What will be your Man on the Moon moment?

As we enter into the Christmas season, lets remember that people celebrate this holiday for many reasons and that is OK. But, the unifying theme throughout the Christmas season is time with family, friends, neighbors, and maybe even complete strangers.

If you are one of these celebrating with complete strangers, that's OK, too. Just remember that each of us has a mission - to touch the heart of someone else. As you watch the video below, think about whose heart you can touch in the next two weeks. How can you make an impression on another's life that will last a lifetime? Can you make their life easier? Can you make their day brighter? Can you give them a reason to extend their hope for another hour?

You see, Christmas never was about giving material gifts. If you are a Christian, you know the first Christmas only contained one gift - the gift of a Savior. The Magi didn't come with their gifts until much later. If you aren't a Christian, the symbolism is the same - the gift you give someone else may not be material; rather, they may be a hug when it seems no one cares, a handshake when it seems the person is invisible to many, an acceptance of a person right where they are.

This season, look for your "man on the moon" moment. I promise you'll be blessed by blessing someone else.

Merry Christmas!

Let's change the conversation today

It's Monday. If you are like almost everyone else in this world, you hate today. It is the day we go back to work, we have to enter the world whether we want to or not, it is the start of the business, the craziness, the week.

Does it have to be that way? Do we have a say in how we start this week? Do we get to say today is a great day?

Yes, we do. Today, we can change the conversation. We can say we are thankful to be up, to be able to read, to be able to see the pictures in this post.

One of the tasks that I've started to do each morning - list 10 things that I am thankful for. It has given me a different outlook on my day and week. My circumstances may not change - my life is still hectic, bills are still due, there is usually not enough money to get to each of them - but there are at least 10 things that I am thankful for.

Try it. See how it may change your conversation today. See how it may change your day today.

What would you include in the job description for Santa Claus?

What would you include in the job description for Santa Claus? How about round belly, white beard, jolly personality, willing to sit for hours, be able to withstand heat, and patience. That's a pretty good list.

What about proficient in American Sign Language, ability to get in and out of chair often in order to reach customer, being willing to interact with children who have differing abilities, and multilingual? While we often forget these important characteristics, they are just as important as the first list.

This is why the acceptance of diversity is so important in business. Gone are the days when we had the cookie cutter life, when those who are different are relegated to live-in facilities or to the walls of their home. Gone are the days when all of our customers do not expect to have the same experience.

I work in the Quality Department of a company whose greatest workforce population speaks Spanish as their first language. Most of them know how to speak and write English; however, they are most comfortable in Spanish. All training at our location is performed in English only. How effective do you think that has been? When a new Quality Engineer tasked with developing ongoing training efforts for all of the employees said that all training should be in English and Spanish, upper management bristled. Diversity is a part of all business functions - even Quality.

Have you wondered what the experience would be for a child with differing abilities meets a Santa who can accommodate her? Watch the video and experience the wonderment.

On this Monday, I needed this ....

How do you define diversity?

I love watching TedTalks. In 15 to 20 minutes I get to hear someone's experience, opinion, or knowledge on various topics. Often it makes me, as a former professor used to say, think harder.

Recently, I did a search on YouTube for “TedTalks and Diversity”. The search results surprised me. Of the top ten listings, eight of them were for racial diversity. I'm not sure why I was surprised, when I speak with others about diversity that is the first definition their mind goes to. Typically, in my sphere of influence it is usually the differences between Black and White. Maybe I need to change my sphere or maybe this is how narrowly people define diversity. Even Miriam-Webster does it. Here is the first definition listing for Diversity:

“the condition of having or being composed of differing elements: variety; especially: the inclusion of different types of people (as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization."

In reality, diversity is a very broad topic covering differences in age, ability, culture, sexual, sexuality, gender , religious and the list can go on and on. For those of you who are stuck in the middle of my list wondering why I repeated sex, sexuality, and gender, each of those categories are separate and distinct; but, that is a topic for another day.

For just a moment, lets see how other news sources define diversity. A search on USAToday's  website does better than YouTube; three of the top ten diversity articles are race related. The Washington Post had the same results – three out of the top ten articles centered on race. Both of these established news agencies had a result of 30% for racial diversity. I expected to see maybe one hit on racial diversity and nine hits on all the other types of diversity. Only  CNN's website gave me that type of diverse listing; zero out of the top ten diversity articles centered on race.

Granted, YouTube and these three news giants are not the end all be all of literacy nor are they an authority on diversity in the United States. Yet, they do play a large role in how we see the nation and the world around us. Having an article search on the word diversity turn up so many articles of racial diversity and little to none centering on other types of diversity is a little disconcerting.

