absolutwillie

Tag: activism

  • Thousands march to mark Tiananmen crackdown


    Around 5,000 rally through the streets of Hong Kong; Thursday’s candlelit vigil expected to attract tens of thousands.

    read the article at www.etaiwannews.com

  • a calling or a bluff?

    as some of you may know (twitter), I received a mail from the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project in SA. they’ve undergone some major revamping – and my old position has been modified and opened up for applications…

    could this be a second chance to do things right? or a second chance to kick myself in the teeth…

    I believe very strongly that the Lord works in mysterious ways. in fact – that’s how I came to Taiwan! is He calling me back to finish the job I ran away from 6 years ago?

    or am I making too much of this?

    LGBTI rights and equality are very dear to me – and I do want to help heal the world… but part of me is holding back.

    been there, done that, got burnt to a crisp. reason dictates that I stay as far away as possible.

    then again – I’ve grown and healed so much since then. is this not an extention of my purpose? to teach, nurture and protect?

    I spoke to Peter about this last night. there is a lot to consider – and pray over.

    any thoughts?

    Posted by ShoZu

    PS: this song played on my iPod right after i pressed “send” on ShoZu

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-aWoISg43c&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&w=425&h=344]

  • IDAHO 2009: One Voice, One Message, Heard Around the World.

    http://youtube.com/v/m2Rp8ep_ezE

    oh WOW!!! this came out sooooo cool! remember the IDAHO Challenge? well here’s the final video :0) 

    (I’m at 0:50 – and so happy to see the many SA submissions!)

    PS. although my vid was shot in Taiwan, I’m glad they didn’t add the Taiwanese flag. i fear that being a “foreigner” as the only voice from Taiwan could strengthen the island’s homophobic notions that being gay is not Taiwanese.

  • the IDAHO Challenge

    http://youtube.com/v/Xmjk7ma6nPk

    odd… i typed up a whole supporting post to accompany this video when I sent it from YouTube… wonder where it went?

    anyway, what i wanted to focus on was: why? why should anyone participate in these projects? well, there’s a nicely formatted answer on gays.com’s IDAHO page, for starters.

    my main sentiment is an echo of that offered by Harvey Milk in his Hope Speech. too many people all over the world have to live in the shadows for fear of persecution. conversely (or perversely, rather) too many people all over the world believe that homophobia is a God-given virtue. the first group fear their hearts – the second group hardly recognize the role of the heart in this matter.

    both groups NEED to realize that LGBTIQ people are normal human beings – and that they probably know, love and respect at least one of us. i firmly believe that each face in the light touches scores of faces in shadow. i believe that coming out and living openly is the best way to give hope to the oppressed – as well as shining light into the hearts of those who would vilify us. and like Harvey Milk:

    “I use the word “I” because I’m proud. I stand here tonight in front of my gay sisters, brothers and friends because I’m proud of you.” (along with my heterosexual family and friends who walk with me in light and love – i am proud of you too!)

    so why do i want to participate in public representations of gay pride?

    because we have to give them hope.

  • up to speed

    good morning everyone ;0)

    *contented sigh*

    it’s sunday morning here in Kaohsiung and i’ve managed to bundle the last laundry into the machine. for a brief moment – i have nothing to do! so here i am, with a big glass of japanese style green tea (sugar free, of course) in hand, getting comfy in the spare bedroom/workstation.

    i’ve got iTunes playing a Genius* playlist based on Tori Amos’ “a sorta fairytale” – though not too loud, mind you. Peter’s still snoozing in the bedroom ;0)

    so much has happened in the last two weeks:

    • the teacher to replace Cyril started work at TFC. suffice to say there’s some teething…
    • i realized that someone at school tried to sabotage me – unsuccessfully.
    • Peter and i moved in together, in a new apartment in Kaohsiung, on Valentines day (!!!yayayayay!!!)
    • my Mom found out that her previous optometrist had defrauded her for years – with a glass disc for a right lens!
    • i realized again how my Dad knows exactly what goes on in my heart, without me having to tell him. this apple-and-tree team might wear different sashes, but we’re of the same stock.
    • my Sister phoned me out of the blue, just to chat. it was amazing! i miss her so much.
    • Peter made me dessert dumplings :0P
    • SA ended up NOT signing the UN declaration on same-sex rights *grrrrr*
    • we went to see Milk – and i was both inspired and reminded of my past. did i do the wrong thing when i left the movement?

    hmm… time to hang up the washing.

    *i’m getting addicted to this new feature!

  • Apartheid in America

    segregation is the name of the game – and no one plays it as well as Californians, by the look of it. apparently the “Prop 8ers” now want to forcibly divorce same sex families.

    http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=63961

    it seems all Americans are created equal, some just more equal than others. (does their constitution end in “sich heil”? especially when read by the Governator…)

  • converting 40c into 40 meals


    my original intent with the previous Blog Action Day posts was to donate 10cents for every comment received on those posts, leading up to and including October 15th 2008. the turn-out, despite the effort of the 4 people who posted (thank you all!!), was rather disappointing though.

    i personally feel that it is a shame to only donate 40cents to any cause, seeing as how it is within my power to do more. (don’t get me wrong – if 40cents is all you have – it’s plenty!)

    at the same time – in looking for a specific cause to donate to – i’ve identified Hunger as my main focus.being hungry is not funny – and starving to death must be the worst thing that can happen to anybody. not to mention, the worst thing to happen to a child!

    without going on and on about the topic – i have decided NOT to donate those 40cents to fight poverty. in stead – i am going out and sponsoring 40 meals.

    this still doesn’t solve the world’s problems – but it can sure feed a family.

    as a parting shot: it’s amazing how one little picture can bring new clarity on the reality of starvation – and how our societies rank the importance thereof.

  • extended opportunity: leave your comments now


    the past almost-24 hours has seen 2 comments on my previous post.

    2 comments @ 10c a pop = 20c donation thus far? come now – that’s less than the bank charges involved in making the donation…

    i’ve decided to extend the comment-period with another 24 hours.

    for every comment received on my Blog Action Day post – i will donate 10c to one of their listed causes.

    you’ve got 24 hours – make it count.

  • i'm donating 10cents a pop

    Tomorrow is Blog Action Day – the initiative to help rid the world of poverty. I am following Jacob Cass’ lead (he of Just Creative Design fame) in “doing my bit by leaving it up to you guys to decide how much I will donate.”

    I will donate 10cents for every comment posted in the next 24 hours – starting from the time of this post. Leave a comment saying “I’m helping to rid the world of poverty”.


  • Project 10^100

    http://youtube.com/v/NgSRwOZtDQ8

    Project 10ˆ100 is a call for ideas to change the world by helping as many people as possible.

    submission deadline in 10 days – so click on through, baby!