A Day To Remember, in Ten Simple Steps

 This morning I woke up, and to my surprise, found something other than Iran’s scandalous elections on the headlines: Michael Jackson is dead at 50. 

Now, I’ve never been completely engrossed in this artist’s work, but he is most definitely an icon of our (and our parents’) generation. 

Just think back to yourself, how many times have I made fun of this man? How many child molestation references end up with a comment about this great pop legend? He will not so quickly be forgotten in our hearts, minds, and comedic routines. 

This morning I have already downloaded some classic Michael Jackson tracks. To further my commemoration, I have compiled a list of ways we can all remember the great Michael Jackson on this somber day, remembering his life instead of his death. So here it is, my top ten list of ways to commemorate Michael Jackson on June 26, 2009:

10. Learn and memorize all the dance steps to Thriller

9. Walk around town disguised in a Burka

8. Do the Moon Walk

7. Put a blanket over your child’s head

6. Squeal

5. Paint your skin white

4. Wear one glove

3. Sing your ABC’s

2. Befriend a Pedophile 

1. Get cosmetic surgery

 

 

Note: The  Content of this blog is in no way affiliated with the views or opinions of the Arab American Center. 

Africa Hunger Crisis

Will anything ever be done?

Happy Birthday, America

I’m not trying to make any personal statement with this cartoon, but it is interesting. In fact, I have been dumbfounded when it comes to holding any kind of intelligent conviction on this war. It just isn’t black and white, as we wish all things would be.
Every year my family celebrates the fourth of July in Canyon Lake, Texas. It is as small as it sounds, and the fourth of July parade is even smaller. It consists mostly of members of the local VFW. My grandfather, a Korean war vet, lives for this day. He is truly a person who basks in all of the glory and honor of war. I went through a stage when I felt the exact opposite. I was angry at the innocent Iraqis who suffered and at the soldiers who fought a war for no reason. I didn’t want to honor them because I didn’t understand them. However, I do believe that some wars need to be fought and that even in all the craziness there could still be such a thing as a just war. That’s when my appreciation for the troupes comes back……and so does my sadness and anger. In the small town parade I attended there were floats with wives and children holding up pictures of their loved ones who are fighting in Iraq right now. Fortunately my over-sized sunglasses hid my tears. Today I’m about to meet my newborn cousin. His dad, my cousin Stephen, hasn’t even met his own son because He’s been fulfilling his duty in Iraq. What am I supposed to fight for? The American way? Bringing the troupes home? Will any of that stop the death and hatred here and abroad? There is no right answer, and my stance on this war will remain undecided, because all I know is that no one wins in war. Despite our preconceptions there is not a good guy and a bad guy when both of them are carrying guns. I want my baby cousin to know his Daddy, and I want Iraqis to have a home. But in this day and age, that might be asking for too much.

Seriously? Seriously?!

Mississippi School Holds First Interracial Prom
Is this really happening in 2008? Like many other readers who commented on this NPR article, I am appalled. Of course it is a good thing, just about 60 years too late. I can’t even imagine growing up in a school that would have separate black and white dances. It reminds me of when a faculty member at my Bible college was boasting of the school being one of the first southern universities to integrate. My question was; “Why was a Christian school ever segregated in the first place”? I know I was raised in a different time and by an interracial couple for that matter, but in my opinion there is never an excuse for racism. It makes me so sad that segregation still exists, but all the more reason for us to continue the fight against prejudice in our country and in our own hearts.

United Against Genocide

The three recent presidential candidates came together to make a statement regarding the on-going genocide in Darfur, Sudan. They all made the point that I would like to make regarding peace efforts in Darfur.
After the consequences of the US entering Iraq began to surface, a negative sentiment toward foreign intervention began to form among the American people. The idea that we need to “mind our own business and stay out of it” has become very popular. The problem with adopting this attitude is that there are situations, which surpass national security or economic interest. Genocide is a problem that does not require any other reason for intervention other than the fact that it is genocide. There does not need to be a threat on our personal security for this conflict to be relevant. It is simply human responsibility. I do not call for action in Darfur as an American; I call for action against genocide as a human being.
After US intelligence so badly erred in Vietnam, American citizens were skeptical. Due to such skepticism, all warnings of genocide in Cambodia were ignored until it was too late (A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide, Samantha Power). I fear that the same thing will happen today. Is everyone so jaded by the war in Iraq that Darfur will be ignored? There is no excuse for genocide, and I appreciate the potential leaders of our country for reminding us of that; however, we cannot wait for the next president to be in office to take action in Darfur. Our senators and president must act now by putting pressure on the Sudanese government before any more lives are lost.

