traveling is not just a matter of going to new places, but experiencing landscapes with new eyes.
My friend Tas sent Anna and I this message as we departed for our travel along the garden route. from Durban to Cape Town. We will be traveling for three weeks. We set out on June 19th (Happy Birthay Mel!) on a 13 hour bus ride from Durban to East London. The weekend here was fantastic! Hospitality was in abundance. I was truly inspired by the Rotarians who hosted us and the work that was taking place in the community. It was a beautiful experience. The weekend included everything from Lawn Bowling, to braiing (BBQ), to holding 4 month old white lions (let me tell you at 4 months, they're already amazingly big and strong!).
After a quick stop over in Grahamstown with our friend Alicia, Ann and I hired a car to drive 300k to Nature's Valley where we spent four nights. The stars felt like they were 10 feet away - stunning! The trail we hiked on Thursday led us through the fields and forrest, along the cliffs and down into the lagoon. This holiday has been a gift. It is here in this place that I was really abl to relax and live the fullest I have ever lived in the present moment. and it was beautifully peaceful.
We are currently back at Grahamstown enjoying the International Arts Festival. http://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/ Its a small quaint town that is positioned in the middle of a valley. The students from the university are what give this place life. And for 2 weeks out of the year, about 70,000 people embark on it to enjoy music, dancing, poetry and some really good food. Our friend Samantha had a captivating performance as part of the Witts Choir last night. The harmony gracefully filled the chapel we were in and gently embraced all us who were present. There are three other scholars we have met up with here. It is good to be amongst friends as I explore more fully the vastness of the country.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
an invitation
There is a lot happening in the world and in this country. most times my deepest sigh is, oh life! (translated: Lord have mercy) I recently went to a seminar sponsored by the university on "xenophobia in South Africa, why now?" but the question really is, 'why at all?' yet the news reports tell of violence in every corner of the world. Sitting in the lush gardens on the hill of academia, there is so many things I/ we wrestle with. What is our response? How do we make policy effective and relevant? What is development anyway? In all this I recently returned to the first paper I wrote here. I would like to post it here to invite you into my life and some of the things that I am learning and the questions I am wrestling with. Let me know what you think.
Think Piece 1
Comparative Development Problems and Policies
Backward. To use this as both an identifying and descriptor term is problematic. It provides all things necessary for successful self-fulfilling prophesy, which in this case results in nothing positive. This term, in addition to other pejorative terms such as the third world, implies an inherent disability, disadvantage, or inability to get it right. It implies that which is completely different and perhaps even unsalvageable. It is inherently ethnocentric. When determining a developmental theory to put into practice, it is a wonder that historically there was any attempt to extract anything good out of these ‘backward’ countries. How can one begin on this platform and realistically expect any good or proper outcome?
In the post WWII era Paul Rosenstein-Rodan wrote on the developmental theory for backward countries and the necessary conditions for growth therein. As one of the earliest contributors, Rosenstein-Rodan had much influence on the theorists who followed who would try to explain backwardness and solutions for escaping this condition. Or perhaps it is more accurate to state that he simply recorded most accurately the ethnocentric sentiments of the developed world at the time, bringing to light the negative feelings and so-called inherent inabilities of the backward countries. This notion might be affirmed as the majority in the first world understood that “through economic dominance and political control, the industrial countries actively tried to graft their own ‘modern’ and development-promoting cultures on to the backward societies.” Therefore, if the ‘forward’ and correct thinking countries projected policies and lifestyles onto the ‘backward’ countries, perhaps they would become like them or more appropriately, turn from their ‘backward’ ways to ‘the forward’ way.
What remains puzzling to me is why in 1997 when John Martinussen’s book Society, States and Market was published, or even now, 11 years later in 2008 we continue to focus on the ‘backwardness’ of countries in the developing world and thus continues to encourage the self-fulfilling prophecy of poor performance and growth. It is evident now that the self-image and policies implemented in the ‘backward’ countries reflect to a large degree the image and policies that has been given to them throughout the history of development. In this I question our ability to be critical thinkers if we continue to let the labels of history guide our conversations, academic works and policies. Are we struggling enough with how to label people and countries? Do we realize the affect these labels have on self-image and self-understanding of ourselves individually, nationally and corporally? Why have we not come to a place of respect and acceptance of others that would enable us to overcome our self-centeredness or ethnocentrism?
Perhaps out of the reading selections Gunnar Myrdal can help us most here as he “strongly believed that a certain degree of economic and social equality and equity was a precondition for sustained growth. He rejected the widespread conception that there is a contradiction between the objectives of economic growth and those of promoting social equality.” Social equity must be found in all spheres of society, including the way in which we view and label ourselves and the other. I agree alongside Myrdal in his rejection of the notion that economic growth and social equality cannot go hand in hand. This is especially the case if the goal is sustainable growth and development. In order to achieve this equity must be a factor at all levels of participation for all people. And this means that we must use new terms and names to identify people and people groups that invite full participation.
