"It's Not a Democratic Issue or a Republican Issue. It's a People Issue."

I watched the documentary FLOW (For the Love of Water) the other day, and I was shocked, disturbed and frustrated, when I learned about some of the water issues WE are facing globally. One being water privatization. Various European water companies have taken over people's water rights by taking ownership of fresh water and zapping the resource out of various communities world wide. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have supported water privatization, and in extreme cases, they have forced water privatization in other countries which left people empty handed with no water supplies. Water is being coined "Blue Gold" and various elites are hoping to make a profit in this growing market.

"If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." Aboriginal Activist Groups, Queensland 1970's

In Chapter 5 of Community Practice, Hardcastle and Powers (2004), describe solidarity as a "circle of inclusion." In community building, solidarity works towards unifying people with differences in order to break barriers that internally separate communities and the people. Solidarity hopes to solidify friendship and trust to dissolve past judgements and increase acceptance between the people (Hardcastle and Powers, 2004). The concept of solidarity is so rich and powerful. I watched a short film on water, and it tied in the concept of solidarity beautifully. Check it out

This short video really got me thinking and it helped me realize I take some things, such as water, for granted. Viewing these videos was a humbling and grounding experience. I'm curious if water privatization would ever become a threat to Californians and possibly impact us in Humboldt County. There's already a lot of water being diverted this second. But, what would happen if these multinational corporations slipped through the cracks when we weren't paying attention? It's happened before, just look at the wars America is fighting. Those sort of...slipped through the cracks.

A Few Thoughts on an Evening With Friends

"Working in my garden or walking in the countryside, I have never come across anything in nature that is superfluous and does not fulfill a function. There seems to be no redundancy or unemployment in these natural worlds. Be it rock or plant, bird or tree, or even the bacteria within the soil, everything occupies a vital place in the dance of life." Michael Lindfield, The Dance of Change

"What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured." Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

I'm amazed of the opportunities before me. Stoked to be alive and constantly applying thought, experience, and feelings to my daily interactions. Inspired to be in this place and share my existence with others. This is all being felt now, as I digest the events of this evening. I attended a small dinner gathering to share a gift of food from others. A friend from Rosewood Farms, Arcata, California, brought a deer that was killed at her farm. Fresh kale was presented, so we could recognize the deer's food source and acknowledge the deeper interconnectedness of the web life. The table was filled with roasted peppers and corn, and a cabbage salad that was grown by Mountain Home Farm, Orleans, California. 90% of the food before us was grown, harvested and cooked by the people sharing this meal. Keeping it simple and local.
This experience brought up two different thoughts I would like to address.
Thought 1: Natural Helping Networks
This dinner gathering gave me a small glimpse of some of the assets and resources in Humboldt County, California. It also reminded of one of the readings I found in our textbook, Rural Social Work and Sustaining Community Assets (Scales and Streeter, 2004). In Chapter 6, Natural Helping Networks~Assets for Rural Communities, Watkins (2004)spoke of rural communities, and he believes rural communities will thrive and grow to be stronger. He also voiced that a balance between natural helping networks and institutional social services need to be found in rural communities. I'm personally a fan of the natural helpers, as I'm still skeptical of institutional social services (See post from 10/11/09, The Revolution Will Not Be Funded or Televised). I think there's a lot to be said about this area. We have various groups of people in this area who manage to pull things together on many different levels. I'm starting to realize how important it is to really examine all of the resources in an area to broaden the natural helping networks and to build a stronger community. Rural areas have a unique gift of close interconnected relationships, which leads to a 6 degrees of seperation. I believe a stronger shift to natural helping networks in Humboldt County would really be beneficial, as it would strengthen beliefs associated with supporting one another and supporting neighborly experiences, which has been so unique to this area for so long. One of my biggest wishes, and still is, if we could get some of the young bucks from the hills to buy into the community and participate in the ma and pa mentality and values that have kept this area so special. So, if you know any, spread the word and talk community.



