As of late, I am panicky. Life is going by so fast. I am running after the speeding train as it leaves me behind in the terminal. I like to blog thoughts that are developed or at least at the cusp of being somewhat structured and informative. But right now, I am at a loss of insight and inspiration, so I'll probably just ramble.
Transitional phases in life are hard to deal with. People coming in and out of our lives, graduating, new jobs, new loves, marriage, children, or any change in general. The most annoying time is that point of limbo when you are adjusting to the change, in hopes of it becoming the new normal.
So this past week I attended a wedding of a family member who I also went to college with so we have a lot of the same friends. These friends are all over the place now so it was so nice to see everyone again in one place. It felt like old times. When it was all over and I had to go back to the mundane-ness of life, I realized how different my life has become from college. I missed everyone so dearly, to the point of reliving my past. Ahh, nostalgia. I miss the good times. Not to say the times now aren't good, but the memories from the past are so great. College was so so fun.
But alas, growing up is all apart of the natural progression of life. I guess I can't really avoid it anymore, seeing as how I have to graduate from grad school in less than 2 months and have to face the job market. Not too excited about that. Maybe I am scared. Maybe I love the academia bubble a little too much. But in any event, sometimes we don't get to choose change, change chooses us.
I am sure the really great times will roll around again. Exciting things are ahead insha'Allah. They say, whoever they are, live in the moment, don't get ahead of yourself, blah blah blah...I'll try to remember these sayings. I guess the most important thing is to not live with regret. That makes your past so amazing that you want to relive it because it is a time you are completely at peace with. The real trick is figuring out how to love your past while projecting the lessons from it onto your future and keep moving forward. Maybe, I just miss college and I'll get over this. Anyway, thanks for reading the neurotic thoughts.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
A Valiant Struggle.
I wouldn't label myself as a feminist thinker because I do not need to be, especially since Islam prescribes spiritual equality between men and women.
"For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God's praise,- for them has God prepared forgiveness and great reward. (Quran, 33:35)"
There are differences in the role of men and women because of their physical and mental composition. Women may be more nurturing and have a closer connection with children because after all, there is nothing that can change who gives birth to progeny. Back to my feminist statement, I do not think I need to excessively fight for the feminine cause because I believe Islam explains the relationship of God to women and women to men. But the realities are different from what Islam teaches, hence the motivation of this post.
A society is as strong as its weakest thing. It is evident that women are often times the weakest links in society, specifically countries that are predominately Muslim. If we expect for our society to move forward, it has to start with women’s empowerment. I do not want to evaluate these countries with an ethnocentric perspective, expecting women in these developing nations to demand/fight for educational opportunities that have been easily handed to me. (See Scheyvens, 1998) I am sure extremely educated female professors in Pakistan or Indonesia are out there but for the majority of women who just want political recognition, equality in public spheres, protection from domestic abuses and legal rights; I commend their valiant struggle. It is different from my own 'college-educated life of luxury' struggle but none the less-- important and valuable.
I am reminded of a 2007 Amnesty International Report on the Taliban's crimes against humanity. Specifically, there was a section on how women were mistreated during their 1996-2001 regime. The discrimination included denial of "education, employment, freedom of movement and political participation and representation...They were excluded from public life and prohibited from studying, working or leaving the house without being chaperoned by a male blood relative... The effects of these restrictions were particularly hard on widows and other women-headed households." (Amnesty International, 2007, p.22) Denial of these restrictions resulted in beatings and public humiliation.
Now, how is this at all related to what Islam teaches? This is interest driven politics, leading to an interpretation of the Quran in a way that best suited the political agenda of the Taliban which was to keep control in their region and purport themselves as the moral authority.
The Qur'an says, "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. (Quran 4:34)"
This speaks at the differences I stated earlier about the physical and mental makeup between men and women. Maybe the Taliban perceive this statement as their responsibility to protect women by keeping them at home and not allowing them to become educated or work. It is a hard line and exclusionist approach founded in fear--fear that when women find their own empowerment and voice, they will demand rights. But what happened to the verse that says treat women with kindness and respect, not objects to superimpose preventative rules/restriction on, especially since they have not committed any crime to warrant such restrictions.
