So
much good news I can barely keep up. Last year at this time six states
and DC allowed gay marriage. The number of places with marriage equality
has more than doubled in just one year. And apparently Illinois is
next, can't wait to see which states take the plunge in 2014.
Take a
look at a map, there is an unbroken string of states, going from
Maryland to Maine (wake up Pennsylvania). And though
on the map it looks small, these states comprise a third of all people
living in the US.
The sad, or in this case, the happy fact of history is
that by having so many states enact such absolutist laws against gay
people, the only direction is up. There will only be more states
embracing equality, and those against it will be increasingly on the
defensive. So that's a reason to smile.
jeudi 28 août 2014
Weird Monday (originally posted on facebook 11/27/2013)
One
month from tomorrow I fly to Marrakesh to see my boo!! And also to eat
lamb and eggplant tagine and couscous royale. Luckily I have a super
busy December which means the month should go by pretty quickly. I will
be posting pictures soon from the music festival with a few words, so
hold tight. But I would also like to take this moment to tell you about
the interesting day I had on Monday.
So my project manager on the child protection project I am working on is an imam. And I accompanied him to a meeting to visit the federation of Koranic teachers where I was the only person in the meeting who was not an imam. The meeting was also held in Wolof, which, thanks to the large amount of French vocabulary and my three months of Wolof classes, I was able to take a few notes.
As weird as all of that seemed, the weirdest thing was what happened after. My supervisor dropped me off near the French high school because I was late for my choir rehearsal where I helped the tenors with their pronunciation of Girl from Ipanema. That was weird. Something that seemed so mundane in Paris, like going to choir rehearsal, seemed so out of the ordinary in Dakar. I am sure it will soon be apart of my new normal, I mean, fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly, this boy gotta sing, and a little piano in there too if the mood is right.
The night ended oddly as well. As I was waiting for a bus that never came, a woman who got into a taxi, told a bunch of people, if we were going her way, to get in. She paid for the taxi and spoke English, and told me she was neighbors with the founder of the Tostan. Small world.
So next week there is a big lobbying day in Dakar with the Koranic schools we work with throughout Senegal, a special visit with a partner from the US on the Heifer project, and my first real mission to visit all the regions where the Child Protection Project is in place to do follow-ups after the lobbying day. And then it's Marrakesh.
So my project manager on the child protection project I am working on is an imam. And I accompanied him to a meeting to visit the federation of Koranic teachers where I was the only person in the meeting who was not an imam. The meeting was also held in Wolof, which, thanks to the large amount of French vocabulary and my three months of Wolof classes, I was able to take a few notes.
As weird as all of that seemed, the weirdest thing was what happened after. My supervisor dropped me off near the French high school because I was late for my choir rehearsal where I helped the tenors with their pronunciation of Girl from Ipanema. That was weird. Something that seemed so mundane in Paris, like going to choir rehearsal, seemed so out of the ordinary in Dakar. I am sure it will soon be apart of my new normal, I mean, fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly, this boy gotta sing, and a little piano in there too if the mood is right.
The night ended oddly as well. As I was waiting for a bus that never came, a woman who got into a taxi, told a bunch of people, if we were going her way, to get in. She paid for the taxi and spoke English, and told me she was neighbors with the founder of the Tostan. Small world.
So next week there is a big lobbying day in Dakar with the Koranic schools we work with throughout Senegal, a special visit with a partner from the US on the Heifer project, and my first real mission to visit all the regions where the Child Protection Project is in place to do follow-ups after the lobbying day. And then it's Marrakesh.
Being a Polyglot and Catalan (originally posted on facebook 12/12/2013)
I just discovered a new website and read an
article about this amazing polyglot from Ireland, and his tips for
quickly learning languages. I loved his post about Barcelona and
Catalan, as I taught myself Catalan in a few months before a five
day trip to Barcelona 3 years ago. During my trip I was amazed at how well the
Catalans treated me when I spoke to them with my limited Catalan. It is very unusual for foreigners to speak the language, considering that many assume the language in Barcelona is only
Spanish.
