groundz 4 change!

Ruby Payne's work covered in New York Times Magazine

2007-06-26T21:41:00.000-05:00

Ruby Payne is the author of among other things A Framework for Understanding Poverty. Paul Tough in the June 10, 2007, issue of The New York Times Magazine writes, “In the nation’s classrooms, middle-class teachers increasingly encounter poor students, often with disastrous results. Ruby Payne says she has the secrets to help them cross the great divide.” The article profiles her work as well as some of its criticisms.

Having been trained as a facilitator in Bridges Out of Poverty, and Getting Ahead in a Just gettin by World, I have found value in Payne's frameworks and having a vocabulary to draw from that assists in explaining some of the realities of the class divide. I have experienced a whole room full of folks understanding the impacts and experiences of generational systemic poverty as well as generational middle class and generational wealth in new ways and using those newfound understandings to inform and improve their particular interactions with people. I have found that if and when carefully presented, the concepts resonate with many people's backgrounds and experiences. Having tried to implement "Getting Ahead" in an urban neighborhood, though, I did struggle with addressing the role of race and ethnicity as it relates to systemic poverty. (Tho---I'm not convinced that wasn't just my own discomfort and inexperience.... )

In response, perhaps, or just because, aha! process, inc. has published its Platform for Economic Justice. It's an interesting discussion of issues and items of the day from the aha! perspective, which, in some ways again seems to side step issues of race and ethnicity. It is at least a jumping off point for additional and ongoing conversation about poverty, class (and dare i say... race and ethnicity?).

On Stepping Up and Getting Involved

2007-05-05T10:02:00.000-05:00

Whew! What a ride this has been. This whole school board mess.

For those that don't follow the goings on of the TPS - you should. After all, this is the basis for growth, understanding, hope and progress. Education - that's what it's called.

Recently the TPS had the opportunity to hire a top-notch Superintendent that could have helped our schools become true centers of learning. Dr. Bill Harner had had much experience in pulling poorly progressing schools out of the doldrums and turning them around. Making them into productive and encouraging entities.

Alas, the TPS has chosen to refuse to entertain ideas of growth and progress by wanting to (illegally) limit Dr. Harner's choice of residence and school for his daughter. Instead they have chosen a man that has been entrenched in the TPS for 29 years. Yes - 29 years. And in those years he has not taken the initiative to LEAD the schools into a positive future, but instead allowed himself to languish in mediocrity and ambivalence. This does not instill a feeling that this man is capable of LEADING us into a progressive future. Instead I fear more of the same. It's terrifying. It's disheartening. It's despicable. While John Foley may be a nice man, I do not have any faith in his abilities as a leader. I will pray that I am wrong. That our children's futures will not suffer from this decision. A decision made behind the masks of backroom politics and power plays.

In short - as long as we continue to do what we have always done we will continue to get what we've always gotten. And that's not acceptable. Not at all.

Our children deserve better. Our city deserves better.

Please, please, please - take the lead. Get involved. STAY involved. Let the TPS know that you won't allow the 'good old boy' system to sacrifice your children's futures for the sake of a pension.
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The Lone Ranger - and don't forget Tonto!

2007-04-19T11:24:00.000-05:00

Do you remember the Lone Ranger? That beautiful white horse he rode?? How about his sidekick Tonto?

If you remember those things then you are probably close to my age.

Do you remember silvery pink lipstick, heavy black eyeliner, ironing your hair to make it straight, go-go boots, hot pants, mini skirts, micro-mini skirts and madras shirts? How about "granny dresses" and mini-prints? Or hip-huggers, maxi skirts, metal roller skates with a key, single speed bicycles, angel sleeved peasant blouses, and funky hats?

Well, let me tell ya ... those 'oddities' of yesteryear are back in style for the most part. And the kids wearing the 'different' styles now are no different than we were way back when. Sure, some of the clothes LOOK different, but they truly aren't. And some of the hairstyles and colors are different in appearance, but they say the same thing.

What are they saying?

How about something like, "I am under pressure." "I am SO wanting to be grown up, but I'm scared to death." "I have to fit in." "I CAN'T look different. Then the other kids will make comments about me!"

Those are the same fears and concerns we (us old farts) had back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. And those fears and concerns have not changed from generation to generation. The only difference is sometimes the physical presentation of those fears. That's where we straddle this chasm that separates the 'grown ups' from the 'kids.'

We don't want to admit that we've already been there, and the kids don't want to admit that they will have the same concerns we have, but in the future. You remember that the thought of actually becoming your folks was not something you aspired to. You always clung to that curve of individuality, that independent mindset. But we do become our parents - eventually. It's almost inevitable.

We (old farts) did not invent sex, drugs, peer pressure, etc. But we did live through it. And todays' kids will continue to think that they are the first and only generation that has come up with most of today's trials. The inner bewilderment that goes along with finally realizing that you didn't invent these things is quite an eye-opener.

Hopefully if we will be brutally honest with ourselves, all the while acknowledging that we are not different from the kids, we will be able to share and teach them without preaching to them. We will be able to have intelligent discussions with enough open-mindedness to listen rather than to just hear. And we will embrace the premise that mutual respect is paramount.