When we speak of diversity and how diversity can make an organization, a family, a nation stronger, we need to really look at all of diversity. There have been many examples of how to look at diversity; some say it is a lettuce salad with multiple types of salad and accompaniments all put together in one dish, others see it as a melting pot. I correlate diversity to a piece of Oriented Strand Board or more commonly known as OSB Board. Have you ever seen OSB? It is made up of little pieces of wood glued together in different angles; it literally looks like someone laid out a layer of wood chips and poured glue over them so that they stayed in place. Multiple layers of this glued-together-wood-chip substance are put together to make one board. It is almost indestructible and damage proof.  

In my mind, that is how diversity is. When people open themselves up enough to work together, get to know each other, and trust each other the group can become almost indestructible. The glue that ties us together is the respect we have for each other and the common narrative we have. That narrative may be the simple fact that we are all human and need love, acceptance, and nourishment. Once a group develops trust the ongoing dialogue can create even more common narratives such as social and belief networks and systems. Through the common narratives society as a whole becomes more supportive and in turn families become stronger, children have higher educational and social achievements, and communities become more inclusive.

I have a challenge for each of you. Look at your sphere of influence and ask yourself how diverse it is. Do you need to broaden your wings a little bit? Do you need to include others who are different from you? For those of you who already have a diverse sphere of influence, do you know what your common narrative is? Have you asked those in your network what they believe that narrative is and do you agree?

It will be interesting to hear what your answers are.  

Do you walk away from diversity?

So many of us have been hurt by religion. I know I was, I walked away from my faith and then after much searching and learning about the facts of my faith - not always what I was taught - I came back.

But, what do we do when we are hurt by our faith? Do we just walk away and make believe nothing has happened? Do we allow the faith to continue to go on as normal? Many of us choose to do that very thing. Many choose to walk away and never help to create or make change from within.

In the TedTalk that I listened to this morning, Chelsea Shields answers that question from her vantage point. She didn't walk away from her faith when things were unequal, she didn't stop showing up for service, she didn't ignore the problem. She stood there and fought the good fight to change a system that was not defining the original claims of her faith.

That, in its essence, is what diversity is about. It is not about ignoring the problems that we have, not about walking away mad, and its definitely not about giving up. Rather, it is about standing in the gap and realizing that a change must be made and slowly making that change. Diversity is about looking at our individual issues, gaps, mishaps, and figuring out how to reconcile them with the world.

Take a few minutes and listen to Chelsea and let me know what you thought of it.

Imagine - an elderly dance troupe

Last night my husband and I sat down to watch a little TV. We turned on NatGeoTV just to see what might be of interest there and was surprised to see a wonderful show about the elderly - an elderly dance troupe. Sounds kind of boring doesn't it.

Turns out, this show was a bit different. It was about the group Hip Op-eration, the oldest dance group in the world; officially given this name by Guinness World Records. The show was amazing. Here is a trailer:

The show confronted ageism head-on. While watching the show I could feel myself forgetting for a moment that these elderly people were actually elderly! Instead, I saw them leave the world they were in and embrace a very different one. Consequently, I also saw many young people cross over a bridge of acceptance and praise for the elder group. It really was an amazing transformation.

Sadly, this isn't a group in the United States; rather, it is from New Zealand. It was birthed out of a desire of a young lady, Billie Jordan, who was severely hurt in the Christchurch earthquake in 2011. This was her way of rehabilitating herself. Throughout the one-hour broadcast, she also showed a genuine love and connection for those that she voluntarily coaches and coordinates.

At the end of the show, we were able to see what some of the participants have done SINCE the broadcast. One of the participants back-packed through Asia. Not before the dance troupe mind you --- since the dance troupe was started! Who says age needs to stop you from completing the things you want to do?

Take some time and watch the show - it will be worth your while.

How I start the Christmas holiday!

 Today is Black Friday. I've tried it - once - and didn't care for it. The thought of people pushing and shoving to get to the greatest gadget or toy that will be forgotten by January is not my idea of a well spent morning.  The stores really do not need my business and I hate buying meaningless gifts that someone can pick out for themselves

My idea of a Christmas present is one that can't be found somewhere else, one that comes from my heart, and one that has meaning to it. Typically, those gifts don't come from a store.

 My shopping starts in one of my favorite places --- my box of scraps. Everytime I complete a sewing project the extra material goes into a box. There isn't any rhyme or reason to the layout of the fabric, for me that would completely kill the creativity. As I thumb through the fabrics and see which one inspires me, it also brings back great memories. I can tell you where I've used previous materials - whether it was a quilt or a wall hanging or a dress, each of them have meaning.

While you guys are out shopping, I'm enjoying some peaceful time creating. That to me is the best way to start the Christmas holiday season.

Enjoy!

