Another "traveling package"

These items are going to be tucked into a well heeled traveler’s backpack and trekked all the way to Lalibela Ethiopia where they’ll be delivered to these 2 brothers – Getnet and Getu.

We met these brothers while traveling and I know my friend is going to enjoy their company. The boys were shining shoes when we met them – now they are focusing more energetically on their studies with the help of some monthly assistance from us.

When we first met them they were sleeping on a dirt floor on a tarp with no blanket, no running water, a tiny old kerosene one pot camp stove, and a baggie of grains. I am certain their living situation has improved since we met them – and I count on them being warm and fed well enough to concentrate on their studies. Getu wants to be a guide, and Getnet wants to be a scientist. Our family contribution is big enough to make a daily difference, and small enough to feel humbled by their needs. One kind woman (a fellow AP) who heard about these boys offered to provide funds for them to buy a bed; they report they are now sleeping on a bed with covering (I assume 2 gabi’s). I love the ripple effect of kindness. It’s good stuff.

This is the third traveling package I have sent with a traveler to Ethiopia. Richard received textbooks and a pair of shoes, AlemTsehaye (in the last photo of the link) was visited just two weeks ago with a package of rainbow socks, a camera, and lots of photos. I can’t wait for G&G to have a special visit from my friend and her traveling companions.

Check out my travelin’ friend’s story here. I hope she’ll blog about these guys while she is in Lalibela. She’s awesome – a single mom of 2! I’m a little envious of her traveling opportunity in that she is traveling 3-4 weeks in country before receiving her son and daughter.

If you’re going to Ethiopia, I might have something to send with you! (And thank you Marshall’s for the awesome clearance prices – it makes doing this possible!)

Wonderfulness

Every Monday morning we meet our “Ethiopian Family” for happiness and play time. 5 families (5 moms and 7 kids) meet weekly for jumping and wiggling, for talking and coffee and interupted conversation. Blueberry loves these mornings. Our playgroup friends are so special to us. Being part of this group helps “normalize” little Berrie’s experience – being black, being adopted, being Ethiopian, having white parents, having a history that is transcultural and transracial. I feel like this collection of families is part of my nerve center – I need them. They are one of the places I go for “getting it.”

In this picture, Blueberry is attempting to color with his sweetheart friend. This little girl is part of our playgroup, and is one of 2 sisters and their ultra cool and super fun parents. (These are the sorts of parents who see a spider and turn it into a science lesson, stock a freezer full of organic/grain fed meat, and have a huge backyard with a gloriously fruitful garden). Songbird took this picture and called it “Wonderfulness” – fitting.

In the Spirit

Math Man sent this great tshirt to Blueberry for his first birthday gift. Thanks dude!

First, showing off on the slide and then….

WALKING! He’s up to about 10 steps any time he darn well pleases. We love it – and we love him.

Aside: heard today from Waffles while we were rearranging the play room: “I am going to use the restroom, but I want you to know I won’t be resting.”
That kid totally cracks me up.

Next: S’Mores

It’s a dog’s life

This morning the dog ate a rice liner full of Blueberry bottom (literally and figuratively) and Blueberry got his revenge by eating the dog food (thank goodness he didn’t eat dog bottom, but I wouldn’t put it past him!). They both know, the joke is on me. Blueberry is now “dog mouth” and Herbie is now “poop mouth.” Nice. Anyone for a bath?

Why Colorblind…Isn’t

You might want to read this article in Science Daily about efforts to avoid talking about race and how they backfire. Interesting stuff – colorblindness is bunk in my book. I struggle when people say to me, “There’s only one race, the human race!” and proceed to tell me they “don’t see color.” Talk about awkard: “oh yes you do” “oh no I don’t” “you do” “I don’t”. Tactful discussion eludes me.

Need a Good Cry?

Go HERE and watch this video clip titled “sam and esther”.

Yeah, I watched this right after I had a nice lunch in my warm home with everything I need to maintain a lovely daily life all around me.

This is why I HAVE TO DO MORE and I HAVE TO BE BETTER and this is when I really deeply and truly understand privilege. It’s all connected. This makes me a better person. It’s a gut punch today, and I needed it.

Maybe you were born with it

Let’s talk about unintended consequences….OR….You Aren’t Bad for Having Privilege

The truth is, I don’t have any control over the privilege I was given. I was born white, female, into a middle class family with college education, home ownership, and Catholic sensibilities as a part of my family heritage. I didn’t get to choose this family of my birth. I’m not bad for being born with it, and at the same time I MUST realize what this means when I live with all of the benefits of my privilege but PRETEND that I’m not privileged. Confused? Yeah, this is work. Let me say it simply: I’m not bad for having privilege, but not being able to give up my privilege (as in, stop being white) is not a ‘get out of jail free’ card for any bad behaviour or for reliquishing responsibility for both personal awareness and action.

Finding a balance between accepting my privilege and fighting against it is not easy. I struggle with it on a daily basis. I’ve been working in these posts to talk a little more clearly about this really complex topic. I am working on my own understanding and of privilege and working to understand what insititutional privilege is and how it benefits and normalizes white experience.

Here’s the challenge: privilege is perpetuated in part by the silence of people when one of their own group does something racist -whether subtle, covert, or overt. This can be an inappropriate joke, or someone admitting that they committed a crime against a non-privileged person. It can be an assumption about a person, a dismissal of a person’s opinion or simply ignoring a person. Don’t do it. Don’t think it. Don’t say it. And work your stuff – and don’t give up. Fix it.

While it’s a good thing for me to be engaging in this, I remind myself that I cannot expect to be praised or rewarded for my efforts; oppression may be a new experience for me, but it’s something people of color live with every day of their lives.

A Finn and An Ethiopian

LESSONS FROM THE FINN ON HOW TO SPEND YOUR TIME
WHEN YOU ARE NOT PLAYING TENNIS OR SLEEPING
1. Learn how to wield the remotes (yes, there are more than one)
for maximum viewing pleasure

2.Become engrossed no matter how mundane the show. In fact,
the more ridiculous, the more juvenile, the more just plain ‘ol
silly, the better to view.

3. Perfect the art of napping between scenes and during
commercials.

EQUALS ONE CONTENTED FINN AND ONE ADORING ETHIOPIAN

Kiss Me, I’m Irish