MALALA DAY- July 14

I am Malala: http://community.malala.org/watch-malala-the-girl-who-was--619546484.html

A true inspiration to us all...Specially young girls.

Please take time to watch the Malala day video below.

Brazil's 2014 WORLD CUP: The Killing of OUR world's people

Soccer is my favorite sport, and has been ever since I was a young child. I remember taking on the nickname of Ronaldinha (a girl version of one of the world's best soccer players Ronaldinho) because I was really "good" in elementary school. Though I never played on a team I can say that I grew up with soccer and have a genuine love for it. I have always enjoyed the beautiful game and most recently  have become a little obsessed with it and its all-star players. I mean hasn't every one? It is the World Cup 2014 for crying out loud!! I have been keeping up with many matches. Sacrificing sleep and waking up at 9A.M (during summer that is early) to watch my favorite teams and players show their skills on the pitch...

Though I am a fan
I am also a human being
I like to think of myself as a kind human being
as an aware and caring human being
aa a human being that sheds light on actions and events that are inhumane...

We have all been blinded by the beautiful game!

So cheers to Brazil's world cup that has stains of red and of innocent blood on their hands.

*I have read a couple of articles that I think are worth sharing. Knock yourself out.

1. Danish Journalist calls for Boycott of World Cup

Jutland Station-The Region From A Global Perspective:
http://www.jutlandstation.dk/week-16-rising-inequality-journalist-abandons-world-cup-and-scare-campaign-against-df/

Freelance Danish journalist, Mikkel Keldorf has attracted a lot of media attention in both the Danish and Brazilian press this week after writing on his blog that the Brazilian authorities have launched a ‘cleaning’ operation to ready the capital for the World Cup. According to Politiken, Keldorf claims that this ‘cleaning’ includes, among other things, forced relocation and military operations in residential areas which kill street children thus ‘cleaning’ the city.

Keldorf has been living and working in Rio de Janeiro for six months now in preparation for the World Cup which is just over two months away. But he has now decided to leave and boycott the finals in protest of these alleged ‘cleaning’ operations.

He wrote on his blog and on Facebook, “Min VM-billet har blodstænk fra gadebørn” which translates roughly as “my World Cup ticket is covered in the blood of street children.”

...

Amnesty International confirmed that death squads in Brazil have been known to target street children and others. But according to DR Nyheder, the organisation has not documented an increase in the lead-up to the World Cup so cannot recommend a boycott.

TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTICLE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE.

2. 'In Brazil they kill street children to clean up cities and make a good impression for the World Cup'

LIVERPOOL FC Forum: 
http://forums.liverpoolfc.com/threads/358463-In-Brazil-they-kill-street-children-to-clean-up-cities-and-make-a-good-impression-for-the-World-Cup

...
Jensen, a freelance journalist, dreamt of covering the FIFA World Cup, "the best sport in the world", in Brazil, "a wonderful country". But the dream has become a nightmare since the Dane decided to travel to the South American country months in advance.

Mikkel was in Fortaleza, which he described as "the most violent city" of all those hosting World Cup matches, and he was struck by what he saw. Indeed, horrified by what he saw. So much so that he's decided to abandon his dream of covering the World Cup as a journalist.

And he explains his reasons in a horrifying report published on his Facebook profile:

"For two and a half years I've dreamt of covering the World Cup in Brazil. The best sport in the world in a wonderful country. I came up with a plan, I went to Brazil to study, I learned Portuguese and I was ready to head back.
And in September 2013 I went back. The dream was about to become a reality. But now, two months before the World Cup party, I've decided that I can't stick it out any longer. The dream has become a nightmare."
Y explica las razones en un espeluznante relato publicado en su perfil de Facebook:

I spent five months documenting the repercussions of hosting the World Cup in Brazil. There are so many: refurbishment, armed forces and military police in local communities, corruption, social projects being abandoned... I found that all of the projects and changes you see in Brazil are because of people like me - a foreigner, and an international journalist. I'm being exploited to make a good impression.

...

In Fortaleza I met Allison, a 13 year old boy who lives on the city streets. A kid with a really tough life. He had nothing but a packet of peanuts. When we met, he gave me everything he had - the peanuts. This kid, who doesn't have a thing, offered the only thing of value he had to a foreigner carrying cameras worth $10,000 and a MasterCard in his wallet. Incredible.