Thought 2: Connections Feel...Good


"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." ~Chief Seattle, 1855



I felt blessed, to be connected with so many farmers and wonderful people. Each and every one of us offering a part of our self and the gifts we hold. Something really moving started as we began to "talk story," and I witnessed a golden thread interweave the people sitting in the room. Not only were we connected by the food experience, but we were finding a deeper connection by sharing, listening, empathizing, and understanding. Our web of life started to extend beyond our personal experiences and they started becoming a shared group experience. Our flow of stories evolved into a deep discussion on the adolescent years. What it was like and how adulthood seemed like a strange and bizarre transition with little meaning and sacredness. This morphed into ideas around our local community of Humboldt County and all the wonderful potential it holds. Energy built inside me as I heard other's discuss the need to re-establish community support for the youth of this area and the outer areas. We questioned how a rural area could establish a sense of belonging among the adults and youth. We explored the different ways this area could restore and rebuild an environment and culture that supports and harnesses young woman's or man's search in becoming an adult.The word was there. It was heard. And now it was out there. All of this, from talking story.

I feel so energized as I see my some of my hopes and what I believe are my soulful callings surface before me. I fully acknowledge and feel thankful of all that has evolved from this course. It has switched an internal switch that has been off for almost two years now. It's amazing how community can help facilitate change and support one in rediscovering and reclaiming their true self. Here's too a wonderful experience that has been stemming from the Community Practice course and all the energy that I've felt from the other blogs that bleed personal passions. My environment is beautiful and my community is constantly extending. I feel I'm a part of the web of life, in the natural world, with my friends, in the community, in society and in the Universe.

The Revolution Will Not Be Funded or Televised

"And what are our priorities? Perhaps the real problem is that we don’t spend enough time imagining what we want and then doing the work to sustain that vision. That is one of the fundamental ways the corporate-capitalist system tames us: by robbing us of our time and flooding us in a sea of bureaucratic red tape, which we are told is a necessary evil for guaranteeing our organization’s existence. We are too busy being told to market ourselves by pimping our communities’ poverty in proposals, selling “results” in reports and accounting for our finances in financial reviews." Adjoa Florência Jones de Almeida

I've been watching our office manager, Fernando, put long hours into his job. He's dedicated to fulfilling his daily responsibilities and he gets the tasks done. And that's what he keeps it to. One time Fernando said, "This is just my job. I do my work when I leave this office." When Fernando leaves his job, he starts working with his people. He's been an active person in various grassroots groups and gatherings in Humboldt County. He's currently developing an organization and writing an article on the the "Non-profit Industrial Complex." The concepts of the Non-profit Industrial Complex can be found in the book, The Revolution Will Not Be Funded. The book combines various articles and it examines how the Non-profit Industrial Complex, as a whole (political agendas and legal systems), constrains and even undermines work for radical social change. UTNE magazine posted some of the articles and wrote a short review. Click here to read more on UTNE's report.


Learning about the Non-profit Industrial Complex opened my eyes to something new. Most of my work experiences have been in non-profit organizations. My personal wants and desires to be an active mentor and community member in the lives of youth drove me to these organizations. From experiences in these organizations and agencies, I was shocked by some of the decisions my superiors made, the policies that formed the decisions and how a trickle down effect impacted the overall organization/agency culture.Understanding the depths of an agency has become an important lesson for me and there are various theories that can be applied to such analysis. The following 3 theories helped me understand the experiences I had in these organizations/agencies.
1.)Human relation theories- This theory focuses on the interpersonal relationships that occur in the work environments. Human relation theories emphasize that a positive work environment (worker satisfaction, morale, etc.) will lead to more productivity (Kirst-Ashman,2008).
2.)Cultural Perspective-Theory rooted in cultural perspectives will go on to say that values, beliefs and assumptions and expectations emerge from the relationships in an organization. Organization/agency culture forms. And, it's the culture that creates different habits in the agency. (Kirst-Ashman, 2008).
3.)Economics- Economics theory,focuses on profit and productivity and it evaluates how an organization can be the most efficient and cost effective.

