One World, One Dream

INCIDENT:
It is Blog Action Day and the theme this year is poverty. If you are not familiar with Blog Action Day, it is a day when bloggers are encouraged to write on one specific topic on a specified day of the year. Last year bloggers were challenged to write about the environment in order to focus our everyday conversations on a topic of importance instead of the trivial chit-chat normally found in our daily interactions. I wrote about the unsustainable lifestyle that our society has grown accustomed to and the need to question that lifestyle in a post called "Global Problem."

This year's topic of poverty is universally felt by everyone around the world. Besides the more obvious definition of poverty as a lack of the human necessities of food, clothing, and shelter, poverty also refers to lack of opportunity -- for example, opportunities to learn, to prosper, or to succeed. Given my Olympic fever back in August, I feel that it is my responsibility to address the other side of the China Olympic story... well at least one aspect of the controversy that I think is poignantly illustrated in this image (whether or not this is real or Photoshopped):

Beijing Olympics, One World, One Dream [SOURCE]

MORAL:
The result of the juxtaposition of the Olympics with the reality of living conditions for so many in China was direct conflict. Yet it was almost too easy to resolve that conflict as the Olympics played out in all of its glory as we are distracted by the pomp and circumstance as well as the accomplishments of the athletes. However it was unfair to everyone involved to have to come to a resolution in the first place. Isn't the Olympics about strengthening infrastructure not only physically but also mentally? Did the people of China reap this ultimate benefit of having the Olympics in Beijing? Perhaps some did and will but one could argue that most did not and that is an even greater tragedy. What happens to these people? And why have we stopped talking about them since the Olympic closing ceremonies?

Let It Out

INCIDENT:
As a continuation of my post on Olympic fever, an appropriately timed release of Kleenex's 40-minute documentary on US athletes and the fans they inspired does just the trick to get right to the core of the Olympic spirit.

Here is the trailer for the film:



Go to the Let It Out website to view the full documentary.

MORAL:
At the core of the Olympics is the promise of humanity. You are compelled to rally behind the pursuits of others as they test the limits of human capacity. The Olympics is not only a time of peace (theoretically) but it is also a time when differences are put aside to celebrate the human race. If only we could only bottle the Olympic spirit or learn to translate that spirit to our everyday... if only.

Has the Olympics inspired you? How can we live the spirit of the Olympics everyday? Let's try.

The Girl Effect

INCIDENT:
My friend recently posted a video about "The Girl Effect" on her blog, Tizzylish. And as I read more about it, I started to get all teary-eyed. So what is the Girl Effect?

The Girl Effect, n. The powerful social and economic change brought about when girls have the opportunity to participate in their society.

It is an almost simple concept... to give opportunities to those who are willing and capable but don't have the means. Don't we all deserve the opportunity to reach our full potential?



MORAL:
With the state of the world, it is an almost overwhelming concept to think that positive change is possible. But occasionally we get a glimmer of hope. Like minded people who are committed and driven by the promise of tomorrow remind us that we are not alone. It is not just one person working towards a better world. It is all of us. We just have to pick up our flags and fly them high so that we can find each other. That is what a good organization can do... they can organize those who want to help make things better. Together we can foster change.

Hatred and Hope

INCIDENT:
If you have not heard the hate-filled fact-free statements by Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (sallykern@okhouse.gov) about homosexuals, then let me be the unfortunate one to expose you to the hatred that still exists in America.



MORAL:
If I could write something more eloquent about these statements that were not captured beautifully in the letter below, I certainly would share my thoughts here. But this letter written to Rep. Kern by a high school senior from Oklahoma City speaks for itself. God bless our future.

Rep Kern:

On April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City a terrorist detonated a bomb that killed my mother and 167 others. 19 children died that day. Had I not had the chicken pox that day, the body count would've likely have included one more. Over 800 other Oklahomans were injured that day and many of those still suffer through their permanent wounds.

That terrorist was neither a homosexual or was he involved in Islam. He was an extremist Christian forcing his views through a body count. He held his beliefs and made those who didn't live up to them pay with their lives.

As you were not a resident of Oklahoma on that day, it could be explained why you so carelessly chose words saying that the homosexual agenda is worst than terrorism. I can most certainly tell you through my own experience that is not true. I am sure there are many people in your voting district that laid a loved one to death after the terrorist attack on Oklahoma City. I kind of doubt you'll find one of them that will agree with you.

I was five years old when my mother died. I remember what a beautiful, wise, and remarkable woman she was. I miss her. Your harsh words and misguided beliefs brought me to tears, because you told me that my mother's killer was a better person than a group of people that are seeking safety and tolerance for themselves.

As someone left motherless and victimized by terrorists, I say to you very clearly you are absolutely wrong.

