"Serving is Different From Helping and Fixing" I LOVED reading this article. The part I especially resonated with was when author Rachel Remen referenced how using words like "helping" invariably establishes a relationship of hierarchy and of dominance instead of a relationship grounded in a mutual exchange of knowledge and information. She made a similar parallel with the use of the word "fixing" where she mentions that using such a word implies that the person being helped was in some way "broken" prior to receiving the help. In my personal experience, serving others has been a learning experience on both ends. I have been able to grow as a person from exchanging stories with people who have different backgrounds and it has broadened my sense of social responsibility to hear and witness what other people are experiencing.
I thought it was awesome that Strayer included a whole chapter on inequality. Not to impose my political views, but I am saddened by the current political situation with President Trump - especially as we see gender equality at the forefront of the news.
One of the most interesting parts of this chapter to me was Strayer’s explanation of the concept of “Heaven” in Chinese culture. Basically, he explains that in ancient Chinese culture Heaven wasn’t seen as a place the way it is today, but rather as “an impersonal moral force that regulated the universe.” I thought this was interesting because in Western Christian-based culture, Heaven is so heavily perceived as a final destination and is used as a means of encouraging people to behave well such that they may end up there at the end of their lives.
Comments
Post a Comment