From My Brown Eyed View 01/08/08

Change
What does that word really translate out to be in the first month of 2009?

If you are expecting me to write about Obama in connection to this topic, then you will be disappointed. I am on vacation from posting about politics until the transition is over. Then it will be back to business as usual.

The word change has been tossed around so much in the national conversation that it has lost some of its personal meaning.

I have been considering what change means to me on a personal level.

There are some interests that I would like to explore during 2009. Going green is a personal goal of mine. I realize that even though this particular topic is tossed around a lot, I have minimal knowledge on the subject. It is my intention to learn more about how to green my personal, professional and community spaces. I believe that African Americans are going to have to become more visible in this movement. It certainly is one that is not going to fade away any time soon.

Van Jones one of the founder's of The Color of Change is already out in the field working to recruit members of the community to become involved in green jobs.

He has authored a book titled:The Green Collar Economy. He has also founded a group called Green for All. Jones makes a compelling case for all people to become involved in the Green Movement. There is ample information available on the website Green for All.

Marjoa Carter is already built a reputation as an African American Green Advocate. She sparked my interest in learning more about greening the ghetto. Her passion for bringing about positive change sparked mine



This is going to be one of the major changes in my life and role as an activist. I believe that it is important that we are active in this movement. It has built in advantages that we can profit from. A cleaner and healthier environment that generates jobs. It sounds like a plan that we need to embrace.

Over the next few months I will be conducting research to learn more about what going green means. I will also be working on ways to improve my personal space and definitely my professional space. I believe that it is important for our children to be taught how to take care of the environment. They are the ones who will be inheriting the successes and the failures of their elders.

This is the first major change in my life.
Do you have any changes that you would like to share?
Let me know what is on your agenda in the comments.

Related Links:Greening The Ghetto on Chicago Public Radio
The New Yorker: Greening The Ghetto (article on Van Jones)