Would You Rather?

Would You Rather?

Would you rather live a tortured life of passion or a boring life of neutrality?

Today, I feel trapped by the very existence of American life. I wake-up, go to work, come home, go to bed. Perhaps I'll see a friend after work or take a walk around town, but more often than not, it's the same ol'... work, home, work, home. This is NOT the life I had envisioned.

Where's the spark, the passion, the thrill of adventure and discovery? Where's "me"?

"Me" is still back in South Africa trying to figure out how I went from the girl who wanted to spend the rest of her life passionately fighting injustice in Africa to the woman sitting at a desk, answering phones. "Me" is back in Santa Barbara, wondering how two people so crazy in love and passionate about one another could end up apart and not even speaking. "Me" is researching the illegal activities of an employer and then spending the next two years fighting for the monetary rights of over 50 employees. "Me" is also tired, beat-up, and just hoping for some normalcy.

Well, normalcy is here and let me tell you, it sucks!

For some, having the security of a job, place to live and friends is enough. They feel content, happy.

But what about LIFE? What about adventure? What about feeling just a bit scared of what's around the corner but turning that corner anyway? I want "me" back and am ready and wanting the ups and downs that come with it.

I was recently talking about this with a friend in regards to relationships, and she asked, "You would rather have constant ups and downs than steady security?"

I feel like Tita from the book Like Water for Chocolate. At a young age she fell in love with Pedro, but was forbidden to love because tradition dictated she was not to marry until her mother died. Instead, she spent years watching her sister have the honor of being with the one man she loved. For so long she was tortured with her passion for Pedro. Years later, a good, honest, steady man asked to be with her. She loved this new man, but not with an ounce of passion that she had for Pedro. She had a choice: go with the kind man who would love her and be good to her, or wait for her true love and continue to let that passion burn.

I would rather have exhilarating highs and painful lows over steady dullness. I would rather have tortured passion!

I recognize that life doesn't have to be so extreme. I understand that balance and security don't take away from a life of passion. Each person has their own destiny, their own idea of what living a passionate life looks like. I know it comes with pain, heartache and frustration, but it also comes with deep joy, excitement and laughter.

Jail Bird

Last Wednesday I attended a lecture with a friend entitled "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" at the Hammer museum in Los Angeles. Michelle Alexander, author of "The New Jim Crow..." book, spent just under an hour opening my eyes to a whole new section of society, that quite honestly, I hadn't given much thought to before; convicted felons. Because this issue is so new to me, I was not able to fully capture the depth of relevance as much as I think I should have. With every statistic she presented, multiple questions swirled around my head. Some she instinctively knew others were considering and so addressed them while the others have continued to bounce around my brain.

Did you know that in CA a convicted felon cannot vote until he or she has completed their time in prison AND all of their parole time. In some states, a felony conviction equals the removal of the right to vote for life.

Did you know a convicted felon cannot apply for food stamps EVER in his or her life? This was enacted under the Clinton presidency.

Did you know a convicted felon, once released, cannot apply for public housing for at least 5 years (time varies per state)?

Did you know "prosecutors also tend to reduce the charges against whites convicted of felonies more often than against blacks convicted of felonies. A comprehensive examination of 700,000 criminal cases by the San Jose Mercury News, Mauer noted, included that of 71,000 adults with no prior records. In this group, one-third of whites had their felony charges reduced to misdemeanors 'while only one quarter of blacks and Hispanics received this disposition.'" ("African-Americans Have Seven Times Greater Chance of Imprisonment", Sherwood Ross, March 3, 2010)

Did you know an employer and landlord can use a felony conviction as a legal form of discrimination?

Did you know a convicted felon, in many states, can never run for public office or hold any government position?

If you already knew any of the above facts, then you are light years ahead of me. There are so many more statistics and opinions around this issue, especially since African Americans make up the majority of the prison population and a majority of those convicted of a felony.

Perhaps the above stats don't mean much to you as you think "of course they shouldn't have rights, they are CRIMINALS", but should their punishment extend beyond their time in state or federal prison?

I have no answers, just more questions. Even last night as I lay in bed, I considered the lack of well-funded education in inner-city communities, lack of access to healthy and affordable foods, lack of green space for parks and rec, lack of affordable and livable housing, lack of reliable information in the case of a criminal act, lack of affordable health care; just a lack! Some say this is blatant racism, but I'm wondering if it's more just blatant classism that, unfortunately, has a direct effect on African American and Latino communities. Regardless, why is such an "ism" allowed to flourish today?

I have no answers...

I don't have much to write today, so I'll leave you with this book to think about. This little bird could have stayed in his nest, waiting for his mother to come to him. Instead, he went out, explored, asked and experienced his new life before finding his "home".

Enjoy...

