The Power of Twitter
When I first saw this editorial cartoon drawn by Bob Gorrell, I have to say that immediately drew out my cynicism. My head screamed, “yeah, like twitter really does THAT much.” Despite my skepticism, ironically, I still “tweet” daily and even convince myself that my few tweets a day do matter in the scheme of things. Nonetheless, the increased attention and outrage at the Iranian election has clearly heightened the awareness of Twitter.
In fact, the story of Neda Agha-Soltan’s death provides the movement with a face—an individual murdered for desiring freedom. To me, this makes the complete outrage with the Iranian election even more infuriating. It’s such a unfathomable concept to me to witness such an abhorrence for democracy that a government will resort to public and blatant democide. It’s hard to remember how lucky we truly are.
It is a blessing to awake everyday, and to have the ability to mindlessly post on a blog or forum, etc. For me, it is a much needed break from studying and work where I can just write what I am thinking. It isn’t even important that anyone reads it per se, but just that I CAN do it. It’s therapeutic actually.
Point is, most of the time I twitter, I mainly post what’s on my mind, which issue I’m currently thinking about or even what I am doing. For the most part, no one REALLY cares… but it’s comforting to see that with #
Neda—when it is TRULY important, people care. #Neda is a martyr to the Iranian people. She is a woman that died for democracy. She is a symbol to the world. She died for the very reason that I am even able to write this blog—the freedom to thought, speech, and life.
So for #Neda, I am going to keep writing, keep posting, keep sharing. For the most part, no one is going to really care what a 22-year-old college student has to say; most posts will pass along forgotten, unread, unnoticed. But then again, maybe it can be the 140 characters to change a nation. The hashtag to demand #democracy for #Iran. The extra re-tweet to get a martyr like #Neda noticed. One thing for sure, you just can’t underestimate the power of Twitter. And I know I’m going to keep tweeting. Maybe we can change the world, 140 characters at a time.
del.icio.us Tags: twitter,Iran,election,tweet,social network,protest,Bob Gorrell,cartoon,editorial
WHY I DISLIKE SARAH PALIN:
Throughout the entire McCain campaign, one woman clearly stood out in a negative light to me: the vice-president nominee Sarah Palin. Perhaps, she was suppose to offer the opposition’s version of a Hillary Clinton, but instead, she represented (to me) a classic portrait of beauty queen. However, I hope that we can make a stand and see Mrs. Sarah Palin as she really is–a compassionateness hunter on a mission to drive a beautiful species into extinction. I did NOT and do NOT support Sarah Palin. I support a preservation of nature and a constant quest to retain wildlife. Therefore, I hope that regardless of your personal political affiliation, you will make the decision to end Governor Palin on her quest to eradicate wolves.
If you would like to learn more about aerial hunting of wolves, I have posted additional information on this topic on my animal rights page. Moreover, I have posted a link to the petition to stop this killing here: https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?s_oo=eqr5yFi9WPcPML2LPcbZuQ..&id=1329
OR at my posterous
Thank you for helping to support these magnificent creatures that really deserve a chance at life.
Opposition to Abortion
Source of news:
Abortion opponents return to Kan. clinic
First of all, Roe vs. Wade established the legal ruling upon the issue of abortion. No one truly likes abortion. It is a horrible, but necessary procedure for many women. Not because they are evil, but for reasons beyond their control that given the lack of true empathy, we fail to comprehend. My point: legal or not, let’s face facts-abortion will happen. People have and will continue to have less than ideal situations happen to them.
In fact, let’s revisit the movie Cider House Rules. Taking place during a time in America that abortion was illegal, it reminds us of the horrors occurring within dark alleys – events affecting the rich and the poor. A young girl dies from a back alley "abortion" of crochet needles. Other horrors from unregulated practice ensue in the movie.
It really reminds us that Roe vs. Wade stands testament to these lost lives in a time that desperate women sought solutions from anyone- and abortion existed solely as one on the back alleys off the beaten path.
Abortion is ugly and a very undesirable practice, however, let’s remember the lesson from the movie: it’s an inevitable product of society that must be regulated. Without the supervision of a qualified MD, we jeopardize the woman’s life.
Hence, the opposition to legal abortion and abortion clinics is protesting the medical doctor’s regulation of a medical procedure.
Let’s think about this, rent Cider House Rules and remember what a return to illegal abortion REALLY means.
The full story:
AP NEWS
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French government supports study of burqa wear.
In an anthropology class, we read an article about a Muslim woman trying to remain obedient to the confines of her religion while still supporting women’s rights. It was an interesting take to me to read about a woman determined to flip this requirement to be a symbol of empowerment through embracing her faith. As a woman and a minority, it is crucial that women and minorities receive fair & equal treatment. Yet, growing up in American (Western Culture) I have the hardest time understanding how the burqa can be manipulated to symbolize empowerment.
To me, the entire concept seems extremely deeming. I am coming from a biased perspective. In conclusion, I think the results from this story are definitely going to be worth reading for women everywhere.
del.icio.us Tags: burqa,women’s rights,study,wear,empowerment
Corporate Corruption ATTN: CEO
Complaint #06152009
Location #1800EST
Corrupt Corp.
