Delta Park Powwow: Fathers’ Day for a Change

“It will always be important to have a community of people who support each other and work together for the struggle, I guess.  Yes, for the struggle for all people.” Bruce McQuakay It took a bit of coaxing by the emcee, but today, 50 or so fathers made their way into the dance circle at the center of the Delta Park Powwow gathering for the honor song led by the Four Directions drum… Read More

Community: A Change from the Disconnect

  It is very counter culture in a weird way to talk about all of us being good friends and helping each other. Rabbi Ariel Stone I’ve just watched a man in his 60’s, I’d guess, getting on his bicycle.  Earlier he came into this café, his body bent nearly to 90 degrees, maybe 110.  He used a cane to walk.  He ordered, took his breakfast roll and coffee and left.  Maybe… Read More

Easter and Reaching Across the Aisle

Yesterday a friend sent a text.  Charles is a Mandan-Hidatsa Indian from North Dakota who has for years been the lead public relations executive for a local non-profit.  He was asking if I knew of Easter celebrations in town.  Then there was Mike’s status update on Facebook.  Mike is Jewish and he was wishing all his Christian friends “a wonderful and redemptive Easter.” This morning in a small gathering, Julie, a mom… Read More

Dayenu: You gave us freedom, and that would have been enough.

“Maybe the most empowered change is to work to be less ignorant. We’re all ignorant and it’s a life long struggle.  If we commit ourselves to do our best to be wrong less frequently, well, that’s about the best we can do.” Peter Frishauf Last night I sat at a table with eight dear friends from two families.  Four of them are teenagers.  The rest of us are parents – you know,… Read More

Voices in the Change: Health Care Reform

“The principle of taking care of our children is vital.   I can’t accept that we wouldn’t want to take care of our own children. As a country, they are our children.  They  are our future. If we take care of them, we’re making our lives better.” Rudy Suwara San Diego, CA 03-21-2010 “And now the House is coming into session.  Thanks for being with us.” CSPAN commentator “The long waiting is over. … Read More

EX:Change 2.0

           He could say, “We need change.  We need change. I’m going to change this.”  He can say all he wants, but actually without the people out here, nothing’s going to change.   Art Garcia Jan 21, 2009   A year ago today headlines read: “Antarctica Is Warming,” “Relatives Say Peltier Beaten Following Prison Transfer,” “Israel Completes Gaza Withdrawal,” “Brazilian Midfielder Kaka Stays Put,” “Sen. Kennedy Hospitalized After Suffering Seizure.” Then there were… Read More

Home — 70 Days In

3-27-2009 Just South of Division Ave. Portland, OR Home a week. I’ve slept for most of it. And I’ve walked. Home again to the neighborhoods, to the stretches of bank on both the east and west sides of the Willamette River, and to the downtown streets – careful, clean and bustling. Aaaaahhhh. Portland, Oregon. Home sweet home, indeed.