Weary Mother Earth

My grandfather in a small village in India used to say,

natural disasters happen when Mother Earth’s load is too heavy to bear,

from time to time, she is forced to lighten the load.

But why must she so often shake off they,

who have so little to begin with?

Who hardly possess her at all?

Not those who would have her in chains?

A tsunami in Asia,

the hurricane called Katrina,

And now, an earthquake with no name,

wickedly, deliberately, unearthing,

what was already broken in Haiti.

Centuries of freedom suppressed,

in pleading voices,

in wary eyes of hopeful children,

it’s “okay” to help them now.

Our Avatars shall save them now.

Our journalists ask them:

“Are you devastated?”

“How will you provide for your family?”

As they are lifting themselves up from the dirt.

Thinking on my grandfather’s words,

I was angry with Mother Earth,

for shedding her children so coldly.

I was bitter.

Yet, if there are even a few in Haiti, New Orleans, Asia declaring,

they have been protected and spared by God’s will,

who are smiling and singing as they are removed from wreckage,

who are happy just to be living,

how can I be so mad?

Whose reality is it?

***

Thanks for reading this reflection that came forth after a long silence, a loss of words for the situation in Haiti. On a more concrete note:

• If you have any suggestions for ways to help the relief efforts, please do post a comment below. Or get in touch and post yourself. I recently gave to Partners in Health.
• In reading about Jacob Colker's Extraordinaries micro-volunteering site, I found that he has created a Haiti Earthquake Support Center where you can help tag images from news pictures, match missing persons photos with database images, etc. from your own home. A small but great way to help for those who are interested.

In this New Year, Just Say NO!

Everyone has opened their gifts and started their returns. The tree and/or other festive decor has been recycled or is going back into its box in the basement. The eggnog and champagne was cleaned out. Family members have dispersed to their respective worlds, five pounds heavier.

The holidays are over….right? Actually, no.

The most wonderful time of the year is not officially over until the most unpleasant dessert of the year is gone – fruitcake.

In theory (fruit = yummy, cake = yummy, fruit + cake = yummier?), you would think that fruitcake tastes good. But no, I can’t even use full sentences when describing it: gross, sugar, candied fruit that shouldn’t be candied, hard cake, gag. As you can tell, I’m not a fan. I really enjoy desserts but not fruitcake. I think there should be a global ban against it.

For years I have held back my feelings in fear of being impolite to those who offered it. But I think the time for formalities is over. It’s not personal. Most of the people I know and have spoken with on this subject (you would be surprised) echo my dislike for fruitcake. In fact, there are many more like us and much to my delight, they have banded together to create antifruitcake.com

My sentiments exactly.

But the larger question here is, if everyone hates them, why is fruitcake still made? And why during a holiday time loved by so many?

I don’t have a legitimate answer, but my research on the origins of fruitcake confirm my thesis that – everything can somehow be blamed on the British.

Existing data is substandard at best because no researcher of sane mind really wants to explore this dark side of culinary innovation.

One source dates the fruitcake back to the Romans. But in the same section, credits (read: blames) the English for introducing it in the 1400s.

A second source confirms my blatant bias by writing:

“Modern fruitcake was born with an influx of cheap sugar that arrived in Europe from the Colonies in the 1500s, says Robert Sietsema, writing in the Village Voice.

‘Some goon discovered that fruit could be preserved by soaking it in successively greater concentrations of sugar,’ he wrote, not in the most appreciative tone. ‘Not only could native plums and cherries be conserved, but heretofore unavailable fruits were soon being imported in candied form from other parts of the world. Having so much sugar-laced fruit engendered the need to dispose of it in some way -- thus the fruitcake.’

Suddenly they were everywhere. Their ubiquitous nature spawned an 18th-century law in England restricting the consumption of fruitcake -- or plum cake, as it was called -- to Christmas, Easter, weddings, christenings and funerals. Eventually the other occasions fell by the wayside, leaving Christmas as the lone holiday with a link to the fruity cake".

If this doesn’t convince you of the perpetrators of this insanity, I don’t know what will. And there is already precedence for a ban!

In fairness, a few people have told me, “The ‘Indian’ fruitcake is good,” or “X version of the fruitcake is good.” To that I say: remnants of colonization. Or as a general rule, if it tastes good, then its not fruitcake.

So as we enter this new decade, and you desperately attempt to avoid the slice of fruitcake in your fridge, office, or in the tin canister with the bow that you “forgot” to open, think about a future ban on fruitcake.

For the sake of our children. It’s time.

And if I haven’t convinced you yet, I leave you with a few startling truths (I use this term loosely) from my new favorite website

• Orange dye used in candied fruit pieces comes from an enzyme extracted from mechanically deboned kittens

• Cherries used in fruitcakes are grown on clear-cut land formerly inhabited by koala bears, which are the biggest threat to cherry crops and are culled using clubs

• One 3-lb Cake produces the equivalent annual greenhouse gas emissions of a 1972 NYC Checker cab

Copenhagen Climate Summit - Might as well be walking on the sun

“…But if the offer is shun, you might as well be walking on the sun.”

