You Don’t Need a Big Idea to Change the World
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Tonight, I met a young woman my age through mutual friends. She’s a teacher who lives and works in my neighborhood, so we had a nice chat about the economy, going to grad school and having full-time jobs, and how young Chicagoans are getting priced out of living in the city.
We’re both feeling crunched by our finances, or lack thereof. As breadwinners in our relationships, we struggle with the simple things these days, like putting groceries on the table. Or at least she does - she’s gone back to eating Ramen noodles once a day to keep her grocery bill down. I thought we were struggling because we can’t afford much meat or beer, or to have four different types of cereal in the pantry at once anymore.
I ask her how she likes the education system in our neighborhood. But wait - let me tell you about our neighborhood. It has one of the highest crime rates of all the Chicago neighborhoods, but I am lucky to live in one of the nicest and safest parts. You look up and down my block, and it looks good - green grass between the sidewalk and the street, and the brick fronts are less than 10 years old.
My new friend lives about seven blocks away. Her next door neighbor is the leader of the gang that dominates our turf. The gang sells drugs near every section 8 housing complex in the neighborhood. And suddenly, that chapter in Freakonomics
She loves her teaching job though. Even though her school cannot afford textbooks and she has to pay for supplies from her measly teacher’s salary. Even though she has to ask the parents for extra money to afford copied handouts, while 99% of her students are on free or reduced meal plans. Even though in her three years of teaching, she has lost six students to gang-related violence.
She is a great teacher and could get a job anywhere, so I can’t help but ask why she does it here. “I do it for the kids,” she replies. Simple. No hints of bitterness or regret for all that she’s sacrificed.
And her words remind me just how much young people want to change the world. It’s the main reason RH and RP wanted to start a company. It’s the main reason I started blogging. But now it is clear to me that changing the world is not done through grandiose ideas or innovative products or extraordinary services or endless capital. Especially today.
No, changing the world is done through community. In fact, there is no way to make a positive change in this world without focusing on improving a community - because changing the world is really only about making other lives better.
I get it now. I get why philanthropy is important, beyond logging hours for your resume. I get that incremental and seemingly insignificant change is not a waste of time, just because I’m only one person and there are no economies of scale. I get why people become teachers instead of computer scientists, even though the pay is crappy and the hours are worse.
Because at the end of any given day, I might have developed a software program. But at the end of her day, she has probably done something to save someone’s life. And she’s making all the difference.
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Hi! I'm Monica O'Brien and I created this website in January 2008 as a place for twentysomething professionals who wanted to be a part of a personal and professional development community. Now, I've joined forces with the Brazen Careerist team to meet this goal on a larger scale. I continue to maintain this blog as a place to talk about what I'm learning as I tackle marriage, a start-up, and graduate school.
Thomas Carmona | October 5th, 2008 at 1:17 pm #
Monica, thanks so much for this post! You’re right–change is made through community. But why must grassroots public service/philanthropy be void of any economies of scale? I firmly believe that every day many among us are making a difference in their communities in ways that are both profound for the people involved AND scalable to other communities facing similar issues. Unfortunately, most of the people who are effective at positive change in their own communities are not always the ones who think to scale any of their concepts beyond the reach of their immediate environment. Similarly, the policy makers and corporate managers are often oblivious to the realities of people on the grassroots level and have a hard time gaining access to the relevant information and experiences that offer true understanding.
Although it’s inherently difficult, it is quite possible to take the actions of an innovative individual and take them to scale. I presume that as an entrepreneur you already understand this. I would simply like to stress that the same principles should apply to socially motivated work. We must force ourselves to be more creative, though, and employ some of the same industriousness that we often reserve for our own entrepreneurial ventures.
This post has been extremely relevant to an essay that I’m writing about private enterprise and bottom-up development in the developing world. I would like to share it with you when I’m finished, if you so desire.
Keep up the good work!
Monica O'Brien | October 5th, 2008 at 1:33 pm #
Thomas - you are probably right about the economies of scale. The trouble I see with it is that in order for grassroots to work, you really have to keep getting people to support your movement and stay active. I’d love to hear more of your thoughts on how to scale a social movement.
