Natural disasters have a way of demolishing things and uprooting lives as we've seen with previous earthquakes and tsunamis. The tornado that hit the southern states in the U.S. was no different....with at least 342 people dead and buildings and towns demolished. And as the people try to pick up the pieces and salvage mementos, the rains are coming in. I pray for those who are trying to figure out how to move forward amidst this tragedy and for those who lost loved ones to this devastating tornado....
See here for more of a story on "Mourning for tornado victims in the South".
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Prayers for the Japanese people
By now I'm sure you've seen all the news about the earthquake, tsunami, and possible nuclear catastrophe. What a devastating disaster, and how heartbreaking for so many people who have lost loved ones, lost their homes, and lost their entire communities.... I pray for them and their families, and the nearly 2500 souls that have left us behind in such a tragic way.... I also hope and pray that in the days ahead more survivors are found, and that more survivors are reunited. And I hope and pray that nuclear catastrophe is averted....
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
International Women's Day (3/8/11)
I've been away from the blogger for a while, and albeit a day late for Women's Day, I'm back to posting (hopefully on a more regular basis this year).
Yesterday was the 100th International Women's Day, a day that started in 1908 on March 8th in Germany. International Women's Day (IWD) has a long history of political and social awareness connotations, thanks to the various struggles in Europe against sexual discrimination in the work and political arena in attempts to achieve equality in a continually industrializing "man's" world. In 1977, March 8th was proclaimed as the UN Day for Women's Rights and International Peace.
Most of us probably don't think about it, particularly if we live in a westernized society, but women still live in difficult conditions all over the world. From the very poor in nations abroad to those very women who live in our communities, women are not always given the value they deserve or treated as they should be. I mean, I've encountered that treatment as a woman myself. It's not as drastic as women who live in extreme poverty or are displaced by war and disaster; those women face horrible situations that make mine look tolerable. But in fact, I think that any act based on the perception that women may be a less powerful, less strong gender, and therefore less significant, should be an outrage. We should treat each other with respect, regardless of gender or anything else for that matter. In order for respect to be garnered, respect should be given. I believe that begins with us as the individual - it is our initiative to begin the cycle of respect and break the cycle of disrespect, discrimination, and violence. And I think this initiative begins with awareness - awareness of the condition of our fellow women around the world, awareness of what they still endure, despite the advent of the 21st century....
I know IWD has passed, but I hope we are able to remember that women are an important part of society and should be treated with the care that we would want bestowed upon our mothers, our sisters, and our daughters...all year long....
Yesterday was the 100th International Women's Day, a day that started in 1908 on March 8th in Germany. International Women's Day (IWD) has a long history of political and social awareness connotations, thanks to the various struggles in Europe against sexual discrimination in the work and political arena in attempts to achieve equality in a continually industrializing "man's" world. In 1977, March 8th was proclaimed as the UN Day for Women's Rights and International Peace.
Most of us probably don't think about it, particularly if we live in a westernized society, but women still live in difficult conditions all over the world. From the very poor in nations abroad to those very women who live in our communities, women are not always given the value they deserve or treated as they should be. I mean, I've encountered that treatment as a woman myself. It's not as drastic as women who live in extreme poverty or are displaced by war and disaster; those women face horrible situations that make mine look tolerable. But in fact, I think that any act based on the perception that women may be a less powerful, less strong gender, and therefore less significant, should be an outrage. We should treat each other with respect, regardless of gender or anything else for that matter. In order for respect to be garnered, respect should be given. I believe that begins with us as the individual - it is our initiative to begin the cycle of respect and break the cycle of disrespect, discrimination, and violence. And I think this initiative begins with awareness - awareness of the condition of our fellow women around the world, awareness of what they still endure, despite the advent of the 21st century....
I know IWD has passed, but I hope we are able to remember that women are an important part of society and should be treated with the care that we would want bestowed upon our mothers, our sisters, and our daughters...all year long....
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Steps in the right direction
There are times when we have to pause and think about what we can celebrate in the journey to overcome obstacles and injustices. And although it has been a few days already since this positive occasion, I still want to share this: the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
If anyone knows about a light at the end of the tunnel, it must be her. She has been under house arrest or in detention for 15 of the last 21 years. And while this is a long-awaited positive event for her supporters in Burma/Myanmar and worldwide, it does not remove the injustice of her imprisonment or other political prisoners. But it is an event that will hopefully fuel more steps in the right direction to political freedom and actions of conscience in the world.
Read an article about the celebration of her release here.
If anyone knows about a light at the end of the tunnel, it must be her. She has been under house arrest or in detention for 15 of the last 21 years. And while this is a long-awaited positive event for her supporters in Burma/Myanmar and worldwide, it does not remove the injustice of her imprisonment or other political prisoners. But it is an event that will hopefully fuel more steps in the right direction to political freedom and actions of conscience in the world.
Read an article about the celebration of her release here.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Floods in Pakistan
Has anyone been tracking the situation with the floods in Pakistan? It has been an onslaught of water from torrential rains that have continued for over two weeks now. One article from MSNBC.com indicates that while the death toll of 1500 is "relatively small", the disruption and damage it has caused is staggering. 1500 people is 1500 too many...regardless of the opinion that it is a "relatively small" loss. The devastation from the floods is tragic, and what's worse is that the rains continue. Aid trickles in but it's not enough. Infrastructure damages and health hazards impact this area. Please keep these people in your prayers and do what you can to help them.
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