August 25, 2008
Post-Olympic Wrap-up
As an athlete, I loved watching the Olympics — the performances, the human interest stories, the drama of competition...I love it!
Now that the Olympics are over, I'm left covered with the sticky residue of guilt. What about human rights issues in China? I feel like I simply forgot about them. Somehow the Chinese government was able to lower a cone of silence around the Olympic Village and shield it from all protests and criticism. It didn't accomplish this feat alone as the media played a crucial role in this astounding display of illusion. After wadding through countless commercials, most viewers were lead to believe that the biggest issue facing China is smog. Incredible!
That being said, I'm an educated man and [should] know better. Yet, I happily took my position alongside the three wise monkeys and forgot that activists where sequestered during the course of the Games. These brave and dedicated individuals were subsequently released after the closing ceremonies.
It should be very interesting to see the long-term impact of the Olympics on China. IOC President, Jacques Rogges, claims that awarding the Games to China has opened up the country. At first glance, this is a naive statement of the highest magnitude. On the other hand, maybe the aforementioned activists would have been killed as opposed to released hadn't it been for the watchful albeit distracted eyes of the world. Maybe.
So the $40 billion dollar question is: Will this amazing and troubled nation begin to take serious steps toward improving its policies on human rights? If left to the government, I seriously doubt it. On the other hand, people drive change and I believe that the Chinese people are ready for change. And for the rest of us? Well, the show is over. But don't you believe for a second there's nothing left to see. Human rights in China depends on our continued attention.
Links:
Posted by Jason at 9:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
July 14, 2008
How far would you go to make a point?
I haven't posted to this blog in quite a while. Not that I haven't had a lot to say or pass along; rather life has gotten somewhat busy. That said, I have some new concepts brewing that I'll be launching in the coming months. I hope they will prove to be inspiring to you as well as me.
In the mean time, here is a video that I slept on a number of months ago. What strikes me about the video is not the message (although it is a good one) but the extent to which photographer, Lucas Oleniuk went to share this message. You see, his video -- Airsick -- is comprised of 20,000 photos! Take a few minutes and it check out .
As you watch the video, remember that you don't need to take 20,000 photos to share your feelings about the environment. Talk to a family member, a friend, a neighbour or your local political representative. You don't need to preach, just inspire others with your knowledge, passion and actions.
Posted by Jason at 10:11 PM | Comments (0)
June 2, 2008
Social Media and Social Activism
I want to do some more rumination on this topic in later posts. In the mean time, I want to share an interesting clip and blog post that discusses the power of using mainstream social media sites for social advocacy -- specifically vs. using more niche social activism tools. Briefly, the idea is that governments (such as China) have a more difficult time blocking messages they deem subversive when communicated through mainstream tools tools such as Facebook and Flickr. As Ethan Zuckerman states in his 2007 blog post, "Web 2.0 was created so that people could publish cute photos of their cats...the users looking for cute cat videos get annoyed [when] YouTube is blocked."
This is not to say advocacy groups should not try to create there own networks outside of FaceBook (see Citizen Lab for a really cool example) but the "cute cat theory" is compelling and potentially empowers activists who are less technologically adept. As more of these social media sites open up their networks via APIs, it should be really interesting to see what kinds of social activism tools are created to leverage these networks. In some ways, these will be the true examples of the "viral" nature of the Internet.
A link to an article from the MESH conference.
Read Ethan Zuckerman's original post on the topic.
Posted by Jason at 10:24 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
May 17, 2008
An Ocean In Peril
If you get a chance, flip to the Science & Ideas section of the Globe and Mail (Saturday, May 17th). In it you'll find an excerpt of a speech given by actor Ted Danson (aka Sam Malone of Cheers) to the Economic Club of Toronto. Mr. Danson talks about the staggering decimation of the world's fisheries and how countries like Canada need to work with the WTO to shape international trade policies. Danson states that government subsidies totalling $20 billion each year are given to fishing fleets. These subsidies facilitate unsustainable fishing practices.
Mr. Danson is a board member of Oceana an international organization working to save the world's oceans. You can find more information about Oceana's campaign to combat overfishing here.
Posted by Jason at 11:49 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
April 16, 2008
Heads Up: Community AIR Event
A message from my lovely wife:
This is for a GREAT cause. Community Air is a grass roots organization working to shut down the Toronto's island airport so that the dream of a Clean, Green Waterfront can be realized. It is run by volunteers working to take back our waterfront and improve the environment.
It would be great if you could come to the event - there will be food, music and exciting auction items such as free trips (by train of course), artwork and signed novels to name a few.
If you can't make it but are interested in supporting the cause, you can still buy a ticket and we will see that it is provided to a member of the media or to someone who cannot afford one (such as a student).
Thank you!!!
Visit communityair.org for more details.
Posted by Jason at 11:17 AM
April 14, 2008
Making Our Cities Safer
Please take a minute to sign this petition asking the Prime Minister to ban handguns throughout Canada.
http://www.toronto.ca/handgunban/index.htm
You never know when or where violence will strike. In my case, it hit straight at home. Believe me when I say you don't want the same happening to you or your family. Please sign the petition.
Thank you.
Posted by Jason at 12:10 PM | Comments (0)
March 29, 2008
Lights off! Earth Hour 2008
Today's the day. Lights out at 8pm. No arguments! :)
Check out the video below and don't forget to sign-up. It's never too late to show your support for the planet.
I've also included a little Flickr slideshow of Earth Hour images from around the world.
Posted by Jason at 9:56 AM | Comments (0)
February 18, 2008
A Picture Says a Thousand Words
As seen in today's Globe and Mail.
It would be so very easy to cry foul and play the race card but I won't. Instead I wrote a letter to the editor that you'll find below. If you feel as incensed as I do about the publishing of this "cartoon", please write a letter to the editor. Thank you.
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My guess is I'm one of a number of readers who have responded to your decision to publish the cartoon entitled "Afrocentric Algebra". My guess is you are either staunchly
defending your position to publish the "cartoon" veiling it in journalistic freedom or
realizing what a colossally poor decision you made in publishing it. I'm truly hoping it
is the latter.
This cartoon completely misses the mark on the debate. This cartoon demonstrates just how
ignorant both the illustrator and you - the editor - are about what defines
Afrocentricism. This issue is not at all similar to the "ebonics" debate sparked in the
U.S. Instead, supporters of "Black schools" are attempting to address real educational
issues, some of which are akin to those found in gender-based schools. Whether or not
"Black schools" are the answer, this debate deserves the respect of thoughtful
discussion; not glib, insensitive and dare I say racist commentary. You denigrate the
educational system and Canadians of African decent by publishing this "cartoon". You
should be ashamed!
Jason Robinson
Posted by Jason at 12:33 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
February 5, 2008
Socially-conscious design
For those looking to support a number of causes AND sport a little style, check out the Allumonde ring. Design21 is a "network of non-profits, companies and individuals who believe social change can happen through design." I think I'm going to get the stainless steel version.
Posted by Jason at 10:02 AM | TrackBack (0)
January 21, 2008
Happy MLK Day
Today's the official day to take a few minutes to think about the man, the movement and its relevance in our current society.
For those interested in learning more, visit the King Papers Project.
Posted by Jason at 5:01 PM
