Every Human Has Rights
“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home — so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any map of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person: the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
As a follow up to yesterday’s 60th anniversary to The Declaration of Human Rights add your name to the Every Human Has Rights Campaign initiated by the Elders (headed by Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu). Now this is vision.
I wonder what it would be like if there’s a group of Elders in the Chinese church that would join together to contribute their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity to take on major issues facing the church and the world.
Check out the website http://www.everyhumanhasrights.org/ It’s a really sweet site that’s very informative. You can also read profiles of activists around the world who are working to realize human rights in their communities. Where’s the church in all this? Where is your church? Where are you?
Pass it onI choose to sign this declaration because:
I wish to take responsibility for upholding the goals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in my daily life and in my community. I will do my best to speak out to protect the freedom and rights of others in my community.
I affirm the following principle: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”
I believe Every Human Has Rights.
The Bible Revisioned
“The Book” currently being sold in The New Testament (Good News Translation) revisioned in 286 glossy pages like a high end magazine designed by Swedish group Illuminated World.
The goal? How do you entice people who don’t read the Bible to pick it up?Is it too cool? Well it has made the list of “Gifts to avoid this Christmas” in a UTAH Newspaper along with Guitar Hero and Elmo Live. I think its primary use of images really forces one to think and can encourage dialogue in groups. I don’t know how effective it will be to make someone want to read the Bible but I do think it’s a great idea that demonstrates the power of image and the importance of creatives in our body. In communicating Scripture we have the unending task of bridging ancient text with a contemporary context because our symbolic world is constantly changing.
They have a pretty nice website that features daily illuminations for meditation or serve as a devotional.
It’s worth checking out.
www.bibleilluminated.comWould you buy it as a Christmas gift?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Animated
[via coolhunting]Did you know that December 10th marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
To celebrate this occasion, Seth Brau recently brings words to life with motion graphics, a mix of After Effects and Illustrator, connecting the 30 articles of the document into a visually enticing masterpiece.
The song “Minds Awake” is by Rumspringa off Cantora RecordsThe declaration was originally was written by Eleanor Roosevelt 60 years ago.
Less than 5% of the world even knows that the document exists.
Did you know? What difference does it make?“The destiny of human rights is in the hands of all our citizens in all our communities” -Eleanor Roosevelt
The Idea Camp
I love and appreciate what Charles Lee does. I’ve been blessed by the many projects that he and his community is engaged in. He’s coordinating The Idea Camp, a free hybrid conference for idea makers (Feb 27-28, 2009 at New Song Church, Irvine, CA) to share, network, and implement ideas. It will be a gathering of some of the most innovative and creative individuals from around the country.
And did I say free? Yes $0.00 thanks to some amazing sponsors.Among the names presenting and/or facilitating conversations at The Idea Camp you should know or at least get to know: Greg Atkinson, Eric Bryant, Mike Foster (Ethur), Dave Gibbons (New Song), Jeff Shinabarger, Cynthia Ware (The Digital Sanctuary), Robert Yang of Kindlejoy.com, DJChuang, and more will be added between now and then, maybe even you.
Follow The Idea Camp on Twitter
Join The Facebook GroupDo you Ideate? Is that even a word? Anyways you should be here.
Support Community Programs by Downloading Music
You can support important community programs by downloading music! FREE MUSIC! So download to make a difference! For every download, the Asian Pacific Community Fund [APCF] receives a $2.00 donation from AmieStreet.com.
APCF has partnered with online music site AmieStreet.com for an innovative fundraising project:
For every free download of the new song Anything, by composer-philanthropist Peter Buffett and Hip-Hop star, Akon, AmieStreet.com will donate $2.00 to support APCF’s projects and communities. You get this song for free, and APCF will receive the donation! It’s easy and win win for everyone.
Do it now at: www.amiestreet.com/APCF
More about APCF:
The Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF) is committed to generating funds and resources for 29 non-profit organizations that provide quality services focused on the complex and diverse needs of the Asian, Pacific Islander, and other ethnic communities in the Greater Los Angeles area. APCF provides programs and services in 27 Asian languages plus English and Spanish to over 200,000 people each year. Programs and services include after-school and youth programs, immigrant workers education and advocacy, legal services, translation services, healthcare, counseling and case management, affordable housing, and much more. APCF promotes diversity and supports the enrichment of the community through culturally congruent health and social services and cultural programming. For more information, visit www.apcf.org.[h/t BBQChickenRobot]
Yao Says, “Eat The Head!”