Fledging

A bald eagle chick practices flapping its wings in the nest atop a tall pine. Next it tries beating its wings into the wind and taking short hops above the nest. One day, a big gust of wind catches the bird's open wings and whisks it away.

That, my friends, is what is referred to in bird world as "fledging". I may not be a bird, but I sure am hopping around, beating my wings and hoping for that gust of wind to take me to wondrous far off places. Places with new faces, new smells, new trees, new foods. Yet, I feel stuck in the nest. Stuck beating my wings in frustration as I watch others fly around in awe of all that lay before them. Granted, I have a pretty nest. A welcoming nest for friends to fly in and say hi, encouraging me in my wing attempts. A nest that, really, isn't that bad, except, of course, that it's a NEST!

Wow, much of that probably didn't make much sense to anyone who isn't currently inside my head. See, I have a job that pays the bills, I love the women I work with, have caring and fun friends around, a cute new apartment, and live in one of the most vibrant cities in the US. From the outside, I really shouldn't complain. But is that all there is to life? Perhaps for some it's enough, but for me, not even close.

That is why I've decided to restart this blog. I have a deep desire to be part of people's lives and to give them a platform for sharing their stories. To do so, I need to write, and write well. I need to get out of my head, out of the idea of perfection, and just write. So here it is. Imperfection and all. I have no idea when or where from the gust of wind will come, but I know I won't be able to catch it unless I'm hopping around and beating my wings.

I hope you'll fly by my nest, share your stories, and perhaps perch a time or two on my nest to hear mine.

-amanda

Empowering Women in India

My name is Lindley Greene. I am 27 years old and live near Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado with my husband Ryan.

This past March I traveled for two weeks with 35 medical professionals to the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. I went with an organization called Dalit Freedom Network (DFN) who partners with Operation Mercy Charitable Company (OMCC) in India. I, however, am not a medical professional as my degree is in dietetics (nutrition). I really wondered how I would be of service at the clinics, especially after seeing how and what people in India eat. My only nutritional advice there if I were to give it (I didn’t) would be telling them to EAT! The women in India especially need to eat. They feed their husbands first and any other men at the house then they feed the children. Whatever is left they eat themselves.

To understand the need for the DFN and Operation Mercy Charitable Company (OMCC), one must understand the Dalit people. They are the lowest caste in India, formerly called the “untouchables”. They have been told for 3000 years by the upper caste citizens that they are less than human. Currently, the Dalits in India are numbered at 250 million, which is about 25% of the population. They are treated as less than human and are given the degrading jobs no one else would ever want to do. They are considered polluted and able to pollute others by interactions. They are forced to be Hindu and yet they are not allowed in the temples to worship and they are not given the education in order to possess the ability to read. Dalits are arguably the most oppressed people group in the world today. (To learn more about India’s oppressive caste system go to http://www.dalitnetwork.org/go?/dfn/who_are_the_dalit/C64 )

Dalit Freedom Network is working in partnership with OMCC to holistically transform the lives of the Dalit people. I love the fact that OMCC is staffed by Indian nationals. They have a major say in what we as Westerners are allowed to do, and how to present ourselves while we are in India. This is very important to me so that it’s not the Westerners coming in and trying to change India in the way we think it needs to be changed. Rather, the Indian nationals know how to go about the changes necessary in a culturally sensitive way. Women’s empowerment is an integral part of their approach. It involves teaching the women that their lives have amazing value. A Dalit woman hearing that she does not deserve to be raped and beaten is often very powerful. Women are now able to receive mirco-loans in order to become self-sustaining through endeavors such as sewing and agriculture.

While there, I was able to witness a ceremony celebrating the opening of a new sewing school which had three brand new pump sewing machines. This was hugely exciting to the community at the ribbon cutting ceremony!

Education is also a main factor in the holistic work within India. Dalit Education Centers (DECs) are used as the platform to reach out to the Dalit villages in India. When a DEC is set up in a town, the children have the opportunity to be educated for the first time in their lives, as upper caste schools most often do not allow Dalit children to attend.

As part of my time there, we established medical clinics at the DEC’s we visited. Many people we helped at the clinic looked quite malnourished. Finances are a strain for the people we worked with so main staples of rice, wheat flat bread and lentils are main sources of nourishment. Being on the team it was clear that we were not able to fix every problem presented but we were able to care for, love and touch these people and that in itself is very powerful for them.

The view of India that I see from the states is a stark contrast to the life of the Dalits. The Indians in the states are well educated and good in business. They represent India as a powerhouse in the world. Looking at the daily life of the Dalits and Other Backward Caste (OBCs) members (even the name is degrading) in India, I saw a life, for a large group of humans that is well hidden from the rest of world. These people are beautiful but the life they are being forced to live and the way they are being treated is not beautiful.