When was the last time you watched a group of kids and thought, "What are they up to?" Probably pretty recently. Instead, try saying to yourself, "I wonder what's on their plate today?" And then try to engage them in a respectful discussion. You just might learn something. I know I have.

Keep in mind - WE all wanted to be asked to do something instead of being told. And we all wanted someone to listen to us, not just hear.

Remember - one of the most constant things in life is change.

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Stuff, more stuff, and even more stuff

2007-04-16T06:58:00.000-05:00

While it may seem as though our project is stalled, I want to assure you that it has not.

Some issues have surfaced in a few of our personal lives that have dictated that we attend to some fairly urgent issues that occupy quite a bit of time. I promise we will be back on track very, very soon.

That being said....let's take a look at what's happening around us. Spring is trying to settle in, the trees are trying to get re-established, and it's almost time for the young folks to be out of school for the summer. That means that boredom will take over if we don't figure out just how to occupy the time of the kids.

Might I suggest that you make an effort now to recruit a neighborhood youngster to help with some of those summer projects. If you have need for an extra set of hands, more stamina, and more energy then make use of those kids down the street! And yes - you'll probably have to pay them - or you could barter with them. Perhaps there is something you have or can get that they would like to have. Might even be less than what you would think are acceptable wages! Give it a try.

I'm sure you are aware of the Mayor's proposal that the citizens adopt a piece of ground and plant flowers. This is an idea that is met with mixed emotions. While it would be nice to see lots of flowers and landscaping done we must keep in mind that it's expensive and time consuming. Perhaps if you have some perennials that can be split you could go ahead and split them and then place them along your yard as a border or in pots to accent your entry or patio.

If you find yourself saying things like, "There has to be another way." Or, "Why doesn't someone come up with a solution for that?" Or, "What in the world were they thinking?" Well, those thoughts tell me that you have considered options - different ways that any particular situation could/should be handled. In that case I would suggest that you share those ideas with whomever is in charge of the situation you're concerned about. That's the first step to instituting change. Real change. It takes OUR involvement. OUR dedication. OUR voices.

And finally...how did we become such a complacent society? Waiting for someone else to make changes that WE could make for ourselves. How did we become so ambivalent to the world around us? How did we become so self absorbed that we don't even know who our neighbors are? I, personally, have made a promise to myself to reverse all those things this year. How about you?

The true sense of neighbor and neighborhood has been replaced by the I-We-My frame of reference. We have become a ME society. This has to change in order for us ALL to be effective and informed. Won't you join in? Please.....

Thanks for reading the ramblings of a frazzled Monday morning mind.
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On Youth, Hope and the Wonders of Today

2007-04-13T07:06:00.000-05:00

WOW! I am bowled over - yet again!

You see, today I attended a meeting of local activists and those that have an impact on the community from a public service perspective. And one thing really stood out in this 90 minute meeting. Actually, I should say one PERSON really stood out.

This young man is some kind of awesome. He's thoughtful, well mannered, articulate, comfortable, pure, innovative, determined, interested, interesting, dedicated, and full of hope. He's also bright, intelligent, savvy, socially acceptable, politically correct. He's a handsome young man, eyes bright with hope, exudes self confidence, holds education near and dear, and is on track to be one of Toledo's 'movers and shakers' in the youth movement.

Ladies and gents - meet Tye Alexander. He's 15 years old and a truly wondrous human being.

Tye is a leader of youth in North Toledo. And he's just what the doctor ordered in order to dissolve the stones of apathy that many of us are plagued with. Tye is the leader of his group and promotes civic involvement, participation in shaping the future, and promotes and perpetuates a peer group that just makes you smile all the way down inside.

Tye's energy is contagious. His smile is what hope is built on. And his sincerity and faith in his own abilities, as well as the impact he has in his community, are traits that I am envious of. I only hope his energy and commitment to improving his future and the future of other youth becomes an epidemic that infects us all.

Tye - you are a shining star. Thank you for being a leader, and for caring enough about your city and your future to step up to the plate.

I applaud you - more than you know!

If you would like to meet Tye then stop by the little park located at Huron and Locust on Sunday, April 22nd, for the Youth Rally. Tye will be there and you really should meet him. He's one incredible human being!

PEEPING TOM!!

2007-04-03T14:42:00.000-05:00

Now that I have your attention...... :)

Did you ever sit in traffic and look at the faces of the drivers around you? Did you wonder what the heck they were thinking, doing, saying?

Did you ever truly look at the faces of the people you pass in the grocery store, the theater, the restaurant? Did you? Really?

Well, if you did then you're probably in the minority. It seems as though most people go through their day with blinders on. Walking, talking, but not really moving or saying anything. Not making eye contact for fear that they will have to engage in some kind of conversation. Avoiding anything that might interrupt their thought processes.

It dawned on me that we are truly too distracted to be effective. Totally effective. We wander around, taking care of our routine, making sure life is on target. Making sure that we have enough, do enough, think enough.....but are we really DOING enough?

