Facebooking Television

Each summer I have the goal, or maybe tradition is the right word, of watching a classic television series. This summer I picked "Cheers" and as the voices of Sam, Fraiser, Woody and Carla filled my apartment, I metaphorically pulled a bar stool up and joined the community.

One particular episode, "Get Your Kicks On Route 666," got me thinking about how with today's communication standards, that particular episode would have left the audience unfulfilled. Norm, Cliff, and Sam set out on the highway for a weekend trip and find themselves stuck on the side of the road due automotive issues. The episode continues as the men try to discover the issue with the car. After hours of searching for the problem, the men sulk into a midnight somber. They awake the next morning and only moments later find Norm coming over the sand dunes, on a golf cart to ask if they would like to go get breakfast from the resort where Norm slept after sneaking away from the guys as they slept at the car campsite.

The episode ended there. Simply, the end.

Did you just find yourself wondering how the rest of the trip went? What they had for breakfast? How the resort looked?

Do not pretend you did not wonder or find yourself curious, maybe even guessing or begging for more details. I will be the first to admit, I wondered how the rest of the trip went. In it engrained  in our mind, this is how we think now. Our instant gratification, need to know everything society has resulted in ruining an American classic and one of the few episodes that does not take place in the bar of "Cheers." Instead of enjoying the irony as the men walk back towards Boston and their beloved bar, I found myself questioning everything.

Unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that if "Cheers" were a show in today's reality, we would have a show where we followed Rebecca on each of her dates with Robin Colcord, her millionaire turned simple living boyfriend for three seasons; or were forced to watch Sam on his countless chases; or follow Cliff on his route.

As much as the Rebecca and Robin romance and then declining love kept the viewer captivated, viewers would have no need to go on each date and there is certainly no need to follow Cliff as he follows the Postmaster's Code of Conduct. If we were faced with the reality of being the third wheel , Cheers would have peaked in it's third season, as so many of our favorite modern shows have done; instead of running it's 11 beautiful seasons.  

What being an FJV means to me - an FJV?

Following my undergraduate career at Spring Hill College, I spent a year in service with Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC), where I was a Case Manager / Food Pantry Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator at Catholic Charities of Central Texas. Usually when I start to tell people about my position it takes a few minutes for them to process my title, let alone formulate questions about JVC and my job.

JVC: Austin 2010 - 2011 Community at Orientation in

August 2010, just outside Houston, Texas.

Simply put, JVC is an experience I would not trade for anything. Living with my four housemates, while we tackled social services in Austin is absolutely invaluable. And I am proud to say, that we are still all about serving others. Two of us are working on masters degrees in social work, another in
finance and the last two are working for city planning or non-profits.

But what I've recently discovered, is that there is something to being an FJV (former Jesuit Volunteer). Fortunately, for me, I have a dear friend, Emily, who is currently doing her second Jesuit Volunteer year in Portland, Oregon. So this weekend, I headed off to Portland to see her, her community and a college friend of ours, who also, happened to be in town. But what my trip helped to really discover was that part of my life philosophy, isn't being properly acknowledged.

Life is, at its most basic level, about being happy by giving yourself whole to helping others.

After having a mere panic attack believing that I was not making a difference in the world, I remembered my dear friends that missed this morning. Twice a week, I roll of my bed, find the floor and stumble to run group. 5:45 in the morning I begin my warmup and start walking. But I do not just walk with anyone, we have a Boston Marathon runner, a paralegal and a showroom manger at the Dallas World Trade Center. Wait a minute - overall, we sound like a regular run group; but we're better!

It does, indeed sound like I have runner's group pride; but it is more than that. I run with Back on My Feet (BoMF), "a national for-purpose 501(c)3 organization that uses running to help those experiencing homelessness change the way they see themselves so they can make real change in their lives that results in employment and independent living," according to the BoMF Website. Sounds easy enough, you volunteer doing what you do already - go for a daily walk or run. But there is so much more to Back on My Feet that that! 

On Veterans Day 2013, the four running teams that make up

the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of Back on My Feet gathered

together to acknowledge our veterans. The above individuals

are all veterans, who now live in Dallas area homeless shelters.

We run with people from all walks of life, we have veterans, former bus drivers, a former resident of
Louisiana; all with the drive, the desire and the sense of humor to change that can easily change how the world views it's homeless population. And they are doing just that, as more people hear about Back on My Feet, more people are learning how our homeless populations are not to viewed in worry, but as you would view any other person you meet.

But what may come as a surprise is that Back on my Feet also helps me. During my twice a week walk, I remember what "JV me" would do, believe and voice. Back on My Feet is my weekly retreat into my JV life; but, sadly, this took me over 10 months and a trip to Portland to realize.

In many ways, BoMF is my Dallas community and my space to remind me what's important in life - being someone else's community! I have a feeling that I will view each 5:45 morning just a little differently! 

