working for a better world

[serene]

Recently, I heard someone at work express the opinion that people who
don't do what zie does -- actively work for social justice with
progressive organizations -- shouldn't complain about the country,
shouldn't be taken seriously, and aren't making the world a better place.

I say bullshit.

You make the world better when you work for social justice in organized
venues, true. But you also make the world better when you:

vote.

treat people with respect.

get to know your neighbors.

write to your congresscritters.

transgress wrongheaded laws and traditions.

blog about peace and social justice.



walk to the store instead of taking the car.

tell a friend why you think queers/women/minorities/etc. should get equal
rights.

treat a serviceperson with respect.

write an essay that challenges the status quo.

feed somebody who's hungry.

cook and eat wholesome foods.

pay attention to how your material goods are produced and choose as wisely
as you know how.

stay out of debt.

treat children as people.

refuse to be silent in the face of injustice.

love your loved ones with fierce adoration and loyalty.

garden.

think for yourself.

respect difference.

stand up for yourself with gentle integrity.

deal honestly with employers, co-workers, and employees.

clean up after yourself.

make an honest living.

enjoy sex without shame.

make gifts by hand.



Now, I'm NOT saying you're a bad person if there's stuff on this list that
you don't do. And I'm NOT saying that you don't make the world better in
a thousand other ways. Just saying that people don't have to make the
world better in the way you do to count.

Do you have other things to add to the list? I'd love to hear your ideas
of ways that you and others make the world better.

Comments

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Seconded! Bull indeed. I remember calling bullshit on a coworker ten or twelve years ago who said that the only way anyone "contributes" (to the world, to society) is to raise a child. Exact same bullshit. There are many contributions and mine don't have to look like his.

So, for the list:

keep your word.

take care of yourself.

help someone who needs it.

let your neighbors get to know you, too.

sing.

challenge yourself.

raise a (capable, warmhearted, or fill-in-another-good-adjective) child.

show up on time.

question your assumptions.

strive for competence.

strive for forgiveness.

grow.

love.

[geminigirl]

To your list, and Serene's, I'd add:

Continue learning and sharing your knowledge with others.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Oh definitely. And "know yourself" too. Many of these aren't directly related to political activism, but I suspect they're indirectly related. So many of them are about treating others well.

[baerana.livejournal.com]

I agree 100%. I do sometimes get frustrated when people only complain instead of *doing something* but there is so many different ways to make things better. I have trouble believing anyone isn't guilty of making the world better in at least some small way :)

I can't really "actively work for social justice with progressive organizations" anymore. I found it too personally stressful, I got angry, bitter and frustrated. I used to be more active in the ACLU, and used to work w/ women's shelters, but have decided lately to focus on things I can do that don't make me so angry. I've decided working for animal welfare is the way to go - I clean cages and feed/socialize rabbits at a shelter, and I do phone interviews of potential adopters for another animal shelter. I am also endlessly trying to educate/persuade people about things like organ donation.

I've often helped friends organize their stuff, and then we drop a big load to a place like the Salvation army. This is great, 'cause not only does it help a worthwhile charity, it helps the person doing the donation to get rid of excess crap from their lives. Simplifying your own life (hope that isn't on your list and i just missed it) is a great way to make things better for everyone.

I used to write a column for a free online magazine, to help newbies w/ computer problems. Not saving the world but I think saving people a little stress is a good thing :)

Several of my friends do work, for free, for open source software projects. I think that's a great way of making things better. Others provide assistance to newbies in chat rooms.

Turning leaves into mulch, building a sweat lodge to reconnect w/ your roots, taking excellent care of your pets. One of my friends spends a few hours a week training/working for a search and rescue program. My best friend builds shelters for the homeless and teaches an adult literacy program.

None of these things are really "actively work for social justice". Probably none of these are ever going to get the Bush administration out of the white house. But that isn't what everyone needs to be focused on.

[jenhowell.livejournal.com]

I wholeheartedly agree and really enjoy your list.

