community building.

All this discussion has given me a here and now

vision. Ben got me thinking about what I can do

in my own community. One thing that bothers me is

just how non-diverse our community is. We do have

some Native American kids in our school and a

number of white families have adopted children of

color, but it's pretty white.

What do you think of this idea? Make some

alliances with some churches or organizations in

the city - we're rural. Start up a summer camp

program that has storytelling, art, music, food,

discussion groups all having to do with different

cultural heritages. Get grants to start it up and

invite our local kids and the city kids to come

together for a week of sharing about

diversity.(Grandiose I know, but brainstorming has

to start somewhere).

2. It's got me thinking, too...
Tue, Sep 28, 1999 - 2:34 PM/EST
bleyequeen

I've been reading all the posts, too. I think your idea sounds like a good one bbc. What I have been thinking about is checking out the community calendars to see when I might take my children to some Jewish events. I think it would be an enriching experience. They have been exposed to other cultures and religions, but never to Judaism. I'm kind of excited about it!

3. Brainstorming: A great idea.
Tue, Sep 28, 1999 - 3:24 PM/EST

One of the things that I would suggest is to

learn about as many cultures as possible yourself

so no one can accuse you of being naive.

Maybe find some books listed in the cultural

studies department of major universities.The

reason why I am saying this is because,you will

always find the do nothings always trying to

crush your spirit of goodwill with negativity.

Me I am doing my part with the children in my

family by advancing their awareness of other rich cultures.BUT,before doing that I had to study

and learn for myself,so that when certain questions are asked I am armed with the correct

information.It may at times seem overwhelming,

but step by step it can be done.Think about it,

it has already started.

4. Re: getting cultural information
Tue, Sep 28, 1999 - 8:34 PM/EST

Actually.... I've taken a multicultural counseling

course where each of our classmates focused on one

ethnic group and presented to class, so I have

some good resources, BUT there is still much to

learn and I feel it would be critical to have a

group of people working collaboratively on the

project so it wouldn't be me by myself.

5. To bbc
Wed, Sep 29, 1999 - /EST

Boy,are you well rounded.I believe that your idea

for "Cultural Networking" will work.(bbc,I just

hope that you have others of like mind in your area so you won't be out there by yourself.)

It can be characterized as a seasonal "American

Multi-Cultural Family Reunion." Beginning with

the churches is a good idea that you have.

The family of God is always a good place to start.

6. Johnizen
Wed, Sep 29, 1999 - /EST

Hey, I like that name for the event..

7. to bbc
Thu, Sep 30, 1999 - 1:26 AM/EST
ben

Hi again. You sound earnest. I agree with Johnizen that churches are excellent initiation points for the commencement of any multicultural venture as they usually involve a cross-section of the local population on a daily basis in church events. Anything like an interfaith council in your community? Now, my next suggestion may sound a bit hokey, but environmental protection groups are another great place to look for an overlap of interest, esp. in a rural setting. That's how I began my one on ones with the Native American community here. Almost anything you can do in the outside that's inter-cultural in nature works, because you begin on neutral ground, so to speak, as the "environment" essentially involves everyone. Um, your ideas seem sound to me.

8. Good ideas
Thu, Sep 30, 1999 - 11:57 AM/EST

Thanks for brainstorming along with me. It helps

me look at some ways to start that aren't so grand

scheme.

9. Suggestions
Thu, Sep 30, 1999 - 1:27 PM/EST

I am into alot of spiritual activities such as meditation & dancing where I live at which is in the Maryland, DC metro area. I moved from a small town in North Carolina which was not very diverse.

Right now I am learning african dancing which is very aerobic and soulful. We do african dancing to different shaped drums which create certain sounds, as you are moving your body to the pounding drum beats the whole experience just overcomes you. In this class there are all different races and sexes who come together and perform as one. If your area does not have such activities why not take a trip to a metropolitan city or do some research on a cultural experience art exhibit, customs etc. and bring it to your neighborhood to share. Other people in the community can contribute also, thus making the affair very enriching.

10. bbc brainstorming
Sat, Oct 2, 1999 - 3:37 PM/EST

To tell you your idea will work. Long ago, late 1950's-early 60's at First Presbyterian Church in Chicago we had early versions of your idea. Suburban and city churches of our denomination had Sunday service exchanges with families, afterwards, taking guests to dinner. Our children met a variety of people. Also, living near the U of Chicago, many international students came to services. We invited one or more home to dinner once a month. We networked with other denominations to expand the program. There were successes and "mistakes." The effort, I believe, was valuable.

