November 20, 2000
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada10:06am.This past weekend, I attended a social and environmental activism conference at Green Hill Lake, north of Fredericton. It was fun. All the revolutionaries were kind, caring, happy people.
The most memorable experience was Saturday night, laying in a field crisp with frost, with a half dozen others, in the pitch black, feeling very small, starring into outer space, as the sound of a flute danced nearby in the forest.
Speakers reminded me of the importance of persistence, delegating tasks, and forming alliances. Elders from Burnt Church shared their experience from the recent Department of Fishes assault on their community for refusing to follow federal lobster fishing regulations.
We watched documentaries of the WTO protest in Seattle, Clayoquot Sound old-growth forest clear-cut protests, and pie-in-the-face protests. A couple women from the New York Direct Action Network instructed how to protest effectively on the streets without getting beat by police. The next big battle against corporate rule is set to occur in Quebec City.
DAN(Direct Action Network) MISSION We are creating a movement to overcome corporate globalization and all forms of oppression-a movement united in a common concern for justice, freedom, peace and sustainability of all life, and a commitment to take direct action to realize radical visionary change.
DAN PRINCIPLES OF UNITY
DAN adopts the following Principles of Unity inspired by and derived from those of the People's Global Action.
1.A rejection of neo-liberal politics and institutions which promote socially and environmentally destructive globalization.
2.A confrontational attitude toward undemocratic organizations in which capital is the only real policy maker.
3.A call to nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience and the construction of local alternatives by local people as answers to the actions of governments and corporations.
4.An organizational philosophy based on decentralization, direct democracy, and local autonomy.
5.A rejection of all forms of oppression and exploitation such as patriarchy, white supremacy and imperialism.
6.A commitment to working in solidarity locally and internationally to build a popular movement for radical social change and global justice.
12:15pm. Maxine, who directed the Coastal Zone 2000 Youth Forum that I attended in September, just sent me this "Open letter to Global Citizens."
Dear Fellow Citizen:
Even if you have never seen seaweed, a starfish, or an ocean wave crashing on the beach, this letter concerns you. Water is the lifeblood of our Earth.
>From September 15th - 17th, 2000, over 100 youth gathered from 10 countries and 8 provinces and territories at in Saint John, New Brunswick. There, we discussed the health of our coasts, the global ocean, and broader environmental issues. We feel it imperative to share our discussions with you.
Finding common ground was easy despite our geographical and cultural differences. We are all deeply concerned with the state of our planet's ecosystems - in particular our oceans and coasts, and we think you should be too. Our overall quality of life depends largely on the state of our coasts and oceans.
As youth, we are often left out of decision-making processes. Youth have different perspectives, fresh ideas, and creative energy. Hear us out!
We call for the respect of all living systems, a drastic reduction in consumerism, and an end to complacency.
We call for an end to depleting our 'natural capital' for the sake of short-lived economic prosperity and short-sighted political agendas.
We have challenged ourselves to the following:
* Reduce consumption: We must reduce our consumption now, particularly in North America. From selling our Sports Utility Vehicles to refusing excess packaging to building smaller homes. We will teach our children that having less 'stuff' is the goal. We will ask ourselves: do I really need this? Simplify, simplify...and reduce our impact on the planet.
* Become better educated and more aware: We will help teach the youth of today about the fundamental principles of the democratic process, the workings of government, and our International agreements and obligations. We are doing ourselves a disservice having youth grow up blind to our political systems. We will help teach other youth how to make their voice heard.
* Show Humility: A drastic shift in thinking has to take place. Instead of asking "How much environmental damage can I get away with?" we will ask "What's the least impact I can make?" We will start thinking about minimum impact instead of maximum, and always bear in mind that we share this planet with other living creatures.
* Ask "Why?" We will challenge and question the existing ways of thinking, management practices and institutional arrangements. Youth have a large role to play here with fresh ideas and open minds.
* Show no complacency: We will not turn a blind eye when it comes to consumption or our environment. We will ask the questions and call for accountability.
* Challenge industrial 'rights': No industry or company has a right to place profits over the fair treatment of people or the environment People have rights - not corporations. We recognize that it is a privilege to take and that with that comes the responsibility to care. We will challenge those who act otherwise.
* Be an example: We will use our own lives as an example every day. We will help lead the way to sustainability through our own daily actions.
We want you to take action, but we're not going to ask you to write a letter to the Prime Minister or your local MP.
We, the Coastal Zone 2000 Youth Forum delegates, challenge each and every one of you to adopt our goals listed above in your own life.
We want you to ask yourself: "Could the Earth keep pace if six billion people consumed as I do?"
This is action at the personal level. We want you to take full responsibility for your daily actions, and help others do the same. So start a carpool, build a community garden, use canvas shopping bags, refuse excess packaging - do as much as you can. Start reducing your impact upon our Earth today for the sake our Earth and our future generations.
Sustainably yours,
The Coastal Zone 2000 Youth Forum Delegation
12:18pm. I am feeling warm and fuzzy... having read the below message in my Yahoo mail box. Claudia is a master at helping others feel special. That's love. Yeah, I like this feeling! It's a high... better than any drug. Nothing else matters when I feel like this. When I feel loved, I am confidant. And it's contagious. A bunch of people loving each other are unstoppable. In this photo, Claudia is on the right, Gabriela, left, and Micheal in front.
Dear SUPER UNCLE MAX,
I miss you. I have been thinking a lot about you.......I´m wondering where you are, and what you are doing. I think you may be in Canada....right???.....
You really open a enormous door for me............and I´m glad for having been in contact with you....
I´d like to see you soon.......
The blue house in Torreon, is your home....!
come any time...
Love you..
Claudia.
12:23pm.Through the window, I see the post man backing his van into the drive way. When he opened the door, classical music spilled out. While walking up the path to the mail box at the back door, he left the van door open to keep the heavenly vibes from the stereo flowin’, cultivating his consciousness.
Mail makes a suitable profile. I’m going to look in the box. This is what I pulled out. Mum got a letter from AIM Funds Management INC., a donation receipt from Greenpeace, some papers from Shaklee Canada Inc.(the company that supplies most of the food supplements for the health food store she runs out of this house), and an advertisement from eStoresCanada.com (in partnership with Canada post) that states "Let your customers shop online so they don’t need to get in line.", a copy of Health Wise Digest, and Enchantress Hosiery Corporation of Canada sent her a couple samples of pantyhose. Dad got a letter from The University of New Brunswick.
I usually don’t receive much in the mail box, other than Visa Bills and Bank statements, although, lately, Princess Melissa, who I had the pleasure of getting to know during the Coastal Zone Youth Form, sent me a few packages containing a couple tapes of music she compiled, and this book on the desk in front of me, The Chase, by Alejo Carpentier. Photos of the Princess and I on the beach, and a compilation cassette of my favorite tunes are sitting here waiting for me to send them to her. I am such a slacker. Don't be so hard on yourself, myself. I'll send it today.
Relationships are an energy exchange. If I want to someone to love me, I gotta love them. The key is to give the right kinda attention the other person wants. Love comes in many forms; it could be a painting, or kind words, or sweeping the floor. Love is respect. Spending time with those I love is where it’s at. I just wanna feel good.
