The Difference

February, part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:39:00 +0000

Check out part 2!

Continuing the Dialogue: Lifelong Service by Theo Majka

For students not doing a “year of service” after graduation, there are many ways of continuing UD’s traditions of service and social justice after graduation, or even during summers while at college, so that these commitments don’t become left behind as simply things they did at the university .

Volunteering, of course, is a deeply rooted American tradition. Many important local and national organizations depend on dedicated volunteers without which many of these could not function. Let me suggest several considerations on how to choose where to devote your time and energies. Perhaps the most important is whether the efforts engage significant issues of social justice or addresses one or more of the major dividing lines of social inequalities. Many volunteer efforts do not. It is a common pattern for people in relatively affluent communities to volunteer “in their own back yard” to assist people like themselves. While this kind of engagement is worthwhile and helps strengthen their own community, it usually does little to bridge the separation of communities of vastly different circumstances and history or address any of the components of inequalities, such as social class, race and ethnicity, and neighborhood. In contrast, many BreakOuts, plunges, and service projects at UD are oriented towards social justice outcomes and take students out of their usual “comfort zones.” For example, every fall students in several classes, including one of my own, conduct a door-to-door survey in a west Dayton neighborhood. The purpose of the survey has been for the benefit of neighborhood residents and to assist the neighborhood association in its community development efforts. Fortunately, the neighborhood has been successful in bringing needed businesses and working on other problems. One consequence of the survey is that students can confront many commonly-held stereotypes of inner-city neighborhoods and their residents and give them a more informed understanding of the reasons behind the concentration of disadvantage in some inner-city areas. The many personal benefits and rewarding experiences from getting out of one’s “comfort zone” don’t end at graduation.

Another consideration is whether the efforts are primarily aimed at assisting individuals in need (“helping behavior”) or changing the larger patterns and circumstances that sustain disadvantage. In many cases, there is not a clear distinction between the two. For example, tutoring disadvantaged children both helps them succeed in school and addresses one source of inequality. Nevertheless, some kinds of efforts and organizations are more oriented towards the kinds of social changes that confront the sources of inequality and disadvantage. And many of them need more committed volunteers.

In addition to volunteering, the “lifestyle” choices one makes after graduation are also important. For example, the spreading out of metropolitan areas is leading to greater residential separation of people based on race and income level and contributing to a dramatic resegregation of schools. UD’s Fitz Center for Leadership in Community has documented the serious impacts of this “urban sprawl” for the City of Dayton and increasingly its inner suburbs: job and business loss, declining population and tax base, greater concentrations of poverty, increases in vacant homes, buildings, and shopping strips, and a decline in opportunities for young people for quality education and employment. For people in metropolitan areas, where one decides to live can either contribute to these patterns or help ease their negative impacts. Similarly, consumption choices have environmental and economic consequences, for example what kinds of transportation one uses or whether one’s purchasing patterns help sustain local farmers or fair trade producers.

Finally, informed voting should be an important public expression of one’s values and priorities. While political scientists tell us that voting behavior is complex and while individuals do have legitimate differences in their priorities, still it does no good to elect officials who ignore environmental problems or serious social inequalities and may even support policies and changes that exacerbate them. Although it isn’t always direct or immediate, there is a connection between public policy choices and the abilities of individuals and families to flourish.

Alumni Update - Sara Wdowiak '07
What are you up to these days? Currently, I'm living in Karonga, Malawi in Africa and working at Chaminade Secondary School, a Marianist institution. I live in community with five other UD graduates: Matt Maroon, Emily Richardson, Nichole Davis, Ryan Dugan and Adam Schuster. I am a teacher at Chaminade, an all-boys boarding high school here in rural Malawi. I teach social studies to freshmen and business studies to juniors. I have also been involved in some development work here as well as acting as the school's bursar for the past four months. I experience a wide array of jobs but all are interesting and I've really been learning a lot.

How did UD's emphasis on social action change you? Because of certain programs like UDSAP and Metanoia, I really dove right into social justice issues. It changed me because before UD I did very little volunteer work. But because of UD, the people and the programs, I have decided to dedicate at least one year, maybe two, to service for the people living here in Northern Malawi.

What experience at UD made you think "we truly made a difference in the community?" UDSAP was by far the experience that has left the biggest impact on my life. Not only did I feel like I was able to help the people in Salyersville, but they helped me as well. It was a mutual relationship where we were able to learn from one another. I think by learning from each other we were able to leave a much bigger impact than going there with an attitude of "I'm here to help, I'm here to change things."

Who was your mentor(s) on campus? Whom should students make an effort to get to know? Ahh, this question is so simple! BT! Brother Tom Pieper. And Joan and AJ Wagner. All three of these people welcomed me into their homes and into their lives. I consider them a part of my family. They have helped to mold me into the person I am today. Even though I only knew them for a short while at UD, those three people left more of an impact on me than any professor. I'm proud to know such beautiful people.

What is next for you? I'm hopefully going to be here in Karonga until August 2009. I was originally only going to be here until August 2008 but I have fallen in love with this place and these people that I don't think I can leave just yet. I have plans to do some renovations of the boys’ sleep quarters and I want to continue teaching. The people of Malawi are the kindest and most welcoming people out there. They have accepted me into their lives and I want to be around for a while longer and do my small part in helping to develop this beautiful country.

The Street Children of Kinshasa by Lydia Caldwell

On Sunday February 3, I attended the kick-off to Human Rights Week with the showing of Gilbert Mulamba’s documentary “The Street Children of Kinshasa.” The event opened with an introduction from UD Professor Marilyn Fischer. She spoke a little bit about our rights as human beings and how they relate to what she referred to as “human rights characteristics:” health care, employment and education. She called those in attendance to keep in mind these rights as we examine the lives and injustice of the young Congolese children forced to live on the streets of Kinshasa.

Immediately following this short introduction Mulamba’s documentary was shown. It was truly an emotional and powerful piece of work. Mulamba is a Congolese native who came to the United States about seventeen years ago on an education visa. He currently remains in the United States working in the field of bioinformatics for a company that does research on AIDS and cloning. The footage shown in his documentary was captured by Mulamba himself during a trip back to the Congo. Having been away from the country for a short period of time he saw the extreme injustice in a new light and wanted to expose the plight of these young African children.

The documentary was divided into two parts. The first part of the film gave a short history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and focused largely on the country's abundant natural resources and troublesome economics. The film attributed a lot of the country's problems to King Leopold II of Belgium who acquired the Congo territory in 1885, and made it his own personal property, referring to it as the Congo Free State. Leopold treated the native African population horribly. The only thing he was concerned about was making money off the vast natural resources, particularly rubber. When the natives did not reach the daily rubber quota set by Leopold, he had their hands cut off; many people died from this exploitation especially when disease set in. The area was taken over by the Belgian government around 1910 and independence was received in 1960. The country has been plagued by extreme political corruption and years of civil war. There is very little if any government control, and the native population is stricken by tremendous poverty. There was great effort to show the natural environment of the Congo and its rich supply of natural minerals, yet the country is still so deeply stricken with poverty; it doesn’t seem as if the two should go hand in hand; somewhere there is an abuse of power.

The second part of the video, and the main focus of the presentation, was on the street children of Kinshasa, a result of the extreme poverty in the country. Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The streets of the city are filled with tens of thousands of homeless children from age 3-18 fighting to survive on their own. The video cited three main reasons for all of these abandoned children. The first reason given was that the children were orphaned, both parents having been killed in the civil wars or by disease, such as the increasing AIDS epidemic. Some of these children have lost entire families and have nowhere else to turn. The second reason a lot of these children have been abandoned by their families is because they have been accused of sorcery. These children are often abused and neglected before being thrown out of their homes. The last reason cited in the film for the increasing number of children on the streets of Kinshasa is extreme poverty. Some children remark that their families were so poor they were not able to provide enough food. Their dire home conditions have left them to seek a better life on their own.