So...let me take this through 1-3. I understand the power of relationships in the work place. I also understand that we all have different gifts and callings that brought us to our work environments, and because of this we take on different roles. So, it makes sense that we're going to disagree with one another, and chose to fight different battles here and there. However, I haven't seen a lot of battles fought in my time. It seems like getting along and feeling good in the work environment has become some happy drug taking behavior that soothes some of our worries. Maybe a temporary fix to the bigger problems that some of us feel in our work environments. I've noticed (in myself and heard from others) we never chose to fight, because we're hesitant stirring the pot. I've silenced myself in meetings and casual conversations, because some of my thoughts on the work culture can potentially stir the pot and contaminate the positive work environment. By doing so, I'm only contributing to the status quo (The Status Quo comes from Kurt Lewin's Field Theory, 1951). But that's okay, because everything is all good and I'm still fulfilling my purpose and I'm staying productive. Right? Well, I think wrong, because I'm only contributing to some system, driven by funding, which leads to a culture of productivity. I didn't sign up for social work to be productive. I signed up to be with people and that conflicts with this new system that I work in, The Non-profit Industrial Complex. And the Non-profit Industrial Complex exists, as this was seen in my Social Work Community Practice course, when we use Lewin's Forced Field Analysis and we discovered that funding was a major driving and restraining force in the analysis. So what do we do as social workers to create changes so we can still have job that the works WITH people?

Here's my belief. Northern California Social Workers, let's run to the hills and make it happen. But really, I think we can keep on moving and working with our callings in this field. I truly hope that we can continue to fight our personal battles and build new relationships (inner organizations, outer agencies and politically) that truly works WITH people so we can continue working WITH the people. So, I hope we don't take it personally, when that passionate person steps up to challenge conventional thought and ways, because they just might be fighting for us.

Here's a video related on this subject. It reminded me that I'm only a passive viewer, if I sit back and don't do anything.

Seeing is Believing

" Trees have from time immemorial been closely associated with magic. These stout members of the vegetable kingdom may stand for as long as a thousand years, and tower far above our mortal heads. As such they are symbols and keepers of unlimited power, longevity, and timelessness. An untouched forest, studded with trees of all ages, sizes and types, is more than a mysterious, magical place - it is one of the energy reservoirs of nature. Within its boundaries stand ancient and new sentinels, guardians of the universal force which has manifested on the the Earth ..."- Scott Cunningham, Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magick

"A tree uses what comes its way to nurture itself. By sinking its roots deeply into the earth, by accepting the rain that flows towards it, by reaching out to the sun,the tree perfects its character and becomes great. ... Absorb, absorb, absorb. That is the secret of the tree." Deng Ming-Dao, Everyday Tao, 1996

In class, the lecture and discussions from 9/29/2009 were energized by some images Professor Yellow Bird presented to the class. This seemed to be a controversial approach used by Professor Yellow Bird, because some of the images he used were very strong in nature and stirred some personal emotions and reactions from the class. Using images and other media (video, radio, television) are very effective tools to communicate to the masses. They can also be used as weapons to manipulate and misinform people. This is not a new concept for some of us.

I think it is so important to critically think about the images and information we are presented in our daily lives. Because, there's usually some one or some group delivering these messages. I also find it crucial to ask ourselves, "What's their intentions?" with an open and critical frame of mind?

Am I just preaching to the choir? I do want to sum up this experience with this: Look at images with no attachments! Maybe this is impossible, because we have thoughts rooted by so many belief structures. But try it some time. I practice seeing in nature. Sometimes there might be a symbol, message, sign or omen out there. Sometimes there's nothing and my mind can just rest for a moment and be present. And sometimes, I tap into creative thought and exercise underdeveloped parts of my brain. I started this post with an image of a fallen redwood tree (I'm aware attaching quotes seems hypocritical to my point of no attachments. I justified it, by thinking it would generate thought).

