Is it really good if it doesn't hurt?
I read today an editorial in the Globe & Mail about charitable giving in Canada. The summary: Canadians don't give very much; giving is down; 12% of Canadians are responsible for the majority of charitable donations; many charities are threatened due to declining support from Foundations, which have lost funding in the economic 'downturn'.
Let me share with you the definition of Altruism from Merriam Webster (stick with me, it's all going somewhere):
1 : unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others
2 : behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species
If you're reading this, you probably work in the 'social change' sector. You have committed - if not the full purpose of your "life's work" - at least a significant portion of your thinking and doing time to making a more equitable, just and sustainable world. This describes me. And sometimes, when I meet people who work in more corporate settings (i.e., all the time), they say to me something like "wow, what great and important work you do". Or, "it's so good that people like you devote your time to these important causes".
In addition to immediately bristling at the condescension, I always react to the presupposition that what I do - what we do - is altruistic. But it isn't. I'd say that almost none of what we (those working in the nonprofit or 'social change' sectors) do is altruistic. We do it because we like it. We do it because it makes us feel good. We do it because it's our passion.
We don't sacrifice our own well being for it. We don't push away our own instincts, desires, hopes, pleasures in favour of doing good. The world isn't lucky for our sacrifice. It's just sort of lucky that our interests coincide with the interests of the world (at least as we tend to see them).
But how many of you actually sacrifice yourselves for it? Do something that really hurts? Give an amount that borders on detrimental to your own well-being? More importantly - when are these decisions rooted not in the social, emotional, spiritual benefits you perceive, but a truly selfless desire to improve the well-being of others. Is there even such a thing?
Now of course, we don't have to be altruistic. You don't have to be altruistic. You can do what you want for whatever reason you want. And if "the world" benefits, all the better. But I guess my frustration comes from what I hear often from colleagues, especially the "younger generation" (oh no, what a terrible thing to say/write). Many people don't give to charities. That's an old way of doing things, we say. Philanthropy is an old paradigm - we're interested in blending market and mission. We want to show that you can do good and do well. We reject the old notions of a "charitable sector" in favour of new models and strategies for social change.
Well, that's all well and good. It's certainly better than devoting your energies to exclusively corporate or consumer practices. But let's not pretend for a minute that it addresses the real need that millions of people face - in our communities and around the world. The people who are starving, the sick, the displaced, the abused.
So, I suppose I am mostly writing this for myself, coming full circle to my own commitments in a public forum. This year, in addition to "doing good every day", I'm going to commit to doing a few things that hurt. While I spend my time working on a better future world, I'm also going to help a few folks who are experiencing suffering in the here and now.
Comments
Sadhu, FD, Sadhu... Damn
Sadhu, FD, Sadhu...
Damn straight Rosa Parks would be proud.
The worst crime in the white world is being "inappropriate" and guess who gets to decide what that looks like?
Your post was inflammatory - wtf! I suppose that poverty that lasts for generations, racism, hypocrisy - these are best met with pleasant dialogue and positive next steps, and then maybe a big hug and a loving-kindness meditation!
Western ( White)NGO's not serving Haiti's need
Hey Bro,
Read Toronto Star Feb. 10th Editorial Page Letter to the editor from Ajamu Nangwaya about how the white NGO's is sucking the blood out of Haiti and undermining the central government because the aid goes thru them. They also take up to 10% of the top in admin cost and fundraising costs. Over 50% of aid dollars goes to overhead expenses of international NGO's. These are the same bloodsuckers we have in Toronto hijacking the social enterprise and social finance movement. These "white saviours" wont let racialized communities save them selves, every thing has to go thru them and their friends/ white network. They are moe interested in building little white fiefdoms than helping black folks build cultural and economic institutions that will give them some kind of economic autonomy. Massa dont like the slaves to be independent, its a dangerous thing. Social Enterprise white possee dont give a dam about black folks. They are to busy acquiring assets and monuments to them selves to care about us little black people! Heck is Black History Month you would think the CSI savious would honouring Black History Month eh? I guess we dont count in these geniuses mind, Afterall them and their white friends have ALL the answers about how to build social enterprise and if you are not a good negro and say Yassa boss, watch out.. Massa can be very vindictve to uppity negroes!!!