Thankful that I don't belong

I grew up in a homogeneous town in Wisconsin. Most of the people surrounding me looked like me, talked like me, were able bodied like me, ate the foods I did, and believed in the same God I did. After high school graduation, I moved to a bigger city and although my friend and acquaintance circle was starting to gather some that didn't look as much like me or believe in the same God as me or eat the same food as me, for the most part I was still living a pretty homogeneous life. I met and fell in love with a man that didn't look like me.

Through the years of living in a diverse home we've had some ups and downs; we've even had some unpleasant conversations. It made me think about those deep rooted opinions and beliefs that I carried from childhood into adulthood. Communication hasn't always easy been as easy as it may have been in a homogeneous house. Yet, despite the differences in our home and the differences of how the world treated me and how it treated the rest of my family (husband and now four children) I still had a sense of where I belonged.

I started diversity discussions to help both myself and the community around me understand our changing world. I've had conversations with friends and family about diversity - some of which did not turn out so hot. I began writing diversity articles for the local alternative newspaper. Although I was pointing out all the differences around me, I still had a sense of where I belonged.

After raising our children, my husband and I made the decision to move to California to spend more time with his daughter and grand-children. We settled in Santa Maria, CA. Santa Maria is a city of just under 150,000 people on the Central Coast of California. The demographics pulled from the U.S. Census show a city much different than any I've lived in before. The first column shows the percentage of the population in Santa Maria, CA that fit into the assigned racial group and the second column shows that same racial group as represented throughout California as a whole.

	Black or African American alone, percent, 2010 (a)	1.7%	6.2%
	American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent, 2010 (a)	1.8%	1.0%
	Asian alone, percent, 2010 (a)	5.1%	13.0%
	Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent, 2010 (a)	0.2%	0.4%
	Two or More Races, percent, 2010	5.1%	4.9%
	Hispanic or Latino, percent, 2010 (b)	70.4%	37.6%
	White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent, 2010	21.7%	40.1%

I live in a city where 70.4% of the people are not from my culture; where it is obvious that most are not comfortable speaking my language. Where the food I am most used to eating isn't a commonplace --- no Culver's, Chicago Polish Sausage, bratwurst, no Friday night fish frys, or no cheese straight from the factory. 

For the first time in my life, I realize that I don't really belong; I realize that I need to actually work at belonging. I may need to learn another language and I may need to learn to eat some other foods in order to belong. The point is that I won't belong unless I do something different. Although I have been involved in diversity activities of all sorts for quite some time, I realized it didn't adequately prepare me for living in a city where a vast majority of people are different from me.

I'm grateful that I've had the ability to talk about diversity. Now, I'm very grateful that I have the opportunity to see from the inside out what it is like to live in an area where I am the minority. I'm grateful that I have met some people who have helped me navigate this different terrain; are willing to explain what a food is or where to find the best bargains or how to basically communicate to others. Above all, I'm grateful that for this season of my life I am living as the minority. It is teaching me humility, it is giving me a different perspective of life, it is allowing me to see how my actions and those from my community may negatively affect others without us even knowing.

Slowly I am learning how to belong.

The Syrian Refugee - a different perspective

With all the rhetoric this last week regarding tracking Muslims, closing mosques, allowing or not allowing Syrian refugees into the country, I'd like to look at it all in a different perspective.

I'm a born again Christian. I believe that the Bible is all truth and that it is as relevant today as it was at the time of writing. Therefore, I believe that it should be used to guide my life. In the Holy Bible, there is a story about Saul and Paul.

Saul was an evil man. His enemy were the Christians. Not only did he kill the Christians, the Bible tells us he enjoyed killing Christians. We know from other texts that he used many different ways to kill them - dismembering, feeding them to the lions, beheading them, and so on.

Paul, is one of our greatest prophets. He was a man of God, winning many over to become Christ followers. Many would say he was the  main advocate for bringing the Christian church to life. He is credited, with the direction of the Holy Spirit, to writing several of the New Testament chapters. He loved people and bringing them to Christ more than he loved himself.

Saul is Paul and Paul is Saul. He conversion was great and mighty and awesome. God stopped Saul in his tracks and changed his life in a moment.

I did not choose Saul to become Paul, no human did. In fact, if it were up to humans, the only choice he probably would have had was death. Saul was a hated and feared man. But, God saw something different - He sees the world from beginning to end. He knows exactly what must happen and when. He often does not give us the knowledge of what is happening - that is why we have faith.

The same is true for all of us. The person you meet on the street today, has the potential to be someone different a year from now. The Syrian refugee today may very well become someone diffeerent next year. What is our role in this story? If you are a Christian, your role is to listen to God. What does He want us, want you, to do differently today? Who does He want us, want you, to minister to today? How does He want us, want you, to change a life today?

