racism sucks « beauty and depravity
Racism sucks. Most of us can agree on that. The bad news is that many of us are racists. We just are. I fear that I may be a racist on some level or another. It’ll help our conversation dramatically if we can all start from the presumption that we’re all racists in some way. This way, we don’t have to all be so defensive. And if we aren’t, we can all agree that we’re all racialized…meaning, we can’t help but see the world and others via the lens of race.
Horizontalidad (Eng: horizontality or horizontalism) is a theory or system that advocates the creation, development and maintenance of social structures for the equitable distribution of power. These structures and relationships would function as a result of continuous participation and exchange between individuals. As a specific term, horizontalidad is attributed to the radical movements that sprouted in Argentina after the economic crisis of 2001.[citation needed] The related term horizontals arose during the European Social Forum in London in 2004 to describe people organising in a style where they “aspire to an open relationship between participants, whose deliberative encounters (rather than representative status) form the basis of any decisions”[1], in contrast to “verticals” who “assume the existence and legitimacy of representative structures, in which bargaining power is accrued on the basis of an electoral mandate (or any other means of selection to which the members of an organisation assent)”[1].
This concept is related to the theory and praxis of anarchism. To anarchists, horizontality is a necessary factor for real freedom because it allows personal autonomy within a framework of social equality. This conception refers to equality and autonomy in relation to structures of economic power as much as political power, and to personal empowerment as much as collective empowerment.
Horizontality is an attempt to allow everyone to become active and direct participants in the decisions and actions that affect them. It implies equality of power in the sense that there is no dictation of directives or obligations to the individual, but rather mutual agreements and commitments.
Very close to reality which makes it funny and sad at the same time.
Emergent leaders call for ‘missional re-understanding of Jesus-followership and Christ-focus imbued with passionate creativity and emotional authenticity,’ whatever that means
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — At a recent conference-like “gathering” of emergent church leaders, various factions sparred over competing visions for the future of the movement.
Leaders on one side called for “deepening and continuously beautiful efforts toward emotionally true self-divulgence and confession.” Other leaders countered with a call for “a theological re-purposing of our objective and subjective missionality within a framework of God-love.” Because few in attendance actually understood what either side meant, both ideas were tabled.
The sides did agree that emergent leaders should continue to take every opportunity to make casual, cool cultural references to popular television shows, movies and Internet phenomena to introduce quasi-intellectual spiritual points about the state of the American church.
They also pledged to maintain their reputation for being “more spiritually honest than the millions of people who attend institutionalized churches every week and blindly go along with the programs, sermons and mindset that make American Christianity the colossal failure it is today.”
After toasting themselves with various hyper-cool micro-brews, the audience adjourned to begin 7- and 8-hour theological bull sessions in their hotel rooms and local bars.
Conference organizers say they will meet again to do the same thing next year. •
House Concert with Tracy Howe of the Restoration Village
Host: Mustard Seed Associates
When? Saturday, November 3, 2007 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Where? Shafer-Baillie Mansion 907 14th Ave E Seattle, WA
View Map
Contact: mail@msainfo.org
Description:
Come for a concert at the Shafer Baillie Mansion in Capitol Hill to benefit Mustard Seed Associates and the Restoration Village.
For more info on Tracy and Restoration Village, visit www.restorationvillage.com
Suggested donation: $10
him – Your english is so good. You see, language is so important it open doors no matter where you are. If people come here and learn our language they’ll have more opportunities.
me – (rolling my eyes) so… where are you going as a missionary?
him – I’m going to Kenya to teach missionary kids.
me – oh … so you are learning Swahili or any of the tribal languages?
him – No, I don’t need to learn their language I will be teaching missionary kids, in English.