We have spent most of 2019 sealed in our apartment in Sydney, seeking refuge from the acrid smoke that has engulfed much of Australia for months now. It is the only time I’ve felt trapped in this space we call home. We have watched this disaster unfold, both through our windows and screens, fully aware of the fact that we are the lucky ones. We have not had to endure the devastating loss of loved ones, of homes, the trauma of displacement, or of battling perilously against the flames as they devastate entire towns, and decimate other living beings. Our pain is far less visceral, it is the ache of bearing witness to a disappearing world. Archived but not to be lived through again.
A “new normal” is the euphemistic term for this state we are in. The relative stability of the past swallowed by escalating chaos. We must simply adapt and carry on. We must keep the engines of our economies going. As a lecturer, I seek to trace the connective tissue between myopic economic ideology and their devastating consequences to present and future generations. No shortage of writers, scholars, and elders have alerted us to this wicked trajectory. But it is one that I try to outline, out of deep responsibility to young students, with a sense of agency and hope. A conviction, though more strained each year, that we have the collective capacity to end this hubris and turn things around. It is, after all, the interests of but a few that are served by this extractive course we chart. Why would we desire an uninhabitable earth? We cannot be pathologically suicidal. “More just and sustainable pathways are possible for our species, but the masses must demand it!” This has been my refrain for years. Yet as the city of Paramatta disappears in smoke before my eyes, and the ABC flashes scenes of families huddled under a hellish sky on Mallacoota beach, I feel desolate. After years of accumulation, a tipping point has been crossed. A sense of dread ripples through me and my bones ache. Taciturn, I can only think of fading into sleep for some brief respite.
This is not out of a lack of constitution. Having grown up across Sri Lanka and Malawi, brutality, and injustice hardened my heart at a tender age. This eventually formed the foundations fo a resolve to fight for a better future. Yet there is something truly devastating about the age we are in. The rapacity with which a few ransack our planet, can so easily vanquish hope and determination. Especially as the window for change narrows, and the impacts are felt by the most vulnerable. Yet as a leader and an educator, I must confess that I often feel the need (likely self-imposed) to be positive and hopeful, to avoid perpetuating despondency. To provide courses of action. I struggle with this on a daily basis. Especially as I lack the wherewithal to be insincere, even if towards justifiably positive ends. This is one quandry I face as my heart digests the increasingly hostile world that is here before us. But I’m forming the view that it is more important for me to honest. Even if it means unleashing sorrow and having no immediate course of action. To care is to accept the burden of grief. And while grieving, I can carve spaces to care deeply for what remains.
2016 was bittersweet. It is a sentiment I have heard and read many people express over the last few days. I am admittedly not one that indulges in new year celebrations and resolutions, but I have felt a pull to reflect on what has been a defining year. For me, there was the joy of marrying my beautiful partner Sophie and being able to celebrate our union with family and friends. It was without question the pinnacle of the year. Furthermore, I've thoroughly enjoyed teaching, writing and playing an active part in supporting a range of community initiatives. I feel I am acutely aware of how privleged I am and I hope I never lose sight of the responsibility that comes with it.
However there's no denying that events (and non-events) across the year have cast a long shadow across my heart. Between the dire lack of action on climate change, the growing tenctacles of trickle-down economics, the heinous violence in the Middle East, the resurgence of overtly racist politics and the debacle that was the U.S. Presidential Election (I felt the Bern), I was emotionally spent by the end of the year. I must admit that I underestimated the toll all of this had on my wellbeing. For the first time in years, I reached a point where I detected a sense of dread as I contemplated what was in store across 2017. Not simply because of the likes of Trump taking office, but because of the apparent trajetory humanity is charting. Perhaps this was punctuated as I watched 'Planet Earth II' towards the end of the year, soaking in the glory of our ecosystems. All the while knowing that virtually all of what I was marvelling at, is on track to be lost within a decade or two. Unless of course, we change this flight path.
