The fight for social justice is not abstract or naive. Weve seen it happen throughout history and it occures everyday. It is not complex or impossible. What is difficult, unbearable and immoral is the opposite of humanitarianism - apathy and cynicism. I spoke with the neurologist Dr. Rondo from Stanford who sees life expectancy and quality of life improving by taking in less calories, exercising and being social engaged. Social engagement extends the plasticity of our minds. But what is social engagement and what brings average or excellent level of this? Lets start with this. I am at the Aspen Ideas Fest. There are over 135 speakers from around the world on every subject. They are bringing together ideas, the ones that are the leading edge. Then integrating them with other ideas. A sausage making party without the blood and guts. The underlying theme is to improve, change, but most importantly to care about the common good. Society. Social Engagement. Lets say we start with a problem before we look at the answer. Last night at a play and discussion on storytellings power to improve health, there was a panel discussion that lead to a specialist giving us some statistics on inequality in the healthcare system for African Americans. *African Americans comprise 14% of the U.S. population *In 1910, 3% of doctors in America where black, in 2007 there are still only 3% *28% of whites have high blood pressure, 41% African American *10% of whites have diabetes, 20% African Americans *87% of African Americas see 22% of the doctors in U.S. Thus there is a social determination of lack of health in our country. The theme of exile & segregation by not having the same access to healthcare, healthy foods and healthy environments. This exile happens early in life. African American children dont have similar access to pre-school and 40% are suspended if they do attend. This is a early indicator of incarceration. Stress produces poor health. If a baby experiences stress during pregnancy, early childhood or beyond its most likely to have health issues such as the rise in childhood obesity. Lack of education and lack of healthcare is a social justice issue. Social justice is about what is fair and ethical. Caring enough to bring about change, takes the exiled and includes them. This inclusivity actually benefits us all. Not immediately perhaps but over time it has. If I am not engaged in my society. I am not socially engaged. I can not become stronger in mind and spirit. Altruism is both an act of giving and receiving. It is a harmonic existence with pain and joy. I asked Dr. Rondo if mediation possibly improves brain health. He said he hadnt studied it enough, but studies are showing that good stress is important. The kind that you come back from. The kind that you build a resiliency to. There is a balance of the individuals ability to bounce back and the level of stress. Perspective is a factor leading to greater resiliency. If you live in Vail or Aspen ones perspective of what is stressful is not the same as one living on the south side of Chicago today where I grew up. And, the same could be said about a south sider and refugee in Syria. But pain is pain to the individual who suffers. What Im saying is that if you want to improve your life, be socially engaged in improving the lives of others. Suffering (slash) injustice, brings a heighten awareness of what is an ethical call to action if you are willing to open your mind to it. This brings a intrinsic-moviation to act without reinforcement to bring about a common good for other, for you and for all. My mentor Buie Seawell stresses to not focus on the strategies, they will come. But focus on the mission. Be part of the movement he says, that is what one does that will bring about the change that is needed. (My apologizes for any grammatical errors. Ive want to get this out and get over to the Aspen Ideas Festival so that I can help to be part of a movement to bring change)
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 12:22:57 +0000
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