I know that sometimes there are not enough hours in the day to perform all the tasks that we put on our plate, and then sometimes we drag these tasks out just to avoid taking on another helping of 'whatever' and then having to choke on it.

So, I was thinking.......just how do we get back on track? Back to facing the world head-on, looking others in the eye, listening instead of hearing, and DOING instead of kvetching about all the things we think we should be doing.

We have pretty much become a society of brow-beaten, word flogged, ambivalent folks. We succumb to the pressures of life simply because it's easier than bucking the system. We fold up like a cheap hammock instead of fighting back.

Well, the time has come. Time to fight back. Make a difference. Commit to something that is outside all that has traditionally been safe to get involved in.

Are you up for the challenge? Can you devote a little time to a coffee gathering to put our heads together and come up with some sound ideas? Sure - I know ya can! Sign up now - let us know if you would be able to participate in a very informal coffee klatch to share your ideas about how to make our city better for the youth we have and the adults they will grown into.

Post here and leave an email address in your profile so we can get in touch with ya!

Thanks for playing along!

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WOW! The Big-Time Awaits!

2007-03-27T07:12:00.000-05:00

I just had time to actually look inside this weeks edition of the Toledo Free Press. I have to tell you - I am just tickled to pieces! In Lisa Renee's Blog it, Toledo! article is mention of Groundz 4 Change!

I have to say - this feels like the 'big time' to a fledgling grass-roots group!

But, in all fairness, I think that the public deserves to know what kind of people make up the driving force behind this site and its' desired result. It might surprise most of you to know that we aren't any different than you. That we are residents of Toledo, residents of some of the most ignored neighborhoods in Toledo, and convinced that the only way to achieve change in the same old song is to lead the band in a new one.

Who we are (by backgrounds): sociology majors, single moms, law enforcement/public service, self employed, pastors, activists, coordinators, and just regular folks. We are just like you. With one difference in vision. We have put ourselves in position to effect change in Toledo. We have decided that in order to begin to turn this mess around we have to commit to sharing our time, our ideas, our contacts, and our dreams. Dreams of a vibrant, safe and respectful city.

If you would like to discuss these dreams, learn how to help, offer suggestions, offer to help, or are just curious as to what makes us think we can pull this off.....then email either Roo (email in profile) or Tiggrr2. We'll make sure to set a time and place to sit down and let you in on the best kept secret Toledo has had in years! What have you got to lose?

We want your input. We want your concerns. We NEED your participation.

Come on! We see you reading the blog. Take the next step and make a comment! It's easy! It's painless! And, best of all, it would be appreciated if you would share your thoughts!

Positrain boarding now!!!!! Allllllllllll abooooaaaarrrrddddd!!!!!!!!!

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A question to ponder...

2007-03-21T07:15:00.000-05:00

If, in the grand scheme of things, you were granted the opportunity t host a dinner party with 5 guests who would you put on your invitation list and why?

Sometimes taking a peek at the people we admire tells a lot about us. Take the challenge - post your invitation list!

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If you're having problems...

2007-03-15T13:33:00.000-05:00

with trying to respond to posts on this blog, please try creating a new blogger account with the NEW Google blogger option.

I've received a couple messages that folks can't respond to these posts because it won't let them in.

If you have problems with responding, please email us. We need to know so we can correct any problems.

Thanks! And it's a great day here at Groundz 4 Change!
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Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda

2007-03-15T06:46:00.000-05:00

After talking with a few young folks yesterday I experienced a serious revelation...

I had become one of those 'old farts' that I had always sworn I would not become!

After having a few discussions on what could be better here in T-town, I heard comments like:

"We always get questioned just because we're hanging out."
"When I tried to ask for directions the guy turned and walked away!"
"I'm so tired of people saying I look like a freak!" (This from a young man with multiple piercings)
"They think because we're skateboarding that we're thugs!"
"This old woman yelled at us just for sitting on the curb!"

And the comments went on and on.

Where did I encounter these youngsters? They were in the outreaches of a parking lot I was going through and I stopped and asked them if I could ask their opinions about a few things. They were truly unprepared for one of us 'old farts' to stop and ASK them anything. They, obviously, are more used to one of us stopping and TELLING them something.

A few of the things I ASKED them about were:

What kind of response/comments do you get when you're just hanging out?
Do you think that people from MY generation (that would be grandparent age for these kids) are reasonable and fair when talking with you?
What do they anticipate as being the future of all the piercings and tats?
What were their opinions on what's taking place in Toledo?
What are they afraid of? (This took them by surprise)
Do they think that school is a waste of time?

The conversation lasted almost 30 minutes. And I have to tell ya - I learned ALOT. I learned that as I have gotten older, my mind had gotten narrower. I learned that while these kids looked different, they WERE NOT different. They are creative, inventive, intuitive, anxious, concerned, scared, insecure, and feeling lost.

In retrospect, they are feeling what I felt some 40+ years ago. Amazing! The looked different than we did back then, they had a language that was SO different than the slang we used way back then, and they were all carrying these weird boards with wheels. BUT - they were the same kids I had hung out with 'way back then' and will grow to be one of us 'old farts' that will question another generation's youth.

