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today
i so do not have any money to spend over the next 3 months. a story i don't wish to tell. but on tuesday i went to the nursery to help with winter holiday gift stuff. we put together requests for gifts for the kids that then members of the community will then hopefully pick up and donate. i worked on the list from the classroom that i volunteer in.
i noticed that a lot of the requests were for a busy box. now, this toy rocks! one was donated to the nursery and one of the lead teachers made sure it got to our classroom. it's got music, and a pop up thingy, and a clock to play with, and a phone, and gears, and a shape sorter.. all the babies love it.. from the music to the gears to the pop up thing, to the mirror.. and it grows with the kids.
anyhow, i had this crazy idea that maybe i could come up with the bucks to get one in case someone doesn't come through. so i went to elephants trunk to see how much it was. a lot less than i expected. i don't have the bucks, but i'm gonna see what i can do. the donations have to be in by 4 december. and i really adore all the kids. and it really is a great toy. and it really would be way beneficial. and the families are struggling. and so am i.
i've loaned some money to someone. if they pay me back, i can afford it, i'm pretty sure. and i'd really like to be able to help out as much as i can. i look at these kids.. i adore them. i really do. and their families are working so hard, just like mine did when i was their age. my mom did. it'd be nice to be able to imagine any of their faces when they open that gift and see that busy box toy, ya know? and the look on the faces of their parents. the imagination of the faces, thats the thing that i think about. anyhow. i hope i can pull it off.
while i was at the mall i did get myself something. a really interesting book. i usually don't read poetry, but i was really drawn in.. catch the fire!!! a cross-generational anthology of contemporary african-american poetry. it was on sale.. i really don't like poetry, unless its spoken.. but this stuff is good.. and i understand it. i think thats why i generally don't like poetrty.. all the symbolism, i don't get social signals that aren't in my face obvious, i don't understand it.. and if i don't understand it, i don't want to read it. but this collection.. its wonderful.. i'm reading it outloud, and that makes it even better.
but what makes this book even best is something i said in my 100 things.. "i'm not a racist, but i have no idea about how to bridge the racial divide." well.. i've attempted to read bell hooks and audre lorde.. i've not made much progress.. i do have friends of color. but i, well.. when you boil my life down, its very white. maybe i'll learn something. i'm not expecting a lot, but something. and then i'll pick up another book. and another. and i'll continue to converse. and maybe one day in my future i will be able to say "i now feel comfortable bridging the racial divide in my community." i know i'll never be an expert, but.. oh goodness i hope i'm making sense.
Posted by brooke at November 14, 2002 08.27.10 PM
Comments
I love bell hooks. I find her fascinating and witty and sharp and just wonderful. That said, I can understand why many people have a problem getting past some of her anger to really be able to listen to her core messages. So, I recommend that you try to find a copy of All About Love. She explains how capitalism is what is causing a loss of love in our society, how patriarchy is truly keeping men and women being happy in their relationships with each other. It is easy to read, race does play a role, but it is more of a "Everyone wants to be loved but few people feel like they are loved, and even fewer people feel like they love enough." Great book.
Posted by Cinnamon at November 15, 2002 8:30 AM
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