Unfortunately promotion of social equality has often been bypassed in the name of high sustained growth or toward W.W. Rostrow’s “époque of high mass consumption.” Theories have been created to address the problems of underdevelopment that “analyze ‘barriers to modernization’ and ‘resistance to change.” Yet what this really translates to is theories addressing the ‘backward’ countries’ resistance to assimilation to the dominant, ‘forward’ countries and the sustaining of growth, which by no means equates sustainable growth.
As much as one might have hoped that solutions would be found in the modernization paradigm, Magnus Blomstrom and Bjorn Hettne write, “the disciplines that now began to participate in the theoretical discussion repeated the early mistakes of development economics…it was difficult to break the ethnocentric perspective and to change culturally determined premisses.” I argue that we never arrived here. But we must continue to make progress in this direction. In order to do so, it has to be a collective process. For all of us to move forward, we must critically examine the language that is used and critique the language of our common history. Only then will growth and participation at all levels for all people be sustainable.
Think Piece 1
Comparative Development Problems and Policies
Backward. To use this as both an identifying and descriptor term is problematic. It provides all things necessary for successful self-fulfilling prophesy, which in this case results in nothing positive. This term, in addition to other pejorative terms such as the third world, implies an inherent disability, disadvantage, or inability to get it right. It implies that which is completely different and perhaps even unsalvageable. It is inherently ethnocentric. When determining a developmental theory to put into practice, it is a wonder that historically there was any attempt to extract anything good out of these ‘backward’ countries. How can one begin on this platform and realistically expect any good or proper outcome?
In the post WWII era Paul Rosenstein-Rodan wrote on the developmental theory for backward countries and the necessary conditions for growth therein. As one of the earliest contributors, Rosenstein-Rodan had much influence on the theorists who followed who would try to explain backwardness and solutions for escaping this condition. Or perhaps it is more accurate to state that he simply recorded most accurately the ethnocentric sentiments of the developed world at the time, bringing to light the negative feelings and so-called inherent inabilities of the backward countries. This notion might be affirmed as the majority in the first world understood that “through economic dominance and political control, the industrial countries actively tried to graft their own ‘modern’ and development-promoting cultures on to the backward societies.” Therefore, if the ‘forward’ and correct thinking countries projected policies and lifestyles onto the ‘backward’ countries, perhaps they would become like them or more appropriately, turn from their ‘backward’ ways to ‘the forward’ way.
What remains puzzling to me is why in 1997 when John Martinussen’s book Society, States and Market was published, or even now, 11 years later in 2008 we continue to focus on the ‘backwardness’ of countries in the developing world and thus continues to encourage the self-fulfilling prophecy of poor performance and growth. It is evident now that the self-image and policies implemented in the ‘backward’ countries reflect to a large degree the image and policies that has been given to them throughout the history of development. In this I question our ability to be critical thinkers if we continue to let the labels of history guide our conversations, academic works and policies. Are we struggling enough with how to label people and countries? Do we realize the affect these labels have on self-image and self-understanding of ourselves individually, nationally and corporally? Why have we not come to a place of respect and acceptance of others that would enable us to overcome our self-centeredness or ethnocentrism?
Perhaps out of the reading selections Gunnar Myrdal can help us most here as he “strongly believed that a certain degree of economic and social equality and equity was a precondition for sustained growth. He rejected the widespread conception that there is a contradiction between the objectives of economic growth and those of promoting social equality.” Social equity must be found in all spheres of society, including the way in which we view and label ourselves and the other. I agree alongside Myrdal in his rejection of the notion that economic growth and social equality cannot go hand in hand. This is especially the case if the goal is sustainable growth and development. In order to achieve this equity must be a factor at all levels of participation for all people. And this means that we must use new terms and names to identify people and people groups that invite full participation.
Unfortunately promotion of social equality has often been bypassed in the name of high sustained growth or toward W.W. Rostrow’s “époque of high mass consumption.” Theories have been created to address the problems of underdevelopment that “analyze ‘barriers to modernization’ and ‘resistance to change.” Yet what this really translates to is theories addressing the ‘backward’ countries’ resistance to assimilation to the dominant, ‘forward’ countries and the sustaining of growth, which by no means equates sustainable growth.
As much as one might have hoped that solutions would be found in the modernization paradigm, Magnus Blomstrom and Bjorn Hettne write, “the disciplines that now began to participate in the theoretical discussion repeated the early mistakes of development economics…it was difficult to break the ethnocentric perspective and to change culturally determined premisses.” I argue that we never arrived here. But we must continue to make progress in this direction. In order to do so, it has to be a collective process. For all of us to move forward, we must critically examine the language that is used and critique the language of our common history. Only then will growth and participation at all levels for all people be sustainable.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Birthday celebrations!
As I reflect on my birthday just days ago, I can't help but think about the other 25 birthdays I have had as well. I must say I missed having a family celebration with enchilada casserole and spice cake and being surrounded by family...but be assured, I had fantastic day.
The day began at 5:03 am when I woke up frantically. I was supposed to pick up Mary at 5, so I was already late. We made our way down to Kings Park Stadium and ran a 10K race. It was fantastic! The route went right alone the waterfront and the sun was still rising over the ocean. Amazing! We ran a great race, 6 minute kilometers.
