Day 2 of Support Group Fridays (aka Trauma #2):
"Did you want a coke?" I ask the teenager who I assumed was waiting for his mother. He politely replied "No thanks." A Case Manager breezed by to greet him and took him to have a meeting with him in our office. It still took me a couple minutes before I realized he was a client! He was 18, HIV positive and formerly homeless. I was speechless the entire meeting and could not shake the shame I felt in myself. How the hell could society ignore him to the point of homelessness, he's just a kid. I found out later he has no family. 'Kyle' became a homosexual and had contacted AIDS from a sexual experience. Since he was 18, he was officially considered an 'adult' and not allowed back to his foster home....
Even after he left, I was so upset with the fact that this kid had to endure these hardships and he was barely out of high school. As Professor Stein said in class: We want all our victims to act a certain way and look like a certain type. For HSI, all the clients I had met and had read their case files on we're older with estranged children, of a minority group and had a bit of rougher personality. My brain almost refused to accept Kyle as a client, I was determined that no one would let a kid 'fall' like this. Where was the charity his entire life?
Who's really the person helping? The good looking social entrepreneur who has time in life or the ones that used to be this kid's neighbors when he did have a family? Who could of helped him before this... As Robert said in class, "It's about rights you have, not having to deserve them." Charity doesn't have to be a big time non-profit or have a celebrity reinforcing it. I think some people have forgotten that charity can just be an individual act. Just helping one's neighbor is a work of charity. I think if Kyle had someone who was nice to him once in his life or reached out a hand, he might have made some different decisions. Does the general public assume the only way to help is donate money, let the non-profit companies handle it and think they've got it taken care of? There is a disconnect with helping someone on a personal basis or just assuming "someone else will do it." Has society completely lost their hospitality complex?
20 comments:
Okay phew...There are so many ways to address this experience. First I would like to suggest the idea that perhaps 'Kyle" did not become a homosexual but instead was born this way.
I saw on the television today that Weight Watchers is donating a pound of food for every pound of weight its members lose. The corporation wants to help feed the hungry. This charity (advertising?) campaign seems laudable, but let's back away and think about it. Ok, so there's a company whose very existence depends on the fact that America has so much food within its borders that its citizens need to burn excess calories on stair masters. And this company wants to spend a tiny fraction of the money it makes off of those well-fed citizens to send food to countries where vast numbers of people can't even take in enough calories to keep their hearts beating. I can't possibly be the only one who thinks this is a deeply warped way to feed people. Of course, I should acknowledge that not all Americans have excess calories to burn. We put our food in grocery stores in which you can buy as much as you want, provided you have the money to do so. With food as a commodity, eating is a privilege, not a right. To echo Hilfiker's point, perhaps what we need is less charity and more justice.
And yet, charity is everywhere, even small acts of the kind Dani wishes were more frequent. I was walking home from the subway late the other night and noticed a car stop up ahead of me in front of the Salvation Army store. It's not uncommon for people to drop bags of old clothes and discarded electronics off, and I often see stooped men and women rifling through the bags at night when the store's closed. The driver of the car that stopped up ahead of me must have known about these stooped people too. He got out of his car and left a paper bag on the ground, torn open to reveal loaves of gourmet breads. Perhaps he was a baker, doing his part.
We can't help ourselves. How can you come face-to-face with the type of suffering and unfairness Dani talks about and not be upset and feel for the sufferers? Susan Sontag has an interesting essay, or maybe it's a whole book, called On the Suffering of Others. In it, she makes a distinction between sympathy and compassion, saying, if I remember correctly, "Compassion can't be sustained without action." The implication is that sympathy can. Some of us just feel sorry for people and move on; what Dani implies is true. But a lot of us can't help but "do our part" when we can. It's the way we sustain our compassion for those "less fortunate" (as if luck had much to do with it) than we are.