School of the Americas 2012

This past weekend may have seemed stereotypical to those who know me, but I was reflecting a little bit more than usual. In 2009 & 2010, I had the absolute once-in-a-lifetime chance to go the Ignatian Family Teach-In and the School of the Americas (SOA) Vigil. Sadly this year, marks the second time I have been unable to make it to George. But for those able to make it, this weekend marks the 22nd time that people gathered outside the gates of Ft. Benning, Georgia to bring to light the actions of the SOA.

The following is an e-mail sent out from the School of the Americas Watch (SOAW) on this weekend. If you would like additional information on the SOA and the watch group, please check out the SOAW website.

THOUSANDS GATHERED AT THE GATES OF U.S. MILITARY BASE IN GEORGIA TO CLOSE THE SOA/WHINSEC

3-DAY MOBILIZATION CULMINATES WITH MASS DIE-IN AND FUNERAL PROCESSION TO COMMEMORATE THE VICTIMS OF SOA/ WHINSEC VIOLENCE AND U.S. MILITARIZATION

NASHUA CHANTAL, 60 OF AMERICUS, GEORGIA CROSSES OVER THE FENCE TO CARRY THE PROTEST ONTO THE MILITARY BASE, FACES SIX MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Columbus, Georgia - The largest annual anti-militarization gathering in North America took place in Columbus, Georgia, from November 16-18, 2012.

Nashua Chantal of Americus, Georgia, who stood in silence with the message 'Study war no more' painted across his face during the symbolic funeral march, crossed the line onto the military base. The base is home to the US Army School of the Americas, renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (SOA/WHINSEC) in 2001, a training facility that has turned out some of Latin America's most notorious killers and continues to be implicated in human rights abuses today. Nashua Chantal was arrested after he crossed over the barb-wired, and is currently in the custody of the military police. He will be arraigned in federal court and is facing up to six months in federal prison for his courageous act of civil disobedience.

The weekend included a massive rally on Saturday, where thousands came together at the gates of the School of the Americas (SOA/ WHINSEC), now named the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, and culminated on Sunday, November 18 with a mass die-in and funeral procession to commemorate the victims of SOA/ WHINSEC violence and U.S. militarization.

The weekend featured musicians like emma's revolution and Rebel Diaz, and international speakers like Francia Marquez from Colombia, Martin Almada from Paraguay, and Ismael Moreno from Honduras.

Francia Marquez, a leader from the Afro-Colombian gold-mining community of La Toma in southwestern Colombia, talked about how her community has struggled against political, economic and armed forces looking to control their hands and resources.

Martin Almada, a Paraguayan educator, talked about his experience as a political prisoner under the regime of Alfredo Stroessner. His wife died of a heart attack after being forced to hear through a telephone her husband's cries as he was tortured.

Ismael Moreno (known in Honduras as Father Melo), a Jesuit priest, radio host and contributor to Envio magazine, had his radio station occupied by the military following the SOA led military coup and he began receiving death threats.

Moreno's story shows how, even though the school changed its name in 2001 to WHINSEC, the graduates of this U.S. taxpayer-funded military school are still key players in human rights abuses throughout Latin America. 

Last week, on November 14, an SOA Watch delegation met with Denis McDonough, the National Deputy Security Advisor to President Obama in the White House, to ask that the SOA/WHINSEC be shut down by Executive Order. In January, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) will introduced legislation to suspend operations at the school and investigate human rights abuses in Latin America.

The SOA/WHINSEC is a U.S. taxpayer-funded military training school for Latin American soldiers, located at Fort Benning, Georgia. The school made headlines in 1996 when the Pentagon released training manuals used at the school that advocated torture, extortion and execution. Despite this, no independent investigation into the training facility has ever taken place. 

SOA Watch is a nonviolent grassroots movement that works to close the School of the Americas and change U.S. foreign policy towards Latin America. For more information, visit www.SOAW.org.

DMN Sounding Off Quote

For several months now I have attempted to answer the Sounding Off question for the NeighborsGo section of the Dallas Morning News. Below is this week's question and my answer. 

Question:
Some school districts, including Dallas ISD, have increased the number of magnet campuses, preparatory academies and special programs in recent years. What is your opinion on this trend? Should more schools consider these programs, or is a “traditional” school format the way to go?

Answer: For many students, the traditional public school structure works well and graduates of many DISD schools are able to become functioning members of society and in many cases successful individuals.

On the other hand, there are a portion of students that traditional school structure does not fit them best. It is for these students that magnet, prepartory academies and special programs need to exist. I work with students from the local magnet programs and I am continully impressed by their knowledge and ability to use their education.  

One day without shoes

This is the first year in several that I will not be able to fully participate in One Day Without Shoes, an international day in order to try to understand what millions of children encounter daily - a life without shoes.

Started by TOMS, a footwear and eyewear movement, people are asked to live their normal day, but without shoes. Not only is the day completely humbling, but for me it helps to put my life in perspective.

