I promise I'll write something more interesting really soon.
I plan to blog about Representative Sinema's visit, my switch to coxing for the crew team (I was rowing up until about 2 weeks ago) and my visit to Connecticut this coming weekend!
Until then, though, check out my newest post for the Blue Devils United Blog, Our Lives.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Representative Kyrsten Sinema at Duke!
Hopefully I'll get a chance to write more about the visit by this weekend...but for now:
Thanks to my dad for suggesting that I let the student newspaper know about her visit. She made the FRONT PAGE of today's Chronicle! Check it out.
Thanks to my dad for suggesting that I let the student newspaper know about her visit. She made the FRONT PAGE of today's Chronicle! Check it out.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Johnny Queer? No, Johnny Weir
I'll write more about my own life soon. Mostly, I'm very excited about the winter olympics. To go along with that theme, my newest blog post for the Blue Devils United blog is about US Figure Skater Johnny Weir and how he refuses to be defined by his sexuality (which he doesn't reveal). Read up!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
A Champion All Around: Super Bowl XLIV Champion is Gay Rights Advocate
Check out my newest blog post on LGBT Issues in Sport for the Blue Devils United Blog. It highlights the recent efforts of Scott Fujita, a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints, in the movement for gay rights.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Friday Jummah
As I mentioned in a previous post, Duke Chapel is currently sponsoring an exhibit called Families of Abraham. In conjunction with this photo display, Duke's Faith Council coordinated a number of events to facilitate interfaith experiences and dialogues. This past friday I attended Friday Jummah--the traditional Friday Muslim worship. I have quite a few friends here at school who are practicing Muslims and out of curiosity, I'd always wanted to go. Afterall, I'd never really been exposed to Muslim culture. Despite my interest, I didn't make it to Jummah until the other day. I guess, in part, despite the "open invitation to everyone" that so many campus groups at Duke proclaim, it can be intimidating to just show up without knowing anybody or it catering specifically to new-comers. So with this in mind and knowing that this week's was part of this coordinated effort I made it a priority to attend. In all, I had a really fabulous time and learned a ton.
I walked in around 12:45 and introduced myself to a number of people. My next-door neighbor was there and so was a kid who lived in my dorm last year. I helped several of the girls stuff "care packs" for the local homeless shelter--which is apparently weekly effort. Most weeks, I learned, they fill the bags with food items, but this week they were donating personal care items. It turns out that many Muslim Student Associations (MSAs) across the country do this as a service project each week.
I found two things about this initiative really interesting:
1) Duke doesn't seem to have a lot of regular service projects. Groups do food drives periodically or other one-time charitable acts, but with the exception of a Habitat for Humanity Club, I don't know of anyone else who does weekly service.
2) A lot of faith based groups (not just at Duke--but in general) give back to their immediate communities. That is, synagogues are involved with the local Jewish nursing home or Jewish Family Services. Or Christian groups go on missions. [As I write this, it occurs to me that there are many instances where a faith based group gathers for a local Race for the Cure or other such events.] But still, I was struck by the fact that Duke's MSA was giving to the local Durham community. This wasn't about religion. To bring politics into it, it wasn't a pro-Palestine/anti-Israel group. It was just about community. Humanity. And I thought that was beautiful.
While I was helping to put the bags together, some individuals made their way to the sheets on the ground (in worship, Muslims remove their shoes and are on a sheet or other type of mat). They were engaging in individual prayer before the group service began. When they finished, the community gathered on sheets. Though the genders were separated (without a formal structure; in this case the men sat in front of the women, but it was pointed out that that was arbitrary and the women often sit in front of the men) they (men with men and women with women) sat side-by-side very closely, which is part of their community worship traditions. I sat with them.
To begin the community worship the Imam delivered a sermon. Following the sermon, everyone rose to begin the prayers. There is no prayerbook, though, as everyone recites everything from memory. The prayers start by reciting the beginning of the Koran (which I learned is not in chronological order and therefore, the story of Abraham, Hagaar and Ishmael is not at the beginning like it is in the Torah/Old Testament). During worship there are ritual bows and other symbolic gestures. The one I found most inspiring was when they would put their thumbs by their ears with their palms up. In doing this they are symbolically casting off anything that is on their mind that is not related to Allah while they mentally do the same. They ended their prayers by whispering salaam over each shoulder. In this way they wished their neighbors peace in their lives.