Ran out of room-see next post
I see these individual acts of charity all the time. I'm working on an HIV study at the moment, going out at night to interview people at different venues. We've been to the Christopher Street piers a few times, a place where homeless gay and transgender youth eat, sleep, and laugh. We interviewed a homeless 22-year-old the other night who was born HIV positive of parents who were intravenous drug users. We're not supposed to do it, but one of the interviewers gave him his number in case he needed to talk. How could he not do something? The young man was worried he was about to die since his T-cell count had recently dropped lower than it had ever been. And then, another time we were there, and I interviewed an 18-year-old transgendered young person who had sex with men for money. She had no health insurance, no home, no one to look out for her, and, perhaps worst of all on that particular night, no umbrella. It was literally pouring out. We gave her the only umbrella we had; it was the least we could do. She and her friend huddled under the umbrella together and disappeared into the night. Maybe we should have given her all the money we had in our bank accounts, the keys to our apartments, our cars, whatever we had. But what about her friend? What about all the other people living on the piers? What about all the "piers" in this world?
Charity can never be enough. It never has been and never will be.
I don't pretend to know what will be enough, but I do think the Weight Watchers example is illustrative. There's something deeply wrong with a system that distributes resources in a way that makes that pound-of-food-for-pound-of-fat campaign possible.
And by the way, I see that Ruby subscribes to the Lady Gaga view: Baby, I was born this way! I feel you, but as a gay man, I might be qualified to say something here. (Let the subaltern speak, dammit!) I believe that all identities are cultural products. As Michel Foucault has pointed out (cf. The History of Sexuality Vol. I), the very notion of sexuality itself has a history. Same-sex sex is, of course, nothing new in history, but the gay identity arose at a particular time in a particular place for a particular set of reasons. That is not to say that it isn't a political and personal necessity for people to claim the gay identity in our time and place. But I'm a budding anthropologist, so any sniff of the word "natural" to refer to cultural constructions raises my hackles. Ok, the subaltern is done speaking.
I got up early this morning in order to grade papers and happened to check the blog when I sat down at my desk. Thanks to the rich start (again!) of this week's blog, the papers have been pushed to the side. Excellent example about the Weight Watchers, Robert (though doubly troubling to me as my breakfast right now is candy corn). The post/comments so far speak to the thorny problem of untangling the human and the systemic -- and human responses to systemic problems (charity), individual victims of systemic injustices (Kyle, the Umbrella Girl), systems acting like individuals (I mean both the irony referred to in seminar of corporations having first amendment rights, but also the reality that sometimes systems act in illogical, almost individual ways that make it hard to have a single critique of the way they function).
Into this thorny mix I'd add history. While there probably have always been people with more or less, we have had many different social systems over time on which to reflect. In my other classes, I'm teaching Elizabeth Gaskell's NORTH AND SOUTH (1854), which tells the story of a young woman whose life changes as she moves from a relatively secure, village in the south of England to the hub of the Industrial Revolution in the North. Capitalism had certainly taken root by the middle of the 19th century, but when I read fiction from this period I see that this is when we began to pay capitalism the honor of our assumptions -- we saw its cultural operations as nature -- and so the emphasis became how to address its human casualties. The novel features a strike, starving workers, workers' violence, masters' violence all in a pretty balanced representation. But even here, the story is, literally, how to help the individual humans who are suffering and how to make the economy function like a charitable individual. There is no romanticizing the older farm economy either. People starve and are violent in this system also. It is hard, and has always been hard, to tell a story in which charity and justice (or in Victorian novel-speak, a happy ending) are not the same story.
With sex and food as the focus, how can this not be a riveting blog?
I will restrain myself from commenting until a few morw students chime in.
On the subject of individual charity, I feel like it's not beneficial for most people to give charity aside from giving money to those who need it from time to time. They still have to worry about their own family and friends. By letting non-profits handle situations where there are specific victims, it is more beneficial to both the people receiving and giving away the charity. Since the non-profits are created for the purpose of helping specific individuals, I would think that the non-profits are able to help the victims better than a random stranger with good intentions. The non-profits have dealt with many individuals who have similar backgrounds and situations, so they might know what methods work best for specific situations. In this sense, it is better for the everyday person to give their time and resources to non-profits instead of directly helping the victims.
