Soul of a Citizen

This post is my reflection on community involvement after reading Soul of a Citizen. This article addresses how important community involvement is and how to recognize that your voice can make a difference. I have to admit that while I read the beginning of this article I felt right at home. There are plenty of causes that I have wanted to become involved in, but I've thought that my voice wouldn't make a difference against a powerful corporation. What comes directly to mind is my desire on more than one to become a vegetarian. I would always think about how awful the animals are treated while being raised and ALSO how they are slaughtered, if you've ever seen Food Inc. you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. However, I would press on and think "Well, the animals are already dead, what am I really doing by not eating them?" Now, I couldn't possibly be a vegetarian for health reasons. I was recently diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, which cannot be corrected by dietary means. However, my doctor wants me to eat more heme-iron (i.e. iron inside of meat) because it is easier for the body to absorb. So, even if I wanted to become vegetarian, my desire to feel better is stronger.

After reading this article I feel more inclined to raise my voice about certain issues. One example that I can think of is the clean air rallies! I'm embarassed to say that I have never attended one, even though I understand how important that is for our community. Another issue that I wish I would have been involved in is the dispute up in the avenues at Lindsey Gardens. This is a park that I used to bring my dog to all of the time. The best part of the park, the most open part, is the one that is not open to dogs off leash. Residents wanted to keep it open for human activites, but I swear in the 3 years I've been taking my dog there, I have never once seen ANYONE doing anything in that field. Well, frequent park-goers petitioned to have that part of the park fenced in for dogs to play, and a meeting was held at city hall to discuss the issue. I didn't attend the meeting, but I definitely should have, because that part of the park is still closed off to off-leash dogs. I might have been able to make a difference if I had only gone to the meeting!

I honestly need to take a more active role in the community. I do a ton of volunteer work at places including Best Friend's Animal Society, Primary Children's Medical Center, and the People's Health Clinic. However, I am not involved in any city wide issues, but I wish I were. I think this might possibly come back to the issue of access. I do not even know how to get involved, or which issues I would like to help with and be a part of. I am hoping that this class will be able to offer that information and access to me! I would love to become more involved in the community and start thinking about issues whose solutions will benefit us all and not just myself! I have to start brainstorming about a project that my class can work on together to improve the community, if anyone has any suggestions let me know!