Looking back on my time in India the most powerful memories I have are the chances I got to spend with the women and children. Simple moments like holding hands with a nervous woman waiting to go into the doctor’s office or holding babies and looking into their little faces were precious to me. Some of the best times were blowing bubbles for kids. There was something amazing and new for me watching them stare at a plastic wand and blow bubbles for the first time. I had many laughs as I sat on a wooden platform in the village and read English children’s books to the kids. They crowded around and laughed at the voices I made for each animal character in our stories. I was touched in ways I have never experienced in other parts of my life. Despite crooked backs and beat-down spirits I saw so much life and hope in a group of people who have been oppressed for so long. I know that some of their hope is coming from the work of Dalit Freedom Network.

To an outsider my overall experience in India may not sound like life-changing events, but they were in my life and I hope they were a comfort and joy to those Indians I came in contact with. One never knows how many lives will change by touching one life. I am the one who went to see them, but they have truly touched my life.

I left a few days ago for another trip to Uttar Pradesh, India. I’m excited to be serving the Dalits again. This time my team is only 17 people and most are from the medical field. We will be at two different Dalit Education Centers than I went to in March. I look forward to spending time with the women and children again while helping my team where I can.

Exciting News - September '07

Hello all!

"You've been approved!" Oh how exciting those words were to hear Friday!

I was in the market looking for a tasty treat for a bbq with the other managers from the company I work for when I received THE call from Community Partners. (Quick reminder... Community Partners is an organization who works as an umbrella org. for new non-profits trying to get off the ground. The new non-profits are able to work under CP's non-profit status, enabling the new non-prof to receive funds and to further legitimize the work.) I have been in a submission and waiting process with CP regarding the research grant with UCLA. And then the call came Friday... ACA IS APPROVED!! I must have been quite the sight to other shoppers as i hopped up and down the aisles in excitement!

So, you may be wondering, "What does this all mean?". Good question! Having Community Partners operate as ACA's umbrella means ACA can receive a research grant from UCLA and further legitimizes ACA's work.

I will operate as the Project Director for the research project, working with 3 local inner-city high schools to research and document playable field space in their respected area. For more information on the project itself, please feel free to e-mail and/or call.

Overall, this is an exciting time for me personally and for ACA!! 2 years of dreaming, working, wondering is seeing some fruit. So exciting!!

Thank you all, again, for your encouragement and support! A more detailed e-mail will come soon, but I wanted to share this news with you!!

From Knowing, to Seeing, to Acting - August '07

"You only learn from what you don't want to look at. What you don't want to see..." These words I just read tonight are stuck in my head, repeating itself over and over. "You only learn from what you don't want to look at. What you don't want to see..."

There are few things in this life I don't want to see. I have always been one drawn to danger, to the unspeakable, to the horrors of life. Never one to shy away from the photographs and news broadcasts of the starving, the dying the brutalized. In a twisted way, I find comfort in the realness of the pain and devastation. So then why, why do the above words refuse to leave my head, refuse to allow me to move-on with the evening? What don't I want to look at? What don't I want to see?

I don't want to see me. I don't want to see the way I walk past the many nameless men and women in this city without homes. I don't want to look at the annoyed face I give the drug addicted woman in my building who comes to me often to ask for prayer and "help". I don't want to see the "me" that isn't who I want to be, yet is part of who I am. I may not want to see, but I now choose to see.

Awareness, Connection, Action exists to raise awareness on issues of poverty and injustice, to connect human to human and to move individuals and communities to action in addressing the many needs associated with poverty and injustice. This is the mission of an organization. Now it needs the reality of the lives behind it. I want to be perfect; to perfectly know how to address each man and woman who asks me for money on the streets, to perfectly know how to help the woman with her drug addiction, to perfectly live out the mission of ACA. But, as we all know, I am not perfect.

As ACA continues to progress forward in exciting ways (research grant with UCLA, articles of incorporation and bylaws filed, tax forms being processed, connections being made!), I am trying to learn from what I don't want to look at, from what I don't want to see. I am not perfect. I will make mistakes and have victories as ACA moves forward. My hope is for you, each of you, to join me in my imperfection to create change in our lives, our communities and our world.

To start, let's not quickly walk past the man or woman asking for change. Instead, let us ask their name, their story, perhaps over coffee or a meal. The simple task of being authentically interested, I am learning more and more, can be most important and life-changing. This, I am learning from a dear friend who daily spends time with his friends without homes in his community.

I would love to hear your experiences, your stories. We have much to learn from each other and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow together!

Thank you, as always, for your excitement and encouragement over the last couple of years. Again, none of this could continue without your love, encouragement and challenge!

-amanda

Naked Truth

Greetings friends!

The last month has been the most encouraging thus far! Pieces are falling into place like never before and the ball is rolling toward establishing Awareness, Connection, Action as an officially recognized non-profit!