The children have a negative reputation and are viewed as the thieves and scoundrels of society, engaged in begging, crime and prostitution; they are referred to by civilians as “shegues” and are victims of their environment. The children are subject to routine physical, emotional, and sexual abuse by law enforcement personnel and ordinary civilians. Their extreme vulnerability is taken advantage of and they are often forced into child labor or radical military work.

After the documentary, Gilbert Mulamba answered questions. He seemed very upset for his country and did not vocalize much hope for the cause. When asked about what non-profit groups and organizations were helping out with the situation, he said that there was not a lot of relief going into the area and that a lot of large non-profit organizations were not sending aid to the Congo. The movie did show one Jesuit institution outside the city of Kinshasa, that has formed a relief center particularly for the education and well-being of these children. It is a life-saving institution for those that can take up residence there and get off the streets, but the center can only help so many children.

What is happening to these children is an extreme injustice; they are not supplied with the means to fulfill their basic human rights. These are the people preached about in the gospel. These children are the face of God and we are being called to help the least of God’s people. We must not wait until Judgment Day to find out that by sitting back and ignoring the plight of our brothers and sisters, we were denying God food, shelter, and aid. Something needs to be done. Gilbert Mulamba should have a reason to hope for his country.

Activist Interview - Jason Bollman

How did you become active in social justice? I had been involved in service early in my high school career, but then moved in different directions as I focused on track and cross country. I saw the Orientation Day of Service before move-in as an opportunity to start making service an important priority in my life. I had a very strong experience working with older individuals with intellectual disabilities at The Castle in Centerville and felt a connection with this marginalized group. While pursuing this passion further as College Buddy Director of Best Buddies, my desire to serve others has matured and led me to Tijuana for a Spring BreakOut trip and to Kentucky for the UDSAP program this summer.

Why do you think service and student involvement clubs and organizations are important to the UD community? Service clubs are the lifeline for how UD lives out the mission aspect of the Marianist charism. The reaching out into the Dayton community and beyond that takes place sets the tone for other facets of campus life. This inclusive, open-minded, and welcoming spirit of community is in part formed by the experience of serving others in need.

What community service or activism experience has impacted you the most? If you asked me next semester, I might say UDSAP. But right now I would say my involvement in Best Buddies because it has been such a big part of my life. It has helped me to learn to suspend judgment during first impressions so that I can intentionally focus on getting to know people better to see the good in them.

What on-campus event are you looking forward to the most this year and why? People First Week. Through Best Buddies, I have formed a close bond with individuals with developmental disabilities and I enjoy sharing my experiences with others. One of Best Buddies mottos was “I See You” and so I try to open other people’s eyes and allow them to see the dignity that exists in every person regardless of whether they have a disability. They are people first, just like us, and with a lot to offer us.

What can we do to get more students involved in community service? We need more education about the Marianist charism. As they become more aware of the Marianist spirit working on campus and how service is an important component of that spirit, then students will naturally turn more to service clubs and activities. Another important piece is finding ways to get students involved in service for the first time, because it often only takes one experience to break any negative stereotypes or connotations a person might have that keeps them from engaging in service.

What is one way that you think the UD community can improve in its living out of the Marianist charism and "Learn, Lead, and Serve" motto? We need to make people more aware of how what they are already doing exemplifies the Marianist charism and the university motto. As they see this, they will then begin to stretch their limits and live out these values in new ways.

Gamma Epsilon Lambda Hosts Memorial Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby by Kaitlin Moredock

As many of you may know, Gamma Epsilon Lambda (GEL) lost one of our most beloved members on May 12, 2007 due to a rare heart condition. Garrett Loiselle had just graduated with a degree in finance and had spent much of his time at UD contributing to the GEL family we all know and love. He was one of our most respected members with his genuine, caring sprit. It is impossible to describe the things everyone cherished about Garrett from his heartwarming smile to his love of baseball, particularly the Cubs. The news of Garrett’s death was a shock to the whole UD community, however it really hit home with GEL.

Every tradition this organization carries on involves the core values of leadership and service. However, it is through these typical virtues that members learn more about how to live life and care for others. Garrett’s life and death only reinforced the close knit community GEL upholds with the amazing mixture of friendship, dedication and respect for all people. Past GEL president Tim South described Garrett in Flyer News:

“It’s hard to put into words what made Garrett so special. Those that knew him or interacted with him, even briefly, know what I’m talking about. I feel like most people are going to write about his smile, friendliness, his care for others and his easygoing demeanor, but all of these things just don’t do him justice. From living with Garrett for three years at UD, I saw all of these things on a daily basis, through good days and great days…I guess what really made Garrett so special, what makes him stand out to me as a friend and roommate, is that over a four-year span he taught me how to live for the rest of my life.”

After being reunited at UD in August, GEL was joined by Garrett’s sister Lauren, a junior at UD, along with his girlfriend Shannon Brown, now a senior. It was obvious everyone wanted to do something to make sure Garrett’s memory lived on. Ultimately, GEL decided to create a scholarship in Garrett’s name that reflected who he was. The criteria include financial need, leadership, service and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. While this was a great start, GEL wished to do even more. In the end GEL decided to hold the Garrett Loiselle Memorial Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby on September 22, 2007 on Stuart Field, which will become an annual event. The home run derby was open to all students on campus and all proceeds benefited the scholarship fund.

With hard work from all members, GEL created a campus-wide event that celebrated Garrett and kept his spirit alive on campus. It was a gorgeous day filled with wiffle ball, cornhole, food, music and good people. Most importantly, GEL felt it was an event Garrett would have loved. Between general donations and wiffle ball participant registrations, GEL raised nearly $2,800!

It is almost impossible to attempt to portray why everyone cared so much for Garrett. There is so much passion and dedication for the fund. GEL will keep Garrett’s memory alive by continuing the wiffle ball tournament and fundraising for the scholarship.

February issue online

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:19:00 +0000

Part 1 is below!

Human Rights at Home by Erin Aldrich

Human Rights Week…in the past, it has been focused on abuses foreign and far away from the United States and the issues that some of the poorest of the poor face. This year, we changed the focus – instead of focusing solely on international issues, we looked at how poverty and human rights affect us at home, even right around the corner from our UD bubble. Thus, our quote for the week from Carl T. Rowan: “It is often easier to become outraged by injustice half a world away than by oppression and discrimination half a block from home.”

Why is it so much harder to look at injustice just around the corner from us? Because it makes us uncomfortable. How can we, as citizens, be complacent when our brothers and sisters in the United States are victims of injustice? They are victims of a system that many of us benefited from – a system that sets them up for failure while we, the typical UD students, coast to success. It is hard to accept this reality, so we are much more comfortable looking across the world, accusing other governments and peoples of unequal and unjust treatment of their citizens. We defend the other and forget our own.

My hope is that Human Rights Week this year opened everyone’s eyes to the problems our fellow citizens struggle with on a daily basis, especially the problems from which the typical UD student has been shielded. The many experts and professionals from the Dayton area passionately spoke about how they work to alleviate poverty and suffering in housing, education, and health. Keynote speaker Brandt Goldstein talked about student empowerment and the ability we have to make changes in our country. Look around the Dayton community – it is not hard to find poverty and injustice, it is just slightly more insidious than in other places around the world. As a citizen, what can you do to help carry the burden? It’s our duty as citizens of this country to be informed, know our rights, and defend the rights of our brothers and sisters.

