Some of you may know Russell Brand from his acting exploits or his marriage to Katy Perry, but he has recently been on my radar for a different reason. For his radical and exciting new ways of thinking. I ran across this article in my Facebook feed and I thought I would share it: "Russel Brand may have started a revolution"
This video is inspiring and moving. Brand challenges the narrow parameters in which political decision are made and the populations they serve, and at the same time, ignore. He talks about voting apathy in a new way - the disenfranchised feeling of the system not working for the lower class. He feels like the system doesn't currently address these issues - why would people participate in a broken system that doesn't meet their needs?
He is calling for change - for a radical overhaul. He asserts that awareness of these issues - environmental degradation, disparity of wealth, and the broken democratic system, is a place to start. How is it radical to challenge a system that doesn't currently meet the needs of all? He faces criticism for not applying solutions, but I think bring awareness is the first step. Plus, he does offer some great solutions, like heavy taxation on corporations and lifting subsidies and redistributing wealth on a massive scale.
Further in the video, Brand talks about engagement. He talks about engaging in these emotions that highlight the injustices and wrong-doing in the world. I think his passion, honest critiques, and idea of oneness are where the revolution will begin. If you are interested in some of his musing on spirituality, here is another great video. I think Russel Brand is my new spiritual and political leader
Don't be scared off by Alex Jones. Russell speaks some truth.
Happiness through serving others. Kinda cheesy at some parts.
Brand is also a spokesperson for the power of yoga and mediation in battling addiction. It has helped him overcome addiction problems and stay clean. He also talks about decriminalizing drug-offenses. Here are two videos about that:
Addiction Treatment and Decriminalization
Yoga as prevention/treatment/intervention
Observation
I get frustrated sometimes by a perceived lack of engagement from my cohort, but I had to take a step back and realize everyone is coming from a different place and there may be unknown reasons why participation is limited by each individual. I'm trying to be mindful and respectful of that.
dissecting social justice in everything i live, breath, and see. intersectional feminist approach. constant learning process. continually open mind. peer education and accountability. acknowledging privilege. building community.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Compassion Starts With the Self (#7)
Brené Brown is an individual that "dares greatly" and urges others to take the steps necessary toward self-acceptance, self-compassion, and self-love before we engage others in our experience. She suggests that until we accept ourselves without passing judgement, that we cannot help others without passing judgement onto them.
This is an eye-opening concept, and one that I think challenges many to ask themselves this fundamental question- do we accept ourselves, without condition, on a daily basis? Or do we fill or heads with doubt and shame about our perceived inadequacies and shortcomings - especially when we compare ourselves to others? I found a blog post from Ted Talks that highlighted some great quotes from Brené's new book - something I will definitely be reading over winter break. Here is the link - TED Blog.
When she discusses her phrase, "daring greatly", I like how she uses the gladiator allegory. If we do not put forth our best effort, and fail at times, how will we know the exultation of glory or the critical self-reflection of loss? Brené says that unless we give ourselves the opportunity to try and subsequently fail, then we are not allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and we are not encouraging contact with others. We are avoiding shame - with vulnerability as it's mirror-image. Brené's research suggests a critical link between these two human emotions and that by denying one, we are strengthening the other, which may be a huge detriment to building relationships and enacting change.
Although her notion of being vulnerable may elicit uneasiness in some, I think it's an integral step toward self-acceptance which in turn, fosters acceptance of others. I am going to make it my personal journey to try and be more vulnerable and open with others in an effort to accept my experiences and outlook, so that I may honor others wholly in return.
Observation
In an effort to increase my vulnerability and confront my blocks to self-acceptance, I've started to practice eye-contact more with others. I've noticed that while it may be uncomfortable at first, it really has aided in building relationships with others and groups.
This is an eye-opening concept, and one that I think challenges many to ask themselves this fundamental question- do we accept ourselves, without condition, on a daily basis? Or do we fill or heads with doubt and shame about our perceived inadequacies and shortcomings - especially when we compare ourselves to others? I found a blog post from Ted Talks that highlighted some great quotes from Brené's new book - something I will definitely be reading over winter break. Here is the link - TED Blog.
When she discusses her phrase, "daring greatly", I like how she uses the gladiator allegory. If we do not put forth our best effort, and fail at times, how will we know the exultation of glory or the critical self-reflection of loss? Brené says that unless we give ourselves the opportunity to try and subsequently fail, then we are not allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and we are not encouraging contact with others. We are avoiding shame - with vulnerability as it's mirror-image. Brené's research suggests a critical link between these two human emotions and that by denying one, we are strengthening the other, which may be a huge detriment to building relationships and enacting change.