Some of you might remember these lyrics from Smashmouth’s song, “Walkin on the Sun.”

Although the song is about something different, I am reminded of the chorus of this popular tune when thinking about the Global Climate Summit happening in Copenhagen.

I love the earth and nature. I planted two trees recently. I recycle. But I am by no means an expert on climate change or the environment. However recently for work, I was asked to monitor Copenhagen (that’s what folks refer to it as). And I got to tell you – WE ARE IN TROUBLE.

• Small island nations are screwed - their islands are already getting swallowed up slowly by the warming waters, their coral reefs are bleaching (=getting destroyed), and fish supplies are diminishing. They want the most stringent climate control measures possible. Makes sense.
• Developing countries have banded together (for the most part) demanding accountability (in climate measures and finance) from developed countries like the U.S., the Europeans, and Japan, who have pretty much done the most damage. But they don’t want to stray too far from the Kyoto Protocol which let them more off the hook in terms of emissions standards. Also makes sense.

“We, the developing countries... when we think in money, we should not think that someone is paying us a favour…We should not think that someone is giving something that we are begging for, because the money that would be put on the table is the payment for greenhouse emissions released over two centuries by those countries that industrialised themselves first."

- Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from BBC article

• India and China are taking the lead on demanding answerability from countries like the U.S. But as up-and-coming polluters because of their growing economies, China and India have a vested interest in not making climate controls too stringent or involving monitoring (China will not agree to monitoring) Okay.

• U.S., the Europeans, and Japan - they all agree that something needs to happen now and fast but there is a question of finance to poorer countries (how much) and emissions targets. And they want emerging economies like: China, India, Brazil to be held to the fire as well for taking strong climate measures and being monitored. I can understand from their view.
• U.S. and China have been playing the power game of “whose ______ is bigger?” which has been a significant barrier to progress in making a deal. Sorry I can’t relate.

• Finally, it is likely that NONE OF THIS WILL BE LEGALLY BINDING.

= WE, AS INHABITANTS OF THE PLANET, ARE IN BIG DOO-DOO

Now as I said, I’m not an expert so I could have gotten it all wrong.

More power to the developing world for tag-teaming it and standing up for their rights. Indeed, they are not responsible for the bulk of the damage that has already been done unto the earth.

But that does not diminish the reality of a warming climate. India, oh motherland of mine, you can stick it to the man, but without taking serious measures, you are going to be sticking it to your people (poor ppl first of course) and your over-populated but incredibly diverse and beautiful land!

In order to survive as a planet, we really need to start evolving from politics as usual. Is 2012 that far-fetched? I mean, people are already matter-of-factly speaking about different places going underwater soon.

I guess I should not arrive at a judgment before the summit actually ends. The media at Christmas time suggests that miracles do happen.

Yet I can’t help but feel the urge to start spending more time with nature, visiting beautiful ecosystems around the world in the next several years, while our “leaders” sort out how WE are going to save them...

Uncle Drinking in the Basement

I’m all for online dating, matchmaking sites. I have seen and heard of a lot of great people, including good friends of mine, find a wonderful partner and/or significant other via the web.

This build-up of course, is leading to a……..BUT

Enter Shady.com, officially known as Shaadi.com. Now envision a fifty-something Indian uncle sitting in a basement sipping a glass of Old Monk Rum or five, and creating the world’s largest (self-proclaimed) matrimonial online service for the Indian community.

First, let me clarify a few culture-specific usages for those unfamiliar:

• “Uncle” & “Aunty” - Most brown folks of the South Asian persuasion use these terms to refer to members of the community that are older and not necessarily blood related. It’s a title used for respect but not always a term of endearment.
• Shaadi – means wedding in Hindi (Indian language, not a religion, or ethnicity).
• Caste – Yes, I said it – you’ve probably heard it. It was/is a social system and hierarchy prevalent in India which seems more bad than good. The Wikipedia entry on Caste drives home the fact that at the very least, it is a super controversial topic.

I love and respect those I know who have found their future brides and grooms on shaadi.com. And here’s another….BUT, I was helping a friend get set-up on this site, and it rocked my world, in an, “are you joking?!!” kind of way. The front page looks all innocent and promising and then POW!

WHY IS CASTE A REQUIRED FIELD FOR REGISTRATION? No blank option. The only non-specific answers in the drop down menu are: I DON’T KNOW that could make you look like a moron or out of touch, and OTHER which has its own negative implications to some.

WHY IS THE DEFAULT FOR MOTHER’S OCCUPATION – HOMEMAKER? Absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I don’t think the father has that same default.

