Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 15, 2019)
May 15, 2019 Page 9 Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the views of the Portland Observer. We welcome reader essays, photos and story ideas. Submit to news@portlandobserver.com. O PINION MCS Still in Business All I Want is Equality for My Child Martin And for other children and adults like her K aren D olan What mother on earth doesn’t want equality and health for her child? I certainly do. I gave birth nearly two decades ago to a healthy, beautiful, intelli- gent child, who cried more than I thought she would and whose tu- tu-wearing terrible twos persist- ed into her tiara-wearing terrible threes. This willful nature turned out to be both her most challeng- ing and her finest quality. She skipped kindergarten be- cause her mind was so sharp. She built fairy houses during recess and enlisted the whole school in creating a moss-covered, magi- cal twig town. She wrote poems about springtime and belted out preteen pops songs about cute boys. She was popular among her girlfriends. But she wasn’t allowed to use the girls’ bathroom. She had shoes thrown at her head when by she wore leggings and lacy tops. She endured public school teach- ers making the sign of the cross and running off when she walked between classes. All because my daughter was born transgender. In high school she became part of the solution. She became an advocate for transgender youth, who suffer discrimination and vi- olence at alarming rates. With the help of her mentors, she eventually brought her ad- vocacy to Obama White House, where she helped Education Sec- retary Arne Duncan craft guid- ance making sure Title IX in- cluded nondiscrimination against transgender and gender noncon- forming students. Then came the Trump admin- istration — and the equality that she and so many had fought for was cruelly ripped away. Almost immediately, Education Secre- tary Betsy DeVos rescinded the very guidance protecting her that my daughter had helped to craft. My willful child was able to meet with DeVos. She explained what this would mean for chil- dren like her who would again be denied the use of the bathroom — and who would continue to be hit, suspended, and bullied by students and teachers alike. But DeVos and Trump don’t care about my daughter’s wel- fare. They want her very human and civil right to exist in public spaces to disappear. At the National Prayer Break- fast on May 2, Trump told an audience of right-wing religious leaders about a sweeping new rule that will allow medical pro- fessionals and employers to deny health care to transgender chil- dren and adults for so-called “re- ligious reasons.” He’s already banned transgen- der soldiers from serving in the military. He’s already rescinded protections for transgender stu- dents in schools. And he’s already stricken the very word “transgen- der” from any publication by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, a beacon in the storm came a day before the ominous Prayer Breakfast announcement: The House Judiciary Committee passed The Equality Act, and it’s expected to pass the full House. This could be a historic victory — not only for my child and the LGBTQIA community, women, and people of color, but for prin- ciple of equality for all that must stand in any democratic society. The Equality Act amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and many subsequent civil rights-re- lated acts so that they will explic- itly and consistently, across all states, provide equal protection against discrimination for the categories of gender identity and sexual orientation. So that my child can have the same health care as your child. So that my child can have the same right to education, housing, trans- portation, credit, employment, and existence as your child. So that my child may live freely and equally to others. My child continues to use her voice loudly and effectively. She is not bowed. But her very right to exist is threatened even more now than when people were throwing shoes at her head. All I want us equality for my child — and for other children and adults like her. Is this any different from what every mother wants? Karen Dolan directs the Crim- inalization of Race and Poverty Project at the Institute for Policy Studies. Distributed by Other- Words.org. My Goal is for People to Stop Killing Each Other What does it mean to teach peace? e llen b irKett l inDeen Depending on your age, people associate peace with protesting the Vietnam War, songs, movies and marches of the 1960’s, the time before 9/11, quiet getaway retreats, or their yoga class. So what does it mean to teach peace and how would one do it? I think the why is obvious. I have been teaching all my life – first more than a decade at the high school level and after that, college students. Most of my courses were writing, composi- tion and literature, but at a certain point in my career I heard about the field of Peace Studies, and I wanted to learn more. I went back to school, complet- ed the most meaningful course- work I have ever undertaken, and began teaching peace. People frequently ask me what it means to teach peace, or even what spe- cifically I teach. Here’s the short version. Conflict is not bad; conflict is by necessary for all people to have a voice, but conflict is not the same as violence. Violent conflict is not inevitable. Just as people can be taught to kill in the armed services, they can be taught to use other methods of interaction. Peace Studies and Conflict Reso- lution includes concepts, history and strategies so that people can learn to stop being violent. My uals and groups to use, to prevent, resolve and contain conflicts, large and small, in ways which bring about satisfaction for everyone. The curriculum includes readings by Thoreau, Gandhi, King, Gene Sharp, Roger Fisher, Bill Ury, the Dalai Lama, Jane Addams, Arch- bishop Desmond Tutu, Margaret Mead, and information from the United Nations and Vision for Hu- Conflict is expected. Most political science courses focus on war, not peace, but courses in peace studies do not necessarily focus only on historical peacetimes. goal is for people to stop killing each other. Humans likely do not come from such violent beginnings. This is a well-entrenched myth, but one that is easy to maintain by those whose plan is to perpetuate armed conflict. Peace studies and conflict res- olution coursework uses Harvard Negotiation Project concepts, which delineate roles for individ- manity. We read, discuss, listen, analyze, agree and disagree, reach conclusions, and discuss more. A crucial goal within the course is to learn nonviolent ways to bring about needed change in people, societies, communities or countries. Conflict is expected. Most po- litical science courses focus on war, not peace, but courses in peace studies do not necessarily focus only on historical peace- times. Peace does not mean the absence of war; that is called neg- ative peace. Positive peace is based on eight factors, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace: Accep- tance of the rights of others, low levels of corruption, free flow of information, high levels of human capital, good relations with neigh- bors, sound business environment, well-functioning government, and equitable distribution of resources. To work for a sustainable peace, people focus on factors to gen- erate positive peace, rather than simply to avoid violence. A more peaceful world, or at least a less violent one, seems like a dream worth envisioning to me, and my students agree. What if peace has not been achieved only because people thought it was unattainable? Why do I teach peace? Because I be- lieve it is possible. Ellen Birkett Lindeen, syndicat- ed by PeaceVoice, is an Emeritus Professor of English at Waubons- ee Community College where she taught Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution and Human Rights & Social Justice. Cleaning Service Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services Minimum Service CHG. $50.00 A small distance/travel charge may be applied CARPET CLEANING 2 Cleaning Areas or more $30.00 each Area Pre-Spray Traffic Areas (Includes: 1 small Hallway) 1 Cleaning Area (only) $50.00 Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area and Hallway Stairs (12-16 stairs - With Other Services) : $30.00 Heavily Soiled Area: $10.00 each area (Requiring Pre-Spray) Area/Oriental Rug Cleaning Regular Area Rugs $25.00 Minimum Wool Oriental Rugs $40.00 Minimum UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Sofa: $70.00 Loveseat: $50.00 Sectional: $110 - $140 Chair or Recliner: $25.00 - $50.00 Throw Pillows (With Other Services) : $5.00 ADDITIONAL SERVICES • Auto/Boat/RV Cleaning • Deodorizing & Pet Odor Treatment • Spot & Stain Removal Service • Scotchguard Protection • Minor Water Damage Services Call for Appointment (503) 281-3949