Following on from the previous post I want to start by saying that I think Charity has gotten a bad name in some circles. I want to re-claim Charity as a term that should mean something good. My friend Jonathan Bird said, "we need to get back to the root of charity, which means love." Indeed, our idea of charity as a biblical concept is the kind of neighbour love that flows from being loved by God, not because we are good, or deserve it or earned it or even have a right to it, but because God loves. That is what God does and it is what we are to do when God lives in us.
That being said, let me move on to the bad name that charity has developed in some circles. In its current form charity (in the forms it takes to care for the poor) has come to mean an organization with charitable purposes who exist to "alleviate" poverty. They do this most commonly through professionalized workers who provide goods and services for needy individuals or families. Charitable organizations often spend a fair amount of time and energy trying to secure funds to do what they do, and sometimes will partner with government in delivering those goods and services through some sort of partnership or grant funding. The power dynamics often involve the professional determining what the needs of the individual are while the person in need has little say in the matter. This is for the sake of efficiency. The bad name comes from the power inequities, and the professionalization of service. Some would say, the need is so great, what else can you do? Charitable groups do important work and they are right, they have developed systems to deal with the overwhelming needs they are confronted with daily.
The ugly part comes in when we stop and think about the situation as a whole. This point was made well by the Carnegie Community Action Project last week during the CBC food drive. They wanted to raise the concern that Food Banks were set up to be a temporary measure, to ensure that people did not starve while a longer term more effective process was set up. It was meant to be a band-aid on a gaping wound that needed stitches, but instead we have taken for granted that we need to give more to the food bank rather than asking why so many people do not have adequate food in one of the most wealthy nations in the world. The wound is growing but we keep assuming more band-aids are all that is required. What makes this particularly ugly is that here in Canada (this is not true in many other countries) a charity is not allowed to spend more than 10% of its resources advocating or lobbying for a change of the system. In other words, charities, who are the best positioned to see the needs on the ground are allowed to put bandaids on the poor and the dying (alleviate poverty) but they are not allowed to work to eradicate poverty if that eradication involves any sort of criticism of government. Government, meanwhile, washes their hands of public responsibility for the entrenchment of poverty in this land by offering capricious funding to charitable groups who do their bidding until said group becomes to political, or falls out of favour.
What are we to do? Is charity lost?
I want to argue that we need to recover charity as loving our neighbours. And we need to push our sense of who our neighbour is, as Jesus encouraged us to do in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Often it is easier to consider the far away neighbour as opposed to the one who actually lives down the street from me who I really don't like very much.
So yes, we must recover charity, and practice loving our neighbours. Loving our neighbours includes coming as equals, listening, caring, sharing what I have and receiving in turn. But, I want to argue that charity is not the answer to poverty. That addressing poverty, which we must do because the poor are also our neighbours but poverty is a power that has trapped our neighbours. Addressing poverty will require engaging in justice. The prophet Micah said, "what the Lord requires of you is to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God." We must put our hands, and our feet, our mouths and our hearts to the work of justice seeking in addition to loving mercy.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Charity and Justice: A view from here
I have had a lot of conversations in the last month or so about charity and justice. In the next few posts I would like to let you in on some of those conversations, and offer some of my thoughts and reflections. It is an important and complex conversation and I want to invite feedback and interaction. I want to also acknowledge that we are in the most charitable season of the year, and by raising questions I want to invite critical thought and reflection but do not mean to be-little activities that any readers here may be engaged in. Rather, I find myself in a unique social location and want to simply offer, as I said in the title, a view from here. My hope is that as we share our views, our perspectives from our unique places we might see together a little more clearly.
So, what does the view look like from the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, now the third poorest postal code in Canada and certainly the site of most charitable activities in the Lower Mainland. Tonight, I can name at least 10 families in my community I know who are attending their 2nd Turkey-Dinner-Christmas-Party of the day and their 5th since Friday (today is Monday). Walking past the intersection of Main and Hastings there has not been a day since the first of December when I have not encountered an impromptu food line formed at the back of a car that pulls up, the trunk is popped and soup or sandwiches are handed out maybe with a scarf and toque as well. The kind people will serve until their pots are empty and then will hop back in their cars and head back to work, or home. There is an abundance of food around right now, but everywhere I know of that offers Safeway cards so you can go shop for your own food has been out since the 8th of December. Hundreds of Christmas baskets will be given out in the next week full of special treats, candy and gifts, but it will be really hard for lots of my friends to find the money to make any vegetables or meat for Christmas dinner with their families. And, come January, the turkey dinners will have come to an end, the sugar rush will have worn off and cupboards will be bare, still.
