Pre-emptive Response

I woke up this morning and thought about the larger issue of people responding emotionally and taking info out of context. SO, I can imagine how someone might read my previous post and say something like, "She has a problem with White males." Not the case. I'm simply pointing out the fact that White males have historically run our country. There's no judgment in that statement. I do not intend to minimizing or denigrating White men. You could say I am pointing out the institutional pattern of power in our government. That does not equate with saying White people or White males are bad people.

I just had to say that, because I heard reporters yesterday leaping from the mere mention of White men having power in this country to asking how can Obama be president when he hates White people. Note- I am well aware that I'm not so important that reporters will read my blog nor am I running for president. I'm just saying.....

Obama Psuedo-Drama

I don’t know where to start, but I feel like I just need to throw out a few thoughts about this Obama/pastor scandal.

1. Beware of reports conflating quotes.

There are a number of sound bites and clips circulating regarding this scandal. I will not rehash. What I will point out is that every comment if being thrown in together. Wright stated that America is run by “rich White people.” This comment is being lumped with AIDS being used for genocide along with the other inflammatory remarks being aired en masse.

I bring this up to say that we can’t always believe the hype. While some of what Wright said is extreme, the fact that America is run by rich White people is not far from the truth. Have we had anything but White males as president? No. They were also men of means and a great deal of access. Even if we wanted to argue about the wealth of presidents, we could simply focus on presidents being White and male. Before we deem everything that comes out of the man’s mouth as inflammatory, let’s make sure we actually hear what is being said rather than simply reacting based on other quotes.

2. Consider the implications of “guilty by association.”

Are we going to hold everyone responsible for all of their acquaintances? I surely hope not. Could you run for office and answer for the comments of your outspoken uncle, provocative grandfather or your zany cousin? We have to be careful about how we allow standards to change for how we judge people. If Obama is responsible for the comments of his pastor, surely we should also hold McCain responsible for the comments of his mother (after all, they have had a close relationship). It seems like a slippery slope to me.

3. Recognize the power of language.

I just want to draw attention to how it was only today that I began to hear so much talk about how the White male vote is going to decide this election since (of course) Blacks will vote for Obama and women for Clinton. This assertion is a gross oversimplification, but that is another post. Anyway, I refer back to point #1- the fact that we have begun to see this election- where for the first time in history it seems highly likely that the democratic candidate and very possibly the next president of the US could be Black or a women (i.e. power would shift away from White men), the rhetoric has conveniently shifted to claiming that White males will be the key to the election. I contend that the emergence of this new rhetoric is a mechanism to shift the power back to where it has been. For as much as we say we are ready for a change in this country, we sure seem comfortable with maintaining the status quo.

Self Reflection

Clearly, my new phrase for the month is "Love it!" hence the beginning of the last 2 posts. I think it's the fact that my life is a little more complicated yet simple. Stay with me. Things are hectic and it often feels like I don't have enough minutes in the day to do what needs to be done. Therefore, items, interactions, things that make life easier, happier, and a little more enjoyable in the midst of "busy, busy, busy" get the "Love it!" stamp of approval. At the same time, because of the demands, I have come to appreciate the little things in life. Saving space in my laundry room so that I don't have plastic bags falling on my head as I reach for items on the shelf is so minor yet so rewarding.

Self reflection = Love it!

Chicobag to the rescue!

LOVE IT! My new best friend is my Chico bag. It's SO convenient. It makes feel better not just about minimizing my consumption, but also about not having that annoying pile of plastic bags in my laundry room. YAY for Chico bags!

2 fun facts from Chicobag.com:
* If everyone in the United States tied their annual consumption of plastic bags together in a giant chain, the chain would reach around the Earth not once, but 760 times!

* According to the American Forest and Paper Association, in 1999 the U.S. alone used 10 billion paper grocery bags, requiring 14 million trees to be cut down.

LOVE it!

I think it is so exciting when people make a point in a creative, poignant and home-hitting way. Two words. Biggest Loser. I've been watching the show since the first season. When I initially heard the idea, I was intrigued. I really thought it could be a catalyst for people at home to make a change. But I also thought it could have gone in a bad direction- voyeuristic, mean- but it didn't. A bunch of obese men and women struggling, running, crying, emoting could have been reality TV gone wrong and the butt of many jokes. I remember getting drawn into the first season, and being moved seeing the progress. I have to give it to the show that they didn't disrespect the contestants. The new season started tonight, and I'm happy to say that they have kept building on a good thing. The fact that the oldest guy (62) on the show (ever) won the first challenge is a lesson on top of a lesson- without being preachy. It's a testimony to the fact that it's never to late for change, and that's refreshing.

Can the US do math?

I was watching the news tonight, and there was all this talk about Afghanistan's 90th Independence Day celebration. Reporters stressed that violence and corruption have plagued the country since independence. These comments were paired with the news of opium production being at an all time high. I thought, "hm, let's do the math, and think about where we were as a country 90 years after independence."

1776 + 90= 1866

That puts us a year after the end of a civil war.

Our media is really lame right about now. There is no critical analysis of the information that is reported. I know you could argue that they are simply there to report and be impartial. However, I argue that such a position is false. The decision to run a story- to deem it as important enough to spend time on- is a bias. The questions that are asked (or not asked), and the perspectives that are presented are all biased. That is the nature of the beast. Therefore, the "leap" to consider where we were as a country 90 years out from independence as we sit in judgment of (i.e. report on) another country in the same position does not feel to me like too much to ask.

Whoa- Time Flies Yet Creeps

I can't believe how long its been since I've posted. To be honest, I've been caught up in Facebook :) and trying to get ready for my research leave. Of course, I've also been enjoying every minute of Avery growing and exploring.

So I thought I would post some thoughts on the contradiction of time. In some ways it flies by so quickly. The summer is coming to a close as marked by school starting, the sun going down earlier and those awful summer TV shows coming to a close. I can't believe how much Avery has grown and changed in just these past three months. He's more intentional in his actions and is definitely learning to assert himself. We went to the Children's Discover Museum today, and he really enjoyed watching the other kids and playing in the under 5 area. In the same breath, there are areas of my life where it feels like time is going by SO slowly- losing the residual baby weight, for instance. I have been working out since the beginning of July, and gosh darnit my body is having some issues parting with this weight. I know, I know. It takes time, I'm nursing and not aiming to lose more than one pound a week, but I SWEAR it feels like forever! In all honesty, I am making good progress, but I am extremely aware of the effort it takes to choose to exercise every day and to make good food choices throughout the day. I know it's those small choices that add up and make a difference.

I was in the car today, and one of the radio stations had a thought for the day. It was something like not one of the raindrops feels it is responsible for the flood. With regard to time, it is the way we spend each minute that adds up to make a difference. Duh. Yet sometimes it's worth reminding myself- when time feels like it's flying by or moving like molasses- being mindful, aware and present is what counts.