After everyone was finished praying we gathered over pizza for a discussion about Muslim traditions and religious practices. Much of what I learned at this discussion is integrated into the above story. Needless to say, one woman raised a question about gender equity. During this conversation, I also learned the significance of Friday Jummah. I knew that practicing Muslims prayed five times a day. Most of these times are done individually. I did not know that Fridays, however, are a special community wide gathering for prayer. In fact, Jummah, just means "prayer." It also means something else, but I forget (I'll try to find out and post it).
The final thing I'll share is how one student approached the question "why?" The woman who asked about gender differences kept asking "why?" When the Imam did not answer her question as she would have liked she asked it again, putting even more emphasis on wanting to know "why" something was so. One student finally explained to her that the question "why" isn't a question that Muslims should ask, because they know the answer is always "it is Allah's will." He continued to say that that is not to say that Muslims do not question things. The questions they ask, however, are different. Instead of "why?" the question is "how do we know?" After this they should ask "what is the wisdom?" The essence of the questions boil down to "why," but I really liked the approach of these two questions more than the simple "why."
I walked in around 12:45 and introduced myself to a number of people. My next-door neighbor was there and so was a kid who lived in my dorm last year. I helped several of the girls stuff "care packs" for the local homeless shelter--which is apparently weekly effort. Most weeks, I learned, they fill the bags with food items, but this week they were donating personal care items. It turns out that many Muslim Student Associations (MSAs) across the country do this as a service project each week.
I found two things about this initiative really interesting:
1) Duke doesn't seem to have a lot of regular service projects. Groups do food drives periodically or other one-time charitable acts, but with the exception of a Habitat for Humanity Club, I don't know of anyone else who does weekly service.
2) A lot of faith based groups (not just at Duke--but in general) give back to their immediate communities. That is, synagogues are involved with the local Jewish nursing home or Jewish Family Services. Or Christian groups go on missions. [As I write this, it occurs to me that there are many instances where a faith based group gathers for a local Race for the Cure or other such events.] But still, I was struck by the fact that Duke's MSA was giving to the local Durham community. This wasn't about religion. To bring politics into it, it wasn't a pro-Palestine/anti-Israel group. It was just about community. Humanity. And I thought that was beautiful.
While I was helping to put the bags together, some individuals made their way to the sheets on the ground (in worship, Muslims remove their shoes and are on a sheet or other type of mat). They were engaging in individual prayer before the group service began. When they finished, the community gathered on sheets. Though the genders were separated (without a formal structure; in this case the men sat in front of the women, but it was pointed out that that was arbitrary and the women often sit in front of the men) they (men with men and women with women) sat side-by-side very closely, which is part of their community worship traditions. I sat with them.
To begin the community worship the Imam delivered a sermon. Following the sermon, everyone rose to begin the prayers. There is no prayerbook, though, as everyone recites everything from memory. The prayers start by reciting the beginning of the Koran (which I learned is not in chronological order and therefore, the story of Abraham, Hagaar and Ishmael is not at the beginning like it is in the Torah/Old Testament). During worship there are ritual bows and other symbolic gestures. The one I found most inspiring was when they would put their thumbs by their ears with their palms up. In doing this they are symbolically casting off anything that is on their mind that is not related to Allah while they mentally do the same. They ended their prayers by whispering salaam over each shoulder. In this way they wished their neighbors peace in their lives.
After everyone was finished praying we gathered over pizza for a discussion about Muslim traditions and religious practices. Much of what I learned at this discussion is integrated into the above story. Needless to say, one woman raised a question about gender equity. During this conversation, I also learned the significance of Friday Jummah. I knew that practicing Muslims prayed five times a day. Most of these times are done individually. I did not know that Fridays, however, are a special community wide gathering for prayer. In fact, Jummah, just means "prayer." It also means something else, but I forget (I'll try to find out and post it).
The final thing I'll share is how one student approached the question "why?" The woman who asked about gender differences kept asking "why?" When the Imam did not answer her question as she would have liked she asked it again, putting even more emphasis on wanting to know "why" something was so. One student finally explained to her that the question "why" isn't a question that Muslims should ask, because they know the answer is always "it is Allah's will." He continued to say that that is not to say that Muslims do not question things. The questions they ask, however, are different. Instead of "why?" the question is "how do we know?" After this they should ask "what is the wisdom?" The essence of the questions boil down to "why," but I really liked the approach of these two questions more than the simple "why."
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
LGBT Issues in Sport
Hey all,
I've started blogging for the Blue Devils United Blog called Our Lives. BDU is the campus undergraduate gay-straight alliance. I'm going to be writing on LGBT issues in sport at least every other Wednesday, but will likely supplement those posts with other things that come up as I have time.