I related the theory of the Positrain to these youngsters and they were enthused! They lit up in hope that somewhere, somehow, someone will TRY to understand that while their emotions are no different than those experienced by US in our youth, that we can get past the superficial stuff and really make a difference when it comes to approaching, coaching, supporting and encouraging our kids.

Allllllllll Aboard!!!!! The Positrain is boarding on Track 1! Destination: Groundz 4 Change

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Dreamers, Doers and True Believers

2007-03-14T07:42:00.000-05:00

After surfing around some of the local blogs it seems as though the general consensus is that Toledo is in a (yet another) quagmire. We are forced to downsize, blend departments, restructure programs, and do away with services.

Some may say that this is just another bad year for Toledo. I say BUNK! Toledo has had many bad years, and in the end of the budget crunch the programs that seem to be expendable are the ones that were put in place to support the youth of our community. This is not a good thing.

So now we have a situation where we (those all knowing adults) who are frustrated with the kids roaming the streets, hanging on the corner, etc. are saying, "fine, sacrifice those programs, just don't raise my taxes!" Then we call Gov. Ctr. and fuss that the kids are breaking curfew, skipping school, hanging in the park, hanging on the corner.... It's a vicious circle - and a vicious cycle.

Now your question might be.....OK, so how do we keep the kids busy and still manage to balance our budget? Kind of a catch 22 thing. BUT - if we (you know - the village that's supposed to raise a child) take some initiative, and some responsibility, and encourage our neighbors to support community based programs we just might find that there are many out there with like concerns that are confused as to how to go about participating in a program that is 'outside the box' of government control.

I was always told there are three types of people:

1. Dreamers - the ones who will always have an idea, but don't ever follow through. They are content with having an idea. That's all it takes.

2. Doers - those that are willing to try something new, but sometimes when that idea doesn't produce instant results they grow weary and move on to something else.

3. True Believers - These are the Dreamers and Doers with a smattering of "not gonna give up" thrown in. They keep plodding along, ever hopeful that our world will change for the better, and aware that they will walk into brick walls on occasion. But they keep going. Focused. Intent. Devoted. Believing.

If you have ever thought about taking on a challenge, about helping to encourage change, about being part of a progressive thought process, seeing a project through to completion, basking in the warmth of success, or just taking an interest in the world around you.............then it's time. Time for you to realize that there are Groundz 4 Change and that you can be a part of it.

Get on the Positrain. The True Believers car is in the front. This is gonna be one helluva ride, folks!
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On listening, learning, and forging ahead...

2007-02-25T08:34:00.000-05:00

How to start?? Saturday (the 24th) morning, a time when most kids would be 1) still sleeping, 2) hanging with friends, or 3) sitting around like a zombie trying to do the slow wake up thing. Not THIS Saturday!

A workshop was held in South Toledo that included the youth of the area, a few facilitators, Councilman Mike Craig, Sherrie from Parks & Recreation, and some dedicated residents of the area. The purpose of this workshop? To encourage the youth of the area to identify the needs of the area, make suggestions as to how to improve the area, and then learn who and how to approach in order to make progress.

While listening to the facilitators and the panel speak it became evident that the one lesson that we ALL need to learn is that nothing gets better instantly. That to be a part of progress takes time, dedication, belief, perseverance, and hope. The young people in attendance were encouraged to identify assets of the area, issues affecting the area, and needs to continue improvement to the area. This was all done by the young folks using brightly colored sticky notes and writing their own suggestions/ideas on them and placing them on a map of the area.

The ease of participation in this project was amazing. The young people didn't seem to feel pressured into writing down the 'politically correct' answer that someone in authority may be wanting to hear, but instead they put down in words what was in their hearts. They set forth ideas and concerns that we, as adults, may not see. They were willing to speak up, and the adults were more than willing to listen. It's amazing what happens when we (the all knowing adults) will take just a little time and listen to the youngsters that are our future. I believe that used to be called mutual respect. Something that has been sorely lacking under the guise of control, power and political correctness. Not to mention the fear that goes with relinquishing even a small portion of control and/or power.

While we, the all knowing adults, are quick to label, define, dispute, and negate the worth of todays' youth, WE should take a step back and realize a few very important things:
1) Things have changed. They will continue to change. It's called progress - or social evolution - whichever term you choose.
2) Because someone wears baggy clothes, has piercings, tattoos, etc. does not instantly make them bad. It quite possibly makes them young and under pressure to conform to all the ideas that the media pumps to them on a daily basis to look like the rest of their peers. This does not render these youngsters incapable of independent thought.
3) We, the all knowing adults, are SO guilty of stereotyping. Think back - we hated it when we were teenagers (no matter which generation THAT might have taken place in) and the 'old folks' would label us because of hairstyle, clothing, etc. and didn't take us seriously. Things haven't changed.
4) If we, the all knowing adults, encourage the leaders in a group (those with the instinctive leadership trait) to lead the followers in a POSITIVE direction, then those that are on the fence about their life choices will feel left out and most likely tag along on the positrain. This could happen. It really could! But it's up to US - it's up to US to encourage, teach, listen, console, inspire, repair, participate, cooperate, instigate, guide, and do away with blanket condemnation of thoughts that are 'outside the box' just because they come from a mind that is struggling with todays pressures.