But his life is in danger because of people like me. He runs risk of becoming the next victim of the cleansing being carried out in the city of Fortaleza.

I can't cover this event after finding out that the cost of the World Cup is the highest ever, not only in financial terms, but also I'm convinced that the cost of hosting the World Cup also includes the lives of children.

TO READ MORE ON THIS ARTICLE CLICK THE LINK ABOVE.

3. "En Brasil matan por la noche a niños de la calle para limpiar las ciudades y dar buena imagen en el mundial"

Vozpópuli: 
http://vozpopuli.com/deportes/42069-en-brasil-matan-por-la-noche-a-ninos-de-la-calle-para-limpiar-las-ciudades-y-dar-buena-imagen-en-el-mundial

...

Jensen, periodista freelance, soñaba con cubrir el Mundial de fútbol, "el mejor deporte del mundo", en Brasil, "un país maravilloso". Pero el sueño ha mutado en pesadilla después de que el danés decidiese viajar con unos meses de antelación al país suramericano.

Mikkel estuvo en Fortaleza, para él "la ciudad más violenta" de todas las que serán sedes del torneo, y regresó impresionado. Horrorizado, más bien. Tanto que ha decidido renunciar a ese sueño de acudir como periodista al Mundial.

Y explica las razones en un espeluznante relato publicado en su perfil de Facebook:

"Desde hace casi dos años y medio llevo soñando con cubrir el Mundial de Brasil. El mejor deporte del mundo en un país maravilloso. Hice un plan,me fui a estudiar a Brasil, aprendí portugués y estaba preparado para volver.

Y en septiembre de 2013 volví. El sueño se iba a cumplir. Pero hoy, dos meses antes de la fiesta de la Copa del Mundo, he decidido que no voy a seguir aquí. El sueño se ha convertido en una pesadilla.

...

 A menudo, los matan por la noche, cuando están durmiendo en una zona donde hay muchos turistas. ¿Por qué? ¿Para dejar limpia la ciudad para los extranjero y la prensa internacional? O sea, ¿por mi culpa?

En Fortaleza conocí a Allison, 13 años, que vive en las calles de la ciudad. Un chaval con una vida muy dura. Él no tenía nada, sólo un paquete de cacahuetes. Cuando nos conocimos él me dio todo lo que tenía, los cacahuetes. Este niño, que no tiene nada, ofreció la única cosa de valor que tenía a un extranjero que llevaba cámaras por valor de 10.000 dólares y una tarjeta Master Card en el bolsillo. Increíble.

...

Para leer mas sobre este articulo presione el enlace al sitio Web arriba. 

Brave New World Coming To A Cinema Near You

Upcoming movie THE  GIVER has content that is relatable to Huxley's Brave New World.



Watch the short movie trailer here:

and the longer version here:

It Is Still Present: WORLD CUP 2014

It =Racism

Racism= Noun 
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism

 1. a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
 2. racial prejudice or discrimination

These past few days I have enjoyed watching professional soccer players show their skills on the pitch. I have enjoyed the screaming and cheering for my team and have not so much enjoyed the losses but it has been fun nonetheless. What I have not enjoyed during the World Cup is the racism that has been incorporated, by both of those whom have said or done racial acts, and by those who have stayed silent about the issue. 

Here are some articles to check out:

1. Racism on World Cup casts shadow over soccer's big event: 

CBS Evening News: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/world-cup-2014-racism-casts-shadow-over-soccers-big-event/

The World Cup began with a multicultural celebration. But it didn't take long for the ugly side to appear in what fans call "the beautiful game." Two Argentine fans were arrested for taunting a black player as a "little monkey." Mexican fans allegedly screamed gay slurs at opposing goalkeepers.

"It's shocking how much racism exists -- public racism -- especially in European soccer," says sports journalist Grant Wahl.

Wahl points to past incidents that include Nazi banners in the stands and bananas thrown at black players on the field. American Jozy Altidore was the target of insults in Holland.

"We've seen racist chants, and we've seen players walk off the field in response to those racist chants," Wahl says.

Brazilian Danny Alves won praise in April when he nonchalantly took a bite out of a banana thrown at him. A defiant Internet campaign called "We are all monkeys" followed. "Anti-racism days" have also been held across Europe.
...

To read more on this article click the link above. Video also included. 