Attn: CEO
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
Dear Sirs or Madams:
First of all, I would like to sincerely apologize if this letter exposes your corporate operative practices as extremely immoral and lacking common decency. Technically, you covered yourselves, at least in the legal sense. Morally and ethically, I beg to differ. Although we live within a society that abhors the dreaded “workers’ rights,” I have to mention your eradication of an employee that has worked for their entire lives truly speaks for itself regarding its TRUE inner core principles as corporate officers. Seniority beneficial treatment is an idea of the past, outdated, old-fashioned, outworn, and of course, obsolete.
I do not need to try to dredge up a detailed list of grievances to convey my point; I just have to record your actions (actions that [I hope, but I cannot confirm its existence] your conscience wills you to forget—but, this is just all just a day’s work, correct?)
With that said, I know you are going to convince yourself that these actions were ABSOLUTELY necessary and there was “really nothing at all that you could ACTUALLY do…”—so I won’t take that away from you. Sleeping is a fundamental need and I’m sure you need every ounce of comfort (no matter how false) to escape into sleep’s merciful oblivion. You’re just like Eichmann, right? Just “following orders?” In that case, you did make the correct decision to capitalize from the elimination of an obsolete employee. Well-done.
You’ll probably read this, maybe feel guilt and shame for a millisecond before going on with your day. You’ll think of me as a nuisance, merely bitter over “something that just had to be done.” You’ll “know” that I’m just another one “those” and disregard me as another one—that’s outdates, old-fashioned, outworn, and obsolete. Maybe I am all of the above…wait, I know that I am. How do I know? I know because I’m still human. And I know, that since I retain compassion, to you, I’m officially obsolete.
I know you have extremely important duties to tend, so I’ll just fade back into the background and let you forget again what it means to be human—that irksome condition of showing humanity.
Sincerely,
Complaint #06152009
By the way, I attached a video I think you could truly benefit from watching. It might be worthwhile. But then again, what do I know?
Life as an Adoptee (Also Posted on CASA page)
del.icio.us Tags: adoption,adoptee,international adoption,biological,identity
As an adoptee, it is hard to not live any day without realizing how different my life would be at any given moment if I were not adopted. As a child, I fantasized about a romantic past–being a long lost princess for example, as the explanation to my adoption. Beyond trying to become the social envy within my childhood circle of friends, the idea of being adopted never bothered me at all. Even as an eight-year-old girl I knew that realistically, it is unlikely that my life would be happy with my biological mother–the most probably scenario ending with me as shunned outcast born to an impoverished single-mother. To me, it seemed to be the unique identifying feature that little kids love to use to highlight themselves. However, adoption is more than the grasp of a second-grader, it’s growing up just like everyone else around you. So, what if my mom has blonde hair and green eyes, my dad has brown hair and blue eyes? It was normal to me. On May 25th, 2009, exactly 22-years ago, a baby girl entered the United States because her biological mother decided that life with an American would be a better life. With that said, I know my life simply could not be the same as it is today without her ultimate sacrifice of witnessing my rise to adulthood. It remains the greatest act of love and courage that I have ever known within my own life.
So, as an adoptee, I don’t blame her at all. In fact, I commend her decision. I have been given the greatest and most attentive parents ever and I would never hesitate to change her decision at all. I know some adoptees complain about the identity issues (more to come on this topic with my thesis) that often accompanies adoption, but for me, it has made my identity, not destroyed an integral component that never (to me) existed in the first place. I do wish I had my medical records and just a picture–so I could know, do I resemble my biological mother or my biological father?
That concern is just surface level… my REAL parents are the mom and dad that I run home to when I’m having a bad day, need to get away, and molded me who I am today. In the end, my life isn’t different at all–in fact, it’s truly blessed. Just remember to the outsiders who only see a blonde mom, all-American dad, and then the Asian kid…the differences exist ONLY at the surface level. We’re a truly close-knit family and I would not trade them for the world.
Technorati Tags: adoption,adoptee,international adoption,biological,identity
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Long Time No See
I have to admit that I have not been the best lately about writing entries consistently. I wish that I could say that I have a better excuse than the typical “I’ve been so busy…” line, but I really can’t offer any other explanation at all. Mainly because, well, it’s completely true.
As the school year ended, it only approached a summer that is filled with more work and even more studying sessions… and of course the ever-present, always there in the back of mind, thesis that I am desperately improving and continuing to build. Eventually, I might post the general concepts surrounding it, but since it is following an ethnographical-type approach, confidentiality is an upmost concern. Once all the pseudonyms are in place, however, I fully intend to discuss my thesis with anyone that will listen.
Moreover, I have switch from working at Court Appointed Special Advocates (I have a very small page listed at the top that intend to expand…someday) from part-time to full-time. All I know is, I am a college kid and the 9 AM – 5 PM workday is no easy feat. Not that I am complaining, but it really is quite an adjustment from late night (think 3 AM) to passing out before 1 AM.
I know that I said that my blog would be updated more frequently than during the school year and I am really going to try. Not that anyone really cares, but it’s therapeutic within its own right.
With that said, keep visiting and I’ll keep updating and posting. Hopefully, it won’t be so long in between posts next time. I do have plenty of post ideas that are “in-draft” that I will post within the next few days.
Stay posted and Happy Summer!
