A Memo: On How NOT to Inspire A Revolution

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A Memorandum: On How NOT To Inspire A Revolution

To: The Supreme Leader & Co.

From: A little girl with a big voice

Judging from your actions leading up to and following the recent elections in the great Islamic Republic of Iran, I can’t help but believe that you must have somehow missed the memo on how to effectively avoid a revolution these days. Since nobody wants to see total chaos + anarchy—and with both quickly ensuing—I felt compelled to make sure you got this very important one ASAP.

You simply must have missed that memo. Why else would you done so many self-sabotaging things in such a short span of time? Just FYI: Avoiding revolution + a coup d’état doesn’t usually involve apparently sloppily skewing election results (Really, did you have to make Ahmadinejad win by THAT large a margin?).

“Avoiding Revolution For Dummies” also doesn’t involve additional clamping down on freedom of speech two weeks before voting day. Why, for goodness’ sake, did you have to choose censorship of Facebook, which excepting Twitter, is THE most popular media topic on the planet? You have to be aware the Facebook is akin to online crack for young people, which make up 60% of your population? Oh well, maybe you missed that memo too. Shutting down Facebook? Bet you wish you could get a re-do on that one. Not shutting down Twitter as well? Well, enough said. We all have our off days.

While we’re on the topic of poor strategic decisions, here are some additional things you might want to avoid: Shutting out and/or arresting respected foreign journalists covering protests (It reeks of corruption, desperation + something to hide), arresting the daughters of respected clergy/government leaders who brought you to power and/or allowing your military + paramilitary forces to injure or kill women* (people will rally around the safety of women, which is hard to believe I know, seeing as we are “inferior”), tear gas, dropping chemicals on your own people from helicopters (Is it really wise to sink to the level of Saddam Hussein?), not allowing people to peacefully assemble (because denying their right to express their dissent is the PERFECT way to weaken their resolve to fight the status quo), and last—though certainly not least—placing all your eggs in one increasingly unpopular + alienating basket (i.e. backing Ahmadinejad come hell or high water is probably NOT your best bet considering the rising dissatisfaction with his record within the Iranian populous and leadership–not to mention he isn’t your most beloved politician after this whole botched election thing).

Still, I fear this memo may be coming a bit late for you. And since you keep shutting down cell service, valid ISPs, and are hacking around Twitter like a 14-year-old techie genius with something to prove, you might miss this one as well. Frankly, considering the major blunders of the past few weeks (or 30 years, depending on how you look at it)—not to mention your atrocious record on women’s rights, freedom of speech, political transparency and international hate-mongering—I’m not sure you are up to the task of ruling a nation of such historical importance, cultural imminence and future potential. Perhaps it is time for a change in Iran. Perhaps, it just might (maybe!) be time to listen to the voices of the people rather than your own fears. I firmly believe in granting each of us equal opportunity. Unfortunately you may have just missed yours.

* This is especially important considering the high numbers of cameras in the streets capable of capturing such atrocities, spreading the video across the world and hardly earning any sympathy for your cause. It’s just a thought.

Tutu-isms: Yes I Will Gladly Stand Up Next To You…

15tue_hhdl-adt_12x8Evidently the Dalai Lama is a mischievous little holy man. So says Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. And if anyone knows, it’s probably him. If you really want to know, the man struck me as pretty mischievous himself.

But celebrity tidbits about The 14th incarnation of the Dalai Lama and Kofi Annan aren’t really what Monday night’s event at the University of Portland was all about. Even the supposed theme of “reconciliation” was not the root of the thing.  Nope, Monday night Rev. Tutu was talking about something that goes beyond reconciliation, though it certainly needs it in order to thrive. That something, my friends, is community.

Like I said, community can’t thrive without reconciliation, so it’s not like they lied about the night’s topic, but I felt that Tutu was really only interested in reconciliation, because it facilitates community relationships—whether the community is just you and your spouse or you and 6 Billion other human beings.

And by the way—Tutu has some pretty hilarious things to say about marriage. If he wasn’t ridiculously talented at being a clergyman, I’d say he should go on tour as a comedian. He’d bring down the house. I snorted—no lie—multiple times.

