Acts of Love...in my Home Community

Through Mason Ambassadors, an elite organization on campus, tours and service our important part of our job positions and responsibilities. It is imperative that we give back to the Mason community as well as the Fairfax and surrounding communities. These pictures show myself and the group working at an event to help feed Haiti victims. This took place not long after the hurricane hit and we worked with the Wipeout organization to help package many boxes of food. The event turned out to be not only beneficial for Haiti victims but for myself as well. It reintroduced the importance of giving and helping out those that are less fortunate. Though some see this event as an act of kindness, I see it as a social responsibility. If you have the time and or money, give to those that don't have the same things as you. Without a doubt, a small act of "kindness" can go a long way.

Acts of Love...among Friends

With friends, I don't consider acts of love kindness or anything out the ordinary. For me, it's just something that you do for another, an essential characteristic of friendship. My friends and I do a lot for each other and are always there to lend a shoulder on. We are supportive of each other and the many different qualities that make us different. This weekend my friends and I decided to show our support for our fellow BFF's events and organizations. We attended For the Love of Hip Hop and the Caribbean Student Expo. Not only were we there to show our love and support but we also learned a lot about each other. Friendships are continually growing and people are always changing. By attending these events, I was able to see what my BFF's are passionate about and what they love to do in their spare time. I was able to see another side of them that showed me their inner colors.

Acts of Love...within Family

These pictures are of my sister, Destinee and I. As her big sister, an act of kindness that I always try to do is be a good role model and always trying to open her eyes to new experiences. Whether it is doing well in school or always setting a good example of how a strong woman acts, I try to be someone that she can look up to. Destinee also visits GMU frequently and when she does I try to take her to events that showcase diversity and different views. Recently, I took her to the annual Drag Show (see above). She loves the new experiences and cannot wait to experience college for herself. By taking her to these events, I think she is also becoming more open-minded and accepting of others who are not like her self. In our small hometown, everyone looks and thinks alike. Visiting Mason she can see diversity all around and recognize the importance of being around people who have different views than yourself, an essential quality needed for personal growth. These experiences also allow us to spend quality time together:)

"Child of My Environment" - Che Guevara

“A Child of My Environment,” a speech given to medical students by Che Guevara, discusses one man’s travel and personal growth and development from a medical student to a political activist. As a young man who grew up in a wealthy family, Guevara went attended medical school in the hopes of curing diseases and becoming a famous researcher, something that would benefit humanity and be a personal triumph. However, after he graduated instead of pursuing a private practice, he chose to travel through Latin America. Originally intended to offer wisdom to the people, Guevara traveled “first as a student afterward as a doctor.” Not only did he become intimate with the country, but also its culture, its people, and even its sicknesses- something that he encourages not all doctors but all revolutionists to do. By examining and becoming one with his neighbors, Guevara believed in a social change, a revolution that would change Cuba and its people. This change, he believed, required him to take on the task of becoming a revolutionary doctor- an idea that for me is very conflicting.

A revolutionary doctor starts with a revolution that therefore begins with understanding society and its people, yourself, and the internal and external challenges society faces. Guevara believed that in order to be a truly successful revolutionist you needed to understand ach of these factors and know your patient on an intimate level. In other words, instead of being an outsider, a doctor must become an insider who is “a representative of those who come near pain and relieve it, a who consequently has a great deal for social life.” The problem with this philosophy is that often time’s revolution requires one to take drastic changes including violence and putting your own life at stake. However, as a doctor Guevara believes that you must also know and connect with your patient emotionally. In my opinion, this type of belief, which in theory sounds nice, in reality, is too conflicting. Doctors have the role of helping others and by making them be the forefront person in charge of social change, contradict with the medical oaths doctors must take. However, I do agree that in order to know your patients, you must connect with them and understand their struggles, but in essence to order to prosper in social life, you must separate your emotions from what medical treatment is best.

Social changes like revolutions often require collective thinking where doctors think more individually because they treat individuals on a case-by-case basis. A revolution therefore starts with one person then turns into a collective unit or group working towards a common goal. Asking a doctor to become revolutionary is asking too much responsibility. Doctors serve as grass root people who help contribute to change and if they had to lead it like Guevara describes, then they would be contradicting their medical role in society.

A Tough Mind and a Tender Heart - Chapter 1, MLK

Chapter 1, entitled “A tough mind and a tender heart,” focuses on the Matthew 10:16 passage, “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” MLK talks about how Jesus asks each of us to be strong-willed and committed in our actions and faith but remain loving and compassionate to others as to what he is. Our God is a merciful yet justifying and compassionate God. He is always fair and earnest but loving in all his ways.

