Why ENP?

I’ve been writing grants and doing grant research for the Ethiopian National Project for a few months now (admittedly with little success).  One question that has been on my mind for a while now is how to really convince American philanthropists to invest in the quality of education and educational opportunities for Ethiopian-Israeli students who live on the other side of the world.  Seemingly, there are philanthropists interested in educational reform, and investing in equal education for all—but they could simply donate to an education-based nonprofit in the United States, closer to home and to their heart- and purse- strings.  Why, exactly, should they be investing in the education of a group of people about whom they know nothing and with whom they have no connection?

This question has been plaguing me for some time, and though I have searched intently for an answer, I have been hard pressed to find one.  I’m committed to the cause, but I am here in this community and I have a particular interest in the social services industry in the State of Israel, given my role as a social worker and as a Zionist Jew. 

Meanwhile, in my personal life, I have become increasingly dismayed with the negative attention given to people with various dietary allergies, intolerances, sensitivities, and disorders.  I have taken to affectionately calling this group of people, with whom I identify strongly, the “dietarily different”.  I have also begun to explore the possibility of a “dietary privilege” which allows those without allergies to hold a certain place of power in society, while those of us with religious, medical, or personal dietary restrictions are alienated and mistreated.

In social work school, we discuss the idea of power, privilege, and oppression frequently.  We address racial privilege, privilege based on sexual orientation, sex/gender privilege, and economic privilege.  In my two years in social work school, we did not even come close to addressing religious privilege, and I imagine that many of my classmates—now colleagues—would look at “dietary privilege” and laugh, as if it had no place in the crusade to address privileges in our society.  And I wouldn’t necessarily blame them—it’s a rite-of-passage through which all new ideas must travel.  So in addition to wondering how to convince American philanthropists to address the educational necessities of Ethiopian-Israeli students, I also began to wonder how to legitimize this new privilege I’m pretty sure exists.

If we as social workers, as human beings, are truly dedicated to addressing the dynamics of power and privilege, and ending oppression, then we must be dedicated to addressing power and privilege in all of its forms, wherever it exists—including those forms or locations which may be new or uncomfortable for us.  This includes Christian or religious privilege (particularly in the United States) and dietary privilege, as well as other separations that I may not even be aware of (I recently discussed with Andy the possibility that there may be privilege inherent in the type of hair color we have—do people take brunettes more seriously, but think blondes are more attractive?  And how about the way we treat redheads?).  I am constantly reminding myself that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”  So perhaps we identify with one form of privilege or oppression over another, but that does not negate the existence of other forms of privilege or oppression, nor does it negate the importance of recognizing it, addressing it, and hopefully changing it.

Although the two issues are seemingly unrelated, it was through my extensive thought about the idea of dietary privilege that I was able to begin to understand why educational opportunities for Ethiopian-Israeli students should be considered an important cause for others outside the State of Israel to address.  Today, we are citizens of the world.  We are constantly becoming involved with and championing causes from other nations.  If we are truly concerned about the next generation of leaders, then we ought to be investing in the opportunities that will allow them to grow and flourish to their fullest potential.  This includes leaders around the world—not just in our home communities.  We are dedicated to addressing oppression and inequality on the home front, but if we have the opportunity to address the same issues in another community, we are obligated to follow those opportunities, to ensure that every child, everywhere, is ready for the bright and successful future that lies ahead of them.

There are a million and one causes to invest in—and we are lucky that there seem to be just as many people willing to do the investing.  Each day that I research potential grant opportunities, I am baffled not only by the wealth of resources available to the global community, but also by the large spread of interests of those in possession of these resources.  Some people find their calling working to end the many genocides of the world, while others choose to invest in institutions of higher education to ensure a brighter future for tomorrow.  Still others are dedicated to addressing woman’s issues, to ending racial oppression or poverty, or to funding new and innovative research opportunities, in their hometown, or abroad.  There are those people who find their calling in improving the education of young students, of investing in not just the future of these students lives, but in the future of the world.  They wish to ensure equal educational opportunities for all, regardless of race, economic class, political background, or country of origin.  Everyone is ultimately investing in the same thing—a better world, and a better tomorrow.  Each person is taking his/her own path, but ultimately, we will all meet up again at the finish line.

So why invest in the education of an underprivileged student population halfway around the world?  Because if the need is there, then it needs to be addressed.  There are many needs in the world—including this one—and one by one, they should be addressed by those with the resources and opportunities to make a difference in order to ensure a brighter global future.  Everyone can make a difference—it’s a matter of fighting a fight you are not only passionate about, but also dedicated to resolving.