Todays' youth. What a wonderful and plentiful asset we have. And WE are overlooking it.

Yes - it takes a village to raise a child - or at least that's the saying. I'm more inclined to believe it takes a child to inspire and 'raise' an adult.

There truly are Groundz4Change. Jump on the positrain, join in the effort, become a part of the solution instead of griping about the problem. I dare you!

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Powerful words to empower our minds...

2007-02-19T15:48:00.000-05:00

Proverbs, quotes, Mahatma Gandhi

The thoughts of a man of peace, a visionary....

The Desiderata

2007-02-17T10:47:00.000-05:00

The Desiderata

While pondering the falling snow and the quietness that it promotes, I got to thinking about an old verse that I have come to love - like an old friend.

The words and thoughts behind The Desiderata are mind-boggling when you consider the frame of mind of the author when it was penned.

Watch the slide show, reflect on the words, and know that there is a wonderful world out there. A world that is ready for change and acceptance. Ready for peace and understanding. Ready for all of us to live together and understand that the things that make us different are also those things that make us the same.

Poynter Online - Writing Tools

2007-02-14T15:59:00.000-05:00

Poynter Online - Writing Tools

powerful powerful stuff....

2007-02-14T15:34:00.000-05:00

NPR : There Is No Blame; There Is Only Love: "There Is No Blame; There Is Only Love"

Change and the Human Factor

2007-02-14T10:06:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time a wise man said:

Change your thoughts and you change your world.: Norman Vincent Peale (1898 - 1993)

If we change how we think about ourselves and our environment we can change how the rest of the world thinks about us. We can make those changes with gusto and sincerity, with devotion and dedication, and with love and acceptance of those that may be different from us.

We are one. Plain and simple. We all feel, hurt, laugh, cry, breathe and bleed. Our wrappers do not define us as people, it merely makes us look different. Intent, intensity and purpose are all building blocks in the effort of Groundz 4 Change. :)

Warm fuzzies and wild things!

2007-02-14T09:40:00.000-05:00

What happens when you conjure mental images of a warm fuzzy? What equates to a wild thing? What happens when you put the two together? Hmmmmmmmmmmm

Whether you're good or bad, sad or mad, scared or fearless, rich or poor, smart or not, tall or short, round or square, exacerbated or exasperated, striving or thriving, living or gettin' by, fearful or fearless, radical or compliant, a dreamer or doer.......there's always somethin' that makes ya go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Be happy, be well, be aware, be patient, be kind, be willing, be flexible, be accepting. Most importantly..........JUST BE!!!

Hmmmmrrrr... king w on the proper use of the royal weeeee-sies

2007-02-13T16:58:00.000-05:00

GEORGE's CAMPAIGN LITERATURE SD:

If we are going to save a generation of young people, our children must know they will face bad consequences for criminal behavior. Sadly, too many youths are not getting that message. Our juvenile justice system must say to our children: We love you, but we are going to hold you accountable for your actions.

the dates would imply that this was before we shipped a generation of young people to Iraq. When did we decide that the generation was expendable?

...

SNOW DAY DIVERSIONS---

2007-02-13T08:52:00.000-05:00

1400 AD Personality Test --- check it out if you're interested.

No interest in seekin for dates in the real world, but this personality eval may have drawn an accurate?? charicature of me?---except for the boundless tiggrr bounce-r-r-rin...

HEY LOOK EVRY1! I've been ordained (well, not exactly)

"The Monk

You scored 34%
Cardinal, 66% Monk, 23% Lady, and 24% Knight!

You live a peaceful, quiet life. Very little danger comes your way and you live a long time. You are wise and modest, but also stagnant. You have little comfort, little food and have taken a vow of silence. But who needs chatter when just sitting in the cloister of your abbey with (-the-) A VEWWY, VEWWY Good Book makes you perfectly content.

You scored higher than 61% on Cardinal
You scored higher than 90% on Monk

You scored higher than 0% on Lady--
(OK, that's funny, Right??!-- even my mom might agree with that one)

You scored higher than 2% on Knight"

bounce-rrrrin right (or left)along....

***MANAGEMENT NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INCIDENTS OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DUE TO BEIN BOUNCERRRRRRRIZZZZED***

HAPPY SNOW DAY!!!!!

2007-02-13T08:04:00.000-05:00

Happy snow day!!! the worlds been closed due to an over abundance of white crystalline powder...mixed with currents of air that can be very intimidating...

If ya don't have to go out, this is a great excuse to stay in and warm and dry....

be well everyone
and be safe....

another cool site

2007-02-08T17:32:00.000-05:00

Create a Connection

Illustration Friday

2007-02-08T17:30:00.000-05:00

Illustration Friday

Things that make you go HMMMMMM

2007-02-08T08:29:00.000-05:00

It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble.
It's what you know- for sure -that just ain't so.
~Mark Twain

~twain, tiggrrizzzzz'd~

whooo-whooo who-whooooo

DECIDER Dharma

2007-02-07T16:23:00.000-05:00

I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming."
~goethe

What a world of Possibility opens when we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming-- Choose your life... make it up and then make it happen....