Back to community though. Tutu had some extremely poignant and relevant things to say about community building. He spoke about the amazing turn of events in South Africa and Northern Ireland. He mentioned the ongoing healing processes in Rwanda, and Kosovo. He talked about his hopes for Israel and Palestine. But in truth, it was a comment about Canada that has been stuck in my mind all week.  When asked about the effect of Obama’s election on world politics and peace efforts, Tutu answered, “Well, you aren’t Canadians anymore, are you?”

No we aren’t. And (no offense to our wonderful neighbors up North) we no longer want to be. Instead of avoiding conversation on our point of origin like the H1N1 Virus (i.e. Swine Flu), we now put it out there like a Cowboys fan on Super Bowl Sunday. We’re rustling our pom-pom and pointing it out to everyone, like, “LOOK WHAT WE DID!!!” We’re proud of ourselves damn it.

It’s been awhile since the majority of Americans have been proud about anything—well at least the same thing, all together, at once.  In the 9/11 aftermath, we drove around with signs and bumper stickers on our cars. We wrote songs about our supposed pride and the “American Way” of dealing with people who didn’t like us (though I personally don’t think sticking a boot up anyone’s ass does much at all, thank you very much Toby). It was all rather forced. More than a little contrived.  It wasn’t real, because it wasn’t based in confidence—it was based in fear. Kind of like the adage, “if you have to say it, it probably isn’t true.”

I certainly wasn’t proud to be an American at that time (that doesn’t mean I wasn’t proud of the values our nation was built upon–THEY kick ass!). I was unabashedly ashamed that we had bullied our way into getting bombed. Not that it makes the 9/11 bombings right or any less horrible. It actually makes it worse, because innocent people had to pay for the anger our government fostered in the world for the past 40 years.

That was almost 10 years ago. Today we’re actually ARE proud to stand up next to our fellow Americans and proclaim our citizenship—though we’ve still got work to do. There’s a lot of mess to be cleaned up and it won’t get done in anything close to resembling a flash. Taking the first steps together is important and momentous, but supporting each other with understanding and loyalty to the community good is the only way that we are going to have the strength to finish the job. To do that, we’ve got to reconcile our past and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Sorry to pull out the religious language on you—but it’s pretty damn relevant if you ask this little girl. Maybe that Jesus dude had a point about that. Desmond Tutu certainly did.

What Happens When People Stop Being “Experienced” And Start Being Real?

Can you believe there are online newspapers out there still not linking to things in their articles? Come ON people! And you wonder why your paper is headed to join the dinosaurs.

The same goes for so many other industries out there. Banks. HMOs. Universities. You name it. The world has made their system irrelevant, yet they still cling to the established way of doing things. A way that doesn’t seem to work anymore, yet we still need the service they offer. We NEED good news. We NEED a good (and ethical) financial system. We NEED good hospitals and a strong education system.

So it seriously gets to me that these people–the ones who DON’T get it–are the ones still in charge, making decisions and running their businesses into the ground so that their companies are not only unable to fulfill the needs of the consumer, but so that they can’t afford to hire the talent that could save their ass either. It just blows my mind that they still don’t get it–it isn’t that hard.

Or maybe it is. Maybe the generational gap between the baby boomers and Generation Why The Hell Are You Leaving Me To Deal With This Mess You’ve Made has finally solidified.

Since moving up to Portland I’ve been out and about, networking and trying to learn everything I can about new media, the next wave of communication and how to ride it.

The surprising part is that I already know most of this shit.

Crazy.

Of course that doesn’t mean that I’m not learning hella. I’ve been sucking up knowledge like an industrial strength Dyson. Hoping that it lands me a job from some Baby Boomer w/a salary to give away to someone who can navigate the social media circuit for them.

I’ve been doing the right thing, but for the wrong reasons.

And then, about 15 minutes ago, sitting at Stumptown on Division, with my good friend Miss Lamb, I realized that I needed to take the advice I was in mid-sentence of giving her: Screw the establishment. Stop trying to play by someone else’s rules and write your own using the talents you were given, the skills you have honed and the innate audacity that won’t let you be satisfied with ending up average, mediocre and bored. It’s time to step up and be the Era Extraordinary rather than just talk about it abstractly on your website.

I’ve come to this conclusion before. It’s been simmering for awhile now. And it’s funny, because “Damn the Man” is a lesson my parents learned for the world and then sold their souls to corporate America for a quick buck, lower inflation and cheaper gas prices.

Well I’ll take the buck, but I’ll be keeping my soul thanks. As good ol’ Franky used to croon, “I’m doing it my way.”