Amazing & very eye opening!  A Must Read Article! 
2. Black Identity And Racism Collide In Brazil At World Cup

New Pittsburgh Courier: 
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2014/06/20/black-identity-and-racism-collide-in-brazil-at-world-cup/

Before teams representing their countries from around the world arrived in Brazil, the country’s president, Dilma Rousseff, took the opportunity to label 2014 the “anti-racism World Cup.”

The declaration came after a wave of racist incidents in soccer around the world targeting Black players, many of whom are Brazilian. While it’s a well-intentioned gesture and a particularly important one for a World Cup being hosted in the country that’s home to the largest population of people of African descent outside of Africa, Brazil has a complex past and present when it comes to race.

That complexity can perhaps best be illustrated by the fact that many Black Brazilians don’t think of themselves as Black. Brazilian soccer star Neymar is a great example. Asked during an interview in 2010 if he had ever experienced racism, his response was, “Never.” He added, “Not inside nor outside of the soccer field. Even more because I’m not Black, right?”

This denial of Blackness may seem confusing to many Americans, because despite his long, straightened and occasionally blond hair, Neymar is clearly Black. But for Brazilians, being Black is very different from what it is in the United States.

... 

The goal of this immigration effort was depicted in an 1895 painting by Brazilian artist Modesto Brocos known as “The Redemption of Ham,” which features a Black grandmother, mixed-race mother, White father and White baby. The grandmother stands to the left with her hands raised in prayer, praising God that her grandson is White. This, says Brazilian entrepreneur and activist Carlos Alberto David, is the “final point” of racism in Brazil.

...

To read more on this article click the link above.

3. Why We Should Care About “We Are All Monkeys,” Even If It Was A PR Campaign

WorldSoccer Talk:
http://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/05/04/the-we-are-all-monkeys-media-campaign/

...

The campaign sprung up last weekend after a banana was thrown onto the Villarreal pitch at Barcelona’s Dani Alves.  Alves picked up the banana and ate it. Almost immediately soccer players and personalities around the world took to social media, showing pictures of them eating a banana and using the hashtag #weareallmonkeys (or #somostodosmacacos in Spanish).  This movement was to show that organized soccer deplored this racist act and people from around the world stood with Alves.

However, there is now a report in the Spanish paper AS that the spontaneity of the act may not have been spontaneous.  The paper reports that Alves and teammate Neymar had asked a marketing firm to draw up an anti-racism campaign in March, after they suffered abuse from fans at Espanyol.  The two players decided that next time a banana was thrown at them, the targeted player would eat the banana and the campaign would be launched. The assumption was that it was Neymar who would have taken action, but obviously Alves worked as well.

...

To read more on this article click the link above.

4. Soccer Racism and Homophobia: Mexican Fans Chant Profanity During 2014 FIFA World Cup Match Against Brazil and Cameroon
Latin Post: 
http://www.latinpost.com/articles/15279/20140620/soccer-racism-homophobia-the-term-puto-chanted-by-mexicos-fans-during-2014-fifa-world-cup-matches-against-brazil-and-cameroon.htm

French footballer Thierry Henry was just 17 when he made his professional debut in 1994, and four years later, he helped to bring the French national team the international championship during the 1998 FIFA World Cup. In 2004, Henry experienced the most potent incident of racism in his career: During a training session with the Spanish national team, the Spanish national coach Luis Aragonés was recorded by a Spanish TV crew referring to Henry as a "black piece of s***" to José Antonio Reyes, Henry's Arsenal teammate. The event rocked him, but unfortunately it failed to be the most hateful language or experience that he had or would endure in his career. The athlete would be showered with spit and mucus, serenaded with monkey chants and pelted with bananas on a regular basis by opposing fans.
...

The reluctant tolerance of racism has given way to a spout of homophobia: Mexico's fans harmonized a chant, singing "puto"during two recent matches when Mexico was pitted against Cameroon and Brazil. 

HBO's "Real Sports," hosted by Bryant Gumbel, aired an episode in April, entitled "Soccer Racism." The episode reported on the frequent and disgusting displays of racism in European football, which have gone to show the "ugly side of a beautiful game." Several black soccer players spoke about abuse as well as the resulting pain, anger and humiliation felt because of xenophobic game-goers, who hang effigies and bolster hateful speech.

To read more on this article click the link above.

5. Nazi sympathizer invades pitch during Ghana-Germany game
Yahoo Sports:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/nazi-sympathizer-invades-pitch-during-ghana-germany-game-235011679.html

RIO DE JANEIRO — FIFA’s plea to eliminate racism at this year’s World Cup continues to fall on deaf ears.

