I am reimagining
my concept of “sustainability” as something that is continuously
self-reflective… As something that is simultaneously learning, changing, and
growing.
“Growth” in
relation to “sustainable” need not always be defined as forward or upward
movement because the making of mistakes as well as the time and space to learn
from those mistakes are essential to the development of both personal and
systemic integrity. True sustainability in community necessarily involves relationships
and as such, that community must expect these same standards of non-judgmental
self-reflection from its members and in its mandates.
Public education
in much of the western world continues to teach language in a way that positions
letters, words and phrases alongside the assumption that collective
understanding is not only a possibility but a given. I believe that most
teachers who continue to support this system do so with the good and honest
intention of making safe spaces for all children to learn and thrive. This is
an act faith and, although many things about the having-of-faith are beautiful,
the repercussions of a faith that does not also embrace humility are not
predictable and rarely end well or with much original good-ness intact.
It seems to me
then, that a sustainable model of education is one that can also trust itself
and all of its members to mess up. It is secure in and because of the knowledge that mistakes are a normal and healthy occurrence
when true dynamic inquiry is being pursued. The trust factor must also then extend to the understanding
that individuals in that relationship will both, a) take personal responsibility for any hurt that has occurred as a result
of those errors (regardless of intent and particularly if there is a power
differential) and, b) celebrate and
honour the learning that comes of that process.
How can we expect
our kids to challenge themselves to the point that they can make mistakes which catalyze personal growth and maturation if
we ourselves are acting in a manner that condemns the sometimes-messy nature of
PROCESS?... If our actions as adults are driven by our own insecurities and therefore
cannot tolerate the slow construction of a solid base for growth?...
If we cannot
personally stand to take the risks that allow for inner-knowing of what radical
change looks, sounds and feels like
over the long term
Sustainable faith
in the possibility of community – meaning,
one in which a base-line of equity challenges all forms of institutionalized
oppression in “walk” as well as talk – must actually be fueled by love as opposed to any intensely individual
motive for overhauling a system that does not work.
This is the kind
of love that knows you can’t really love any other thing or person very deeply
unless you really and truly practice loving yourself.
This is the love
that makes kindness and compassion a non-negotiable aspect of every
relationship; both interpersonal and systemic.
It may seem
remarkably simplistic, but I for one would prefer to spend the next 30 years of
my professional energies working with a love-fueled, in-motion,
potentially messy model
of change,
as opposed to one
that is carefully bound to a static concept or intent.
No comments:
Post a Comment