It’s Black Friday -- or, for many of us, it’s Buy Nothing Day! Today, I have the day off, and I’m working hard to eschew the post-holiday over-consumption impulse. Instead, I might spend the day with family, take a hike in the woods, volunteer at a nonprofit that shares my values, or tackle that craft project I’ve been ignoring. There are lots [2] of [3] guides [4] to getting through the holidays while buying less -- and good environmental [5] and social justice [6] reasons to do so. It’s a tall order (excuse the shopping pun), particularly if you have a young niece or nephew really hoping for the latest and greatest toy. Maybe that’s not avoidable! But many of us are taking today to work on a perspective shift and an aligning of values to help us launch into the season of giving in a healthy and sustainable way. Plus, who wants to spend the day getting trampled while trying to buy a TV? Now, one more recommendation for how you spend your Friday, and we’ll let you go: read some of these articles and videos, offered up by MCN staff!
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Claire shared this “Humble Perspective” from the PBS NewsHour: “Is The Distinction Between Migrant and Refugee Meaningful? [7]”
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Got some time? Amy shared a set of five very engaging videos on immigration experiences [8], introduced by a great opinion piece in the New York Times: “Our failures — and our successes — were due to our complicated humanity, not because of our ethnic or national origins.”
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Theressa shared the recent recall of Ranitidine [9], an over-the-counter drug offered by many manufacturers. How do we alert patients of recalls or new drug safety concerns? For migrant patients, the question is particularly poignant.
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Jess forwarded, “The Long Process of Healing and Recovery [10],” a reflection by a Chico-based family therapist on the anniversary of the Camp Fire.
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Weekly Win: For those of us taking the holiday weekend to get a fresh Christmas tree, Claire shared, “A Charlotte Bakery Owner Delivers Bread and Comfort to Migrant Workers on North Carolina’s Christmas Tree Farms [11].” The baker notes, “If it weren’t for all of these immigrants, this industry wouldn’t exist...There’s not enough hands.”
Have a safe and healthy weekend.
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