~I find our redwood forests to be so special and sacred. What an amazing resource and blessing to live with such ancient beings. As social workers and community members, I hope a natural setting could be used more as a neutral ground for community action and change.~

Challenging Conventional Thought

The topic of colonization, and Professor Yellow Bird's style with "decolonization" has generated a few thoughts for me. This all started from one of the readings by Michael Yellow Bird, On the Justice of Charging Buffalo: "Who Stole American Indians Studies?" (This article can be retrieved at: http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/wicazo_sa_review/v022/22.1yellow_bird.pdf). Yellow Bird suggests that "truth telling" scholarly practices are being restricted from the academic field, which is essentially limiting our ability and opportunities to think critically (2007). Yellow Bird uses the case between Ward Churchill and the University of Colorado throughout the article to support this belief. I learned that Churchill's publications and teachings were challenged and eliminated from University of Colorado, because Churchill's work went against the "political, academic, and public interests of those who are best served by U.S. imperialism" (Yellow Bird, 2007). The case between Churchill and the University of Colorado reminded me of a conversation I had with a co-worker a while back. In this conversation, my co-worker talked about an ex-professor, Manuel Callahan, of Humboldt State University. (http://www.humboldt.edu/~mc92/) Callahan received similar criticisms on his teaching practices at HSU. In the eyes of other professionals, Callahan was considered to be too radical at HSU, because he openly spoke against and challenged the norms of conventional thought. It seems like the Churchills and Callahans are controversial due to their provocative styles in the academic field. It seems like their non-conforming beliefs and their critical minds are not welcomed. It seems like toning down a message has become the norm and just another attempt to form some type of conforming.


Kevin Tillman Hits A Home Run!!! Now That's Patriotic!

"Somehow being politically informed, diligent, and skeptical has been replaced by apathy through active ignorance…In a democracy, the policy of the leaders is the policy of the people. So don’t be shocked when our grand kids bury much of this generation as traitors to the nation, to the world and to humanity. Most likely, they will come to know that “somehow” was nurtured by fear, insecurity and indifference, leaving the country vulnerable to unchecked, unchallenged parasites. " Kevin Tillman
So, thinking about the Churchill's and Callahan's has stirred some unsettling thoughts. This all got me thinking...Who's inspired and provoked some stimulating thoughts for me? Kevin Tillman was the first person to pop into my head. KevinTillman (writer, army ranger, ex-professional baseball player, and brother and friend of Pat Tillman) delivered a very powerful document about 3 years ago before the 2006 elections. In his document, Kevin speaks loudly against the Iraq and Afghanistan war crimes. He challenges American patriotism that has led to a culture of comfort, tolerance and ignorance. He screams out loud, hoping that we will all wake up and do something.
Video Clip on Kevin Tillman's Article Here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3934952936303661485&ei=WkHESvXwOJjqqwLXs4jhBg&q=kevin+tillman&hl=en


Link to Kevin Tillman's Article Here: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/200601019_after_pats_birthday/

Salt of the Earth

The movie, Salt of the Earth, stimulated some great personal thoughts and class discussions. This movie was filmed in 1953 by a group of "blacklisted" professionals working in the Hollywood film industry. The film tells a story of a small mining community faced with a variety of social challenges that were rooted by the abuse and misuse of power. Salt of the Earth delivers a powerful message that reinforces that humankind are resilient, and they can fully overcome dominating and oppressive forces by organizing as a community and freeing one self from conventional roles. Watch the Salt of the Earth

Professor Catherine Lavender of The College of Staten Island of The City University of New York prepared a small write up on Salt of the Earth for one of her classes in 2000. Professor Lavender reviews some of the socio-political dynamics during the 1950's. I was shocked to read about "Operation Wetback," which was a government program that deported "illegal" Mexican immigrants. Now, does anybody remember the ICE raids in California and other parts of the country? ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is made of "fugitive response teams" who justify their behaviors by deporting undocumented immigrant "criminals." However, this has not been the case with the raids and innocent people have been detained by ICE. Families have been separated, and loved ones (especially children) have witnessed armed agents come into their homes (a place of sanctuary and safety) and use aggression and violence to detain their family. I imagine this would be very scary and a traumatic experience. How long is history going to repeat itself? How do the people in power continue to get away with dominating the masses? Fear might have something to do with it. And, I believe it's our culture of comfort and apathy that also contributes to socio-political passivity.

