Why I Am Passionate about the AIDS Fight

I know that this video is probably from before the election, but I just thought it was important to post in light of South Africa's recent efforts to fight against the AIDS epidemic. I have been thinking about the AIDS fight in general recently. Every year I do the New York AIDS walk, not because I think that raising my little $2oo dollars will make any real difference but for purely selfish reasons. I need to be reminded that this is something that affects every community, not just LGBT or African people. And I also need to feel empowered that I can do something about it. Seeing all those people walking with so much energy and resolve is inspiring. I wish I could articulate why I feel so passionate about this issue. No one close to me has been affected by AIDS, but how often is there a negative force in the world that affects so many people, yet is completely preventable and treatable. Its not cancer. We can stop it. Its not some genetic disease. We can do something about this.

A Double Feature: Jessica Simpson in Morroco

Jessica Simpson's has a new reality show where she goes to different countries and tries to understand what their definition of beauty is. I saw this episode and thought it symbolized so much. There are so many assumptions behind the very idea of a show like this. Who is to say that you can ever understand another culture? They are not static things with unchanging definitions. How do you define an Indian type of beauty versus an American one, when both dont technically exist, when people would contest with either definition. And Simpson's attempt at cultural sensitivity and immersion is recognized for what it by the woman in this video. It's a shallow attempt at understanding in order to reinforce your own "correctness" (for lack of a better word). What do you think? Do you see something else happening in this video? I'm only interested in the first two minutes of it. But maybe you see more.

This Week's Video: Islam's "The View"

Check this out. Barbara Walters' "The View" has an Arabic counterpart on MBC. I came across this PBS video featuring four Islamic women who talk about all kinds of issues from an Arabic/Middle Easter prospective. They represent different nationalities, ages and ethnicities and they talk about tough issues such as homosexuality and women's rights.

It made me think about how Americans talk about the Islamic world as if it's so static, as if nothing will ever change. But so much has changed already and will continue to even as we debate about it. And even as I am writing this blog, I become more aware of my own stereotypes about Islam especially as it pertains to women. You learn a lot just listening to people talk about themselves. I wonder what these women would think if they watched the American "The View."


WIDE ANGLE | Dishing Democracy | Excerpt | PBS
Uploaded by pbs_usa. - News videos from around the world.

Creativity Needed in Immigration Debate

This was in the Huffington Post today. Originally reported by the LA Times, it talks about the new immigration law that just passed in Arizona, allowing cops to check anyone's immigration status if there's "reasonable suspicion." The ACLU is outraged calling it a warrant for racial profiling while supporters of the bill (mostly Republicans) argue that "Illegal immigration brings crime, kidnapping, drugs and drains our government services." I must say that I hate bills like this. Not only are they slippery slopes for all kinds of civil rights violations, but they are just not creative. Legislators keeps trying to use the same approach for an old issue. The reality is that this kind of aggressive, warrantless lawmaking doesn't accomplish anything. It doesn't deter illegal immigration, it doesn't decrease crime and it certainly doesn't foster community support. What is "reasonable suspicion" when it comes to determining if someone is an illegal immigrant? What does an illegal alien look like? In Arizona, I imagine that they look similar to a Mexican American? Or are illegal Canadian immigrants just as much of a threat? Let's not make the mistake of not seeing the subtext of this law. Law makers are desperate. They dont know what to do anymore when it comes to this issue. Arizona is a central point for crossing the border illegally into this country and it is a legitimate interest for the State to figure out what to do. But this is just stupid and lacking in any type of creative analysis of the real problem.

Wikileaks VIdeo Is Disheartening.

So I promised that I would follow Youtube for this semester. So this week's feature is of course the Collateral Murder Wikileaks video (below). At first I didn't fully understand the implications of this video and I'm not sure even now that I do. But I feel as if this video may be showing us what the true cost of war is. We civilians don't see it too often, but this is the answer. To ask someone, man or women, to kill someone else on command, is an inherently dehumanizing act, one that I can only imagine is deadening to one's soul. This is the only possible reason I can imagine for the horror and plain cruelty shown in the Wikileaks video. Where is there to go from here if this is the result of war? What noble prize is at the end of this treacherous path? I think about Obama's acceptance speech at the Nobel Peace Award ceremony. He basically said that violence in some situations has to be used in order to achieve better ends. But I dont think I believe that anymore. I dont see what good can come from this. I dont see where such dreadful means lead to bountiful ends. I dont have the answer, but I feel further away from it than I did before seeing this.



By the way, in the past week this video reached #6 on the top viral video chart with over 6 million views.

Drag Show Comes to Trinity!

Two of my best friends are planning a drag show to be held at Vernon Social Center next Friday, April 16. Day by day, I see them working out the details and honestly I have never been more exited about any event on campus. It is EROS' biggest event of the year and for once, Trinity will get to see the Hartford that I get to see every weekend. Few students realize how large of a gay community there is in Hartford and the club scene is full of fun times placing one dollar bills in the "hands" of beautiful drag queens. But seriously, this event is about more than just divas doing their best Gaga impression (although that will be part of the night as well). Its about bringing the community together in support of a group that too often feels unwelcome and unsupported. This night is about awareness, inclusiveness and singing Bad romance at the top of your lungs.

So come out and support EROS! And dont forget your 1 dollar bills. The theme is Divas/Ladies Night. Beyonce doesnt stand a chance. ; )