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Derek1G's comments:

on ARCTIC BLAST 2008!!!!

"Personal Responsibility" for these rare events can be *far* *more* *costly* in several ways than preparation by the government. Typical worst-case personal behavior is buying a big SUV or other AWD/4-wheel-drive vehicle just on the slim chance you'll need to drive your kid to the doctor on one of the 3 days per year when the roads are slightly slippery.

If we had better road clearing or "emergency" salting of the roads by the cities and towns, maybe people wouldn't feel compelled to buy monster trucks that contribute to climate change all year round when they're totally unneeded.

Chains may be "out-dated" for use in cities of the East, but they're a very effective, inexpensive solution for occasional, temporary or spotty weather problems of the Northwest.

posted 4 years, 5 months ago
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on The White State

Lee Mun Wah started this organization:
www.stirfryseminars.com
in response to some deep personal pain related to issues of race.
He is an extremely gifted facilitator who travels the country conducting workshops and has been in Eugene several times. His films are also powerful--enough so that they're best followed by extensive discussion if viewed with a group.
My experience over two-days of listening and a little talking was unexpectedly profound.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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on The White State

I was interested to hear the same thing you did from one guest. But I did not hear him or anyone else say that constructive efforts on the personal level were [i]un[/i]welcome. I think that individual-to-individual efforts can be a gateway for addressing public policy. A slow, small step? Well, at least a step in the right direction. Now keep moving.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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on The White State

Both of your stories are fascinating and bravely told. For whatever reason, I think experiences like the one you had as a camp counselor are extremely common for people who have grown up in the U.S. Meeting people who are different provides an opportunity to observe our own reactions (and actions) and grow from that self-knowledge. Congratulations for taking that opportunity.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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on The White State

I think it would be insincere if you were only doing it for show as opposed to with genuine interest in meeting new and different people. If you'd like to have more diversity among your friends, in a place like Portland it may take a special effort. Reaching out with genuine warmth and interest rarely gets negative reaction.
One tip I've learned in discussion with people of color is to preface any remarks about race or diversity with a positive personal statement to set the tone: "I've been glad to see more different kinds of people moving into the neighborhood/club/job-site. I'm Joe, glad to meet you."
Yes, you've come with an "olive branch," but who wouldn't like to receive an olive branch--especially when cold/hostile reactions are more common?

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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on The White State

As a 36-year old white male and life-long liberal who has lived all over the country, my perspective was profoundly changed [i]only three years ago[/i] by a weekend-long discussion I attended about race. The first key insight I came away with was the life-long negative impact on minorities of daily experiences with subtle and overt racism. The second was a recognition of my own, deeply internalized, racism--despite a conscious effort on my part to not never reflect that to the outside world.

As white people, especially in a state with relatively small minority populations, it is incumbent upon us to make a conscious effort to reach out, seek dialog and understanding--with humility--if we hope to make progress in our society and in our own souls.

posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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