Sharen Hewitt - Executive Director of CLAER

[tinyricecracker]

we often think,

that we cannot learn from communities that are struggling, when in fact, there is great strength and creativity within them.

they are not just clients, they are stakeholders, we all are.

[tinyricecracker]

What wonderful programs and much needed. It is true though, community is fading fast where it is needed the most. When we see everyone as our brother and sister, we are more invested in them and the community rises. CLAER must crusade on to fight against the injustice of our current society.

[Holyknight098]

Right, and injustice can only be fought against using love. It is when we interact with each other in these positive and safe environments that we can see each other not as "the other" but as fellow human beings. Personally, it has been a blessing meeting all the neighbors around CLAER's facility at 170 Brookdale Ave. These are real people, and now the are my friends, not just clients. It is a privilege to be their friend.

[aida8lee]

Limiting a program only to the holiday season just shows that Americans don't really care about each other. We're a consumer, capitalist nation at its core. Even when we want to help each other all we do is spend money.

We could help your kids in school but we'll give you presents for Christmas. Something you'll break and lose. We'll give you a new backpack every year but not a teacher who can force you to stay in the classroom.

[Holyknight098]

That's a good point, but it's hard to force people to stay connected. I believe that the goal of these seemingly one-time events will build consciousness that will eventually lead to relationships with individuals. Once this initial

"consciousness of care" is established, a lasting relationship can be forged.

[aida8lee]

And I say that these programs diminish responsibility. Help a person once, pat yourself on the back, call it a job well done, even if you've done nothing, hell even made it worse.

[Holyknight098]

That's the perennial criticism against charity and welfare. But, I say, it is better to help a little than to not help at all. I think about this when I give food or money to the homeless. Sure, a quarter or a some collard greens will not help alleviate poverty, but it helps re-acknowledge the dignity that all people deserve.

Also, humility is a must in any helping behavior. Human giving is not about the giver, but about the receiver. We must control our pride.

[aida8lee]

It's not supposed to be about the receiver but we're way too individualistic to not make it about the giver.

I ask if your help is truly help at all. And for that matter if lasting relationships can be formed from such an initial imbalance of power.

[Holyknight098]

There's always an uneasy balance between "enabling" and "helping." However, that depends on one's perspective. If we assume that poverty is a prevailing "condition," then any help will be additive. I would not be enabling because poor people survive, regardless of the ebb and flow of charitable sentiment. However, if poor people rely upon "charity," then it can be argued that I am an enabler. From experience, poor people adapt to their economic marginalization, so I do not enable their poverty.

[aida8lee]

And here we get into issues of personal responsibility. How much of your condition is societal and how much is individual? How much does society owe you and how much do you need to fight for yourself?

[Holyknight098]

True. The best that society can do is to "not oppress" or facilitate oppression. This goes into the power of the citizen, which I wrote about for philosophy. If a citizen has the power to vote (or the ability to create social change) and yet chooses not to, then would that citizen be facilitating--though passively--the legacy of oppression (racism, classism, etc.)

[Holyknight098]

Adopt an Angel can really bring some neighborly connections back to this individualistic, alienating American society that leaves people feeling depressed and alone.

When we segregate our city into enclaves, we objectify certain groups of people and turn them into "issues"--poor, gang-related, prostitutes, homeless. But, in reality, these are our neighbors, too. We can make all the oil-based and tech profits in the world, but if we can't even care about those around us, it doesn't matter.

[Holyknight098]

Is that true? How do you know?

[aida8lee]

Ditto.