The exception to the way I would think is if the victims need immediate help or if there are small things that the average person can do to help the victims. Although it seems like when you are living in a metropolis, almost everybody can use a little bit of help.
The thoughts of a subaltern are boggling within my brain. I have various opinions about gay people, nonetheless they are individuals born with natural rights just like everyone else who may not be in their situation. My family does a monthly contribution to Mexico in order to help children who can’t afford the basic needs to live their lives like the other children. Every month that we send clothes or money, we only know they’re for children. We don’t know if they’re gay, obese, poor, or if they have AIDS. All there is to know and hope for is that our grain of rice will somehow help them and give them the opportunity that even a homeless person might have in the here, but they don’t have it there. The thought if saving these kids from poverty as a whole never crosses my mind because I know that my family can’t contribute to rescuing families in poverty in Mexico. What I do know is that just like AIDS can contaminate you, so can hope and faith. If we can each put a smile on each kids face, whose to say that kid will also help his friends and neighbors who might be passing through the same crisis as him/ her.
I was very impressed with what one of our colleagues said on Thursday. He was speaking about how his mother and father encouraged this girl with just one act of charity. I think charity should be a “natural” human action just like when we brush out teeth or put a shirt on. A person should do it because they can and not because they have some left over change or food at home that could be given to this individual instead.
It really has nothing to do with Kyle being a homosexual, it's the fact that he obtained AIDS while homeless on the street. That is where I think society went wrong and let him down. How do you get AIDS? The reasons are included in the high school sex ed classes. He didn't even finish high school...
I agree with Robert's point. In the end, perhaps it is the justice side, not the charity. Sometimes it can even go as far as the general public thinking 'they're doing them a favor'...An example is during Hurricane Irene, Mayor Bloomberg decided to not evacuate Rikers, even though it was dead center for the hurricane hit. When he released his statement, he almost sounded like he was doing everyone a favor. The overly naive general public supported him. One woman stated in an interview that she supported him because they didn't want 'serial killers' breaking free. No one realized that innocent people, including juveniles were on the island nor did they seem to care. Had we had a bad hurricane, he just wrote their death sentences. His justice to be charitable about the public's favorable opinion could of cost him their lives. Does charity sometimes only cover the 'socially. tolerable and acceptable' people?
Dani, I do feel that when it comes to charity and the “society’s toughest problems” we tend to redirect responsibility. No one seems to want to take responsibility for the problems and no one wants to realize their privileges. Stories of young children being misguided and neglected always make a huge impact on me. It is so hard for me to understand how problems can escalate for long periods of time and eventually carry onto when they are adults. I am continuously baffled by how in a “first world country” people can be hungry, uneducated, and homeless, especially in a country where we are known for our charity work. These efforts are only used as a means to increase the United States’ hegemony. Is the charity we do overseas just for show? Have we forgotten about our own citizens?
Robert, although I agree with you about how absurd the Weight Watchers show is, I want to address another problem about food in the United States. Not all low-income individuals in the U.S. are skinny. Part of the reason why so many low-income individuals suffer from obesity is because of the kind of food available to them. Many of the food that could be purchased with food stamps are canned food and other preservatives. The kind of food served in public schools is also horrifically unhealthy. The price of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy organic foods has sky-rocketed. Food and cooking is also taught through culture. Many Americans, especially this generation, did not learn how to cook and have a dislike for vegetables. There is a wonderful talk on Ted Talks from Jamie Oliver addressing obesity in America. The link is as follows: http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html. Indeed Robert, I am a fellow anthropologist as well! I am always fascinated by culture and the studies of the indigenous. We can truly learn so much from them. All hail the subaltern! There is nothing wrong about culture, for it is what makes the world rich, rich in ideals, rich in beauty, and rich in life.
