Hello to All!
My name is Mark Berkovich I am from Russian/Polish decent and have worked in the Disability Sector for some 18 years now starting out as a direct support worker.
Understanding the whole notion of a just and fair society has driven me from an early age as I was born in China to a very privileged family within a Colonialist setting. The greatest influence on my thinking around social justice and ethics came from my Grandfather Leonti Markovich Berkovich who with his family built a vast business in China.
Our privileged life had all the trappings of wealth and status with some 30 or so servants supporting our family's lifestyle. Grandad while exercising his autocracy also practiced deeply held values and a set of ethics toward as to his treatment of his family and employees, he believed in one family with domestic staff included.
In these times benevolence was unheard of, and he earned the reputation of a soft touch and "do gooder".
Everyone in our family was afforded the best medical care from European doctors, servant's children received private tutor education,with food and accommodation of a high standard.
As an only child I emersed myself with friends and the Chinese kids of our family, we played and ate together in our household and the domestic staff quarters. This cultural mixing greatly pleased Grandad and my parents. My grounding made me feel an equal in life, and this is an important trait I hold dearly injustice I despise.
He was so proud of me that I picked up Mandarin as a language and loved my cooking lessons from our Chinese chef. Grandad never ate Chinese style food in his life, he had fixed European traditional tastes.
Grandad was probably an unknowing socialist, he believed in equality,dignity and respect for all peoples and based many beliefs on Chinese traditions,which he held to the end. His lesson to me was when he needed to come to Australia at (gun point) he refused to go. When asked what would he do now that China was in Communist party rule he said, " I will talk to Andrew my Chef and move in with his family."
My father said to him how will this work, Andrew has 12 children and his parents living with him and you do not eat Chinese food. He answered. " I employed his father and his family and I am certain I have earned his respect for me to fit into his household,as for food a man must learn to appreciate new things"
Grandad was 84 his beliefs unshakeable, Andrew was never asked, Grandad came to Australia I believe he would have been accepted in china. Today I have also travelled in the Human Services Sector, searching for answers to help people with those same issues of fairness,dignity,and equality,a "a fair go mate".
I sought answers through higher education, I hold a Masters Degree in Human Services, I still search each day.
Two years ago I joined TASC, and I think of Grandad, I have the opportunity each day to practice his ethics with our clients.
This organisation offers the committed person to change peoples lives,to challenge inequality and practically assist people I love working here surrounded by likeminded people.
And yes Grandad I love Chinese food.
