Tutu, I love you
January 29, 2012
Heart...
What would you do if women ruled the world? It might be a scary thought for some but for one noble man it must become a reality to “save” our world. Desmond Tutu made that declaration in front of the world’s most powerful financial leaders. Every year The World Economic Forum meets featuring speakers like Tutu, Ban Ki-moon, Christine Lagarde, Angela Merkel, and many others. The five-day event ends today in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. According to their website: “The World Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.”
However, it was Desmond Tutu and his remarks that made headlines. According to the STRAITS TIMES: “Desmond Tutu said on Wednesday it was now time for women to have their revolution and banish men to the margins. Speaking at a gathering of the world’s political and financial elite in Davos, the vast majority of them men, Mr. Tutu said women had long been locked out of policy-making – and the world had paid the price.”
Tutu wants the women of the world to start their own revolution and I say let’s do it! The United States ranks a pathetic 71st in the world for female representation in government. As a result, America ranks 35 places below Iraq. I know we can do better than that!
Desmond Tutu believes he would have never gained freedom in South Africa without women. Tutu: “A mother catches a knife on the sharp side…and a mother can shave the eye off a fly.” He believes strong “machoness” in the world leader’s decision-making process needs balance.
A South African activist and retired Anglican bishop, Tutu gained international fame for his fight against apartheid. He has fought for human rights and the eradication of AIDS. Tutu has championed against racism, homophobia, poverty, climate change, and many other notable causes. In 1984, Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize. Born in 1931, the eighty-one year old doesn’t seem like he’s slowing down.
“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” Desmond Tutu
The links:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/01/25/time-for-women-to-rise-up-urges-desmond-tutu/
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_759547.html
http://www.weforum.org/news/world-economic-forum-launches-global-shapers-community
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1984/tutu-bio.html
http://www.linktv.org/video/2807/archbishop-desmond-tutu-why-women-should-rule-the-world
38
January 22, 2012
Everything is connected...
The thirty-eight special is a centerfire cartridge used in revolvers or semi-automatic pistols. The 38th latitude divides the United States roughly in half and the 38th parallel roughly demarcates North Korea and South Korea. The 38th American president was Gerald Ford and Colorado was the 38th state to join the union. The 38th Street Gang is the one of the oldest street gangs in Los Angeles.
Did you know that February 7th is the 38th day of the year. In 38 BC on January 17th, Octavian married Livia Drusilla. During 38 AD, Phadedrus wrote his popular collection of fables. Remember the 2004 SuperBowl XXXVIII, when Justin Timberlake tore Janet Jackson’s costume exposing her breast? Well, the Patriots ended up winning over the Panthers, 32-29.
Celebrities that are currently 38 years old include Neil Patrick Harris, Mos Def, Lisa Ling, Kate Beckinsale, Oscar De La Hoya, Portia De Rossi, Rachel Maddow, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kate Moss, and Tyra Banks. My favorite San Francisco Giants player is Brian Wilson and his baseball uniform number is #38. Unfortunately, John F. Kennedy Jr. and actor Corey Haim died when they were only 38 years old.
If you take California State Route 38, you’ll drive around Big Bear Lake past San Bernardino through the Redlands. Or take a drive on Highway 38 in Minnesota to see the beautiful autumn colors of trees. Highway 38 in Oregon is a lovely journey along the Umpqua River. For international travelers, European Route 38 starts in Hlukhiv, Ukraine and ends in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. Australian Route 38, Gwydir Highway, takes you from the coast to the hills in New South Wales. Either way, 38 will get you somewhere.
Why all the associations with 38? On January 17th, I turned 38. My “younger” sister told me that I’m “old.” However, I don’t feel old, I feel like best is yet to come…
The links:
“the Lady”
January 15, 2012
Fighting for Democracy...
Imagine growing up being a General’s daughter in Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi’s father was Aung San, who founded the Burmese army and negotiated independence from the British Empire. In 1947, her father was assassinated by political foes. Thirteen years later, her mother was made Ambassador to India and she followed. Suu Kyi then received multiple degrees including one in politics from Lady Shri Ram College in New Delhi, a B.A. degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from St. Hugh’s College, Oxford, AND a PhD at the School of Oriental and African Studies from the University of London.
When Suu Kyi returned to military controlled Burma in 1988 to take care of her ailing mother, she found herself leading the pro-democracy movement. As a result, her terminally ill husband wasn’t allowed by the Burmese government to visit. Unfortunately he died in 1989 and Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest for 15 years over a 21-year time span. She was separated from her two children living in the United Kingdom for the majority of that time. Suu Kyi knew if she left Burma, the government would never let her back in.
In 1991, Aung San Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize under house arrest. According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, she was awarded the prize “…for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights. Suu Kyi’s struggle is one of the most extraordinary examples of civil courage in Asia in recent decades. She has become an important symbol in the struggle against oppression.”
On November 13, 2010, Aung San Suu Kyi was finally released from house arrest. United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a special visit to Burma to meet and encourage her participation in the National League for Democracy, an organization fighting for free and equal representation against the military regime. As of January 10, 2012, Suu Kyi will run for parliament in the April elections in hopes of legitimizing them and gaining political influence.
Aung San Suu Kyi is known as the “the Lady” to the Burmese people. This strong, courageous, and amazing woman will never give up for liberty. According to Suu Kyi: “Human beings the world over need freedom and security that they may be able to realize their full potential.”
The links:
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,2057714_2251988,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/02/hillary-clinton-aung-san-suu-kyi-burma-democracy
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1991/kyi-bio.html
Nothing Artificial Here
January 8, 2012
Zhan Wang’s Artificial Rock.
