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=> Re: What Chaldeans in Detroit lack

Re: What Chaldeans in Detroit lack
Posted by Jeff (Guest) - Sunday, September 3 2006, 18:47:27 (CEST)
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Qasrani wrote:
>Hi Jeff,
>
>What exactly did these community leaders give as an excuse for your suggestion not being feasible or a good idea?

*** "Our grocers are already donating to many needy causes"... just one of many excuses.

> Time and again I realize that if anything is going to change it has to just be done from outside the existing institutions rather than within... But to create whole new organizations every time someone has a worthwhile cause is so inefficient. That's the dilemma.

*** I had this idea once of making a non-profit in our community whose sole purpose it would be to teach others in our community who have a specific goal in mind HOW to write grants, HOW to apply for 501(c)3 status, HOW to document progress in a financial campaign, HOW to make a resource book so that if the leader or the secretary leaves, the other members of the group can read it and pick up where they left off without the group disbanding... just more pie in the sky. I am an idealist at times, a realist at times, and a pessimist at times. This was definitely the former...
>
>When I was living in Ohio, I met a significant number of Russian Jewish immigrants. After befriending some, they told me about the local Jewish charities that would provide for the newly arrived Russian families. Basically, the organization would 1) find the family a place to live and pay their rent, 2) provide job placement, English-language training and/or some skill training, 3) provide food/groceries and 4) provide donated furniture and clothes for the immigrant family. All done without an expectation of being paid back. The only thing that the organization asked was that once the family was on its feet that they donate old furniture/clothes/food/time to train for the new families that were coming to northern Ohio. That's it! And it wasn't obligatory, but given the extent this organization gave to them when they were in need, there was a deep seed sown in each of them that they would be giving back whenever the organization asked. What an amazing social support system.

*** That's a beautiful concept...and practice.
>
>The entire purpose of the Assyrian American Federation was to provide aid to the Assyrians back home that had suffered so much during the precarious times of Iraqi state-building. Even that purpose has fallen by the way side with the AANF giving out monetary hand-outs and that's it. No follow-ups, no nothing.
>
>I also find the women for women international approach to sponsorship very worthwhile. Anyone may sponsor a sister in various war-ravaged countries and begin exchanging contact and provide assistance. They ask for $27/month which is a ridiculous pittance given how much most ppl spend on things like soda and junk.
>
>So Jeff, whatever we want to accomplish for each other and whatever hopes we may have for our community, we have to do it ourselves on our own initiative.
>
>Some years back at some San Jose convention there was this huge clear plastic barrel to drop donations in for needy Assyrians. For the 3-4 days of the convention, that plastic barrel that sat in the corner of the busy hotel lobby had barely anything. The donations did not even cover the bottom of that barrel. And I would walk around and just observe people mingling, flirting, politicking and realize that they all had a purpose in being there, but it wasn't at all about checking in on each other about some greater cause... The minglers were talking to old friends/acquaintances, the flirters were trying to hook up with each other, the politickers were trying to sway the votes for the upcoming election at the end of the weekend. There was no common purpose or goal.
>
>But leadership is what we lack. People with a vision that can stir people up to just make a MOVE. During August 7th rallies, it's amazing how somber people are but that feeling never gets jostled into action. It is due to lack of inspiring leadership. We have these people, we just don't make any use of them.
>
>But I just want to tell you, Jeff that your idea is absolutely positively possible. We need the will.

*** Thanks for your comments. I appreciate your feedback...
>
>
>
>Jeff wrote:
>>Chaldeans in Detroit lack...
>>
>> ... leadership
>> ... identity
>> ... meaningful pride, but are full of empty pride
>> ... culture
>> ... political will and influence
>> ... the list goes on and on
>>
>>The only meaningful Chaldean organizations that exist today are the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity, and the ACC (Arab & Chaldean Council). The rest of these groups are by and large extremely ineffective. The Ladies of Charity were able to build a senior citizens home, they have regular programs with Chaldean youth, they provide social services, etc. The ACC provides thousands with meaningful services each year.
>>
>>The group (now defunct and disbanded) formerly known as "CARE" (Chaldean Americans Reaching & Encouraging) had the potential to be a force of change and progress within the community, however due to a dictatorial style of leadership which is ever present in most of our community organization, progress was stifled and the group eventually fell apart. Not to mention that tens of thousands of dollars in funds were drained with no apparent results or benefits to the community...
>>
>>The Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) essentially no longer exists. Nobody is really sure what the group ever did, save a scholarship event and commencement each year, but they sure attracted people to their annual dinners. Passing of the gavel, anyone?
>>
>>So where does that leave us?
>>
>>I recently heard from several credible sources that Shenandoah country club was so strapped for cash that they forced the good folks who raised money for the Chaldean Community Cultural Center (a closet-sized area which will one day, perhaps, be built into the social club and perhaps educate people about our history...albeit incorrectly) to hand the money over due to the establishment operating in the red for so long. What a pathetic state of affairs.
>>
>>So, back to square one. What is the solution? Support the only two groups that actually have accomplished anything (the valiant and ever-excellent Ladies of Charity and the ACC), or attempt to start another group which could achieve some specific aim or satisfy a specific need within the community?
>>
>>For example, it is widely known that Chaldeans as a group have more grocery stores than any other ethnic, religious, or cultural group in Michigan. I had the idea of putting together a very focused plan which would allow the Chaldean businesses to donate non-perishable food each month, or each quarter to a food drive which would benefit Chaldeans (and even non-Chaldeans) who are in need. I figured, rather than ask people for money time and again for this charity or that charity, we can create an institution (we have the resources) which could effectively solve the problem of Chaldeans (mainly in the 7 mile area) that are at or below the poverty level not having adequate food. But what happened when I suggested this idea to community "leaders"? It was shot down immediately. And don't tell me that there are no poor Chaldeans because I met them. I volunteered for the food drive that CARE used to put on for several years in a row, and there really are Chaldeans struggling to survive.
>>
>>This is just one example of many where our community, with its extensive business prowess could help ourselves and become empowered... but unfortunately those in charge lack foresight, wisdom, or the courage to change the status quo.
>>
>>There's one person in particular who embodies all that is wrong with our community. I can picture him in my head as I write this, see his two-faced demeanor, hear his hyena-like laugh, and wonder just how the community can become so indifferent... it's because of poor leadership. Leadership makes all the difference in the world. Leadership can galvanize the community and raise it to unprecedented heights... or, it can cripple the community in unfathomable and ultimately pitiful ways.



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