Does charity keep us from justice? This is a question I have heard posed a few times in the past little while. A friend of mine and resident of the neighbourhood asked, does giving to charity enable us to simply make a "better" consumer choice. I decide for example to buy a Christmas dinner for someone in need (through a $5 donation to UGM) rather than get that afternoon latte from Starbucks. But does that consumer choice then allow me to walk away feeling like I have done something good without changing or challenging the system that allows me to choose between these two options while my neighbour is only able to choose between whether to go stand in line for that dinner with her 5 hungry and rowdy kids (outside for at least 1 hour in order to get a seat) or to stay at home and feed them noodles and butter.
My friend likes to challenge people, for every act of charity you engage in this holiday season, would you commit as well to an ongoing act of justice that carries on beyond the season? Its a good challenge. Let's think more on this together soon.
So, what does the view look like from the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, now the third poorest postal code in Canada and certainly the site of most charitable activities in the Lower Mainland. Tonight, I can name at least 10 families in my community I know who are attending their 2nd Turkey-Dinner-Christmas-Party of the day and their 5th since Friday (today is Monday). Walking past the intersection of Main and Hastings there has not been a day since the first of December when I have not encountered an impromptu food line formed at the back of a car that pulls up, the trunk is popped and soup or sandwiches are handed out maybe with a scarf and toque as well. The kind people will serve until their pots are empty and then will hop back in their cars and head back to work, or home. There is an abundance of food around right now, but everywhere I know of that offers Safeway cards so you can go shop for your own food has been out since the 8th of December. Hundreds of Christmas baskets will be given out in the next week full of special treats, candy and gifts, but it will be really hard for lots of my friends to find the money to make any vegetables or meat for Christmas dinner with their families. And, come January, the turkey dinners will have come to an end, the sugar rush will have worn off and cupboards will be bare, still.
Does charity keep us from justice? This is a question I have heard posed a few times in the past little while. A friend of mine and resident of the neighbourhood asked, does giving to charity enable us to simply make a "better" consumer choice. I decide for example to buy a Christmas dinner for someone in need (through a $5 donation to UGM) rather than get that afternoon latte from Starbucks. But does that consumer choice then allow me to walk away feeling like I have done something good without changing or challenging the system that allows me to choose between these two options while my neighbour is only able to choose between whether to go stand in line for that dinner with her 5 hungry and rowdy kids (outside for at least 1 hour in order to get a seat) or to stay at home and feed them noodles and butter.
My friend likes to challenge people, for every act of charity you engage in this holiday season, would you commit as well to an ongoing act of justice that carries on beyond the season? Its a good challenge. Let's think more on this together soon.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Blanketted
The blanket is one of my favorite symbols in west coast culture. "Coming under the blanket" indicates belonging, family, and responsibility in light of that relational tie. Some of us who are not Native have been blanketed as witnesses in ceremonies or as family to mark celebrations of significant events in the lives of families.
This Easter we celebrated the first baptisms in the life of our community. As AJ came up out of the frigid ocean water at the end of Main Street, he was "blanketed" in a white blanket. A symbol that he belongs to God, that he is clothed with Christ, wrapped in white, pure and new with the presence of the Spirit like a mantle upon his shoulders. This is a gift and an honor. It also comes with responsibility. To be a witness. To tell the story of what happened on this day. To live in light of the reality of belonging to God and to God's family.
This Easter we celebrated the first baptisms in the life of our community. As AJ came up out of the frigid ocean water at the end of Main Street, he was "blanketed" in a white blanket. A symbol that he belongs to God, that he is clothed with Christ, wrapped in white, pure and new with the presence of the Spirit like a mantle upon his shoulders. This is a gift and an honor. It also comes with responsibility. To be a witness. To tell the story of what happened on this day. To live in light of the reality of belonging to God and to God's family.
Good Friday in the Hood
Today is a holiday, the streets are full. The sun shines. Twenty of us, ranging in age from 74 to two months, stand in line outside the mission, waiting for a meal with another 70 of our friends and neighbors. When the doors open we tumble in with the rest jockeying for seats where there is a good ratio of kids to adults, and we tuck in to a beautifully prepared "easter" dinner despite the fact that today is good Friday. But volunteers don't come down to serve meals on Easter Sunday, so it is now or never for the ham and scalloped potatoes, and no one is complaining.
After the meal Beth stands and invites anyone who would like to join us for a walk through the neighborhood, to remember the path that Jesus walked this day many years ago. Some leave, some stay and we walk familiar paths through our neighborhood. The path we walk to accompany a friend to court, familiar and yet more profound as remember Jesus' experience of a kangaroo court where nothing he said would make a difference in the outcome, so he says nothing. We too have sat silent before judges, powerless.