"O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower [money given by the husband to the wife for the marriage contract] ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good. (The Noble Quran, 4:19)"
It hurts me to think that around the world my feminine counterparts are struggling to find their voices. Governance is not on their side. Men are not on their side. Even other women are not on their side. Sadly, I do not even have any recommendations aside from institutional change which will probably not come without a revolution and demanding of rights. Piece meal efforts like microfinance loans to seamstresses are promising but there have been reports of increased domestic violence in these households because of the additional income. The picture is grime.
My sisters, my heart and thoughts reduce to prayer. May you find strength and a voice where you can create a fulfilling life that suits your needs, not what anyone else tells you is the norm. May you find justice and become free from oppression. If not here, May Allah grant you jannat-ul-furdos, the highest place in heaven, for such a valiant existence.
"For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God's praise,- for them has God prepared forgiveness and great reward. (Quran, 33:35)"
There are differences in the role of men and women because of their physical and mental composition. Women may be more nurturing and have a closer connection with children because after all, there is nothing that can change who gives birth to progeny. Back to my feminist statement, I do not think I need to excessively fight for the feminine cause because I believe Islam explains the relationship of God to women and women to men. But the realities are different from what Islam teaches, hence the motivation of this post.
A society is as strong as its weakest thing. It is evident that women are often times the weakest links in society, specifically countries that are predominately Muslim. If we expect for our society to move forward, it has to start with women’s empowerment. I do not want to evaluate these countries with an ethnocentric perspective, expecting women in these developing nations to demand/fight for educational opportunities that have been easily handed to me. (See Scheyvens, 1998) I am sure extremely educated female professors in Pakistan or Indonesia are out there but for the majority of women who just want political recognition, equality in public spheres, protection from domestic abuses and legal rights; I commend their valiant struggle. It is different from my own 'college-educated life of luxury' struggle but none the less-- important and valuable.
I am reminded of a 2007 Amnesty International Report on the Taliban's crimes against humanity. Specifically, there was a section on how women were mistreated during their 1996-2001 regime. The discrimination included denial of "education, employment, freedom of movement and political participation and representation...They were excluded from public life and prohibited from studying, working or leaving the house without being chaperoned by a male blood relative... The effects of these restrictions were particularly hard on widows and other women-headed households." (Amnesty International, 2007, p.22) Denial of these restrictions resulted in beatings and public humiliation.
Now, how is this at all related to what Islam teaches? This is interest driven politics, leading to an interpretation of the Quran in a way that best suited the political agenda of the Taliban which was to keep control in their region and purport themselves as the moral authority.
The Qur'an says, "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. (Quran 4:34)"
This speaks at the differences I stated earlier about the physical and mental makeup between men and women. Maybe the Taliban perceive this statement as their responsibility to protect women by keeping them at home and not allowing them to become educated or work. It is a hard line and exclusionist approach founded in fear--fear that when women find their own empowerment and voice, they will demand rights. But what happened to the verse that says treat women with kindness and respect, not objects to superimpose preventative rules/restriction on, especially since they have not committed any crime to warrant such restrictions.
"O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower [money given by the husband to the wife for the marriage contract] ye have given them, except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and God brings about through it a great deal of good. (The Noble Quran, 4:19)"
It hurts me to think that around the world my feminine counterparts are struggling to find their voices. Governance is not on their side. Men are not on their side. Even other women are not on their side. Sadly, I do not even have any recommendations aside from institutional change which will probably not come without a revolution and demanding of rights. Piece meal efforts like microfinance loans to seamstresses are promising but there have been reports of increased domestic violence in these households because of the additional income. The picture is grime.