WHY DO PEOPLE STILL HAVE TO PUT DOWN COMPLEXION (lighter skin still translates to prettier even if you are unattractive) AND WHAT THE HELL DOES WHEATISH COMPLEXION MEAN?

All of this leads me to believe in a wise friend’s thought: that this site was actually created by an uncle drinking in his basement. An old school, traditional, conservative uncle. And when I say drinking, I don’t mean water. And when I say basement, I mean one of those bomb shelters that he must have been in for at least twenty years before we began to evolve some more.

Because clearly, from the incredible diversity of relationships across caste, class, race, religion, gender, etc, we know that you don’t have to be cut from the same cloth to be compatible. We also know that all the measures, requirements and criteria in the world do not guarantee a perfect match. Don't we?

And yet uncle, you still think its okay to make caste a required category to register to meet someone? Aren’t you just forcing a whole new generation to continue a practice that well, we aren’t shouting from the rooftops about?

Okay so one alcoholic uncle in a basement is probably not the mastermind behind this website.

BUT it’s less troubling than thinking about shady.com as the brain child of a group of uncles, with wheatish complexions drinking in the basement…

Of Death, Lists, and Art in Pittsburgh…..

Rather than bore you with my own musings, I thought I would subject you to the musings of others! These are things that I happened upon: on my own, by force (ie. via work related research), and through a friend, not in that order.

If I have intrigued you, then by all means, click the link and read more! Life is too short to say you don’t have the time. I hope any and/or all of it catches your fancy like it did for me.

• Happy Ending by Todd May = (essay/blog post from the NYtimes) (length – 2 scrolls with your mouse thingie)

At first glance the essay seems a little morbid. But actually it is incredibly thought provoking in its discussion about living and dying. Wonderfully written. My take away thought- we have to die in order to truly live. It is the idea that our lives will eventually come to an end that enables us to live with a certain degree of purpose. I’m curious to hear what you get from it. It’s the last post of an awesome column, blog, discussion or whatever hosted by the NY times. It’s called, “Happy Days: The Pursuit of What Matters in Troubled Times.” A dream blog I wish I knew about earlier!!

• We Like Lists Because We Don’t Want to Die = (interview w/ a famous Italian dude :) who is curating a new exhibition at the Louvre in Paris (think-tough life) (length – 2 pages worth)

Hmm it really seems like I’m obsessed with death doesn’t it? Well it’s either because I’ve hit that age OR that I don’t believe that discussion about death should be limited to the morose. Or I was just so inspired by the previous posting. You be the judge. While some parts of the interview are not that riveting, I have never ever thought about the role and importance of lists in a given culture before. Umberto Eco thinks their important enough to build an exhibit around. It could still seem boring but it’s absolutely fascinating for those of us who enjoy considering new ways of thinking about things. Thanks to my friend for shooting this over. She knows who she is.

• Bill Strickland makes change with a slide show = (TED talk/video) (length - ~35 minutes but worth every freaking second)

If you watch this, you’ll know that I’m not in a Goth phase. I don’t know how I got to this video. But that is probably what happens when you are still on your computer in the wee hours of the morning. Like crack. I love TED like crack, which could also explain it. Anyway, in my am delirium, I sent this link to a bunch of friends who probably saw the length, rolled their eyes, and said “one day.” Well after seeing it, after shedding tears while brimming with inspiration, I felt I needed to plug it again. It’s about how a man named Bill Strickland from a rough neighborhood in Pittsburgh is using his love for art and humanity to make a difference. I’m sure he is well known enough by now to have plenty of critics but it can’t take away from how special this talk was.

A Little Walking Never Hurt Nobody!

I enjoy walking. I really do. But I wasn’t counting on the amount of walking that I’m doing now!

The SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) workers in the city of brotherly love are ON STRIKE. Since Tuesday, November 3^rd, all buses, subway lines, trolleys and their operators have come to a bumpy halt.

That means in true working woman/grandma style, I carry a bag containing my work shoes to switch out from the sneakers I use for the 30-45-minute brisk walk to work.

I guess you could argue that this strike is good in that at the very least, it is forcing people whose signature dish is the philly cheesesteak, to walk more. But given the growing traffic volume and number of taxis dispatched, I think we found a way around that.

Now, this is the first time that I’ve been personally affected by a strike. In the past, I’ve only seen strikes and/or boycotts on television and have read about them occurring in a distant land or state. Being on the free-radical side of things, and given my parents’ socialist homeland, I’ve always thought myself a “power to the people” sort of person. Inquilab Zindabad (Long live the revolution) as the brown folk used to shout at the Brits.

BUT this little uprising in my backyard got me thinking more deeply about the other side of strikes. Are they always justified? How does it affect others apart from the evil boss man?

