Comments on: Blog Action Day: Poverty

By: lucy

lucy — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:35:42 +0000

i agree with SS…glad i came back to read. very thought provoking. the disconnect feels so very fear-based…worried about ourselves..interfering with others…scarcity…

a move away from fear and towards love feels like a good approach and the idea of “guerrilla compassion” is a great start!

By: Sunrise Sister

Sunrise Sister — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 02:39:05 +0000

I’m glad I remembered to “come back” to read this post. The disconnect of our lives is such a huge issue that it is easier to ignore it than to try to overcome it. I think I feel a post coming on……thank you!

xoxox

By: The Green Witch

The Green Witch — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:49:53 +0000

I agree. You fear the retributive power of the authorities are going to bounce back upon you as a parent.

So there’s a lack of trust between us all, and a lack of interest; we don’t want to interfere lest we get some of the backlash.

Peace and quiet, fellow-feeling and care. This sounds like some sort of harking back to a previous, easier time and some would say that time never existed; but it must have done. I wish!

By: Tess

Tess — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:02:30 +0000

Green Witch, this is indeed a frightening story. I think we’re afraid today as well – that we’re going to be threatened if we interfere. I also suspect that we live with so much background noise – TV, radio, music, iPods – that we sometimes literally don’t hear disturbances.

By: The Green Witch

The Green Witch — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:02:44 +0000

Extremely thought-provoking. I was speaking to a colleague today about a horrid story on the news about a mother and father who had beaten their 17 month old son to death over a period of months. My colleague said thoughtfully that it might not have been possible for them to get away with killing him if they had had nosier neighbours.

The elemental disconnect is so real that even here, in my sleepy market town, it’s a wonder if you ever see your neighbours, let alone see them to speak to.

I hope it doesn’t take a crisis, as Barbara describes, for us all to take a little more time to get to know those around us.

By: Tess

Tess — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:38:51 +0000

Kouji, thank you so much for commenting here, I hope you visit again. I’ve certainly bookmarked your lovely blog.
Barbara, yes in real trouble, people display compassion and community. (Unfortunately they sometimes display less noble qualities also.)

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:52:49 +0000

Here in Montreal back in 1998 we had a taste of that connectedness. The ice storm that cut us off from the grid in early January’s cold brought families and friends into very real community, sharing whatever warmth and food they had available. Sad how we retreat back into our isolation. Excellent post, tess.

By: kouji haiku

kouji haiku — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:33:44 +0000

indeed. that’s one thing i’m thankful for, over here in the philippines. there’s less of a feeling of being disconnected, as we tend to be surrounded by friends and family.

saw this post via the front page of blog action day. it’s great that you’re participating.