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xchrom

(108,903 posts) Sat Jun 21, 2014, 02:02 PM Jun 2014

A Life of Activism Gives You Hope, Energy and Direction by Maude Barlow

https://www.commondreams.org/view/2014/06/21-0

Climate activists at a rally in Copenhagen. (Photo: AinhoaGoma/Oxfam International)

Maude Barlow received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from York University in Toronto yesterday morning. Here are her speaking notes for the Convocation ceremony.

Chancellor Gregory Sorbara, President Mamdouh Shoukri, the Senate of York University, and all the graduation students,

It is a great honour to share this convocation with you today. I am moved by your grace, energy and hope on this lovely June day.

In the few minutes I have to share with you I would like to urge you all, no matter what your education specialty, what vocation you choose, or where you live, to give some of your precious life energy to the great environmental challenges that face us today.

Every generation faces a unique political reality and set of concerns it needs to tackle together and yours is the multiple threats to the earth itself from over-exploitation, pollution and the growth imperative.

3 replies

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A Life of Activism Gives You Hope, Energy and Direction by Maude Barlow (Original Post) xchrom Jun 2014 OP

"... Do not listen to those who say there is nothing you can do to the very large and very real struggle4progress Jun 2014 #1

here's the thing, though: ginnyinWI Jun 2014 #2

Activism also helps us to get out of our heads...(whatever that means) Stuart G Jun 2014 #3

struggle4progress

(118,211 posts)

1. "... Do not listen to those who say there is nothing you can do to the very large and very real

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Sat Jun 21, 2014, 02:05 PM

Jun 2014

social and environmental problems that beset our world ... I swear to you that it is true -- the life of an activist is a good life, because you get up in the morning caring about more than just yourself or how to make more money. A life of activism gives hope ... You meet the best people. You help transform systems and ideas and you commit to leaving the earth in at least as whole a state as you inherited it ..."

ginnyinWI

(17,276 posts)

2. here's the thing, though:

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Sat Jun 21, 2014, 02:15 PM

Jun 2014

Personally I need to see results when I volunteer for something. I worked on the Kerry campaign and attended meetings for some time after that. Our district is very Republican so all of my efforts seemed to do nothing at all.

I have gravitated to something that does let me see results: I volunteer at a local no-kill animal shelter and contribute in that way. One afternoon a week I go in and take photographs of animals for their website. I also work at some of the fund-raising events, and transport animals. I also foster kittens and cats; I currently have six kittens. To me, I'm making a very real difference in these little lives.

I guess I'm trying to say that there are many ways to work to make the world a better place and each needs to find their own.

Stuart G

(38,403 posts)

3. Activism also helps us to get out of our heads...(whatever that means)

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Sat Jun 21, 2014, 03:41 PM

Jun 2014

If I volunteer to help with reading problems for those that desire that help, while I am helping, I can shift my thinking away from whatever problems I have today. ( for maybe just for those two hours). I do the best I can helping and move on. Those moments of helping, sometimes, help me more than those who I am trying to help...

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