35th March for Life by Kevin Berry

Nearly one month ago, 60 students from the University of Dayton left their cozy dorms, apartments, and houses at 6:00 in the morning to leave for Washington D.C. These students were not extremely eager tourists. They were social justice advocates. Their cause is life for the unborn. That’s right: I am using social justice and pro-life together. These two terms should never clash.

UD Students for Life, the Pro- Life club on campus, organized the eight hour bus ride, lodging at a church in Alexandria, VA, and the March Activities. After arriving, some students went to the National Cathedral for the Annual Pro-Life Mass. The whole group went to a youth mass and rally the next morning in the Verizon Center. There were around 22,000 excited pro-lifers celebrating the Mass. Bishops from all over the country came to represent their dioceses and to show the Catholic Church’s unwavering support for the unborn. "The Mass of the Basilica was really beautiful because so many Catholics assembled together to worship. The many priests and seminarians were a particular witness to answering God's call to discern their vocation." said junior Anna Littrell.

UD students then joined the masses and met on the National Mall to hear speakers of the movement, including several Congressmen and even presidential candidate Ron Paul. Pro- lifers can take some peace from the fact that each year between 100,000 to 300,000 activists come to protest the continual slaughter of the unborn, which was made legal by an oligarchic decision of the Supreme Court in the Roe v. Wade case. For me, the March reinforced the fact that the Pro- Life movement is vibrant and growing despite the pro-choice movement’s best attempts to silence it. The March for Life is clear evidence that, as long as abortion-on-demand is legal, it will always be protested.

New Editor needed

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:10:00 +0000

Are you deeply concerned about social justice on campus and in the world? The Center for Social Concern is searching for an individual to take over the newsletter after I graduate in May. It is a great opportunity that allows you to see the broad array of engagement between students and issues of justice. Contact Nick Cardilino in Liberty Hall if you are interested, and if you want to know more about the job feel free to contact me by posting here or sending me an e-mail through UD's address book.

Take care and keep the Difference in mind as you think about campus jobs for next year!

Wednesday Bullets

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:58:00 +0000

Wednesday Bullets returns with a great deal of important news to share, so read up on your world!

-Juba peace talks in Uganda bring permanent ceasefire agreement.
-The oil-rich Abyei region could bring further violent conflict to embattled Sudanese people.
-Norway opens Doomsday vault to preserve seeds for future generations.
-Kosovo's independence means violent protest in Bosnia.
-Dangerous territory: The Christian Science Monitor explores the terror-filled lands of Northwestern Pakistan.
-Delays in farm worker wage reform raises advocates' resolve for change.

Slight Delay

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:14:00 +0000

I was a little overzealous announcing the arrival of the Feb. issue in the last post. It looks like UDP&D is very backed up so it may not be printed until Thursday, Feb. 28. My apologies.

Enjoy your snow/ice day!

Dan the Man

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:09:00 +0000

Just got back from a meeting with Dr. Curran and wanted to let you know that UD is in great hands.

In other news, a draft of the February issue is in, so keep your eyes open for the new issue soon.

More Wed. Bullets

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:05:00 +0000

Busy Wednesday posting, check out the bullets!

> ONE-affiliated group talks about personal experiences in the recent Kenyan violence.
> Heifer International reports a $42 million windfall from the Bill Gates.
>200 Chinese citizens are harmed in major cancer drug scandal with potential global impact.
> New effort brings some hope to Cairo's street children.

Difference, January part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:56:00 +0000

Round 2...

Christmastime in New Orleans
by James McDermott

On the outside, it probably looked as though we were just painting, just scraping rust, just installing drywall, or just gutting the inside of a house. However, I found a much deeper meaning to carrying out these works of service in New Orleans. In fact, what our group really accomplished was that we helped a woman’s house look nice again, brought hope to another man who had lost everything, and brought joy to a family that otherwise had little to be joyful about. This is a realization that I had not fully grasped until I had a conversation with my fellow UD friends, a religious Sister, and students from universities in New York and Kansas, who were all visiting New Orleans for service. One of the most important lessons I learned was that we really did much more than just physical labor; we made a huge impact on the lives of others, people we don’t even know. This aspect of the New Orleans experience was the most rewarding, and it really stuck with me.
During our stay in New Orleans, we resided at the now-closed Marian Central Catholic Junior High School, a place where one could see the remnants of a waterline on the walls and windows where the floodwaters had once peaked at about 8-9 feet. Personally, this sent chills down my spine. Our “home base” for the beginning of each day of service started at the also-closed St. Raymond Catholic School, not far from Marian Central Catholic. Inside of what used to be classrooms were ladders, brooms, caulking guns, shovels, paint, screwdrivers, buckets, power saws, and other work supplies.
When some of my fellow UD students and I explored the second floor of St. Raymond’s, what we found was basically everything the school could manage to cram up there just before Hurricane Katrina struck. Classrooms were jam-packed with desks, books, photo albums, religious statues, and other school supplies. After noticing the date of August 29, 2005 written on one of the chalkboards, and seeing an “August 2005” calendar in a student’s locker, I became deeply saddened. I tried to imagine the school as a once thriving place where students could go to learn and have fun. But now its classrooms are supply rooms, and there are no little kids around any more. Being an education major, this is the last thing I would ever want to see.
In all of this trouble, I feel our group accomplished a great amount. We witnessed acts of faith, hope, and love many times from many people over the course of the trip. The locals driving past our worksites would honk their horns as their way of recognizing and thanking us for our work. At our end-of-the-day trips to Walgreens, wearing our dirt and paint-covered work clothes, people would randomly stop us and say “thank you” because they could tell we were volunteers. One of the most breathtaking moments occurred on our first day in New Orleans when the priest at St. Leo’s Catholic Church acknowledged us during mass. When he asked us where we were from, I responded “We’re from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio.” Immediately the entire congregation burst into a thunderous applause that I will never forget. At that moment I truly felt welcome to New Orleans.
Throughout the entire journey, I could see how the faith and perseverance of the citizens of New Orleans was tested through all of the flooding and destruction. Many of these people have moved on to new lives in new cities. Some have returned, willing to try to build back up what once was. New Orleans is a beautiful city, a place I plan on returning to for more service soon in my life. By noticing how grateful many people were, I understand how grateful I would be if others came to my rescue in a time of need. I strongly encourage everyone to explore service possibilities and BreakOut trips. I felt that I accomplished so much more during my time off, and was blessed to have these chances to meet wonderful people and serve others. The joy of helping others has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my college life. I believe fulfilling the call to service is a direct outreach of faith. Ultimately I could see resilience and hope for New Orleans when I read a chalkboard in another St. Raymond’s classroom that said, “August 26, 2005: Today is Friday. The weather is warm. The sun is shining. God is good.”

Activist Interview – Clare Zlatic

1. How did you become active in social justice?

I was real active in high school as the president of Community Outreach, and I spent my freshman year exploring the new freedom and opportunities. My brothers had gone to UD, but I was excited to pave my own way. Freshman retreats were a part of that, and they helped me to discern the importance of faith and social action in my collegiate life. Then, the Center for Social Concern’s former director of Community Outreach, Selena Hilemon, reached out to me at the end of the year and asked me to become the leader of P.A.G.E.S (). I accepted and became very involved with prison ministry, and my involvement has evolved from there, as I have transitioned the organization’s leadership and taken on a mentorship role while becoming active with the United Way.