With this last month, I've been processing through what it means to truly help others and how it looks to train those who want to help. I've been seeking for a pureness, one magic solution that will cover all possible problems that may arise. Last week I was awakened to the reality that there is no special blue pill that works as a cure-all. This may sound quite obvious, as it did to me once it was revealed, but I think we are still engaged in a system that strives for a singular answer to address the variety of problems and concerns our world faces.

Below are some excerpts from my journal so you can follow along with me as I journey through the web of raising awareness, connecting lives to tangible needs, and moving those lives into action in a way that is "pure" to who they are.

As always, your love, encouragment and feedback is greatly appreciated! Thank you all!
-amanda

Two people stand side-by-side
Naked
Stripped of everything that made them "them"

Two people stand side-by-side
Naked
In pure form

Two people stand side-by-side
Naked
Pure
Different

Americans are generally looking for a pure ideology. Whether in religion, politics, justice - we are looking for a way - THE WAY - to live life and thus a line to hold others to.

Are we willing to accept that this singular pureness may not exist in the form we think it does? Are we willing to accept that your way may not be the best way for others?

If we were to stand ten men or women side-by-side in complete nakedness we would see many similarities, but a variety of differences within those similarities. Just about all would have two arms, two legs, ten fingers and toes, a head, a torso, etc... But each of those basic similarities would vary from person to person. One would have wide feet and chubby fingers, the other slinder feet and long elegant fingers. But both work for the same purpose of walking, writing, holding, etc... These basic differences within the similarities exist within development and aid to the poor.

There is no magic approach that will effectively reach every people gorup and nation. We must look at the basic problems (water, food, disease) and approach with methods that will be most effective for the receivers as well as the givers.

There is a great need for the different pure abilities each of you can offer. You love Africa, perhaps feel a desire to serve the poor so you pack your bags and move to the mystical continent. Though this method may work for some, it may not be what is best for you or the ones you are trying to help.

Strip down and discover the naked truth of who you are and how can be purely effective in this life.

Reach Out and Touch

Reach out. Touch. Cradle, hold, laugh, play. Such important components to every child's well-being, yet for too many children within our cities, our country, our world, those neccessities are severley lacking.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to join 4 friends (Andrea, Craig, Tim and Shawn) on an adventure that has changed me quite a bit. We crossed into Mexico by foot and took the short walk to, what I was expecting, to be a run-down orphanage with children running wild. Instead, we entered the grounds of the Purple Palace with young and old from the US and Mexico helping kids make hand-prints on clay to later be placed as the entry way into their new home. I saw men and women painting walls, cielings and banisters with the most bright and lively colors you could imagine. The boys were in their section of the house playing music and being chased by one of the full-time staff. So much laughter coming from that room as boys rushed past me! Then over to the girls area where brightly colored beds were painted and decorated with princess blankets and Dora the Explorer posters. Immediately, the girls and toddler boys wanted to be held. Whether 2 or 8, they wanted to be picked-up and not let down. This was warming and heart-breaking all at the same time.

After the grand tour, the 3 of us ladies headed over to the girls side of the "palace" where we were greeted with upheld arms and smiles beckoning us to pick them up. A little girl, Joy (name changed to protect her identity), caught my eye. I could tell she was strong, articulate and could make you smile just with one glance. She was a bit more hesitant with me as it was obvious she already had her friends in place, so i took my time and just played with the other girls until she was ready to venture over. About 20 minutes later Joy sat on the bed next to me and said loudly and with force "COLORES! COLORES RO-JO!" My limited spanish helped me to discern that she was telling me that what we were looking at was the color red. We then went around the room saying colors and laughing at my attempts to roll my "rr's" when saying "amarillo". Joy was a good teacher and quick to correct when I mispronounced a word!

As the day went on, Andrea and I sat with Connie, the director of the orphange, and I asked about sweet Joy's story. I was not ready for what I was about to hear. Joy's mother is American, her father, Mexican. Both were using and possibly selling drugs. As a baby, Joy was used as a drug carrier across border lines. A full diaper took on a whole new meaning! She was abused and misused. Her mother spent time in jail but was released about 3 weeks ago. Sadly, she has gone back to drugs, prostitution and smuggling. Yet 4 year old Joy is resilient, one who I am convinced, will create much change throughout her life, as she has already changed mine.

The Purple Palace began In 2001, when Connie and Tyler Youngkin began renting a big warehouse in the heart of the Red Light district of Tijuana for $1000 a month. They had volunteers renovate this warehouse to become a pleasant place with a dormitory for boys, 2 living areas, a dining area, a kitchen and 2 bathrooms. They had 20 boys then. These boys were ones that roamed the streets all night, would be raped, some were doing drugs and selling them, some would sell little girls to pediphiles for $10 each. When they were bored, they would find drunks on the sidewalk and take their alcohol , pour it all over them and then light them on fire. They were cold, dirty, hungry (when they got money they would buy candy and not much else), and very rejected. They used dirty language, robbed, beat up others ,were beaten up and would challenge any authority and they were not in school. Their mothers are in jail, died of AIDS, or are prostitutes, high on illicit drugs who rarely care for their sons.

