Drop by Drop

May 24

This spring I will (hopefully) be traveling to Kathmandu to study Development and Social Change, and Nepali Language. I could not be more excited to be immersed in their rich culture and see all of the beautiful buildings, textiles, and, of course, mountains. As relations between China and India become more complex, the role of Nepal has come into question. It is my hope that Nepal, which has been a relatively peaceful state, will remain so.

humanrightswatch:

Saudi Arabia should send female athletes to the London 2012 Olympics. As the clock ticks down to the July opening ceremony, all nations except Saudi Arabia have confirmed that women athletes will participate.

The Middle Eastern kingdom is one of only three countries never to have sent a female athlete to the Olympics

Discrimination against women and girls in sports in Saudi Arabia – as in so many other areas of their lives – is entrenched in government policy, including:

·         Beginning from childhood, the government bans millions of Saudi girls from participating in physical education classes in state schools.

·         The kingdom discriminates against women by denying them access to sports facilities, including gyms and swimming pools.

·         The government has shut down private gyms established by women in recent years on the pretext that they were unlicensed.

·         There are no sports clubs for women, compared with 153 government-supported clubs for men.

·         The Saudi National Olympic Committee has no women’s section and does not hold sports competitions for women to allow them to qualify for national teams and international competitions.

May 23

2100 in 2010 - Burma Political Prisoners Art & Photo Installation

An inspiring art exhibit at Grand Central station in efforts to release Burma prisoners- created by Human Rights Watch and advertising agency, JWT.

politicalarts:

Moving art piece by @SignsOfRevolt on children mutilated by the arms industry

Art can be used as a tool to promote powerful messages of social justice in ways that many other major avenues of communication cannot.

politicalart:

You will never be happy with your appearance because it is in the best interest of corporations to make you think you have many flaws.

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“Every good law or case you study was once a dream. Every good law or case you study was dismissed as impossible or impractical for decades before it was enacted. Give your creative thoughts free reign, for it is only in the hearts and dreams of people seeking a better world that true social justice has a chance.Finally, remember that we cannot give what we do not have. If we do not love ourselves, we will be hard pressed to love others. If we are not just with ourselves, we will find it very difficult to look for justice with others. In order to become and remain a social justice advocate, you must live a healthy life. Take care of yourself as well as others. Invest in yourself as well as in others. No one can build a house of justice on a foundation of injustice. Love yourself and be just to yourself and do the same with others. As you become a social justice advocate, you will experience joy, inspiration and love in abundant measure.”

― Bill Quigley, Activist-Lawyer and Professor, Loyola School of Law

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Women: ‘seen and not heard’

As a self-proclaimed feminist, women’s rights nationally and internationally have always been of great interest to me both personally and academically. Articles such as this one from Womankind Worldwide bring to light just how blessed I am to live in a country where, although there is still much progress to be made, women are being recognized more and more each day. In order to create a more peaceful world, it is important that we give women around the world the tools and public space to create change for themselves, their families, and their communities. Women supporting each other, despite coming from different countries, cultures, and languages, is an integral part of creating sustainable change for lives of women around the world. Working with several organizations that serve an international population, primarily refugees, I often hear, “We cannot criticize the actions of those in other cultures, because it is just that - cultural.” While it is true that there are many cultures vastly different than that of the American culture, whom hold different values, things such as violence against women and young girls is hurtful no matter how you twist it. The voices of women are almost never heard in these situations - Just because rape is accepted in a society, does that make it right? Who decides what makes something “right” or “wrong”? I’m not claiming to know the answers to all of these questions, but they are things to consider.

All voices and perspectives must be heard in order to create a more fair and just world.

May 11

Hello all! Welcome to my blog. I am usually hesitant about the idea of writing consistently on a blog, but lately I have been having some great conversations that I wanted to share, and so I thought I’d start. I also think it would be great for me to start getting my ideas out into the world and meeting individuals who are like-minded. So if that’s you — let’s talk! A little about me: I am a Cultural Anthropology and 2D Fine Arts Major at the University of Louisville. I am a 3rd term AmeriCorps member, and have served primarily the immigrant and refugee community in Louisville. I am a human rights advocate and believe in the power of knowledge and service to society. My blog name, “Drop by Drop” was inspired by the story of the hummingbird (watch it here!), who, drop by drop, tried to save his burning home. I am moved by individuals and the power that they have to make big change.

“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” (Edward Everett Hale)

Drop by Drop

Student, Activist, Artist. Advocate for Basic Human Rights, Immigration and Refugee Rights, and Women's Rights, to name a few. I hope to share my passion for social justice, culture, and community.

2100 in 2010 - Burma Political Prisoners Art & Photo Installation

Women: ‘seen and not heard’

Student, Activist, Artist. Advocate for Basic Human Rights, Immigration and Refugee Rights, and Women's Rights, to name a few.

I hope to share my passion for social justice, culture, and community.