Want some food for thought (or peace)? If yes, then read on, friends! :)
* The first quote is my favorite, because it speaks of the deep bond that humans have to one another.
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. ~Mother Teresa
We have all taken risks in the making of war. Isn't it time that we should take risks to secure peace? ~J. Ramsay MacDonald
Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself. ~Robert Ingersoll
The time is always right to do what is right. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
Leadership is action, not position. ~Donald H. McGannon
*Did you like these quotes? Heard them before? Disagree with something? Do tell!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
a few nice quotes
"It is one of the ironies of the American system that the closer we get to matters of life and death--that is, to questions of war and peace--the less does democracy function."
--Howard Zinn Disobedience and Democracy pg 62
"It is very hard, in the comfortable environment of middle-class America, to discard the notion that everything will be better if we don't have the disturbance of civil disobedience, if we confine ourselves to voting, writing letters to our Congressmen, speaking our minds politely. But those outside are not so comfortable. Most people in the world are hungry, have no decent place to sleep, no doctor when they are sick; and some are fleeing from attacking airplanes. Somehow, we must transcend our own tight, air-conditioned chambers and begin to feel their plight, their needs. It may become evident that, despite our wealth, we can have no real peace until they do. We might then join them in battering at the complacency of those who guard a false "order," with that healthy commotion that has always attended the growth of justice."
--Howard Zinn Disobedience and Democracy pg 123-124
"I wish my countrymen to consider, that whatever the human law may be, neither an individual nor a nation can ever commit the least act of injustice against the obscurest individual without having to pay the penalty for it. A government which deliberately enacts injustice, and persists in it, will at length even become the laughing-stock of the world...The law will never make men free; it is men who have got to make the law free. They are the lovers of law and order who observe the law when the government breaks it...I would remind my countrymen that they are to be men first, and Americans only at a late and convenient hour. No matter how valuable law may be to protect your property, even to keep soul and body together, if it do not keep you and humanity together." Henry Thoreau Slavery in Massachusetts
"Surely no rational or realistic person will discount the possibility that the United States might suddenly resort to nuclear weapons. Those who retain the instinct for survival, not to speak of a minimal concern for their fellow man, will seek ways to act before rather than after the event." Noam Chomsky
--Howard Zinn Disobedience and Democracy pg 62
"It is very hard, in the comfortable environment of middle-class America, to discard the notion that everything will be better if we don't have the disturbance of civil disobedience, if we confine ourselves to voting, writing letters to our Congressmen, speaking our minds politely. But those outside are not so comfortable. Most people in the world are hungry, have no decent place to sleep, no doctor when they are sick; and some are fleeing from attacking airplanes. Somehow, we must transcend our own tight, air-conditioned chambers and begin to feel their plight, their needs. It may become evident that, despite our wealth, we can have no real peace until they do. We might then join them in battering at the complacency of those who guard a false "order," with that healthy commotion that has always attended the growth of justice."
--Howard Zinn Disobedience and Democracy pg 123-124
"I wish my countrymen to consider, that whatever the human law may be, neither an individual nor a nation can ever commit the least act of injustice against the obscurest individual without having to pay the penalty for it. A government which deliberately enacts injustice, and persists in it, will at length even become the laughing-stock of the world...The law will never make men free; it is men who have got to make the law free. They are the lovers of law and order who observe the law when the government breaks it...I would remind my countrymen that they are to be men first, and Americans only at a late and convenient hour. No matter how valuable law may be to protect your property, even to keep soul and body together, if it do not keep you and humanity together." Henry Thoreau Slavery in Massachusetts
"Surely no rational or realistic person will discount the possibility that the United States might suddenly resort to nuclear weapons. Those who retain the instinct for survival, not to speak of a minimal concern for their fellow man, will seek ways to act before rather than after the event." Noam Chomsky
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
How the wealthy can be disadvantaged as well as priveleged
People who are quite economically privileged can become disadvantaged in many other ways, through the personal enslavement of money and the shame from the negative consequences of money.
