#MorningPageByDomo 12.7.16

If you are reading this, please note that this is a brain dump. Well, now I am thinking out loud, most of this blog started as a brain dump. A place to collect inspiration and leave some disorganized thoughts as I try to know self and the world around me.

I have been spending quite a bit of time lately thinking about connecting the dots. I have not been blogging, not writing and not collecting my thoughts in a significant way. I have however, been creating. In connecting the dots I made a note that I have always been fascinated with migration. I believe this fascination comes from my father, but he is fascinated about a lot of things. How did you and I arrive at this point at this time? I believe in the power of the universe to connect souls in perfect timing for maximum impact.

I believe we can learn a lot when we study patterns and the histories of beings. I’ve tried to get out of my head and comfort zone. I will admit, this challenge is great. As a stubborn millennials who feels as though I am finally finding my bubble to challenge everything I know is difficult. What if everything we were taught was wrong? What if what we assumed was good for us, really was not? I grew up in a country that built a public education system that reaffirmed that our country was the greatest country on earth, yet people who shared my skin color were somehow less than, but I should be grateful because I grew up in this country. Oh yeah, and this has been happening for centuries and still does.

That being said I do not overlook the importance and willingness of my people to survive and innovate. It is because of this, I strive to innovate. Grateful for the perserverance of folks of color in the midst of doubt, the perserverance of  my family tree and the situation I was placed in and my own personal privileges and guidence. For this reason, it is not enough for me to reach back and assist those who follow in my footsteps, however I believe it is important to continue to break down barriers and innovate.

I work on projects that connect community in ways that allow folks to build. That being said the more I work the more I begin to understand that as much as I am about building and innovating, often times folks need time and space to heal. Nevertheless, the work must go on. I am not dismissing the notion that healing  must happen somewhere, sonme how and some way, but many communities do not have the luxury of spending time trying to close damaging wounds. These scars remind me that nothing was easy, nor was it given. Many have sacrificed their lives literally and figuratively, mentally and physically for me to have a seat at the table. Much to be grateful for, much to fight for, and so much work to be done.

Even as I understand all of this, I still understand there is so much more to learn.

-Domo

Writing inspired by the above photo credit to Inye Wokoma

Inspiring: Nick Hanauer: Beware, fellow plutocrats, the pitchforks are coming

Inspiring: Jessica Gordon Nembhard: Cooperative Economics and Civil Rights

SECRET MILLIONAIRES CLUB WEBISODES

http://www.smckids.com/episodes/

This is pretty damn awesome!

Why #HackTheCD Matters! (Created By AmbassadorNique)

AmbassadorNique does the ALS Challenge

AmbassadorNique does the ALS Challenge from AmbassadorNique Productions on Vimeo.

Jeremy Higuchi & Jonathan Higuchi… ALS awareness ice bucket challenge accepted!! What’s cooler than being COOL?!

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. There is no cure to this disease.

While most times I choose not to participate in viral stuff like this, a close friend of mine has a family member who is battling with ALS. My love and thoughts are with her and her family.

Special thanks to Diana & Jessica for talking me into doing it, the ice and the camera work!

Ambassadornique 

Inspiration: Smoking Kid (Thailand)

This is old, but its new to me! A great reminder of the importance of digital story telling. Sometimes how we present information is just as important as the information we are presenting. Around the world the innocence of a child’s future and the universal language of love hold greater priority than almost anything else on this planet. I hope we are doing our part to not only take care of their futures, but our own. Enjoy the Seattle sunshine. -AmbassadorNique

#Inspiration — First Days Project: Sharing stories from South Asians about their first day in the U.S.

#Inspiration — First Days Project: Sharing stories from South Asians about their first day in the U.S.

This project is definitely one that inspires me! I was able to have a conversation with one of the creators and we spoke about the void of the storytelling that gets passed down in communities of color. The project asks participants to tell a story about their first day in America. These stories are told through text, voice, and video. The project focuses on primary South Asians, but I would love to do a similar project. There is an organization called Densho in Seattle that does something very similar collecting stories about the experiences of Japanese Americans in internment camps during WWII. They also attached curriculum for schools to discuss these issues. Stay tuned, as I build!

-AmbassadorNique

#Inspiration Mass Incarceration in the US (Video)

This was pretty awesome! In short… THESE are the types of videos that I would like to create. It is hard to argue facts. If we can figure out how to turn PhD publications into 3 minute videos like this, I believe we could see changes in social justice policies and society very quickly. Long publications are still needed, but what good is knowledge if the people who need it most do not have access to it, or cannot understand it? Along with these videos, I would also like to find ways to allow undeserved individuals (both in and out of the criminal justice system) to tell their own stories. One day closer.

#Inspiration: I, Too, Am Harvard

Since #BBM (and probably way before that…) many black student organizations have been speaking out about their own personal experiences and institutional racism on University campuses across the US. While some may brush these observations to the side and label them complaining, I believe that these movements do a great job of telling authentic stories of being a minority at a college institution. Furthermore these stories speak to larger issue’s highlighting the importance of a diverse curriculum and the importance of a diverse faculty that most school lack.

I am always inspired by storytelling and the different ways narratives are told. I will continue to learn and share my findings. Enjoy the video.

AmbassadorNique