Despite a vehement campaign from the organization and pleas and public service announcements from teams and players, it has been one of the overriding themes of the 2014 World Cup.

The anti-discrimination Fare network, which made reports to FIFA about the matter on Thursday, noted that there were several neo-Nazi signs at matches involving Russia and Croatia.

And on Saturday, it took center stage again when a Nazi sympathizer rushed the field during the Ghana-Germany game. No security attempted to stop him as he took his shirt off to reveal a pro-Nazi message. He had to be ushered off the field by Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari.

...

To read more on this article click the link above. Video and pictures included. 

Innocence At Their Fingertips

Throughout the past weeks there has been countless news reports focused on the thousands of children who have fled their home countries alone to come to a better place. This better place being the United States, of course. Border Patrol is so overwhelmed by the amount of children crossing (most of which are Central American).  They are unable to get the children proper documentation and are focusing on treating them and keeping them safe. These children have left their families in search of a better life, some have even been abandoned and have no other choice but to fend for themselves and make executive decisions alone. It is a very heart wrenching experience what these children are going through, but this just goes to show that they are willing to fight for their lives. They are fighting to survive...

Images: Google Images

Image: The Detroit News-Nation World

 
 

Image: Google Images

Kids crossing the border fill U.S. detention centers: 

The Detroit News Nation-World: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140619/NATION/306190042#ixzz356zdbVfn

Brownsville, Texas – — Children’s faces pressed against glass. Hundreds of young boys and girls covered with aluminum foil-like blankets next to chain-link fences. The pungent odor that comes with keeping dirty travelers in close quarters.

These were the sights from a Wednesday tour of a crowded Border Patrol station in South Texas where thousands of immigrants are being held before they are transferred to other shelters around the country.

It was the first time the media was given access to the facility since President Barack Obama called the more than 47,000 unaccompanied children who have entered the country illegally this budget year an “urgent humanitarian situation.”

Border Patrol stations like the one in Brownsville were not meant for long-term custody. Immigrants are supposed to wait there until they are processed and taken to detention centers. But the surge in children arriving without their parents has overwhelmed the U.S. government ... More on this article? Click the link above. Video also included. 

Arpaio: ‘Border Patrol Is Too Busy Changing Diapers’ To Go After Illegal Immigrants

CBS Las Vegas:

 http://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/2014/06/17/arpaio-border-patrol-is-too-busy-changing-diapers-to-go-after-illegal-immigrants/

“The Border Patrol is too busy changing diapers and not going after dope peddlers and illegal immigrants,” Arpaio told Fox News Monday night.

More than 47,000 mostly Central American unaccompanied children have been caught illegally crossing the Mexican border into Texas since October. That’s left border agents in Texas overwhelmed and unable to process so many children. Within the last week, more than 1,000 of them have been transferred to a warehouse in Nogales, Ariz., where they are being processed before being sent to shelters in various states and then reunited with family members. 

...

“I think the president knew this was going to happen, so it’s going to help him on his executive orders if Congress doesn’t take this mission up,” Arpaio told Fox News. “It might backfire because of the inhumane situations.”

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske said that the children are being treated humanely and that there is no free pass for young children or anyone else caught trying to cross the border.

“I have been watching them (Border Patrol agents) do absolutely heroic efforts,” Kerlikowske said. “Not only rescuing children but taking care of them, way beyond some of the skill sets. They are doing everything from making formula to brining in their own children’s clothing to taking care of these kids in a multitude of ways.” More on this article? Click the link above. 

Immigrant kids detained in warehouse of humanity

USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/06/18/immigrant-children-detention-centers/10798643/

...

The children — all younger than 18 — sit in fenced off areas or lie on mattresses placed on up against the other with a look of intense boredom on their faces. They are divided in holding areas by age and gender.

...

Border Patrol isn't the only government agency on site. The Federal Emergency Management Agency now is running the entire operation.

At 11 a.m. MST Wednesday, they briefly opened the center up to the media. The facility itself is enormous, about the size of a football field. It has 18-foot-high chain-link fences topped with razor wire dividing the children by age and gender, one area for kids 12 and younger, areas each for boys and girls ages 13 to 15, and still more for boys and girls ages 16 and 17. Nylon tarps tied to the fences provide a modicum of privacy between the groups. 

