So, I saw this article in the NY Times (www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/dining/24interns.html) about highly educated kids grabbing onto the new local food/organic farming trend and couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of some of the damn "activist" kids! Also, since I grew up in a multi-generational farm family, I'm probably a bit annoyed that it just now matters to people because it's trendy... So I'm sure this is a bit reactive... Ah, well!
So, basically the kids said:
1. Farming is hard!
I mean, who knew that farmers don't make much money or have access to entertainment technology or housing for their farmhands, much less for themselves?!? I mean, until I read about it in a food-trend book, it wasn't true, right?!?
2. Farmers aren't political enough!
Seriously, how dare they not do everything to the perspective and worldview of someone who has been at a liberal arts college for the last three years instead of making decisions based on the pressures of agribusiness monopolies, feeding their families, or paying their mortages in a society that hasn't given a shit about them until it was cool to actually buy the food from the farmers face to face? Tres chic!!!
3. I wish I'd been born in the 60s so I could be a part of a cool hip social movement!
Dude!!! Like, come the fuck on! Wishing you had been around to help change the past because lots did it back then means you are less about change and activism and more about you and your ego... Like a LOT of privelaged "activists" I met in college and beyond. Real change and activism isn't about realizing it's happening and feeling swell about yourself, it's about doing it regardless because it matters! Now that a bunch of sheep think that taking care of, well, sheep, matters, we're all special and care and aren't we AWESOME!!! It's harmful like the people who held (and still hold) the 50s up as some sort of magical era of perfection (if you were white, had money, and were a man or enjoyed a man telling you what to do) and fought the 60s tooth and nail. Nostalgia does no one any good! Change the world for the sake of what's right, not your identity or status.
I mean...
Of course I think that the more people who understand farms, the better. I also think that the farm fresh, local food movement is also important, economically, environmentally, and socially. And I know that a lot of these kids are young and will hopefully learn a lot about themselves and other lifestyles, no matter where their intentions started. I just worry, from my own personal interactions, about the exoticising or fetishing of activism and social movements where it ends up being about selfish ego and status, instead of for other people...
But, I guess anything that gets people out there, doing something, instead of being apathetic, is good...
I'm still going to roll my eyes, though, when you say dumb things!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Gah! Kids These Days!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Coincidence or Are We To Eat Pudding for 8 Years?
| Indecision | An Indecision Exclusive! | |||
| Barack Obama Is Cliff Huxtable | ||||
| ||||
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Please Donate
I've been thinking a lot about friendships this week... What they mean to us, what we expect from them, how they change or grow or go away, how they make us who we are... In particular, I've been thinking about a very good friend of mine, Cathy Fleming, who many years ago helped me see the beauty and creativity and fun in me that I didn't even realize that I had... and that I never imagined others would appreciate and, even, cherish.
Sadly, one of the main reasons that I've been thinking about her and the changeability of friendships is because five years ago yesterday she passed away after a life-long struggle with diabetes. She was one of the best friends that a person could have and I feel so blessed to have been a part of her life, in any small measure. She was kind, and loyal, and loving, and smart, and funny, and witty, and a true spark of life... never complained about anything (well, except how Arkansas wasn't her native Chicago... and Republicans), especially not her health. To this day she is an inspiration to me whenever I begin to let the little things in life turn me into a cranky, negative shrew.
The world is a tiny bit dimmer without the light that she shined on those lucky enough to know her.
Please read this memorial written by her family and consider donating to help other children who have diabetes live a full and happy life.
::Cringe::
Oh, lovely home-state of Arkansas, here is one of your residents* proving my not five-minutes-ago post about how hilariously simple it is to not be racist towards peers and coworkers and yet it's somehow still SO DIFFICULT!
From Salon:
The GOP throws away the Yiddishe Mama vote
Periodically, you hear a Republican complain, “Why isn’t [Minority Group X] voting for us? We’re the ones who represent their real interests.” Democrats, you see, actually want to make sure predominantly African-American schools stay in terrible shape by opposing vouchers. They’re also out to keep Hispanics poor. Oh, and while they’re at it, they’re quietly making arrangements with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the destruction of Israel.
Somehow, the GOP manages to get all shocked that these arguments don’t have black, Hispanic and Jewish voters flocking to them. How have Democrats hoodwinked all these people?
Anyway, that brings us to Arkansas state Sen. Kim Hendren, from state Sen. Kim Hendren, currently the only Republican running against Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark. At a recent appearance with a GOP group, Hendren referred to Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., as "that Jew."
By way of apology, Hendren said later:
At the meeting I was attempting to explain that unlike Sen. Schumer, I believe in traditional values, like we used to see on The Andy Griffith Show. I made the mistake of referring to Sen. Schumer as “that Jew” and I should not have put it that way as this took away from what I was trying to say.
The bit about Andy Griffith is an especially deft touch.* But if it's traditional values he's looking out for, well, he could do a lot worse than the Jews. Just ask "Fiddler on the Roof's" Tevye:
And who has the right, as master of the house,
To have the final word at home?
The Papa, the Papa! Tradition!
If only the spacetime continuum were a little more cooperative. Alas, the 19th-century shtetl doesn't get a vote in 21st-century Arkansas.
*not representative of the whole but certainly not alone
*yeah, 'cause didn't Andy Griffith's values lead him to vote for Obama?
So Simple, So Hard...
