I know this. Accepting it is still somewhat problematic for me from time to time.
I found another article, but unlike the last one that piqued my interest, this one raised my hackles.
Illegal immigration is a tricky issue. I used to have a good, solidly-formed opinion that people should buck up and go through the system. Then I served a Spanish-speaking stateside mission. And met people who had tried to navigate the process and ended up with nothing but wasted time and massive attorney fees. And people who lost their chance at an education because the government made mistakes and realized them at the at the last minute.
I'm grateful for the LDS church's surprisingly progressive stance on this issue. See this page for more on that.
I just can't help wondering in my mind a little bit....would the deputies have shackled a man, one who had not threatened them otherwise, who was bleeding profusely while the doctors were treating him for it to prevent his death? Would the deputies have shackled a pregnant white woman they arrested, or just counted on their ability to outrun her (in all fairness, I could probably outrun Nashville sheriffs even at nine months pregnant, but I think I'm an exception)? Would they still have shackled her for the traffic violation had she been able to produce a green card or other documentation?
See, we're often so blind to our own layers of privilege that we don't even know we have it. Like my students famously say, every single semester, "I don't have culture. I'm just an American." Riiiiiiiiiight. And you don't have any privilege, either.
I hope they rake the guys across the coals for this one, just for their lack of human decency.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Ah HA! That's IT!
I found this article and it interested me:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/04/content_421834.htm
I'm wondering what the parallels may be between this situation and that of LDS women? My first reaction is that there are striking similarities, especially with this quote:
"A man tends to look for a wife who is less capable than himself. In this sense, the only men who would feel free to marry a woman PhD would be those with PhDs or even higher qualifications themselves."
Personally, I'm grateful to have found and married a man with almost a "Look how cool she is, and she chose ME!" attitude.
Thoughts on the situation, anyone??
Sorry the post is so short, but I have to have four courses set up for Monday (so of course I'm going to wash the cars, the dog, and all the laundry....and blog...instead of doing my work!) and I can only slack so far before I'm completely time-crunched.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/04/content_421834.htm
I'm wondering what the parallels may be between this situation and that of LDS women? My first reaction is that there are striking similarities, especially with this quote:
"A man tends to look for a wife who is less capable than himself. In this sense, the only men who would feel free to marry a woman PhD would be those with PhDs or even higher qualifications themselves."
Personally, I'm grateful to have found and married a man with almost a "Look how cool she is, and she chose ME!" attitude.
Thoughts on the situation, anyone??
Sorry the post is so short, but I have to have four courses set up for Monday (so of course I'm going to wash the cars, the dog, and all the laundry....and blog...instead of doing my work!) and I can only slack so far before I'm completely time-crunched.
Monday, August 15, 2011
I love working!
I never remember how much I miss working until the school year starts up again. I love the breaks and being home with my children.
But.
I spent the whole day today bandying around ideas for classroom activities, learning new teaching technologies, and getting acquainted with the teaching philosophy of a new university (I found that, at least ideologically, it combines my favorite things about my two previous institutions with none of the annoying ones - what are the odds?!?).
It was a lovely day. I'm thoroughly tired, ready to go for a run and then wind down the day setting up the first two weeks' activities.
Hooray!
But.
I spent the whole day today bandying around ideas for classroom activities, learning new teaching technologies, and getting acquainted with the teaching philosophy of a new university (I found that, at least ideologically, it combines my favorite things about my two previous institutions with none of the annoying ones - what are the odds?!?).
It was a lovely day. I'm thoroughly tired, ready to go for a run and then wind down the day setting up the first two weeks' activities.
Hooray!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Peace from a disturbance
I recently, in my blog stumblings, started reading some random LDS guy's blog. His opinions differ from mine, but I found some of what he wrote to be thought-provoking and worth the comment-conversations that ensued.
Then he posted this. And I stumbled upon this older post. I was really troubled by both; my knee-jerk reaction was "God forbid my daughter ever date his son" (though I think she'll be too smart for that), and eventually it progressed to the point of Ben listening to my rantings and assuring me that no, not all men think like this (I mean, I know this, I'm married to BEN for pete's sake), and kindly acting as a sounding board so that I could work through my frustration about the whole thing.