What type of attitude will you have this week?

Last week, I shared the wonderful vimeo of the remake of The Bear and The Hare. It was a great way to remember that relationships are key to making our life whole and meaningful. One of the key ways to stop our normal routine and see life for all that God created it to be.

I wanted to share with you the making of the video. It not only shows the painstaking detail and work that goes into the end product, but it shows the overwhelming joy that each person had in making the vimeo. Their joy heightened my joy when watching the hare introduce the bear to Christmas for the first time.

Imagine for a moment if any of the creators hated their part of the process. Imagine if someone came in sulking or upset. Imagine what the end product would look like if one of them decided they didn't really want to be there, but it had to be done. I think the negative attitude very well could have affected the end product; it probably would be an end product that I really wouldn't want to see.

How many times have you said that about a project you were working on - "It has to be done".  Do you think that affected the outcome of the project you were working on? Do you think that may have made it harder for others to work with you? Do you think it may have hurt the creativity in your position or team?

This week, as you are going to work or going to your child's activity or going to the social function you are scheduled to attend, look at your attitude. Think about the end result you want your actions to have.  Swap out the "I have to go" attitude with the joyfulness attitude and see what happens.

Have a great week.

Want to change your life?

While cleaning house I love to listen to TedTalks broadcasts. They are short enough to keep my interest - I'm not really that patient - and they are so interesting. The one I found today is amazing!

Self talk is one of the best ways to make any change. Basically, that is what Patti Dobrowolski is talking about here - self talk and picture association. Brilliant strategy!

For those of you needing a new way to do your old life? This video may not work for you. This is about changing your life. The first step in doing something different is to realize that what you are doing isn't working. We have to put our pride down and decide where we make the first change; that is the scariest step of change. You know what the old looks like, you know what to expect, you know that if you do this-that will happen. Not so, when we start to make changes. That's OK.

For those of you needing a change in your life - watch the video once, twice, three times if you have to. Make a small change today.

Thankfulness

Gratitude and thankfulness. Many of do not realize how important they are in our lives. They actually give us some perspective on where we have been and where we currently are. There aren't too many people who can be grateful for the journey they've been on but complain about where they've come from.  That is a dichotomy that doesn't go well together.

Recently I finished a book called, "Choose Yourself" by James Altucher. Thankfulness is one of the biggest lessons I learned from this book. It put my live in a much different perspective; my mind became clearer and less stressful.

His suggestion is, first thing in the morning, list whatever you are thankful for. Before you do anything else, do this task. It certainly did bring perspective to my morning and my day. I now, a week later, find myself walking through the building at work thinking about the things I'm thankful for. Meetings have become less frustrating, irritating people have become easier to ignore, I am enjoying my work more.

Thankfulness.

Who would have guessed one small step could produce so much good.

Try it this week, and pick up the book - its a good one.

What is the real security threat?

There are multiple states - I believe 31 at the last count - that have decided to not accept Syrian refugees because of the terrorist attacks in France. Most of these states have Republican governors; which comes to no one's surprise with the rhetoric coming out the Republican Presidential candidates.



Yet, none of these same governors are recognizing how short sided this proclamation really is. All but one of the French terrorists were either French or Belgium nationals. Yes, they were of Syrian decent, but they were not all from Syria. This is a notion that is sometimes hard for Americans to understand; national origin in many countries is much different than skin color and ethnicity, and basically refers to the citizenship of each person. It also means that most of the terrorists didn't need passports to get into Paris - they already lived in the European Union. Yes, there was one confirmed terrorist who embedded himself into a group of Syrian refugees.

According to a CNN report,

"One of the men who attached Paris held an emergency passport or similar document, according to an unnamed French senator who was briefed by the French Ministry of the Interior. The senator told CNN the bomber falsely declared himself to be a Syrian named Ahmad al Muhammad, born on September 10, 1990, and was allowed to enter Greece on October 3. From there he moved to Macedonia, then Serbia and Croatia, where he registered in the Opatovac refugee camp, the lawmaker said. Eventually, he made his way to Paris, where he was one of three men who blew themselves up at the Stade de France."

Does this one terrorist prove that all Syrian refugees are terrorists? Does it prove that the refugees are more susceptible to being terrorists?  The answer is an emphatic NO.

Let's dig into this a bit deeper. The refugee crisis in Europe is something that has been building for some time. The borders between European countries are rather lax and often very porous. An ISIS operative embedding themselves into a refugee group would be able to move fairly freely throughout Europe. The movement would be relatively quick; making it from one country to the next within several days to a couple of weeks. The terrorist referenced in the above commentary was able to make it from Greece to Paris, France in little less than 4 weeks. Not bad for someone who is planning a large scale offensive and doesn't want to be noticed.