Too bad the writer of the
Too bad the writer of the original G&M piece ended by encouraging action only for the "season of giving." This exchange has a lot to do with how we contribute to and create a just society.
"While Canadians tend to picture themselves as members of a compassionate society, they also tend to view this as largely the government's job, even - apparently - when it comes to very small acts of generosity."
We elect government to act on the priorities that we believe are most important. WE includes many different points of view. Have the priorities of Canadians changed? Or is government not listening as carefully, and getting away with it? Historically, Canadians have believed that the most just way to meet the needs of society was through the centralized action of government to set policy and allocate funds. We have definitely seen a shift over the last few decades away from programs that ensure the greatest public good and protect the most vulnerable among us. Perhaps Canadians are not keeping up with the impact of that change, and the fact that governments are no longer distributing our dollars for the greatest public benefit. Our choices are to elect governments that uphold the principle that government is the best way to redistribute wealth fairly, or become more philanthropic AND socially active on a personal level. But remember, one person's antipoverty movement is another person's gun lobby, a la the USA. Lots of choices implied in all of this.
I think altruism is recognizing the broad benefit of an action to a more just society, rather than a personal benefit that attributes to just the giver. At the end of the day though, it probably all comes full circle. Helping the aged when you're young, may afford you a better life at 90. Working against poverty creates a more just society in which we can all live. Taking a vocal and active stand against racism may result in a more equitable and humane society - which is the space I want to inhabit.
As Eli concludes, it's about doing and being committed to something.
on suffering
hi eli, this was an interesting post to read. it raised two main questions for me to consider: in the course of public service, should one necessarily experience suffering? and, as a follow-on, what is the purpose of a social change sector after all?
consider the second question first. what are the actions one can take to bring about positive change (in the obamic sense)? you mention a need to focus on "The people who are starving, the sick, the displaced, the abused." does the world change for the better when these people are provided food, medicine, housing and shelter? there's a quick utilitarian answer to that question, as well as a deeper, philosophical consideration. suffering is a fluid experience akin to cracks in the dam: as soon as you plug one hole, another is certain to erupt. collectively, we could decide to band together, using each of our ten fingers and ten toes to plug all the holes. we could construct another dam. or we might investigate whether the pressure of the water could be reduced altogether.
because suffering can never be plotted on a chart in the way that profit or the collection of objects could be, it's impossible for us to understand whether the goals of social change are being accomplished. is there more suffering in the world today than ever before? some would say yes. is there less suffering in the world today than ever before? some would say yes. should the work towards social change be stopped? absolutely not. is it making any difference? we have no idea.
fortunately, there is a solitary metric that we can rely upon: we each possess an idea of our own suffering, and an understanding of how to value right and wrong. if we work to reduce our own suffering - doing so by moving towards what we feel is right and away from what we feel is wrong - than we are making real strides towards a reduction in suffering, however minuscule, from the moment or day or week before. and, as mike mentioned, one of the best ways to reduce our own suffering is to give to others; in doing so, we increase our sense of meaning and move away from a need for temporary attachments.
accordingly, it seems as if there's no need to feel hurt from our actions. we should give all that we can and understand where our boundaries limit what we have to give. not all of us are predisposed to do any type of charitable work: creating an expectation that altruism is a responsibility of citizenship is accordingly counterproductive, especially if, for those who believe charity work is difficult or a sacrifice, that responsibility conspires to create more suffering. instead, we should work on things that inspire us, that align with our compass of right and wrong, and that allow us each to reduce our suffering in our own rights. that the 'younger generation' doesn't give to charity might not be a bad thing - when they become the older generation, talking about the younger generation, perhaps they'll claim the same thing.
we live in a world that has changed consistently since the beginning of something called development and will continue to change consistently until the end of humanity, at some indiscriminate point in the future. does a sector need to exist to actualize that change? aren't we all just doing what we're doing the best that we can as we try to absolve our own suffering? and if so, why do we have to worry whether our actions are altruistic or not?
best,
jordan.
White Racism in the Social Change/Enterprise Sector is a KILLER!
"But let's not pretend for a minute that it addresses the real need that millions of people face - in our communities and around the world. The people who are starving, the sick, the displaced, the abused."