2. Why do you think service and student involvement clubs and organizations are important to the UD community?

Service experiences show you the needs that persist as challenges for us as servant-leaders. Prison ministry opened my eyes to the lack of social services for inmates and its impact on rehabilitation. I was nervous and anxious to meet the Montgomery County prison chaplain who I worked with, but through this experience I developed confidence in myself and formed relationships with inmates as more than criminals. They are people with hopes, dreams, and needs that are often ignored and neglected. Seeing that and connecting with them also helps me to be open in every aspect of life.

3. What on-campus event are you looking forward to the most this year and why?

I would say Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. It is an event that helps us reflect on the progress made on race relations, but also provides an opportunity to examine what is being and still must be done to bring people together despite our differences. That weekend we promote unity and focus on the common ground upon which we all stand.

4. What can we do to get more students involved in community service?

The job of student-leaders, the Center for Social Concern, and the administration is to promote awareness of issues within social justice, and to spread the word that there is a service activity or club for everyone. Whatever their interests and no matter their schedule, there is an opportunity for each member of the UD community to serve.

5. What is one way that you think the UD community can improve in its living out of the Marianist charism and "Learn, Lead, and Serve" motto?

We need to emphasize learning first. To serve effectively, we must know who we are serving, how we will lead an effort to help, and why the problem occurs. This does not only include academic learning, as practical knowledge of societal problems is also needed. We need to make sure that our servant-leaders are educated and informed in their topic, and better integrate learning and awareness into well-attended events. It is not acceptable for awareness weeks to be poorly attended while action-oriented events draw crowds but could do more to enhance understanding.

The New Face of HIV
by Tyler Andrew TerMeer

I think that at some point in each of our lives we make the realization that we aren’t as invincible as we once had thought in our youth. This is a hard realization to make, but a barrier that must be broken at some point in our journey to adulthood. For some it takes years to discover, for others it’s within the blink of an eye. I’ve lived for 25 years without knowing a world devoid of HIV for even a moment of that time, even though I wasn’t aware of its reality until my diagnosis almost four years ago.

I come from “The New Face of HIV.”

Today's young people are the “AIDS Generation.” While millions have died, the HIV/AIDS epidemic among young people remains largely invisible to adults and to young people themselves. As part of “The New Face of HIV,” I am fortunate to be living in a time in this epidemic where my diagnosis was not given to me as a death sentence, but as a new reality and a new responsibility to manage the HIV Virus in my life. I come from the “AIDS Generation,” a generation that doesn’t remember the realities of the early days of the epidemic where Gay Activists and Hemophiliacs fought together for their rights and for their lives. This new generation lives in a different world that is silent about the Virus. HIV is a vocabulary word in their Health course if they are lucky enough to be taught about sexually transmitted diseases and their realities. To many, HIV is not something that is happening within their communities and could never impact their world.

I was diagnosed HIV-positive at the age of 21 and since that time have begun to immerse myself into the epidemic. I considered myself an educated person, I went to a nice school, and was on track to graduate with my college degree, but why was I so blinded to the realities of this epidemic? Where was society? Who was to be held accountable for my lack of knowledge surrounding HIV/AIDS?

I quickly became pro-active and began my research. I was utterly shocked at how much I had not been taught about this disease, but even more terrified of the stigma I began to encounter as I spoke passionately about what I was learning amongst my friends.

Of the over 60 million people who have been infected with HIV in the past 20 years, about half became infected between the ages of 15 and 24. Today, nearly 12 million young people are living with HIV/AIDS. Young women are several times more likely than young men to be infected with HIV. Such statistics underscore the urgent need to address HIV/AIDS among young people.

I believe that stopping HIV/AIDS requires comprehensive strategies that focus on young adults. With half of new infection being amongst my peers, those of us under the age of 25, I’m deeply concerned about the future of this epidemic. I have great respect for the early years of this disease and those who have fought so hard, but the time has come to grasp the reality that time has passed and we are facing a whole new generation of this pandemic. With this development has come the emergence of a generation gap in the HIV/AIDS community. The long-time survivors are living with the belief that they were infected in a time where they had no warning, no education or knowledge of this disease, and that the youth of today should have known the reality of the epidemic. This gap must be bridged so that we speak with one voice to empower other young HIV-positive persons.

For the last three years I have been working as the Director of Programming at the Ohio AIDS Coalition, a non-profit organization providing education, leadership training, advocacy, and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. I feel that the work we do and the lives we impact only empowers me more to travel around the state as well as nationally to share my own experiences of living with HIV as a young adult and to address the stigma, treatment, and barriers that are often associated with HIV/AIDS.

I come from “The New Face of HIV,” and I feel by using my voice and personal story with HIV to educate and to advocate I am able to bring a “Social Vaccine” to Ohio communities. My fear is that down the road our children or grandchildren will be sitting in their history classes reading that small paragraph about what was once the Great AIDS Epidemic and they will be ashamed of how long it took us to stop it in its tracks. Growing up we hear that” knowledge is power,” but I believe that knowledge is only that, unless we take action with what we have learned. We have had the power to stop this Epidemic for many years and that is the power of education, prevention, and access to care and treatment for ALL those who need it.

Now is the time to act. Now you have the knowledge. Now, I ask, what are we going to do with it?

Difference, January part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:52:00 +0000

Here it is!

To Give and Sacrifice for Others: A Year of Service
by Greg Calhoun

We all know how to give gifts; many of us are privileged to have received them as well over the holiday season. If you are Christian, you recently celebrated God’s gift of his Son in Jesus. We all, whatever our faith tradition, have in common a different gift. Whether you interpret it as a divine gift or a natural process, we all share in the gift of time on this planet. As students, faculty, and staff at a university that charges us to learn lead, and serve, we know what it means to use our time well, whether in pursuit of an education, in the service of others, or in the providing of essential needs for those who depend on us. In a New Year of unseen opportunities and potential for growth, now is a perfect time to explore the phenomenon of the year of service as we decide how to spend our time after moving on from the University of Dayton. This is especially true for seniors contemplating what to do after graduation, as most programs require an application including recommendations and personal essays to be completed in your final semester. Many UD students have chosen to give back to the community through a post-graduate year of service, but it is important for those reflecting on this commitment to know what they are actually doing and why others have deemed it a worthwhile and fulfilling commitment.

Students give many different reasons for joining year of service programs. Many hope to grow in their understanding of the world or in their personal faith. Some have learned about injustice and human rights abuse during their college experience and want to do their part to right society’s wrongs. Others value community and believe that a year of service will be a mutually beneficial experience, and one that meets others’ needs while transforming the servant into an active and concerned citizen ready to make an impact in any community. Still others simply are not yet interested in a regular job or pursuing further education. The shared trait of these divergent groups is the desire to help out other people, especially those with the greatest needs. This means that many volunteers in these programs work as teachers in under-funded schools, as coordinators of food banks, in inner-city or rural health care institutions, in programs for individuals with disabilities, or overseas for groups trying to meet the basic needs of the poor.

There are many different groups that provide year of service opportunities, and this gives the applicant the choice between faith-based and secular programs. Groups with federal funding tend to provide housing stipends along with the freedom to choose your own living arrangements. Faith-based programs differ, but many call upon the Gospel values of simplicity and community by providing their own living arrangements. These often take shape as small intentional communities that live and serve together in simple housing with a limited budget that prioritizes need. These groups also usually use retreats as formative experiences that serve to educate volunteers and maintain strong communities. While these groups value prayer, most do not require applicants to be of any certain faith tradition. Many groups provide their own incentives or government-funded incentives, such as the Americorps grant that assists with student loans or the cost of a graduate education. Former Peace Corps workers have preference in government hiring, while the Jesuit Volunteer Corps partners with Loyola University of Chicago in a Magis program that provides tuition costs in return for an extended commitment to the organization. With many options available, a year of service is becoming an opportunity that is more and more available to recent graduates due to the ability to find a program that fits specific service interests, shares their personal beliefs, and provides the incentives needed to suspend their career for a year or more.