Compared to the wealthy, the working and middle classes are disadvantaged in the sense that in order to survive and live a happy life, we are dependent on the economy when it comes to jobs, housing, food, and healthcare. These are things can create much stress and anxiety throughout the lives of the working and middle class. For the wealthy though, this is not necessarily a big issue of stress.
I often wonder how it must feel to be someone who has millions of dollars or who is making $500K a year or more. Is it common to feel guilt or shame of being privileged over others? What are common stresses and anxieties to deal with when owning millions of dollars?
This video shows the negative consequences of what it is like to win the lottery. This man with all of this privilege of sudden money has had his life ruined by it. Although he has the privilege of receiving $314 million, he has become incredibly disadvantaged by his money by his actions with it. I actually feel empathy toward him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oddx7UXUnwk
This goes to show that often times people with a lot of money can become enslaved by it, just like a drug or alcohol addict can be enslaved by their substances that they are abusing. I believe that the cases are very similar.
If people abuse drugs to try to obtain a rush of serotonin and dopamine (the brain chemicals that causes pleasure and happiness), what happens is that in the absence of the drug, serotonin and dopamine are lacking in the brain and one can feel stressed, anxious, depressed, etc. They then must use more and more of the drug to try to get the same effects, and medicate their problems, to the point of an obsession. Often, an addict is also hanging out with the wrong social crowd to encourage such use.
Similarly, if people use wealth and power to try to obtain that rush of serotonin and dopamine for happiness and pleasure, in the absence of that wealth and power, one can feel stressed, anxious, and depressed as well. Often times, having $1 billion is not enough to satisfy one's need. More is necessary. And the social crowd of other rich people can encourage that accumulation of privilege and power. Therefore, having this obsession with wealth can be a personal disadvantage as well as a privilege.
Perhaps if we think of people who exploit and oppress others as enslaved by money and power, in the same way that a drug addict is enslaved by heroin, cocaine, alcohol, or meth, it is easier to feel empathy towards that person.
Compared to the wealthy, the working and middle classes are disadvantaged in the sense that in order to survive and live a happy life, we are dependent on the economy when it comes to jobs, housing, food, and healthcare. These are things can create much stress and anxiety throughout the lives of the working and middle class. For the wealthy though, this is not necessarily a big issue of stress.
I often wonder how it must feel to be someone who has millions of dollars or who is making $500K a year or more. Is it common to feel guilt or shame of being privileged over others? What are common stresses and anxieties to deal with when owning millions of dollars?
This video shows the negative consequences of what it is like to win the lottery. This man with all of this privilege of sudden money has had his life ruined by it. Although he has the privilege of receiving $314 million, he has become incredibly disadvantaged by his money by his actions with it. I actually feel empathy toward him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oddx7UXUnwk
This goes to show that often times people with a lot of money can become enslaved by it, just like a drug or alcohol addict can be enslaved by their substances that they are abusing. I believe that the cases are very similar.
If people abuse drugs to try to obtain a rush of serotonin and dopamine (the brain chemicals that causes pleasure and happiness), what happens is that in the absence of the drug, serotonin and dopamine are lacking in the brain and one can feel stressed, anxious, depressed, etc. They then must use more and more of the drug to try to get the same effects, and medicate their problems, to the point of an obsession. Often, an addict is also hanging out with the wrong social crowd to encourage such use.
Similarly, if people use wealth and power to try to obtain that rush of serotonin and dopamine for happiness and pleasure, in the absence of that wealth and power, one can feel stressed, anxious, and depressed as well. Often times, having $1 billion is not enough to satisfy one's need. More is necessary. And the social crowd of other rich people can encourage that accumulation of privilege and power. Therefore, having this obsession with wealth can be a personal disadvantage as well as a privilege.
Perhaps if we think of people who exploit and oppress others as enslaved by money and power, in the same way that a drug addict is enslaved by heroin, cocaine, alcohol, or meth, it is easier to feel empathy towards that person.