And now all I have to do is figure out is what the hell “my way” is. Oh yeah, and how that manifests itself outside of this post in that thing we like to call the “Real World.” Shouldn’t be THAT hard right?

I think I’m going to need another latte.

The New Green Fashion Scene

Have I mentioned I love Portland? I mean, what’s not to love about a city who centers its fashion week around green and sustainable digs? Now, I know it might seem kind of silly to some that Portland would even attempt to hold a fashion week. To you I say: Get your noses out of the air. Portland isn’t Milan or Paris. It never has been. Never tried to be. Doesn’t want to be.

What Portland does want is to be known for being a sophisticated, sexy, banging Green metropolis (ranked number one again, what?!?!!?). And we’ve got our own brand of style that goes right along with that. An eco-focused fashion week is well within the branding model. Add to that: proceeds go to the Children’s Cancer Association, emphasizing another Portland creedo–giving back to the community. Totally legit mega bang for your buck.

The only downside that I can see right now is that the seventh annual Portland Fashion Week is still six months away. I don’t want to wait that long, damn it!!! However, since the world most decidedly does not revolve around me, I suppose I’ll have to delight myself with getting to know the organizers–Tito Chowdhury and Chris Cone–in hopes of landing an interview come runway time. I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting Tito (who told me all about the event and got me super revved up about it–GOOD PR SKILLS!!!) and I just want to end this post by plugging a cause he’s championing.

You see Tito understands that first lady Michelle Obama has got it going on and that she’s smart cookie as well. She gets the importance of organic nutrition and gave supporters of that movement the nod by planting an organic victory garden on the White House front lawn (which I took obvious pleasure in, seeing as I posted twice about it). Tito wants her to take her commitment (and presumably the Obama Administration’s commitment) to the next level. FASHION. Check his Facebook cause page and join the campaign (he’s trying to get 200 members! Don’t you want to be the magic No.200???)

The First Lady has long been a symbol of style for American women. Michelle Obama has the potential to be a new-age Jackie O. with the kind of coverage she gets for her designer choices. Tito just wants her to make conscious choices and throw in designers who are creating sustainable and responsible clothing that is also hot to trot. Can you pick out which of the clothing items below are “green?”

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Unless you picked all of them, you won’t be winning any door prizes tonight. But that’s OK. I just wanted to make a point. Green fashion isn’t synonomous with yoga wear and nuetral colors anymore (not that any of that is bad! I love me some Lucy yoga apparel! I’m just saying that we’ve broadened the artistic landscape with positive results). Now we can have bright colors, edgy design and you would never know that the inner workings–the fabrics, the dyes and the labor are all eco-friendly and responsible. Damn. We’ve come a long way, haven’t we!

So check out Portland Fashion Week. And if you live in the area, make sure you come and support our local scene, designers and the Children’s Cancer Association. You know I’ll be there, in all my Green Glory!

Updates!!!

Michelle Obama Breaks Ground At the White House Garden (Photo Credit: AP)

Michelle Obama Breaks Ground At the White House Garden (Photo Credit: AP) Two quick updates for you and then I've got to run

Two quick updates for you and then I’ve got to run!

1) Good news people! Michelle Obama broke ground on an Organic White House Victory Garden earlier this week. Hollaaaaaaaaa!!!!! I’m super stoked about the fact that our First family really gets the importance of organic produce and the meaningful bounty that comes from working the soil with one’s own hands. MAJOR kudos!!!

2) World Water Day Portland is today. Come out and join us at 5:00PM for a showing of the Academy Award Winning documentary, FLOW!!! We’ll be at the World Trade Center downtown and looking forward to seeing you there! Visit www.worldwaterdaypdx.com for specifics.

How To Take One For The Team

Whew! OK, I’m back. Life has been throwing punches for the past two weeks and I’ve been playing defense and offense on all fronts! But I want to share with you something I’ve been learning a lot about since our economy started struggling and since I’ve spent more time in Portland (where the community is very focused and loyal to local businesses and culture). It’s a really simple concept.

We’re all in this together.

“This” being life.

“This” being a recession.

“This” being global warming.

“This” being our community.

I was watching the 1954 Japanese classic, The Seven Samurai, and one scene in particular hit me over the head with an “AH HA!!!” brick.

