Today's Icebreaker: During last Saturday's MCK meet-up, I heard fellow Kossacks proclaiming what they're NOT good at. Don't get me wrong, this is not an indictment or an attempt at shaming ... we all do it, and to a large extent, we're all taught to be self-effacing/modest/humble. (My grandmother used to regularly remind us grandkids that "Eigen Lob stinkt!" [literally, "self-praise stinks"] if we were getting a bit "big for our britches.") But as we work to build community, it would help to also know the strengths we each bring to the table. So please use this as a forum to share (and don't feel like you have to limit this to the political/activist arena): What are your strengths? When do you feel most capable and confident?
"I'm wondering whether you all know this variation on the old folktale of stone soup: that when everyone comes together to contribute their own ingredient, in the end a delicious and nourishing repast is created for all. That's what I'm hoping to do, metaphorically speaking, through these Michigan/Motor City Kossacks Open Thread diaries. The good thing about an Open Thread is that anything is fair game for adding, as long as it's in the interest of promoting community across the state." - peregrine kate
One of the joys of community is that we all have different strengths, interests, capabilities, and passions. Some of us express our politics through financial support to candidates and/or causes; some of us walk in protests; some of us write letters to the editor; some of us sign petitions. The point is that there is probably no wrong or right way to express our political positions; we go with our strengths. But I do think that "politics" is often a term with too narrow a definition. For me, my political positions are informed by my personal commitment to live a life dedicated to both justice and compassion.
Our little Motor City community has seen clear examples of both this week, so I hope you will take the time (if you missed them before) to read some of the diaries linked below:
From jennifree2beme, we have an update on Unit Zero (a fellow member of MCK). Please follow this fundraising link.
Update on Unit Zero
From sydneyluv, we have a diary about her (very brave, very bold) visit to her local police station ... seeking answers and accountability in the very best activist tradition:
My Uncomfortable Visit to My Local Suburban Police Department
As for me, I just heard a rumor that a Hobby Lobby is going in across from where I work; if true, I suspect a little picketing is in my future!
And last but not least, we need volunteers to write the next Open Thread. Motor City Kossacks open threads are published every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. EST and can be scheduled well in advance. I will be along later to add my two cents; I should be home from work around 7:00pm, so until then ...
Update: We had technical difficulties with this diary, so please ignore my first 2 comments. [When I say "we," I mean "me."] I published it early, but then someone (navajo?) deleted it. If this diary has been published at 6 p.m. EST, it is the correct diary. -2thanks