Accion Zapatista

To leave this on a positive note and offer some hope on this matter, I would like to introduce a group of local activist and community organizers ~ Accion Zapatista (AZ). AZ has been committed to working with people on a grass roots level. They empowered the local families in Humboldt County, who have been impacted by the ICE raids. AZ and the survivors of the ICE raids raised money so they can be represented in court. Also, AZ has put on various cultural events to promote healing in the Mexican community of Humboldt County and generate action and activism locally.

To get learn more about AZ visit their website by clicking the image below.

The Call of the Wild

"Have you gazed on naked grandeur where there's nothing else to gaze on, Set pieces and drop-curtain scenes galore,
Big mountains heaved to heaven, which the blinding sunsets blazon, Black canyons where the rapids rip and roar?
Have you swept the visioned valley with the green stream streaking through it, Searched the Vastness for a something you have lost?
Have you strung your soul to silence? Then for God's sake go and do it; Hear the challenge, learn the lesson, pay the cost.
Have you wandered in the wilderness, the sagebrush desolation, The bunch-grass levels where the cattle graze?
Have you whistled bits of rag-time at the end of all creation, And learned to know the desert's little ways?
Have you camped upon the foothills, have you galloped o'er the ranges, Have you roamed the arid sun-lands through and through?
Have you chummed up with the mesa? Do you know its moods and changes? Then listen to the Wild -- it's calling you.
Have you known the Great White Silence, not a snow-gemmed twig aquiver? (Eternal truths that shame our soothing lies.)
Have you broken trail on snowshoes? mushed your huskies up the river, Dared the unknown, led the way, and clutched the prize?
Have you marked the map's void spaces, mingled with the mongrel races, Felt the savage strength of brute in every thew?
And though grim as hell the worst is, can you round it off with curses? Then hearken to the Wild -- it's wanting you.
Have you suffered, starved and triumphed, groveled down, yet grasped at glory, Grown bigger in the bigness of the whole?
"Done things" just for the doing, letting babblers tell the story, Seeing through the nice veneer the naked soul?
Have you seen God in His splendors, heard the text that nature renders?(You'll never hear it in the family pew.)
The simple things, the true things, the silent men who do things --Then listen to the Wild -- it's calling you.
They have cradled you in custom, they have primed you with their preaching, They have soaked you in convention through and through;
They have put you in a showcase; you're a credit to their teaching -- But can't you hear the Wild? -- it's calling you.
Let us probe the silent places, let us seek what luck betide us; Let us journey to a lonely land I know.
There's a whisper on the night-wind, there's a star agleam to guide us, And the Wild is calling, calling . . . let us go."

Robert William Frost



During one of our lectures, Professor Yellow Bird asked us, "what was your calling to social work?" Two years ago, my calling was singing a sweet melody I could dance to. I wanted to venture off into the wild and work with teens in a wilderness setting, hoping they would find healing and guidance from nature. In my calling I could hear girls/boys transforming into young women/men, as their community applauded them during this transition. ~ I'm hoping that we can all create a community where rites of passages are used to celebrate and honor children's growth and callings. I think reconnecting to nature and exploring the wilderness is one of the best ways to clear our minds and free ourselves from the busi~ness of every day life and distractions. I believe in long solos in the wilderness and think this practice will help us re-discover and re-claim our true potentials.

Joseph Campbell's, The Hero's Journey, is one of the models of personal change that I like to use in my work and I hope to continue using this model in community social work. I was first introduced to Joseph Campbell's work by a man named Bret Stephenson M.A. Bret has a website where he shares some of his personal pieces. If you're interseted in ancient mythologies and practices being applied to adolescents in contemporary America, check out: http://adolescentmind.com/home-page.html