MLK suggests that tough-minded people question why and what they see; they seek justification and ask many questions but never truly love. Soft-minded individuals tend to fear change and believe “the greatest pain is the pain of a new idea” but rejoice cohesion and others as individuals who are equal rather than separate. God is a combination of these two distinguishing characteristics, which makes him so looked upon and extraordinary. With that said, I believe he challenges us each day to be more like him and value each characteristic.

Personally, I can relate more to being tough-minded or stubborn and aggressive. I have never been one who is gullible and does not question what they are being told. I believe in asking questions like why to understand the real reasons and justifications. However, I have noticed consequences of this type of thinking and being so focused on ones' self that we simply disregard others who disagree with our beliefs. This is never a good idea and I believe that I have taken steps to becoming more open-minded by surrounding myself with peers who think different than myself. I used to view people with tender hearts as weak because they were afraid to disagree. But what I have to come realize like MLK is these types of people avoid change and encourage “adjusting.” This is not always a bad thing, because sometimes cohesion is necessary for progression. We must learn to work together and remain firm in our beliefs in order to “be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Love in Action - Chapter 4, MLK

Love in Action focuses on the Luke 23:34 passage, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do.” Before reading this chapter, I always just assumed the message of this passage was simply about forgiveness of other’s wrong doings or actions. However, MLK addresses another moral from this message besides forgiveness, which is human blindness. This line was said as Jesus was being tortured on the cross. Though he was experiencing much pain and agony, he simply cried out this small yet meaningful plea. Jesus asked for forgiveness because he believed the people were blind or ignorant of the truth, yet instead seeking revenge, he asked for the Lord to forgive them. MLK addresses two lessons to be learned from this, practicing what you preach or believe and the power of Christianity as Enlightenment.

Jesus says to forgive those that are ignorant. Often time’s man faces conflict over practicing what they preach. This is shown in our society when we talk passionately about peace, and at the same time we assiduously prepare for war as MLK states. Many of us get so caught up in what we should versus what is right, that we make wrong decisions. And because these decisions have consequences we must do more than ask for forgiveness but show forgiveness. “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.” I have always believed this especially when in conflict with others. Actions speak louder than words, and a person who is truly sorry shows so in their behavior. Jesus did not believe in revenge but rather forgiveness because it is necessary for “spiritual maturity.” When we chose not to forgive and practice the lex talionis philosophy, then everyone will “end up blind” and ignorant.

The second lesson is Christianity as enlightenment. Jesus believed that blindness was their trouble and enlightenment was their need. These men, like many others in today’s society, got so engulfed in what they believed, that they became blind and closed off to any other beliefs. Values like patriotism, which MLK discusses as the result of why many believe and fight in wars, can leave individuals blinded. We often question how far is too far and is death and war patriotic? Then we question slavery and how many believed it was such an economic factor- these questions all become “justified” so that they fit our mentality. We alter the facts such as religion and the Bible, to support what we believe is the truth. However, MLK and Jesus say this is because of blindness, but I wonder deep down do people really believe what they are practicing (i.e. slavery), and are they really “blind” to their actions? Forgiveness and enlightenment teach us to recognize other’s blindness and ask for amnesty.

MLK closes with the dangers of being blind and how “nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” We must learn to look past physical blindness or the external features of our fellow man such as race but NOT look past their ignorance. Though it is easier said than done, we must educate or enlighten those that are misguided and distinguish that intelligence requires open-mindness, sound judgment and love for truth. “One day we will learn that the heart can never be totally right if the head is totally wrong. Only through the bringing together of head and heart –intelligence and goodness- shall man rise to a fulfillment of his true nature.” We must always remember the cross and the man that laid upon it, who was represented at his worst yet defining moment.

On Being a Good Neighbor - Chapter 3, MLK

Chapter 3 discusses the definition of a “neighbor” or Samaritan in life situations based on the Luke 10:29 passage in the Bible. The story tells of a man who was beaten and left to die by a group of robbers and how he was passed over by two people (a priest and a Levite) until one man decided to help. The Samaritan expressed compassion, administered first aid to the wounded man, carried him to an inn and then took care of him. King then talks about three characteristics that the good neighbor possessed in the story that we all should have: universal altruism, dangerous altruism, and excessive altruism.