Amen Eli, maybe in the future when a Black Social Entrepreneur stand up and speak out about the institutional racism and double standards he face from with in the social change sector you wont be so quick to dismiss him. The Social Enterprise sector is filled with "White Poverty Pimps" and scam artists,they have now hijacked emerging Third Sector, the same racists and scum bags you meet in the racist private and public sector is the same racists you anti-black scum bags you meet in the social enterprise sector. Thats my conclusion after 4 years trying to get a social enterprise project of the ground. They smile with you then put a knife in your back. Thats the "White Canadian Way". Especially the white Liberals. They might give a Nigga a fish to make them selves feel good, but dont EVER ask them for a FISHING ROD for Niggas, they want to be in control, whereby the Poor Negroes have to keep coming back to them. This is how they maintain there white power over Black and oppressed peoples. They are only interested in empowering them selves and their white friends, not the victims of 500 years of white genocide and slavery. They are the same people who use images of black kids suffering in Africa to raise money to create jobs for them selves and their ilk while pocketing 99% of the money.
In my opinion the KKK is more respectable and honest than some of these 2-face white Liberals, at least you know where the KKK stand!. At the end of the day its all about maintaining their white skin priviledges and power.
Re: White Racism in the Social Change/Enterprise Sector is a KIL
Wow. I didn't expect that.
Full Disclosure: When I first saw this post i was so alarmed that I deleted it. That was bad. Bad bad. So I re-posted it. Because it deserves a reply and not just a sweep under the rug.
I accept that F. Douglas has this opinion, and he is welcome to post it on our blog.
I find a lot of this language unduly inflammatory and unhelpful to the work of anyone in the social change sector. I don;t deny the existence of instituional racism, but I'm not sure how a post like this brings us any closer to its resolution. There is a very unfortunate and persistent characterization here that is as prejudiced and racist as anything this poster is rallying against.
I look forward to occassions when we reject polemics in favour of workable solutions that meet the needs of our sector's - and our world's - diverse people and points of view.
White Racism in the Social Change Sector is a KILLER!!
Eli we are used to our views been suppressed or dismissed by the white establishment. That is the perogrative of those who hold the power. Kudos to you for not bury it and covering it up which is the standard white Canadian response to any views expressed by Blacks that does not fit into their "little white box" of what is acceptable discourse. When the Black man challenges the white power structure in a straight up and honest fashion the tendency is to just dismiss him and brand him a trouble maker, thus its easier to sweep his/her concerns under the great white Canadian carpet. Trust me there is a lot of dirt and rotting corpses under the great white Canadian rug. Kudos to you for not burying more stinking corpses and dirt under the the Great White Canadian rug. Eli you seem more offended by the posters frank expression of his experiencs with the white Canadian Social Enterprise/Left Lib sector than the pervasive Left/Lib racism he claims thats is out there?
Read the Report released about 2 years ago bt the Toronto Social Development Council that documents the rampant and systemic racism that has the non profit/social services sector in a death grip. Near ALL of the Executive Directors are white the Report states. There are also deep racial dvisions and tensions in these social service /non profit agencies. These are the same ED's and government owned agencies jumping on the Social Enterprise bandwagon, do you think thay have changes how they view non-whites?