Stuff happens day to day... stuff that's ugly, messy gritty and downright irritating. Stuff that's not fair, stuff that hurts, hurts as much as salt or lemon in a papercut that you didn't know you had.... stuff that downright sux....

Stuff happens... and its not that it happens---that causes our suffering... its that we cling to and identify with that suffering... case in point...

[original preachy story inserted here for illustration's sake. for the bottom lines, skip 3 or so paragraphs]

while walkin to work, one bright beautiful morning i came upon a beautiful gorgeous happy go lucky dog... S/He was runnin and rippin and tearin... doin just what liberated k9s do. LIVE in the moment, breathing mindfully every smell s/he could--oh, and pissin on the world for all s/he was worth.

In the blink of an eye, my heart stopped as I watched this bhoddisatva step squarely into the path of a car--- doin about 40+ mph. When the car slowed to a stop, (the driver'd never seen my 4 legged friend,) K9 seemingly lifeless, slid off the front bumper and in front the car. The heartless human got out looked at HIZ bumper, looked at K9 then drove off... no concerns about my friend k9 . K9 laid still in the street, for what seemed like an eternity. A samaritan or two began regulating traffic trying to make sure that k9 didn't get run over further. K9 didn't move but was breathing steadily in the middle of the street. Presuming K9 was a gonner,we began to contemplate what the most merciful action was... should we try to get someone to put him/r out of his/her misery? NO one had a gun, [thankfully?!?] but there were vehicles all around--- did it make sense to runn 'er over good, 1 more time and just finish the job?

As we contemplated definitions of mercy, while waiting for police and humane society and others to respond, K9 slowly, disorientedly rolled up from laying flatly on his/her side to just lying upright, with some growing alertness. As samaritans, we'd decided K9 was done for... we'd written but K9 hadn't agreed. To our amazement, K9, who had none of our ego based notions or fears, decided that while pain and soreness may have knocked th wind out of him/her, death hadn't captured him/her yet. Eventually k9 stood up, shook it off and went merrily though a bit more slowly along his/her way.

Team samaritan stood shaking its collective head. We'd seen the mess knocked outta this fellow traveler-- in fact it(the mess) was still lying there in the street...

It seemed clear-- -- k9 had a life to live, -- as unfair and stuff-y as being creamed by a car had been s/he had no intention of moping or dwelling on how his/her suffering defined him/her... K9 decided not to volunteer for sufferin... or make it his/her own.

BOTTOM LINES: K9 had hydrants to water and grass to scratch, cats and dreams to chase. K9 decided to be his/her pureland self -- regardless of what this timebound world threw at him/her. We each are the decid-er in our lives. We always have at least one choice even if its only not to choose.
~ttfn

change the way you look at things

2007-02-06T09:01:00.000-05:00

if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

The Voice of those unheard...

2007-02-05T14:55:00.000-05:00

16 months after Toledo riot, focus moves from court to community

First, kudos to ROBIN ERB, who dared to give you a glimpse of the story behind the story!!!

Second, I humbly bow to all those (named and unnamed) who have given of themselves--their time, their money, their bodies and their sweat that made this "good news story" out of an otherwise horrifying historical fact.

Just a couple of ideas that are important to me and that I would like to share:

First, the focus DID NOT move to the community; the focus is and has been on community as long as our respective churches, agencies, organizations and settlement houses have existed. Built on foundations and ideals of social change and personal empowerment and... FAITH, our agencies work tirelessly to live the missions we espouse.

Salem Lutheran Church just celebrated its 165th year in North Toledo. Friendly Center and Caldwell have been in the neighborhoods since Jane Adams and the settlement house movement. These are Institutions who have COMMITTED to this community and remain here, day after day, year after year....mayor after Mayor, council after council, commissioner after commissioner-- committed to this community that is often dismissed by each of those using the revolving door.

Secondly, many in and around the neighborhood and in our black community reject the use of the word RIOT to describe the events of October 15, 2005.
For a long time I have agreed with my colleagues and friends. I understood the reasons articulated.... the negative assumptions and stereotypes about race and class. In those discussions those reasons made sense. But then one day, the Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr. reminded me that:

A RIOT is but the voice of those unheard.

THE VOICE of those UNHEARD.

In many ways, the word RIOT truly, though sadly, probably most accurately describes what happened that day. The revolving door of policy and politics has left this neighborhood unserved, under-served, disenfranchised and distressed from years of terminal neglect.

From Politico(n)s who have spoken aloud "Ya'll don't vote in this neighborhood, so I don't hafta represent ya", to those unspoken acts of benign (or strategic?) environmental racism that have left distressed the mansions of old, the highest concentration of subsidized and rental housing, a 62% unemployment rate and the sheer absence of accoutrements most take for granted like a banks and grocery stores; these neighborhoods house those MOST unheard within Toledo.

