IHE News & Announcements May 2010
- Featured Resource: The Life You Can Save
- Featured Student: Michele Thames
- Hundreds at Wisconsin Church Learn About the MOGO Principle
- Plan Book for Educators Offers Resources, Strategies for Integrating Social Justice
FEATURED RESOURCE: THE LIFE YOU CAN SAVE
The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty by Peter Singer. Random House, 2009. (224 pgs)
by Marsha Rakestraw, Online Communities & Special Projects Manager
What if someone, a child, were drowning, right in front of you. Would you walk on by, intent on your business? Or, would you stop and help save the child? Most of us say, “Well, of course, I would stop and save the child!” Ethicist Peter Singer, in his book The Life You Can Save, asserts that we’re each faced with that situation every day, when there are millions around the world in desperate poverty who need our help. We don’t have to pull them out of a shallow pond, but we in the Western world who are affluent, when compared to many others, Singer says, can save lives by donating money to the most effective causes and organizations.
Singer’s book is a call to action and a dismantling of many of the justifications we build up about why we can’t donate more money to help others. He insists that we pay attention to what we do – and don’t – spend our money on and consider whether that latte or pair of shoes is really more important than helping end the suffering of the poorest.
His logic is succinct and sound:
1. People are suffering from lack of food, shelter, medical care, etc.; most of us would agree that that’s bad.
2. If it’s in your power to prevent this suffering, without much sacrifice yourself, it’s wrong not to do so.
3. By donating to aid organizations like those mentioned in Singer’s book, you can stop the suffering without undue sacrifice.
Certainly issues of poverty are complex. There are numerous systems that need to change, and “solving” poverty isn’t as each as writing a check. While issues of systemic change are important components of the problem, Singer’s sole focus is on why we humans who can help the poorest of the poor have a duty to do so.
Singer's book is a great tool for exploring issues such as generosity, poverty, social psychology, and behavioral economics with older students.
FEATURED STUDENT: MICHELE THAMES
"I want to find a way to teach people that kindness and compassion will change the world."
M.Ed. student, Michele Thames, began her career helping abused and neglected children. When she discovered how well the kids responded to her dog, Lady, Michele began exploring the human-animal bond and discovered the power inherent in using humane education to nurture and support both children and animals. Read more about Michele.
HUNDREDS AT WISCONSIN CHURCH LEARN ABOUT THE MOGO PRINCIPLE
Spreading the philosophy of doing the most good and the least harm for all, IHE President, Zoe Weil, and M.Ed. graduate and workshop facilitator, Kim Korona, both presented at the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee in Wisconsin the weekend of April 24-25. Zoe was honored as the first Morton Lecture Series guest speaker, and Kim led one of the MOGO Workshops. Some of the highlights of the weekend included:
- Zoe spoke at the church’s fundraising performance for Haiti Relief on April 24. The theme of the event was “Most Good” and alternated musical performances and skits about MOGO living.
- Zoe spoke about the MOGO Principle and choosing a life of most good and least harm at all three church services on Sunday, April 25.
- Zoe and Kim each led a three-hour MOGO Workshop the afternoon of April 25. The workshops drew more than 70 participants.
To see more photos from the events, go to our Flickr or Facebook pages.
Here's what a couple of participants said:
"Zoe's beautifully crafted and inspiring message, 'A Better World, a Meaningful Life," delivered at our three Sunday services, was deeply engaging and moving--intellectually, emotionally, spiritually....It's likely that 'Most Good' and humane education will be focuses of sustained interest and action in our congregation." ~ Will Fellows
“In a workshop presented by Zoe Weil at the 1st Unitarian Society of Milwaukee the message that most moved me in the direction of making real changes in my life was that of 'get the facts' and then 'make up your own mind.' I think if there had been any hint of 'MOGO way or the highway' I would have tuned out. Instead I find myself studying labels, seeking information and making the kind of informed choices I never bothered with before!!” ~ Jo Schmidt
PLAN BOOK FOR EDUCATORS OFFERS RESOURCES, STRATEGIES FOR INTEGRATING SOCIAL JUSTICE
Social justice is becoming a hot topic in schools and communities, and more educators are interested in integrating the exploration of social justice issues into their curriculum, after school programs or other educational forums. Especially if you’re new to teaching about social justice, Planning to Change the World: A Plan Book for Social Justice Teachers, 2010-2011 created by Education for Liberation Network and the New York Collective of Radical Educators, in partnership with Rethinking Schools, is a helpful resource. Planning to Change is a “plan book." But unlike those green-lined plan books you may remember your teachers carting around from your own school days, it includes much more. The book was created to help educators “translate their vision of a just education into concrete classroom activities.”
Some of the highlights include:
- Significant anniversaries and birthdays of social justice leaders, relevant events, and national holidays (ex: anniversary of the Trail of Tears; World Day for Water)
- “Essential questions” to spark discussions with your students (ex: How does what you watch on TV shape your understanding of the world? Who has the power to include or exclude groups of people from American life?)
- Inspirational quotes
- Lesson plans and resources related to important observances
- Brief tips/anecdotes from social justice teachers about integrating social justice issues
The planner also includes a list of social justice conferences, and a list of helpful organizations, and it includes a couple of IHE's social justice activities.
Planning to Change is a useful and powerful tool in bringing social justice issues to mainstream teaching.
The book is designed for classroom teachers, but it could also be useful to educators teaching in other venues, such as after school programs, clubs, or homeschooling classes.
Educators can pre-order a copy through Rethinking Schools by June 30, 2010 for the discounted price of $14 ($13 for bulk orders), plus shipping and handling (Retail bookstore price $18). Orders will be shipped to in mid-July.
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del.icio.usWatch and share IHE President, Zoe Weil's TEDx talk -- an inspiring vision of how to create a just, compassionate, healthy world for all through solutionary education.
July 14, 2012 - 8:30 am to July 14, 2012 - 5:00 pm | Location: Institute for Humane Education
Live your values. Change the world. Choose MOGO! Our MOGO (most good) workshop is part retreat, part personal development, part educational experience, and 100% invaluable to anyone who wishes to make their lives a manifestation of their greatest vision for a more pea...
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