So friends, I took a bit of a hiatus there, WOW. But, with it being the end of the semester and all, during which I love to procrastinate as much as possible, I am back online!
Well, as I like to be honest in my blogging, I will say that I really haven't been paying much attention to the news. Not that I don't want to be informed, I love new information, but I don't want to be depressed either. I mean, REALLY, how can I read the current news and not feel hopeless sometimes? I'm not sure I'm the only one who feels this way either. My point, as always, is that though there are things going on this world that are devastating and frustrating there IS progress, HOPE, and a world of determined people who legitimately want to help their fellow human.
New Meningitis Vaccine Brings Hope of Taming a Ravaging Illness in Africa
What's remarkable is that technology today is being used to produce affordable health treatments for all people. Additionally, it was produced outside of pharmaceutical giants in America and Europe, and specifically for those who need it desperately and could not afford it otherwise. Of course, as a medical anthropologist, I am somewhat critical of biomedicine's globalizing behavior, HOWEVER, I am most excited that technology is being tuned to the greater needs of the world's poor.
Westboro picketers outnumbered at Elizabeth Edwards' Funeral
Alright, anyone with a heart will feel positively enlightened by this story. First, I am proud of the counter-picketers, who refrained from making insulting posters against the westboro group, and instead carried with them messages of love. This message is much more powerful than any sort of rude retaliation against the group itself. This hateful group may be protected by the first amendment, but they are powerless against the greater portion of us who choose to love.
Somali radio station wins press freedom award
These journalists have been rightfully awarded for standing up against intolerance and the violation of human rights (this in face of serious threat, no less!).
Small steps for peace still forged in Mid-East
Not long ago, Angela Merkel said that multiculturalism, as an ideology, has failed. Well, I disagree, and here is my proof. In a village called "the Oasis of Peace," Jews and Muslims live together, play together, learn together; they do so to promote peace and tolerance, to pave a path toward reconciliation. Children learn the values of mutual respect by living amongst each other. Multiculturalism, or the preservation of different cultures or cultural identities under a unified nation state, is not a failure. But its success is dependent on the tolerant, unbiased education of the world's children (starting from the bottom with our future generations). Personal opinion: It also requires that people need to stop being so damned selfish.
Well, there you have it, friends, 4 articles to bring a bit of peace to your minds, especially as we near the holiday season. Now go eat some cookies or a latke with applesauce (Chanukah is over now, but man are those potato pancakes tasty).
Hugs and Kisses,
Kelsy
Oh, and here's a cute puppy video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpjyCE-R4Y4&feature=related