Cynthia, I too believe in the power of the individual. It will be impossible for one person to save the entire world on his/her own, but the influence and the inspiration can carry on to all corners of the world. This calls for one of my favorite quotes from Edward Everett Hale, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”
Dani, I cannot believe Mayor Bloomberg decided not to evacuate Rikers. Are they not worthy of protection? Have we really come down to the fact that these incarcerated individuals have become less than human? This is the problem with Utilitarianism. There is no justice in saving the majority and leaving the minorities out to die, simply because the majority agrees, especially when there is a possibility to save both. What kind of message are they sending to the general public? Do they really think this kind of treatment deters crime? His actions only solidify the truth in the kind of injustice policy makers have towards minorities. My sister is a first grade public school teacher; in one of her classes she posed the question, “Why is it good to exchange five pennies for a nickel?” A six-year-old African American child in the class responds, “Because pennies are brown, you can’t see it, it is ugly and no one likes brown things”. I will leave the implications of this response open for discussion.
Ok I was cut short as I did not have enough time to continue my thought earlier: Robert brings up many good points and one particularly that resided was the idea of the weight watchers campaign. I used to be an avid follower of the biggest loser show. it was refreshing to see the issue of obesity in this country confronted publically but as my naïve mind wrapped around the week after week elimination, and the gruesome embarrassment that these individuals were subjected to, I realized that much like hunger and poverty on the larger spectrum scale; society and government give more of an illusion as to their contribution to fixing the problem instead of implementing long lasting profitless “charity” as we call it.
I used to volunteer as a sex educator at the auxiliary school where I completed my G.E.D., I realize now, as a way of contributing my form of ‘Charity’. It was there that I experienced my interaction with an abundance of ‘Kyle’s’. Here they were digging themselves out of the abyss with no light at the end, and a pharmacy in their medicine cabinet and yet they have managed to imagine a brighter day and not only imagine but take the necessary steps to make that happen. I think that spotting the problem is redundant. What can really be done if the changes don’t happen within OUR communities first?
Touche, Christine. I'd hate to have to face you in a debate! Your point about the problem of food in our rich nation is an excellent one. Ho-hos and McDonalds in low-income areas--fresh fruits and vegetables and nice restaurants in higher income areas. Food, Inc. and Fast Food Nation are two excellent documentaries that show just how screwed up our food system is.
And your example of the child who said "no one likes brown things," well, it says all we need to know about the impact of structural violence (racism) on an individual (manifested as inferiority). This ties into our discussion about charity v. justice. You have to help the individual child who feels inferior, but the system(s) that created that inferiority has to be targeted as well. I agree with Ruby that it's important to start those efforts in our own communities.
"Ho-hos and McDonalds in low-income areas--fresh fruits and vegetables and nice restaurants in higher income areas..."-Robert and Christine have pointed out one of yet another rude awakening that I've recently had. As Robert put it' Let the subaltern speak...' As a low-income individual, preservative filled foods and canned foods are all I have been subjected to my entire life. Coming from a single parent home where my mother worked two jobs and was a full time student (under the ridiculous notion that she would end up making enough money to survive working as a social worker),I had to become the caregiver/parent for my younger autistic brother and that meant cooking our meals. The 'affordable' available foods were canned tuna, salmon, chef boyardees, spaghetti sauce, and lets not forget "Little Debbie" who shouldn't be so little if she's eating all that garbage. I have lived in the South Bronx my whole life. As an adult now, my only reality to now try and not subject my son to the same crappy options I had as a child is to do my food shopping on a systematic schedule coinciding with the markets deliveries to get the freshest groceries which somehow always smelled, looked, and felt just as bad and there's NEVER an array of options to begin with. I've just recently did my first official grocery shopping since I moved to my now "middle class " neighborhood and It arose some concerns as to how oblivious I had been to the stagnate nature of my surroundings. There were seven different types of bell peppers as oppose to two , milk that wasn't going to expire in two days, and my favorite:FRESH bread etc. However, there was never a short in soda, tv dinners , and potato chips in my old market. What a disgusting revelation. I couldn't help but feel like a kid in a candy store and an uncultured casualty of my generation. It made me reflect on how blessed I had been but also made me feel somewhat undeserving. Was I this manipulated by our society or was it the acceptance of reality by my fellow neighbors? What does it say to charity and the idea of providing opportunities if something as tedious as fresh groceries within these communities are forgotten?