The University of Dayton welcomes people of diversity to share in its traditions, especially the fundamental encouragement of servant leadership grounded in the moral imperative to love. A year of service is an experience that enables young people to give back and learn how to incorporate service into their personal and professional lives. If, after your time at UD, you feel the need to go out in the world and make a difference, consider one of the many year of service opportunities. You will change the lives of others, and find yourself forever changed.

Alumni Interview - Travis Rindler

1. What are you up to these days?

Currently, I live in San Antonio, Texas. I am working through the Marianist Volunteer Program and Americorps doing a year of service. I am living alone and working with a non-profit that works primarily with foster children from 1-18 years old. I educate them about accessing their benefits and aid them in planning for their future. I teach them things like how to open a bank account and how to use public transit in Basic Life-skills courses.

2. How did UD's emphasis on social justice change you?

It helped define who I am. It is easy to think that the world is filled with amazing, caring, and compassionate people who care about everyone’s future, but it isn't the case. Yes, there are some people like that, but there are many more that are more focused on themselves or their family. UD helped instill values in me that will stay with me through all of my trials and tribulations.

3. What experience at UD made you think "we truly made a difference in the community"?

Without a doubt, it was the trip to Lubwe, Zambia. This trip changed my life forever and forever changed the lives of the locals in that village. They now have a library and an emerging economy. The children have more access to education and received items to play with during their time off. The HIV awareness celebration was unbelievable and it is crazy to think that we as students took the intitative to do this... and did it... and did it well. We and they are forever changed.

4. Who was your mentor(s) on-campus? Who should students get to know better?

The Majkas, for sure. They both teach in the sociology department. They are always there to listen to anything you have to say and are very compassionate, reasonable and understanding. Ricki Huff was also an angel. If you are truly a motivated and passionate student, she will be your best friend because she will take it upon herself to make sure that your dreams come true.

5. What is next for you?

I am thinking about buying a house in West Dayton with some friends from UD, and we are going to try and start a community there. We plan on paying off the house, and after making it nice, we’ll eventually re-sell it down the road. Our group will live with an intentional emphasis on simple living, community, personal and communal growth, and you better believe its going to be fun too.

A Voice for Darfur
by Lauren Etzkorn

On Monday, December 3, 2007, two Darfuri refugees spoke about their harrowing experiences to an engaged audience of over three hundred guests in Boll Theater.
Darfur is a region in western Sudan, the largest country in Africa. People might be familiar with the conflict in Darfur, thanks in part to celebrities such as George Clooney and Don Cheadle, who’ve done their part to expose the genocide afflicting the region over the past five years. Northern Sudan is made up of mostly Arabic-speaking Muslims, while the south is predominantly occupied by black Africans. These cultural divisions have been fueling sporadic civil wars in Sudan since 1956. However, the tensions and bloodshed reached new heights in 2003, when an Arabic militia known as the Janjaweed began to attack black African farmers in Darfur in an attempt to eradicate them from the region. Today, over 400,000 people have been killed and approximately 2.3 million Darfuris reside in internally displaced persons camps.
The Sudanese government has done little to stem the violence. In fact, it has taken measures to impede outside intervention. Non-governmental humanitarian organizations have raised the battle cry, but until recently their efforts have only been superficially supported by other countries and governments. However, things are beginning to change. Recently, a US bill has been passed that protects states’ rights to divest. This means that the states, without penalty, are legally able to withdraw investments from companies who economically fuel the Sudanese government.
The University is making its own humanitarian efforts on behalf of Darfur with the presence of UD’s brand new chapter of STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur). So far this year, STAND members have organized a number of events, among them hosting Darfuri refugees from the Voices from Darfur tour—put on by the Save Darfur Coalition. Earlier in the year STAND held a Die-In, a silent protest during which students lay in Humanities Plaza to represent the lives lost in Darfur. Over thirty students participated and many others purchased STAND t-shirts which were made to raise awareness about the conflict. In addition, STAND officers met with University financial officials, who helped to make a list of the offending corporations (a large percentage of their revenue in Sudan goes to military spending) in which UD either directly, or indirectly, had investments. Subsequently, STAND put together a petition to be sent to one of the University’s mutual investment companies, urging it to withdraw its funds in said corporations. Over 300 students and faculty members signed, and top University officials have pledged their support. The group has raised nearly eight hundred dollars for its chapter alone and a few hundred more for the parent organization whose efforts focus on issues like divestment on a national level.
To learn more about STAND and the ongoing genocide in Darfur, visit www.standnow.org. To get involved with STAND on campus and be added to the contact list, email STAND@udayton.edu. STAND meets on Mondays at 7:30pm in Liberty Hall room 114.

Wednesday Bullets

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:40:00 +0000

2008 is off and rolling and it is time for another edition of Wednesday Bullets! I must stress again that this blog could become a discussion and announcement sharing tool for activists at UD, so post away and contact me with what you want to see here. Now, on to the news...

The peace talks in Northern Uganda have slowed in the last week.
The blockade in the Gaza Strip was compromised and Palestinians crossed into Egypt for supplies.
Putin's challenger comes under investigation for falsifying signatures to be registered as a candidate.
An alleged human rights abuser in Darfur is appointed as an adviser to al-Bashir.
An editorial reflecting during MLK day on the continuing fight for justice.
Politicians eye green-collar jobs as a clean way to fight global warming and unemployment.

Wednesday Bullets

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:02:00 +0000

It's time for a rousing near-finals edition of Wednesday Bullets!

Bush wants to know what kind of heat Iran is packing.
Pollution is killing ancient species of turtle in China.
Doctors Without Borders speaks against Angolan state violence.
A new partnership to expand micro-finance in Africa.
The ONE Campaign needs help in Iowa!
Christmas comes early for Habit for Humanity to the tune of $20 million.

November/December Issue, Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:55:00 +0000

Second half of the newsletter below!

New Orleans in Autumn
by Mark Motz

My first thought as I was walking to S2 to meet up with my group to go to New Orleans was how eerie it was. The campus was absolutely quiet except for the people doing work, either the Garbage Men emptying trash cans or the Alpha Omega cleaning company. Granted, it was before the crack of dawn, but as I reflect on the whole experience, New Orleans was the same way. While we were working on our worksite, we noticed that the only people that were around us were fixing the houses, be it contractors or other volunteer groups - there was no one else. No children playing tag in the front yards, no runners, no dogs, no laughter.
After a fifteen hour drive and very bumpy bridge across Lake Pontchartrain we found ourselves at Marian Central, our home for the next few days. After a quick briefing and welcome by Operation Helping Hands Staff we were led to the old music room where there were a large number of bunk beds set up. We set our stuff down and went to the lounge to take it all in and meet our building mates. There were students from Xavier University and a few older volunteers from Youngstown OH. The Xavier students were in New Orleans as part of their semester of service and those from Youngstown had been down several other times.
Our tasks consisted of all exterior jobs such as caulking and painting houses. We were split up into three groups, but all did about the same things. Our group was sent to Ms. Adam’s house where she taught us her way of weatherproofing though “wood glue” and caulk. The newer/resided houses in New Orleans have wood siding that needs to be water tight in the cracks. After filling in the cracks we painted the whole exterior. While time consuming, we were able to see what we accomplished over a two day span.
The next worksite needed to have its yard mowed. By mowed I mean, weed whack and then attempt to mow. There is a law in New Orleans that states that if your yard is unmanaged they repossess your land and everything on it. New Orleans has several laws and customs that are not all that sound, such as bulldozing houses that may be fixed and leaving those that are completely flattened.
Exterior jobs are all that can be done right now and therefore we are working on the houses that are almost complete and there is so much more to do. Many houses are just frames, and some are just the concrete front porches.
I am looking foreword to going back to New Orleans and do more, but for now, I encourage you all to continue praying and if given the chance, go down and help with the Katrina cleanup.