Interestingly, during a visit to Senegal by these American doctors for my project a few months ago, I pointed out to a doctor that the clinic was funded by a Catalan NGO, and she asked me how I knew, and I said because the sign is in Catalan. Then she asked me if Catalan was a local language? I'll just let that sink in... But I digress.
I had an amazing time in Barcelona meeting lots of really nice locals, who by the way, have a reputation for being cold, at least from other Spaniards I met. Nothing could be further from the truth, people wanted to buy me drinks, show me to the nicer clubs, get me in without paying cover, have me over for pre-drinking, chastise their Spanish friends for living in Barcelona for years and not learning even the basics.
I stayed with my friend Mauricio and his girlfriend, from Valencia, and spoke Catalan. And then to my great surprise last week while in a bar I met a girl from Valencia and started speaking Catalan to her. She was so surprised and said that my Catalan was better than hers, she could understand but she spoke Spanish better. So she spoke to me in Spanish and I responded in Catalan.
His description of Catalan is spot on, it's exactly how I describe it when people ask me what it is like, and how I explain to people how I was able to pick it up so quickly.
"... imagine a triangle with French, Spanish and Italian on the ends, Catalan would be in the middle of that triangle... Spanish sentence rhythm, French vocabulary and Italian verb conjugation..."
I love this article and this guy's website, because it's all about giving tips on learning languages, but not sugarcoating the fact that it is hard work. And because he stole my idea of spending a summer in Barcelona. And how important it is not be afraid to make mistakes and speak whenever you get the chance. Nothing worth having comes easy. Just start talking in the language and someone will probably answer back.
Interestingly, during a visit to Senegal by these American doctors for my project a few months ago, I pointed out to a doctor that the clinic was funded by a Catalan NGO, and she asked me how I knew, and I said because the sign is in Catalan. Then she asked me if Catalan was a local language? I'll just let that sink in... But I digress.
I had an amazing time in Barcelona meeting lots of really nice locals, who by the way, have a reputation for being cold, at least from other Spaniards I met. Nothing could be further from the truth, people wanted to buy me drinks, show me to the nicer clubs, get me in without paying cover, have me over for pre-drinking, chastise their Spanish friends for living in Barcelona for years and not learning even the basics.
I stayed with my friend Mauricio and his girlfriend, from Valencia, and spoke Catalan. And then to my great surprise last week while in a bar I met a girl from Valencia and started speaking Catalan to her. She was so surprised and said that my Catalan was better than hers, she could understand but she spoke Spanish better. So she spoke to me in Spanish and I responded in Catalan.
His description of Catalan is spot on, it's exactly how I describe it when people ask me what it is like, and how I explain to people how I was able to pick it up so quickly.
"... imagine a triangle with French, Spanish and Italian on the ends, Catalan would be in the middle of that triangle... Spanish sentence rhythm, French vocabulary and Italian verb conjugation..."
I love this article and this guy's website, because it's all about giving tips on learning languages, but not sugarcoating the fact that it is hard work. And because he stole my idea of spending a summer in Barcelona. And how important it is not be afraid to make mistakes and speak whenever you get the chance. Nothing worth having comes easy. Just start talking in the language and someone will probably answer back.
Wealth Inequality, Failed Development and Language Learning (originally posted on facebook 12/18/2013)
I feel like time is just slowing to a crawl. I
guess this is what anticipation does to you, can't wait to go on my
mission and then Marrakesh!! But in the meantime I wanted to share two
links with everyone, because they really encapsulate two
important motivators in my life. One is the Ted Radio Hour discussing
the haves and have nots and the problem with development and wealth
inequality. And the other is why there is no excuse to not learn a
language, and as many as you want.