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

If you’ve seen the movie, you might remember the scene that did it. The Samurai are meeting with the villagers–who have hired them to protect their community from bandits during the harvest–and laying out their strategy for defeating the bandits and preserving the year’s crop, therefore saving the village from rape, plunder and ruin. Most of the houses are within the moat they are planning to build for protection, but a few are not. The Samurai break the news that in order to save the majority of the village, the villagers must sacrifice those outlying homes. They also demand that each villager must always be fighting to save the whole community rather than just themselves.

Obviously the peasant owners of the forsaken homes are none-to-thrilled about this. They immediately go into I/Me/Mine mode.

Why is that dude’s home any more important than MINE!? What about ME?! I deserve to have my home saved too!

The few disenfranchised villagers try and separate from the group. They throw down their spears and refuse to help in the common goal of saving the village. They are so absorbed in their own anger and pain that they fail to see that in refusing to save the whole–and instead only fending for themselves–they will not only still lose their homes to the bandits (who will have no trouble overcoming a few peasants), but that they would weaken the ability of the village to save the rest of the homes. Their selfishness takes the situation from a lose-win to a lose-lose.

While a lose-win situation is not ideal, it’s a helluva lot better than a lose-lose.

Lose-win means somebody will have the resources to help you rebound.

Lose-lose means we’re all screwed together.

I believe we’re at that point in history. We’ve got to make the decision. Is it “all for one and one for all?” Or are we too self-absorbed at this point to care whether our neighbors and brothers succeed despite our own struggle and loss.

Some of us are the villagers who are going to lose their “homes” (whether literally or figuratively). Some of us are already there.

But does that mean we should throw down our spears and refuse to put what remains of our energy and resources into saving our country and planet?

If you throw down your spear then you are doing two things. First, you’re hurting your own chances for recovery. You get what you give. Give nothing and chances are you’ll get no support in return. Second, you’re also hurting my chances at survival.  And those of that high school senior in Virginia who wants to be the first person in her family to go to college. And the couple hoping they’ll be able to afford to pay the bills for their sick child on only one income. And the recently homeless man on the corner just hoping for a hot meal and a warm bed.

Reality check: We will all be affected in some less-than-desirable way by the challenges we are facing as a country and a species. But the only way Americans and humanity will rise above those challenges is to tackle them together. Notice I didn’t say unscathed. You WILL take some hits. But will you take one for your fellow human being? For the team, so-to-speak? That’s the test humanity is up against right now. If we can’t, we aren’t going to last much longer. And I don’t know about you, but that’s not how I’d like history to unfold.

We’re all in this together. So let’s suck it up and start acting like the “civilized”, “rational” humans we are.

V is for Victory!

O.K., I’ve gotten over my little cover letter tantrum. Despite my best efforts, I constantly have to hit myself over the head with the “Get over yourself” stick. Maybe it’s a part of being a member of Generation ME, MINE & Co.  Regardless, I really appreciate the support everyone showed me concerning this issue!

But you know what? There are more important things going on in the world than my frustrations with the job market. That’s a big deal for sure, with more and more Americans being laid off everyday, but instead of complain about it, how about buckling down and doing something that will save you some money and help save the world in the process?

Interested? Read on!

Today, I want to expand the discussion on food security that I’ve touched on in previous posts. It’s a BIG, COMPLEX and SCARY issue. One that’s daunting to learn about. I get freaked out thinking about all the things being done behind our backs by industrialized agri-business. My guess is that you would or do too. But while you might believe in organics and eating local philosophically and/or invest in them during better economic times, with our collective belts being tightened, many Americans are giving up this “luxury” to save short term dollars at the expense of long-term health. I get it. TRUST ME! I’m not rolling in the Benjamins either, but I know that neither you nor I can afford to give up on organic, sustainable farming.

Because by long-term health, I’m not just talking about our bodies. That’s a big one of course. The most immediate consequence, for sure. But I’m also talking about the health of the environment and the health of society. Losing control and input into how our food is grown is the last thing we want happening, yet it’s already slipping quickly from our grasp. And as Wes Jackson mentioned, the day when food is so scarce that even a million dollars won’t buy you an apple is NOT a place we want to end up.

The good news? We aren’t there yet. And we can still stop the car and turn around. So brace yourself for the brakes. We’re getting old school with this one and bringing back the Victory Garden theory that helped Americans keep food on their plates during World War II.