My sisters, my heart and thoughts reduce to prayer. May you find strength and a voice where you can create a fulfilling life that suits your needs, not what anyone else tells you is the norm. May you find justice and become free from oppression. If not here, May Allah grant you jannat-ul-furdos, the highest place in heaven, for such a valiant existence.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Pristine
I was watching a 2006 video of panelists discussing the relationship between Islam and western society and I thought I'd share. The diverse panelists were: Omar Ahmad, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Mahmood Mamdani, Azar Nafisi, Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim, and Lawrence Wright. The breadth of topics included the problem in the Muslim world, colonialism, hypersensitivity and the list goes on.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/video/2006/10/09/islam
Although the debate launched numerous points of discussion, I was particularly interested in what Omar Ahmad, founder of Cair, and Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim, author of Toward Islamic Reformation: Civil Liberities, Human Rights, and International Law had to say. They disagreed if Islam should be separated from Muslims, meaning whether or not Islamic thought is a Pristine prescription of ideas that should be perceived as such, regardless of how Muslims portray the religion in practice. Omar Ahmad's states that Islam is a set of guidelines which Muslims do not always follow. On the other hand, Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim believes it is irrelevant to think a Pristine Islamic philosophy exists because Islam is what Muslims make of it. He went on to say that we have no other understanding of Islam, aside from the interpretation, representation and expression Muslims give it.
Before I saw this debate, I was of the opinion that Islam and Muslims should be seen as distinct. A hierarchical view represented the relationship between the transmitted knowledge of the Qur'an and the Sunnah to its manifestation in the lives of Muslims. Trying to emulate the Prophet (pbuh), his teachings in the Sunnah and guidance from God in the Qur'an, Muslims would always struggle to achieve perfection. As is the human condition, perfection would never be achieved. The idea of a Pristine normative set of guidelines was comforting to me. I knew that my soul would find ample material to reflect on and take as prescription to rectify flaws in my life. A Constant Internal Struggle. Everyday a Chance for Reflection and to Become a Better Version of Myself. I liked this idea.
But hearing this lecture, I start to question my stance. Is An-Naim correct in saying that Islam is an expression of Muslims, meaning a separation is impossible? My mind meanders through voices and expressions of Islam as I see in the ummah. The voices---the robbers of religion by stealing it as tool to rally power and support in nation-states; the desperate voice that violently uses religion for political reasons; the disillusioned voice that uses a personal experience as a global truth like Ayaan Hirsi Ali; the academic voices who see no clash between Islam and modernity; the intellectuals with no formal religious training but wish to heighten the level of discussion by using to Islamic thought to incite dialogue and reinterpretation; the immigrants trying to find an identity in their adopted land; the malleable youth voice afraid to carry the torch for future generations. This is Islam? While true that these voices represent some of the identities of Muslims, it is hard for me to swallow that Islam can only be seen in the way it is represented. I agree with some of voices, while others I see completely misconstrue the Islamic message and cannot be representative of the perfection that was the Prophet's life (pbuh) and in the Book with no doubt. I revert back to my original thought.
Islam is the Pristine message. Through the passage of time, it has stayed unchanged. The expression of Islam by Muslims has changed over time through interpretation. After inception, the ulema or scholars interpreted Islam for their time; it was all that they knew. Our times should reflect interpretation of the Pristine by scholars in a way that fits our reality. There is nothing wrong with that. To take issue with reinterpretation is to place Islam in a vacuum, completely voiding it of any historical impression.
I realize my worldview is a reflection of my own experiences and for me, everything is reduced to faith and prayer so others may not be as easily convinced. I know I will never live up to the message completely. But knowing I will always find perfection in the Pristine motivates me to struggle for better. I have a never-ending supply of bargaining chips to use as a means of becoming closer to the Creator. I find comfort again.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/video/2006/10/09/islam
Although the debate launched numerous points of discussion, I was particularly interested in what Omar Ahmad, founder of Cair, and Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim, author of Toward Islamic Reformation: Civil Liberities, Human Rights, and International Law had to say. They disagreed if Islam should be separated from Muslims, meaning whether or not Islamic thought is a Pristine prescription of ideas that should be perceived as such, regardless of how Muslims portray the religion in practice. Omar Ahmad's states that Islam is a set of guidelines which Muslims do not always follow. On the other hand, Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naim believes it is irrelevant to think a Pristine Islamic philosophy exists because Islam is what Muslims make of it. He went on to say that we have no other understanding of Islam, aside from the interpretation, representation and expression Muslims give it.