If you haven’t seen it yet, YOU MUST!
This T-Mobile myFaves commercial features Dwayne Wade, Charles Barkley and Yao Ming.
It had me ROTFL.Some thoughts:
What does this tell us about culture?
What about Third Culture (The mindset and will to love, learn, and serve in any culture. Even in the midst of pain and discomfort. - Dave Gibbons)?On Community Development and Displacement
I was so privileged to be part of a panel this past weekend that included Andy Toy to speak about Community Development and Displacement at the Asian Arts Initiative. There’s such a strong connection with humans and land. We’re all searching for a home to call our own. Since the Garden, displacement has been part of our DNA. It definitely is in the DNA of Chinatown. At the end of our time, it was asked, what can artists do? There’s much to say about that but I recently came across shirt.woot! a tshirt site that’s a cross between Threadless and Woot!. I love tshirts and companies like these that use community feedback to select and print artist submitted designs. What caught my attention was this one shirt that expressed much of what I am experiencing through this engagement with the city.
It’s been depressing in Philadelphia and it’s only Tuesday. This week it’s like everyone has something to protest about regarding the city’s economic plight. In my neighborhood bright neon signs hang on homes to speak out against the closing firehouses in our district. There are communities demonstrating on the steps of their libraries urging the Mayor to reconsider closing down an important piece of their neigborhood. On Sunday Mayor Nutter signed legislation to officially rezone The Gallery Mall at Market East as a Community Entertainment District allowing for Slots Gaming from Foxwoods to commence.
The description for this shirt is so poignant for how I feel and what many residents may be experiencing.
Shirt: Watch It Grow
Designed by Tgentery [ =( who's has apparently moved away from shirt design]Don’t wear this shirt: when you’re around some stupid developer who sees dollar signs in every vacant lot. You’ll suddenly have eminent domain all over your chest and then in two weeks you’ll be shirtless and he’ll have sixteen brand new condos drawn in with a Sharpie.
This shirt tells the world: “Please don’t sell my future just to improve your present.
We call this color: The Grass On The Other Side.
Saying No to Casinos in Chinatown Part 6
***Updated***
WHYY, “Now Chinatown must take the fight directly to Foxwoods”
- John Chin, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development CorporationPressure must to put on the City Planning Commission, City Council and the Mayor to ensure that this process that they enacted is an “open and transparent” process. They must be held to the highest standards to ensure that the citizens have every opportunity to participate in all discussions. If this is not the process, then the CED legislation needs to be amended. Anything less would be unacceptable.
Philadelphia Chinatown always seems to get shafted and nothing’s different today as City Council by vote of 14 to 1 passed re-zoning the Gallery at MarketEast as a Community Entertainment District despite such clear community opposition. Does anyone care about Chinatown other than Chinese people?
Here’s a question, Do you think gambling should be considered community entertainment?
This is a big step for Foxwoods but there are many other steps ahead and if we were able to gather 20,000+ signed petitions with broken English (or for some us very bad Chinese) we’ll be sure to meet the City and Foxwoods each and every time.
With Mayor Nutter declaring a $1Billion dollar shortfall this week and budget cuts leading to the closing of area Fire Departments and Recreation Centers, all this does not bode well for the city cited as “The Next Great American City.”
Links
NBC Philadelphia, Philly City Council Clears Way for Gallery Casino
KYW Newsradio 1060, City Council Approves Casino Zoning for Foxwoods at Gallery
The Evening Sun, Philadelphia’s Chinatown seeks to keep out casinoSaying No to Casinos in Chinatown Part 5
Our Center (Community Outreach) Director, Harry Leong, had a 10 minute interview with WHYY and other news station before a press conference called at City Hall. Harry also led off that press conference in front of the Mayor’s office speaking about the petitioning and efforts by our church and many others. Our staff had been working hard on gathering signatures and organizing them. We presented 23,514 signed petitions to Mayor Nutter which he graciously received in front of news cameras.
Over the weekend, many of our church’s Chinese members with their broken English boldly collected signatures at the Greyhound Station, Gallery and Reading Terminal. I am humbled by their courage. This has brought the three congregations of our church together in ways we would have never perceived.
The Mayor still seems pretty intent on passing legislation.
China, World’s Largest Online Population Stats
China’s online population is an incredible growing market.
How does this shape the future of China?
How will these young people understand the world and engage it?
Flickr
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