I’m about to put my money where my mouth is on this one. (More on that later.) But in the meantime, Mark Morford asks if it’s "time to quit your safe job and follow your path and infuriate the establishment:"
We are designed, weaned, trained from Day 1 to be productive members of society. And we are heavily guilted into believing that must involve some sort of droning repetitive pod-like dress-coded work for a larger corporate cause, a consumerist mechanism, a nice happy conglomerate. But the truth is, God, the divine true spirit loves nothing more than to see you unhinge and take risk and invite regular, messy, dangerous upheaval. This is exactly the energy that thwarts the demons of stagnation and conservative rot and violent sanctimonious bloody Mel Gibson-y religion, one that would have all our work be aimed at continuously patching up our incessant potholes of ugly congenital guilt, as opposed to contributing to the ongoing orgiastic evolution of spirit. (emphasis mine)
That’s the closest I’ve come to reading a vibrant, liberal, theology of work in a long time, and that from a newpaper columnist. Anybody up for an "ongoing orgiastic evolution of spirit?" I’ll bring the beer…
Every so often I run across folks who equate “being nice” with “behaving ethically.” That this drives me batty will come as no surprise to regular readers.
But I’d like to add another peg to the discussion: “nice” is classist. I’ll fill that out a little more: “nice” is how well-to-do white folks with asthma behave at dinner parties, and how they expect you to behave if you wish to curry their favor. Reading How to Rent a Negro has only underlined my conviction.
So a dare: Please, proponents of nice, show me where I can read a stalwart defense of the “ethical=nice” position. (I work with academic ethicists, and they will be delighted for this complete reframing of the last 2500 years of their field!)
Bonus points if the essay/article/book makes me included, affirmed, or actualized!
And a second dare: I grew up working class, among salt of the earth types who would saw off their leg for you if you thought you needed it. But “nice” was something you did around rich people so they would like you, not something you did around family and friends. Please explain to me how we were wrong about nice, in a way that won’t make me have to kick your ass for dissing my mama. (So be sure to be nice about it.)
Over four years ago, the mrs and I decided to get rid of our $13K+ of high interest credit card debt. Yesterday we learned our mission is accomplished! (And a month or two early at that.)
(If you need help, you can get it.)
As a constructive alternative to Evil Chutney’s ranting and raving, I’d suggest this book by damali ayo. It grew out of her infamous website from a couple years back: rent-a-negro.com. The book includes descriptions of typical rental situations, suggestions for rental rates, and a quick self-quiz to see if you are already a renter.
These days those who claim black friends and colleagues are on the cutting edge of social and political trends. As our country strives to incorporate the faces of African Americans, you have to keep up. Rent-a-negro offers you the chance to capitalize on your connection with a black person. At any gathering our service can bring a freshness and tension that will keep things lively. This adds currency to your image and events. We all go out for ethnic food every once in a while, why not bring some new flavor to your home or office…for all your friends and colleagues to enjoy!
I could see UU congregations starting discussion groups around the book, perhaps even renting a Negro themselves to make sure the "African American perspective" is included. More ambitious reading groups could even rent a Negro to lead the discussion group!
More college educated whities "solving racism" on behalf of those unfortunate dark people. More rich SUV owners assuaging their guilt at the soup kitchen. More teenie boppers demanding both that they are adults and that the children are our future.
Fuck liberal guilt. Find a more interesting way to be self-involved.
When I was a teenage fundy, I liked to jerk off and then ask Baby Jesus for forgiveness. At least no one else had to see it.
