4/23/08
it seems like there are problems everywhere i go. most days, i like to listen to npr and take in the happenings, but lately, i've been on sabbatical from the news. there's a problem with prioritizing in our world, and it seems like international powers cannot decide between people and profit.
by now, everyone must know about my passion for food security. one of the big issues in the world is-- has, and always will be-- hunger. since the development and implementation of corn-and-soy-based ethanol, people around the world are feeling an economic pinch. these grains are being converted to fuels for cars rather than for our bodies. feed for livestock is more expensive, and so that is driving up the price of dairy, meat, and eggs. that, in turn, is increasing the cost of other foods in which these animal-derived items are main ingredients.
it's a good time to be a farmer, but a bad time to be any other kind of impoverished person. if you have been to the grocery store lately, you've been feeling the pinch. after all the bills are paid, how much of your income can you use for food? many of us are lucky; we may not be eating everything we want , but more often than not, we aren't going to bed hungry.
i heard this story about local food banks and the food stamps system on npr and it made me cry. i can't imagine what it would be like to know that you can't afford to feed your children, they must fend for themselves while you are away. many children are heading to soup kitchens. fortunately, there has been a great program created with funding from the united way to open schools and feed children who might otherwise go without.
for anyone who can, please volunteer or donate to one of the local food pantries. as the economy is in decline, more people are in need. in times of high demand, people stop giving. but, if we needed the help, where would we turn if those food banks weren't there? would we be too proud to stand in lines at a soup kitchen, rather than dishing it out?
i remember our diversity and anti-oppression training on classism, everyone was really upset. they were'nt upset about the condition of things as a whole, but specifically that they were promised breakfast, and were only given rice and oranges. in the real world, when someone is hungry, those things can be a godsend. we're lucky that p.a. helps us out with foodstamps. there are people in our communities who still needd help. and the problems we have here are always exponentially worse in the international community. with the dangers of violence, hijackings, and the price of gas, food aide organizations are sending less because they can't afford it. a co-worker of mine sent a link to me, and it's a fun and easy way to expand your vocabulary as well as helping provide food to the hungry. all you have to do is click on the definition of a word, and for each correct answer, 20 grains of rice are donated to the united nations world food program.
what are you waiting for, go out and feed the people!
Showing posts with label classism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label classism. Show all posts
Monday
diversity and anti-oppression: classism
3/07/08
friday training this week started everyone of with a surprise.
well, almost everyone. reading over the scoop (the ally newsletter that keeps us up to date on training locations and topics, as well as assorted ally news) i noticed that we would be having a training on classism. rather than a particular ally be responsible for bringing snacks, public allies would be feeding us.
this immediately sent up a red flag. after being in public allies for this long, i know every promise comes with some tricky lesson. rather than leaving it to chance, i prepared myself a delicious breakfast and arrived promptly at 9:00, coffee cup in hand.
as we were ushered into the training space by dave (who, by the way, was dressed in a fashion that as quite reminiscent of the monopoly man), we were to pull a piece of paper out of his top hat. 5 groups were indicated on the papers and so we were arranged.
it was immediately apparent what would be happening. the first table was set with an assortment of breakfast condiments and beverages. the second table had cereal boxes on them, andthe 3 tables further in succession were set with slips of paper. as we filed into place, or alternately, were curtly escorted to them by a pushy monopoly man, the ruckus began.
the program managers brought out 3 glasses of milk, an orange, and a big bowl of brown rice for the 3 tables in the back portion of the room, most of which had at least 5 people. the table of 4 in front of ours was given coffee and an orange to complement the ceareal. what started the trouble was what was given to the people at the first table.
the fellows brought out pancakes, bacon, and eggs, setting them down courteously in front of the four people in front. something that was strange about the set-up of their table: while the rest of us were sitting in circles or squares, facing our "families," that first table was positioned so each person was looking back at the other tables.
there were six people at my table with me. on the table were sheets of paper informing us about the status of our "family," the dwyers. our fictional family consisted of five: the father, a newly-hired police officer; the mother, who stays at home with the kids; a daughter, high-achieving student and talented musician; a foster daughter, with multiple sclerosis; and a son, envious of the attention his sisters get.
there was another sheet of paper listing our income, expenses, and personal assets(a television, camera, and vcr). a third sheet of paper informed us that our family was living in a rented 3 bedroom on the west side, and that we were in substantial credit card debt. the foster daughter was awarded $500 monthly for care expenses, but later on, would be removed from the home due to charges of neglect resulting in a loss of income and a trip to the welfare office for legal aid.