I have been very fortunate in my life and these two talks do a good job of explaining how. I have worked with amazing organizations and with people who have opened my eyes to not just injustice, but the ways that assistance can be unjust. That it is not enough to have your heart in the right place, and it is not true that something is better than nothing. The fact is, international aid, and local aid for that matter, done poorly can destroy people and communities. Only in assistance do we look at the failure of a "product" and blame the "customer".
The other talk goes a long way in explaining the so-called "gift" for languages, which I have never believed in, and almost take as an insult. The notion of a gift, not only acting as a convenient excuse for not learning a second language, completely negates all the work, the classes, the travel, the embarrassment, the loss of self, the uprooting of identity, the successes, and eventual acceptance that is all a part of learning languages. And as Benny explains, there are efficient ways of learning languages, and each person will have to find what works for them.
But much like development, the official way of learning is very inefficient. If you are serious about learning a foreign language, let this guy be your guru, and of course you can always ask me for tips. I promise you my answer won't be, you just have to have the gift. Please take a look and listen and leave comments about what you think.
I have been very fortunate in my life and these two talks do a good job of explaining how. I have worked with amazing organizations and with people who have opened my eyes to not just injustice, but the ways that assistance can be unjust. That it is not enough to have your heart in the right place, and it is not true that something is better than nothing. The fact is, international aid, and local aid for that matter, done poorly can destroy people and communities. Only in assistance do we look at the failure of a "product" and blame the "customer".
The other talk goes a long way in explaining the so-called "gift" for languages, which I have never believed in, and almost take as an insult. The notion of a gift, not only acting as a convenient excuse for not learning a second language, completely negates all the work, the classes, the travel, the embarrassment, the loss of self, the uprooting of identity, the successes, and eventual acceptance that is all a part of learning languages. And as Benny explains, there are efficient ways of learning languages, and each person will have to find what works for them.
But much like development, the official way of learning is very inefficient. If you are serious about learning a foreign language, let this guy be your guru, and of course you can always ask me for tips. I promise you my answer won't be, you just have to have the gift. Please take a look and listen and leave comments about what you think.
My Thoughts on International Development (originally posted on facebook 2/28/2014)
This
field mission has been intense. On the road the past 7 days, with no less
than 5 meetings a day in each location, and hours on bumpy roads. Right
now I am in Podor, in the Fouta. Last night the electricity went out and
we had to walk down this country desert road in the dark to find a
restaurant, I had my battery-less flashlight (perfect birthday gift) and
saw something moving in the sand. It was
a lime green scorpion. Crazy looking thing. Oumou, the only woman in
our entourage, took her shoe and killed it good, screaming, it must die.
Later as we were walking back to the hotel, still in pitch dark, I was
looking up at the stars and thinking how crazy my life is, and wondering
how I ended up in this desert backwater on the Mauritanian border with
three imams. Oumou asked me what I was thinking about and I told her, I
used to live in New York. Of course she said, and? All I meant was that
life takes crazy turns, I no more set out to live in New York than I
planned to be walking down a desert road killing scorpions, but there I
was.
She said it must have been impossible for me to imagine there were people living in a place like Podor. Which of course is true, but not entirely impossible, but then she said something I found to be quite profound, a woman who has devoted her life to helping the marginalized in her country to improve their lives. She told me, it is just as impossible for them to imagine how New Yorkers live, even if they wanted to live that way themselves, they do not know how. But she said it is important to know that no matter how people live they remain determined and hopeful that a better life is possible.
As I walked down that crumbling road in the dark looking at the stars and wondering if the electricity would return and why it had gone out in the first place, my mind wandered back to New York and the stark contrast of a city replete with lights and not a single star in the sky and I wondered what is the end game here? Is the goal of development to create New Yorks and Londons and Tokyos throughout the developing world? I like to imagine a day within my lifetime of a Dakar with glittering skyscrapers, underground transportation, smooth roads connecting cities and sleepy suburbs. Or is the goal to recognize the determination and the hope inherent in all people and provide access to knowledge and opportunities for them to latch on to?
