I am not a fan of “the system”. There is a bit of the rebel and non-conformist in me. It is not as though I don’t understand reasonable expectations and endeavor to meet them. Rather, my issues have to do with the systematizing of everything and disregarding people who don’t fit well with the system.
Automated phone routing systems are designed to help most people in a way that is cost effective for the company. Usually, these phone tree monstrosities make it difficult to connect to a live person.
Websites hide customer service phone numbers, if they are present at all.
Human resources personal have a highly technical grid of requirements for a potential employee and place little weight on the character and adaptability of the person which are likely better indicators of potential success.
Technology has changed our culture so that we go to great lengths to keep people from talking to one another, opting instead to text, tweet, Facebook update, and that archaic form of communication, called email.
Social service agencies have their program requirements and parameters, often doling out whatever they do with little interaction and input from their clients.
We all have a tendency to reject someone who doesn’t agree with our paradigm and that attitude allows little room for a dissenting perspective or true honesty
Advocacy is not the same as entitlement. Rather it is a relational way of resourcing a person to improve his lot in life or find a solution to his concern.
So, that’s why I am an advocate, because the system is inadequate. People are left out. Some people need an advocate to survive. We all need one sometimes because the system will always be the system.
Originally posted November 10, 2010.