Little girls were also being raped, beaten, used for prostitution, and deserted. Some lived in vacant lots, and most roamed the streets at night. In 2003 they opened a dormitory for the girls! Connie and Tyler rented the shop next door for $500 dollars a month. Because of the work Connie, Tyler and many others are doing in Tijuana, they were able to move their orphanage further away from the Red Light District and into what truly is The Purple Palace. They are now home to over 70 boys and girls!

The children can leave this program anytime they want. This is not a closed institution, but it is like a family home.

What should our response be? How can we help? There are some of us who live just a hop, skip and a jump away from the border lines of Mexico and can easily take a Saturday to go play, paint, or get involved however is needed. For others, travel isn't as easy but if you would like to offer financial support toward neccesities such as beans, rice and fresh fruits and vegetables there is a great need. If you would like to learn more about the Palace and their needs, please visit www.thepurplepalace.org

May someone reach out and touch you this week in a way that is meaningful to both you and the giver!

Everyday Stories

Greetings ACA Supporters!

The holiday craziness has come to an end and Awareness, Connection, Action is gearing up for a spring conference focused on education locally and internationally. More information to come soon!

While pondering further what ACA is about, individual stories kept coming to mind. We hear about everyday heroes who do a grand act, but we don't often hear about everyday people who are living their lives and serving others in the midst of it. Because of this, ACA has asked Jeff and Julia Shaffer to share their journey of serving the Santa Barbara community through their everyday lives.

Enjoy getting to know one of your global neighbors!

Awareness:
Jeff and Julia Shaffer live in Santa Barbara, CA with their 5-year-old son and 2 and a ½ year old twins. They met in Los Gatos, CA and were married there in 1990. To pursue Jeff's passion of working with youth, they moved to Santa Barbara in 1992 and served high school students at a local church until 2000. Jeff now works full time on the Uffizi Mission Project and Julia cares for her children as a stay-at-home mother.

Throughout the years, both Jeff and Julia have sought deeper ways to love others with grace and compassion while affecting the needs of those around them. The major change happened within Jeff when he, Julia and their eldest son traveled to Italy in 2002. There, they visited the Uffizi Museum in Florence, where Jeff was captivated by the artist's renditions of the incarnation. The incarnation is the idea of God becoming man in Christ and the reconciliation of men and women with God and with one another. Jeff returned to Santa Barbara with a renewed vision of how to truly love others. Thus began the journey of opening the Uffizi Museum here - to understand and to teach incarnationalional living. There is no building to come to, only the journey outward into the community, and an opening of our lives and homes to our neighbors.

One of the ways Jeff and Julia have been able to put the ideas into practical application is through serving their friends without homes a meal each week and through showing their children what it means to love others who society may cast aside.

Connection:
I have asked Jeff and Julia to each share their thoughts on serving and how, in everyday life, they can make a difference. These are their stories...

Julia:
"In the midst of teaching my 5 year old his ABCs, singing twinkle, twinkle, little star and changing my twins diapers... I have a heart for this world. My heart cannot stretch to the ends of this world because of these three little ones I must care for, but right in front of me I am able to open my children's eyes to the people around them. I want them to be compassionate, strong and justice seekers for those who can't speak or be heard.

As my own heart shifts for wanting to end the pains of the world, I must let my children participate and understand practically how they can make a difference. On a local level, as my husband began a potluck for his friends without homes, it seemed a natural place to begin the opening of my son's heart to people who may not have material possessions or who have suffered tremendously. My son does not look at them as different now, he can see beyond the exterior and see them as people."


Jeff:
"One of the very first things we did as a part of the Uffizi Mission Project was initiate a night to share a meal with people without homes. One of the local universities had formed a group and led the way by bringing food to the local downtown library. We chose a different night and a few of us made a meal together in our kitchen and took it downtown. It is now a community not just of homeless men and women, but also of some who are just poor, and some who come because they are lonely and want friends.

It is something I wanted my son, Kairos, to be involved in primarily because I wanted him to learn to see people as people, and not start life off with all the labels that we easily create. It has become something that he wants to go to, and I see an understanding of the needs of the less fortunate growing in him through the experience.

We changed the idea from meal sharing to a potluck when the local police threatened to shut us down because of health code violations. We decided to move the community to a local park, in a less public atmosphere and call it a potluck instead, so that anyone could bring food.

