All posts by ariah

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A principal, a rapper and Bill O’Rielly

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I am not uncritical of rap music, but I am also cautious to judge a culture I am not a part of and have not sought to understand.

As someone who has worked in the education system and with youth who are a part of this hip-hop culture, I have a deep interest in it’s affect on our generation.

I found this video intriguing because I feel there where valid points made by each of the people speaking. I feel bad that the conversation happened on a show like this because it seems to only ‘showcase’ a tension and disagreement for an audience that is mainly (from what I know) made up of people who have no true understanding of the culture of either the rappers, nor the principal.

I’m curious of your thoughts on this video.

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A shortage of marriagable men

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I pulled up an article from February that does a good job of concisely articulating the dilemma of marriage in the African American community. This is another one of those things I would encourage you to reserve judgements on and rather take as an opportunity to try and understand a little more a culture that you might be unfamiliar with.

From
Forum: A Black History Month valentine

There are in most 18-and-above age groupings only about eight black men for every 10 black women. This ratio is largely owing to high rates of infant mortality and homicides. Even more alarming, however, is the following bit of information: When incarceration, drug addiction and unemployment are factored in, the number of eligible (marriageable) black men is reduced to about five men for every 10 black eligible women.

These statistics carry with them enormous implications for the formation of black families in the United States and the overall well-being of African Americans in general.

Read More…

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People Against Poverty and Apathy: Photos

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Just thought you might want some proof that Mindy and I really went to the PAPA Festival. It was really a good time. We didn’t have our camera though, so I’ve relied on others pictures posted online. Not very effective for telling any sort of story about our time there. Except that I tried juggling.
Mindy sitting at a session

Ariah Juggling

More photos if your interested in getting an inside look at the people and places that were Papa fest.

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Sometimes I get bored biking to work

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When I get bored I try and find more creative ways to ride my bike. You know instead of the traditional way of riding. I was going to video tape it for you and put it on here, but since I don’t have a camera, and there is no one to ride along and tape me I’ve decided to just put a video up of someone doing the exact same thing. (Well, she’s only a beginner though, so it’s not exactly how I ride)

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Ithaca Hours: new currency promoting a new economy

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The first time I heard of adopting an alternative currency was at PAPA fest. They used “Papas” as a form of currency that you earned by helping out throughout the festival (volunteering at the kids tent or registration, or helping with the compost) and then could spend at the stores people had set up. It was an interesting concept for a festival.
Then I heard Ithaca, NY mentioned and the story that they had been using an alternative currency for since 1991. It’s a very interesting concept, and one I’m not entirely sure I completely understand. I like the things they are promoting, and I see some of the reasons they feel an alternative currency helps them accomplish those goals.
Here’s a cartoon from their website that sort of explains what it’s all about. I was still a little confused, so you might have to visit the site to learn more:
hours

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Conversations that make you think

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My parent’s where in town this weekend. I’m blessed to have to of the most amazing people that have graced the face of this earth as my parental units. I’ve learned to appreciate them more and more as I’ve interacted with a great many people who weren’t nearly as blessed as I was to have such loving and caring fathers and mothers.
I grew up thinking I could do anything, cause my mom told me (and still tells me) that I can. Even this weekend we had conversations that renewed me with an energy that I can accomplish any task I set my mind to. My dad is a doer much like me, and our conversations are very much a reflection of that. I’ve got umpteen new projects running through my head that I’d love to start working on, and know that I can accomplish if I stick to it.

I also love my parents because I can be real with them. Most of the things I say and believe I usually don’t bring up in conversation with folks cause they’ll get offended or argue, or a great many other things. With my parent’s though I can be real and honest.
My dad and I had a great discussion on stewarship, resources and the lifestyle we choose. He challenged me and encouraged me to think of things in a different light. Those conversations always help me further refine my beliefs and help me remember my values.

Thanks Mom and Dad.

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What’s really up with Bottled Water?