Now, let's look at the situation with Syrian refugees entering the United States. Refugees being vetted for entry would be housed in a separate refugee area selected by the United Nations. Those in this area would go through a very strict vetting period being interviewed by several U.S. governmental and security organizations, fingerprinting, background checks, etc. The entire process takes about 18 months to complete and could take up to 24 months. The refugees the U.S. would receive in 2016, are those that have been waiting since early 2015. 

Is it realistic to think that a terrorist suspect is going to live in a refugee camp, where he or she will be watched and scrutinized, for 18 - 24 months?

There are easier ways to get into the U.S. than using the refugee status. One of those ways is the Free Waiver Program.  

Under the program - which covers 38 countries, 30 of which are in Europe, including France, Belgium and Germany - citizens of waiver countries can enter the U.S. with minimal screening. That make it much harder to identify and weed out European nationals seeking to enter the U.S. after traveling to ISIS training camps in other nations and then returning to Europe.  

The only requirements of European Nationals traveling in the Free Waiver Program are to have a valid passport, register electronically before traveling to the U.S., and limit their stays to 90 days. We now know, that most of the French Terrorists were living in Belgium - one of the countries in the Free Waiver Program - and traveled to France relatively recently.  There is very little vetting of these travelers because there is a lack of shared databases and information between the countries.

Yet, the U.S. government is not making any changes to the program in the near future. Instead of closing a loophole and very real security risk, we would rather continue to persecute people who have already endured enough pain and heartache to last a lifetime.

Once again, we have used stereotypes and fears to rule our government and not smart and viable decisions.

The greatest lunch spot!

It's been a few months since we moved to California. The trek across the nation from Wisconsin has definitely been an adventure. We've settled down in a city on the Central Coast; basically the coastal areas comprised of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. There have been a lot of things to get used to. I mean California is very different from Wisconsin.

First, housing is expensive! Luckily we are in a metropolitan area that isn't considered luxurious - I couldn't imagine what we'd be paying in rent if we were a little south or north of where we are.

Second, the food is definitely not midwestern. There isn't a Culver's in sight. Friday night fish fry - they have no clue. The phrase "cheese curds" are received with a very confused look. However, the Mexican and Asian food here is off the charts!

Third, the life style is a bit laid back. For some, that may be a good thing; for someone with no patience - not so much. This is especially true at my workplace - meetings start at :05 of the hour, not :00 - even if that was the schedule time.

But, then I have days like today. It is November 17th. Typically, a cold day at the start of a long winter in Wisconsin. Going outside requires a coat, maybe a hat and gloves, and probably warming the car for a little bit. Here on the Central Coast it means going to work with a bit of a chill in the air - sweater weather - and having temps rise to the high 60's throughout the day.

Lunch is one of my favorite times of the work day. This was my lunch spot for today.  It was beautiful! Some of the trees are turning colors, the sun is shining bright, the birds are out, the grass is green and there is no hint of snow.

This is the Central Coast.  This is why people, us included, are willing to put up with some not-so-great stuff. On days like today - it is worth it.

Diversity is our responsibility

You may have seen this picture in your Facebook feed.

It is in response to the world's outpouring of support for France after the terrorist attack last Friday. It is meant to be an honest question - Why was there such a huge social media response of the French attacks and very little, if anything, mentioned after the Kenyan attack?

We know from looking at other news sources that the event was covered through many news outlets online and on television.  We also know the U.S. government had been watching the increase of terrorism throughout Kenya and for that reason, in May, the U.S. pledged $100 million in counter terrorism assistance to Kenya.  Of this $100 million,  $95 million will be used to help fund the Kenyan army.

Yet, most people had no idea about the Kenyan attacks nor the increased financial aid given to Kenya. Why?

Some may say that it is because there is no financial gain to help Kenya. Although Kenya relies on American trade to support much of its growing economy, America does not rely on Kenya. Others may say that the corrupt government of Kenya brings attacks into its country and therefore sympathy is lacking. Still others will say that it is racism; it is easier for a majority-White country to empathize with another majority-White country than it is to empathize with a majority-Black country. I think there is truth in all of those opinions.

Yet, they do not adequately sum up the great disparity in the social media support of France when compared to the support of Kenya. The U.S. government does not, in my opinion, regulate social media; in fact, quite the opposite. One can find posts from the government on all social network sites, but they are not the posts that become viral.

My opinion in this whole matter is: it is our own fault. We decide what we are going to share, post, reply to, and ignore on social media. We decide what we are going to pay attention to in the news headlines. Therefore, it is up to us to become more dynamic and involved in world events. It is our responsibility to make a story go viral. But, before we can do that we must be connected. We need to connect to places people across the pond, to places and people that are completely different from us, to places and people that need our social network support just as much as anyone.