I have had to argue that my only agenda with the men and women who come is "friendship". I feel free to pray for my friends, feed them, interact with them about issues and about God. I am encouraged with the fact that many of them now call me a friend. I do not take that statement lightly and it means I have to be with them in times of need.

I am working now to multiply these groups throughout the city. The community has become the highlight of my week."

Action:
Jeff and Julia are like you and me - everyday people with a job, kids and trying to navigate through life as best they can. Their love for their neighbor has culminated in the Uffizi Mission Project and is a practical vehicle for others to get involved with.

If you are interested in the Uffizi Mission Project, Meal Sharing or would like to contact Jeff to learn more about his journey, you can visit www.freewebs.com/syncman or can e-mail him with an encouragement, thought or question at syncmanatns@aol.com. Jeff and Julia's income is based on support raising, so if you feel this is something you would like to contribute to, please contact Jeff at one of the above places or e-mail me at acaorg@yahoo.com.

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria

“How do solve a problem like Maria?” was once asked by dedicated nuns who just didn’t know what to do with the free-spirited Maria, in the Sound of Music. So, what do you do with a nun who would rather forge her own path than follow one that was laid out for another? A woman who sings way too much about hills and does, speaks her mind without regard to the hierarchy before her and is falling in love with the father of the children she is supposed to be carrying for? What do you do with a woman like her? Well, as we saw, you do nothing. You let her journey through life singing in the hills, loving some and annoying others. You let her live.

So, you may be scratching your head, scrolling back up to remind yourself who this e-mail is from. No, it’s not from the Sound of Music fan club giving you your daily dose of “wisdom”. It’s me… Amanda Nicole, speaking on behalf of Awareness, Connection, Action.

Since I last wrote, I have felt like Maria… a woman seemingly destined for one path, yet yearning for another. A woman who thought she had it all figured out, until life knocked her upside the head and reminded her that life is never all figured out.

Awareness, Connection, Action was brought to Los Angeles in a pretty package. The mission and vision were clearly stated along with goals and how to achieve them. Color photos and journal entries were included in the packet to finish off the professional presentation. ACA was going to LA to revolutionize the city and how the individuals connected with one another and those around the globe. Yes, a bit dramatic, but one has to dream, right?!

Well, the dreamer has awoken, a bit groggy, a bit sore and trying to find her bearings.
But, finally, the sleep has been wiped from the eyes and vision restored to see (as clearly as one can see in the smog of Los Angeles!) the dusty journey that awaits.

They (the ever elusive “they”) say that before one walks, they must crawl. I never crawled as a kid (a bit too simplistic for the young queen of the house!). I was pulled around by my brother and sister everywhere I wanted to go, until one day my mom had enough and gave me the choice to either sit and cry or crawl on my own. Neither choice seemed sufficient, so I got up and ran! That has been my journey to LA… a full-on sprint. It is now time to slow down and perhaps take some time to walk before running again. With that in mind, next Wednesday I will be meeting with two heads of research from SCOPE, a grass-roots and holistic social action non-profit working here in Los Angeles, to discuss the vision of Awareness, Connection, Action and how I can learn from them in this forming process and then how we can partner together in the future.

Thank you for journeying with me as Awareness, Connection, Action continues to unfold. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions, needs for elaborations or thoughts you have. They are always appreciated! As always, more to come in the weeks ahead!
Much love and peace to you,

I'm Sorry

"I'm not leaving until I get an apology!" These words were said seconds before a physical fight ensued... with me caught literally in the middle trying to break it up.

Today, 2006, in Los Angeles, California, there are still racial divides that cause conflict, hurt and yes, physical violence. With all my world travels, readings about Africa, reconciliation, slavery, etc... I must admit the shock I had at hearing a young white woman call a young African American woman the degrading "N" word. How could this be?! Even with the harmful words and physical response, what struck me most was the pain each woman expressed and their intense need for an apology. A simple, "I'm sorry" could have diffused the situation. A simple acknowledgment of painful words expressed could have stopped the fight to come.

Both women were hurt by what the other said and both women were not about to back down until the other admitted their wrong-doing. What started as a battle of words has now ended in attorneys being called to sue the other for hate and racial crimes. Just think, "I'm sorry" could have ended it all. Two simple words could have bridged the gap that separated them. Just two meaningful words!

The days following this incident have been weighing heavily upon me. I have been pondering our role as human beings as connectors with others. Is it our role to connect with those we disagree with and perhaps have anger toward because of their beliefs? What is our role as human beings to bring awareness of respect and dignity? Is it my place to apologize on behalf of the other and to love the two women with the same respect they are refusing to give each other? These may seem like simple questions with simple answers, but I find the answers to be more complex and time consuming than I necessarily want. Am I, are you, are we willing to enter into the messiness of life?