This year I have been reminded of how fast hope can evaporate. Particularly when the challenges to both people and planet require systems change. When you work at the grassroots but know that so much more could happen if policy and investment was driven by public interests. Not the greed of a morally unconscious few. When the levers of power appear to be tainted and tilted well beyond our grasp. When people succumb to triablism and other forms of divison. When you are sensitive to the injustices of the world and the cost of each backward step. Especially as many of our freedoms, though we are quick to forget, have been pried out of the hands of oppressors. There's the rub though. Our history as a species has been filled with struggles for progress. Filled with regressive marches backward that are only recognised for their depravity in the ensuing years. Filled with unlikely victories when destraction and division lose their hold.
Thankfully, over these last few weeks , I've slowed down, settled into my bones and found a sense of calm again. I've been offered gentle reminders of my responsibility. To join waves of resistance against injustice in Australia and beyond. To lend my voice to new ways of being in the world. To be among those who are creating and strengthening new stories for our species. I am not brimming with hope, nor am I huddled in the shadows of despair. I am somewhere between, determined to champion what I value. Not out of a sense of burdensome responsibility or the assurance of any success, but because I know of no other way to live.
In the unceasing ebb and flow of justice and oppression we must all dig channels as best we may, that at the propitious moment somewhat of the swelling tide may be conducted to the barren places of life. -Jane Addams - Twenty Years at Hull House
We are still processing what has happened. To many, the previously inconceivable has become a reality. Donald Trump is the next POTUS. I've been an ardent supporter of Bernie Sanders since he first announced his candidacy in May2015, all the way from Australia. Like millions in the U.S. and beyond, he filled me with a great deal of hope. Not only because he is clearly a man of passion and integrity, but because he is a proponent of the bold the systems change that his country and indeed, the world, needs.
This is a sad day for many reasons. I personally feel that the Democratic Party and Hilary Clinton have a lot to answer for. Their rigging of the primaries (startng from 2014) and their general misreading of the pulse of the people has often beggared belief. It could be strongly argued that we would not be in this predicament if the Democratic Party had truly understood that this was an anti-establishment election. If both Clinton and the Democratic Party could see past their obsession with an #iamwithher apparatus and sense the mood on the streets and in people's homes. I don't say this rub salt in wounds or fan flames of hatred. I only stress the above because I feel that there's an inclination to squarely blame mysoginy for the result. I think, as often is the case, that there is a lot more complexity to the situation than that. In the final assesment, I believe that Democrats were too blinkered and arrogant to recognise that they sent forward a deeply flawed candidate that largely represented what people are weary of. Business as usual.
Alas there's little utility in the blame game now. I am less interested in political punditry and more concerned with what we do from here. Why would a Sri Lankan living in Australia care so much about a U.S. Election? There are clear global consequences. Be it action on climate change, war or trade. There is so much on the line.
So what do we do from here? I think its important for us not to descend down the path of labelling those who voted for Trump as a 'basket of deplorables' as Clinton did on the campaign trail. There are many parallels with the Brexit vote in the UK as well as the rise of One Nation in Australia. Hear me out. I am not suggesting that mysoginy, racism , bigotry, pro-violence and anti-science views should be welcomed with open arms. Quite the contrary. However I think that there's much we can learn from the rise of (predominantly) white far right-wing movements. I'd argue that beneath the toxic veneer of ignorance and prejudice are people who feel deeply disenfranchised. Particularly in a context where 'whiteness' does not lord over minorities as it once did. People who are victims of social and economic policies that have left them behind and are thus vulnerable to empty rhetoric of systems change , suspectible to vile scapegoating. I am not suggesting that there is no personal responsibility here. I am not suggesting that there isn't a strong undercurrent of white supremacy that seems to underpin phenomena such as Trump, Brexit or One Nation. But there is a wider social and economic context within which these views are being fermented.
Once the dust settles, I believe that these developments can offer us insight into what an appropriate response could be. To borrow the sentiment expressed by Naomi Klein last night , the void left by neoliberal policies needs to be filled with a progressive imperative. If not, it will be filled by facism. This response will need to be bold and far-reaching. It will require systems change and thus re-imagining our political, social and economic policies. The good news is that there millions who are yearning for such a vision as they recognise the need for systems change, they recognise the deep failings of trickle-down economics, of consumerism, of war and the madness of not situating ourselves in an ecological reality. One does not need to look further than the movement Bernie Sanders led (and arguably still leads) to see that young people can rally behind an authentic and bold progressive vision. As a voting bloc, milennials have the most at stake across this planet. We are already inheriting a planet where we will have to contend with climate change and profound levels of income and wealth inequality. We are inheriting political systems mired with special interests that are laser focused on the short term and almost always diamterically opposed to the interests of the public. This is precisely why enthusiasm for Clinton was so low and many who did vote for her, voted out of fear.No manner of fear mongering and celebrity endorsements could hide the the centrist, incremental heart of her campaign.
So yes, things just got a whole lot harder! We must grieve but it is vital that we do not let it extinguish all hope. We must summon the strength to take resposibility and help forge a positive global response. Starting with our own backyards. Both present and future generations depend on this.
Whether its the setbacks to action on climate change, the rising tide of prejudice or the policies that widen inequality, we must educate ourselves and raise our intensity. We cannot wait for politicians to play catch up and pin our hopes to the incremental change that they prefer. We cannot rely on activism at the fringes from a privileged distance. We will all need to speak up, walk the talk, exercise initiative, protest and put our bodies on the line. Yet, as the inspiring Murrawah Johnson (An Indigeous Climate Activist) said at a Sydney Peace Prize event last night, we must also be willing 'to be led'. Led by those with vision and deep ancestral knowledge, by those who have recognised and fought these struggles for so long. Led by those who have been marginalised. Led by those who lend voice to other ways of being in the world...as clearly, this is not working.
A friend and fellow activist Adebayo C Akomolafe shared words that carried deep resonance.
"Shadows are not all we think they are - dark places have stunning opportunities for unprecedented justice.'
So as devastating as this result is. I choose to raise my level of responsibility and uncover opportunities for justice. If this has been your struggle, I yearn for you to continue! If it hasn't, it is my deep hope that you join in. We need you.
What happened in Paris is absolutely horrendous. I will not pretend that I can fathom the horror experienced in those final moments or the grief that families are experiencing.
Yet let us not forget the obvious asymmetries in the valuation of human life on our planet. The stark reality is that we are not equal. As such the tragedies that erupt and befall us do not register the same response. Be it coverage, hash tags, safe buttons or swift condemnation by leaders. A very selective consciousness results.
With news at our finger tips, we are exposed to the impacts of brutality within minutes of an event. I can empathise with the scope and scale being overwhelming for an individual to process. There is untold violence and injustice that is juxtaposed against our noble ideals. There is a climate of fear and despondence that can prevail over us like a looming shadow. One might even suggest that this is precisely the intent of such attacks - to preserve a paradigm.
In contrast, there can also be great solidarity that is formed as a courageous response to violence. Perhaps it is the skeptic in me that seeks to pick at the seams. That seeks to test the true strength of our commitment to peace and compassion. For it is increasingly common for us to condemn the heinous acts of terror , at least those that are brought to our attention. Understandably, the intensity of our emotions wither in the ensuing days, weeks and months. For to even entertain the scale of the violence we inflict upon each other, both physical and psychological, could leave us utterly despondent. I am not suggesting that we ought to strive for symmetrical outrage across all tragedies that occur. That is an odious aspiration in my view. We can and must do better.
I remain interested in how we think and behave in the aftermath. Before the seemingly inevitable tragedy that will follow. Do we accept it as part of our nature? Do we , rather naively I might add, frame this as a battle between good and evil forces? Do we fan the flames of bigotry and prejudice, against Islam for instance?
If we are truly committed to being custodians of peace for all, we must be relentless in our passion to bring it to life in the day to day. Be it in our interactions across difference, in the ideas we promote, the policies we support and the lifestyles we lead. For we are often unsuspecting participants in this paradigm. Through the militarization we support, the poverty we ignore and the inequity we promote and the vulnerable we denigrate. Beyond expressions of sympathy, we must be authors of a new story.
There is a claim that is attributed to Plato- "the unexamined life is not worth living". While one might argue that this claim is laden with rhetorical flair, it is a nonetheless one that resonates with me in that I feel that it stresses on the importance of making conscious, value-based decisions in our lives. This is without doubt an life-long process, one in which we have to consistently check in to gauge whether we are leading lives in alignment with our values. Where we may have to shift our stances and practices in light of new knowledge and/or shifting circumstances. As a leader of a sustainable development organisation and an academic involved in furthering ethics and sustainability education, I'd be amiss if I did not scrutinise my own actions (or inaction) as an individual.
What I intend to share with you through this post, is a window into some of the key ethical choices I have made and some of my (many) failings. I would like to state from the onset that these choices are ones I have made in accordance with my values, my lived experience, conversations with others and secondary research. As described earlier, this has been an incremental process, layers built over several years of self-examination. I do not intend to contend that these are THE ethical choices that individuals need to make. Rather, I am more interested in a genuine exploration of the alignment between ones espoused values and the actions we do or do not take part in.
It is my hope that this window, admittedly focused on the practicalities of daily living, provides some food for thought ...perhaps even some inspiration for action! For the sake of simplicity, I will divide this entry into two main parts - "The Aligned" and the "Misaligned", though as is often the case in life, there are instances where there is both alignment and misalignment within the same category!
The Aligned
Community Service
As I come from a family of teachers and have had (for the most part), a Buddhist upbringing , the value of service to community was instilled in me from a very young age. In Sri Lankan culture, there is a concept called Sharamadana which translates to "sharing ones time, thought and energy for the welfare of all". Volunteering is a key manifestation of this intent. This is an aspect of my life that I feel is well aligned. Thus far I have contributed thousands of hours of voluntary service to various community initiatives, the establishment and management of Empower Projects and mentoring both students and social entrepreneurs like Nathan Basha. Beyond it being a point of personal pride, I sincerely feel that these hours have been some of the most fulfilling hours of my life thus far. My personal approach to life is centered on an intention to live a life of contribution.
My Commitment to Friendship
This is an area of deep significance to me as I've had the benefit of some wonderful friends in several countries that have helped me overcome many personal challenges. In fact one reason I feel particularly strongly about cultivating strong friendships is because I suffered from depression (mild) in my undergraduate years. Without descending into great detail, one of the driving forces behind me overcoming this, was the presence of friends who were open to real conversations. What do I mean by "real"? Well conversations that transcend polite niceties, forced positivity or mundane (in my view) exchanges of pop culture. Ones in which I could express myself freely, especially if I was despondent or upset without feeling as though it was an imposition, a "buzz kill".
As such I am very conscious of making time for my friends and forging honest relationships. I am fortunate that I have many good friends, but I have fairly clear circle of friends that I meet regularly to check in and even use tools like this to discuss our life goals and challenges. After all, how can we be good friends without supporting each other on our respective journeys? Helping my friends make their aspirations and challenges explicit has been very valuable and often strengthened our commitment to each other. More generally, I am a heavy user of social media and while that does come with its own challenges, its been a useful way to connect with friends overseas and to be accessible to those who might need someone to talk to. To date I don't believe I've ever failed to respond to someone who needed to talk and I never intend to.
Growing Food
A huge part of our lives and one mired with ethical considerations! This is a facet of my life that I am yet to perfect in terms of alignment but I will acknowledge where I feel I am doing well. I am a permaculturalist and as such I am an advocate for locally grown, organic produce. This video by Michael Pollan does a great job of sumarising my stance.
My focus here is two
1) growing as much of my own food as possible. 2) Purchasing as much local produce as possible.
I've been especially successful with 1). We live in an apartment at the moment but grow enough herbs and salad greens to have a salad everyday! Yes. It is very possible. There's so much you can grow in a small space and there are plenty of resources out there to support you. I'm happy to be of assistance if you ever need any guidance. Beyond the environmental and health benefits , anyone who grows anything will attest to how deeply rewarding it is. There's been research to suggest that gardening has many mental health benefits as well, particularly when it is a communal /shared activity.
As for 2) this is a work in progress. While we do purchase organic produce, palm oil free, free range and fair-trade wherever possible, we need to improve upon where we purchase the majority of our fruits and vegetables e.g. local grocers vs supermarkets. The main "reason" here is that of convenience given the busy lives we lead. Yet from experience, this mainly a matter of creating a new habit.
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Electricity
I am a supporter of renewable energy and I have been involved a range of renewable energy projects overseas for over 7 years now. As such the fact that I was still reliant on fossil-fuel based sources for electricity was a source of shame and frustration for me. We made the shift to PowerShop and now have access to accredited green (wind) power through this disruptive new business model. While it is a far superior alternative to the AGL connection we had previously, there is still the matter of us using gas for cooking and heating. These are largely limitations tied to living in an apartment. I harbor the hope of owning our own property and being able to generate and manager our own power.
FYI if any of you want to get $75 credit for signing up with PowerShop, shoot me an email - shanil@shanilsamarakoon.com
Waste
Again, my permaculture background has shaped my thinking around waste. I'll speak beyond the recycling plastics here. It's estimated that up to 50% of our household waste and 30% of our waste overall is organic. This is "waste" that can easily be converted to soil so that nutrients are cycled back instead of being concentrated in a landfill. I could nerd out about the specifics of organic waste but I'll hold back!
Over the last 5 years I have used either a Bokashi Bin (a fantastic guide) or a Worm Farm to process our food waste (everything except bones). I can safely estimate that I have been able to divert over 5,000 kgs of food waste from landfill. Better yet, I have used this as soil for my garden beds or those of friends and family.
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There's still the matter of human waste and once again, if I ever own a house composting toilets are certainly an important consideration. As grossed out as you may be, the reality is that our urine in particular ...is an incredible source of nutrients for our soil.
Use of Public Transport
My partner owns a car but I do not. Virtually all my commutes to and from work are on public transport ( I get a lot of reading and writing - like this blog- done along the way). I'm accustomed to it despite all the flak Sydney's public transport gets. Having had to wait for buses for hours and endure consistent breakdowns in other parts of the world, I have thick skin. I must add that I've had some fascinating conversations with strangers on public transport. Most notably a Syrian refugee that I sat next to one morning. My partner and I also make it a point to cycle or walk to nearby locations for e.g. if we have some light shopping or want to grab lunch at a local restaurant. The added benefit being that we get to spend more quality time together.
Technology Purchases and Usage
My policy with technology is that I should be able to justify the utility of each purchase with at least one other person and that I/we need to use that item e.g. TV, a phone, laptop for at least 3 years. I try to obtain second hand items where possible and aim to re-use all technology. For instance approx 75% of all Empower Projects' gear are second-hand items that are in great working condition e.g. computers, phones, tablets. Reduced consumption and re-use trumps recycling.
Banking
I was a Commonwealth Bank of Australia customer for many years but decided to make the switch to a more ethical option. Primarily as I am a supporter of the fossil fuel divestment campaign. You can use 3rd party sites like Market Forces for an analysis of where your bank invests its money. Personally, I wanted a fossil free option and opted for Bendigo Bank as I also believe in community banking. This is wonderfully aligned with my values as the organisation I lead, Empower projects, is a big proponent of community banks and cooperative models.
My excuse for a while was that it was 'too cumbersome' to switch but in actual fact, it only took me a few hours to make the switch and about 2-3 weeks to shift across everything I was using my CBA account for e.g. direct debits. The process was painless and it's very satisfying to know that my pay and savings are being used for good!
Union
A more recent move I've made is to join the NTEU, the main union for universities in Australia. Amidst the often ideologically driven criticism of unions, history would suggest that unions have been a critical champion in protecting worker rights, benefits and the creation better workplace conditions. In fact much of the basic worker rights we take for granted today e.g. work hours, weekends, pay increments, anti discrimination policies, paid leave and OH&S have been championed by unions around the world. I feel a responsibility to support the growth of the union in my vocation as a weak union would diminish the voice of staff and the standard of accountability to which a firm would be held. Suffice to say, any organisation is susceptible to malpractice and I am an advocate for any organisation being transparent and accountable to its stakeholders, this naturally includes unions themselves. Incidentally, for those who don't know, the membership fees for unions are tax deductible.
Coffee
Believe it or not but a year ago I was an active user of an Aldi Coffee Capsule machine. It was a guilty pleasure, my key 'reasons' being 'taste and convenience' and while I did empty each pod of its spent coffee (into my garden) and recycle each pod ...it was not a sustainable practice.
I made the switch to Republica Coffee (Fair Trade & Organic) and in a move that would no doubt please my Italian in-laws, I now use a Moka Pot (Stove Top Coffee Maker). Note Republica do make biodegradeable capsules, but i'm happy with the switch. Nice and simple, more sustainable and cost-effective. I even bring most of my coffee in a small thermos to work, thus minimising the need to purchase coffee from cafes on campus.
Superannuation
This is a big consideration that I have long put in the "too hard" category as it involves a fair bit of back and forth with HR in my instance (I won't get into the details). Having said that, this is one of the biggest chunks of money that is invested on my behalf and I feel an ethical responsibility to consider stewardship of these funds wisely. Particularly with respect to investing in fossil fuels and privately-run detention centres. As with my banking, I opted for a fossil free option using SuperSwitch to select Future Super as my choice.
Switching from UniSuper was a hassle! You are more or less locked in if you are staff at a University. I managed to work around this and organise for an annual rollover of my funds into Future Super. It is a bit of a pain and I still technically have some exposure to Unisuper's opaque 'socially responsible investment' option but I am happy that the majority of my funds are in responsible hands
The Misaligned
Meat Consumption
Another major area of my life that is somewhat misaligned at the moment. I grew up eating next to no red meat and a largely vegetarian diet. I have also had a few stints at being a vegetarian and a vegan but I cannot say that I am either as a firm lifestyle choice. This is a very contentious area from an ethical perspective but even if you feel that it isn't unethical to eat meat from a rights perspective (provided they are treated humanely), there is a very strong argument to be vegan or at least vegetarian from an environmental perspective. But while I mainly eat fish and chicken (less resource intensive), I do so knowing that it conflicts with my values, particularly the protection of the environment in this instance. I have become more conscious of the % of vegetarian and vegan meals that I have every week and I am fighting my reasons and rationalisations by educating myself e.g. "Once in a while is ok. We're omnivores" , "I do so much. I need the energy. Vegetables and grains alone are not enough" or "I'll have to give up those dishes I love". The transition has started and I recognise that its smarter to do this in manageable phases.
Clothing
Coming from Sri Lanka (where there is a lot of garment production), it is easy to take the availability of cheap clothing for granted without questioning the source and the implications of their low cost. While I have become more conscious of the brands I purchase in Australia post Rana Plaza and tend to wear my clothes thin (at times to my partner's embarrassment) , I feel I need to exercise greater scrutiny. For instance it is not just the matter of the working conditions of workers but fairness in terms of pay and the sourcing of materials e.g. cotton. I came across this great app that is due to be released this year called Good on You and a handy newsletter called Otter by Ethical Consumers Australia that may be of use to others like me who face challenges in being able to discern how different brands rate in terms of their practices.
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Air Travel
This is a difficult one for me! I run a for purpose organisation overseas, have family overseas and am in a relationship where we both want to see as much of the world as we can before we settle down and potentially start a family. We have now set up Empower Projects so that I am only required to make annual trips and that too is going to be extended to a trip every 18 months. My mother lives on her own so I feel it is difficult to compromise on making less than an annual visit to see her in Sri Lanka but I have plans to bring her over to Australia in the next few years which could reduce the need for me to travel as often. As for travelling beyond, we will look into staggering visits, carbon offsetting and focusing on greener options in-country.
Supporting Local Artists
As an indie writer myself, I feel I could be doing more to support local artists. While I feel I do a good job of purchasing goods from artists when travelling, I could be doing more to support local artists in Sydney. For instance I rarely attend events or promote the work of my contemporaries and can be rather focused on my own craft. Knowing the challenges of independent artists, I feel that I need to lead by example and commit to looking beyond my craft and actioning greater solidarity with fellow writers and poets at the very least. The main excuse here is "time" , one of the most common and formidable reasons for inaction. I make annual goals and I am a big believer in "if its not measured, it doesn't get done". I will set a goal of attending at least 3 events a year and giving other writers a shout out on my social media platforms at least once a month.
Well...that's the end of this (limited) window into my ethical choices! I hope it has been of value to you. Please feel free to ask questions, make comments or offer suggestions.
For those unacquainted with American politics, he is a Vermont Senator that is challenging Hilary Clinton for the Democratic nomination in the 2016 Presidential Election. The longest serving independent senator in the U.S. congress and he is a man I have admired for many years on account of his passionate stances on a range of issues - climate change, income inequality, financial reform and foreign policy being some key areas. His near 9 hour filibuster of Obama's continuation of Bush-era tax cuts to the wealthy being but one example of his passion to support the working class. Along with Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders has been one of the few consistent voices of reason within a political system that appears out of touch with the daily struggles of the lower and middle class, one utterly compromised by the greed of corporations and high net worth individuals like the Koch brothers. I have long felt that for better or worse (more of the latter), American politics has a huge bearing on the rest of the world. It is with this in mind that I am watching this presidential campaign with great interest and I daresay ...hope!
A self labelled "Democratic Socialist", Bernie is calling for a "political revolution" and often looks towards Scandinavia for inspiration (e.g. taxation, education, healthcare). While "socialism" seems to be a dirty word in American politics, the Republican candidates thus far (all 12 of them) appear to be so entrenched in far-right politics (billionaire financiers, climate change denial and trickle down economics in tow) to have a serious chance of defeating a Democratic candidate next year. So while it is early days it does indeed appear to be a battle between Bernie and Hilary Clinton for the U.S. presidency. The Daily Dot has a great summary of some of the key policy differences between Sanders and Clinton. For progressives, it ought to be abundantly clear that it is Sanders who has the authentic track record. Be it his stance on big banks, electoral reform, same-sex marriage, climate change, Keystone XL, on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, healthcare, mass surveillance or the 'war on terror', it is all remarkably clear and consistent. The same cannot be said about Hilary Clinton. Or the vast majority of politicians across the world for that matter. The regressive, wildly inconsistent Abbott Government here in Australia being a case in point.
But let's face it, there is a much greater battle playing out here...and this is what moves me the most.
It is a battle against a powerful, maniacal, greedy elite who have hijacked governments and hence the system of rules (or lack thereof) that determine how we function as a global society. An oligarchy. Before you conjure images of me being a conspiracy theorist, I invite you to reflect on the extent to which big business and wealthy elites hold the reigns when it comes to political decision making. Whether it is media control, flagrant campaign financing, lobby groups or intense business-government collusion in policy development. A paradigm that has unsurprisingly resulted in inaction when it comes to climate change, growing income inequality and of course the denigration of all social services to the majority while insisting on tax breaks, loopholes and subsidies for big business. Thus a context in which we talk about about 'democracy and freedom' without having clear insight into who the levers of power are controlled by. A reality that is by no means relegated to the U.S.
It is against this rather Orwellian backdrop that Bernie Sanders has launched his bid for the Presidency.
I'll tell you this, I get emotional watching Bernie speak. There is something about the optics of a scruffy 73 year old man fearlessly voicing the truth about the "crooks on Wall Street", undeterred by the overwhelming odds against him. There is something about a man who is genuinely immersed in the substance of his message and not his appearance. There is something about a man that oozes authenticity and cogently outlines a rational, humane vision for America and by extension, the world. There is no slick marketing or tailored speeches driving this bid thus far. Bernie's words are measured, they are direct. The foundation of his campaign in his own words is what he sarcastically calls "a radical concept, the truth". It is this directness, in stark contrast to the willful ambiguity that defines mainstream politics, this clear identification of the roots of injustice and the concise path to address it... that is capturing hearts and minds. He certainly has my attention and above that, my respect.
In Bernie's speeches in packed halls thus far, there is the distinct impression that he is a man who is determined to be a champion for the underdog. It has been his legacy for decades. An authenticity that sees him swearing not to touch billionaire money and Super PACs (Political Action Committees). Bernie is a fierce opponent of the Citizen's United decision that lead to the supreme court ruling in favour of "independent" political spending by corporations and unions. Instead, he is relying on donations from citizens. He has started raising millions through a grassroot campaign which currently has over 200,000 supporters with an average donation of USD $42. Still, an observer might call this chump change in light of the staggering $ 2.5 billion that the Clinton campaign aims to bring in through donations.
Meanwhile, the mainstream media is still largely cynical about Sanders' campaign and are largely framing it as a bid that at best, may shift Clinton's campaign further to the left. Ironically, as he points out, the fact that he is deemed to have a snowballs chance in hell is largely because he is unwilling to cave in to corporate interests that allow such 'obscene' campaign funds like other candidates on both sides. On the ground, Bernie is filling venues and gaining momentum and as he keeps saying in each interview, he should not be underestimated. Even the previously non-aligned ,Occupy Wall Street movement is endorsing him.
It seems to me that at the very heart of his campaign is a desire to mobilise the grassroots, the working class, to rally against a system controlled by corporations and the 'billionaire class'. A call to action in the midst of a sense of futility and apathy among the struggling majority. A 'political revolution' to drive money out of politics in order to amplify the voice of the people and place quality of life and environmental sustainability at the center. It is very much an attempt to reclaim democracy in the United Sates. While the odds may seem stacked against him, while the road will be grueling and implementation of his ideas may be gridlocked in congress ...what better choice do the majority of American people have than Bernie Sanders? What if ...what if even a fraction of what he outlines is possible?
It would seem that Sanders is the only man with the gumption and integrity to lead a movement to redefine the values and political direction of the United States. Inherent in his vision is a re-imagining of American society that seems to resonate with a growing number of working class voters. Should he secure the Democratic nomination, it would seem that the likelihood of him winning the election would be very strong. If he does succeed it would be a David vs. Goliath tale for the ages. Above all, it would be an inspiring testament to the power of a people powered movement. We could have a world leader the world needs, one who is genuinely committed to addressing systemic injustice and climate change.
You have a fan in me Bernie. If I were American, there would be no doubt that you would have my vote. I'm captivated and I am inspired by your leadership. I'll be watching this race very closely and willing you to win.
This absolutely horrific mass murder by Al Shabab at Garissa University in Kenya. 148 young lives were taken in the most brutal manner on the 2nd of April but the news coverage and outrage beyond Africa and those who hold it dear... has been minimal.
In more recent times the media storm and outrage over the shooting at Charlie Hebdo in Paris and the Lindt Cafe Siege in Sydney would indicate that there is no shortage of interest and compassion for people who are victims to these heinous acts by fundamentalists. Yet the requisite for intense media attention and expressions of outrage and solidarity by world leaders, dare I say it, seems to be that the victims must be white and that said act should occur in a Western cocoon that is typically free of the scourge of violence. The authenticity of said compassion is a related but separate discussion.
I long to be free of distinctions in terms of colour, sexuality, nationality and religion but it is hard to do so in a context in which it is blatantly obvious that we are not all equal. Across my years in Sri Lanka both as a resident of Colombo and as an aid worker on the East Coast, acts of violence were a norm. Suicide bombs taking hundreds of lives was so common that we had peace doves as markers on the streets that attacks took place on, fading with each passing year. This violence was largely viewed as being an internal matter. That it was our fault. Until exposure taught me that it wasn't as simple as all this. I learnt that sympathy and intervention was firmly tied to colour and a colonial mentality of what could be extracted from the situation, or perhaps more explicitly as evident in recent times, from the ground. That the violence of the present is inextricably tied to others and to the legacy of the past.
We have so much to transcend and unlearn as a species. There is still a vile underbelly of ethnocentrism that permeates and often renders our bold ideal of equality, opaque. Rife with conditions. I have grown up with what seems like overwhelming evidence of the fact that white lives matter far more than that of men, women and children of colour. It is a paradigm that I will continue to rail against. In the midst of our claims to sophistication, we are so deeply estranged from all the threads, biological and spiritual, that bind us together
Note: The heartbreaking image featured in this post was taken from this article by the New York Post