Over and over familiar spaces transformed by the memory that the One who loves us spent his final hours, on the wrong side of town, on the wrong side of the law. Forgotten, beaten, another dead body. Just like us. But this Friday we call good. A Friday with the power to transform every day since.
After the meal Beth stands and invites anyone who would like to join us for a walk through the neighborhood, to remember the path that Jesus walked this day many years ago. Some leave, some stay and we walk familiar paths through our neighborhood. The path we walk to accompany a friend to court, familiar and yet more profound as remember Jesus' experience of a kangaroo court where nothing he said would make a difference in the outcome, so he says nothing. We too have sat silent before judges, powerless.
Over and over familiar spaces transformed by the memory that the One who loves us spent his final hours, on the wrong side of town, on the wrong side of the law. Forgotten, beaten, another dead body. Just like us. But this Friday we call good. A Friday with the power to transform every day since.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Eve Pagent
We spent Christmas Eve wandering through our neighbourhood in the dark and the rain, carrying Mary and Joseph and the light of Christ knocking on doors, asking if anyone had room to take in a pregnant unwed mom and her partner. When we finally found a space, we watched the story unfold as told to us by our kids in this video. Merry Christmas. May you find space to welcome in the Christ to your life this Christmas.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Chicago by Genevieve Clarke
Jodi had come to me and asked if I would like to go to Chicago for a week for a conference , Just me , NO kids , Babies or Terry. I was all over that & it sounded to good to be true. First I had to get a Pass Port, Never had one before so that in it self was exciting. After all the " yes you can go , No you can't go to finally yes you can go (because of the Ministry of Children and Families changing their minds about care of my twin granddaughters who are in my care)" Jodi , Beth , Michelle & I left on September 5th , 2010 , Michelle left before us & Jodi drove us to Seattle & we stayed in this off the side Motel. We go to park Jodi's put put & Beth is holding on for dear life cause Jodi parks on a hill and she was afraid we were going to tip over , That was cute . We get checked in and get to our room & Jodi decides to "check" out the bed & the bouncing begins . If Beth was NOT on the bed at the time Jodi would of bounced right out the window into ??? That was funny :) We had to then get up at like 4 in the morning to go catch the plane (freaking out) , Airports are like tiny cities. I LOVE THE MOVING WALKS , again that was funny , Just how they SHOOT YOU OFF the other side :) I would diffidently make that a field trip . Getting on the first plane will forever be etched in my head. I can honestly say I FACED A FEAR & BOARDED THAT PLANE :) A huge THANKS TO BETH FOR THAT , I was freaking out yelling at GOD & there was Beth asking him to help me & be with me :) I don't remember much after that. Then we had to get off that plane & wait in the airport in Detroit ,we played cards to pass some time & AGAIN I KICKED SOME JODI BUTT :).. Getting on that second plane was/is kind of a blur thanks for gravol . We get to CHICAGO & the first thing was to find "THE PRETZEL" . Hands down best one yet :) Now we are at the train station trying to load the transit cards , weird system down there , same price , I still have my pass & it dose not expire till 2012 with like 2-3$ left :) Well we finally get to our hotel & Michele is there YEAH. We were on the 15th floor & we faced this river that ran through most of the city , If it was not for my fear of heights I would of just sat by the window the whole time :) And again Jodi had to test the bounce in the beds , LMAO. We were there to attend these workshops they had going on & I attended 3 of them , the first one sucked , the other two were awesome. They were lead by the only other 3 Aboriginal people I saw there LOL. I don't wan to talk alot about the workshops I want to focus on the FUN that was had by all. I was amazed by the Beauty I saw in the African America Black People , Men , Women , Children WOW. after we half settled in I went outside & while I was outside waiting for Jodi , Beth & Michelle , there was this bus loading people up to go ??? & this lady kept asking me to board the bus , I was LIKE UH NO thank you :) We ate at different places for lunch and dinner my favorites were the Japanese place ( I think ) & the Pizza place , U need to eat the DEEP DISH PIZZA with a fork & knife .