The people delivering the services are probably 95% white and the people recieving the services are disproportionately people of colour. What you see is an white old boys and girls network parasitically living of the misery of poor people of colour. They love giving these darkies a fish but wont give them a fishing rod, when they do find them a job its some joe job removing asbestos from Regent Park building demolition site. We see 10's of millions of OUR tax dollars going to an Urban Farm project? ( wow that is really creative and unique) called Evergreen, a project located on Bayview a few minutes from Regent Park with no promise of jobs for the residents of Regent Park. I assure you all, or near all of the senior management and employees will be white, like if white people are ones DESPERATELY in need of jobs, like if white people are the ones suffering from 40+% unemployment and grinding hopelessness and poverty. A recent study/report shows its now racism and exclusion by name when you submit your resume, if you are Somali or have an African name God help you. These are the things you and your colleagues at CSI and in the social/change enterprise sector should be outraged about and trying to address. Instead you guys/gals hold meetings and conferences, inviting your friends and other whites from all over the world to come here and talk amongst your selves about ALL the great work you are doing in social enterprise. Beware of the "usual suspects" said a Carlton University Professor at MaRs Social Enterprise Conference last year, even she saw what was happening. You all write blogs spewing platitudes about how wonderful things are in social change sector when it has become just another haven for whites to feather their nest and CONTROL every thing under the guise of social enterprise and DOING GOOD!! who are you "DOING GOOD" for? the people who really need help and assistance? or are you guys "DOING GOOD" for your selves.? You can call it polemics or what ever you like? This is a question that the socalled "THOUGHT LEADERS" and geniuses dragooning the Social Change sector does not seem to want to address!...is selling expensive electricity ala BullFrog uner the guise of "clean energy" all that innovative and creative? how does that help the poor and the marginalized? can you imagine if a black man came up with that idea? they would laugh him out the door, yet we see the white establishment promoting this crap as a REAL social enterprise initiative and solution. The stuff some people get away with is AMAZING!!! The CRAP some of you guys peddle and get away with is mindboggling. Frankly this poster is just fed up with the racist two face phoney balonies in the socalled Social Chnage sector, they DONT want REAL change, they just want to maintain the status quo and enrich them selves as far as I can see. They just want to hijack the newly emerging "Third Way" sector like they have hijacked the Private and Public Sector over the past 400 years in this country. Its all about power and control over the poor and marginalized, they want to empower them selves not those who really need and can use some "EMPOWERING"!!!.
To hell with diplomatic niceties, people and youths are dieing in the Black community, this structural systemic DEPRESSION in the black community is wreaking havoc on black people and the poor even more than ever. Innovatiove and creative social enterprise projects and initiatives that addresses the issues of "Canadian Economic Apartheid" as reported by Professor Grace Galabuzzi of Ryerson University is dismissed and some case sabotaged by the white political and social enterprise estalishment. Projects are not evaluated on merit, but on who the promoter is, how politically connected him/her is, does the old boys and girls network like him or not?, does he kiss enough white ass! If you are "uppity negro" who speaks truth to white power then they will sabotage and crush you...to make an example of you.
Well the way I see it "ENOUGH is ENOUGH" its time for some "STRAIGHT TALK"!! and I am sorry if it makes you and your friends uncomfortable. Hell Rosa Parks made some white folks uncomfortable also! they thought by throwing her of the bus they were going to solve the problem... eh? ..I guess they found out later that sweeping her/it under the rug did not solve any thing. It took some "STRAIGHT TALK" from Malcolm X, Martin Luther King and the Black Panther Party to wake some people up from their "Alice in Wonderland" slumber! ..Which side are you on Eli? the side of REAL social justice and equity or the typical vaccuos white Canadian lip service side spewing empty rhetoric about "Diversity is OUR Strenght" yeah they will tolerate "Diversity" as long they remain in charge and control ALL of OUR tax dollars and maintain their economic and cultural hegemony over people of colour in this town! .. You see we are just guest in THEIR country, we are NOT reallly REAL Canadians! the last things they want to see is Blacks building economic and cultural institutions that will anchor them in this city, they LOVE seeing the Black man on his knees, that way he can be controlled, that way he remains enslaved subject to their whims and notions!.
Trust me that is way it is,Eli how do you suggest I/we have a constrcutive dialogue with wannabee Massa's who dont want to lose or share the benefits of their white skin priviledges and power to those who they have pimped, raped, murdered and exploited for 500 years?. Who do we go to for our Maafa ( Holocausts) eh Eli? We know your people got reparations and are still getting paid,.... who do we go to get healed and PAID Eli?.... any suggestions old chap?
altruism
hear hear, Eli.
The Dalai Lama and many spiritual leaders will tell you that giving of yourself is actually the quickest way to happiness. So 'giving until it hurts' actually doesn't have to hurt. Sure, spending time at the local soup kitchen won't be nearly as fun in the short term as having a few drinks with friends on your favourite patio, or playing frisbee in the park (important things too), but in the longterm they'll add up to a sense of meaning, a sense of joy, and a sense of fulfillment that is far deeper and longlasting.
p.s. you should have to come to our Riff 'N' Reel screening about compassion. Great dialogue ensued.
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