Kelly Bohrer: New Member of CSC Family
by Susan Handle Terbay

The Center for Social Concern in Campus Ministry welcomes Kelly Bohrer as our new Coordinator of Community Outreach. Kelly comes to us with a background steeped in Marianist traditions and living a faith life through social justice and community service activities. Kelly formerly worked as Biology Lab Coordinator at the University of Dayton. In her previous job she enjoyed finding ways to help students in their educational, personal and spiritual growth and to achieve their leadership potential. In so doing she continued to educate herself on social justice issues and created innovative service-learning projects.

Kelly’s husband’s name is Jeff and they have a little 18-month-old, Jonathan, to complete their family. Young Jonathan’s favorite activity is throwing balls, so it is no wonder that he loves seeing the moon in the darkened sky and expresses his delight to his mommy upon seeing it.

Kelly and Jeff are members of Queen of Apostles parish at Mt. St. John, as well as members of a Lay Marianist Group – The Well. For years they were youth ministers at their parish but currently minister to the youth through service trips and youth liturgies at Bergamo.

Aside from enjoying her family life, Kelly loves to hike and snow ski. Years ago she used to downhill ski – now she does cross country. Animals are also very important creatures in her life. When visiting Liberty Hall, stop in and see her beautiful angel fish – a touch of nature in her office.

Because nature helps ground Kelly during stresses in her life, her favorite bible quote is: “…Learn a lesson from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work; they do not spin. Yet I assure you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was arrayed like one of these. If God can clothe in such splendor the grass of the field, which blooms today and is thrown into the fire tomorrow – will he not provide much more for you?”
Matthew 6:28-31.

Welcome Kelly!!!

Activist Interview – Gordon Schweitzer

1. How did you become active in social justice?

- I became active as a result of my peers. My roommate, Joe Melendrez, got me initially interested in retreats at UD. My experience in retreats inspired me to act and make a difference.

2. Why do you think service clubs and student government are important to the UD community?

- These organizations are important to UD because they allow students to take action. Without these organizations, students would not have avenues to make a difference and apply what they learn about the world into action.

3. What community service or activism experience has impacted you the most?

- I have gained the most from Metanoia. Metanioa allowed me to open up and learn more about myself. With this understanding, I have become a better servant of the community.

4. What on-campus event are you looking forward to the most this year and why?

- I am looking forward to MFest the most. This event provides an opportunity to slow down for a while and enjoy friends, music, and food along with being a great service of the community.

5. What can we do to get more students involved in community service?

- Students can pay attention. If you want to be a leader or become active, pay attention to opportunities, applications, emails, etc.

6. What is one way that you think the UD community can improve in its living out of the Marianist charism and "Learn, Lead, and Serve" motto?

- I encourage members of this community to take risks and explore themselves to figure out what is really important to them and to follow what gives them true, lasting happiness.

FACE AIDS Week
by Holly DeHaven

When one thinks of HIV/AIDS the images of people from Africa usually comes to mind. I can honestly say that I used to be one of those people who categorized this diseases only being a problem in one part of our world affecting only certain people. Over the summer I got the chance to attend the CRS College Resources (Catholic Relief Services)/NCAN (National Catholic AIDS Network) Conference. While I was there I interacted with people from all over the country who were working to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic. I also met people personally affected by HIV/AIDS. One person in particular truly changed my perception on this movement and her name is Connie. Connie has had AIDS for over 20 years. Through hearing her story I learned about the stigmatization that she has faced since receiving her diagnosis. Her friends, family and even church have questioned and segregated her. She is a woman who has to take over 90 different pills a day and endures much pain and suffering not only from medication but also from society. She is a woman who has AIDS because of a blood transfusion she received many years ago. Many people around the world are not informed properly about HIV/AIDS and they only view the people affected by it through statistics. However, those statistics are real people who have lives just like us. Many people don’t want anything to do with this disease because some feel that it is too big of a problem to solve and it doesn’t personally affect them but HIV/AIDS does affect everyone in the world. It is part of almost every country including the United States. Men, women and children die from this disease everyday. It is a disease of the human family therefore it does affect us because as Christians we are part of the Body of Christ. Being part of the Body of Christ means when one part suffers we all suffer. It is important to join with our brothers and sisters around the world to fight this disease through awareness, advocacy and fund-raising.

During the week of November 26th November 30th people will have the chance to learn more about this issue. Helen Keller once said, “I am only one but I am still one, I cannot do everything but I can still do something, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” As individuals at this University lets take the time to inform ourselves and take action to stop this disease.

November/December Issue, Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:05:00 +0000

November/December Issue online!

Voice for the Voiceless – SOA/WHINSEC Protests Abuses of Authority
by Greg Calhoun

Killing is not murder. This is the attitude expressed by the professionals who facilitated a tour of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), and who gave their justification that the United States is in no way complicit in the torture and murder committed by graduates of WHINSEC upon returning to their home countries. Semantics like this, along with evidence of tragic human rights abuse committed by Latin American soldiers trained at Fort Benning, empowered 58 UD students to travel to Georgia for the annual November protest to close the school.

WHINSEC, formerly named the School of the Americas (SOA), is a controversial training academy for Latin American police and military forces. The government identifies the academy’s mission as training rising leaders in the skills for governing democracy and providing ethical instruction toward just action. The government also defends the school by saying that no higher institution of learning can guarantee that its graduates will not commit crimes in the future. Yet, documented cases of human rights abuses by graduates abound, including the El Mozotes massacre of more than 800 people in El Salvador. The only living witness was advocate Rufina Amaya, whose life and hope was celebrated at this year’s protest after she passed away in March. UD is linked to these abuses as well, as our annual human rights award is named after the former Archbishop of El Salvador, Oscar Romero, whose life was ended tragically in 1980 by a Salvadoran death squad comprised of several SOA graduates. The murder of six Jesuit priests in El Salvador, along with their co-worker and her teenage daughter, on November 16, 1989 inspired Father Roy Bourgeois to start the protest group SOA Watch and gather activists at the gates of Fort Benning on the anniversary of the killing.

In 1990, fewer than 20 stood witness at the gates, but by 2006 the movement had grown to bring more than 20,000 protestors. Protestors used to cross onto Fort Benning property and plant white crosses with the names of victims of SOA graduates in a procession honoring the dead and creating a symbolic graveyard showing the public awareness of atrocities committed. But, as the protest had changed, so has the environment with new fencing installed and security forces operating with the mandate to strictly enforce trespassing laws. Two UD students, Brian DeRouen and Meagan Doty, crossed onto the base in 2004 and joined in with over 200 others who have been arrested and jailed for nonviolent protest of the school. Eleven arrests for crossing were made this year according to SOA Watch’s latest reports. The success of the movement since 1990 can be measured by the 5 countries – Bolivia, Costa Rica, Argentina, Uruguay, and Venezuela – who have pulled their troops from the program, and by the vote in June on removing funding from WHINSEC that came within six votes of passing. UD students, led by Liz Albanese and Mary Niebler, returned to contribute their time and prayer to continuing the positive momentum achieved by the cause’s progress.