Documentaries
Here is a list of documentaries which I believe promote social justice or illustrate injustice. I'll list the documentary, a brief discription and a link for the documentary trailers or imdb description.
Stories from the Quilt. This is a documentary which focuses on individuals who died from the AIDS virus and who were remembered in the AIDS memorial quilt.
Lake of Fire. This documentary portrays the issue of abortion, and all the ugly controversy that surrounds both opponents and supporters of abortion.
Why we fight. This portrays the growth of the United States military industrial complex.
An Inconvenient Truth. A documentary about global warming.
The Union. The Business Behind Getting High. This documentary is about the War on Drugs, marijuana prohibition, and medical marijuana.
Stories from the Quilt. This is a documentary which focuses on individuals who died from the AIDS virus and who were remembered in the AIDS memorial quilt.
Lake of Fire. This documentary portrays the issue of abortion, and all the ugly controversy that surrounds both opponents and supporters of abortion.
Why we fight. This portrays the growth of the United States military industrial complex.
An Inconvenient Truth. A documentary about global warming.
The Union. The Business Behind Getting High. This documentary is about the War on Drugs, marijuana prohibition, and medical marijuana.
Quotations
Here are some quotes that I think promote social justice.
Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Albert Einstein: "I regard class differences as contrary to justice and, in the last resort, based on force." (The World As I See It)
Alexander Solzhenitsyn: "Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity. Those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience usually recognize also the voice of justice." (Letter to three students (October 1967) as translated in Solzhenitsyn: A Documentary Record (1970))
Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Albert Einstein: "I regard class differences as contrary to justice and, in the last resort, based on force." (The World As I See It)
Alexander Solzhenitsyn: "Justice is conscience, not a personal conscience but the conscience of the whole of humanity. Those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience usually recognize also the voice of justice." (Letter to three students (October 1967) as translated in Solzhenitsyn: A Documentary Record (1970))
Some inspirational social justice quotes
First, here is, i think, my all-time favorite social justice quote. it gives me a lot of incentive not only to be active on justice issues that relate directly to me, but also really encourages me to be a good ally for other people's causes too because, at the end of the day, i think there can be a lot more peace and justice in the world if we build coalitions and help each other out:
" Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." – MLK
Second, here is one that is significantly for me individually as a Muslim. I happen to derive a lot of inspiration for social justice from my religion, and this is one Islamic saying from the Prophet Muhammed that helps inspire me.
The Prophet Muhammed said, "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." The brotherhood referenced is that of humanity.
Finally, a few more:
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is revolutionary."- George Orwell
"I am for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I am a human being, first and foremost, and as such I'm for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole." - Malcolm X
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Mahatma Gandhi
"I am for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I am a human being, first and foremost, and as such I'm for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole." - Malcolm X
Thoughts?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Welcome to the Blog for Peace over Prejudice (PoP) at Michigan State University!
The Peace over Prejudice Campaign (also known as PoP) was established on the campus of Michigan State University in Fall 2007 as a unique coalition of diverse student groups who were all committed topromoting the inclusion and acceptance of people from all walks of life.
Current Mission:Pop is a coalition of students and organizations who work to create a campus community which does not merely accept the various peoples it is comprised of, but rather empowers its members to positive shape the spaces in which they live, creating a broader environment that isinclusive of its full diversity and meets the needs of all its members.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This blog has been created to give a forum for members of this unique group to express any ideas they have or come across (including articles, videos, pictures, etc.) which somehow relate to our mission of promoting peace over prejudice in our daily lives.
Some related topics that have come up in our conversations include:
- examining both the privileges and disadvantages that we as individuals have due to a variety of factors (ethnic identity, gender, socio-economic status, religion, sexual orientation, etc.)
- discussing ways in which the arts can be used to promote social consciousness and activism
- figuring out how to implement lofty ideals (for peace, harmony, social justice, love, etc.) by putting them into practice
- and much more!...
Please share your thoughts! :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace over Prejudice (PoP) Campaign
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)