SUMMER 1999 - ISSUE NUMBER 48
SUMMER 1999 - ISSUE NUMBER 48
Editorial
Everything must change . . .
Nothing stays the same . . .The words of this song (sung at a Cedar Tavern concert by Claudia Schmidt) keep playing in my brain as we put this last issue of Synapse together. After 12 years and 48 issues, we feel it's time to let go of this format and create something new. This metamorphosis is a result of our own growth and evolving perspective, as well as our response to societal changes. In the coming months we will be "sitting on the egg" so to speak, tending the incubation process. Watch for a fall hatch!
We thought it was appropriate to focus this last issue on the topic of honoring cultural diversity. It seems that most of our problems can be traced back to the fact that we need to be more tolerant and understanding of our differences. As Rodney King said, and is often quoted, "Why can't we just get along?"
Our lead article is written by Terry Donahue-Cousins, who has stayed at the Neahtawanta Inn many times with her family. She presents an overview of the concept of cultural diversity--in the home, work place, and community--along with an excellent resource list.
We are honored to include several articles written by long-time activist and community leader, Grace Boggs, from Detroit. She writes philosophically about moving beyond racism, and practically when she talks about solutions, such as Detroit Summer.
On the local level, we hear about the work of Silvia Cortez and Gladys Munoz through the Hispanic Ministry Office at Immaculate Conception Church. They share their own insights and interview several others from our local Hispanic community as they describe their experiences adjusting to differences in our cultures.
We hear another comparison from Ben Hansen, who left our community to work in Mexico with Habitat for Humanity. He had an opportunity to visit a traditional Tarahumara community where he experienced and appreciated a slower-paced culture, more in tune with the natural world.
On the global level, Dr. Jim Sanders takes a critical look at international relief, how it's managed and its connection to politics. We've followed Jim's travels as a relief doctor, and have been emailing back and forth this year during his time in the Sudan.
As we struggle to understand the tragedy at Columbine High School, Dan Savage, in "Fear the Geek", offers a connection between the violence there and an atmosphere of intolerance that exists in many high schools.
Any of you who have had the urge to "chuck it all" and choose to live a more sustainable, less consumptive life will enjoy Art Wolfe's account of doing just that in his article, "Want Less".
We are pleased to announce the completion of our sustainability project funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. We include an excerpt from the CD ROM that we produced comparing the retail ownership patterns in the Grand Traverse area. Watch for the CD ROM in local public and school libraries.
Check the back page for other Center updates and activities.
Many thanks to all of the writers who donated their writing skills, time and energy over the past 12 years.
Thanks to all of you loyal readers. You are the reason that we have kept going. We hope that you will continue to support our work as we evolve to a new place.
Return to the Index of Summer 48, Summer 1999