I appreciate the (updated) saying by Ian Maclaren, “Be kind for everyone is fighting a hard battle.” In my own selfishness and ego I often unconsciously see others through the lens of “Are they helpful or hurtful?” If you are speeding in traffic and cut in front of me–hurtful, well, annoying. If you are the … More Be Kind!
“Our strategy should be not only to confront empire, but to lay siege to it. To deprive it of oxygen. To shame it. To mock it. With our art, our music, our literature, our stubbornness, our joy, our brilliance, our sheer relentlessness – and our ability to tell our own stories. Stories that are different … More Another world is not only possible, she is on her way
Let us reflect, in his name, how we can work toward the development of a beloved community. “The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community. The aftermath of nonviolence is redemption. The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation.”. –MLK Jr
Dear Santi, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you about radical belonging. Although it might not all make sense now (you were eleven at the time of this writing), I know that through the wild and adventurous life you will find your truths. First, relationship is everything. Every religion and faith come back … More Lessons of belonging for Santiago
“Sixty years ago we would be trying to kill each other instead of volunteering together.” My roommate at the orphanage in Honduras was named Niko and he was from Germany. The first night I moved in with him I wanted to clear the air. “Alright, Niko” I said, “Let’s lay out the stereotypes about Americans … More Making Amends
“All doubt, despair and fear become insignificant once the intention of life becomes love.” –Rumi
Cal Poly Magazine “In my sociology classes I describe the six global challenges in what some have called the penultimate moment of human existence — rising inequality, racial injustice, gender oppression, the pandemic, growing political authoritarianism, and the climate crisis. Ugh. But look at where we came from. There is no call to Make the … More Hope in Crisis
Please check out our recent article co-written by my dear friend Laura Olson.
Below is a heartbreaking video from the BBC attempting to answer this question. Two Hondurans share how they sent their children over the Mexico/US border alone so they may have a better life. ‘I sent my seven-year-old across the border alone’ – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-50866766
‘The best teacher will send you back to yourself… the greatest teacher knows they are only a temporal guide. Never the destination. Never the answer.” –Nayyirah Waheed
Ryan Alaniz, PhD 