Before I saw this debate, I was of the opinion that Islam and Muslims should be seen as distinct. A hierarchical view represented the relationship between the transmitted knowledge of the Qur'an and the Sunnah to its manifestation in the lives of Muslims. Trying to emulate the Prophet (pbuh), his teachings in the Sunnah and guidance from God in the Qur'an, Muslims would always struggle to achieve perfection. As is the human condition, perfection would never be achieved. The idea of a Pristine normative set of guidelines was comforting to me. I knew that my soul would find ample material to reflect on and take as prescription to rectify flaws in my life. A Constant Internal Struggle. Everyday a Chance for Reflection and to Become a Better Version of Myself. I liked this idea.
But hearing this lecture, I start to question my stance. Is An-Naim correct in saying that Islam is an expression of Muslims, meaning a separation is impossible? My mind meanders through voices and expressions of Islam as I see in the ummah. The voices---the robbers of religion by stealing it as tool to rally power and support in nation-states; the desperate voice that violently uses religion for political reasons; the disillusioned voice that uses a personal experience as a global truth like Ayaan Hirsi Ali; the academic voices who see no clash between Islam and modernity; the intellectuals with no formal religious training but wish to heighten the level of discussion by using to Islamic thought to incite dialogue and reinterpretation; the immigrants trying to find an identity in their adopted land; the malleable youth voice afraid to carry the torch for future generations. This is Islam? While true that these voices represent some of the identities of Muslims, it is hard for me to swallow that Islam can only be seen in the way it is represented. I agree with some of voices, while others I see completely misconstrue the Islamic message and cannot be representative of the perfection that was the Prophet's life (pbuh) and in the Book with no doubt. I revert back to my original thought.
Islam is the Pristine message. Through the passage of time, it has stayed unchanged. The expression of Islam by Muslims has changed over time through interpretation. After inception, the ulema or scholars interpreted Islam for their time; it was all that they knew. Our times should reflect interpretation of the Pristine by scholars in a way that fits our reality. There is nothing wrong with that. To take issue with reinterpretation is to place Islam in a vacuum, completely voiding it of any historical impression.
I realize my worldview is a reflection of my own experiences and for me, everything is reduced to faith and prayer so others may not be as easily convinced. I know I will never live up to the message completely. But knowing I will always find perfection in the Pristine motivates me to struggle for better. I have a never-ending supply of bargaining chips to use as a means of becoming closer to the Creator. I find comfort again.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
-Ga is straight, but strain from -Er. Come on now.
He said it best. "The overwhelming majority of Muslim youth who are currently employing the term “nigger,” even in its “sanitized” form, “nigga” are following one of the least savory manifestations of popular culture." -Imam Zaid Shakir
(www.newislamicdirections.com/nid/notes/
should_muslims_use_the_n_word/)
I hold the deepest respect for Imam Zaid Shakir, an American Muslim scholar and co-founder of the Zaytuna Institute inHayward , California Rutgers University
That said, I find it particularly important to reflect on Imam Zaid Shakir's explanation of the derogatory use of "N" world. He gives examples of how the word was used as a tool to oppress and vehemently spread hatred which we all know but seem to forget. Nowadays, it is so common to use the word as a term of endearment in pop culture which seeps into the malleable minds of the youth. Apparently, "-ga" is acceptable and "-er" is not. When specifically addressing pop/hip-hop culture who feel some kinship in using "-ga" to take back their history, I think the use oversimplifies and takes an ahistorical stance on a word filled with such pain. Using the word in vernacular shows a complete amnesia of history, an acceptance of intolerance and sadly, encourages a society that continues to think in black and white.
When it comes to the Muslim youth, what happened to finding an authentic American Muslim identity for themselves rather than taking charge of another culture, especially the specific use of a word filled with such hate? It is thoroughly repulsive to hear the youth addressing each other with racially charged language. We should expect more of ourselves and each other than to resort to such uneducated speech.