Awareness, Connection, Action strives to bring holistic education and grass-roots movement to the lives of those interested. What once seemed almost easy, has become a complex web of relationship building, reality of human nature and lack of understanding for man-kind. I do not say these things as a discouragement, but rather as an encouragement to see the beauty in others and hopefully as a gut-check in the reality of the true cost of relationship. It is said that it's easy to love those who are easily loveable, but of what worth is that? ACA desires to create the free space to allow people from all walks of life to connect on the simplest of human levels in the hopes of reconciliation. How this is accomplished will be unraveled in the days, months and years to come.

I believe each of you have stories of hope and transformation to offer, so please share them with me. If you are comfortable, please share them on the ACA blog, found at http://www.acaorg.blogspot.com/ for others to read and be encouraged.

Much love from Los Angeles,
- amanda

No One Gets Hurt at Disneyland

Yesterday I had the joy of experiencing Disneyland through the eyes of children. Throughout the day I heard excited screams of "MICKEY!" "MINNIE!" "DONALD DUCK!" and proud exclamations when the 2 year old little girl told her mom how she flew a rocket ship with me! At one point, I waited with the 5 year old for his mom and 2 year old brother and sister near the first aid area. He asked why we were waiting and what "First Aid" meant. His dad and I explained that when people get hurt, they can come to the first aid room to get help. He paused for a moment then, with complete sincerity, exclaimed, "No one gets hurt at Disneyland ". For a child, Disneyland truly is the happiest place on earth with rides, endless treats and toys to overwhelm the senses and life size characters strolling around giving out hugs and high fives. To a 5 year old, the idea of someone getting hurt at Disneyland is just beyond comprehension.

If only life really did exist without anyone getting hurt. Like Disneyland , our culture over stimulates us with the idea that everything is good... perfect in fact. Our TV sets, magazines and movies are filled with beautiful people in large homes with their two-car garages and 2.1 kids. Or it takes the other extreme and depicts “real-life” people scamming and conning everyone is sight, only to be rewarded at the end with fame and most likely more money.

Los Angeles is painted as a place of never-ending celebrities, beautiful beaches, hot night spots, trendy shopping and the opulence of Beverly Hills and Malibu . As a 26 year old woman new to the area, I can honestly agree with everything stated. However, there is more than meets the eye…

Behind the fame, there exists Skid Row, Watts , Crenshaw... filled with drugs, gangs, homelessness. If we choose to scratch the surface of Los Angeles , we will see how easily it crumbles beneath our fingers. Though I and many others would like to believe in the progressiveness of LA and in it's wealth, I can not help but notice the poverty, greed and hopelessness that pervades society here.

As you read this, you may think this is just a "LA" issue or perhaps just a big city problem. It is, in fact, a world-wide concern. But there is hope! If each of us chooses to scratch the surface a bit, we will see the hidden in plain sight needs and can be better informed on what's truly taking place in our community, nation and world today to best help.

ACA is in a continual process of scratching surfaces and revealing the "other sides" of the story. There is much hope my friends and you can join with Awareness, Connection, Action bring an end to global poverty.

Each week, ACA will focus on various areas where you can get involved. This week will be Fair Trade purchases.

For all my coffee loving friends... you have the great opportunity of supporting farmers around the world. Wow, how great that just from purchasing fair trade coffee, you are helping to end poverty! Or, for all you chocolate lovers out there, fair trade chocolate is available at Trader Joes. And it's organic!

For more information regarding fair trade and why it is key in the process of ending global poverty, check out www.oxfam.org

Don't forget to visit www.acaorg.blogspot.com to leave comments, questions and to be updated on future events.

Love and peace,

Are You My Neighbor?