I got bogged down in how these posts reflect what I believe is a non-doctrinal attitude towards women that is sneakily prevalent in Church culture - That women really don't know what they want and if you persist long enough, they'll figure out that you (usually a masculine you) are right and know what's best for them; that women are like children and shouldn't be trusted with "adult" things like finances and employment decisions; that you should change your wife's behavior by training her....the language that shows up in both of those posts reminds me of the manual from the Monks of New Skete about becoming the alpha and dominating your puppy/dog so that they'll behave (albeit excellent dog training resource that I highly recommend for that purpose, I shudder to think that some men use the same techniques on their wives) . I think that's why I was so triggered by both posts (as evidenced in my comments on them).
This aspect of Church culture, especially because of the disconnect between it and doctrine (that women are valuable, that Christ often associated with them, that God loves his daughters and that we are more than just baby-machines....you know, that stuff) is something that I have struggled with since I became aware of it. I'm fairly certain that I will struggle with it for a long time yet, if not forever.
Fortunately, and partly through my step-dad's always-insightful perspective, I managed to once again separate Church culture from the doctrines I know to be true. Specifically, to remember what I know to be true about the marriage covenant.
I know that, like the rest of the Gospel, the marriage covenant is about bringing us, as individuals, closer to Christ. The Savior throughout His mortal ministry demonstrated a profound love and empathy for other people, often sacrificing for them in selfless ways. He also worked with those He loved, from within their own framework, to help them progress - when He raised Lazarus He didn't just run to the tomb and get it over with, He wept with His friends. Part of His mortal experience was to make the experiences of others intertwine with His own. Marriage, given our lack of perfection, is an excellent way for us to attempt to emulate Him in that aspect. We find someone that we love, that shares our goal of returning to our Father in Heaven, and we covenant to strive for an eternal marriage (an eternal marriage BEGINS in the temple, you've got no guarantee of it through the ordinance alone....another thing entirely, but listen real close to the words of the sealing ceremony next time you go). Which means that we bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. We complement (not compliment, though that's important too) each other, and strive to form a partnership - one like Elder Faust defines, where there is no "silent" or "lesser" partner. So that we can help each other to return home. I know that both God and the Savior intend marriage to be a learning and growing experience for their children that will ultimately bring them home. And I'm extremely grateful for the ordinances that allow it to last forever.
I feel a little sacrilegious closing the way I would in a testimony meeting. But you get the idea. Thanks for putting up with my bit of cathartic writing. :-D
* UPDATE* The blogger I disagree with removed the first post I link to in this post. To be clear on my disagreement, here's a summary. He titled it "The Brutal Truth about the Marriage Covenant" and stated this about marriage: "Why does a religious, Christian or LDS man get married? Because he wants a business partner? To get someone to chat and hang out with? Because he's desperate for children and posterity? Because he's lonely? He wants someone he enjoys doing certain hobbies or activities with? No. Just No. He wants sex. If he's healthy and normal, lots of it. Daily. At least. More often if possible." And yes, those are both direct quotes. And obviously, I have a problem with the idea that God's intention for marriage is so that men can get sex.
Then he posted this. And I stumbled upon this older post. I was really troubled by both; my knee-jerk reaction was "God forbid my daughter ever date his son" (though I think she'll be too smart for that), and eventually it progressed to the point of Ben listening to my rantings and assuring me that no, not all men think like this (I mean, I know this, I'm married to BEN for pete's sake), and kindly acting as a sounding board so that I could work through my frustration about the whole thing.
I got bogged down in how these posts reflect what I believe is a non-doctrinal attitude towards women that is sneakily prevalent in Church culture - That women really don't know what they want and if you persist long enough, they'll figure out that you (usually a masculine you) are right and know what's best for them; that women are like children and shouldn't be trusted with "adult" things like finances and employment decisions; that you should change your wife's behavior by training her....the language that shows up in both of those posts reminds me of the manual from the Monks of New Skete about becoming the alpha and dominating your puppy/dog so that they'll behave (albeit excellent dog training resource that I highly recommend for that purpose, I shudder to think that some men use the same techniques on their wives) . I think that's why I was so triggered by both posts (as evidenced in my comments on them).
