From Ireland to New Orleans
Spent the day yesterday travelling with my 3 year old son from my Mum's house in Ireland to my new home in New Orleans. Looking at Jameson and how we successfully negotiated 3 Planes, 2 Cars, a Train and a Monorail was a reminder to how adaptive we as humans and especially young people really are. I see this as both an amazing strategy for coping but also in many ways a hindrance to Social Justice. Far too often I have worked with young people and their communities that accept their circumstances as "normal" and therefore not changeable. This is where Youth workers can play a vital role. By educating young people about different cultures and societies we can stimulate their imagination, then by challenging them to be part of change they can become part of an empowered community. Only when these communities are part of the solution can significant change become truly possible.
Leia Mais…Back to my roots
I always wonder what impact growing up in Northern Ireland had on me as a person and as a youthworker? I think that being the son of a Policeman it definitely placed me outside the rest of society - used to the mild hostility and distrust from both major communities. Sometimes I think that this has helped me need to belong less to one specific group or sub culture, which in its own way has helped me to relate to all cultures. Within my youthwork journey this has meant an ability to connect with young Protestants and Catholics in Belfast, the working class communities in Edinburgh, young Zulu men, women from the Sioux and Roseblood Tribes and gang members in South Central Los Angeles. Now as I enter the next phase of my life in New Orleans, Louisiana, working with the young men and women of Westbank I am really excited to learn and experience another community. Wish me luck...
Why write a Blog?
I have spent the last 20 years working with young people across the Globe I have witnessed many people and organisations great at working with young people, and many who are not. I want to share with other youthworkers what I have seen workq and what has transformed lives...
Leia Mais…