Kimmio's picture

Kimmio

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Clowns Without Borders

What a wonderful organization! Reading about all their projects brought me tears of joy! Read more:

http://www.clownswithoutborders.org/

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Jim Kenney's picture

Jim Kenney

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A very inspiring organization.  It is too bad we have so many nasty "clowns" who do not respect borders.

chansen's picture

chansen

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Actually, I think the point of "...Without Borders" types of organizations is they don't respect borders as much as they respect people. International borders, at least.

 

But there is one border they do respect, it seems. From the Clowns' Code of Ethics:

Quote:

  • The clown or collaborating artist will not use their humanitarian activities to impart personal ‘points of view’ to the destination populations of the projects and will limit themselves to sharing their artistic activities. The artist will not attempt to “educate” the population, refraining from any “evangelical” activities.

 

If only all Christian aid organizations could respect this border.

 

stardust's picture

stardust

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GeoFee's picture

GeoFee

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Henri Nouwen, in "Clowning in Rome", wrote:

 

"The clowns are not the center of events. They appear between the great acts, fumble and fall and make us smile again after the tensions created by the heroes we came to admire.

 

The clowns don't have it together, they do not succeed in what they try, they are awkward, out of balance and left-handed, but... they are on our side. We respond to them not with admiration but with sympathy, not with amazement but with understanding, not with tension but with a smile.

 

Of the virtuosi we say: "How can they do it!" Of the clowns we say: "They are like us." The clowns remind us with a tear and a smile that we are sharing the same human weakness.

 

The more I was in Rome the more I enjoyed the clowns, those peripheral people who by their humble, saintly lives evoke a smile and awaken hope..."

 

I rarely go out into the streets of the city, or into the places of worship where I have served the hopes of diverse gathered persons, without a red sponge nose in my pocket. It might be appropriate to think of this as my "brand".

 

I recall one day some years ago. It was October 31, Halloween. For almost half an hour I conversed with a judge in a Provincial courtroom.

 

The crown attorney was wanting to prevent me from wearing my clown nose in public. She maintained that it served as a "disguise" and so presented a public danger.

 

I argued that it was no disguise as my person was plainly in sight while wearing the nose.

 

The judge ruled in favour of the crown attorney and I was forbidden, on pains of arrest and incarceration, should I be caught with the nose on in public. I was also forbidden to carry hidden weapons and explosives.

 

The ensuing trial took almost half of a year. The security in the courthouse was doubled during that time. Each time I entered the courthouse, I had to pass through a rigorous security check.

 

Emptying my pockets I always placed a red nose in the personal items tray. This became the talk of the courthouse. I had opportunity to tell my story hundreds of time. All the while being perceived and respected as a gentle, intelligent person with a clear point of view on issues of justice in the city.

 

They say that a person who defends himself in a court of law has a fool for an attorney. Perhaps this is so. I believe that I earned the respect of  most persons not associated with accusing me before the judge. As to the judge, I was acquitted on all five criminal charges brought against me by the crown.

 

Back story can be found in the WonderCafe at: http://www.wondercafe.ca/discussion/politics/what-would-you-go-jail , two posts down from the OP.

 

George

 

 

 

Kimmio's picture

Kimmio

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I remembered you when I came across CWB, George. They apparently have a Canadian chapter.

GeoFee's picture

GeoFee

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Hi Kimmio...

 

I think silly is a fine compliment to serious, but am averse to "joining" even the finest of initiatives and endeavours. This said... more power to those seeking change through less power.

 

George

Kimmio's picture

Kimmio

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Theirs seems to me to be an endeavor worth supporting. I may donate to them next.

Seems to me that their becoming an organization is for the purpose of identifying themselves, not for profit or power. They operate with few resources, are all volunteers, depend on the hospitality of their hosts, and all their money goes into allowing them to do their work. I wonder if they'd be adverse to people helping without joining. At any rate, it looks like they enjoy what they do, and so do the kids they perform for.

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