Another moment for my book is I was outside the hotel waiting to go for lunch ?? & the Bell Hop , an older man , was helping this group of older women into this cab , OMG , this one lady was having a hard time getting up & in so buddy goes and gives her a push up & says to the others waiting to get in " JUST PUSH THE TUSH ". Everyone's mouth drop , including mine & I LAUGHED SO HARD OMG . I still laugh :)
& they have a rat problem as well HOLY . I was again outside smoking and I went & sat across the street at this cement park thing & it was dark out & I was reading my book i brought with me & all of a sudden this "FAMILY OF RATS " came right out from under my feet , HOLLY !!!! Then again the next night I went & sat on the other side were u can see what is coming and going ( so I thought ) & from OUT OF NOWHERE A RAT!!! They also had posters of BED BUGS on the "skytrains" . We got to pick one day a choice of a bunch of tours they had set up at different churches & centers around the area . Jodi & I went on this tour of Lawn dale Community Church & all the different centers & health clinic they have going on. At this old run down fire station they have this whole HIP HOP thing happening .
Our trip home was an adventure in itself too. We are almost home after the ONE flight to Seattle YEAH , we run out of gas , LMAO. So again we play cards waiting for HELP :) JODI ALWAYS SAYS " IT IS NOT AN ADVENTURE TILL IT IS A MISS ADVENTURE" Well I think that is all I have to say about that :) I had an AMAZING TIME , If time could be stopped for awhile that would be one time in my life that I could do again. & Jodi says ( well not just Jodi ) " you always leave something undone when u travel so then u have a reason to come back ) & we / I left at least 3 things , First would be a boat tour of the river , Going to the Black Hawks sports store & to find the start of the river :) Jodi & I walked to the pier & It was amazing how big that lake is (lake Michigan).
Again I want to THANK GOD for that wonderful gift of going. I also need to THANK JODI for thinking of me when planning for this trip , A BIG ,OK the BIGGEST THANK YOU TO BETH for NOT HAVING ME TRAVEL ALONE WITH JODI. She tends to be ALOT of WORK when traveling / camping !!! LOL. Then there is my girl Michelle , I have expressed my Love & gratitude for Beth & Jodi over & over & I know we both shared in this experience together But I am just wanting to say the YOU R THE BEST TRAVEL BUDDY/ ROOMMATE ANYONE COULD ASK FOR :) I had a great time with you & can't wait for the next trip :)
In a small nut shell these are my thoughts on "MY TRIP TO CHICAGOOOO!!!!"
gg
Another moment for my book is I was outside the hotel waiting to go for lunch ?? & the Bell Hop , an older man , was helping this group of older women into this cab , OMG , this one lady was having a hard time getting up & in so buddy goes and gives her a push up & says to the others waiting to get in " JUST PUSH THE TUSH ". Everyone's mouth drop , including mine & I LAUGHED SO HARD OMG . I still laugh :)
& they have a rat problem as well HOLY . I was again outside smoking and I went & sat across the street at this cement park thing & it was dark out & I was reading my book i brought with me & all of a sudden this "FAMILY OF RATS " came right out from under my feet , HOLLY !!!! Then again the next night I went & sat on the other side were u can see what is coming and going ( so I thought ) & from OUT OF NOWHERE A RAT!!! They also had posters of BED BUGS on the "skytrains" . We got to pick one day a choice of a bunch of tours they had set up at different churches & centers around the area . Jodi & I went on this tour of Lawn dale Community Church & all the different centers & health clinic they have going on. At this old run down fire station they have this whole HIP HOP thing happening .
Our trip home was an adventure in itself too. We are almost home after the ONE flight to Seattle YEAH , we run out of gas , LMAO. So again we play cards waiting for HELP :) JODI ALWAYS SAYS " IT IS NOT AN ADVENTURE TILL IT IS A MISS ADVENTURE" Well I think that is all I have to say about that :) I had an AMAZING TIME , If time could be stopped for awhile that would be one time in my life that I could do again. & Jodi says ( well not just Jodi ) " you always leave something undone when u travel so then u have a reason to come back ) & we / I left at least 3 things , First would be a boat tour of the river , Going to the Black Hawks sports store & to find the start of the river :) Jodi & I walked to the pier & It was amazing how big that lake is (lake Michigan).
Again I want to THANK GOD for that wonderful gift of going. I also need to THANK JODI for thinking of me when planning for this trip , A BIG ,OK the BIGGEST THANK YOU TO BETH for NOT HAVING ME TRAVEL ALONE WITH JODI. She tends to be ALOT of WORK when traveling / camping !!! LOL. Then there is my girl Michelle , I have expressed my Love & gratitude for Beth & Jodi over & over & I know we both shared in this experience together But I am just wanting to say the YOU R THE BEST TRAVEL BUDDY/ ROOMMATE ANYONE COULD ASK FOR :) I had a great time with you & can't wait for the next trip :)
In a small nut shell these are my thoughts on "MY TRIP TO CHICAGOOOO!!!!"
gg
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