You may think, I need to chill out. Who cares, right? No, that isn't good enough. Everyday we should strive to be better, always searching for truth, justice and compassion. Aligning ourselves with a history of intolerance by accepting and purporting the usage of a the "N word," reverts our struggle from creating an identity of our own and demanding a legitimate place in our social fabric.
(www.newislamicdirections.com/nid/notes/
should_muslims_use_the_n_word/)
I hold the deepest respect for Imam Zaid Shakir, an American Muslim scholar and co-founder of the Zaytuna Institute in
That said, I find it particularly important to reflect on Imam Zaid Shakir's explanation of the derogatory use of "N" world. He gives examples of how the word was used as a tool to oppress and vehemently spread hatred which we all know but seem to forget. Nowadays, it is so common to use the word as a term of endearment in pop culture which seeps into the malleable minds of the youth. Apparently, "-ga" is acceptable and "-er" is not. When specifically addressing pop/hip-hop culture who feel some kinship in using "-ga" to take back their history, I think the use oversimplifies and takes an ahistorical stance on a word filled with such pain. Using the word in vernacular shows a complete amnesia of history, an acceptance of intolerance and sadly, encourages a society that continues to think in black and white.
When it comes to the Muslim youth, what happened to finding an authentic American Muslim identity for themselves rather than taking charge of another culture, especially the specific use of a word filled with such hate? It is thoroughly repulsive to hear the youth addressing each other with racially charged language. We should expect more of ourselves and each other than to resort to such uneducated speech.
You may think, I need to chill out. Who cares, right? No, that isn't good enough. Everyday we should strive to be better, always searching for truth, justice and compassion. Aligning ourselves with a history of intolerance by accepting and purporting the usage of a the "N word," reverts our struggle from creating an identity of our own and demanding a legitimate place in our social fabric.
And we're back...
Wow, it has been a long time. I miss leisure writing. Sadly, time does not permit such extravagance. But I am going to make a concerted effort to write down my thoughts, for my own personal development and to share my viewpoint.
I begin with a declaration. In the walls of this blog, lies an allowance of sanctity in questioning conventional wisdom. As of late, the thoughts floating in my head are heavily discussed by the greatest minds in the world: identity, culture, interest, religion, and the list goes on. I am but a mere student who is plagued with compounded ignorance. I do not know what I do not know. This said, I will attempt to de-construct my thoughts, using the knowledge I have to understand the world a little more.
If I write anything wrong, it is my own ignorance. Anything written with purpose, conviction and accuracy is from God. And with that, we are back.
I begin with a declaration. In the walls of this blog, lies an allowance of sanctity in questioning conventional wisdom. As of late, the thoughts floating in my head are heavily discussed by the greatest minds in the world: identity, culture, interest, religion, and the list goes on. I am but a mere student who is plagued with compounded ignorance. I do not know what I do not know. This said, I will attempt to de-construct my thoughts, using the knowledge I have to understand the world a little more.
If I write anything wrong, it is my own ignorance. Anything written with purpose, conviction and accuracy is from God. And with that, we are back.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
The OCD thoughts that get me through the day.
While flossing my teeth one cold late evening, I came across an epiphany, a realization if you may of huge significance. I have always been an epiphany type of person. I like huge forks in the road that make me choose what next major step to take in life. I wait for them. But there are so many things I wish I did better i.e. going to the gym more, reading more, writing more, public speaking more, and the list goes on. But these never get done because I wait for the forks. I hope that something significant enough happens that forces me to change my lazy ways and start doing what I know will make me a better human being. But those huge forks do not come when you want them to. This is what most Americans do on New Years. They hope that a new year will be the extra push they need to get things done.
Maybe this entry is turning out to be vague so I'll try breaking it down. Imagine not remembering to floss your teeth everyday. When you remember that you forgot to floss your teeth, imagine that you feel bad and worry about the condition of your teeth. There are a whole host of issues to be concerned about, i.e. gum disease and cavities. But you accept your laziness as the only route to take and your forgetfulness becomes habit. And eventually you look back, a month later and feel disgusted with your teeth and yourself. You should have known better. You have the tools to make better decisions but your lazy ass got the best of you.