This gov't memo from Delaware is almost laughable in its obviousness, except that, well, people still act this way! Gawker has highlights, but here's the whole thing if you want to read it:
DIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT
Spring Edition
2009
Delaware Department of Transportation
Comments you never want to make to a coworker
WORKPLACE FAUX PAS
Curiosity is natural; and with a diverse workforce, inquiring minds always want to know. How you communicate
your inquiries can keep you from offending your co-workers.
How can you go about interacting with your colleagues without putting your foot in your mouth? How do you keep
from getting the cold shoulder and creating friction in the workplace? Understanding how others are affected by
your comments will help build an inclusive and diverse work environment.
It is always better to be honest and acknowledge your unfamiliarity when you are curious about a person or a topic.
It is never inappropriate to build a better working relationship with your co-worker by getting to know them. You
can never go wrong by saying “I really don't know that much about...” or “I’m curious about this, would you be
offended if I asked you….?” People will have greater respect for you when you are sincere and admit you are
genuinely interested in learning about them.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Co-workers
Employees who make the decision to “come out” are
usually apprehensive about the kinds of reaction they
will receive from colleagues.
• What did your family say?
This is personal and not an opportunity to
start gossip.
• I don’t consider you gay.
This is insensitive.
• Have you thought about getting help?
You are stereotyping, telling the person
there’s something wrong that should be
fixed.
• Never call a coworker a “fag” or “homo.”
This is derogatory, rude, and totally
insensitive.
• I didn’t need to hear that.
If you are not interested in the person’s
personal life, simply say “Thank you.”
African American Coworkers
• The “N” word
You may have heard comedians or African
Americans use the word “n*****” casually.
It is never, ever acceptable to use this word
in any context. You are asking for trouble;
leave this one alone.
• You people
Let’s just say you are asking for trouble
when you make this reference. Your focus
should be on the individual, not the race or
culture.
• Should we order fried chicken or
watermelon for you?
This is stereotyping and shows ignorance.
• You are articulate, or you speak very well.
As opposed to what? You may be implying
that most African Americans are not well
spoken or well educated. Remember a vice
presidential candidate made this mistake.
• I am not prejudiced against black people,
my neighbors are black.
You are saying it’s all right to treat people
differently because you know a few people
of the same race.
Asian Co-workers
• You must be the new IT person.
All Asians are not IT professionals.
• You speak English very well, or did you
learn to speak English in America?
You are assuming that everyone who speaks
with an accent is foreign born. The fact is
that we all speak with an accent; e.g., New
England, Southern, British, etc. The
appropriate approach should be “I’m not
familiar with your accent, may I ask where
your accent is from?”
• What’s your native language?
Don’t assume because people look
differently or speak differently that they are
not natural-born Americans or are from a
foreign country. Remember we have
military bases all over the world; and don’t
forget the Peace Corps or Fortune 500
companies with employees and families
spending the bulk of their lives overseas.
• Can you recommend a good Chinese
restaurant?
All Asians are not Chinese. Take some time
to study a world map. The world is made up
of continents with many countries, regions,
cultures, and sub-cultures. Remember the
news reports about a vice presidential
candidate who thought Africa was a country.
• Wow, you are from India! My neighbor
Ashok Shah is from India; do you know him?
Think for a minute … do you know every
American - or everyone who lives in Dover
or Wilmington?
Older Co-workers
• You know Wal Mart is hiring.
This is not funny. An older employee has
experience you could benefit from.
• When can we start planning your retirement
party?
With this kind of attitude you are creating an
unfriendly work environment.
• You are just warming that seat.
DelDOT values the contributions of all
employees regardless of age.
White Co-workers
• That’s how a typical white person acts.
You are suggesting that all white people are
the same by putting them in the same
category. The behavior may have nothing to
do with the person’s race.
• I don’t trust white people; they are all
racists.
This is stereotyping and totally
insensitive. Get to know the person or
discuss why the actions may have offended
you. Don’t generalize.
• White trailer trash.
Why would you think that referring to
someone as trash is acceptable? This is
derogatory, and should never ever be used.
Co-workers with Disabilities
• You don’t need to date; your life will be
better without a woman/man causing you
trouble.
Being disabled does not mean the person is
socially challenged.
• You don’t look disabled. Why do you have a
handicapped sticker?
The person may have a non-visible
disability.
• Never refer to a co-worker as a “retard.”
This is an insult to people with mental
disabilities.
• Never refer to a co-worker as handicapped.
Always remember person first. It’s not the
“disabled man.” It’s the man with the
disability.
Hispanic/Latino Co-workers
• You know we should send all of you back
across the border.
Don’t assume because people look
differently or speak differently that they are
not natural-born Americans. Where did
your ancestors come from?
• It is never ever acceptable to refer to a
Hispanic/Latino co-worker as a “spic”
“wetback” or “hot footer.”
This is
derogatory.
• Can you help me out with my landscaping?
Why would you assume that all
Hispanics/Latinos are landscaping experts?
• Can you recommend a good Mexican
Restaurant?
This is stereotyping and shows ignorance.
All Hispanics/Latinos are not Mexicans.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Ouchy, Pt II
Last year, I braved the pain and got my second tattoo: a rocket based on a drawing from Jim Henson's archive. Although I loved it, it never seemed quite finished, but I couldn't make the mental leap from original sketch to full-out tattoo. Until now. Here she is, new and improved Kermit and Rocket.
This was taken the day of with my iPhone, so it's not very big..jpg)
This one was taken today, but doesn't look super great as it's healing and scabby :) But still, you get the idea!
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