eventually, everyone who wasn't at that first table started asking when the food was coming. were we going to get bacon too? the first table ate, guiltily at first, but eventually forgot about the rest of us. soon, everything was gone from their table, while the brown rice and cups of milk remained on ours, room-temperature and untouched.
when the program managers started asking questions about how everyone felt, the responses were really interesting. some folks decided that the 1st table was the upper class, the central table was the middle class, and the last tables were the lower class. some noticed that we only spoke to the people in our "families," primarily mumbling about how upset we were.
at the end of the simulation, when people found out they weren't going to be getting breakfast, they were really angry. i suppose that makes the point even stronger, not only about the differences in class (where for some, having breakfast really is a priveledge) but also the obvious differences in quality of nutrition available.
durring the break, many allies went straight to mcdonald's, even though some of them were complaining loudly about the quality of food available in the community only last week. i got frustrated again, because i'm tired of hearing people complain, only to go right back and perpetuate the cycle they are bitching about.
people really do go hungry right here, people can't afford to live a fair life. i think we forget sometimes that as allies, we are fortunate to have decent paying jobs, and for that matter, the opportunity to have this chance. most of us aren't responsible for an entire family, and even if we are, we get foodshare benefits. we all make enough to make ends meet, if we live within our means.
we may not be rich, but we've got something.
friday training this week started everyone of with a surprise.
well, almost everyone. reading over the scoop (the ally newsletter that keeps us up to date on training locations and topics, as well as assorted ally news) i noticed that we would be having a training on classism. rather than a particular ally be responsible for bringing snacks, public allies would be feeding us.
this immediately sent up a red flag. after being in public allies for this long, i know every promise comes with some tricky lesson. rather than leaving it to chance, i prepared myself a delicious breakfast and arrived promptly at 9:00, coffee cup in hand.
as we were ushered into the training space by dave (who, by the way, was dressed in a fashion that as quite reminiscent of the monopoly man), we were to pull a piece of paper out of his top hat. 5 groups were indicated on the papers and so we were arranged.
it was immediately apparent what would be happening. the first table was set with an assortment of breakfast condiments and beverages. the second table had cereal boxes on them, andthe 3 tables further in succession were set with slips of paper. as we filed into place, or alternately, were curtly escorted to them by a pushy monopoly man, the ruckus began.
the program managers brought out 3 glasses of milk, an orange, and a big bowl of brown rice for the 3 tables in the back portion of the room, most of which had at least 5 people. the table of 4 in front of ours was given coffee and an orange to complement the ceareal. what started the trouble was what was given to the people at the first table.
the fellows brought out pancakes, bacon, and eggs, setting them down courteously in front of the four people in front. something that was strange about the set-up of their table: while the rest of us were sitting in circles or squares, facing our "families," that first table was positioned so each person was looking back at the other tables.
there were six people at my table with me. on the table were sheets of paper informing us about the status of our "family," the dwyers. our fictional family consisted of five: the father, a newly-hired police officer; the mother, who stays at home with the kids; a daughter, high-achieving student and talented musician; a foster daughter, with multiple sclerosis; and a son, envious of the attention his sisters get.
there was another sheet of paper listing our income, expenses, and personal assets(a television, camera, and vcr). a third sheet of paper informed us that our family was living in a rented 3 bedroom on the west side, and that we were in substantial credit card debt. the foster daughter was awarded $500 monthly for care expenses, but later on, would be removed from the home due to charges of neglect resulting in a loss of income and a trip to the welfare office for legal aid.
eventually, everyone who wasn't at that first table started asking when the food was coming. were we going to get bacon too? the first table ate, guiltily at first, but eventually forgot about the rest of us. soon, everything was gone from their table, while the brown rice and cups of milk remained on ours, room-temperature and untouched.
when the program managers started asking questions about how everyone felt, the responses were really interesting. some folks decided that the 1st table was the upper class, the central table was the middle class, and the last tables were the lower class. some noticed that we only spoke to the people in our "families," primarily mumbling about how upset we were.
at the end of the simulation, when people found out they weren't going to be getting breakfast, they were really angry. i suppose that makes the point even stronger, not only about the differences in class (where for some, having breakfast really is a priveledge) but also the obvious differences in quality of nutrition available.
durring the break, many allies went straight to mcdonald's, even though some of them were complaining loudly about the quality of food available in the community only last week. i got frustrated again, because i'm tired of hearing people complain, only to go right back and perpetuate the cycle they are bitching about.
people really do go hungry right here, people can't afford to live a fair life. i think we forget sometimes that as allies, we are fortunate to have decent paying jobs, and for that matter, the opportunity to have this chance. most of us aren't responsible for an entire family, and even if we are, we get foodshare benefits. we all make enough to make ends meet, if we live within our means.
we may not be rich, but we've got something.
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