This aspect of Church culture, especially because of the disconnect between it and doctrine (that women are valuable, that Christ often associated with them, that God loves his daughters and that we are more than just baby-machines....you know, that stuff) is something that I have struggled with since I became aware of it. I'm fairly certain that I will struggle with it for a long time yet, if not forever.
Fortunately, and partly through my step-dad's always-insightful perspective, I managed to once again separate Church culture from the doctrines I know to be true. Specifically, to remember what I know to be true about the marriage covenant.
I know that, like the rest of the Gospel, the marriage covenant is about bringing us, as individuals, closer to Christ. The Savior throughout His mortal ministry demonstrated a profound love and empathy for other people, often sacrificing for them in selfless ways. He also worked with those He loved, from within their own framework, to help them progress - when He raised Lazarus He didn't just run to the tomb and get it over with, He wept with His friends. Part of His mortal experience was to make the experiences of others intertwine with His own. Marriage, given our lack of perfection, is an excellent way for us to attempt to emulate Him in that aspect. We find someone that we love, that shares our goal of returning to our Father in Heaven, and we covenant to strive for an eternal marriage (an eternal marriage BEGINS in the temple, you've got no guarantee of it through the ordinance alone....another thing entirely, but listen real close to the words of the sealing ceremony next time you go). Which means that we bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. We complement (not compliment, though that's important too) each other, and strive to form a partnership - one like Elder Faust defines, where there is no "silent" or "lesser" partner. So that we can help each other to return home. I know that both God and the Savior intend marriage to be a learning and growing experience for their children that will ultimately bring them home. And I'm extremely grateful for the ordinances that allow it to last forever.
I feel a little sacrilegious closing the way I would in a testimony meeting. But you get the idea. Thanks for putting up with my bit of cathartic writing. :-D
* UPDATE* The blogger I disagree with removed the first post I link to in this post. To be clear on my disagreement, here's a summary. He titled it "The Brutal Truth about the Marriage Covenant" and stated this about marriage: "Why does a religious, Christian or LDS man get married? Because he wants a business partner? To get someone to chat and hang out with? Because he's desperate for children and posterity? Because he's lonely? He wants someone he enjoys doing certain hobbies or activities with? No. Just No. He wants sex. If he's healthy and normal, lots of it. Daily. At least. More often if possible." And yes, those are both direct quotes. And obviously, I have a problem with the idea that God's intention for marriage is so that men can get sex.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Today's Guest Writer - Ben
How Spanish Golden Age Comdia Written By Women Rocks Your World
Once upon a time, in a land that predates computers, everyone wound congregate in town squares and they all looked int the same direction at an empty platform. This phenomenon occurred for hours at a time, but left the people empty and unfulfilled as they stared at nothing. Then one day someone lost a bet and had to stand on the platform while everyone was looking. This too was unfulfilling to the populace until he decided to dance a merry jig. This brought happiness to the townsfolk. The next day he decided to read a book to the group. This did not go over well.
This lead to other people trying to fill those hours of looking toward the stage. Then someone had an idea to script out what they would do on the platform. And thus the Comedia was born. First the men wrote because they were the ones in charge of everything. Then some women started writing, too. And everyone knows that women do things better than men.
They were insightful and often reflected social issues of the day. This structure can help us understand our society today. And that’s why they rock your world.
Once upon a time, in a land that predates computers, everyone wound congregate in town squares and they all looked int the same direction at an empty platform. This phenomenon occurred for hours at a time, but left the people empty and unfulfilled as they stared at nothing. Then one day someone lost a bet and had to stand on the platform while everyone was looking. This too was unfulfilling to the populace until he decided to dance a merry jig. This brought happiness to the townsfolk. The next day he decided to read a book to the group. This did not go over well.
This lead to other people trying to fill those hours of looking toward the stage. Then someone had an idea to script out what they would do on the platform. And thus the Comedia was born. First the men wrote because they were the ones in charge of everything. Then some women started writing, too. And everyone knows that women do things better than men.
They were insightful and often reflected social issues of the day. This structure can help us understand our society today. And that’s why they rock your world.
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