Angela | October 5th, 2008 at 2:35 pm #
Hi Monica,
It certainly takes a special person to be like your new friend and live and teach in her neighborhood. Although I’d like to think I could do that, deep down I know I wouldn’t/couldn’t.
But, just because you have a job that isn’t directly tied to helping health and human services, doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference. Young people all of over - whether they’re lawyers, marketing specialists, or teachers - make a difference by getting involved in politics, giving to charity, volunteering with kids, elderly, animals, or whatever else floats their boat. There are millions of ways that we can all have an impact.
Don’t get me wrong - We need people like your friend. They are brave, amazing people, and I am so thankful for them. But, we all have an opportunity to make a difference.
Peace,
Angela
Angela | October 5th, 2008 at 2:37 pm #
By the way, I like the new look! And, I’m thrilled to see you posting again.
Sorry for the separate comment; forgot to mention in my last one.
Carla Blumenthal | October 5th, 2008 at 7:10 pm #
Monica-
Thanks so much for posting this. It has been something I have been thinking about and struggling with recently.
After graduating college, a few of my girl friends went into the Peace Corps and Americorps. I hold such reverence for these organizations and the people giving their time and effort to help people around the world. Although I realized these organizations weren’t for me at this time in my life, I learned that sometimes it is the simple things that you can do each day that matters.
I used to think that there was so much that needed to be done and I didn’t know where to start, so I didn’t. I finally realized that making the world a better place starts with yourself and the people around you. Sharing your talents, your capabilities, a smile or a coffee with your friends, co-workers, and neighbors can make a difference. I know it has for me when I needed help.
Even though your occupation may not be “helping people” directly, it doesn’t mean that you as a person aren’t. Like you said, it is only through holding each other up through community that we can truly change the world around us.
-Carla
Vanessa | October 6th, 2008 at 2:04 am #
Monica, I love that you wrote about this. I’ve seen quite a few blog posts from other Millennials about the paralysis that can come with wanting to do good and I actually wrote about it a little while ago. You should check out Sam Davidson (fellow BC blogger) and his organization Cool People Care (coolpeoplecare.org). It’s all about making the world a better place five minutes at a time.
Monica O'Brien | October 7th, 2008 at 2:54 pm #
Angela and Carla, I agree that we should be thankful for people who make a difference the way my friend has - but I also see the flip-side where it’s just not for everyone. A career in teaching is not for me, nor will it ever be. Sometimes I wish it were so I could see more clearly how I contribute to making the world better.
Vanessa, thanks for the link! Sam is great.
Miguel Wickert | October 15th, 2008 at 1:34 pm #
Hey Monica
Its been a while, I like the new site design. I’m curious, you know me being from Chicago (Inner city guy) and all, to the area your friend lives in? I should add, not sure if you remember, but I’m currently in Tulsa, OK. I’m pursing a MA in Judaic Christian Studies. Anyhow, I agree, community involvement is huge but we must avoid the trap of Western society that tells us to build high fences, to keep to ourselves and so forth. I used to work in a rough community located on Spading and Jackson, yeah, I think those were the streets. South side of Chicago. Take care out there, hope everything goes well. I hope the situation improves for both of you and the communities you represent.
Dorothy | October 19th, 2008 at 12:07 am #
Great post! I’m inspired!
Jun Loayza | October 24th, 2008 at 2:01 am #
Truly inspirational Monica. This post reminds me of why I run 20 minutes to the gym every morning instead of driving my car and contributing to pollution, traffic, and road rage stress. It reminds me of why my girlfriend and I take tote bags to the grocery store to use instead of plastic bags that harm the environment.
I think people often forget that there are so many little things that we can do that can help make this world become a better place. Your friend is doing something very honorable by providing a great and safe education for her students. I currently have 10 “students” of my own who work with me at Future Delivery. I’m trying to teach them everything I know about entrepreneurship, business, and social media so that they can one they use these tools to do something great for society.
When I started blogging, your blog was one of the very first that I started reading. Your writing has really helped me become a better blogger and inspired me to create a company that will help Millennials become more productive while having fun at the same time.
- Jun Loayza