My first column was published today. Take a read here. It's just an introduction to me and my column; nothing really profound (yet). Take a look and browse the rest of the site while you're at it. It's a great blog which is doing a lot to change campus culture and enhance the LGBT and ally community on campus. Leave a comment if you wish!
I'll be sure to alert you to more of my posts as the semester continues. Let me know if you read anything (an athlete's coming out story, something about homophobia in sport, something about overcoming homophobia in sport, a policy issue, etc) that might be of interest and I'll do my best to include it.
Together, let's strike out homophobia in sport.
I've started blogging for the Blue Devils United Blog called Our Lives. BDU is the campus undergraduate gay-straight alliance. I'm going to be writing on LGBT issues in sport at least every other Wednesday, but will likely supplement those posts with other things that come up as I have time.
My first column was published today. Take a read here. It's just an introduction to me and my column; nothing really profound (yet). Take a look and browse the rest of the site while you're at it. It's a great blog which is doing a lot to change campus culture and enhance the LGBT and ally community on campus. Leave a comment if you wish!
I'll be sure to alert you to more of my posts as the semester continues. Let me know if you read anything (an athlete's coming out story, something about homophobia in sport, something about overcoming homophobia in sport, a policy issue, etc) that might be of interest and I'll do my best to include it.
Together, let's strike out homophobia in sport.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
SNOWcapades!
Ryann (left) and me (right) doubling down a hill on a trash bag sled! (Photo by Michael McCreary)
I'll write sometime this week about my classes and the beginning of the semester. But for now, I just want to share my last 30 hours or so with you!
Starting last night and through this coming week Duke's Faith Council is sponsoring a series of events called Strange, Wonderful... & Here: How Families of Abraham Worship at Duke. The series coincides with a photo exhibit currently at Duke Chapel called Families of Abraham which (I think) shows various faith practices of Judaism, Christianity and Islam (get it? All the religions which stem from Abraham). The Faith Council has partnered with different religious groups on campus to host interfaith services. Since last night was Shabbat, a bunch of Jews and non-Jews a like gathered at the Freeman Center (our campus Hillel building) to experience Kabalat Shabbat (and ma'ariv) and a hearty Shabbat dinner. The attendance was great. My friend, Ryann, accompanied me to services and then we joined three other friends, Janet, Max and Michael, after services for dinner. Sometime in the middle of services it started snowing.
Post-dinner the five of us made it to the Duke-Florida State women's basketball game. Coming straight from dinner, we walked in about halfway through the first half and the score was 20-2; Duke was winning. The game itself was boring, but we managed to have a good time. Duke won, 73-43. Just as enjoyable as the game was the walk to Cameron with a Constutional Law professor from Northwestern. He needed directions and we were going to be going along the same path for a while. Following the game Ryann took a field-trip with me to the library on East Campus so I could return a movie and pick up a new one. A few hours later, I met up with Michael and some other friends, most of whom I lived with last year, who were having a get together. Our fun was interupted by a drunkenly-pulled fire alarm which exiled us from the warm comforts of a dorm to the snowy and cold quad.
That brings us to this morning. Ryann texted me to tell me that she and some friends in her dorm were making pancakes for breakfast! I went to join the festivities, contributed some cooking utensils and brewed real hot cocoa (you know, with Hershey's Cocoa). All together we had cheesy scrambled eggs, M&M pancakes (we didn't have any chocolate chips...but the vending machine sold M&Ms) and cocoa. Shortly after cleaning up the kitchen, Ryann, two of her dorm-mates and I met up with Michael to go play in the snow.
Making many stops along the way, we finally ended up at the Duke Gardens. Why the Duke Gardens and not just the main quad, you ask? Because the Gardens have perfect sledding hills! We brought trash bags with us and used them to slide down the hill in all sorts of combinations: solo sitting on the trash bag, solo front first, solo inside the trash bag, double sitting on the trash bag, double sitting in the trash bag...you name it! We made snow angels, threw clumps of snow and took lots of pictures. When our feet were finally frozen we decided enough was enough. We took our time making it back to the main part of campus and made a brief stop at the Lobby Shop (a mini grocery/convenience store in the student union) where we picked up 1/2 gallon of milk. We finally made it back to the dorms and made more "real" hot cocoa!
Now 3:30pm, we decided it was time for a snack, so we went to a venue on campus. We ate quickly so that we could make it to the 4:20 showing of Reefer Madness (get it, 420?). Reefer Madness, a 1930's video warning parents and youth about the serious dangers of marijuana, is now a musical satire of the original production.
In total, Durham got 5-8" of snow. For more pictures of the adventures, click here.
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