Today was the most energizing day I've had in awhile. I had a great meeting today with Oil Organizers from all around LA. It was the first of its kind and only the third meeting I've facilitated "all by myself" since my internship has started. We probably had together 15-16 people from six or seven different areas all around LA--the first time (that I know of) that such a thing has been done. Everyone really wants to meet together again and find ways to affect city/county/state policy in order to put more regulations on the oil and gas industry when it comes to how it affects public health.
I'm in such a strange position. I really am. I never would have put myself here. Especially three years back when I was on LA Term and doing community organizing for the first time. I hated it so much and vowed I would never do it again. But then my love for the Azusa Community Garden led me to be a Student Ministry coordinator my senior year and now I find myself organizing Angelenos around LA Oil and disparity of parks in South LA.
But maybe that's what I get when I major in sociology--there is not much to do with it except this kind of work. It didn't give me many practical skills--and so I find myself doing something that I probably could have done before college. But I probably wouldn't have been interested in social issues until I went to college. And I definitely wouldn't view them the same way as I do now if it weren't for college (espeically my Sr. Seminar class which I think about everyday).
Why can't I get away from community organizing? I don't feel good at it. Often I really hate the phone calls and "outreach" parts of what I do. I don't like the public speaking part or the part where I have to pick a side and "fight" for it--as they say. The networking part is not the easiest either. Today I liked it though. The whole past few months of planning came to fruition today at the LA Oil Organizer meeting. We were doing something that hadn't been done before. Everyone was really excited to be there. There was lots of energy and potential for change. I'm gaining a local knowledge of oil and broad knowledge of environmental/community issues.
As strange as my life is right now to all my past selves--I'm learning SO MUCH about policy, about government, about organizational culture, about communication, about South LA, development, urban planning, disparities, public health, organizing, and, well, I guess--the real world. I'm surrounded by amazing people at CHC and I have such great opportunities to learn.
Well that was my little optimistic spiel for the night.
I miss all who read this--write/call me with info about your life and deepest, most pensive thoughts. ;)
My review of Fredrik Backman's novel, My Friends
4 months ago
1 comment:
well sometimes you just have to keep putting yourself in positions you wouldn't have chosen for yourself in order to learn more about yourself, which is what it sounds like you're doing. i think it's great, personally! and i'm rather jealous. i hope your meetings continue to go so well! that does feel so good, doesn't it? when things just click and it's so obvious that you all are working towards a common goal. gives some hope to humanity.
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