Universal Altruism is about looking at all men as equals without considering race, religion, sex, etc or any other “external accidents,” but rather seeing each fellow man as a brother. King discusses that when we don’t do this and focus only on our class or similar groups, that we are creating a group-centered attitude, which inevitability results in crimes, wars and murders. In the story, the Samaritan did not look at the wounded man features but only his pain that he was suffering. Though this type of altruism is simple, it amazes me to how this day we are still not equal. There is still hatred against races, inequality towards specific classes such as homosexuals, and still negative prejudices and stereotypes that are always present. Even with our first bi-racial president, many black still feel they are not equal to the white man. When will this competiveness and need to feel equal stop? When will we stop judging each other based on our external features? I believe the answer to this begins with the home-parents must practice and teach their children that we must see each other as equals only and encourage diversity.

Dangerous Altruism involves when you are able to recognize the risks, consciously or unconsciously, of your actions as a result of helping out another. However, instead of backing down or choosing not to be of assistance, you follow through with your initial plan and help. In essence, when faced with a dilemma, King suggests that instead of asking how this would help or affect you, that you ask what will happen if you don’t help? I think a lot of the time we get so caught up in what benefits us as a society, that we don’t consider the ultimatum if we choose not to help. This is an excellent question and for the most part, a lifestyle that I try to live by. I believe in giving to others because it is the right thing to do (which eventually resorts in good karma). Whether you are a Christian or non-religious, this belief or principal makes one question who they are, what they stand for, and what are they willing to do for others? He quotes, “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy;” this is indeed where one’s true colors are shown. In the story, MLK suggests how the priest and Levite thought about the consequences of helping, such as being beaten or being hurt from the stranger. However, the Samaritan asked himself what would happen if he didn’t help.

Excessive Altruism is about expressing sympathy/compassion not pity. Instead of asking what you can do for another, ask what can you do with them. When only focusing on pity, King discusses how our efforts to help often fail because true compassion is not shown. Often times it is easier to express pity (i.e. by writing a check), but making a real difference involves “giving of one’s soul” or giving one’s time. In the story, the Samaritan expresses personal concern by not only administering first aid, but also carrying the wounded man and then looking after him. He went above and beyond the expectations of what it means to help. Community service has always been a value and principal in my life that I try to act upon whenever I can. Recently, I participated in an Alternative Spring Break program where we not only worked with an organization to help provide services such as painting, but we worked with the community. In turn, though the community benefited from our help, we learned many lessons from them.

Lessons from Our Political Grandmother: Ella J. Baker - Chapter 3, Bynoe

In Chapter 3 of Stand and Deliver, Bynoe urges Black Americans to revisit their history and past leaders in the civil rights movement. One specific person that was not always in the light but played a vital role in the movement and founding of different organization is Ella Baker. Baker worked with several different organizations and helped found the Southern Christina Leadership Council, an organization that helped MLK Jr. and the Student Non-Violent Coordinating America, which produced several influential student activists.

The reason Bynoe urges Black Americans to look civil right leaders is because Baker believed in equality between Blacks and White, the importance of being treated fairly, and the strength in local leadership. As a member of the Hip Hop generation, we have often looked to historical and prominent figures in history such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and assume that they were the reasons why the civil rights movement has come so far. However, these people were the voice of the movement, but as Bynoe touches on, they were not the heart or groups of people that also pushed for strong Black leadership.

Bynoe believes that the most significant form of leadership is those that take place at the local level, not the higher levels or spokesmen of the Black race. Local level leaders are able to identify critical issue within the community. Spokesmen or higher up leaders then voice these issues, trying to speak for their community. Essentially, both high and local leaders are needed to make a change and therefore complement each other.

Besides voicing the need for local leadership, Ella Baker also fought to make sure generations were knowledgeable about their causes and components. She didn’t believe that you had to have a college degree in order to be informed but what mattered was that you were willing to learn. Often times she set up conferences, leadership trainings based on the ideology of “Give Light and the People Will Find the Way.” This ideology reiterated the impact individuals could have on their communities if they were educated and applied what they learned. Local leaders need facts and statistics to give to the Spokesmen or larger leaders. These workshops and conferences provided a way for members of the community to get involved.

From this reading, I too agree that local leadership or grassroots organizations are what help makes changes in society and in the civil rights movement. Local leaders know what is going on in their community because they live there. They know what the need and or desire. However, without leaders who are willing to be the voice and image of these communities, the spokesman, then these changes will not prevail.