You represent a district in Oklahoma City and you very coldly express a lack of love, sympathy or understanding for what they've been through. Can I ask if you might have chosen wiser words were you a real Oklahoman that was here to share the suffering with Oklahoma City? Might your heart be a bit less cold had you been around to see the small bodies of children being pulled out of rubble and carried away by weeping firemen?

I've spent 12 years in Oklahoma public schools and never once have I had anyone try to force a gay agenda on me. I have seen, however, many gay students beat up and there's never a day in school that has went by when I haven't heard the word **** slung at someone. I've been called gay slurs many times and they hurt and I am not even gay so I can just imagine how a real gay person feels. You were a school teacher and you have seen those things too. How could you care so little about the suffering of some of your students?

Let me tell you the result of your words in my school. Every openly gay and suspected gay in the school were having to walk together Monday for protection. They looked scared. They've already experienced enough hate and now your words gave other students even more motivation to sneer at them and call them names. Afterall, you are a teacher and a lawmaker, many young people have taken your words to heart. That happens when you assume a role of responsibility in your community. I seriously think before this week ends that some kids here will be going home bruised and bloody because of what you said.

I wish you could've met my mom. Maybe she could've guided you in how a real Christian should be acting and speaking.

I have not had a mother for nearly 13 years now and wonder if there were fewer people like you around, people with more love and tolerance in their hearts instead of strife, if my mom would be here to watch me graduate from high school this spring. Now she won't be there. So I'll be packing my things and leaving Oklahoma to go to college elsewhere and one day be a writer and I have no intentions to ever return here. I have no doubt that people like you will incite crazy people to build more bombs and kill more people again. I don't want to be here for that. I just can't go through that again.

You may just see me as a kid, but let me try to teach you something. The old saying is sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt you. Well, your words hurt me. Your words disrespected the memory of my mom. Your words can cause others to pick up sticks and stones and hurt others.

Sincerely

Tucker

"Like Hope, But Different"

INCIDENT:
There has been a video circulating on the internet of a song and video inspired by Obama's "Yes, We Can" speech. Obama delivered this speech the night of the New Hampshire primary. It is compelling. So will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas took the inspirational message and created the following video:



This morning, a parody of the will.i.am "Yes We Can" video showed up on YouTube about John McCain. It is fantastic. You should also check it out:



MORAL:
It is a real stark contrast. And it is clear we need change. We need people in office who can see beyond the "business as usual" of Capital Hill. But whoever is your candidate in November, please get out and vote. Have a voice.

UPDATE (02/12/08): Go over to Cayenne & Carob for a hilarious video comparing Hilary Clinton and Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon's character from the movie Election).

Who is telling the truth?

INCIDENT:
In today's very partisan political climate it is incredibly hard to find any truth from under all of that spin. This is part of the reason why I usually get my news from NPR or from international news outlets (somehow I think it is less skewed). So you can imagine how excited I was to read about a nonpartisan, nonprofit website that tries "to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics."

So a little background... for Christmas my good friends gave me a subscription to an excellent magazine called GOOD. You should all really check it out. 100% of your subscription goes to a GOOD nonprofit partner of your choice. How cool is that?! But I digress... So in the March/April 2008 issue of GOOD they talk about truth in politics and feature the website FactCheck.org. There is no advertising on the site. They are not backed by any political party. It is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, which does not accept funding from "business corporations, labor unions, political parties, lobbying organizations or individuals."

MORAL:
The internet is great, isn't it? We can question the credibility of our politicians without doing any of the tedious legwork. Plus with more websites and organizations like FactCheck.org, politicians need to be careful with what they put out in the world. Big brother is watching. Ha! But does this mean that politicians will all of a sudden be straight with us? Probably not completely. I mean I can't imagine that happening considering the complexity of the issues and the fact that everyone wants to portray themselves as good. But hopefully some of the blatant lies will be uncovered. And we won't have to be subjected to 4-8 years of the same.

I Want to Be Natascha Badmann

INCIDENT:
Natasha Badmann is amazing. She is a six time Ironman World Champion. She has a great passion for the sport and she has the most positive attitude... not to mention her incredible sportsmanship.

At talk given by Desiree Ficker, another Ironman triathlete, Desiree talked about the 2006 Ironman World Championships. It was her first World Championship and somehow she found herself passing Natasha Badmann. This is a moment dreams are made of... and what do you think was Natasha's reaction? She encouraged Desiree. She kept telling her "Good job." Now that's the reaction of a real champion.

So you can imagine that this year's Ironman World Championship would be no different. For some reason the 2007 World Championships were extra crazy with a couple of the former champions coming down with stomach viruses... and then there was this strange circumstance with Natasha. So a couple of miles into the bike Natasha was in an accident. She was pretty badly hurt and bleeding. Her bike was totaled. Natasha shook it off after about 30 minutes of trying to recover. With her arm in a sling, they helped her onto a new bike and she was off. After about 30 miles, the pain was so excruciating that her coach and partner advised her to quit. She put up a fight but in the end decided that her coach knew what he was talking about... and it turns out he did, because Natasha had a broken rib and a broken collar bone as well as tendon damage in her shoulders and severe skin injuries. She has undergone two surgeries since the race to repair the damage from the accident especially the heavy damage to the tendons in her shoulders.