After traveling through the night by van and bus, UD students were welcomed to the first day at the gates. Saturday can best be described as a program of education and musical celebration on the main stage, accompanied by a “marketplace of ideas” generated by the tables lining the protest space. Many activism groups show their support for peaceful protest and come to share their cause while participating in the weekend’s efforts to close the school and honor the dead. I was reminded of the inclusivity pillar of the Marianist charism, as groups from across the spectrum were represented and engaged in dialogue. In one afternoon, I aced a nuclear quiz by a group hoping to impeach Bush, learned about counter-recruitment efforts to educate poor young adults about the reality of committing to armed service, obtained two free issues of Sojourners magazine along with an invite to a Colombus, OH rally, and walked past Liberate Marijuana and Go Vegan tables to visit the group representing the familiar Marianist Volunteer Program. Some students expressed frustration at the proliferation of causes for being detrimental to the focus of the weekend, but they in turn recognized their right to do so and appreciated the opportunity to explore their own beliefs on a wide range of issues. In addition to the tables, inspirational speakers, and music, another important event on Saturday was the WHINSEC tour.

The public relations staff for the institution hosts a tour and information session for protesters interested in balancing their perspective by hearing the voice of those working on the other side of the fence. Brother Tom Pieper, the campus minister for Stuart Hall, was impressed with their professional approach. He found, however, that the argumentation of the panel of board members and instructors differed with his own on very basic values and principles. One of the board members argued that we have interpreted the commandment as “Thou Shall Not Kill” when in the original Hebrew text it means “Thou Shall not Murder.” In this line of reasoning, the school does train soldiers to kill in self-defense but is not responsible for the graduates who misuse their training for torture and murder. Another said that the SOA is closed and that WHINSEC has incorporated the values of democracy as well as classes on ethics, and should not be blamed for what happened in the past. Yet, WHINSEC is a direct descendant of the SOA, says Brother Tom, and continues to teach violence. “This is not consistent with teaching democracy, which does not flow from the barrel of a gun.” Brother Tom was disappointed that the Christian values of respect for others underlying democracy is disregarded by the school’s military approach. “Does this really teach democracy and freedom?” he questioned. The utilitarian argument that most of the school’s graduates produce the public goods of safety, security, and stability is not backed by accountability because the board members said they do not track graduates any more than any university would. Brother Tom thought it was hypocritical for the government to concentrate on tracking terrorism, but not keep tabs on graduates who have proven to be susceptible to committing terrorist acts after leaving the school. Despite their differences, he said that he was still glad he went to hear their side. Saturday ended with a campfire reflection that brought those who went on the tour together with the full group for a communal discussion. Reaffirmed in our efforts for justice, we shared in the warmth of the fire and looked forward to Sunday’s procession.

Sunday opened with a series for presentations from the main stage to build the solidarity for the day’s major activity: the mass funeral procession. After hearing social justice-oriented music and speeches by people ranging from victims, to leaders of the movement, and even presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich’s promise to close the school if elected, the group of artists led us in marching around the grounds of the protests. The names of victims were sung from the main stage, and the assembled protestors’ response was to lift our crosses while singing, “Presente.” This ceremony honors those who have perished and symbolizes our presence and solidarity with them. Each cross was solemnly placed in the fence in remembrance, and to show tangible evidence of the impact of the school in Latin America. Following the procession was a new tradition, a celebration of life through music and dance to send forth the gathered activists with energy to continue bearing witness and working for the end of abuses by SOA/WHINSEC graduates.

What can you do if you care about this issue? Learn more by researching the topic, talking with those who have been on the protest, or committing to join along with the 25,000 from this year’s protest to make next November’s even more powerful. Once you have seen both sides, if you have determined that the work to close the school is just, then I suggest you follow the advice of the wise Quaker Milton Mayer and “Speak truth to power”. Flood your representatives in Congress with evidence of U.S. complicity in human rights abuse. Speak loudly when you say that America’s liberty and prestige is compromised by turning a blind eye to torture and murder. Remind our officials that their power flows from us. If we stand united, they will listen. Truth is inherently dangerous to power. Jesus challenged authority by living his Gospel, and there are many martyrs who have followed his example of non-violence in confronting injustice. But we need not be martyrs to make a difference. We need to be heard; we need to spread the good news of hope that inspires others to act. Make your political officials open letter after letter and e-mail after e-mail saying “No Mas! No More!” The fence at Fort Benning is a physical symbol of resistance, and it is up to us to circumvent the barrier by using our influence as constituents to persuade the government that we will not allow our beloved country to support crimes against humanity. Always speak truth to those in power. It may take time, but we must not falter in our conviction. The powerful will listen if we demand to be heard.

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week: I came, I saw, I love.

by Becca Russo

This year’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week was held during the perfect season. Mid-November is usually the time of year when the wind becomes a little colder, the darkness of the night comes sooner, and we begin to get out our winter essentials: coats, mittens, scarves, you name it. We begin to yearn for the cozy comforts of winter, whether you prefer curling up in your favorite blanket with some cocoa or enjoying a heaping bowl of chicken noodle soup. Oftentimes, we associate winter with the good things – the holidays and fresh snow. The winter is also a time when the materialism of our culture is relentless, ushering consumers to the nearest shopping malls and grocery stores to buy the latest in holiday fineries.

This time of the year is experienced in a different way for the homeless population in Dayton and the rest of the world. While we look forward to the comforting soup and the fashionable scarves, they look for food to eat and opportunities to stay warm during the unforgiving winter season. The materialistic holiday blur does not affect these people like it does to the culture of acquisitive consumers. Around this time, it’s easy to forget about the people without homes. It’s easy to become swallowed up in social engagements and final projects. Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week asks for the UD community to take a moment away from all those things, and there isn’t a better time to do it. The Week consisted of several events, which were created by the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week committee, led by one of the Campus Ministry Graduate Assistants, Clare Strockbine.

Saturday: Empty Bowls; this event featured performances about homelessness and poverty, including "Two Women," about the disparity between residents of privileged countries like the United States and those in countries torn apart by war and lack of resources. Other performances included monologues about the mistreatment of war veterans, the urban homeless population, and undocumented immigrants. Mike Schultz, Charlie Schreier, and Brendan O'Grady played some mean guitar, as well. The main point of the event was to reflect on what it means to be homeless, and in doing so, each participant could have a simple bowl of soup and then decorate their bowl in remembrance of Empty Bowls and its impact on that person.

Monday: Speaker, Matthew; Matthew has been homeless on the streets of Boston for over ten years. He spoke with the UD community about the role of churches in the struggle of homeless people. Essentially, he (and many of those in the homeless community) feels that the church has completely closed and locked its doors to the people it claims to have responsibility for: the impoverished. Matthew shared stories, artwork, and had time for several questions. The talk was phenomenal – a real view into the life of someone we so often pass on the street, but never stop to listen to.

Tuesday: Hunger Banquet; when people entered McGinnis for the Hunger Banquet, they were given cards that indicated which economic status they were, poor, moderately poor, and rich. The participants were then invited to gather in their respective economic brackets and have a meal. The poor received very little, a bowl of water. The moderately poor participants received a bowl of rice and the rich were given a nice meal. The numbers were astounding; most of the people who attended the banquet were part of the most impoverished group, which was the overall message of the event: the affluence of the United States is experienced by a small percentage of the world.

Wednesday: Sleepout; several UD students slept outside in Humanities Plaza, in attempt to have solidarity with those who don't have warm beds to come home to. Though the students don't claim to understand how it feels to be homeless, they are able to relate to how one night outside in the cold might feel for someone without a home… it hailed that night.

Thursday: Candlelight Vigil; this event was held in conjunction with the Covenant House. A group of UD community members gathered in Humanities Plaza, reflecting and praying by candlelight, about those who are less fortunate. Testimonials, songs, and prayers were offered, and a general reflection about the week was valuable for all participants of the Vigil.

