Lion Hearted Diversity

Dear Friend   Lion Hearted Love of Diversity Diversity - the art of thinking independently together - Malcolm Forbes  Since I last blogged, the world feels a different place. An MP who stood for tolerance and inclusion has been murdered and the UK has voted for Brexit on the basis of false and frightening promises which have unleashed a wave of racist hate crime. A domino wave of separatism has been triggered as France, Scotland and even some Londoners are now considering independence. Politicians are resigning rather than remaining to face the far-reaching socio-economic consequences. Yet despite all of this, many of us remain committed to the daily business of building positive relationships in our families, communities and global family, relationships that honour our independence and our togetherness in vibrant diversity. Loving Diversity I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows stifled. I want all the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible - Ghandi I have always loved diversity and have sought out and been enriched by friends, adventures and artistic experiences of places far-flung from my 'white British' upbringing. I have always felt queasy about waving flags, national anthems and the pomp and paraphernalia of nationalism. So when my father recently traced his DNA and found that our ancestors spanned many continents, I 'came home' again to my feeling that I am not 'British' or any-ish - rather I am a citizen of the world and member of a global family connected by our humanity and shared breath on this diversely beautiful planet. Diversity, Warts n All One's own self-worth is tied to the worth of the community to which one belongs, which is intimately connected to humanity in general.  What happens in Darfur becomes an assault on my own community and on me as an individual. That's what the human family is all about.  - Wole Soyinka  Being part of the human family involves acknowledging the impact of its members behaviour, for better or worse. For me, the dangerously divisive, racist propaganda of Nigel Farage and far-right parties including Britain First is a violent assault on the diversity I hold dear and I will raise my voice to call for accountability in politics and the media. I will also refuse to allow the machinations of madmen divide me from any friends who voted Brexit because difference of opinion is a healthy part of society. The chasm in which we now find ourselves cannot be bridged by further division, nor can the divisions that have been forged be bridged by the whitewash of identity politics. Whilst some people may still hanker after a national identity manipulated by warring politicians for centuries, those of us living in diverse communities are left dressing the wounds it inflicts. The day of the referendum, I alighted at my usual bus stop to find it covered in paper hearts and this poster which reads 'To the people at the bus stop who had racist abuse hurled at them (from a London Highway Van) Big <3 em="" from="" me="" to="" you.=""> We are all inevitably impacted by destructive actions but that must not prevent us from responding creatively with a vision of a more loving world. Photos: Left: Jason Simms-Davis, Shaniqua Benjamin & Kyle Hylton on Inside Story Radio Show. Right: Croydon Carers Choir

A Legacy of Diversity It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and strength. - Maya Angelou  The inspirational young people who came to speak on Inside Story Radio Show the day of the referendum result already know the strength and beauty of their communities. Shaniqua Benjamin has founded Young People Insight, a Forum where young people can come and share their diverse views on themes from careers to knife crime. The two founders of Justified Kings were clear that politics would not be distracting them from their mission of bringing empowering tools, discussions and resources to young people. For today's young people and for their children, we must rise like lions to champion the diversity of our communities. Joining Together in Creativity We don't have to agree on anything to be kind to one another - Anon The humanising effects of the arts reminds us of our connectedness - to sing, paint, draw, dance or garden together does not require us to have the same beliefs, opinions, politics or backgrounds. I relish the peace that comes from singing in harmony with diverse voices. I wish that every political meeting could start with a stilling, connecting practice such as singing and was heartened to read that mindfulness is now being introduced in Parliament. I invite you to join me at a songful celebration of my 40th Birthday on 23rd July - we'll be sharing songs from around the globe and fundraising for WaterAid projects in the world's poorest communities. Do click here to find out more about WaterLove and help us support the flow of love in our global community. I will close with the words of beautiful Jo Cox While we celebrate our diversity, what surprises me time and time again as I travel around the constituency is that we are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us. Wishing you a Lion Hearted July www.therosewindow.org Twitter: @katierosewindow Facebook: www.facebook.com/therosewindow

Hearing Heritage - Finding Vocal Treasure

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Dear Friend   Roots - Frida Kahlo 1943 Hearing Heritage - Finding Vocal Treasure A tree with strong roots laughs at storms - Malay Proverb  As Jubilant June comes into bloom, I'm looking forward to a feast of singing delights including a special workshop for Croydon Heritage Festival, Singing Croydon's Heritage Recent inspiring interviews on Inside Story Radio Show have underlined for me the crucial role arts and environmental projects have to play in building resilient roots in our communities. Humming at the heart of our sense of heritage is the desire to contribute, create and connect with the treasures in our societies. Communing in the roots of song Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots - Victor Hugo As the pace of life appears to speed up with ever increasing upgrades, technologies and social pressures, it can be hard to know what to hold on to. Living in London I have often felt disconnected from any sense of belonging, due to the transient pace of life here. However arriving in the historically rich creative soil of Crystal Palace has inspired me immensely, as has the commitment of the people I've met at Crystal Palace Transition Town who run over 30 projects including beekeeping, Food Not Waste community dinners and the wonderful Food Market where I've enjoyed busking with local singers. People with their hands in the earth and their hearts humming with a longing to contribute to their communities discover the roots of what connects them to each other in an otherwise anonymous city. Our natural, communal roots grow stronger when we sing, create, garden and dialogue together. Flexible Roots Build Togetherness You can have more than one home.  You can carry your roots with you and then decide where they grow - Henning Mankell  Roots are stabilising and they are also constantly growing, extending along new pathways. With transport and virtual networks growing globally, our interconnections are becoming increasingly evident in new ways. I was deeply moved by the Look Beyond Borders project where holding eye contact for 4 minutes is used to dissolve fears and barriers towards refugees. We can build lasting connections, form new roots and new neural pathways in minutes when we sing and create together. Being flexible with our own sense of heritage allows us to encounter and enrich each other. Photos: Singers at the Dream Choir Workshop at St Mary Abchurch, with Guest Saffron Saunders on Inside Story Radio Show, Croydon Radio photo Fluid4Sight Humming Treasures Our treasure lies in the beehive of our knowledge.  We are perpetually on the way thither, being by nature winged insects and honey gatherers of the mind - Nietzsche   As we grow individually, we contribute to the development of the great hive of humankind. Heritage is that which we hold dear and seek to pass on to future generations. Listening deeply enables us to hear the hum of our ancestral songs and stories resonating in the bones of our being. Open-hearted listening enables us to hear the hum of songs that are both different and innately connected with our own. Our sense of legacy and connection with past, present and future generations can empower us to contribute to the growth of our families, communities and societies. Sharing the Treasures of Heritage If we really wish to put an end to our ongoing international and social problems, we must eventually declare Earth and all of it's resources as the common heritage of all the world's people - Jacque Fresco To date we have lived in a world with vast disparity and inequality of access to resources. The resulting destruction of environments and cultures has devastating and long lasting consequences. There are however many projects seeking to redress the balance - from rainforest farmers reclaiming natural agriculture to the foodbank in our own neighbourhood - we can all do our bit to share the treasures of our communities. Sing for Water is a project that continues to inspire thousands of singers every year to sing songs from our global heritage and raise funds for WaterAid's projects in the world's poorest communities. I'm dedicating the occasion of my 40th birthday in July to this cause because it demonstrates the treasures that become available when we sing, share and enjoy the beauty of our natural and cultural heritages. I look towards a world where everyone can be enriched by a shared celebration of our creative heritage. Wishing you a Joyful Jubilant June www.therosewindow.org Twitter: @katierosewindow Facebook: www.facebook.com/therosewindow