So while flossing my teeth, I realized we cannot possibly stay sane by excepting huge forks in the road. I mean if you waited for a tooth to fall out before you started flossing, well that is just stupid. The best solution is to take it one day at a time. If you feel lazy that one night, after a long night of studying and garlic chicken pizza, put your laziness aside and floss your teeth. Don't wait for your teeth to fall out. If you are seeing a little bulge in your belly, just keep your hands in your pockets when the bagel carts come around. If you know the gym needs to happen but you feel lazy, put your feelings aside and get it done. You know its the right thing. Just do it then and there so you aren't looking at yourself in the mirror 6 months later 15 lbs. heavier.
It is overwhelming to expect perfection from yourself so by no means am I saying this. But if you are like me and you are hard on yourself and expect the best, then give yourself the best. Don't be your own enemy and screw yourself over before you get a chance to succeed. And I mean have fun in the process. This shouldn't be some life and death endeavour. Just handle your business when it needs to be handled.
It's funny that it took an epiphany for me to realize I don't need epiphanies or resolutions to get things done. Just take it piece meal, one step at a time, day by day. Before you know it, those little goals you set for yourself to become that amazing clean teethed writer or whatever else will come true.
Your teeth thank you.
Maybe this entry is turning out to be vague so I'll try breaking it down. Imagine not remembering to floss your teeth everyday. When you remember that you forgot to floss your teeth, imagine that you feel bad and worry about the condition of your teeth. There are a whole host of issues to be concerned about, i.e. gum disease and cavities. But you accept your laziness as the only route to take and your forgetfulness becomes habit. And eventually you look back, a month later and feel disgusted with your teeth and yourself. You should have known better. You have the tools to make better decisions but your lazy ass got the best of you.
So while flossing my teeth, I realized we cannot possibly stay sane by excepting huge forks in the road. I mean if you waited for a tooth to fall out before you started flossing, well that is just stupid. The best solution is to take it one day at a time. If you feel lazy that one night, after a long night of studying and garlic chicken pizza, put your laziness aside and floss your teeth. Don't wait for your teeth to fall out. If you are seeing a little bulge in your belly, just keep your hands in your pockets when the bagel carts come around. If you know the gym needs to happen but you feel lazy, put your feelings aside and get it done. You know its the right thing. Just do it then and there so you aren't looking at yourself in the mirror 6 months later 15 lbs. heavier.
It is overwhelming to expect perfection from yourself so by no means am I saying this. But if you are like me and you are hard on yourself and expect the best, then give yourself the best. Don't be your own enemy and screw yourself over before you get a chance to succeed. And I mean have fun in the process. This shouldn't be some life and death endeavour. Just handle your business when it needs to be handled.
It's funny that it took an epiphany for me to realize I don't need epiphanies or resolutions to get things done. Just take it piece meal, one step at a time, day by day. Before you know it, those little goals you set for yourself to become that amazing clean teethed writer or whatever else will come true.
Your teeth thank you.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Transit-Oriented Development
So I am a big fan of mixed land uses, as long as it doesn't push lower income residents out of the neighborhood and raise property values high, which happens A LOT. In class today, we took a tour of some transit-oriented development sites around Los Angeles and Pasadena. It is interesting to note how developers are ready to invest in blighted neighborhoods in hopes that the new hip yuppies will be willing to live next to transit so they can LIVE. WORK. and PLAY. in LA and bring in oodles of revenue. (LA Live is being built to make it the "24-hour city." Seriously, Los Angeles will never be New York.)
These developments that spring up next to transit sites are expensive. They tell you they are affordable but they aren't...for a 2 bedroom apartment in Lincoln Heights, next to a train....its around $450,000. Seriously. The people who can afford this force those of lower socio-economic status to be pushed back further to the periphery. Gentrification.
So how can we make this right. Engineers. Architects. Politicians. Developers. Public. They all have their own agenda. It is a planner's job to translate the jargon of each to the other. And especially if a planner is working under the same company, jurisdiction etc. That's how the decision-making process can the best outcome. That's how we plan better communities, by communicating and not blindly superimposing an idea onto land that doesn't mesh well with the surrounding community. Planning is for the people. Yes, it is about money and politics. But we can't forget quality of life, equity and sustainability. Planning Matters. deal with it.