This question is an existential one for me as I have committed my life to this work, and I still have a lot to learn. But I will likely be back in a place like New York, DC or London making decisions that will affect the lives of people who cannot imagine a place like New York, DC, or London, but I hope that when I am called to make those decisions I remember walking down a crumbling desert road in the dark looking up at all those stars.
Later as we were walking back to the hotel, still in pitch dark, I was
looking up at the stars and thinking how crazy my life is, and wondering
how I ended up in this desert backwater on the Mauritanian border with
three imams. Oumou asked me what I was thinking about and I told her, I
used to live in New York. Of course she said, and? All I meant was that
life takes crazy turns, I no more set out to live in New York than I
planned to be walking down a desert road killing scorpions, but there I
was. She said it must have been impossible for me to imagine there were people living in a place like Podor. Which of course is true, but not entirely impossible, but then she said something I found to be quite profound, a woman who has devoted her life to helping the marginalized in her country to improve their lives. She told me, it is just as impossible for them to imagine how New Yorkers live, even if they wanted to live that way themselves, they do not know how. But she said it is important to know that no matter how people live they remain determined and hopeful that a better life is possible.
As I walked down that crumbling road in the dark looking at the stars and wondering if the electricity would return and why it had gone out in the first place, my mind wandered back to New York and the stark contrast of a city replete with lights and not a single star in the sky and I wondered what is the end game here? Is the goal of development to create New Yorks and Londons and Tokyos throughout the developing world? I like to imagine a day within my lifetime of a Dakar with glittering skyscrapers, underground transportation, smooth roads connecting cities and sleepy suburbs. Or is the goal to recognize the determination and the hope inherent in all people and provide access to knowledge and opportunities for them to latch on to?
This question is an existential one for me as I have committed my life to this work, and I still have a lot to learn. But I will likely be back in a place like New York, DC or London making decisions that will affect the lives of people who cannot imagine a place like New York, DC, or London, but I hope that when I am called to make those decisions I remember walking down a crumbling desert road in the dark looking up at all those stars.
A Quick Rant about College Sports (originally posted on facebook 4/23/2014)
As if
I needed another reason to not like professional sports, but the more I
learn about college football and basketball the more irate I get.
Forgive the hyperbole but when black people were doing all the work and
white men were making all the money we called it slavery. Now we call it
education, but no one is getting educated, a few men are getting
astonishingly rich and college kids generating
the revenue are going to bed hungry. The people making out like bandits
are telling the kids and the public that for college athletes the focus
should be education
But college kids whose only chance of getting an education is to accept athletic scholarships end up in sporting programs where they are given no time to study, nor are there any expectations that they will learn anything. The whole educational system is complicit and private individuals end up becoming fabulously wealthy. This isn't a relationship completely free of coercion, but maybe slavery is hyperbolic, perhaps something closer to sharecropping. You're free, but you're not going anywhere.
But college kids whose only chance of getting an education is to accept athletic scholarships end up in sporting programs where they are given no time to study, nor are there any expectations that they will learn anything. The whole educational system is complicit and private individuals end up becoming fabulously wealthy. This isn't a relationship completely free of coercion, but maybe slavery is hyperbolic, perhaps something closer to sharecropping. You're free, but you're not going anywhere.
This Too Shall Pass: Finding Inspiration in Gospel Music (Originally posted on facebook 4/24/2014)
My
views on religion are no secret to anyone who knows me, but probably
less known is that there are times when I need inspiration and an anchor
to keep me focused so as not to get so caught up in my struggles I lose
sight of my path. There is nothing like a good gospel song to provide
the catharsis such a moment requires. Though I have never, and could
never, subscribe to the supernatural message
in gospel music, the themes common to the genre: that life is a
struggle but we have the strength (some would say from God), I would say
from within and from those around us, to persevere and that no matter
how low we may feel we always have so much more to be thankful for.