I barely know where to begin. I’ll start with Ruby’s last post because I think it begins to dismantle a number of preconceived notions about the root causes of problems. Ruby grew up with salty, sugary, highly processed foods not because she didn’t want healthy home cooked meals but because fresh food was not made available/affordable in her neighborhood. I doubt that this is an accident; market forces instead conspire to keep prices low and advertising high for fast food and tobacco in places where people have little time and energy for opposition, whether that is in our own poor communities or abroad. When the consequences become apparent in rates of heart disease and diabetes, we blame the ill for overburdening the healthcare system. We say that if only the poor had taken responsibility for themselves they wouldn’t be obese, they wouldn’t smoke, or drink, or be crowding “our” emergency rooms. But perhaps this is a game whose conclusion was pre-ordained.
Here is an interesting example. In Colorado there is a pilot program to reduce the number of 911 calls. Paramedics are trained to intervene with people’s chronic illnesses before there is an emergency so, for instance, they come to the house and teach elderly people how to avoid falls. Indeed the program, and others like it, is successful in reducing 911 calls and visits to the emergency room. However, there is a conflict. By Federal regulation, paramedics can only be paid for transport. If they do not take someone to the hospital, they cannot receive a salary. So, do you think the program will survive? Similar issues have been raised with visiting nurse programs for new mothers living with multiple stressors. Although the programs cut early child abuse rates in half, they have not been implemented for a variety of reasons, some stemming from governmental and institutional inflexibility around Medicaid reimbursement, others stemming from the opposite side of the political spectrum, which makes the claim that poor women’s privacy is violated by mandating home visits.
It seems to be that, literally, the price of “justice” is high. When people’s rights are expanded to include the basic necessities of life, someone must pay for those. A capitalist system will always favor a higher profit margin for some over equality for all-not because it is inherently evil-but because all institutions naturally replicate and reinforce their own agenda, and the agenda of capitalism is to let markets determine outcomes. So, if mass incarceration of certain 18-30 year old males keeps the competition for jobs down… well, just saying. Remember, charity can always be withdrawn but rights, not so easily.
The price of justice is high but what is the price of living without it?
Well, on behalf of all the beautiful brown pennies, allow me to add my "two cents".
Many of us are well aware of society's relentless reinforcement of the message, "BROWN IS DOWN AND WHITE IS RIGHT". If the "majority" can have its way, they would plant the seed of the sense of inferiority and hopelessness into the minds of the minority youth and hope that the voice of the subaltern will be silenced forever. Just like charity, I believe values such as respect, dignity and self-worth begins at home. Parents, please do not rely on the educational system or "the system" itself to instill core values into your children!
In any event, Kyle's situation just reinforces my belief that there are so many stipulations and criterias made for the purpose of creating justification for not administering full justice. I don't know Kyle's ethnicty and do not want to make an assumption. However, being a homosexual and HIV positive will undoubtedly bring Kyle his share of discrimination. In the end, it's the criteria of age that will not allow Kyle back into his foster home.
Charity is just a bandage on the open wound of social injustice. It may temporarily stop the bleeding but greater measures are needed in providing an ultimate solution. Nevertheless, charity is well needed to somewhat help balance the scales.
By the way, my respose to the six-year-old boy would be that not only are there many shiny, pretty pennies, there are many nickels that are dull, not so bright and aren't worth any more than the five brown pennies!
Well to answer Dani’s question. We live in a materialistic society where people are in the need to have the latest accessories, clothing, and technology made with the finest material. They take a lot of time worrying about themselves that they tend to forget there are people out there who need our help. I cannot compare the feeling I get when I give money to a charity/foundation that helps the poor as I, personally, give them my clothes or shoes and see their faces with the biggest smiles.
I recall an incident in Queens where a homeless man who saved a woman from getting killed was stabbed by the attacker. Trying to catch the attacker, he eventually dies and his body fell to the floor. A camera was recording right where his body was laying down. It was surprising to see how people just passed by him without taking the time to check what was wrong with him, even though you could see the blood around the corpse. It shows how our society is, especially in New York, most people are self-centered and to an extent egoistic. Imagine if people do not want to stop and take a look at dead person’s bloody body, what makes you think someone is going to stop and help a homeless person on the streets? I am not trying to say that there are not people who would give a hand just that it is rare.