MORAL:
I want to be her. When you see the determination and courage of certain individuals in times of great adversity, you have to be inspired. Just to know that people like this exist in the world gives me hope. Whenever I feel like I cannot give any more, I think of people like Natasha... people who dig deep and find great strength. Because the moment that you give up is also the moment that you never realize how strong you really are.

The Millennials

INCIDENT:
On "60 Minutes" last Sunday, Morley Safer reported on the new generation of "millennials." These are the people who were born from 1980 until the mid 1990s during a time when people thought it was bad to have kids experience failure and instead championed mediocrity. Well, now they are joining the work force and it is changing the face of corporate America... for bad or for good.

CBS News - The "Millennials" Are Coming

MORAL:
If you have had the pleasure of teaching in recent years you probably have encountered students that feel entitled to better grades despite their performance in class. I never understood why someone would think they deserve a better grade just because they ask for one. What happened to working hard? Is that not valued anymore?

I failed many times in my life. And as difficult as those situations were for me, it inspired me to be better. If there was no incentive to working hard then what's the point? What's the point to a life without failure? You might was well veg out and stop caring. Without failure we don't know when we have actually succeeded.

I want to be a Tigger!

INCIDENT:
Randy Pausch is a Computer Science professor at my Alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). He was well known for his interdisciplinary classes and work, particularly the "Building Virtual Worlds" course. Pausch has been fighting pancreatic cancer and recently found out that there was nothing more that they could do, he has 6 months to live. As part of a lecture series at CMU, Pausch presented his "Last Lecture." It has gained momentum online and now it has more than one million views. Recently, Pausch presented a condensed version of his talk on Oprah.

Complete Video - Randy Pausch's Lecture - "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"

10-minute Condensed Oprah version - "Randy Pausch's Last Lecture"

Randy Pausch Lecture Website (includes transcript and links)

I recommend watching at least the 10 minute version of his talk, though you'll probably want to watch the full version after you see the condensed version.

MORAL:
This gets back to the idea of perseverance and attitude. And if you are not inspired by this lecture then I am guessing you might be an Eeyore. But don't fret... there is still hope.

Many of the themes in Randy's lecture echo the ideals that I try to live by. And while it is difficult at times to maintain high energy and a positive attitude, I do believe it goes a long way. Good karma does come if you recognize it. It's also true that you should never give up on your childhood dreams and even more so... you should always encourage the dreams of others.

Toast to Change

INCIDENT:
For the past three years I have been putting on the back burner an important project. I don't know why I didn't finish it sooner because in the end it only took one intense week to finish up. Well, I take that back. It has been an evolving product in the making over the past three years with seven renditions. And without those other sixth renditions, I don't think that the final draft would have come so easily. The point being is that it is no longer hanging over my head and that it is an amazing relief.

MORAL:
Why do I get myself in these ridiculous situations? I know I should be doing certain things but I become paralyzed, which not only hurts myself but those relying on me. So with this huge project out of the way, I have a chance to start over. I need to make a change in my life. No more excuses. With this new pledge, I hope that I can meet my own expectations for myself, that I can rise to the occasion, and that I can be all that I am and should be.

I am looking to you to please hold me to this standard.

I want to be Michelle Pfeiffer to their dangerous minds

INCIDENT:
I just watched "Freedom Writers" and I cried like a baby. But anyone could probably tell you that I am a huge sucker for movies about idealistic teachers who inspire their students. How could I not adore films that encourage my aspirations for teaching? And not only that, this one is a true story of a teacher making a real difference in students' lives. How could you not be inspired?

Freedom Writers Foundation

MORAL:
So I am taking a teaching practicum course in school (which is an excellent idea by the way). And considering my previous teaching experience, I wish I took a class like this sooner... I would have probably learned some key lessons faster than I did trying to figure them out on my own.

Anyhow, sometimes we talk about our personal experiences teaching (and I have shared several horror stories and a couple of victories). But one point that has been made during these talks is that we shouldn't hold on to this idealistic view of teaching... Wow. That's a pretty depressing statement considering that is why I am so drawn to teaching. But I realize the practicality in this statement. If you go in expecting that everything will fall into place, that you will have this great rapport with the students, that they will be hungry to learn, and that you have some sort of magical gift to touch their minds and hearts, then you will probably fall short. Believe me... It has happened to me several times. But I don't think it means that you can't hold on to this ideal and believe that it could be better the next time. And perhaps you won't rally a whole class to stand on their desks for you but you could positively affect the academic life of one student. And that has to mean something. Right?