It's a Book

Ok, so how do you know a book is a book?  I asked my students that question last week and received quite a few "are you crazy" stares, but . . . it took awhile for them to come up with an explanation. Perhaps the problem is that in this day and age reading books in "book" format is becoming a thing of the past. So, watch the trailer for a very interesting little "book".

Here is the trailer to a short video for "It's a Book"   Now go read a book!

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas Study Guide - Ursula K. Le Guin - eNotes.com

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas Study Guide - Ursula K. Le Guin - eNotes.com

"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" is Ursula K. Le Guin's allegorical tale about a Utopian society in which Omelas' happiness is made possible by the sacrifice of one child for the sake of the group. In an allegory, many symbols and images are used in an attempt to illustrate universal truths about life.

Test Yourself English

In this course we will use the New York Times as one of our "texts". The NYT has many lessons and resources prepared for student use. For example:

Can you answer this question?

Student Opinion: How Do You Prepare to go Back to School?

By SHANNON DOYNE

"In some parts of the United States, summer vacation is over for students. Everywhere else, that first day of school is days or weeks away. What are you doing–or what have you done–to get ready? What supplies do you need? Are you buying new clothing and shoes? Who goes shopping with you?"

Read more . . .

Minister and wife plead guilty to forced labor of African woman | ajc.com

Minister and wife plead guilty to forced labor of African woman  | ajc.com

United States should lead the world in recognizing peaceful, democratic Somaliland | SomalilandPress.com

Published in "Somaliland Press" July 20, 2010

Somalia recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence, but most Somalis have nothing to celebrate. Somalia ranks as the world’s most utterly failed state. Today, 3 million people are desperately in need of food, 1.4 million have been displaced and 750,000 survive on humanitarian relief.

United States should lead the world in recognizing peaceful, democratic Somaliland | SomalilandPress.com

Haiti at Six Months

New York Times Editorial, June 16, 2010

Six months after Haiti’s earthquake, the situation is bleak. Of the 1.5 million people displaced, 28,000, so far, have been moved to safer transitional housing. The rest huddle in tents and pray that the next rains won’t wash their meager belongings away. Crime is resurgent and everyone is desperate for some sign of recovery.

Read more . . . Haiti at Six Months

Haitian Orphans Have Little but One Another

By DEBORAH SONTAG
Published: July 5, 2010

CROIX-DES-BOUQUETS, Haiti — More than five months after the earthquake that killed her single mother, Daphne Joseph, 14, lost her bearings a second time when she was forced to leave the makeshift orphanage where she had felt at home.

Read more:Click here to read article

Bringing Cinema to Haitian Tent Camps

From the New York Times:

In Haiti, a handful of organizations are racing to produce programming that entertains and informs the hundreds of thousands of displaced people living in camps without televisions or radios.

Question: What types of films and TV spots are selected for viewing and how might this impact Haitian culture?

To view the audio slide show click here : Watch Haitian Cinema in Tent Camps

Playing for Change - Peace Through Music

Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race.


Playing for Change Home Page

With Sharp Satire, Enfant Terrible Challenges Czech Identity

As you read this article, see if you can find the rationale behind the Czech reluctance to use documentation for confirming acceptance, receipt of monies, etc.

An interesting random article on Czech art and identity.

China to Scan Text Messages to Spot ‘Unhealthy Content’

A post from the Global New York Times: BEIJING — As the Chinese government expands what it calls a campaign against pornography, cellular companies in Beijing and Shanghai have been told to suspend text services to cellphone users who are found to have sent messages with “illegal or unhealthy content,” state-run news media reported Tuesday.
Click here to read more

Food for thought . . . how does this relate to the difference between the Chinese focus on central control for the collective good, vs. our western focus on the rights of individuals to free speech?

Trying to Sway America's Cuba Policy With Song

Trying to Sway America’s Cuba Policy With Song
By GINGER THOMPSON
A movement by artists, scholars and businessmen is trying to change United States policy toward Cuba from the bottom up.

Click here for audio video: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/12/25/world/americas/20091225-CUBA/index.html

Starbucks' "Love Project"

In the spirit of Mark Johnson's "Playing for Change: Peace Through Music" Starbucks' Love Project uses music to help provide AIDS relief in Africa. Please click on the link and help provide help to Africa. Each "hit" sends help to AIDS victims in Africa.

Click here to view video . . .

52 Children recovered from Child PRostitution Ring

52 children recovered, 60 alleged child pimps arrested in crackdown
October 26, 2009 1:57 p.m. EDT.

(CNN) -- Law enforcement authorities have recovered 52 children and arrested 60 pimps allegedly involved in child prostitution, the FBI announced Monday.

Read More here.......

Building a Peaceful Somalia

After returning to Somalia in 2008 to aid victims of a drought, the locals asked Mohamed Aden to become their leader. In less than a year, he has transformed Adado, Somalia, into an enclave of peace...click here to read more about "An American-Somali'"s" Improbable Return (NYTimes online)

Finland First Country in World to make Internet Access a Right

First we had "Human Rights", then came "Children's Rights", now are we on the threshold of "Internet Rights"?

(CNN) -- Finland has become the first country in the world to declare broadband Internet access a legal right.

The move by Finland is aimed at bringing Web access to rural areas, where access has been limited.

Starting in July, telecommunication companies in the northern European nation will be required to provide all 5.2 million citizens with Internet connection that runs at speeds of at least 1 megabit per second.

Click here to read more....

"Where the Hell Is Matt" - Dancing Around the World

First we had "Playing for Change: Bringing Peace with Music", now we have Matt's dancing around the world...maybe he is bringing peace through dance?....... At any rate, it is great fun, so enjoy the video. Where the Hell is Matt?

Matt's online journal is full of his musings about the people and places where he has danced. You may get some ideas for your research paper or presentations!

The Curse of Africa's Colonial Borders

Borders -whether geographical, cultural, or virtual - are like fences; some people are kept in and some are kept out. Who are the 'gatekeepers' and how they control the flow of people is an interesting conundrum. The link below provides an insightful commentary on the border legacy in Africa.

The Curse of Africa's Colonial Borders

Playing for Change: Episode 10 - Fannie Mae

Quote of the day: "We met Grandpa Elliott on the corner of Toulouse and Royal Street in the French Quarter, his patented spot for performing. However, on this morning, there was some street construction happening which made it difficult for recording. So, we trudged our gear through the streets of the Quarter and found a quiet spot in the famous surroundings of Jackson Square. Slowly people gathered in curiosity and fascination while Grandpa warmed up his voice and before long we were in record and capturing this amazing performance." Playing for Change