Blog archive
June 2023
Communications Project with Cal State LA
06/02/2023
Creative Aging
06/01/2023
May 2023
One Villager's Story
05/31/2023
Pasadena Area Literary Arts Center
05/31/2023
Pasadena Village Responds to Rainbow Flag Burning at Pasadena Buddhist Temple
05/31/2023
Plan Ahead - And Be Prepared
05/31/2023
Tuesday, May 23 Pasadena Celebrated Older Americans
05/31/2023
Rumor of Humor #15
05/28/2023
Reparations, Social Justice Activity
05/24/2023
Rumor of Humor #14
05/19/2023
Rumor of Humor #13
05/12/2023
Issue #12
05/09/2023
Science Monday - Review of Meeting on April 10, 2023
05/09/2023
Conversations Re African American Artists Before 1920
05/08/2023
Beyond the Village – Suzi and Phil Hoge
05/01/2023
Congratulations Wayne April! Honored at UNH
05/01/2023
Table Topics
05/01/2023
Volunteer Appreciation at the Village
05/01/2023
“ACCIDENTAL HOST—The Story of Rat Lungworm Disease”
05/01/2023
April 2023
Jumbo Joy
04/24/2023
Pasadenans Recent Experience With Racism
04/23/2023
Recent Events Reflecting Racism
04/23/2023
Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta
04/18/2023
Photography for Social Justice
04/11/2023
Issue #8
04/07/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Catherine Deely
04/06/2023
Creative Writing in Older Adults
04/06/2023
Gifts of Love
04/06/2023
March 2023
Issue #7
03/31/2023
Issue #6
03/26/2023
Great Decisions update
03/14/2023
Dominion Lawsuit, South Africa and 710 Stub
03/08/2023
February 2023
2023 DEI Progress
02/27/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Doug Colliflower
02/26/2023
CONVERSATIONS WITH ART
02/26/2023
GREAT DECISIONS
02/26/2023
OLDER ADULTS RESOURCE FAIR
02/26/2023
The Important, Influential Books in our Lives - Revisited
02/26/2023
History, Resolution of the 710 Freeway
02/19/2023
Eminent Domain, 710 Highway
02/13/2023
Bernard Garrett, 710 Freeway
02/06/2023
Men's Times Gatherings
02/03/2023
January 2023
Pasadena's Senior Commission
01/30/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - JIM HENDRICK
01/27/2023
GRATITUDE - IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!
01/27/2023
JEFF GUTSTADT - FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST
01/27/2023
Bernard Garrett, Incredible Black Entrepreneur
01/17/2023
What is the "Spirit Talk" Group About?
01/16/2023
Same Ol’ New Year, Brand New Me
01/12/2023
Review of 2022, Consideration of 2023
01/06/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - PATTI LA MARR
01/03/2023
FROM THE CHAIR
01/03/2023
WALK WITH EASE
01/03/2023
Who Controls Our History Controls Our Future
By Blog MasterPosted: 07/25/2021
Special thanks to Sharon Jarrett
The meeting began with a reflection which employed the statement “He who controls
the past controls the future”.
The group focused on the concept that “traditional”; historical narratives were being
revealed to not, in fact, reflect history as revealed in primary source materials,
contemporaneous reporting and oral history. Many participants reported finding this
emerging knowledge to be unsettling and disturbing.
Many examples were provided by the participants of historical matters they were
unaware of such as the role of African American women in the suffrage movement, the
Tulsa Massacre, the Mt Meadow massacre, and the new information on the events of
the Alamo. The fact that these events are being revealed to be very different from the
history taught in the past led to a brief discussion of the myth of history rather than fact
of history. Several participants reported feeling this was endangering the country.
One participant noted that beyond the facts not being taught, current education did not
teach students how to judge facts and sources, make judgements or ask questions.
Students are not taught the skills to be a critical thinker.
The group next reflected on the appropriateness of having varied laws on voting among
the states. The question was raised about the federal level determining how voting
proceeded. No conclusions were reached.
One participant suggested familiarizing ourselves with the work of Marshall Rosenberg
in the book “Compassionate Communication”. The author outlines a process for
discussion including:
- observing the behavior of those you are engaged with
- identifying your feelings about this behavior
- stating your needs
- respectfully requesting changes in behavior
Starting conversations locally using these processes was discussed. Included was the
suggestion that using elements of the sharing economy can be an open way to begin.
One participant shared how her neighbors changed when she placed a mini lending
library in her yard, then began sharing vegetables from her garden and eggs from her
hens. An environment of trust was established and a willingness to be open to
discussion.
The meeting concluded with another thought for reflection...appreciate others and care
for yourself.
The next meeting is scheduled for August 20th at 12 PM PST.
The regular meeting scheduled for the first Friday of the month, August 6th, has been
canceled due to other personal commitments of the moderator. We hope to see everyone
again on the third Friday.