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From Is America’s $8 Billion Bottled Water Industry a Fraud:

A 2001 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) study confirmed the widespread belief that consumers associate bottled water with social status and healthy living. Their perceptions trump their objectivity, because even some people who claim to have switched to bottled water “for the taste” can’t tell the difference: When Good Morning America conducted a taste test of its studio audience, New York City tap water was chosen as the heavy favorite over the oxygenated water 02, Poland Spring and Evian. Many of the “facts” that bottled water drinkers swear by are erroneous.

There is a LOT more where that came from in the very long article if you want to read it.

Basically here is a summary:
Bottled Water is no different then Tap Water!

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Being careful about our life of consumption (even when it’s free)

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Last week, Mindy and I went and enjoyed dinner (courtesy of a gift certificate from my work) and a movie (courtesy of inconvenientchristians.org) without our taking a dent in our pocket books. For better or worse (usually worse) I took a moment during our meal to bring up the conversation of how much is too much eating out. Mindy pointed out that the meal was free and I responded in saying that I still felt like it was “going out” and that we should have some sort of limit on it. It so happened that we were about to see our second movie of the week (the previous had also been free), and so mindy asked me how often I felt it was acceptable to go out to the movies in a given week. Initially, I responded “as much as you want as long as it’s free,” but then I reconsidered.

You see I think there is a culture of consumption about us and it’s not something I want to be a part of, regardless of how much I pay for it. I imagine with enough connections, I could go out to eat, to the movies and out to coffee daily without ever having to pay a penny. Yet, even if it never cost a dime, I still feel a bit uncomfortable with our superfulous consumerist lifestyle.
Though I don’t have any those connections to free meals, we do get free movie screening passes, gift cards for the holidays and much more from friends and family. I don’t believe we should be employing a “if you got it, spend it” type attitude with these things either.

Mindy and I have decided to take a step in downsizing. For us that means that we will only eat out twice a month. This is a good step (it does not include coffee), and a very encouraging moment for me. Maybe we’ll decide we need to reduce this even more, or eliminate it completely, but for now it’s a step on the journey.

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What’s a Mezuzah?

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mezuzah

For what it’s worth, here is a short lesson in Jewish roots, and one I think might be worth picking up for you Jewish rooted Messiah followers.

Mezuzah (מזוזה, literally means a “doorpost” in Hebrew, plural: mezuzot) refers to one of the 613 commandments in Judaism, which requires that a small parchment (klaf) inscribed with two sections from the Torah’s Book of Deuteronomy (6:4-9 and 11:13-21) be affixed to each doorpost and gate in a Jewish home, synagogue, and business.

In English translation, the Torah verses state:

4. Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God; the Lord is one. 5. And you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your means. 6. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be upon your heart. 7. And you shall teach them to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk on the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8. And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for ornaments between your eyes. 9. And you shall inscribe them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 [1]

13. And it will be, if you hearken to My commandments that I command you this day to love the Lord, your God, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14. I will give the rain of your land at its time, the early rain and the latter rain, and you will gather in your grain, your wine, and your oil. 15. And I will give grass in your field for your livestock, and you will eat and be sated. 16. Beware, lest your heart be misled, and you turn away and worship strange gods and prostrate yourselves before them. 17. And the wrath of the Lord will be kindled against you, and He will close off the heavens, and there will be no rain, and the ground will not give its produce, and you will perish quickly from upon the good land that the Lord gives you. 18. And you shall set these words of Mine upon your heart and upon your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand and they shall be for ornaments between your eyes. 19. And you shall teach them to your sons to speak with them, when you sit in your house and when you walk on the way and when you lie down and when you rise. 20. And you shall inscribe them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates, 21. in order that your days may increase and the days of your children, on the land which the Lord swore to your forefathers to give them, as the days of heaven above the earth. Deuteronomy 11:13-21 [2]

For more on Mezuzah’s read up here.