What do change-makers do? We sit with the world, see it as it is, and imagine it differently. We imagine it better. More just and livable. More democratic, humane, and beautiful. We imagine projects that blue the skies, ventures that wildflower the landscapes, and start-ups that cleanse the oceans of plastics. We imagine Read more
We reached out to one of our favorite global development bloggers – Tobias Denskus – and asked him to give us his top 5 global development resources over the past couple of years. Here they are: From Impact to Transformation: Do-Gooders, Multicolored Saviors and Development as Lifestyle Development Set Blog Read more
“Why do I want to help others?” On the surface, this seems like an easy question to answer. When I was 6 years old, I lived with my family in Manila, Philippines, where I first saw what urban poverty looked like. I remember seeing children and adults approach our van Read more
Every person has a story. Here at LA CEIBA, we have learned not to steal them. And, we’ve developed a set of procedures guided by four principles. But, before sharing them, let’s get some context. The world of non-profit marketing is on the right track when it comes to raising Read more
This question of flight vs invisibility was the topic du jour for party-goers in this episode of This American Life back in 2001. Although a very informal survey, the set of very telling answers may give us insight to our approaches to just about anything, including the rally cry to end poverty.
During the last two months of the 2016 US presidential election, I found myself increasingly frustrated with “progressives”. Note, I consider myself progressive. In recent years, progressives have led powerful discourse around ongoing injustice related to race, class, gender, and sexuality in America. While the discourse has been the most dynamic and engaged the US has seen in a generation, it was also divisive. The constant challenge to individuals and specific demographics to reflect on how privilege shapes perspective and actions didn’t seem based in malice. But, most of these calls for greater consciousness landed as pointed condemnations of those who hadn’t achieved enlightenment about the complex injustices and inequities built into our political, economic, and cultural systems. They rarely felt like invitations to collaborative exploration of societal challenges and how we each relate to them.
The pluck and passion of a social justice career is showing up. When you and I double down on our beliefs, commit to a social innovation, take action against injustice, volunteer, campaign, fundraise, march, picket or petition, we are trusting ourselves to figure out what comes next. We are also making a commitment (to ourselves) to get started, to stay involved, to not quit.
“So, what can I do to end poverty?!”
I get this question a lot. And, I usually get it in an exasperated tone.
I should.
I spend a lot of time on this blog, in my classes, and in conversations with family and friends saying things like “Huh, you shouldn’t do this” and “Whoa, I wouldn’t do that”.
I suppose it can all be very frustrating.
Now, to be honest, I’ve never sat down and answered this question before. It’s a hard question to answer. But, for this year’s Global Two Dollar Challenge, I’ve decided to give it a shot. So, if you are in the social good space and you want to end poverty, here’s what you can do:
Every Society organizes itself socially, politically and economically according to its values. For example, my mother was from the Cherokee Nation, a matrilineal society where women were valued as leaders. Cherokees had a Red Council which was the men’s political forum and a White Council which was the women’s political forum. The Red Council ruled only during times of war and the White Council ruled during times of peace which was the majority of the time. Thus the political leadership of the Cherokees was balanced between men and women to achieve the best decisions for society as a whole. Cherokees valued their children – seeing them as the real and practical future of the Cherokee people. If Cherokee parents decided to separate or divorce there was no social stigma but all of the parents assets, property and wealth stayed with the children to guarantee their well-being.
Shawn Humphrey, The Blue Collar Professor and social entrepreneur behind the Two Dollar Challenge, asked me to consider – along with other colleagues:
As a professor, it is always tempting to profess the capacity to answer.
I wish I knew.
Unfortunately, in this case, providing a clear answer would be both incorrect and intellectually dishonest.
It would be incorrect because no one person knows the whole structure of any global story and because poverty is a slippery concept. It would be dishonest because I’m just barely smart enough to know I don’t know. So – despite what some would call a ridiculous amount of education, experience, and time spent thinking about this question- I can not give you a definitive answer.
But here’s the thing: I deeply desire a role to play. Like you, I’d love to be using my time on this earth to somehow contribute to – or at least not negate – the creation of a more just world.
Through nearly two decades of work and study in international and community development, I’ve learned the importance of cultivating these six capacities: