Politics

I have, throughout my life, avoided certain areas. I avoided formal training in the fine arts.  This was because I thought it was impractical.  I thought there was no way to make a living in this. I now realize I was wrong.

In college, I avoided any business classes.  I considered creating and running a business a selfish affair.  I thought that it was a capitalist endeavor.  I don't think this way any more.

Also, I avoided politics.  I thought it was basically corrupt, that it was divisive and most importantly, that there was no way that I personally could withstand the scrutiny of being in the public eye.  This doesn't mean that I didn't participate on the sidelines.  In fact, at one point, after 9-11 I started an activist group in Montreal called "Americans in Montreal"  We got on the news a couple times, but it wasn't very effective.  It was a good way for me personally to see the inside workings of some of the other activist groups, how they operate and the general dysfunction.  It made me more determined to just do my own thing.

This was another reason I avoided politics.  I did not want to deal with the dysfunctional bureaucracy.  I felt like instead of support, most of these departments actually just slowed down the process, and tried to take over or control or tell you why your idea wouldn't work.  

During this project, I didn't include government.  I did my paperwork, like I was required to do.  I kept records and stayed in integrity, but I avoided going through government channels for other aspects of the program.  I can't say whether this served me or not.  I know that I was 100% focused on building our major programming and didn't have time for much else.  I know that I reached out to other local programs, some of which I still collaborate with today, and some of which I realized we have very different missions.

I have always been a bit of an anarchist (or at least libertarian).  I don't really want the government telling me what to do, and I don't think the goverment officials know what is best for me.  I think people inherently know what is best for them, when they are taught how to tune in, they can start to direct their own lives. The beautiful work of Deci and Ryan on Self-Determination demonstrate that the most self-actualized people are ones who are able to direct their own lives.  These principles of autonomy, relatedness, competency and purpose are the foundation of the programming at the Community House, and drive the general structure of the organization as well.

All of nature is self-organizing, why can't we be the same? Anyway, most of the government officials, sitting far off in their offices, have little awareness of what the local neighborhoods really need.  To understand, one must live, and participate in that local community.  

One thing is for certain, our neighborhood doesn't need to go into fear about weeds in their lawn every couple months when the city decides to do their rounds.