Grant Stoneman

EXPL 292
9 February 2016
Civic Reflection #2
Reflection 2
Reflect on the readings and the complexity of service
1) What do the readings by Morton and Illich suggest about service?
2.) How is service a complex idea involving power, privilege and
relationship
From the two readings assigned, I got the idea that service is
very non one-dimensional. When I googled one-dimensional, it came
back with, lacking depth; superficial, and service is way more than
that. Its one of the deepest acts one can do because you are
essentially changing someones entire life. Well if you do it the right
way, according to Morton and Illich. In my personal opinion, service is
more than three-dimensional. It has more than a length, width and
height. You need to train yourself, get to know the people, get to know
the culture etc. This is what makes service complex and more than
three-dimensional.
First from Morton, he states that the story exclaims that service
is simple. I agree with this statement he poses, The story suggests
that all problems are similarly simple - that there is a path of action
which is right and can avoid the traps of politics, context, or complex

and contradictory human relationships. For me, I agree that there is a

path, but finding that right path is very difficult. I think that there are a
lot of people who are trying to find a way to help, genuinely trying to
help, but they may be doing more harm than good when they are
trying to serve. Which I think is unfair and tough but it is sometimes
the reality.
Next, Morton tells us that service needs to be organized and
done together as a community, which I completely agree with. Service
needs to be well thought out so it doesnt affect the people you are
serving in a negative way. Illich talks that all we will do in a Mexican
village is cause chaos. He tells us that that when you go to a Mexican
village unorganized, at best you will convince Mexican girls to marry a
wealthy man disregarding their own traditions. At worst, you will create
such chaos on this vacation that you will get some one shot and
return home joking to your friends about racist slang. I slightly agree
but also disagree. I think that yes there should be an organized group
to make sure there are no holes in the plan, making sure you train the
people you are taking. But I think Illich is a little harsh on what he is
saying. When someone helps another human being in need, I believe
that only good will come from it. In Philippians 2:1-11 of the ESV
version of the Bible, it states, So if there is any encouragement in
Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any
affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind,

having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing
from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant
than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but
also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which
is yours in Christ Jesus. This tells us to look into the interest of others.
If you are in the service of other, do it in humility. I believe that if you
do these things, only good will come from it because God sees this and
sees all things.
Service is complex in many ways. With regarding to power, it is
easy to go out and exert your money, resources and expect change
and praise for what you are doing. But in reality you need to stop, look
and listen to the problems the community is having and not just jump
right in to help. Stopping and using your five senses to see how you
can help, is the best way to serve. Build relationships. Build
friendships. At my high school, we would have projects to go out and
help communities in need for a multiple years, once a year. We would
go to Port au Prince, Haiti and build a school filled with classrooms to
help the children learn. But there was much preparation for this. The
school would educate the students in the US, build relationships with
the people in the community, and now, the bond couldnt be stronger
than what they have with the children and adults in this community. I
think this is definitely the best-case scenario. They arent hurting the
community around them, only creating the best opportunity for the

people, more specifically the children. But if someone was to tag a long
on this trip and toss the starfish back into the sea, not being
prepared and not building relationships needed, I think that these
people are living in such poverty that anything can help the. Anything.
They would be grateful for anything I think.
Yes, service is complicated, one of the most complex things.
More than three-dimensional. For the best-case scenario, yes follow
what Morton and Illich is saying. Dont just go unprepared, throwing
your resources expecting results. But I think that if thats all you can
do, do that. Throw starfish back because each one of those will be
grateful and God will see that you are doing good and will help not only
them, but you too.