Posts Tagged ‘war’

09
Mar
2016

Amani Yahya: Yemen’s first female rapper

categories: Social Transformation, Speaking Truthfully AWARD

I have created the Speaking Truthfully Award to recognize and honor people who exemplify and embody Speaking Truthfully principles and practices.

Award

Amani Yahya is Yemen’s first female rapper and she is raising awareness of the struggles of women in war. The 22-year-old singer, who has had to flee her troubled homeland, is determined to use her music to highlight women’s rights, child marriage and sexual harassment in the Arab world.

Amani Yahya

“Women in Yemen don’t show their talents because our society is so dominated by men, and they don’t support women … in music,” she says. “But my dad loves music and my parents always taught me to speak my mind.”

Read a wonderful article about Amani in The Guardian by Homa Khaleeli: “Amani Yahya, Yemen’s first female rapper: I will find a way, I will shine”

19
Sep
2015

Humanity is Challenged to Take a Collective Evolutionary Leap in Consciousness

categories: Politics & Government, Social Transformation, Society & Culture, Spirituality & Religion
Globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology.

This is no longer an accurate definition of globalization. Globalization is no longer a “process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology.” The drivers of globalization now include war and poverty, climate change, lack of education, oppression of women, racism, and more. Perhaps they are the unintended consequences of reaching beyond strict borders for only financial gain. Companies can not plunder natural resources from countries who can not defend themselves against pollution and cultural disruption. Globalization now points to something that throws ideas like nationalism, secure borders, stable societies, pristine cultures into a frenzied spin-cycle. Simply stated: we now live in a one-world world. “We” and “them” are lines that do not hold; they have been overrun by reality. Walls will not keep people in and safe; they will not keep people out. The escalation of military might, the hoarding of riches, the demonization of others are now ideas as obsolete as the flat Earth. This is the new reality, one that seems to escape the understanding of the flat-Earthers. (more…)

16
Sep
2014

President Obama’s Magic Show

categories: Politics & Government, Society & Culture

In the same way we need to dig for the truth of our own self through self-inquiry and other means, we need to dig for the truth behind political speeches and media headlines through investigative journalism.

It is my view that most, nearly but not quite all, politicians and bureaucrats do not tell the truth.

I do not believe anything they say. I see them as Penn & Teller wannabees, or better-dressed versions of the street-wise David Blaine, wonderful magicians whose sleight of hand prowess and psychological misdirection fool us not once, not twice—but every single time!

I watched President Obama give his speech about going to war with ISIL (or ISIS or Islamic State) in order to degrade and destroy them. (more…)

12
Sep
2014

9/11 is Groundhog Day

categories: Social Transformation

Three days after 9/11, I wrote an 8,000 word article entitled “A Call for Peace.” More than a decade later, I feel my words are as relevant and timely as then — maybe more so. I am posting an edited version of that original piece, as the entire article is too long for blog posting. I have not changed a word. Much in the world has darkened in these past few years; my sentiments remain true for me, my heart is the same, my call for peace as necessary.

Since the shattering morning of September 11th, we have all tried in our own ways to understand: How could this happen here? Who did this? What do we do?

I would like to speak to these questions, even with the knowledge that my words can neither encompass nor illuminate the whole truth of recent events. My prayer and intent is that these words may contribute in some measure to a healing of wounded hearts, to a search for truth, and, most of all, to a resolve for nonviolent action. (more…)