Although her notion of being vulnerable may elicit uneasiness in some, I think it's an integral step toward self-acceptance which in turn, fosters acceptance of others. I am going to make it my personal journey to try and be more vulnerable and open with others in an effort to accept my experiences and outlook, so that I may honor others wholly in return.
Observation
In an effort to increase my vulnerability and confront my blocks to self-acceptance, I've started to practice eye-contact more with others. I've noticed that while it may be uncomfortable at first, it really has aided in building relationships with others and groups.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Reclaiming Sexuality - People with Disabilities (#6)
I ran across this piece recently and felt moved by the content, the courage, and the frankness of a young woman with physical disabilities who openly explores her sexual expression and responds to the reactions of those around her.
Jes Sachse is a 25 year old Canadian college student with a rare, genetic condition called Freeman-Sheldon syndrome. While she lives with this ailment, she does not let it define her. Jes hooked up with a photog friend named Holly Norris and they satirized the widely criticized American Apparel ads, known for their sexual nature and objectification - see here. Some condemned Jes' sexually explicit poses, fearing her exploitation and fetishism by the public. But Jes is confident in her art-as-awareness concept and fully believes that the public needs to view people with disabilities as people first, who have the same sexual needs and desires as those who are able-bodied.
I really like her refusal to be censored by the public and others who think they know what is best for her. Obviously, Jes is confident and secure with expressing her sexual side, and I applaud her ability to stand up for what she believes in. I relate to her as another young female, eschewing societies imposed values of beauty and ability.
The one criticism I have of the article is actually the title "Can Disability Be Sexy? For starters, I think putting the word "disability" first takes away the personal aspect and reduces an individual to their physical or cognitive abilities. It does not take into account the person as a whole and encourages a state can be sexy rather than a person.
Observation
In light of recent events, I thought I would share some services offered by UT for dealing with stress, trauma, and mental health concerns. I didn't know about these services until my second semester here. They are cheap, discrete and always professional:
UT Counseling
and Mental Health Center
(512) 471-3515
SSB 5th Floor
Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
24-Hour Telephone Counseling | ||
512-471-CALL (2255) (UT Students Only)
| ||
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Affordable Housing in Austin (#5)
Affordable housing is a phrase that keeps popping up in Austin. I've been exposed to this concept at my volunteer agency as well as in classroom discussion. I've been responsible for researching the climbing rental prices in Austin and I wanted to see if I could find a comprehensive definition to illuminate this phrase of intrigue. What is affordable housing and why should this be a concern for Austin?
Technically, an affordable housing stance asserts that rental costs should be no more than 1/3 of a resident's income. Since transportation costs are also factored into cost of living, this complicates things further. As you may have noticed, Austin is a very spread out, sprawling city, so transportation costs for individuals can become quite high. The median income in Austin hasn't risen to meet the cost of inflation since 2000! That is 13 years of rising costs, but no rising income to foot the bill. The lack of balance found in this equation is what is leaving many families in Austin without access the affordable housing.
I will be researching this issue more throughout the semester and I will be presenting an action plan with a group to really examine the factors at play in this seemingly political issue. We will be looking at what local agencies are helping the affordable housing bubble and what local policies are hurting the market. We will also look at societal perceptions of access to housing and the population that is hurts, like low-income families, veterans, and seniors.
Here are a few local agencies calling for city action:
IMAGINE-Affordable Housing
Keep ATX Affordable
Observation
I still have yet to see any advertising about the Imagine Austin campaign. I'm finding it to be useful in my group project, but still curious as to why Austin at large isn't being exposed to the city planning.
Technically, an affordable housing stance asserts that rental costs should be no more than 1/3 of a resident's income. Since transportation costs are also factored into cost of living, this complicates things further. As you may have noticed, Austin is a very spread out, sprawling city, so transportation costs for individuals can become quite high. The median income in Austin hasn't risen to meet the cost of inflation since 2000! That is 13 years of rising costs, but no rising income to foot the bill. The lack of balance found in this equation is what is leaving many families in Austin without access the affordable housing.
I will be researching this issue more throughout the semester and I will be presenting an action plan with a group to really examine the factors at play in this seemingly political issue. We will be looking at what local agencies are helping the affordable housing bubble and what local policies are hurting the market. We will also look at societal perceptions of access to housing and the population that is hurts, like low-income families, veterans, and seniors.
Here are a few local agencies calling for city action:
IMAGINE-Affordable Housing
Keep ATX Affordable
Observation
I still have yet to see any advertising about the Imagine Austin campaign. I'm finding it to be useful in my group project, but still curious as to why Austin at large isn't being exposed to the city planning.
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