« December 2004 | Main | February 2005 »
January 29, 2005
Job Posting: Program Officer (Youth) Ms. Foundation for Women
Found this on the INNOVATE Listserver:
Greetings!
Attached please find a job posting for the Program Officer position in the Youth Program area at the
Deadline for applications: Jan 29th, 2005.
______________________________
Adria Robbin
Program Associate for Youth Program & Development
Ms. Foundation for Women
120 Wall Street, 33rd Floor
New York, NY 10005
t> 212.709.4403
f> 212.742.1653
e> arobbin@ms.foundation.org
w> www.ms.foundation.org
Posted by Jason at 10:36 AM
January 28, 2005
Stupid.ca : Anti-Smoking Campaign Targets Youth
Saw a television ad the other day that caught my attention. A young woman rolls around in a pile of dog sh*t likening it to people who smoke. A fairly disgusting approach to making a point yet effective. The ad was for Stupid.ca, Canada's answer to the US-based anti-smoking campaign The Truth. I've always been a big fan of The Truth and its approach to anti-smoking campaigning for youth. I know it's debatable whether or not these campaigns are actually effective BUT one should fight the good fight, right? Hmmm...I smell a future post idea: Are anti-smoking campaigns truly effective?
Anyway, please pass these urls around to friends and loved ones who can't kick the habit (or might be thinking about starting one).
Posted by Jason at 2:48 PM | Comments (1)
January 25, 2005
Hotel Rwanda Receives Oscar Nods
Congratulations to the producers, actors and crew of Hotel Rwanda. The film has received three Oscar nominations including Don Cheadle for Best Actor and Sophia Okendofor Best Actress in a Supporting Role. I'm hoping these nominations will tempt more moviegoers to go see the film and learn about the genocide that was Rwanda.
The timing of these nominations couldn't have been better as today the UN will hand Kofi Annan their report on the crisis in Darfur. This report will determine whether or not a genocide is occuring. Let's hope that Hotel Rwanda's popularity will open people's minds, hearts and wallets to other international crisis.
On another note:
Perhaps fearing a reprise of the 2004 Oscars, the Academy did not nominate Fahrenheit 9/11 nor The Corporation. A shame -- I thought both films were better than Bowling for Columbine.
Posted by Jason at 10:17 AM | Comments (3)
January 21, 2005
Revolution to Pacification: The Death of Zhao Ziyang
Though you won't hear it from any Chinese media sources, former Communist Party Leader Zhao Ziyang died Monday after spending fifteen years under house-arrest. For those who remember the Tiananmen Square protests and subsequent massacre (tanks bulldozed hundreds of protesting students), Zhao broke from his party's hardline and made a passionate plea in defense of the protesters. His insolence proved politically fatal.
BBC News World has a great site covering Zhao Ziyang and the history of democratic reform in China. Particularly compelling is a piece on the new generation of youth in China. A quote:
"I think many young people like me pay less attention to politics, and more attention to living better and economic improvement. They don't care about politics in China."
Funny, you could exchange "USA" or "Canada" into that quote and it would still ring true. It would appear that for all the "good" that democracy can bring to a society, apathy and indifference are the insidious biproducts. Last time I checked, MTV China didn't exist so so much for Rock the Vote.
As the West circles China like vultures hoping to exploit unprecedented economic opportunities, the future doesn't look bright for non-trivial issues like human rights.
Posted by Jason at 9:45 AM | Comments (1)
January 20, 2005
The fine line between news, fake news & propaganda
A bit of a follow-up to the Crossfire v. Jon Stewart melee. Frank Rich of the NY Times reminds us of the oft unethical relationship between politics and the media in his piece, All the President's Newsmen. Thanks to Benchley for the heads up on this one.
Posted by Jason at 10:22 AM
In honour of Bush Jr's Inauguration...NOT!
Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying. Thanks to ladykaen for this post.
Posted by Jason at 9:54 AM
January 19, 2005
Homes Not Bombs: Resisting the Roots of War in Toronto
The Activist Magazine published an account of a peace demonstration held at SNC-Lavalin on MLK Jr. Day. SNC-Lavalin is the parent company of SNC-TEC, a Quebec-based company that produces bullets for U.S. occupation forces in Iraq. Written by Homes Not Bombs, the article (and demonstration) raises many important issues about corporate involvement in questionable (I'm being very kind) military offenses; involvement that is often ignored by the media and public at large.
The article also touches upon corporate involvement in medical research and public educational institutions; specifically The Ontario Institute for Educational Studies (OISE). Don't know a whole lot about this issue but I'll look into it and report my findings in future posts.
Posted by Jason at 1:19 PM
January 17, 2005
In Celebration of MLK Jr. Day
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This civic holiday honours one of the greatest catalysts of the civil rights movement. Unfortunately for many, it's just an extra day to hit the slopes.
In an era of sound bytes and guerrilla marketing, I fear that Dr. King's legacy is experiencing the same fate as Che Guevara's -- becoming more iconographic packaging for mass marketing than point of discussion for a still relevant struggle.
In any case, if you've ever really wanted to understand MLK Jr. and his ideas, then visit Stanford's Martin Luther King Jr. Papers Project. The site contains a number of speeches, papers, an interactive timeline and even audio clips. For any educators out there who might be reading this blog, please check out the Liberation Curriculum. Lots of wonderful resources to help you teach what kids (and adults for that matter) should know.
Happy Birthday, Dr. King!!!
Posted by Jason at 12:18 PM
January 14, 2005
GNN Feature Film: This Revolution
Just received a heads up on this new film produced by Stephen Marshall of the Guerilla News Network. This Revolution stars Rosario Dawson and will premiere at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival (next month). Check out the trailer here.