I saw this vid, by Kitchen Gardeners International’s Co-Founder Roger Doiron, on Anthony Anderson’s (a.k.a. The Raw Model) website and just had to pass it along to you. Quite inspiring really. Way to use your voice Roger! And thanks Anthony for spreading it around.

And here’s an article from Treehugger.com regarding the likelihood of such a garden coming into existence.

I’m really stoked to see other people bringing the Victory Garden back–but this isn’t just about cultivating your own food in a time of crisis or economic downturn people. It’s about a permanent commitment to local solutions to our environmental, economic and moral challenges. And by local, I don’t mean within 100 or 50 miles. I’m talking about 100 or 50 feet from your doorstep.

But wait a sec little girl…I don’t live in a house, I don’t have enough yard or space to plant a garden.

Not true. You don’t need an acre lot to get meaningful yields. In fact, you don’t even need a yard. I lived in a condo and used my porch to grow tomatoes and herbs. Now, I’m lucky to have a big yard, roomies with green thumbs and the motivation to plant a full-fledged organic smorgasbord right outside my back door. But that’s the ideal. Creative cultivation is still magnificently possible.

Here are 5 ways (tried and true, by your favorite little girl with a BIG VOICE!) to become your own grocery store w/out being in possession of a single square foot of yard space. In the process you will save money on your grocery bills, contribute to solving the environmental crisis and provide you & yours with the healthiest produce available.

Photo Credit: vegancampus.com

Photo Credit: vegancampus.com

1) Wheat grass

Wheat grass is kind of like bamboo. Even those of us with the “black thumb of death” can grow wheatgrass. You can grow wheat grass in trays with a paper towel lined tray in a sunny window and it doesn’t take an ounce of soil–another little tidbit I learned from the Raw Model. Choose a decorative tray and voila! You’ve got yourself a nutritious AND attractive knick-knack for the home!

Photo Credit: rawfoodnation.wordpress.com

Photo Credit: rawfoodnation.wordpress.com

2) Sprouts

Sprouts are like the cheapest nutrition ever. With the exception of from-the-wild edibles (such as the ones I discussed last summer in my post on freegan finds), sprouts will absolutely get you the most bang for your buck. They are packed with live enzymes and nutritional goodness that will revitalize your body and mind. Just about any raw nut or seed is easily sprouted and this ups the level of good things going into your body by leaps and bounds. Some of my favorite things to sprout are quinoa (I’ve got some going right now), mung beans, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. All you need is a jar and some mesh. No soil needed for these either.

Photo Credit: www.jaygaulard.com

Photo Credit: www.jaygaulard.com

3) Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of my favorite things EVER. I eat them all the time and they make up a noticeable portion of my grocery bill. So I love summertime when I can save loads of cash with just a few plants. Tomatoes are easy to care for and can be grown in pots or in ground. I grew two potted tomato plants on my condo porch in Charlotte and didn’t know what to do with all the tomatoes that came out of them. I had to give them away because I couldn’t eat them fast enough.

Photo Credit: www.sunset.com

Photo Credit: www.sunset.com

4) Potted Herbs

I’ve never understood why herbs in the store cost so damn much. Or why people spend their hard earned cash on them when they can be grown year round in the home. I LOVE this set of ultra-mod indoor herb pots by Ik80092_pe204286_s41ea.

These + a few organic seedlings from Abundant Life Seed Company are the perfect addition to any windowsill. If you live in a warm climate or it’s spring/summer, go ahead and plant outdoors, but just remember that for the cold months, these little guys will provide you with all the seasonings you need for healthful and local meals.

Photo Credit: www.numerart.com

Photo Credit: www.numerart.com

5) Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is best known for its use as a soothing fix for burns, but did you know the gel inside aloe plants is edible? Yup! Even better–it’s nutrient packed and incredibly beneficial for your system. Aloe’s healing properties work INSIDE your body as well as externally on your skin. I love it in smoothies and I love pots of it around my home. They look great, are incredibly easy to grow and breed–which makes them great gifts for family and friends! Even Martha Stewart is in on the secret.

And while all of these are easy ways to get the freshest produce possible with VERY little effort in an urban or indoor setting, you’ve got another option as well. Urban community gardens are popping up all over the country on rooftops and little plots of in-city plots of land. If wheatgrass on the fire escape and herbs on the window seal don’t satisfy your craving to be an urban farmer, then please do check into these opportunities. My friend Jean Ann has a great site, called Gardner to Farmer, developed for city dwellers looking to get involved in urban farming. She even has a seed sharing program going that I can’t wait to be a part of!