For me gospel is also inextricably linked to my family (probably the only musical genre we can all agree on) and my upbringing in a Southern home, mostly in the South. Wherever I am in the world, when I am feeling world-weary and off-center, gospel music is the perfect mix of inspiration and motivation, sprinkled with history and home; stability in my constantly changing world. A musical home cooked meal if you will.
Mika once commented after I started working at ATD, after a particularly low point in my life, he found it amazing how I stayed so optimistic and in relatively good spirits, during more than a year of unemployment. I think my upbringing and the message of gospel was instrumental. I remember as a child whenever someone asked someone at church how they were doing, if things were not going well they would still answer "I woke up this morning and I have my health". Sometimes just remembering you're healthy and alive is enough to motivate you to "find a way where there is no way".
I have probably listened, willingly, to more gospel over the past ten years then I did the the first two decades of my life; proving that often appreciation comes with age. Moreover, it comes when we are at our lowest. No surprise that I "discovered" the power of gospel when I was no longer under the protective wings of my parents and forging my own path in life.
Because in life a little rain must fall, there are those moments where we question, doubt, second guess and fret over our lives and our choices. Fortunate are those who have family, friends or lovers who can bear some of the load and to lend a sympathetic ear. But at night, when those doubts come creeping back, as they inevitably will, hearing someone sing "I have decided, I'm committed, that I'll run even though at times I may get lost" (Smokie Norful), somehow puts things in focus.
It is definitely not religion for me. But is it spirituality or perhaps a philosophy? I don't know, but the soundtrack is unmistakable, the same powerful soundtrack of slaves in the field, of my grandparents in the Jim Crow South, my parents working to give their children all the advantages in life they never had, and now me at a moment of self-doubt despite being on this incredible journey. There is nothing like gospel, songs of joy, hope and praise during such dark times to reassure me, that "he never gives you more than you can bear, this too shall pass" (Yolanda Adams).
For me gospel is also inextricably linked to my family (probably the only musical genre we can all agree on) and my upbringing in a Southern home, mostly in the South. Wherever I am in the world, when I am feeling world-weary and off-center, gospel music is the perfect mix of inspiration and motivation, sprinkled with history and home; stability in my constantly changing world. A musical home cooked meal if you will.
Mika once commented after I started working at ATD, after a particularly low point in my life, he found it amazing how I stayed so optimistic and in relatively good spirits, during more than a year of unemployment. I think my upbringing and the message of gospel was instrumental. I remember as a child whenever someone asked someone at church how they were doing, if things were not going well they would still answer "I woke up this morning and I have my health". Sometimes just remembering you're healthy and alive is enough to motivate you to "find a way where there is no way".
I have probably listened, willingly, to more gospel over the past ten years then I did the the first two decades of my life; proving that often appreciation comes with age. Moreover, it comes when we are at our lowest. No surprise that I "discovered" the power of gospel when I was no longer under the protective wings of my parents and forging my own path in life.
Because in life a little rain must fall, there are those moments where we question, doubt, second guess and fret over our lives and our choices. Fortunate are those who have family, friends or lovers who can bear some of the load and to lend a sympathetic ear. But at night, when those doubts come creeping back, as they inevitably will, hearing someone sing "I have decided, I'm committed, that I'll run even though at times I may get lost" (Smokie Norful), somehow puts things in focus.
It is definitely not religion for me. But is it spirituality or perhaps a philosophy? I don't know, but the soundtrack is unmistakable, the same powerful soundtrack of slaves in the field, of my grandparents in the Jim Crow South, my parents working to give their children all the advantages in life they never had, and now me at a moment of self-doubt despite being on this incredible journey. There is nothing like gospel, songs of joy, hope and praise during such dark times to reassure me, that "he never gives you more than you can bear, this too shall pass" (Yolanda Adams).
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