Comments on: Displace Me: In Solidarity with IDP’s in Uganda http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/04/29/displace-me-in-solidarity-with-idps-in-uganda/ Thoughts on the Journey Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:18:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Teri Lynn http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/04/29/displace-me-in-solidarity-with-idps-in-uganda/#comment-31939 Teri Lynn Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:01:35 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/04/29/displace-me-in-solidarity-with-idps-in-uganda/#comment-31939 Hey, I may be a bit behind in posting on this but I felt the need to anyways. I attended Diplace Me in Seattle, WA last year and was overwhelmed by the turn out. There were people from every walk of life there! It was amazing to see so many caring faces together in a park, sleeping in cardboard houses. I hope the energy put into that one night can spill over for years to come. I know I'm a supporter of the Invisible Children program now as well as a number of my classmates. I look forward to seeing what the future brings us. Only time will tell, so I guess we'll just have to wait. :) Hey, I may be a bit behind in posting on this but I felt the need to anyways. I attended Diplace Me in Seattle, WA last year and was overwhelmed by the turn out. There were people from every walk of life there! It was amazing to see so many caring faces together in a park, sleeping in cardboard houses. I hope the energy put into that one night can spill over for years to come. I know I’m a supporter of the Invisible Children program now as well as a number of my classmates. I look forward to seeing what the future brings us. Only time will tell, so I guess we’ll just have to wait. :)

]]> By: Jake http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/04/29/displace-me-in-solidarity-with-idps-in-uganda/#comment-24501 Jake Mon, 30 Apr 2007 16:48:40 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/04/29/displace-me-in-solidarity-with-idps-in-uganda/#comment-24501 I agree with you. I am torn, moreso than the above commenters. I appreciate the good things that are happening, but the underlying problems with trend-based societies turning "doing good" cool can cause long-term problems. I agree with you. I am torn, moreso than the above commenters. I appreciate the good things that are happening, but the underlying problems with trend-based societies turning “doing good” cool can cause long-term problems.

]]> By: Melissa http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/04/29/displace-me-in-solidarity-with-idps-in-uganda/#comment-24485 Melissa Mon, 30 Apr 2007 14:04:43 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/04/29/displace-me-in-solidarity-with-idps-in-uganda/#comment-24485 Thanks for that post, Ariah! I agree with Joel above, although I won't lie it always stirs me up when I see a Madonna infomercial "Donate $1,000 and we'll send you a Malawian for free!!" I do think it's cool that awareness is up, but there is definitely an exploitative quality in the marketing that goes on. I want to defend myself: "I was green before Walmart," or "I cared about Africa before there was Brangelina!!" But look at Bono...I don't think the celebrity thing is all that bad. It's more the frequent double standard that gets me the most. How much was that Chanel dress you wore at the Academy Awards? Thanks for that post, Ariah! I agree with Joel above, although I won’t lie it always stirs me up when I see a Madonna infomercial “Donate $1,000 and we’ll send you a Malawian for free!!” I do think it’s cool that awareness is up, but there is definitely an exploitative quality in the marketing that goes on. I want to defend myself: “I was green before Walmart,” or “I cared about Africa before there was Brangelina!!” But look at Bono…I don’t think the celebrity thing is all that bad. It’s more the frequent double standard that gets me the most. How much was that Chanel dress you wore at the Academy Awards?

]]> By: Joel http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/04/29/displace-me-in-solidarity-with-idps-in-uganda/#comment-24483 Joel Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:58:48 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/04/29/displace-me-in-solidarity-with-idps-in-uganda/#comment-24483 Don't get cynical! It may be the trendy thing to do, but I don't think that's bad. Remember that as Christians we are grounded in Christ and have a very specific reason for seeking social justice and caring for the poor. We do because Christ did for us, and called us to follow Him. Even if it's just trendiness (and maybe it's more, something stirring in their hearts) the Hollywood do-gooders and the corporations that become more sustainable because it helps their bottom line are helping the cause. They are able to do things that we cannot do. It may not be perfect, and it may not be with the right motives, and they may not stick around forever. But we will. And I am glad for the extra help at the moment. They may start out doing it selfishly or because it's trendy...but God works in all things for good. Don’t get cynical! It may be the trendy thing to do, but I don’t think that’s bad. Remember that as Christians we are grounded in Christ and have a very specific reason for seeking social justice and caring for the poor. We do because Christ did for us, and called us to follow Him.

Even if it’s just trendiness (and maybe it’s more, something stirring in their hearts) the Hollywood do-gooders and the corporations that become more sustainable because it helps their bottom line are helping the cause. They are able to do things that we cannot do.

It may not be perfect, and it may not be with the right motives, and they may not stick around forever. But we will. And I am glad for the extra help at the moment. They may start out doing it selfishly or because it’s trendy…but God works in all things for good.

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