Do you want to support Kenya as much as France? Do you believe that Beirut should have had more support on social media? Did you post anything about either terrorist occurrence? Did you ask your friends and relatives to change their profile picture to the national flags?

The answer is probably, "No".  That is the reason that Kenya did not get more attention. We did not take the personal responsibility to share, post, prod others to follow, and otherwise publicize the bombings in Kenya.



Sources:
http://www.securityassistance.org/latin-america-and-caribbean/fact_sheet/us-counterterrorism-aid-kenya

John Lewis Christmas Advert 2013 - The Bear & The Hare

This clip was used in our church service today as a way to remind us that not everyone has the same wonderful, memory filled Christmas that many of us have.  At our church, today was the Sunday that we signed up for community service projects to help make someone's life better.



The thought is that you don't wait until Christmas. That each day starts new and so should the idea that making a person's life better should start new each day also.

Watch and enjoy.

Praying for Paris

Working for a French owned company made the terrorist attacks even more real. We saw the French flag flying at half staff on Friday even before we knew about the attack. Then we heard it from our co-workers. Disbelief was our only reaction.

Prayers going out to all my co-workers.

Start Over?

Have you ever felt like you've wanted to start over? Not really lose yourself, but just get a free do-over? I don't mean going back in time either, because that would mean reliving all the hellish lessons you've already been through.

I mean, right now. In this present time and space - just give me a free do-over?

Allow me to be the person I really want to be. The person that has no past to hold her back and no future to live up to. Just start from today. Right now. Right here.

If you have, can you share your experience?

Say it isn't so!

I'm no health freak - I love my junk food as much as anyone. So, today's announcement by the WHO that processed meat is not good food floored me. Not because of its content, but because we actually have to be told this!? Have you seen what goes into hot dogs or ham?  Why someone would think this is good food is mind boggling; even more mind numbing is the fact that someone paid for this study. Really? Seriously? Please hand me the money and I can tell you the same thing - no investigation needed.

All that being said - tonight we are having hot dogs and french fries. Remember, I said I love my junk food.

Article Text

Perspective

Perspective - it keeps each of us from making the world center on ourselves.

It rained!

Yes, it rained! This isn't something that happens often in Santa Maria and definitely has been lacking the last few years - thus the legendary drought. But, when it does rain we have front row seats to the most beautiful skies I've ever seen.

Enjoy the sights.

Hello - I'm back!

Some of you may be wondering where I've been the last few months.  Well, I moved from cold, snowy, beautiful Oshkosh, WI to warm, sunny, dry, and beautiful Santa Maria, CA.

It has definitely been a journey! We moved here without a job or a place to stay, but God has blessed me with a job and a house. Four months later  many tense moments, we actually have most of our stuff here with us. Now, on to the rest of our life on the Central Coast!

Citizen?

Can you guess who the two men are?

Man #1:

Born in Hawaii

Mom is U.S. citizen

Father is Kenyan citizen

Man #2

Born in Calgary, Canada

Mom is U.S. citizen

Father is Canadian citizen

Remember the "birther movement"? This movement had to be convinced that President Obama could legally run for president. It seemed that no matter what President Obama did or said or paperwork he produced, those from the birther movement believed that President Obama was not legally a citizen and therefore could not be in the presidential race.

One of the forerunners of the birther movement, Ted Cruz, has thrown his hat into the ring. Low and behold, Mr. Cruze birth history is very similar to President Obama's history. However, there is one very important difference ..... Mr. Cruz was not born in the U.S. or in a U.S. territory. 

It is also pretty remarkable that we have heard nothing about the issue from the Republican party or from the Tea Party. 

Man #1 is President Obama

Man #2 is Ted Cruz

Wow! Amazing!

Imagine the changes this woman has seen?!
From USA Today Oldest American woman veteran dies at 108 http://usat.ly/1MOME16

Thank you, Starbucks

I don't buy Starbucks simply because I don't drink coffee. I'm a tea drinker and I prefer not to pay $5 for a cup that I can brew for a few cents. But, that's kind of the point for this thank you.

In all of our discussion of race, it is the wealthy (if you spend $5+ on your cup of coffee, I'd consider you wealthy) in this country that often shy away from the discussion. Race is a tricky subject to talk about. It brings up other equally tricky topics, like privilege. Often, those least affected, at least outwardly affected, do not engage in the conversation.

So, kudos to Starbucks for putting the discussion front and center. This is a non-threatening way to start a conversation. However, I'm not sure the typical Starbucks drinker will enter into it. It will be interesting to see three reaction to the slogan.