There is one other alternative that I believe accurately describes the events of October 15, 2005. The words are:
-- HATE CRIME--

For a week and a half before Sweetest Day, courtesy of every source of information...and media in this town, those who shall remain Nameless were allowed to verbally attack, taunt, assault and incite the GOOD people of TOLEDO. Every morning commute woke us up with hatred, each good nite newscast sang us to sleep with a hate-filled lullabye.

Absent in those days that led up to the crime were our heroic leaders, who should have been on the streets the first day that the NAMELESS announced there intentions. Those same HEROEs(?) rode in on steeds of rescue, (as if rescue was possible)-- long after chaos and mayhem had left the streets of T-Town beaten, batterd and splayed 'cross the world's large plasma screens- shadow casting images we've yet to outrun. Toledo's "finest" moment -- in full living color-- looped and rerun- & never retired. Our useless leaders and our media handed these hate-mongering bullies the key to the hen house....invited them in, then left them to their folly. And, once the set was carefully staged for disaster, our great(?)reckless leaders placed our hard working officers into a no win situation and said.... go and keep peace....

I have tremendous respect and admiration for the officers who exercised restraint on the lines that day... given the situation. I also recognize-- though some may not... that there was extreme restraint on the part of the people that day as well. How can I say such a thing??? Well, while there was extreme property damage and some substantial injuries, it seems that no lives were taken or lost.

Please understand that I do NOT dismiss the seriousness of the violence that took place that day-- from any side. I do not excuse nor advocate for the bad choices that were made that day. People are responsible for their actions, good or bad, but.... it is a tribute to -EVERYONE- (police and people) that (to my knowledge) no one died.

It is important though that we recognize the implicit double standard.

Our citizens Our neighbors--men and women, boys and girls-- were arrested, tried, adjudicated and sentenced.

What happened to the NAMELESS? Why weren't the NAMELESS or their carpet~bagging groupies tried for INCITING a riot? Why did we, the taxpayers of this community have to foot the bill for the damage and destruction and havoc wreaked upon us, while the NAMELESS received a handshake, a good ol' attaboy pat on the back and VIP escort outta town-- so they wouldn't get hurt.

Its a "Just Us" brand of justice that should NOT have happened, here!

Why were the NAMELESS not tried or convicted? Why were they not labeled a terrorist, a rioter an incitor, a threat to TOLEDO's Home(& heart) land Security?
Could it be some of those same assumptions about race and class? Could it be that the NAMELESS connect to deep pockets and bully pulpits wherever they go? Could it be the hue of their creamy light skin and their birthright into the dominant hegemony of white privilege?

This Restorative Justice project piloted after the RIOT became the passion and life blood of many. It only happened because of our determination and commitment to building relationships in the shape of a vibrant, healthy & safe community. It happened because it was the right thing to do... there wasn't much time for accounting, or fundraising, or proposal writing. It had no real funding, no real program or proposal written ahead of time. It was a moment, in which all involved sought collective healing for the wounds ripped open that day. Restorative Justice -- was and is the only JUSTICE for these families, for this, our community.

As adults, leaders and guides in this community, as the keepers of this village, we failed our youth, our selves and our community on that fateful day. May we now grow and learn to listen....may we recognize our well meaning but mis-guided decisions and beliefs and come together as a community to discuss this....
Yes, to discuss it, respectfully, responsibly, again, and again, and again.

It is our sentence... we must step up. We must fiercely and honestly discuss this, because we've still got lessons to learn. We must give names to the wounds, we must embrace them & comfort them and discuss them, fiercely, responsibly and authentically. Only in naming and facing these monsters of race and class stereotypes-- Only then will we move beyond the dark(er) side and perhaps, ensure that it will never happen again.

~namaste

Groundz 4 Change! Manifesto

2007-02-05T11:08:00.000-05:00

Thank You !! all --for all that you are-and- all that you've shared with me!!!
Like it or not, somehow you have inspired this site and its future.
If you've found yourself here,

could it be just
because you are an amazing gift to this world?

I offer what follows for your enjoyment,
to perhaps entertain you ,
to amuse you or
... to entice you to step onto this circle journey with me---

I also share it with you
in the hopes that you will honor and cherish it
and I invite you in all sincerity
to help me to tend and keep it...

If you only know me a little, this manifesto may be a little scary,
but... only in the amount of possibilities & passion unleashed.

If you know me well, you know I'm crazy to begin with --
so . . .this shouldn't surprise you... much.

Its Me... UNPLUGGED-- maybe even a little unhinged.

What follows here is HIGH TEST stuff.... pure, utopic dream casting....

This is NOT for the SQUEAMISH---

If you're worried or whelmed already,
let me greet you,
send you some energy,
wish you well,
and let you find your way back to this later....

If you're brave and bold and daring,
then...

CHECK THIS OUT...

I've found a brand new rabbit hole for us to explore together....

Wanna be part of an amazing long haired freaky people type a gig?
where diversity and imagination and creativity are valued and
where you can do something you LOVE allllll day long.

wanna Speed to work cuz you cant wait to get there,
not cuz you couldn't make your sorry (burned out) butt get outtA bed?
wanna live the values you've believed all your life? ---
wanna believe in the life you live, today?

what if you could play all day...?
get paid to sit around and hang out
with really really coool people?
And see the world change because of it?

wanna name yr salary---
and get a fully paid sabbatical every 4 to six years?
get the best dosh garn health plan,
& the best drn retirement plan
with a just match to YOUR contribution???

