May 19, 2013

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Dalit Freedom Network: An Organization Worth Talking About

January 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Dalit Freedom Network

Throughout the world there are numerous organizations working to meet social needs and fight injustice. One organization that is successfully fighting oppression while providing people with the tools for internal empowerment is called the Dalit Freedom Network (DFN). This organization works on two fronts, providing pressure for human rights both from below, within the people, and above, through the government.* The Dalits are a group of people who are considered ‘untouchable’ by most Hindu/Indian cultures. They are below the caste system and are … [Read more...]

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Facing ‘difficulties’ after brutalizing a population? Obama and David Cameron could learn a lesson from their North African and Arab counterparts

March 18, 2011 by

After decades of brutalizing the population, political leaders shouldn’t be surprised to find their authority challenged by violent uprisings. But this plight is not only of political elites in North Africa and the Middle East - European and American leaders face serious dilemmas at the United Nations, after years of ignoring the human consequences of their foreign policy abroad. It is hardly surprising that Gaddafi is able to use mercenaries to suppress a popular uprising, despite outrage from the international community at the (continued) … [Read more...]

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Aid for AIDS* – Exporting health and expectations (* political revolution optional)

February 28, 2011 by

Protect human rights, empower women, create jobs, strengthen the economy, spread democracy, save children, pipe water, grow crops…the benefits of development are a shining torch that many in the international community use to guide their foreign and domestic policy (or so at least, they would have us believe). A few contentious issues arise when we ask ourselves in which direction we are supposed to be ‘developing’ and tensions run high when foreign powers are accused of buying political influence with aid or investment. America might be used to … [Read more...]

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‘Hey Sexy Lady!’ Shouting Back Against the Pervs

January 26, 2011 by

“Hey sexy lady! Check THIS out...” [Michael Jackson-esque groin thrust in my direction] ‘Ohh please’ I think 'please wait while I hurry over and give you my phone number, you prehistoric, knuckle-dragging moron’ You may assume that the slimy guy leering at you in the street or beeping his car horn is simply a victim of tragic social ineptitude, but this situation is more sinister. Street harassment ranges from whistles, shouting, and dodgy trouser pocket movements to full blown groping and physical attacks. Where does … [Read more...]

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The Dark Side of Halloween – Chocolate Trade

November 2, 2010 by

by Kristen Tebow, RC Kansas/Missouri Since we have just celebrated a holiday that greatly measures success on costume and candy sales, I would like to take this time to talk about the dark side of Halloween. We all go trick or treating on Halloween or take our children trick or treating. When I was growing up, I remember the competitions that my friends and I had while we were trick or treating. Whoever filled up the bag of candy first had bragging rights until the next Halloween. What I don't remember from the early days is wondering where the … [Read more...]

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Douglas Kysar’s Idea: Carbon Upsets to People Changing the Game

August 31, 2010 by

Great article by Douglas Kysar over at The Guardian.  Instead of proposing to pretty much keep the status quo and reward those who are already polluting, why not reward those people who are doing something about it? Posted August 29, 2010 at The Guardian. Not carbon offsets, but carbon upsets Cap-and-trade has had the perverse effect of subsidising politically dominant industries. We should try something else. These days, it's hard to have inspiring Mr Chips moments when you teach climate change policy. My students at least seem increasingly … [Read more...]

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No Impact Generation: Just Say No!

August 25, 2010 by
no-impact-man

I have been reading Colin Beavan's book No Impact Man lately.  The book is about a man, Colin Beavan, and his family who decide to undertake the experiment of living with as little impact on the environment as possible.  This mean no trash, no transportation not powered by a human being, and eating sustainably.  For a family living in Greenwich Village in New York, this seems like an impossible task.  But Beavan does it, and learns some valuable lessons along the way.   What intrigues most about Beavan is how similar he is at the beginning of the … [Read more...]

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Quarter of a Century?!

August 24, 2010 by

Yesterday I turned a quarter of a century old (ekkk!). Like every other birthday, my mother did not fail to remind me of how much pain she endured to bring me into the world. “You know, I was in labor for almost two days with you? Do you know how much that hurt? You were a small baby but with such a big head - you almost killed me!” Although at first I began to sigh and gave a sarcastic “Yes, mom I know…. Sorry I had such a big head back then,” it really made me think about my 25 years of life. My life could have been so different than it is … [Read more...]

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Importing Water: Another Way to Put off the Problem for a Few Years

August 18, 2010 by

In a recent conversation with my sister about water usage in the US, I said " We need to realize that taking an extra 5 minutes in the shower means that someone else may not have water." She, quite rightly, attacked my simplification of science (it's not as simple as that, it's a complicated interaction of the water cycle, climate change, and water consumption, and a lot of time to get around the world), and I quickly amended my statement. Until I saw this article. Reserachers in California have proposed building a pipeline from the Columbia River in … [Read more...]

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Catastrophe gets worse in Pakistan

August 17, 2010 by
Pakistan

The recent floods in Pakistan (watch videos here) caused an initial wave of 1500 deaths, but that number may quickly begin to mount as rain continues to inundate parts of Pakistan and displaced and stranded Pakistanis face shortages in food and clean water. United Nations officials say that approximately 6 million Pakistanis, mostly children, are at risk for water-born diseases that could be potentially lethal.1 This humanitarian disaster clearly shows the linkages between environmental issues, governmental instability, development, and … [Read more...]

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