Soundtrack for Urban Altruism?

I'm wondering if together we might come up with a sort of soundtrack for our Urban Altruism class. What songs come to mind given the themes of our course? U2's "New York" and the Decemberists "Los Angeles, I'm Yours" come to mind. But they don't quite hit the right note. I've been thinking alot about the Indigo Girls' "All that We Let In," which should definitely be a track on the Urban Altruism soundtrack.

But what are your thoughts and suggestions? Use the comments function to add your tracks.

Systemic Altruism

A recent article in the Grand Rapids Press once again noted the disturbing difference between infant mortality rates for white and blacks--in both Kent County and Grand Rapids proper (for 2002-2004). The breakdown is as follows:

Black infant mortality in Kent County: 19.1/1000 births
White infant mortality in Kent County: 6.6/1000 births

Black infant mortality in Grand Rapids: 21.4/1000 births
White infant mortality in Grand Rapids: 7.0/1000 births

In sum, black babies are three times as likely to die as white babies in this region. Why? A host of reasons from lack of access to quality healthcare (including all kinds of "barriers" to prenatal treatment, from lack of transportation to cultural disempowerment) to things as basic as "safe sleeping environment." The issue is complex, and while I think a privatized healthcare system bears some of the blame, other kinds of institutional racism also play a role.

But what does this have to do with altruism? I saw this article shortly after we read the chapter by Monroe on social science literature on altruism (as other-regarding concern). Something that has always bothered me in the social science literature is the valorization of "philanthropists" as altruists, even quasi-saints. That's never sat well with me, since it often seems to be the case that one gets to be a "philanthropist" by first making a pretty good buck in the cut-throat world of the market. In other words, does altruistic, other-regarding concern after one has made one's millions just overwrite one's earlier (enthusiastic) participation in a system that fosters egoistic self-regard? Again, as we discussed, I think the focus on altruistic acts obscures the issue here.

And so back to the case of black infant mortality rates. Just what would count as "altruism" in response to this situation? If a certain wealthy family in Grand Rapids (gee, who?) were to donate 30 million dollars for a program to reduce infant mortality rates in the city--but at the same time worked to foster policy and elect politicians who favored the systems that caused the problem, would they in fact be "altruistic"? Or should we instead think about a kind of systemic altruism? If so, discrete acts of philanthropy--even a general pattern of philanthropy--would not count as "altruistic" if, at the same time, one is fostering policies (maybe even trying to get elected as governor!) that systemically cause the injustices that require philanthropic giving. A fireman who rescues a child from a house is not a hero if he's also the arsonist who started the fire.

Some Service-Learning Opportunities

Daniel compiled some ideas for service-learning projects, if you're looking for catalysts to spur your thinking on this score:

1) Spring Break Trips: Chicago Spring Break Trip

SCUPE 2006 Congress on Urban Ministry
- Neighborhood visits
- Community networking
- Prepare for and attend conference with great speakers
If you have questions visit www.scupe.com or stop by the S-LC

2) Other Conferences to attend

A) Urban youth workers institute presents Reload
- A one day training experience on March 11 in Detroit
If you are interested visit www.reloadtour.org or talk to Daniel

B) Racial Expressions –Youth in Action
- A project of the GRACE/Racial Justice Institute on February 24th in Grand Rapids
If you are interested visit www.graceoffice.org or talk to Daniel

3) Neighborhood Associations
- See if there is an active neighborhood association that serves the neighborhood that you currently live in and see how you can get involved.

4) Possible options in Detroit
If you are interested you can talk with Professor Smith or come into the S-LC and we can expand on these possibilities.

The goal is that these projects fit you and where you are now and where you would like to be in the future. We want them to be connected in some way to where you live and what type of a citizen/resident you want to be throughout your life. If you have absolutely no idea what to do please don’t hesitate to talk to Professor Smith, Daniel, or others in the class.

As part of my "Urban Altruism" seminar (PHIL 390: "Seeking the Welfare of the City"), we are launching a blog to continue class conversations, but to also invite others to listen in. The goal is to have team of contributors from the class, and comments as well.

For more on the research project and related seminar, visit the Urban Altruism site.