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week was strengthened by the members of its committee, as well as outstanding UD students, namely Jay Benze, a first year student. Benze, who had no affiliation with the group prior to the week, attended every event, performed in Empty Bowls, slept outside until 5am during the Sleepout – after all the other students had left due to hail –and helped with the tables taking donations all week in KU and Marianist. The Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week committee would also like to extend its gratitude to the UD community and all who contributed to the Week and its events. For more information on how to get involved in Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week next year, contact Clare Strockbine at strockbcm@notes.udayton.edu.

Alumni Update – Joe Weber

1. What are you up to these days?
I'm a volunteer through CRS, working in Zambia.

2. How did UD's emphasis on social action change you?
Opportunity and empowerment, these are the things that I gained from UD's emphasis on social action. I came to UD for graduate school. For years I had been thinking about justice issues, wanting to learn and experience more. When I first arrived at UD I was amazed at all of the things people were doing. I latched on to the Guatemala immersion program and lead the trip during both of my summers at UD. It was an excellent opportunity that doesn't exist at many other schools. And there are countless other opportunities for involvement in service clubs, trips to the SOA, and classes that reflect on justice issues. Different people can get involved in different ways.

Empowerment is the other great gift of UD. You can find support in trying new ideas, wrestling with a variety of issues. Interested in Latin America? You can find a mentor. Women's issues? There are people thinking about them. But, for the most part, these people are not interested in passing their social agenda on to you. Rather, they hope to expose you to challenging issues and help you to develop skills to think and to respond. Perhaps most importantly, UD gives students a safe place to question, struggle, and fail. If you read Dorothy Day, you'll find that social change is an excruciatingly slow process; often you don't see measurable progress. And that is a real struggle for many young people. Other times, passion that is not tempered with direction, patience, and an understanding of the problem can lead you to do more harm than good. But a great deal of wisdom can come from going off half-cocked. People like Nick Cardilino have an amazing gift of patience with students as they grow through frustration and mistakes on the way to becoming community leaders. At UD you have countless opportunities to learn outside of the classroom through experiences that are not as easy to find at universities with less emphasis on social action.

3. What experience at UD made you think "we truly made a difference in the community"?
More often than anything else, I found myself thinking what a difference the community had made on me. That's what keeps me thirsting for social involvement.

4. Who was your mentor(s) on campus? Who should students make an effort to get to know?
The great thing about UD is that mentors are everywhere. I'd say I learned as much from fellow students as anyone else. You also stand to learn a great deal from the lady's at the check out counter in the caf. They're great. I spent most of my time in the theology department, so my mentors included Dr. Sandra Yocum Mize, Dr. Dennis Doyle, and Dr. Bill Portier. They helped me bring social questions into dialog with my faith and academic research. For undergraduates, I'd point toward Dr. Kelly Johnson. She has a deep sense of and commitment to social concern.

5. What is next for you?
I'm hoping that a year in Africa sheds some light on that question, but there is a very good chance I'll be back in Dayton, working on a Phd.

On Newsstands near you!

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:32:00 +0000

The Difference has hit campus! Go pick it up, read about your fellow students' activities for social justice, and then get on this blog and discuss (and send me ideas for improving the blog). Have a great rest of the week!

Wednesday Bullets

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:39:00 +0000

Remember to support FACE Aids week after you check out this Wednesday's bullets:

-Students in Venezuela protest Chavez's disregard for term limits
-Charity meets tragedy: Sudan to sue French group who claimed to be sending Darfur orphans to European host families
-Recent report find success in decreasing the rate of malaria in some countries
-Israelis and Palestinians aim high in early Annapolis peace talks, set 2008 goal for new treaty
-The case of journalist Zahra Kazemi, who was killed in Iranian custody, is reopened with new investigations
-Oxfam America petitions Burger King for just treatment of farm workers
-New information on the global HIV/AIDS crisis meant to inform the formation of U.S. policy

FACE Aids Week

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:43:00 +0000

Last night, I watched the movie "A Closer Walk" at ArtStreet for the second event of FACE Aids week. The movie is a wake-up call. I worked this summer for Taxpayers for Common Sense in DC, and we were right next to an AIDS prevention NGO, and yet I never went in to talk to them about what they did. HIV/Aids is one of the scariest dilemmas facing our world today. It is a preventable disease, but social norms, the "incubation period" of the disease, and unsafe drug use all help the virus thrive. The movie looks at the issue and shows concrete ways that people are working to curb the spread of HIV/Aids. Be informed, and be active on this issue. Not only does it disproportionately harm the poor and marginalized of the world, but it propagates without discrimination. Education, activism for better treatment, and good government policy for foreign aid are three avenues for fighting this disease. Please, whether it is now or once you are established after graduation, make an effort to assist the good people working on this issue to improve the global push against HIV/Aids. While there is no vaccine yet like Polio, HIV/Aids is going to be a test of this generation. Will we join together as one family and say "No!" both with our words, and with our deeds by pressuring government and financing non-profit care? History will bear witness. You can take a first step by supporting FACE Aids week and becoming informed.

Walk in the light and be blessed always.

Wednesday Bullets

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 04:30:00 +0000

Here comes another round of news in the social justice world:

Ban Ki-Moon expresses concern over Darfur peacekeeping delays.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees promises new campaign for 2008.
Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) peace team has Kony's support.
Liberian debt relief one step closer as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced financial pledges.
Violence threatens Mogadishu according to Doctors Without Borders.
Rally for publicly funded elections in support of new legislation.

Wednesday Bullets

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 05:20:00 +0000

The Difference is still excited to be back and working toward its first issue! We also continue the call for your suggestions for this blog, so that it can grow into a great tool for news and coordination of activism. Here is the second edition of Wednesday bullets in the meantime:

Somalia's prime minister retires; joins fellow maligned politicians in Kenyan retirement.
Liberian president targets corruption and has the children remembering to smile.
Colombia's prolonged civil conflict displaces many and challenges health care.
Advocacy group works to reduce causes of gender-based violence in Africa.
Los Angeles poverty reduction is the goal of the 2007 Jimmy Carter Work Project.
College student goes the extra mile to inform and inspire action on water rights through the Think Outside the Bottle campaign.
Suicide bomber in Pakistan strikes near the president as militant violence increases in the state.
Pondering South America potentially being ruled by a majority of women leaders following Argentina's recent election.

Wednesday Bullets

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Calhoun) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 05:09:00 +0000

Hello Flyers!

The Difference, UD's social justice magazine is making a comeback. We are aiming for a November/December combined issue and looking forward to sharing the great advocacy and service work conducted by members of this university. It looks like a great issue, so keep your eye out for it! Also, this blog is a new way for you to interact with The Difference, and we want your ideas for how to make this a useful and informative tool for service clubs and individuals. Tell us what you need to promote service by this community, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

This is the first edition of Wednesday bullets, which will feature links to prominent information and happenings in the social justice arena. Feel free to suggest topics and post your own (please keep your posts in the spirit of the mission of spreading awareness and action on issues of healing injustice and helping those in need). Here we go!

The Monitor reports that Uganda wants the extradition of surrendered LRA commanders.
SaveDarfur.org finds that the splintering of rebel groups in Darfur is holding back the negotiations process.
OxFam America wants a fair Farm Bill, launches new ad campaign with diverse group of concerned environmentalists and taxpayer watchdogs.
A coalition of NGO's partners anew to find solutions to the clean water and sanitation crisis in the developing world.
Refugees International explores the refugee situation emerging in Iraq, providing analysis and policy recommendations.