As Timothy mentioned before "charity is just a bandage on the open wound of social injustice" while social justice is an elixir to any of societies ills. But at the same time must not forget that charity must still be used at times begin the process social justice. Charity should not be simply abandoned. For example my father who was originally born in Haiti only came to this country because of charitable gifts from his father and a few of his fathers close friends. If my father never came to this country thanks to those gifts he would've never been able to do what I mentioned in class last week. As Robert mentioned "charity can never be enough, ut never has been and never will be" but my father's advocacy work for many different indigent people like himself would've been impossible if it were not for the the economic resources for a passport and a plan ticket. What I am trying to say is that at times different forms of justice must come from charitable acts like this one Social Justice is a necessity but without charity somewhere justice is impossible. To properly heal any wound or ill we all need a bandage to start the healing process. Simply giving time and work to non-profits is not enough but with the addition systematic change through social justice understanding and charity of money and time can heal all.
For example if who knows what would've that night if Robert didn't show compassion of giving him an umbrella that one rainy night? Even though that was a bandage society failed to completely assist him through justice. But as one of our classmates mentioned earlier the only way this ill could've been avoided is with education, in this case a sex ed class. In my view an adequate education is the ultimate healer but education without knowledge of self is not an education at all. Although the young girl who was only six years old. It still is a somewhat of an insight to how someone has failed to show her knowledge of self. I hope that soon changes. Since education is the greatest form of justice anyone can have, lack of knowledge of self and education is the greatest injustice that can be committed unto anyone.
Growing up in the urban community and working with inner city kids nearly all of my life I see first hand what they buy and eat every day. I agree with Professor Stein that It pretty much stems from lack of knowing the importance of health. Yes, the options are certainly limited as Ruby pointed out but the good stuff is out there, your son just needs to believe the importance of these items. As a kid who grew up in the same situation education can even heal this issue.
Wow! I am completely staggered by the quality of comments, opinions, questions contributed to this week’s blog.
Dani, I’ll start with you. I completely understand your frustration in terms of Kyle and how society has stood back as this young adult’s life crumbled down. I felt the same way last week when I was at my internship at CASES. Like you, I asked myself the same questions, if not something similar. How can this occur in a country where the opportunities are endless? How can this occur when help can be found on every street corner? Why hasn’t society played a part in guiding our youth? I think many of us build on this notion that because we live in America, we Americans are the “charity heroes” who provide relief for everyone who is in need. We are the example all countries should imitate. And very often: the media, the literature, politics, and globalization advertise this notion. The question here is, living in a capitalist society, why are our expectations on America so high in terms of charity?
As far as healthy food being accessible to the unprivileged is concerned, I agree with the many comments made by my peers. Healthy food is indeed far from the reach of minority groups. While some underdeveloped areas such as the South Bronx are overwhelmed with fast food franchises, others like the established Midtown Manhattan are crowded with whole food or organic markets. This is a prime example of environmental racism. Low-income residents have access to fast food restaurants because that is all they can afford, whereas, higher income residents have access to organic whole foods. The $5 spent on a meal at McDonalds will only allow you to purchase the organic bread in Whole Foods, which is only a portion of your meal. Also, I would like to challenge Christine’s comment on the grounds that “the kind of food served in public schools is also horrifically unhealthy.” I, on the other hand, completely disagree! I work for a non-profit organization where we provide both educational and recreational services to low-income families who may not be able to afford a tutoring program or even recreational activities such as an art, karate, or dance class to enhance the skills of their children. The school that the program is stationed in provides hot meals for our participants and the community. I’ve been to trainings in the past where, ‘School Foods’ a program funded by the Department of Health, enlightens program administrators of the food being served in public schools, it’s nutritional values, and the way it is prepared. All participants of ‘School Foods’ are required to have a serving of every section of the food period except oil because it is naturally found in all foods. They are required to have bread, milk, fruit, meat, and vegetables. The food provided in schools may not be always pleasing to our taste buds but it is healthy!
