"Civil Rights, Black Power, and Social Justice: The Courage to Act"

That was the title of tonight's panel discussion featuring civil rights leader Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr.,  civil rights scholar Dr. Peniel Joseph, Professor of History at Tufts University and moderated by our very own President Lynn Pasquerella. I just love these panel discussions because they are so inspiring. The conversations and dialogues they spark keep me thinking and excited for the rest of the week. This was the first time I actually stayed after the panel to go up to the speakers to thank them for their time and discuss further issues of social justice and the need for change. 


You can find an article about the evening from the Mount Holyoke News as well as from the New Hampshire Gazette here. 

Nooma

This is exactly what I needed to hear this weekend. I've been struggling to come to terms with me declaring a major. I've talked to professors, friends, family, mentors and all I seem to feel is pulled in different directions, tempted to please one person or the other. I have yet to make a decision because I need to see how I like my classes this semester, but I think it is important to ask yourself the question, "What is it that I have said yes to?"Rob Bell also states in the video something really profound: Do not do anything out of obligation.

• "We need to examine the rhythms of our lives if we are ever going to will the one thing in our life..."
• "Being busy is a drug that a lot of people are addicted to."
• Focus your energies
• What's my path?
• Withdraw, listen to God/myself
• "May you drop your shells in the pursuit of a simple, disciplined, focused life in which you pursue the few things God has for you."

Nooma- where Rob Bell posts his videos

East Coast Weather

I'm back in two feet of snow, below freezing weather and blue skies. I got back to my room late at night and realized what a luxury it is to live on quiet Bainbridge Island-no noise from fans or lights outside, no 5:30 am wake up by beeping trucks coming to take out garbage or deposit food for the dining hall. The weather here is so cold and dry that it took me a total of perhaps 30 minutes for my skin to dry out and my hair to flatten out. At least there is sunshine.
My friend and I went on a walk around Upper Lake and stomped around in the snow, which was quite deep.

Italian Politics

"Whatever it is, it is very Italian. This is, after all, the culture that invented the Baroque, with its trompe l’oeil ceilings, false doors, facades that disguise multiple layers and facades that disguise nothing at all. In his years in public life, Mr. Berlusconi has blurred the line between image and reality. Or rather, he has made a brilliant career on the fundamental Italian truth that image is reality." -Donadio, Rachel. Surreal-A Soap Opera Starring Berlusconi, New York Times

Merchant Ivory and E.M. Forster

I absolutely adore Merchant Ivory's adaptations of E.M. Forster's novels. A Room with a View is breathtaking. I've recently viewed Maurice with Hugh Grant, James Wilby and Rupert Graves and it is another masterpiece. One aspect that I like about these two films is the familiar faces of characters interpreted by Patrick Godfrey, Simon Callow, Denholm Eliott and Helena Bonham-Carter (who is uncredited in Maurice, but appears for a brief scene as a guest).

Keli Carender: "The New Discontent: The Tea Party Movement from the Ground Up"

Tonight, as part of the Weissman Leadership Series, Keli Carender, Seattle resident and Tea Party Organizer came to Mount Holyoke College. I walked over to Chapin like most people curious to see what she had to say about the Tea Party Movement. A little rally with amusing signs was outside-in the freezing cold I might add, which is dedication in itself. One of my favorite was "I like tea but now you've ruined it for me".
           I have to say I was impressed by Keli's integrity, calm demeanor and emphasis on freedom of speech and dialogue about common issues rather than personal attacks. The questions were the most interesting part of the whole evening since she really got to answer some pointed questions. She made a couple things very clear: Keli Carender is part of the Tea Party Patriots which is a faction of the tea party. This is confusing because there are many Tea Party groups-some more radical, religious, or racist. The Tea Party Patriots are concerned with three main issues: 1. Fiscal issues 2. Constitutionality and 3. Free Markets. The majority of her beliefs I don't agree with her at all on the policy changes, but the way she approaches dialogue and how she is motivated for change to happen is admirable. Her blog can be found here. Its so frustrating--my current plan is to move to Scandinavia or Switzerland for part of the year. Hopefully, it will depress me less to be surrounded by socialists.
         It blows my mind (and she mentioned this in her talk) that a Seattlite, with liberal parents, fiancee and friends is so conservative in her principles. She is a pleasant, smart, engaging woman who is fiscally conservative. How her policy writings will differ from Republican policies? That she still has to prove.

Temple Grandin

I just finished watching Temple Grandin's talk when she came to Mount Holyoke this past week. I highly recommend you watch it. It's absolutely fascinating. She talked about autism, animals and the need to fight overly abstract thinking because often enough it doesn't relate at all to the field of study in practical terms. I kept thinking about Waldorf Education and how it really gives a strong foundation in all types of different fields. Temple Grandin supports hands-on learning and is really concerned about the  decrease of these classrooms in schools.