3-12-11; 21;14 The other two videos in the Tennessee Teachers series were picked up by other Internet video sharing sites. I hope “Tennessee Teachers Rain Power” will as well. This video is about half as long as the other two, however, I am also releasing a a shorter version as a preview.
Rain is only called “rain” while its in the air. Otherwise its just water. Pain is only pain when you feel it. Otherwise its second hand information.
I was watching a very popular reality television show a few months ago. Someone in the position of authority stated something to the effect of, “I like being out here working in the streets with people because I can make a difference. It may be good or it may be bad. But at least I’m making a difference”.
Well that’s just selfish.
Shouldn’t we want to be make a positive impact on someone’s life? And if it did not result in an positive outcome – shouldn’t we bemoan that? This this guy – he just liked the power. I guess. Seeing someone suffer is going to have an effect on you. Either you are going to soften your heart or harden your heart. Watching, reading or hearing pain forces us to move toward softness or hardness. Most of the time we are not aware of those small emotional shifts in our thoughts.
Sometimes we are.
I attended a support rally for the Tennessee Education Association and was very encouraged by the numbers of teachers who came by the bus load from around the state of Tennessee. Now, I’m not losing comparing collective bargaining with the tragedies mentioned earlier. However, it was raining for three hours and they cheered, chanted and marched through downtown Nashville. It was an impressive sight. It reminds me of watching a professional football game where the players compete through the harsh weather because they are so focused on the outcome and supporting one another. I was compelled to capture what I saw on video because seeing those teachers and other supporters encouraged me. So as he rain came down, I got up and decided that I wanted to put a little more positiveation (is that a word?) in the world. The Internet can do much to spread information about helping other. Let us be inspired and inspire others to shared the great things people are doing. I want to post information that you have about agencies, programs and people who are making a difference (read the second paragraph above).
One of my videos is called “Tennessee Teachers Signs of Rain”. I thought about using “Teachers in the Rain Holding Signs” – it just did not have the feeling I wanted to convey. Some of their signs were some political jabs but mostly the signs pointed toward the results they wanted.
I want to present stories, photos and videos of people, communities and organizations that improving the lives of others. This will encourage to remain hopeful and others to join in and lend a hand. Electronic media gives us instant news showing us instant pain from the devastation from this week’s earthquake in Japan. We have seen it before in tragedies from Haiti, Hurricane Katrina and the World Trade Center. Much too many example and inevitably more to come in the future.
Electronic media also gives us instant ways to help. Farm Aid, USA for Africa, and Comic Relief, and Live Aid have shown how financial and humanitarian resources can reach people in disaster areas quickly. Putting a little bit more of good in the world is the type of information to be presented by RussAnthony411. The teachers of the Tennessee Education Association could have used rain as excuse to call off their rally. Instead as the rain was coming down, they motivated me to get up and do something (read second paragraph again).
By the way, if you complained that someone walked by you without saying anything – maybe they were waiting for you to say something first.
Russ
Well today is the first day. I am so excited that you have visited here. My name is Russ Anthony and this is RussAnthony411.org. I am a social worker and this site allows me to use my computer and multimedia interests to promote various social work causes. The 411 is a little “old school” but it is for information. Information that will be provided by this site by the administrators and users of RussAnthony411.org. It started with an iPhone. Last week, I attended a rally in Nashville to support teachers in the Tennessee Education Association. I was amazed at how many people showed up in the rain to march through downtown. my first thought was to just get out my cell phone and video some scenes to show to friends and family. The teachers marched, sang and cheered all the way to the Capitol. It was incredible. Then it continued to rain and they cheered and sang some more through the speeches at the rally. What an amazing bunch of folks.
The videos of the march can be found on RussAnthony411’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/russanthony411
It started with an iPhone five days ago and now I am writing my first blog for RussAnthony411.org, adding content to RussAnthony411’s FaceBook page and planning for the next RussAnthony411 YouTube video. To do all of this this I could really use your help. If this topic interests you, let us create something that could potentially help a lot of people. Many people need help and many are willing to give it – often connecting the “needers” (is that a word?) and the givers together is difficult. There has to be a better way to share that information. RussAnthony411.org will use a video, commentary and links to resources to put needers (okay, it’s a RussAnthony411 word) and givers together. I believe that there are enough concerned people in Nashville and Jackson, Tennessee; Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin to help those less fortunate. I believe that there are enough concerned people in other places in the world also but I have only lived the cities I mentioned.
RussAnthony411.org will post community needs that other areas have solved. For example, homeless shelters for families with older teen boys, adequate public transportation for second shift/weekend employment, “if-you-don’t-pay-child-support-you-go-to-jail-so-you-can’t-pay-child-support” cycle are deserving concerns. Or how about the time, effort and resources that are spent assisting a family who is 1) receiving public assistance and 2) staying in public/subsidized housing find rental assistance when they are…receiving public assistance to stay in… public/subsidized housing. The answer is out there for a lot of solutions and it is hoped that RussAnthony411.org can be an additional resource for those who care about helping people. Helping through technology.
So again, this is my first attempt at creating a website so it will surely look different in the days ahead. In the meantime, if you are not able leave a post here, please go to YouTube or FaceBook for RussAnthony411. Although my first post was a little preachy, I want to keep the tone light-hearted.
By the way, if you lose something and it’s not where it’s supposed to be – look where it’s not supposed to be.
Russ