So remember. It’s starts with you and me.  WE make the choice to take back control!

A few closing tips: Only use organic/non-Genetically Modified seeds and fertilizer. I personally like Terra-Cycle, because they not only use pure worm-poop, but because they also re-use old soda bottles, etc. as their packaging. Employ natural pest-control–don’t go reaching for the Miracle-Gro or Round-Up!!! NO NO NO!!! There are plenty of effective organic/natural options that won’t fill your home or body with nasty chemicals or harm our precious planet.

And other than that–have fun! Experiment with it. Believe me, I’ve got the black thumb of death previously mentioned in this post, but even I’ve been successful at these endeavors. Happy planting!!! And if you want to send me some pics of your home gardening projects–I definitely wouldn’t be opposed to posting them here! HINT HINT!!!

144 Words of Keepin’ It Real

Can I just put this out there? Cover letters suck. Hard.

I’ve written a helluva lot of them in the past few years and I still don’t get what the point is. Every one is looking for something different. I’ve heard so many conflicting “tips” on how to write the perfect cover letter that I’d be as rich as Bill Gates if they had any monetary value connected to them. Yeah, I know you want me to prove that I have the ability to write coherent sentences. But have look at my résumé. I’m a journalism major and I graduated magna cum laude. I should freakin’ hope I can write a few coherent sentences.

What bothers me about covers letter is this: They are almost always 500 words worth of bull shit.

500 words to tell you how wonderful I am; to play up how “passionate” I am about being a glorified coffee-maker; that make you like me over the other 500 people who applied.

500 words that I’ll spend three days agonizing over and 95 percent of the time won’t even get a standardized rejection letter, much less an interview, for.

You realize that most people are just making crap up and kissing ass in hopes of getting face time with you right?

That just doesn’t work for me. My song-and-dance-for-a-job days are over. I’m tired of trying to read every potential employer’s mind and out B.S. all the other candidates. It’s inefficient and in this economy, I don’t have that kind of time to waste.

So I’m changing tactics. I’m changing the rules of how I play the game. I’m tired to kissing ass. I’m ready to kick it and take some names in the process. Here is my new cover letter.

Dear potential employer:

In lieu of wasting our time, both yours and mine, by writing 500 words of fluff that you don’t want to read and I don’t want to write, please accept this 144-word appeal for a 30-minute face-to-face meeting.

I’m not your average 24-year-old. I’m going places. Hopefully yours is the next stop on my journey. I’m motivated, determined and dying to learn from the best. I work my tail off for the greater good, with integrity and humility. I’m the kind of employee companies wish they had coming out of today’s universities. I’ve got skills. I’ve got talents. They’re listed on my résumé.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? I can learn it. Quickly and adeptly.

I’m worth a half an hour of your time. I promise.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you about setting up a time.

Bethany M. Waggoner

If that’s too aggressive for you, if that kind of gumption scares you, then you probably aren’t the kind of company I want to work for. I want to work for people who are willing to take risks. I want to work for a company that’s working to invent not only new rules to the existing game, but an entirely new playing field.

I want to work for someone who will make an investment in me and trust that I’ll put 100% of my efforts, energy and integrity into achieving success for a worthwhile venture. I’m not a perfect person. I don’t know it all. I’m not the smartest young professional in the game. BUT. I am willing. To learn. To grow. To take criticism. To achieve for the success of the team. To work. Hard. Very hard, in fact.

And I do know one thing: that’s a rare commodity in my generation. So I’m leveraging it for what it’s worth. I just hope that you realize its value. If you do, shoot me an email. We should talk.



Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Collective Happiness

Ivo Lukas)

(L to R) Me, Miss Ivo and Jon @ 2009 Twestival PDX (Photo Credit: Ivo Lukas)

Yesterday I had the absolute PLEASURE of working with two of Portland’s finest: Ivo Lukas and Jonathan So. Ivo, Jon and I are all big fans of Twitter and of charitable giving, so we couldn’t help but get ourselves involved in the global charity event Twestival. Over 175 cities around the world independently threw fundraisers on the 12th, with the hopes of raising $1 Million bucks for charity: water. It was an awesome example of what we can do when we put our heads together and it was freakin’ inspiring!