No longer being connected to a traditional religion the idea of environmental outreach has common ground and focus, as well as being involved in something that is vital to people of all ages.

I'm sad that this process will end soon, just as i've found time to join the conversations.

Good luck.

11. brainstorming
Thu, Oct 7, 1999 - 9:36 AM/EST

I awakened to three concerns about racism, relationships and the world of people.

1. Sonia Gandhi is called a carpertbagger and defeated in India. A caste based coalition defeated her bid to lead India. She's the wrong "cast," a European. It is of no consequence that the woman has given her life to her husband and his people.I think that ANY exclusion of a person or people on bases other than merit is disgusting. The Congress party may have messed up big time over the years (the nature of politics) but to use her lack of Indian "blood" as a basis to defeat her is sad.

2. President Clinton's nominee for a federal judgeship for an African descended state judge in Missouri was denied by Congress.Those who voted would deny racism, but it is so obvious it slaps you in the face. Many appointees by this president (and I'm no Clinton fan, which is not the point) have been denied and most have been women or minorities, many people of color, Asian, Hispanic, "black." The history of the nation and the world will be seriously affected by the narrow minded decisions of Congresspeople. ONE side has dominated for nearly thirty years, the Nixon and Reagan tenures. Only Carter's single four year term allowed any balance of ideas. For Clinton's two terms he's been unable to effect change because the "balance' between the three bodies, Executive-Legislative and Judicial has been unable to operate.

3.Also heard was a segnment during which I did not hear all the information. The Archdiocese of Boston has, apparantly, thrown its weight in local elections. Bias, bigotry, discrimination, limiting others' right to be is widespread, racially, economically, sexually...

Relationship is the key. Unless we accept our common relationship we are at the mercy of ignorance--to our downfall.

12. Ghandi to Boston politics
Fri, Oct 8, 1999 - 12:00 PM/EST

Geri,

Looks like we lock heads once more.

1)The main party of the winning coalition, don't remember the name, can be labeled zenophobic, jingoistic no? This is the same party that wanted to tear down Muslin mosques which are also Hindu holy sites. So while deplorable, the carpetbagger labeling is hardly surprising. No doubt labeling cost the Congress a few votes, I am just not sure that Sonia is the reason congress lost (actually, did not win enough seats to form a government). The rise of the nationalistic party in India seems to be part of a wave sweeping the globe. From France, former Yugoslavia, to Rowanda, Russia. The pendulum will swing back. Geri, I completely agree with you that we need to, and I think we will once again moving in the correct direction. Hate to quote a communist but as Chairman Mao said, "Two steps forward, one step back." Sonia could storm back a few elections from now and show, as Fujimora in Chile did, that dedication to the nation and not ethnic origin matters most.

2) I thought only the Senate confirmed appointees. In any event I suspect that it rejected the candidates on idealogical, rather than purely racial grounds. Republican politicians on the national level don't seem to discriminate against prominent minorities and women that share a conservative idealog.

As for control, Starting with Eisenhower, we have had 7/8 Republican (Nixon and Ford combined for 2/3 terms), 5/6 Democratic (Kennedy and Johnson, combined for 2/3 terms) administrations including Clinton's current one. I beleive that Democrats controlled congress for 40 yrs until 1994. Democrats controlled the Senate, less dominantly, for much of the same period.

13. From Ghandi to Boston Politics cont
Fri, Oct 8, 1999 - 1:16 PM/EST

Some more of what I remember. Senate used to rubber stamp most if not all presidential appointments. That changed with confirmation hearing for Borg?, Thomas when the Democrats raised hell. Once Republicans gained majority, they retaliated by opposing nominee's considered too "liberal" up and down the list. We wanted representatives that did not compromise our values. I guess we got them.

As for the House I remember a minority whip named Ginrich (who no one confused him for a Conservative idealog) stating in 1986 that the Republicans must become a party of opposition to break Democratic control.

3) We need to tred lightly here. We applauded the church's involvement in South African politics. We applauded the church's involvement during the Civil Right 60s. We applaud AME's political involvement. Now we frown upon the Boston Archdiocese. Should a church tell perishners to vote in accordance to its mores, or do we only object to the instructions we disagree with? If the Boston Archdiocese came out against the death penalty, which so disproportionaly affect minorities, how should we react?