Imagine going through life without shoes - no matter where you are, there is dirt, rocks and not always the soft reprieve of grass, just imagine encountering all that without shoes. Each year I am able to challenge myself a little further and enjoy the day from a different perspective.

My first One Day Without Shoes I was on Spring Hill's campus. By that point in my college career I was vary familiar with the campus and knew what places what to avoid when I adventured barefoot. My lesson for that year was not only the pain that came through my body via my feet, but how many people who do not have shoes find themselves having to take circuitous routes in order to not injure themselves or worse become ill from the exposure their feet have endured.

My second time I was living in Austin, although familiar with the route I took to work - I decided to further challenge myself and only take public transportation that day. My roommate Pamela joined me for my second half of my day - where we walked from my work to the University of Texas to the Texas State Capitol and then took the city bus home.

Let's just say I know the secrets to crossing busy streets without shoes, I know that grass no matter how small the patch is an absolute gift and that I am very lucky to have my shoes - no matter which pair I am referencing.

I honestly encourage anyone and everyone who can to participate in One Day Without Shoes. If you can only participate for only one hour that is wonderful or if your life allows you to participate for the whole 24 hours I encourage you go that route. Do what you can and challenge yourself in new ways.

Starting last year, TOMS placed a portion of their website which is dedicated to helping organize people in different cities to walk together and advocate for people without shoes - the list of events can be found via the Day Without Shoes website.

Think you might be the only one with a desire to go sans shoes? According to the TOMS website and the 2012 One Day Without Shoes trailer people from over 25 countries and over 1,000 events were planed worldwide to bring about awareness.

But what I learned most about my Day(s) Without Shoes is that there is always a different perspective. For Americans we have grown-up with shoes, we put them on and go into the world, go to work, school or the store. For a majority of children in development nations, they go into the world without shoes, many denied access to schooling because of no shoes - now that's a different perspective.

So what will you do on April 10 this year? An adventure sans shoes might be a step in the right direction towards understanding what it is like to be in someone else's shoes. 

Who is there to follow?

Lead by example, a philosophy taught to many generations - watch your elders, for they know your pains and can help you. These are traditions that run deep in a variety of cultures, but is slowing seeping out of American culture.

Earlier this month, I spent the weekend among friends. As most of them are in academia full time, we discussed the decreasing rate of new professor hires. One lady in the group has been turned down from positions which she is more than qualified for, so that universities can hire the Ph.D. professors that were let go because of the economic downturn. As a result, many smaller colleges and universities are hiring only people who have been teaching for a while with PhDs. 

A further example of this can be seen in age discrimination. I have heard several stories where applicants have had to die their hair in order to appear younger and therefore a valid candidate for a position, in which they are clearly the best choice - except for the age limitation put on by current day society or by the company to which they are applying. One particular individual has since let their hair return back to its natural color and has experienced discrimination at work because of age. But what is truly bizarre is the previously mentioned individual is frequently contacted by his boss, a man in his late 20s / early 30s to answer questions - because the young boss is not prepared for his position.

Here is my question - If companies only hire young, fresh out of school employees and over qualified individuals, who will leave the company as soon as something better opens up - who will lead the examples for employees trying to learn and expand their knowledge?

An interesting point was brought to my attention this past weekend, that humility is no longer frequently found today, I made an immediate link that this is because young employees lack a leader, a mentor and someone to listen when they admit they have a question or are in need of help.

If companies continue to hire to over qualified and the too young employees, the competitive culture found in business environments will manifest itself into our everyday culture. There will no longer be people to mentor young employees, but instead society will create an even more 'dog eat dog' world, which ultimately could lead to a larger gap between high class and lower class members.

We all just want change

After a month of taking off from writing for my blog, a decision which left me searching for my creative juices, I was talking to a friend of mine about what my next blog should be about. Jokingly, my very modest friend said, “me.” Which was quickly followed by my questioning if the true subject should be her desire to change the world. It is at this point that she pointed out that change is everyone’s goal.

I told that anecdote for a reason, which I hope will be relieved later. Earlier today, I came across a Huffington Post article, which stated Barbara Bush’s very blunt opinion of American politics. During her recent visit to Southern Methodist University, the Former First Lady Bush said: "I hate the fact that people think 'compromise' is a dirty word."

In many ways she is right and it is that simple. Politics today are as messy, hurtful and broken as they are because politicians are trying to see our very colorful world in black and white, wrong or right - and it’s just not that simple.

There is no absolute right or absolute wrong, but instead one  should vote for which candidate most fits the dream and the goals you see for America. Politics got complicated way too fast, it is no longer about making changing or creating change.

Instead it has evolved into being the change. Are we that egotistical of a society? That only one person can create change?  Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

I still believe, probably naively, that everyone person who get into politics does it in hopes of creating change, even if that means with the assistance of others. So at what point does it become - Only I can change the world.

Once politics regresses into “we can change the world,” then and only then can change truly come and that dreadful would “we” can only come with the use of the bad word “compromise.”