Change is Coming

Barack Obama is the first black man to secure a presidential nomination for a major party. After 43 previous United States elections, I think it is about time. I wouldn’t have voted for Hillary just because she is a woman, and I won’t vote for Obama simply because he is from a minority, but I think that this Democratic race has been a significant symbol of the change this country needs. I’m not talking about pulling the troops out of Iraq or reforming health care. The change I’m referring to is what activists have been trying to accomplish since the Civil Rights Movement. It brought tears to my eyes when I read the news that the “melting pot” of this nation would finally be represented. It has been 146 years since the Emancipation Proclamation and eighty-eight years since the women’s suffrage movement in the United States, and minorities and women are finally being represented on a national level. It has been long enough. Neither Obama or Clinton may be the best candidate, but both have made a way for the future of America and the world. I heard a woman say the other day that as long as there are women in burkas there is a need for a female president for world leaders to recognize and respect. Obama made a comment in a recent campaign speech that what Hilary Clinton has done will change the futures for our daughters. Many [ignorant and sheltered] people don’t think racism and sexism are relevant problems in our country anymore. The fact that the majority of our leaders are white males is a clear indication that they are. By November we might still have a white male president, but I think Obama’s campaign has already accomplished what it set out to do: Change.

Rockin the Suburbs

Perspective

Confession

When I first read about the earthquake in China, I was alarmed, but not necessarily concerned. Perhaps I have the opposite, yet equally errant bias of those I criticize regarding the Burma issue (see post In Our World). It’s so much easier for me to sympathize with the poor and oppressed rather than the wealthy and independent. But that doesn’t make it right. It only took one picture of children trapped under the rubble of their own school building to make me realize the devastating extent of this tragedy. As of today the number of deaths has risen to 15,000. Please pray for China.

Stories and Updates following the Earthquake

In Our World

There is so much happening in the world right now. I like to use this blog to inform my readers of things that might not get much coverage on CNN or Fox News. These things are significant and may be mentioned in the American news, but let’s be honest and admit that Obama and Hilary are dominating the headlines these days.
To the North of me, war could be possibly breaking out in Lebanon once again (see link under Headlines). I ask that you pray for the people of Beirut and Tripoli, the cities being affected. Lebanon has had so little time of peace in the last 20 years. In fact, the last war that broke out in Lebanon was during the summer I spent here in 2006. People poured into Amman to escape the violence and instability. The government desperately needs to negotiate with Hezbollah and bring peace to their country once and for all.
The situation in Sudan worsens by the day. A few weeks ago the government attacked a school, killing a number of children. The rebel forces, despite their name, are actually fighting for justice and equality in the region of Darfur. They are making progress as they gain momentum towards the capital, Khartoum, but of course the increase in combat brings more death and danger to the innocent villagers that are the greatest victims of the genocide.
Finally, there is Burma (Myanmar). I feel some sort of attachment to these people after working with many of them in Atlanta at World Relief. Their government has abused and discriminated against them with dictatorial rule. Peaceful protesters are jailed, and many people of minority groups find help only in refugee camps in Thailand. After the cyclone hit last week, the government proved to be even more heartless and irrational by not allowing aid workers in to help the one million displaced survivors. Over 100,000 people died from the flooding and lack of food and supplies in the days after. What disturbs me most is the lack of movement across the globe. Close to 2,000 people died from hurricane Katrina. It was broad casted all over the world. Various organizations, families, and individuals raised and donated money to the Red Cross. I just wonder how people are okay with putting a higher value on American lives than the lives of common villagers in a less significant nation like Myanmar. The loss there is so much greater, yet only a handful of people seem to really care. The Burmese people affected by this cyclone are intelligent people with lives and jobs and families. Their government won’t even help them, so we must. Please pray for the survivors of the cyclone and consider donating toward a relief fund.

More info on Helping Cyclone Survivors
Background info on Burmese Government
Map of Cyclone Damage