The question asked throughout the ages still remains, "Who is my neighbor?" Are you in Santa Barbara my neighbors? How about you in South Africa, Los Angeles, and Petaluma? Who really is my neighbor? Well, I have it easy here, so thought I'd pass on my sage wisdome to you. You ready? Wednesday I had a chance to learn who my immediate neighbors were. For those of you who don't know, I am currently the resident manager at the apartment building where I live. Me being, well, me, I just couldn't go any longer with the quick nods of the heads as we crossed paths or the uncomfortable chit-chat in the elevator. So, I decided to have a Community Gathering for the whole complex. My plan was to have no plan. Just provide a time and food and let the night happen as it may. What I thought would be an hour long light night turned into 4 quickly passed and fun hours! 6pm on Wednesday came and the ambiance was set. Candles in the courtyard, veggie platter with the hummus quartet from TJ's (the BEST), fruit in bowls, funky drinks and, of course, brownies. I just sat and waited... and waited... and waited... Finally, around 6:30, two of the more lived ladies in our community joined me and then out came my new friend Shannon. I was bracing for uncomfortable chit-chat as two completely different generations tried to converse. Instead, we had so much laughter and learned more about one another. Teresita (she is next to me in picture on the blog) is from Cuba, her husband from Germany. They met in Cuba while his father was stationed as the German ambassador to Cuba. She experienced the harshness of the Castro regime as everything was taken from her and her family. She has travelled the world, speaks boldy against Fidel and is quite witty! What a joy to get to know her. As the night progressed more community neighbors came, the circle widened, laughter became louder and stories were shared. Two of the guys who have both lived in this community for over a year just realized they played football against each other in high school. Great connection! Another couple is transitioning this weekend to another apartment in our community and everyone offered to help make the transition smoother. Again, connection! In just one night, many of us went from nodding heads with meaningless chit-chat to friends who now desire to make time to slow down and connect. Who could ask for more?! As Awareness, Connection, Action moves forward, I am very excited about the various areas it will flow with. Like water, it forges a path through sometimes un-travelled terrain and leaves a mark wherever it flows. It is the hope of ACA to help forge paths of Awareness, Connection, Action and to leave a lasting and meaningful impact upon the people it encounters. Whether it be a gathering in the courtyard of an apartment complex, a night of cards and conneciton on Skid Row, a conference to raise awareness... whatever it is, ACA desires to be in relationship in whatever form possible. Phew! Thank you for making it through this much longer update. If you would like to converse more about what is taking form, please visit http://www.acaorg.blogspot.com/ Love and peace,

Outings, Meetings & Skid Row

Hello friends!

The last week since I wrote has been a great one. My roommate, Elizabeth, is finally in town and we have been able to reconnect and get the house put together. We had friends staying with us this week which made for a busy and fun time!

Thursday and Friday have been the most profound this week of my experiences. Thursday afternoon I met with a couple guys to discuss ACA. I was excited about the time to share the vision and to hear their feedback. Though, after about 2 minutes, there was no more talk about ACA as the focus switched to the method I'm choosing verses the method they think is best. It was a bit frustrating at times, but also a good learning experience in patience and listening.

Thursday evening, Elizabeth and I met up with our friend Amy who works for CARE (international humanitarian organization - http://www.care.org/) and two of her collegues. What was supposed to be a quick get together, turned into 3 hours of discussing the issues and politics of Africa (Amy is from Uganda and one of her collegues, Frederick, from Nigeria). The 3 of them from CARE reitterated their excitment about ACA and the need they see for Awareness, Connection, Action to exist. That was very encouraging, especially after the afternoon get together!!

Friday night I went into Skid Row with 11 other people. I was not prepared for the reaction I would have. I have seen poverty in Russia and Africa, so seeing it in Los Angeles was not much of a shock. Instead, I stood on the corner and wept at the love that instantly welled up inside for each person I saw and even for those who could not be seen. ACA has a great opportunity to unite the two worlds of Los Angeles - the glitz and glam and the dire poverty, gangs and drug dealing - through educational conferences and real-life experiences with the people of Skid Row.

ACA is excited to focus on the needs in developing countries, but can not in turn ignore the very real needs in it's own backyard. Because of this, ACA will transition into connecting with many local agencies as well as international organizations focused on global poverty. Conferences will focus on one issue and the paralells locally and globally.

Below is brief background information on Skid Row so you can become aware of it's history and current status.

The first skid row was Skid Road (Yesler Way) in Seattle, where logs were skidded into the water on a corduroy road for delivery to Henry Yesler's lumber mills. During the Great Depression, the area went into decline, and "skid row" became synonymous with "bad neighborhood."

Los Angeles's Skid Row, in an area of downtown Los Angeles also known as Central City East, is home to one of the largest stable populations of transient persons (homeless) in the United States. Informal population estimates range from 7,000 to 8,000. First-time visitors to this area are often shocked by the sight of the cardboard box and camping tents lining the sidewalks; the juxtaposition with the gleaming glass-sheathed skyscrapers on nearby Bunker Hill is quite striking. A common joke about the high prices of houses and taxes in Los Angeles city and county is that "you can't even buy a cardboard box for that price" (with "that price" being a budget that would pay for housing in many other parts of the country). L.A.'s Skid Row is sometimes called "the Nickel," because it is centered on Fifth Street. Most of the city's homeless and social service providers (such as Frontline Foundation, Midnight Mission, Union Rescue Mission and Downtown Women's Center) are based on Skid Row. While downtown Los Angeles has gone through a revitalization in recent years, development has mostly skipped over the Skid Row neighborhood. In 2005 and 2006, several local hospitals and suburban law enforcement agencies were accused by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and other officials of transporting those homeless people in their care to Skid Row. [1] [2] According to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the official boundaries of skid row are Third and Seventh Streets to the north and south and Alameda and Main Streets to the east and west, respectively. [3]