Not that the activist video/film genre is anything new BUT the clout it now has is pretty astounding. I think it's cool that an independent political film was able to sign-on Rosario Dawson. Currently, Don Cheadle stars in Hotel Rwanda (still need to see it), and Fahrenheit 911 grossed over 100 million dollars!! Looks like people are willing to listen (and cough up the cash) if you have something politically powerful to say.
Posted by Jason at 10:56 AM | Comments (1)
January 13, 2005
A place to give
Related to yesterday's post: A friend asked where she could donate to help support the fight against the HIV-AIDS pandemic in Africa. My friend has been a consistent supporter of HIV-AIDS organizations in Toronto but wanted to expand her influence to harder hit regions like Africa.
There are many organizations doing great work but I'll quickly add one: The Stephen Lewis Foundation. An amazing man, a wonderful org.
Please feel free to add any other organizations you might know of that support the fight against HIV-AIDS.
And to my friend...Big Up!
Posted by Jason at 12:55 PM
January 12, 2005
Let's not forget: AIDS Pandemic in Zambia
Sobering...
More than a quarter of Zambia's population is infected with HIV-AIDS.
The average life expectancy of citizens of Zambia is now 33 years of age. I'm 34.
Nuff said.
*Zambia statistics courtesy of the Globe and Mail 01.11.05
Posted by Jason at 8:40 AM | Comments (4)
January 11, 2005
Radio Free Africa
You may have already heard about the Freeplay Foundation and its revolutionary self-powered radios. If not, then you should know that this org is a great example of how simple but elegant ideas can make a huge impact on the lives of those in need.
Founded by the Freeplay Energy Group (FEG) the Freeplay Foundation provides self-powered radios to the world's poor (especially women and children) with the goal of facilitating "sustained access to information and education".
For those of us in the developed world, it is easy to forget that much of the developing world has yet to make a phone call nor has the means to purchase or maintain a radio (ex. buying batteries). For much of the world, radio is still the most powerful medium for mass communication. Visit the "Latest News" section of the Freeplay Foundation website to read two inspiring stories of how orphaned children in AIDS stricken Zambia and war-torn Rwanda are using Freeplay Lifeline radios to continue their education.
Posted by Jason at 1:09 PM
January 7, 2005
Lights Out: Jon Stewart by TKO!
Okay, this might be a little presumptious but CNN has announced that Tucker Carlson will not be returning to Crossfire and that the future of the show is in doubt.
If you didn't see it, Jon Stewart gave the Crossfire crew a verbal beat-down prior to last fall's presidential election. Stewart claimed that program's like Crossfire were "hurting America" by passing off "theatre" as political debate. Now this was must see tv!
The Jon Stewart v. Crossfire throw down demonstrated two powerful realities:
1) The power of media training. The way Stewart handled the hosts of Crossfire was amazing. He was asking them the questions! The hosts tried vainly to regain control of the interview, but Stewart deftly brought them back on his message and continued to hammer away. I wasn't sure if I was watching The Daily Show or Crossfire. Brilliant stuff!
2) The power of calling people out. Jon Stewart called hosts, Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala out. Up until that point, no one else had. Up until that point the Crossfire policy had been you scratch our backs and we'll scratch yours. Of course, politicians were more than happy to oblige as the business of securing media spots can be quite expensive. Why not play ball and grab a freebee if you can hammer home your message?
By going off-script and refusing to be Crossfire's "monkey", Stewart single-handedly removed the veil of illusion and revealed Crossfire for what it truly was -- entertainment posing as journalism. Of course, the impact of Stewart's stand was bolstered by his superstar status BUT the result is clear: voicing your opinion in the face of opposition still carries weight even in our jaded prepackaged society. Arguably, John Kerry might have faired better in the election had he done the same and stepped up for what he believed in when it came to the war in Iraq. I guess we'll never know.
I think CNN-US President Jonathan Klein put in best when describing Crossfire (and imho our current political state) by saying,"People screaming at each other adds a lot of heat but not much light." This reminds me of a Nirvana lyric:
With the lights out it’s less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now
Entertain us
Comedy is entertainment. News is not. Jon Stewart reminded us that confusing the two can have catastrophic results. It's time to turn on the lights. It's time to stop feeling stupid. It's time to hold our news media to higher journalistic standards.
8...9...10...you're out! Stewart by TKO!
Posted by Jason at 11:25 AM | Comments (1)
January 4, 2005
Take the One-Tonne Challenge!
Thanks to my cousins' in-law and the Rick Mercer commercials, I've decided to take the "One-Tonne Challenge".
The One-Tonne Challege is a program sponsored by the government of Canada asking Canadians to reduce their Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) by one tonne. Sounds like a huge task but it really isn't when you learn how much GHG's we can reduce with little changes in our behaviour. For example, did you know that "70% of vehicles have at least one tire that is over or under-inflated? Maintaining the correct tire pressure could reduce your GHGs by at least 1/8 tonne each year and save $50 in fuel costs."
Take the challenge!
Posted by Jason at 6:53 AM
January 1, 2005
Tsunami Relief: Some more places to give
As you probably know, the death toll is now over 100,000 people. If you haven't done so already, please, please give what you can to help in the relief effort. This IS one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history.
A friend suggested a few other organizations who are helping with the relief effort:
Médecins Sans Frontières, Canada:
https://securemsf.ca/forms/donateNow/main.aspx?lng=en
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies:
http://www.ifrc.org/helpnow/donate/donate_response.asp
You can make a difference!
Posted by Jason at 2:28 PM