Creative Minorities

A presentation by Br John McMahon jmn@champagnat.org.au www.johnmcmahon.id.au

Rationale for this Topic

Pope Benedict8th February 2008

“We do not know what the future of Europe will be. Here we must agree with Toynbee, that the fate of a society always depends on its creative minorities. Christian believers should look upon themselves as just such a creative minority, helping Europe to reclaim what is best in its heritage and thereby to place itself at the service of all humankind.”http://theupsidedownworld.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/christians-as-a-creative-minority

British Historian Arnold Toynbee(1889 – 1955)

"Civilizations arise not because of genetically superior individuals (there are none) or because of favorable geographical environment, but because of a creative response by a minority of individuals to a situation of special difficulty.“

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-New-Creative-Minority:-Who-Are-They-and-Where-Do-We-Find-Them?&id=198504

What is a creative minority?

Xerox Repair Technicians

Community of Practice Lave and Wenger (1991)

Practical Knowledge Casual contacts Personal relationships Swapping of ‘war

stories’

Repair Manual

Julian Orr (1990; 1996) quoted in Dwyer, N. Limits to Leadership: Who’s Flying the

Plane? Perspectives on Educational Leadership, ACEL April

Survey Monkey Team

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http://www.surveymonkey.com/AboutUs.aspx

My Experience

Development Group at Marcellin College 1982 – 1989

Catholic Education Conference Establishment Committees - Melbourne 1981 -1989; Adelaide 1993 - 1998

Disciples of Jesus

‘These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them ... Go ... to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. ... Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons’.

Mt 10:5-8

Creative Minorities Across History

Abraham, Moses and the people of Israel

The early Church in the Roman Empire

Monastic communities of the Middle Ages

For Reflection

Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better – Martin Luther King Jr.

Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth – Mohandas Gandhi. 

http://www.brainyquote.com/words/mi/minority190343.html

Survey July 2010

Survey

Invitation through

1. an e-newsletter

2. a blog

Analysis based on the first 12 responses

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Examples of Creative Minorities

Click icon to add picture

Examples of Creative Minorities

Sewing Circles in Kabul,

Social and emotional learning in the Cairns Diocese in Australia,

School of St Jude, Tanzania,

Indigenous/white relations in Australia,

The Maori political party in New Zealand,

Marist Youth Care in Sydney.

Some Goals of Creative Minorities

Education

Empowering the locals

Effecting change

Helping those in need

Improving living standards

Supporting orphans in India

Looking after the planet

Helping homeless youth

Dimensions of the Creative

Starts with a dream, the dream is affirmed, new life emerges;

Individuals are willing to stand out against popular thought;

Youth are directly involved with shaping and sustaining their own future;

The process involves passion.

The Process of Establishing a Creative Minority

‘It is an historical fact that in social justice terms, someone who identifies such a need will really be urged by the experience of those with this particular need to help. If the person has the necessary personal skills, much will happen to address the need. If the person has the gift of the Holy Spirit as support, that will help it blossom into a network of those who are willing to help!’

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How can creative minorities serve our world?

‘By articulating and acting on key aims that most people think about but are too frightened to say aloud for fear of retribution (as such views are often universal but the media and ultra conservatives are quick to run such views down)’.

 

Reggio Emilia Video

The creative minority within

Where is our call?

‘For this law which I am laying down for you today is neither obscure ... nor beyond your reach ... it is in your mouth, and in your heart for you to put into practice’ (Deut 30:11-14).

Any Response?

Creative Minorities

A presentation by Br John McMahon jmn@champagnat.org.au www.johnmcmahon.id.au