Turning lemons into lemonade...into relief

As a teacher, I have been dismayed by the enormous budget cuts to the education system, and have spent much of the last week wallowing in self pity and anger towards those who think that teachers and those who work in the public sector are so expendable. Also, I had an extremely hard time finding Ubuntu in any news story this week, as so many terrible things have happened around the world. However, if there's one thing that I'm learning through this, it's that people inevitably come out to help those in need during times of tremendous tragedy. I happened to hear this story on NPR about those in Hawaii raising money to help those affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. My favorite part was hearing about the children who set up a lemonade stand, and sent their resulting $145 to Japan relief efforts. True Ubuntu in the works.

Listen to the story here:

Hawaii Looks To Help Japan With Donations

Countering Thoughtlessness

I should know by now not to read comments people make on controversial news stories. I was reading a story earlier about Rep Gabrielle Giffords' recovery and some of the comments made were unnecessary, and unnecessarily hateful. I guess I'm having a hard time balancing free speech with the things that people choose to say. I suppose one has to be strong enough in his convictions to be able to look past the sometimes horrifying rhetoric people spew onto public forums. I decided that since I'm not quite that strong, I'm going to counter it with an old story from BBC Outlook I heard in January. I think about this woman and her Ubuntu spirit nearly every day, and I think that her selflessness and compassion are great enough to wipe out the rest of what I head today.
Enjoy!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/2011/01/110104_dorah_mokoena.shtml 

To read more about Dorah's story, go here:
http://www.childrenoffire.org/index2.asp?include=thetimes.htm&catID=3

And to learn more about children like Dorah, or to make a contribution, go here:
http://www.firechildren.org/index.asp

Patriotic Ubuntu

The decision of the Supreme Court last week that upheld the right to free speech for members of the Westboro Baptist "Church" was upsetting, and unfortunately, I think, the right decision. This is one of the things about free speech that is so upsetting- people can spew their hate and bigotry wherever... even our fallen soldiers' funerals. However, I found this story (thanks Carol and Snowden) posted on Facebook today, and it made me feel a little more...uplifted... about this decision. Yes, these people have the right to say what they want, but no one has to hear it. This is a great example of Archbishop Tutu's description of Ubuntu- people who feel diminished when others are diminished, and therefore must do something about it.

Thank God for those who have the Ubuntu to protect grieving families by drowning out those who, while they have the right to, should not be talking.

http://www.godvine.com/Christian-Veterans-Protect-the-Funeral-of-a-Fallen-Soldier-278.html

Going out of your way to help....literally

After reading in Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point that people are more likely to help a person in dire need if they are the only one around to hear their calls for help, I was struck with the sinking sensation that people may not be as philanthropic as I had thought. But I heard this story about a captain who went off his course to help stranded Afghani refugees, and I feel a little more uplifted about those willing to help another in his or her time of need.

Listen to the story here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/2011/03/110304_outlook--rescue-captain_remeeus.shtml

"I shall not hate."

There were a lot of news items about "taking sides" this morning. The 2012 presidential campaign is looming, there are stories of unions vs governors, stories of people versus their government. It is so easy for us to take sides, sometimes. Having never been on either side of a great divide; I can't possibly imagine how it would feel. Also, living in the great comfort and safety of the United States, I can't imagine living a life that was in great danger nearly every day, and yet never giving in to having to "choose" a side. And I have also been fortunate enough to have never had to deal with a great and tragic loss. This is a true example of ubuntu- a man who gives of himself to promote peace and the idea that we all must be cared for, even in the shadow of immense personal loss.

Listen to his story here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/2011/02/110224_outlook_izzeldin_abuelaish_gaza_doctor.shtml

The Music Woman

I am extremely lucky in having grown up in a family where music played (and still plays) a central role. My sister and I played the piano, sang in choir, played the viola and cello, and participated in musicals. I learned to play the French Horn in high school, just because I thought it was beautiful. We were extremely lucky to have the opportunities to pursue music like we did; we had private lessons and we were always able to see a number of touring Broadway productions. I can't imagine a life where music would not be a part of it. While the talk of educational cuts are never-ending, music programs across the nation are always on or very close to the chopping block. Many school districts have already abandoned music programs all together. Stories like this show that music is a necessary element in our lives, and one that we must pursue regardless of funding. Of course, not many of us will go on to become the next Joshua Bell, but being given the opportunity to explore music, the challenge to make it, and the ability to partake in being a part of a greater whole exemplifies the idea of Ubuntu unlike much else.


http://www.npr.org/2011/02/27/134057057/free-music-lessons-build-a-priceless-community

Something out of nothing

This is one of the first stories I heard on NPR this morning as I was driving to work, and for some reason, I didn't really think that it applied to my "people who embody ubuntu" theme, perhaps because Dr Kenney lived so long ago- it's not really a story about someone today. But the more I read about him, the more I think that stories like his are important to remember. I was particularly struck by the granddaughter's last phrase: ""Our grandfather, who was the son of ex-slaves — if he can do what he did with nothing, what is our excuse?"


http://www.npr.org/2011/02/25/134048252/StoryCorps

And here is more information about him and his hospital:
http://www.oldnewark.com/hospitals/kenney.htm