Gary, your contribution to the blog and many others reminds me of the social psychological phenomenon, the bystander effect, better known as the Genovese syndrome! Many times you’ll read articles or encounter individuals who remain idle in violent situations and offer no help to the victims of violence. This past summer, I was walking to my job, which is located in Elmhurst, Queens. As I walking through the quiet streets, I noticed a crowd of people. Now, this to me is very unusual because on the most part this area is very silent. As I continued to walk around the crowd, I noticed a woman running out of her house crying and completely covered in blood. Alarmed by the sudden noise, I walked over and asked her if she was okay. She replied in her broken English, “My husband beat me!” At that moment I looked around to see if anyone was calling 911. And to my surprise, nobody was on the phone calling for help. As disappointed as I was, I called for help because I was not only concerned about her external bleeding but also concerned about whether she was internally bleeding. In addition, I was worried about her safety along with mine. I remained by the injured woman’s side until the police officers arrived. It was fulfilling to help a victim of domestic violence but also fulfilling that I was brave enough to help. Although, my contribution wasn’t money related, it was a form of aid, and to me that is charity.
Timothy, the starting sentence of your post deserves a round-of-applause! I agree with you on the grounds that parents need to contribute to their children’s learning experiences. I believe that racism is learned behavior. We are trained to think by media and social interactions that brown or dark skin is ugly. And I’m pretty confident that is the reason why the little boy responded that way is because he most likely doesn’t have anyone to tell him different. As I mentioned in my earlier posts, I am Bangladeshi. My mother has light skin and my father has dark skin. My siblings and I have different variations of skin tones. I have darker skin next to my father and all my siblings have light skin. Growing up, I was always teased for my dark skin and called names such as, “the black cat” or the “black sheep.” I was repeated told that brown skin is ugly and my sisters were prettier than me because they had lighter skin. I was told that the lighter you are, the more attractive you are. I remember once an extended family member telling me that nobody would come seek my hand for an arranged marriage because I had dark skin. As a little girl, this experience was very confidence draining. Had it not been for my father who constantly reminded me that I was beautiful, I would’ve probably responded to something similar as the little boy. As Timothy mentioned, “just like charity, I believe values such as respect, dignity and self-worth begins at home,” and I agree to the tenth power!
Popy, the School Foods program in New York City is wonderful! New York City has created many innovative programs to promote healthy eating. However, according to the School Nutrition Association there are many issues on a federal level that could be done to improve food in public schools. Funding for school nutrition programs is one of them, as states the SNA, “Due to the increase in food, milk and energy costs, combined with high labor and benefits costs, the federal school meal reimbursement no longer covers the cost to prepare a balanced, nutritious school meal” (http://www.asfsa.org/Content.aspx?id=2398). A balanced meal is very important to the health of children, but I am still concerned about where the food is coming from. I understand that organic foods are expensive to begin with and with high labor costs and energy costs it is hard to provide nutritious foods. In The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan, he discusses the corn fields of Iowa and food-science laboratories that play a major role in America’s obesity.
"American cattle fatten on corn. Corn also feeds poultry, pigs and sheep, even farmed fish. But that’s just the beginning. In addition to dairy products from corn-fed cows and eggs from corn-fed chickens, corn starch, corn oil and corn syrup make up key ingredients in prepared foods. High-fructose corn syrup sweetens everything from juice to toothpaste. Even the alcohol in beer is corn-based. Corn is in everything from frozen yogurt to ketchup, from mayonnaise and mustard to hot dogs and bologna, from salad dressings to vitamin pills." ("You Are What You Eat" by Bunny Crumpacker from The Washington Post, April 9, 2006)
Is simply providing the food enough to sustain the health of the country?
Christine, very interesting post. Now the question is which resource is valid? This goes to show us that as readers, or even attendees of trainings, we must be very skeptical as to what is reliable information and what is not.
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