Predicting the future is messy business. “Futurology” is the art of speculating about the future and, in practice, it’s an optimist’s game. Indeed, few want to think poorly of their own—or humanity’s—future. There will doubtless be innumerable innovations in the coming years. Today’s vision of the future incorporates the idea of a continued advance of…
As I was contemplating what this blog post should be about, I knew it was going to address some aspect of COVID-19, the pandemic that has turned all of our lives upside down in just two short weeks. There’s definitely lots to talk about – lots of opinions, thoughts, and ideas on how to proceed…
White. Black. Mexican. Asian. Native American. Middle Eastern. Indian. What do these words really mean? And more importantly, why do we use these labels to differentiate between ourselves?
The last time I read this heart-breaking poem, written by Khaled Juma as a tribute to Gaza’s children, was two years ago, when the large-scale bloodshed in the Gaza-Israel conflict came to an end. Noting the approximate 1500 civilian casualties and 500,000 displacements (x), the dilapidated schools, homes and hospitals, the astonishing 44% unemployment rate…
Why is it that I was born in a safe country, embraced by my parent’s loving arms While another like me was born and soon abandoned in a dirty orphanage? What was the difference between him and I? Why is it that I had the privilege to scamper my beautiful streets, wildly laughing and carefree,…
I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Storybook Theater’s rendition of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. I walked out of the theater with a single collective emotion: horror. The audience was able to journey with the characters through their spiral into insanity and with the close proximity of the actors to the audience,…
Dear Homophobe, He was 15 and terrorized. He didn’t even know what being gay meant. He prayed relentlessly to God, begging Him to fix him. A fifteen year old boy began to despise himself… God did not fix him. And the boy detached himself from the world. Until, God-willingly, he eventually came clean about his sexuality.…
Peace is defined as “the normal, non-warring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.” [Source Dictionary.com] But is peace normal? Or is it merely and ideal we are destined to strive for but never accomplish? The term utopia was first used in the 14th century in Sir Thomas More’s book Utopia which was…
Homelessness. My perspective on this social issue continues to change and broaden as time goes on. I feel like for a long time, I’ve been close-minded about it and to some extent, this still holds true today. That’s why I’m writing this post, to better educate myself and to inform readers about the complexities that surround…
Warning: there is graphic language in this post which may be triggering to some readers. “You are invited to anonymously contribute a secret to a group art project. Your secret can be regret, fear, betrayal, desire, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything – as long as it is true and you have never shared it…
Do you ever wonder about how to make this world a better place to live? What needs to be done? How things need to change? But the answer to your question is really those simple acts of kindness that make this world a better place to live. These do not require a lot of time…
One world: a world where everyone is happy, mingling together, celebrating the diversity, accepting the differences, promoting faith in kindness and humanity. In that world, every person had a reason to smile, and only one aim: to make that world a better place to live for everyone. But alas! It was just a dream. But…
I don’t think people naturally seek to help others everyday. We’re just too busy. Five days ago you would’ve seen me studying for exams, not giving care for much else. You would’ve seen a businessman, going to his office to sign his daily papers and you would’ve seen a college student, going for her day…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p86BPM1GV8M It’s amazing how a short three minute video can alter your way of thinking. I love this video not only for it’s simplicity, but also for the lasting effects it can take upon the viewer, challenging different perspectives. The fact that this is a Carl Sagan clip doesn’t hurt either.
It was on a small pin that I intently focused my churning emotions of joy: the powerful and uplifting emblem of the Red Cross.