I learned two things from that experience:

1) It’s really easy in a city like Portland to get people involved in giving for a great cause. The people here are super engaged and very conscious of the global and local issues affecting our community. They are generous and caring and that makes me even happier to be here!

2) I want to do more! We want to do more! Times are hard. People are struggling all over the world (including in our own “back yard”…and in our front yard too, for that matter) and those of us who are fortunate enough to still be doing O.K. need to start lifting our fellow human beings out of this mess. We can’t just hunker down into our own little worlds and expect to get out of this one. The only way we’re going to make it through is to be collective, community-driven and giving. It’s a counter-intuitive approach when you’re scared if you’ll be losing your job next month too, but it’s the only thing that works.

So stay tuned for info on our next event and how to give to some very worthy causes, even if you aren’t based in the Portland area!

Cash Money≠ Food Security

Having all the money in the world won’t necessarily put food on your plate–at least not at the rate we’re going. Here are three facts (one obvious and two startling)

1. There are more people in the world than ever before (Duh).

2. There are more people going hungry in the world than ever before.

3. There is a larger available food supply available than ever before (and that is large enough to meet the nutrition needs of the entire global population).

So how the hell does that second fact remain very real and even more deadly? How are so many starving, even as they spend their lives tending the land?

A quick answer is this: Those with plenty are hoarding and producing their bounty at the expense of those without.

It’s really a helluva lot more complicated than that. That answer could be expanded into about a million long-winded doctoral research papers, but the point is that the actions we are taking now to produce our own food supply here in the so-called first world are killing (literally) those in the developing world, where, ironically a lot of our food supply comes from.

Poor nations, seeking to make payments on their Structural Adjustment Programs, force their farmers to grow only cash crops, such as biofuels. In short, this leaves their population hungry (because so much land is diverted to growing material to be exported rather than eaten by their people) and their government with all the money (which is generally an issue, since many governments in these nations have a historical tendency and current propensity to be hugely corrupt).

But even more frightening than the current global food crisis (which is pretty damn scary, even though its often ignored by those in well developed and over-fed nations) is the very real future situation we’re getting ourselves into by continuing to rape and pillage our lands. Yes indeed, unbeknown to the masses, our trust in major industrial agri-business players is extremely ill placed. I think Wes Jackson, co-founder of the Land Institute, says a lot about the topic.

“We live off of what comes out of the soil, not what’s in the bank. If we squander the ecological capital of the soil, the capital on paper won’t much matter… For the past 50 or 60 years, we have followed industrialized agricultural policies that have increased the rate of destruction of productive farmland. For those 50 or 60 years, we have let ourselves believe the absurd notion that as long as we have money we will have food. If we continue our offenses against the land and the labor by which we are fed, the food supply will decline, and we will have a problem far more complex than the failure of our paper economy. Remember, if our agriculture is not sustainable then our food supply is not sustainable… Either we pay attention or we pay a huge price, not so far down the road. When we face the fact that civilizations have destroyed themselves by destroying their farmland, it’s clear that we don’t really have a choice.”

It’s clear that we don’t really have a choice. Strong words, indeed.

What is also clear: We do have a voice. We do have a vote. Even though we are in a time of dire economic turn down, we make choices every day that tell the major players how we expect them to act. By supporting local and organic farmers, by starting your own organic garden (which will, by the way save you a TON of money this spring and summer), by driving less, using less, demanding renewable power sources that do not disrupt the global food supply, by recycling and buying products that are made from sustainable and earth-friendly materials, we force their hand and make them play by a new set of rules that we, the people, create.

Most people understand that fossil fuels are bad for the earth, but many are unaware of the dangers of petrochemical fertilizers, genetically modified seeds, biofuels, and monocultures and their proven (and unproven) effects on the human body and our environment. And it’s some scary shit. You won’t look at an non-organic apple the same way ever again once you know. Those of us who are aware, we have to voice that information as well. We have to be honest, well-researched, and pragmatic in our approach. We can’t afford to alienate people with extremism, but we also have to make people understand the magnitude of these issues. It’s a monumental task, but as Jackson said, we don’t really have a choice if we want to continue to enjoy plenty. Just ask someone in Ethiopia, who hasn’t eaten in a week, how important it is for us to take care of business before we end up with a nation of untenable land. They’re already there.  I’m sure they’d have a thing or two to say about it!