I'd add:

meditate and become more peaceful within

ride a bike

shop for goods used or borrow/lend with friends

create art and appreciate the art of others

spend quality time with children

do what brings joy to yourself and others...

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

more I've been thinking about:

freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org).

call your mother (or other beloved person).

give to a good cause.

challenge people's wrong assumptions.

write a letter to the editor.

eat more vegetables and less meat.

keep your hurtful words to yourself.

apologize.

[maestrodog.livejournal.com]

I make the world a better place by teaching children to sing and being kind to dogs and cats, staying away from fast foods, giving up one night stands and having more meaningful relationships.

[mhw.livejournal.com]

Have you asked that person why they think as they do? It seems such a peculiar view to take of things that I'm curious about why they hold it to be so.

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

You think it's peculiar? I hear LOTS of people say "If you're not doing something about the political situation, you don't deserve to complain about it," and usually what they mean is some sort of political action (usually the kind they endorse). Is that not your experience?

[mhw.livejournal.com]

I think that I must be lucky in not encountering them at all frequently.

[berkeleyfarm.livejournal.com]

It does seem a Berkeley (and environs) thing. I suspect that the list of Approved Social Justice Organizations is fairly small (*snork*).

It's a "persecuted minority" mindset. It's as creepy to me as the right-wing Dominionist Christians who think that people who aren't one of their approved flavors of Christian should just shut up and go away.

That sort of line-drawing isn't part of the solution. It's part of the problem.

(BTW, left wing extremist whackos really hate it when you draw this sort of parallel. *whistles*)

p.s. I'd agree with "if you didn't vote, stop whining and get registered."

[mhw.livejournal.com]

I make the world a calmer place by not insisting that my way of doing things is the only way.

Oh, yeah ...

[kightp.livejournal.com]

And also... practice:

Compassion
Patience
Generosity of spirit
Mercy
Charity
Tolerance - and yes, for those people, too.

What I'd be tempted to say

[dsgood.livejournal.com]

If you're sure you're part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

[gramina.livejournal.com]

I've heard (grew up with) the phrase "If you don't vote, you can't bitch --" that's about as far as I'd take it in terms of having to be politically active. (And that's only for people who *can* vote, of course.)

But what that has to do with being taken seriously or making the world a better place is a mystery to me.

(And I like the list a lot.)

IMO...

[catdeville.livejournal.com]

the error in her reasoning is that one need not work in an organization to work towards social justice. many of the things which you listed fall into my classification of "actively working for social justice".

Everytime you try to help an individual who is being directly affected by social *injustice*, you are actively working towards social justice.

Working towards social justice person-to-person, 1 person at a time, creates a ripple effect which can cause more improvement than a dozen "progressive organizations" which are on the right track.

What was that quote, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has!" -- Margaret Meade. I would posit that any group begins with the individual, and individual action is just as important as group action.

[elissaann.livejournal.com]

Volunteer.
Sing with friends.
Listen to someone who is sad or angry.

[dragonflylover.livejournal.com]

as a teacher in a financially strapped district, I would also suggest:

*donate old (but usable) computers
*know how to work on computers, maybe offer your time to help network and/or train students and teachers how to use them!
*mentor in some way to a child who may not have a positive adult influence
*offer to help out in a local school
*vote for those measures that will help your local school districts.

[pure-agnostic.livejournal.com]

May i add a few to the list:

* use less energy
* recycle
* give away what you don't use
* work on scientific research projects

Here's a couple

[red-frog.livejournal.com]

Pick up trash in the street
Let drivers into your lane, and wave thanks when they do the same for you

[malte.livejournal.com]

I dunno - the more I think about it, the more I think that rich white folks in the North like me are more part of the problem than the solution. And that might well include your friend.

/malte, otoh I was brought up on Calvinism, so don't trust me on these things

[ailbhe]

Smile at people doing the right thing - breastfeeding in public, walking to the shops even when that means crossing busy roads and *gasp* holding up traffic, buying organically raised local food.

Refuse to lie for your employers.

Give to charity - money, food, time, webspace, whatever.