We Are All Knit Together

Walking home from work is usually a peaceful time for my body to prepare for an early morning nap. The streets are still and empty, except for some runners feet tapping the pavement or birds chirping on evergreen branches. The sunrise lifts my drowsy spirit for a more brisk walk in the cold, crisp air. However, this morning shocked me with numerous jolts of awareness.

Read the rest on my new blog focused on transcending into the new, while this one will remain for reflecting on the past. Of course the two will intertwine often.

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A Global Commute

Another long commute filled with odd events that only reminds me of Prague. However these moments of similarity between the lovely historical city of Prague, Czech Republic and the often mundane trips I make on Portland's trimet, are why this west coast city is growing on me. Now that I am finally able to move for a better job and more welcoming community, Portland smiles have been fully revealed.

Walking down the crowded streets under construction my thoughts jump back to Seattle but then I turn a corner and the brick of Old Town carries me into Boston. Before my eyes conjure up images of young Harvard kids or I begin hearing Cake blaring over the commons, my feet quickly step onto the banks of a Czech river...Surreal sculptures manifest across the dirty water. A row of yellow penguins lines the island shores then slowly sink beneath the murk that is turning red. Rich soil deposits are carried up the Tonlé Sap during this monsoon season in Cambodia. As the rain comes down strong upon my shoulders, I skip over a puddle towards Ban Lung's center market full of children, dogs and folks visiting from nearby villages. The man with one leg supporting his drunken lean is adjusting the knot dangling off what used to be his other full leg. He asks me for a beer as I squeeze past the pork slabs and duck carcasses with just a little more finesse than yesterday. Since I don't even have enough for my own lunch he should be grateful for the last of my peanuts quickly handed over, but he insists that I have more. No amount of smiles with my shaky Khmer can convince him we are nearly in the same predicament.

I continue moving as he reaches down into the trash bins near Pioneer Square. He's mumbling about a free meal that won't come for hours as I hop onto my MAX and think of what food might be in my cupboards. Since I only have this 40 min train followed by an hour bus ride to start preparing my own food. If only the other places I have been would set up programs like Portland has. So many sullen, tired eyes stare back at me as I return to my current reality of working class people on the MAX. 

New Article on Compassion Connect

http://www.examiner.com/places-faces-in-portland/compassionate-health-clinics

Article in the Chronicle

My roommate invited me to attend the Concordia bachelor auction in the spring of 2008, my first semester attending the school. It seemed like an entertaining event that could break the monotony of classes and work. After sharing a few laughs as women challenged each other in bidding wars and men showed off a bit, I wondered when the female equivalent would be held. I was shocked to discover that Concordia was this traditional in student activities, especially in Portland.

My previous college that I had attended before Concordia held a co-ed auction. Even my high school had both sexes represented during auctions and pageants. Mr. SHS was balanced with a Ms. SHS and only had issues when students made t-shirts proclaiming themselves as “snohos”.

After speaking with the specific staff positions relating to student events of this nature, I began to lose hope. Although I could take the issue to ASCU they would not have the ultimate authority to make official changes. I decided to try again the next semester this auction was held and I was actually in the country.

The main issue that I would like to address is how a double-standard is being upheld with this auction only including men. Not even the notion of students attaching too many emotions on the date they are bidding upon really irks me. That is actually kind of understandable, since Concordia is one of those Christian colleges that half-consciously encourages students to be coupled up.

The embarrassing acts that men performed to attract dates and demean themselves are what bothered me when I last attended the auction. It is true that the mainstream American society is more comfortable in approaching male sexuality from a humorous position. However, women are continually show-cased as being extremely sexual creatures that even rank and compare themselves. Both unhealthy views toward sexuality are harmful to a person’s ego and should be avoided when holding an auction of this type.

This unequal depiction shown in the fashion world, movies and music throughout America can only change when the society as a whole follows different opinions. Equalizing all events throughout society without attaching sexual connotations to the people involved. Auctions should not place any person in an objectifying situation regardless of their gender.

Many schools and charity organizations have done this by holding co-ed auctions for group dates or service events. The first three items that appear when one searches for “bachelorette auctions” on the internet are co-ed auctions. These events around the nation are seeking volunteers to auction themselves off for charity.

They often require the purchase of an expensive ticket even to attend. Such as, the Sacramento “Up for Bid” held in mid-September that cost thirty-five dollars for individual tickets. These profits cover the costs to hold the event and an immense amount for charity. When bidders purchase the ticket they are reminded what intentions are placed upon this event and their money.

Upon entering the Guys and Dolls auction for Cystic Fibrosis guests receive a flyer that includes a bio of each bachelor and bachelorette, rules to how the bids will be received, and details surrounding the date. They are very specific as to holding the date in a public place and advertising the day it will occur to avoid many safety concerns. When I attended Concordia’s auction the bachelors were responsible for arranging the date and time of their date with the bidder. It seems to me that many issues could be avoided if guidelines were set before the auction. Concordia should be responsible for maintaining a secure atmosphere for their students no matter what gender they are.

There are many unexpected emotions and insecurities that may arise after many possibilities in holding an equal and safe auction for the bachelors, bachelorettes, and bidders are accounted for. I can only think that people will have to deal with these things as they come. The only bit of advice relating to this issue, even just for the bachelor auction, would be to remember that this is just a fun event for charity. Students should not place too much pressure on the bachelor or bidder to uphold their end of the bargain. They do not have any specific contract with obligations towards each other. Each date is just a fun outing that was purchased for charity.

That is actually another point that seems to be lost during the hilarious entertainment surrounding this auction. All of the money being raised is for charity! The amount of money spent on a participant should not be taken too personally. Especially since Concordia is such a tight community of friends who do not always happen to be wealthy. There is way too much pressure placed on the bid amount that could negatively affect the bachelor or bachelorette. However, if either does take this number personally it is their own issue to solve and not the school’s fault. It is ridiculous to assume that Concordia can protect each and every student’s self-esteem throughout the duration of the school year. So why place so much emphasis on this one auction?