January 6th was a perfect Friday. I’ve been battling Bronchitis from my holiday excursion back East and started to feel “human” again. As a result, what makes an artist happy? Undoubtedly, an afternoon at the de Young Museum! A weekday visit means no throngs of tourists and spacious walkways allowing the art to breathe. I could roam and enjoy art at my pace.
Andy Goldsworthy’s Drawn Stone greets visitors entering the museum. A crack starts in the sandstone starting at the de Young’s front concourse up to the main entry. Guests walk on top of the art to see art. According to Goldsworthy: “…When people experience this piece, it may appear as if the lines are heading in lots of different directions. Instead, they’re all heading to the museum’s entrance. They’re all inviting people to enter…”
Outside in the Osher Sculpture Garden, I discovered Zhan Wang’s stainless steel sculpture: Artificial Rock. The highly reflective piece mimics the mountains in traditional Chinese painting. The surface changes with the day’s passing of light remaining new but constant.
On the way to the de Young’s viewing deck in the Education Tower, Ruth Asawa’s amazing sculpture installation greets and delivers. Fifteen metal wire sculptures are like frosting on a cake. Just when you thought you’ve had a good day at the art museum, you realized it just got exceptional.
However, what makes the de Young so unique is not just the art it houses but its architecture. Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron both born in Basel and received their architecture degrees in Zurich, designed the museum. Herzog: “You cannot only design a building to make it beautiful. It has to really work well with the huge crowd that is using it.”
That’s the brilliance of great art and design, it works well alone or in a crowd.
The links:
http://www.herzogdemeuron.com/index.html
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1610464,00.html
http://www.kqed.org/arts/programs/spark/profile.jsp?essid=4157
http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-02-23/entertainment/17143022_1_sculptures-zhan-wang-chinese
http://deyoung.famsf.org/about/architecture-and-grounds
“Resolutions”
January 1, 2012
A time warp...
After typing the word “resolutions” in a Google search, I was surprised that the government had a list of 13 Popular New Year’s Resolutions with links to resources. When did the United States government start getting involved in New Year’s resolutions?
On the top of their list is Drink Less Alcohol. Ok, I can understand that but I enjoy a glass of wine every now and then. It really helps with coping with my high student loan debt, inflated house payments, and wondering if the economy will stabilize or continue to fall off a cliff. My booze budget includes Two Buck Chuck (Yes, it only costs $2 and it’s made by Charles Shaw) and for special occasions anything under $6 a bottle will do.
Eat Healthy Food ranks number two. It would be refreshing for the federal government to mandate healthy choices in schools. Remove all vending machines (no soda, candy bars, or chips) and “teach” students how to eat well would be a positive start. I remember watching Jamie Oliver’s FOOD REVOLUTION television show, he tried very hard to get healthy food into schools only to discover that red tape and fear of change kept good food options away from kids.
Get a Better Education is next on the list. Well, I did that and will be paying a hefty payment for the next 23 years, which is equivalent to what my Midwestern parents paid monthly for their home. Now that’s the American dream! My student loans are more than the current value of their spacious Wisconsin abode located in an area with fabulous schools.
Of course Get a Better Job makes the list. That’s so easy to do during this wonderful economy! Many jobs exist that pay a fair living wage, give health benefits, pay on time, acknowledge your existence, pay for extra hours worked, and reward workers with a holiday bonus (warning: cynicism overload). Maybe if the government starting working for the American people and not corporations that would be a positive sign for change. Here’s a thought: I would like to see our government do a better job and stop working for special interests…
Don’t forget to Get Fit! Believe me, I’m exercising everyday and trying to make the best choices eating. So the next resolution on the list is to Lose Weight. Ok Mr. or Mrs. Government I’m getting the message and doing the best I can!
Let me get this straight, the government is now telling me to Manage Debt. Ever hear the old saying: if you’re going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk? Maybe the government should stop committing to wars we can’t afford and corporate welfare. Pay your fair share companies! Offshore accounts were so last year. Accountability and paying your taxes is so patriotic and 2012. Anyways, we’re building schools and roads in other parts of the world when we should be doing that right here. Ever take a drive through some of our toughest and poorest neighborhoods in America? You don’t have to leave the states to see schools that look like they belong in a war zone….
Manage Stress creeps up onto the list. Meditation isn’t working when the monthly bills arrive. Maybe if I just close my eyes, it will all just disappear and go away. Too bad reality has to step back in!
Quit Smoking seems logical to me. It’s expensive and causes cancer. The cost of one pack of cigarettes is close to one hour worked at minimum wage after taxes. Plus, I want my dollars to go to something more “positive” like bills. However living in California, I couldn’t help but ask the government to please be more specific on what exactly they want Americans to quit smoking…
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle is fun and easy. With the downturn in the economy, I have less money to buy, have to reuse what I have, and recycle my jokes. From the lack of oversight on BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster to the energy expanded for wars, the government undoubtedly has the authority to tell me how to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Save Money….well duh! My husband and I have been trying to do that since the day we were born.
Take a Trip is next on the list but didn’t the government just tell me to Save Money? Please make up your mind, do you want to spend money to stimulate the economy or save money to pay my bills?
Volunteer to Help Others is the last resolution however I’m so busy working to pay off my better education to get a better job so I can have more time to get fit, lose weight, drink less alcohol, and not smoke in order to save money to eat healthy food which would help manage stress and with some luck be able to take a trip (I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii) and manage debt by reducing, reusing, and recycling my entire existence. That sounded stressful and I barely said it in one breath!
I’ll keep it simple by having only one resolution and that is to survive the New Year…
The links:
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New-Years-Resolutions.shtml
http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/home