In this case, there are mixed reviews on if this strike is justified or not. The abridged version is that union workers were negotiating their contract and are not satisfied with what SEPTA management is bringing to the table, specifically by way of contributions to pensions. The Philly Examiner has a good update for specific details.

The Mayor, the Governor, SEPTA and a growing number of disgruntled commuters think that the union has been given an excellent offer in light of the economic climate. I should add that the offer includes a $1,250 bonus upon signing the contract. The general feeling is that the offer might not be great but hey, its better than what a lot of folks are getting right now. In fact, some Philly brothers and sisters are so annoyed that they are advocating for a protest in front of the union’s headquarters!

So, I can’t say if this strike is justified or not but I can say there is enough dissent within and outside of the union ranks to raise a few questions. A woman I work alongside even claimed that her uncle works for SEPTA and he didn’t even know about the strike until he got to work in the morning and the station was still locked. At the very least, it was poorly organized.

And to tell you the truth, I never thought too much about others affected by a strike before. Of course, there are the union members. But there are also workers that don’t have a car and have relied on public transportation to get to their jobs across the city, which they desperately need. There are seriously ill patients who need to see a doctor. Equally awful is that there are hundreds of children attending public schools in the city who depend on public buses and subways who are sh-- out of luck. The mayor says it’s the responsibility of the parents to get their children to school. Well how feasible is that directive for a single parent who now has double the commute to work without public transportation, and needs this job to provide for his or her family?

As much as I dislike dirty, dingy, urine-scented SEPTA facilities, as infuriating as it is to see an inexcusable lack of handicap accessibility, and as much as I feel the whole system should be burnt to the ground and rebuilt, I have also come to realize that there are people out there who will take what they can get.

I can’t say who is right or wrong in this strike situation, and I’m sure the devil is in the details of the contract. But who do you support as the strike evolves into the union people vs. the rest of the people, and has become an issue of worker’s rights on both sides?

I will definitely look at strikes and their dynamics differently from now on.

I will also don my sneakers without complaint come Monday, since other people in this city have a lot more to contend with.

I admit it. My glass is half-full

Molay is a bit of a movie enthusiast. Maybe that is a bit of an understatement. I watch all sorts of movies from You, Me, and Dupree to the Japanese film, Departures (whose music was fantastic). I don’t playa-hate on movie genres.

To defend what ends up being hours of time I could have spent on finding a solution to poverty, I often watch movies to observe the craft of storytelling and messaging. So in a weird way it is educational for me. That said, I admit that I’m not immune (read: I’m a sucker) for a good ol’ fashioned movie that pulls at the heartstrings and makes us want to root for the underdog.

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire is one such movie, that I’m eagerly anticipating.

But I find the response to my excitement in this film very interesting. Or at least telling of the way different people see the world. For those of you who haven’t heard the hype a la Oprah and Tyler Perry or seen the preview, here is a short summary from Film Jabber, which seems to be the same as the official one:

“Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She's pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother (Mo'Nique), a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write.

Precious may sometimes be down, but she is never out. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an inchoate but unshakeable sense that other possibilities exist for her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. Precious doesn’t know the meaning of "alternative," but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for...”

Now depending on our clichéd half-empty or half full view on life, you could see this as having the potential to be incredibly depressing or immensely uplifting.

Some people I have talked to ask me why I would want to clinically depress myself by watching something like that? Am I being morbid? Others are curious about the hype. But funny enough, no one who has expressed they want to see this to me, has suggested that it is because of the half-fullness they foresee in the story.

Is it because it is sort of weird to admit you want to see a more elevating story? I guess I can see that. I don’t think many people walk around saying they want to be inspired by watching Rudy. I know I don’t….yet…

But on the other end, its seems kind of unfortunate that its harder for us, myself included, to welcome inspiration more openly. Apart from the few motivational articles, videos, etc forwarded to me by friends, most of what I come across in a week are negative and hugely disheartening. The ceaseless fighting of politicians claiming to have our best interests in mind, the missing Caucasian child on CNN (sorry guys, its true), or imagery and language of the rest of the world crumbling (except India and China of course) because of civil strife and natural disasters - it is all dismal. And yes, I would include Jon & Kate plus 8 here also.

While I would never diminish the reality or seriousness of these situations, I find it hard to believe that there isn’t more good stuff happening out there. Hell, if a large chunk of the people I know are working towards the social good and for social change, there has to be a lot of great things happening out there. The question then becomes why aren’t we seeing it?

So without belaboring my point, and I think I have one, I really want to see movies, articles, tv shows like Precious (not to be confused by the creepy dude saying that in Lord of the Rings) and more like them because: I want to see the good in life and in the world and I refuse to settle for less.

I want to see her character getting a chance to make it despite her circumstances. I want to see more positive portrayals of minorities as heroes and inspiration in the mainstream, not just funny sidekicks. I want to cry but then smile.

And soon I will admit that I saw Rudy for the inspiration.