I also hope that with this new initiative will come with training on how to deal with the inevitable negativity and how to have a constructive conversation on race,

From USA Today #racetogether recasts Starbucks summit http://9fv

Rise in Civil Rights Complaints

Recently we have heard many complaints about the requirement of colleges and universities to report sexual assault cases on campus to federal departments. My Facebook news feed blew up with criticism about Governor Walker's choice to not track campus sexual assaults through state agencies; rather let federal authorities deal with. It seems that there is a lot of confusion all the way around.

What is surprising, to me, is one line of the whole article. Complaints regarding actions associated with disability have risen 34%. The largest category increase. Yet, that but of news only received one line. It has been illegal to discriminate based on disability since the 1970's, yet it apparently looks like the U.S. educational system still has a problem abiding by the law.

I don't have any suggests, this was just an observation. It will be interesting to see how this works out in the next year.

Civil rights complaints to U.S. Department of Education reach a record high http://wapo.st/192ZGJ5

Gender Pay Gap

It is infuriating - you know you can do the job, you know you have the skills, and you know that you have the support from co-workers. Yet a man has been picked for the position. How many times has this happened to you? Me - more than I want to count.

In my case, the man picked is usually less competent, has less education, and doesn't have the people skills (without more training). What he does have is commonality among the rank and file hiring him.

From the stats in this article it will be a very long time before this changes. When are we, women, going to demand more? When are we, women, going to unite and make the change happen?

At this rate, American women won’t see equal pay until 2058 http://wapo.st/18TwUuc

With all the anti-muslim sentiment in the U.S. I again ask, if the view of ISIS is the view of Muslims, as a whole, why are these women fighting ISIS?

Stereotypes can be a dangerous way to categorize people. It creates a wall that prevents understanding of commonalities, not too mention the total lack of personal growth.

The Kurdish women fighting ISIS http://www.cnn.com//2015/03/12/world/cnnphotos-female-peshmerga-fighters/index.html

The Oshkosh Independent!

Oshkosh has a new online newspaper that I believe is relevant, dynamic, and so important for Oshkosh's autonomy. If you were a fan of the Oshkosh Scene (which is now the Fox Valley Scene), then you'll be a fan of the Oshkosh Independent.

Many of the same writers we found in the Oshkosh Scene are present in OI.  Just like the Oshkosh Scene, you can find "Diversity Matters" in the OI.

This month, I strayed away from my typical article concept of writing about Oshkosh being careful to not entertain too much of my own opinion. That would not describe my first article for this publication.

Check out ..... "Ferguson: Your Questions, My Answers" and let me know what you think.

Think Before You Speak!

This article spoke to me .... to my very essence of being a mother.

I cannot tell you
    how many times my parentage of our four children were questioned, or
       how many times I've been asked if my husband is the father of all four of my children, or
          how beautiful bi-racial children are and how they wished they had one (as if they are puppies or cats).

Why? Why do people seem to think that because my family may look different from theirs that they have the right and privilege to ask me some very private questions.

Think about it .... if you would not ask your friends, who happen to be in mono-racial or mono-ethnic families, these questions why would you ask me?

Here are a few sayings that we could do without.

8 Things Moms of Bi-Racial Children Don't Want to Hear

What would you do?

Ever wonder what you would do when put in a certain situation?

One of best shows I've seen for watching how others (and possibly myself) would respond in certain social settings is, What Would You Do?

The premise is that typically the "victim" and one or more people within the scenario are actors in a serious social issue. The people around these actors are you or me. The more of these videos that I watch, the more I realize that my ONE VOICE can change a life. Usually, it is just one person who steps out of his or her comfort zone that changes the social landscape of the "victim".

The video below is one such example.  Watch and then ask yourself .... What Would I Do?

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Mildred Loving!

Thank you, Richard and Mildred Loving!




A few years ago, I was able to catch the movie, The Loving Story, on HBO. If you have never heard of it, the synopsis is that Richard (White male) and Mildred (Black/Native American female) Loving fell in love and married. The problem was that the law of the land, in 1951, considered Inter-racial marriages illegal. The Lovings held on to their hope of living in a land that was free of any type of laws that kept a man and woman, regardless of culture, race, or ethnicity, from marrying.

Finally, in 1961, Loving v. Virginia finally made its way to the Supreme Court. This movie shows some of the actual sound tracks from the hearings related to this case. If you have never heard the Bible used in a way to support racism and hate, I suggest you watch and listen to The Loving Story. It is unbelievable, and indefensible, how the justices used the Word of God to deny two people the ability to be together.

For me, it cemented my view that the Bible should never be used to dictate law in an open and free society. The Bible is my ruler, but it may not be my neighbor's ruler. The Bible tells me how to live, but it is not meant to be used by one ruler of a country or a court. For me, the sound tracks of this movie proved to me how hateful one person can make a book based on love.