These developments that spring up next to transit sites are expensive. They tell you they are affordable but they aren't...for a 2 bedroom apartment in Lincoln Heights, next to a train....its around $450,000. Seriously. The people who can afford this force those of lower socio-economic status to be pushed back further to the periphery. Gentrification.
So how can we make this right. Engineers. Architects. Politicians. Developers. Public. They all have their own agenda. It is a planner's job to translate the jargon of each to the other. And especially if a planner is working under the same company, jurisdiction etc. That's how the decision-making process can the best outcome. That's how we plan better communities, by communicating and not blindly superimposing an idea onto land that doesn't mesh well with the surrounding community. Planning is for the people. Yes, it is about money and politics. But we can't forget quality of life, equity and sustainability. Planning Matters. deal with it.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Rhinolith
We had a sleepover at my friend's house and I was out cold at a pretty early time. The festivities continued without me but sometimes the voices got so loud that I heard them and maybe even internalized what was being said. One of my dear friends proclaimed, she never gets boogers. I was pretty shocked in my sleep at such a proclamation. This reminded me of how girls don't fart and when they do it smells like flowers. (The Persian man in the cubicle next to me farts and it doesn't smell like flowers but that's because he is a man and men stink but anyways back to my booger story.)
So this got me thinking...How could someone not have boogers? For scientific purposes, let's use the correct scientific name: Rhinolith(Dried Nasal Mucus.) I hope from now on all of you sound extremely pretentious and add rhinolith to your mental lexicon.
Nasal Mucus is produced by nasal mucosa and protects our respiratory tract and usually gets swallowed throughout the day. Rhinoliths form when the nasal mucus traps dirt that comes in through the nostrils. The mucus around the dirt hardens and becomes solid....Hence a booger. Having boogers is healthy, so I am guessing my friend may have a problem with her dirt capturing capabilities. People usually rid their nose of Boogies by "nose-picking," a social taboo, or blowing their nose in some Kleenex. This is usually called the process of creating a "snot rocket/farmer blow," meaning holding down one nostrils while blowing on another one.
Now let's talk about the word's etymology. (Dear Wikipedia, I love you.)
I guess you could say that scholars are confused as to how one word can take so many shapes and have so many different connotations. It is a word that is considered semi-vulgar and was used primarily in British print in the 1880s. But made famous by Dave Barry and the likes, Booger and its many forms (Boogie, Bugger etc.) made its way to our lovely American dictionaries and is now considered an appropriate way to address a Rhinolith.
Good day my friends, and make sure to blow a good snot rocket today. Your body thanks you.
So this got me thinking...How could someone not have boogers? For scientific purposes, let's use the correct scientific name: Rhinolith(Dried Nasal Mucus.) I hope from now on all of you sound extremely pretentious and add rhinolith to your mental lexicon.
Nasal Mucus is produced by nasal mucosa and protects our respiratory tract and usually gets swallowed throughout the day. Rhinoliths form when the nasal mucus traps dirt that comes in through the nostrils. The mucus around the dirt hardens and becomes solid....Hence a booger. Having boogers is healthy, so I am guessing my friend may have a problem with her dirt capturing capabilities. People usually rid their nose of Boogies by "nose-picking," a social taboo, or blowing their nose in some Kleenex. This is usually called the process of creating a "snot rocket/farmer blow," meaning holding down one nostrils while blowing on another one.
Now let's talk about the word's etymology. (Dear Wikipedia, I love you.)
I guess you could say that scholars are confused as to how one word can take so many shapes and have so many different connotations. It is a word that is considered semi-vulgar and was used primarily in British print in the 1880s. But made famous by Dave Barry and the likes, Booger and its many forms (Boogie, Bugger etc.) made its way to our lovely American dictionaries and is now considered an appropriate way to address a Rhinolith.
Good day my friends, and make sure to blow a good snot rocket today. Your body thanks you.
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