Weeks Three & Four: Feb 9 & 23

1. Citizenship

Read p. 41 bottom.   Watch video.

Akhavan talks about fitting into Canadian culture, and his becoming a Canadian Citizen in 1980, when he pledged "allegiance to the British Queen and the laws of Canada."  

What does citizenship mean to you, in a globalized world?  Are the lines we draw on our maps 'real'?  Are they meaningful?  

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2.  Global Citizenship

Watch Video.  Skim over Global Citizen document.

What does it mean to be a "Globalized Citizen" in 2018?  How was Akhavan's experience of citizenship a "Global" citizenship?  How did Canada demonstrate Global Citizenship, and how does that make you feel? (p 52).

Carl Sagan's "Pale Blue Dot"

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THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP - The Global Citizens' Initiative

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3. Mona's Death Changed Everything. 

Read p. 63-64, Watch Video

Qu: What impact did Mona's story have on you?  

He tells her story, in part, to honour her life and have her death not be in vain.  What "lessons" do you take from his telling of her story? 

What about her mother's reaction to the prison guard?

What does it mean to "speak truth to power"? (p. 53)  What are the consequences?  Where can we apply that in our lives, today?  

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4. Suffering and the Pursuit of Justice

Read parts from p. 66, 67, 68.

Viktor Frankl quote

"If there is any meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering."  

What does it mean "to suffer"?

Is there meaning in suffering?  Is that dangerous to say?  Does it lessen the suffering? 

What would the author's position be on this?  

Is it necessary for personal growth?

"Our light shines in the darkness only if we are willing to burn." p. 68

"Without embracing pain, without breaking open, we will never start our journey to a better world." p. 70

Week Two, February 9: 7:30 pm: Chapter One, pt 2 (pgs. 40-70)

We will continue the conversations begun last week about rights, suffering and justice, and also look at:

1. What does "citizenship" mean in a globalized world?  
2. Mona's death "changed everything" for Akhavan. She "spoke truth to power" at 16 years old. What lessons are drawn from her story?  
3. What is it that draws humans to pursue justice for others?  
4. The title of this chapter is, "The Knowledge of Suffering." What does it mean to "suffer"? How do we choose which (if any) suffering to work towards alleviating? At what cost?

And whatever other questions/comments you bring to the session with you!

See you there, next Friday evening at 7:30pm.