For the main celebration, Anna and Drew prepared a Mexican Fiesta! complete with homemade corn tortillas, guacamole, salsa, beans and rice. There were about 15 people who came to have a good time and celebrate life. 'Happy Birthday' was sung in at least 7 different languages. It was fantastic and very special.
Huge thanks to all you, my family and friends for your warm thoughts and love. I definitely felt special by all your e-cards and phone calls. (I have pictures that I will post soon)
The day began at 5:03 am when I woke up frantically. I was supposed to pick up Mary at 5, so I was already late. We made our way down to Kings Park Stadium and ran a 10K race. It was fantastic! The route went right alone the waterfront and the sun was still rising over the ocean. Amazing! We ran a great race, 6 minute kilometers.
For the main celebration, Anna and Drew prepared a Mexican Fiesta! complete with homemade corn tortillas, guacamole, salsa, beans and rice. There were about 15 people who came to have a good time and celebrate life. 'Happy Birthday' was sung in at least 7 different languages. It was fantastic and very special.
Huge thanks to all you, my family and friends for your warm thoughts and love. I definitely felt special by all your e-cards and phone calls. (I have pictures that I will post soon)
Monday, May 26, 2008
consequences of procrastination
the walk home was spectacular today. the stormy wind wisping through my hair, the sun streaming through the clouds onto the harbor- it made me smile. Upon arriving at my house, my clothes were hanging beautifully on the line; dry, fresh and ready to be collected. In my laziness I thought to myself, I will come out later... well, later happened after thunder struck and the sky let lose. all my fresh clothes are now sopping wet clothes laid gently throughout all the furniture in the living room.
plan for tomorrow:
stop procrastinating
write my a poverty analysis paper for my class
post pictures of yesterday's fantastic birthday celebration
plan for tomorrow:
stop procrastinating
write my a poverty analysis paper for my class
post pictures of yesterday's fantastic birthday celebration
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
for wednesday
Trust
It's like so many other things in life
to which you must say no or yes.
So you take your car to the new mechanic.
Sometimes the best thing to do is trust.
The package left with the disreputable-looking
clerk, the check gulped by the night deposit,
the envelope passed by dozens of strangers—
all show up at their intended destinations.
The theft that could have happened doesn't.
Wind finally gets where it was going
through the snowy trees, and the river, even
when frozen, arrives at the right place.
And sometimes you sense how faithfully your life
is delivered, even though you can't read the address.
-Thomas R. Smith, from Waking before Dawn.
It's like so many other things in life
to which you must say no or yes.
So you take your car to the new mechanic.
Sometimes the best thing to do is trust.
The package left with the disreputable-looking
clerk, the check gulped by the night deposit,
the envelope passed by dozens of strangers—
all show up at their intended destinations.
The theft that could have happened doesn't.
Wind finally gets where it was going
through the snowy trees, and the river, even
when frozen, arrives at the right place.
And sometimes you sense how faithfully your life
is delivered, even though you can't read the address.
-Thomas R. Smith, from Waking before Dawn.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
my tummy is smiling
happiness = 3 thick whole wheat buttermilk pancakes covered in fresh applesauce
mmm... delicious dinner!
mmm... delicious dinner!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
God is good- all the time
I received a phone call from my bank about 9:45 this morning informing me that my wallet had been lost. My only response was, thank you for informing me. It wasn’t until this call that I started to think... hmm, true, I did not see it in my bag this morning. I was carrying 3 bags yesterday, so I assumed it had to be in one of the others. It was not. It had escaped my purse last night at the shopping center. A kind couple picked it up and went immediately to my bank to put a stop on my debit card and had the bank notify me of my wallet’s whereabouts. They returned it with all the cash, debit card, my CA driver’s license and the USPS stamps. It was incredible! In a country that speaks so frequently of theft and lack of hope for humanity- here is proof that not all is what it seems. Proof that there are truly so many good people around who desire to live the best and fullest life possible.
Other highlights of this particularly astounding day include:
- Safe keeping from an almost accident. I was within inches of hitting a couple who turned right in front of me. Whew!
- Finally having my registration and school paperwork completely taken care of (good thing it’s only May!)
- A super delicious eggplant curry for lunch and fantastic friends to eat with.
- A great pastor who is willing to take moments out of busy busy day to talk
- Real tortilla chips! chapstick and gum arrived with several other goodies- THANKS MOM!
- Good conversation over tea at Mugg & Bean
- Prospects of a great weekend!
Other highlights of this particularly astounding day include:
- Safe keeping from an almost accident. I was within inches of hitting a couple who turned right in front of me. Whew!
- Finally having my registration and school paperwork completely taken care of (good thing it’s only May!)
- A super delicious eggplant curry for lunch and fantastic friends to eat with.
- A great pastor who is willing to take moments out of busy busy day to talk
- Real tortilla chips! chapstick and gum arrived with several other goodies- THANKS MOM!
- Good conversation over tea at Mugg & Bean
- Prospects of a great weekend!
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