Wanna be saturated in arts and culture and fun all day long?
Steeped--in a joy- filled, cup of pure potent creativitality?

Wanna be free to touch the people you need?--
to cry with those who need it,
to listen to those unheard,
to get yr hands dirty--
building the world we want to live in --
not the one 4 which we seem to be settlin?

For those of you who're wondering where my sanity has gone...
don't worry, it's still intact....
its up ahead--somewhere
just around that bend to the left...

I feel like I've caught POSSIBILITY by the tail
and .... I cant quite let 'er go...
Like I have been to or found a MountainTop....
and in spite of my resistance...
it only seems to grow and grOW and gROW and GROW--

To Make this possibility concrete-----
A LOT of things need to happen,
so I've made a list.
many hands make the load light;
there's a space for everyone....
so please check it twice....

board members, advisors, investors and venture(social) capitalist

rainmakers, grantmakers, troublemakers, peace makers,

grant writers, freedom writers, wake-riders, road runners,

Walker's and Talkers, cheerleaders and champions,

Blazers and gazers-- both trail and star

visionary or traditionalist, conspiracy theorist, believers-- or non,

free thinkers, and sollipsists, heck even you cock-eyed optimists,

meditators and pray-ers, monks and nuns,

llamas and mammas

and
tricksters and Shamans

wizards and muggles, dreamers and screamers, radicals-- free or bound

Highlanders, Midwest-ers, HaleyFreedom Schoolers
Coasters both left and right

skilled traders, day traders, fair traders, race traitors
crafts masters, Toastmasters
pod-casters, webmasters,
bloggers, gamers, IT geeks, and
programmers-- extreme or rare,

pickers or grinners scratchers and mc's
peace niks & beat niks,

Hey----any one know a dixie chix?

writers, and rappers and spoken word poets
painters, photographers and even someday, the Laureates

artistas, baristas
EVEN POSSIBILITISTAz

If you've learned just from experience how to:
Kiss today goodbye,
or..... measure the life of a woman or a man.

If you've been hooked or pimpd,
pushin, addicted or pimpin...
If you've got all yr parts or

if some are missin,
all will be welcomed

thru the open door

come to source!
come drink to your fill
from your wellspring of choice--

Eastern or Western
---ancient, modern or

NEW and improved
... did I miss anything in between?

Here

in lie
the
GROUNDz 4 CHANGE!(TM)

If you've got guts,
This is the gauntlet,
If you are a traveler,
This is the journey.
if you just find yourself
named in,
caught up in
or implicated by what you've read this far,

if what you've read'z gist runnin round yr head

respond via email...
or call me some time soon... (during the week of february 5)

I want to have breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee or dessert
(Does anyone but Lady T still do desserts??)-
at the very least,
just a minute or two of your precious time!
Time to ketchup,

time to connect again.
Time to:
Save a hooker &
Pay the Rent,

And.. remember...
You can get anything you want....
@
alice's restaurant???
no, silly
@

Groundz4Change
---

may passion & energy,
peace and justice,
courage and love
fill your day... today

and ...tomorrow

and
... always.

all my love and ...
all the best!!!
ms

interesting quote?

2005-02-08T23:34:00.000-05:00

Will Rogers' ------------- Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.

sound off -- things i heard today

2005-02-08T22:17:00.000-05:00

what's on your mind ?

--today i heard

the bad...

focus on cleaning up the housing [slumlords, lmha, section 8 housing, vistula] in the neighborhood would help how the neighborhood is perceived!
vistula's dumpsters are overflowing again!
rehab/demolish abandoned houses.
neighborhood should do a petition to bring houses to the attention of the city.
city needs to pave streets in this area. Erie, Ontario, Michigan, Champlain, Chase, Chicago, etc...
gangs are a problem
drugs are a problem
the way the media, like channel 11, or the blade portrays the north end-- their unwillingness to cover anything good... helps keep the perception of the neighborhood as one that's bad.
teens-- we need to have something safe for them to do
teens--we need to have someplace safe for them to go

the not so bad...

many residents in the north end are proud of their homes, and of the neighborhood... but the bad ones get all of the story. theres a lot that's positive... that we don't emphasize.
we have to think about the message we send out about our neighborhood
channel 11 should be on the board

what do you think...???? Click on Comment to leave your ideas...
Do you have any ways to help solve these things?
Do you have any ideas for what we need to do next??

TEENS????? WHAT do YOU think????

Class Matters

2005-02-08T21:54:00.000-05:00

Class Matters

"It's all about relationship building. Until you start reaching out to people very different from you, until we reach outside comfort zones, nothing's going to change. We can't afford to assume anyone is our enemy. People can grow and change." Natalie Reteneller

LET'S TALK...

2005-02-07T12:55:00.000-05:00

OPEN THREAD... WHATs ON YOUR MIND?