Reflections on the New H.N.I.C- Chapter 6, Bynoe

In Chapter 6: “Reflections on the New H.N.I.C,” Bynoe focuses on comparing and contrasting the Civil Rights generation versus the Hip Hop generation and the conflicting role of Black American leadership and political influence. This chapter was most interesting to me because it asks Black Americans to question what there past has done and contributed for them as well as the future of their race. The Civil Rights generation whose goals focused on eliminating racial discrimination, achieving equality as well as integration with whites, was thought as the moral authority. Though more timid, yet still as strong and powerful, the Civil Rights generation became the stepping-stone for the Hip Hop generation. However, one key difference between the two generations was vocally. Due to different time period each generation faced and the goals each group focused on, the Hip Hop generation has become ever more vocal than their fathers and mothers. Racial discrimination is less apparent because the new generation has grown up in a society where whites and blacks mix and collide. Because of this difference, there are new topics to focus on including police brutality. In contrast, while the Civil Rights generation fought for good morals by pursing equality, they overlooked and tended to ignore what was going on in everyday life. The Hip Hop generation now instead of overlooking or ignoring has voiced all concerns through expressions in music, hairstyles, defiant attitudes, dress and so on.

Bynoe then discusses that though there may be different initiatives and problems faced by the Hip Hop generation, the Hip Hop generation should not ignore the Civil Rights generation and all that has been done for them. But rather, build upon the foundation of the Civil Rights Movement and update their vision for Black Americans. You cannot change society if you don’t know how and your people began. By Bynoe explaining the need for integration between the two generations, shows the significance of collaborative efforts in order for Blacks to succeed in predominately operated by white regime.

The last issue that I felt was important to discuss was how the Civil Rights generation was thought of as trying to blend in and take on the social norms and customs set forth by members of the white race. Contrary, the Hip Hop seemed to embrace their culture and promoted not assimilating with their opposing race. The problem with these two generalizations is trying to understand why is blending is so wrong? And if you do, why is it considered bad or “ignoring your roots?” Growing up as a biracial child by a white mother and stepfather, I was always told that I acted white, didn’t act black enough or was ignoring my past. In college, I have been encouraged to be part of traditional black sororities, instead of mixed races. I have chosen to not be a part of any. Personally, I don’t feel that I am ignoring my roots, but instead embracing whom I am. I don’t believe I act white and further more what determines “white” and “black” behavior? Is there a set of norms that are acceptable for one race but not for another? Just because I perm my hair, does not mean I am ignoring my roots, but rather developing into the person that I want to be, not what society or other people tell me to be.

Who Shall Lead Us- Chapter1, Bynoe

Chapter 1 of Stand & Deliver begins with a quote that summarizes what I believe as the goal and understanding of this chapter, “…Waiting for the Messiah is a human weakness that is unlikely to be rewarded more than once in a millennium.” This chapter focuses on civic leadership and the separation of Black and White leadership. I believe this quote summarizes the chapter because often times we think as leaders that are more prominent and popular within the society, such as someone that holds a significant position. However, like the quote says- real leaders or a Messiah only appear once in a millennium. Bynoe urges Blacks specifically that communities cannot depend on leaders like these but rather the everyday leader who is knowledge of the community and the issues it faces. Consequently, choosing one leader to represent an entire community is impossible and irreverent for the individual to be knowledgeable of all the issues that are prevalent.

Therefore, there are two types of leaders Bynoe describes, a Charismatic Leader and a Citizen Leader. A Charismatic Leader has three distinct characteristics: they are envisioning, energizing, and enabling. In essence they are the cheerleaders in our community who advocates specific issues and need for change. They empower others to therefore make the changes necessary by stating what steps are needed. A Citizen Leader on the other hand, is the person who performs the actions or steps needed for change. They are often less well-known but are the “nuts and bolts” of change. Bynoe urges the Black community to be Citizen Leaders because compared to Charismatic Leaders, they get the job done and are depended upon more heavily. I agree with this but I also think that Charismatic leaders give the “extra push” that many of us need in order to promote a desired behavior. We need people who can talk for us, specifically in politics, who can advocate the issues many of our communities face.

Earlier I mentioned the second theme of the chapter which is the separation of Black and White leadership and the idea of a Black and White America. Because of racial discrimination and past rulings such as Jim Crow laws, society has always separated Blacks and White, often resulting in Blacks being treated unjustly and unequally. However, as a bi-racial woman of both races and the progression society has made, I feel that I have never experienced the unjustness or supremacy that those before may have or still do. But I do believe that there are separations of each race present because there are still many stereotypes and disadvantages that these groups as well as many others, face. I do not believe there is a white or black America but rather “America” in general. Our nation was founded upon immigrants of different backgrounds and different beliefs. America does not discriminate, its people do. Society and citizens are the blame for emphasis to certain races but America is itself diverse and does not favor one specific race. The idea of a white and black America is in my opinion a stereotype of the type of lifestyles that are present for each race. These are simply generalizations as a result of narrow-minded thinking.