But as sad as it is, the children are clothed and fed. They are clean. and the federal Public Health Service is on site conducting medical examinations and giving vaccinations. 

Pallets of water, cans of beans, bedding and clothing are available. Officials are doing their best to accommodate dietary needs; Central Americans don't eat flour, so they substituted corn tortillas. 

Once every other day, the children here get to go outside for recreation in the hot summer Arizona sun where highs are expected to be 90 degrees Wednesday but 101 degrees by Saturday. A basketball hoop is available, but most just sit and talk.

 After recreation, they go to the showers in the large trailers backed up by FEMA to the doors of the facility. 

Then they sit, passing the hours until it's their turn to leave.

... More on this article? Click the link above. Pictures and chart by the Department of Health and Human services of Refugee Resettlement. 

The End Is Near. The Beginning Is Here.

Such A Great Video.

Thank You MIRANDA NILLO




And Now Go Forth...

"STAY HUNGRY, STAY FOOLISH" -Steve Jobs

REMEMBER...that this is water

AND DON'T FORGET

"The finish line is just the beginning of a whole new race."

 -Unknown

In the spirit of remixes...

Modern...

Classy....

Reuniting With Myself

Marquez 1

Erica Marquez

Dr. Preston

AP English Literature and Composition

31 March 2014

Reunited With Myself

When I came into this world and took my first breath of oxygen I stunned many and became a special case for the doctors. I was premature and unable to eat without assistance. As I see it, I just could not wait to start living. As I grew older I found things that I liked, people that I loved, and experiences I wanted to go through. As I kept existing in this world I forgot what it meant to live. I forgot what it really meant to enjoy life. I got so wrapped up in what life and my education should be that I forgot what I loved about these things. I lost an essence of who I was and this course helped me reunite with that person.

When I began this course I was slapped with the big question. I thought and thought, and I wondered should I strive to impress or should I be truthful? I went with truthful and there my journey began. I felt like I took a fresh breath of oxygen.  I took this course to heart because then is when I knew that it would benefit me. Working with others, making connections, and sharing my ideas allowed me to become interactive in class. It allowed me to enjoy the course and I would definitely say that we as students deserve that opportunity. We deserve the opportunity to finally breathe a breath of fresh air; a breath of a new system.

Marquez 2

Literature is about learning and reading, and writing, and loving, and feeling, and emotion. It is so many things in so little pages. Part of our experience in this course was literature. My favorite pieces of work from this year are “The Kite Runner”,  “A thousand Splendid Suns” and, “In The Time Of The Butterflies”. These were my favorite because I am very passionate about justice for all. I like to think that we all have voices and that they should all be heard. These novels have many injustices embedded in the story lines. They are so raw and are based on the reality of two countries, Afghanistan and the Dominican Republic. Reading about these events reminded me about my life, it reminded me of how grateful I should be, and about how I want to change the world.

I could breathe since day one, but I did not know how to live or what I would live for. Connecting with myself allowed me to realize that there is so much to be done in this world and for the world. I could be a change. I could be passionate again. (I lost that in school) I could express my feelings and share my concerns in this course. I could talk about the campesinos and their injustices. I could hear about

other peoples passions like teaching, releasing stress through blowing fruits up, inspiring others through films, creating websites to help and entertain others, etc. The list of passions and interest goes on…The fresh air is breathed, it is contagious in this environment.

            I like oxygen and breathing this type of fresh air, but what really made me inhale and exhale lots of it were Javi’s and Izamar’s In Loco Politico post. The

Marquez 3

sarcasm and truth to their post was the freshest of air. Also, the class readings of plays like Macbeth, and Hamlet. They were very fun and entertaining.

            In that class we all breathe the same cool air. We all have a passion or something we care about and want to share with others. Kristen, Jacob, Kendall’s, Kylie’s, Maria’s and Javi’s and Izamar’s presentations were all connected and unified in two things. I felt like their presentations were focused on identity and change. They all put something on the table, something that they liked or could identify with and they talked about changing it, being innovators, trying to understand it and making a contribution to it. They all let us have a breeze of their wind.

            This year I not only stunned many…I stunned myself. I fought many battles, and I struggled to breathe the fresh air. Despite these gust of winds that seemed to tumble me and shake me once in a while I became aware of when I needed to hold my breath and when I could breathe. And finally I could breathe…