Find a copy, watch it, and let me know what you thought.

It's warm!

This is what we do when it gets warm... Wait in line for the car wash.

QVC video offensive?

A recent QVC session included two hosts showing off a handbag, and while talking about the handbag they made comments about not liking your hair. The camera panned to an African-American model, with beautiful natural hair. As a mother of two girls, both with natural hair, this video is offensive to say the least.

The two hosts would like to have us believe that their conversation was simply about the great purse and not about the young woman's hair. Do you believe that?

Facts Instead of Myths

Too often our ideas of other people are made up of stereotypes. Stereotypes are simply myths that seem to have at least a minuscule bit of truth or they are generalities that we want to see for a whole society, when it may be true only for a few.

Here is a welcome reminder that those myths are often misplaced. Do any of them surprise you?

This post originally appeared in this month’s issue of Mother Jones magazine alongside an article entitled “What If Everything You Knew About Poverty Was Wrong?”

1. Single moms are the problem. Only 9 percent of low-income, urban moms have been single throughout their child’s first five years. Thirty-five percent were married to, or in a relationship with, the child’s father for that entire time.*

2. Absent dads are the problem. Sixty percent of low-income dads see at least one of their children daily. Another 16 percent see their children weekly.*

3. Black dads are the problem. Among men who don’t live with their children, black fathers are more likely than white or Hispanic dads to have a daily presence in their kids’ lives.

4. Poor people are lazy. In 2004, there was at least one adult with a job in 60 percent of families on food stamps that had both kids and a nondisabled, working-age adult.

5. If you’re not officially poor, you’re doing okay. The federal poverty line for a family of two parents and two children in 2012 was $23,283. Basic needs cost at least twice that in 615 of America’s cities and regions.

6. Go to college, get out of poverty. In 2012, about 1.1 million people who made less than $25,000 a year, worked full time and were heads of household had a bachelor’s degree.**

7. We’re winning the war on poverty. The number of households with children living on less than $2 a day per person has grown 160 percent since 1996, to 1.65 million families in 2011.

8. The days of old ladies eating cat food are over. The share of elderly single women living in extreme poverty jumped 31 percent from 2011 to 2012.

9. The homeless are drunk street people. One in 45 kids in the United States experiences homelessness each year. In New York City alone, 22,000 children are homeless.

10. Handouts are bankrupting us. In 2012, total welfare funding was 0.47 percent of the federal budget.

Do "Christian" and "Diversity" go together?

The last paragraph of this article sums up what is often missing in our Churches. 

The only true solution is a change of heart, one person at a time. Jesus knew it. That’s why he talked to the Samaritan woman one on one. He revealed he knew her secrets, but he didn’t judge her for being a Samaritan, a woman or a prostitute. And, because he treated her with kindness and respect, she followed Jesus, told others about him, and they started to follow Jesus too.

The question begs to be asked ---- how do we do church differently? 

Thoughts?

The entire article can be found here: Can Christians Handle Diversity?

A republican talking about diversity?

Photo from Bloomberg.com

Very seldom will you see me write a post about supporting one political candidate over another ..... I don't campaign for anyone. Rather, what I will do is point out what some politicians say - positive and negative.

So, here is my take on a recent article about Jeb Bush. First, I had no idea that he was able to speak multiple languages. Just as I didn't know his family is multi-ethnic.

Both sources said that at the fundraiser Bush focused on how he's not only multilingual but also multi-cultural. He mentioned his wife, Columba, who's from Mexico, and how one of his daughters-in-law is of Iraqi descent, referring to Sandra Algudady, a native Canadian of Iraqi descent who married his son, Jeb Bush, Jr.

It is also refreshing to see a Republican candidate pushing for diversity in American culture.

On immigration, Bush argued that diversity is a strength and that immigrants have had a vital role in building the country through businesses and hard work.

The only question .......

Are we ready for another Bush? I'll let you decide that for yourself.

The entire article is here:  Jeb Bush talks diversity, foreign policy at fundraiser

 

Join Fit Oshkosh in a Movie Night and Chatback

This Saturday is a great chance to immerse yourself in a difficult conversation that may change your outlook on life.

Teens talk about diversity

During a visit to Washington, D.C., photographer Julia Barden decided to visit the city's monuments. While walking down the steps from the Lincoln Memorial, she spotted these two women taking in the memorials as well.

From USAToday  http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/opinion/2014/11/07/around-the-world-displays-of-diversity/18443695/

Oshkosh Black Citizens Meeting

Reminder ----- Oshkosh Black Citizens is this Saturday.

Diversity?

I came upon this cartoon this week in another blog. This is exactly why diversity initiatives in many businesses and communities do not work.