VOICES | SELECT| QUOTE

I recently come across a film and an article on the topic of religion. Religion has always interested me, yet I am not religious. September's issue of National Geographic has a very good article about Pakistan and it's people. The article entitled "Struggle for the Soul of Pakistan" talks about an incredible 79 year old man, Abdul Sattar Edhi who has been tending to the dead bodies which sadly litter the streets of Pakistan. He apparently built up an international foundation with a fleet of over 1000 ambulances and thousands of volunteers. Whenever terror and violence takes over the streets of Pakistan he or one of his volunteers comes forward to the scene. He is quoted saying something that strikes me to the bone,

"I'm a Muslim, but my true religion is human rights."

I really believe as important as religion seems to be in the lives of many, we should respect each other, not for our religious values, but for our human ones.

A friend recently sent me a link to what I believe is a controversial film on religion called Zeitgeist that's worth watching. As we become more globally aware of our religious differences we need to recognize how the world is becoming more polarized around extremes, both politically and religiously. That could end up being very dangerous and it's certainly something to contemplate and to find a solution to. Perhaps we should take heed of Edhi's "enlightened moderation". We can not continue to live with all the violence.

STREET ARTISTS TAKE 2!: AWESOME ANIMATION

You gotta love the web. Dig a little deeper on a subject and you find real gems. What a wonderful world we share with artists...The artist is Blu and I believe he is a genius!

VOICES SELECT | WOOSTER COLLECTIVE

Istanbul, Turkey

I just got around to looking at my July issue of Communication Arts magazine and there's a great article about street art and graffiti. It reminded me of how much I love street art.

Venice Beach, California

Ephemeral art speaks volumes about our culture. No matter what state in the US or country I go to I am always drawn to photograph art I find on walls, buildings and surfaces of utilities.

Avignon, France

Last year when I drove through Venice California, unfortunately I was unable to shoot some of the best examples that I saw there.

Hollywood, California

There's a marvelous blog, called the Wooster Collective with some of the finest street art I've ever seen and some of the very best street artists are literally in our backyard--NYC.

Bodrum, Turkey

The Wooster Collective is a must see. Definitely bookmark it.

Santa Monica, California

The art at the Wooster Collective is truly mesmerizing...

US PUBLIC SERVICE ACADEMY FEATURED ON NPR

Last year Voices of Hope Productions interviewed Dr. Chris Myers Asch about an idea of a U.S. Public Service Academy. Asch, and his colleague, Shawn Raymond, have been building support with policy-makers to establish and fund a civilian leadership university modeled after the nation's military service academies. Much like the Peace Corps, the United States Public Service Academy is dedicated to creating a corps of passionate and patriotic civilian leaders willing to devote themselves to the pursuit of academic excellence, civic engagement, and leadership through public service.

Asch says, "There's a diminished sense of public service and what we can do in this country. People don't seem to want to think big anymore. We mock federal bureaucrats and people who dedicate their lives to public service—developing a cynicism about public institutions, but we really need them. That actually inspires us. We can revolutionize the way we see this country. Why not make it happen?"

Now Sen. Hillary Clinton has put these two partners and the U.S. Public Service Academy in the spotlight. Listen to what they have to say in their interview with Melissa Brock from NPR.

Read the Voices of Hope Interview with Dr. Asch

See who else endorses the idea

WHAT DOES PEACE MEAN TO YOU?

Brighton, a fashion accessories company has created a special bracelet for the Give Peace a Chance Campaign during the month of July. Certainly Brighton with their high quality product line is interested in corporate philanthropy and giving back and they seem to have a good track record. Since 2005 they have donated nearly $814,000 for the American Heart Association’s Go Red campaign. They also created a hope and encouragement bracelet to help rid the world of breast cancer and contributed over $1.7 million from the sales of those bracelets.

When you purchase the Peace bracelet, $5 from your $50 purchase goes to one of the participating charities of your choice. The charities include: Seeds of Peace, Women for Women, US Cares and Action Against Hunger.

I purchased my bracelet at lovely store called Necessities for the Heart and love it! Brighton accessories are well-designed, and high quality wearable works of art. Find participating retailers.

MANY NEW JERSEYANS UNAWARE OF GANGS

Youth and gang violence is seen as serious and growing problem by many New Jerseyans. A majority of state residents say that gangs are either active in their town now or likely to become active in the next 5 years, although a sizable number have a blind spot about gang activity, especially in the suburbs. The latest Monmouth University Poll also found that most NJ residents feel news coverage of youth violence does more to exacerbate rather than help the problem.

What Causes Gang Activity?
Substance use (87%), the breakdown of families (86%), the availability of weapons (82%), and the presence of gangs (81%) lead the list of causes of youth violence. Socio-economic issues such as poverty (74%), lack of recreational or mentoring opportunities (62%) and lack of jobs (58%) are also important factors. The amount of violence in the popular media is considered a major factor by 51% of state residents.

The public feels the news media does little to help the problem:
* 54% say the news media tend to sensationalize its reporting of youth violence;
* 41% feel the media make the problem appear bigger than it actually is, while 26% feel that the problem is under-reported by the media;
* 57% say that media coverage of violent acts encourages others to do the same; and
* 70% say the media do not devote enough coverage to stories about the causes of youth violence.

The Role of the News Media
The news media plays an important role in informing the public about youth violence. However, NJ residents give newspapers, radio and TV news generally negative reviews in how they handle this function. A majority of 54% believe that the media tends to sensationalize its reporting of youth violence episodes, compared to only 37% who feel they report these events objectively.

Furthermore, residents are split on whether the media’s overall coverage of the youth violence issue accurately portrays the extent of the problem. A plurality of 41% feel that the media make it appear that youth violence and gang activity is a bigger problem than it actually is, compared to 26% who feel that the problem is under-reported by the media. Only 21% feel the news media accurately portrays the extent of the problem.

New Jerseyans also feel that current news reporting on youth violence tends to do more harm than good. Specifically, 57% feel that media coverage of violent acts encourages others to do the same as a way to gain notoriety among their peers. Only 40% disagree with this view.

Residents would like to see the media spend more time covering stories that counter typical images of youth violence. Specifically, overwhelming majorities say the media does not devote enough coverage to stories about urban youth who do positive things in their communities (84%), stories about people and programs that help prevent violence and gangs (83%), and stories about the causes of youth violence (70%).

51% of parents asked never talked about gangs with their kids.

VOICES | SELECT | HBO's FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS

One of the funniest and the most creative shows I've seen in a long time is HBO's Flight of the Conchords. It merges sitcom humor with MTV style music video together in one—and it's just great. The show is about two New Zealand musicians who along with their agent try to get gigs to make it in the Big City. Their fan base consists of one married groupie who follows them when they leave the house. When they get mugged they just break into a song. There's only 4 episodes so far, but I'm looking forward to seeing more. Would love to get their music. Really terrific.

The Bratz Movie. Fishnet Stockings and Feather Boas?

The big-headed, big lipped, wide-eyed and sexy (some call slutty) Bratz dolls, a new generation of dolls developed in 2001 are making their way to the large screen this summer. According to the American Psychological Association (APA) "Bratz dolls come dressed in sexualized clothing such as miniskirts, fishnet stockings, and feather boas ... It is worrisome when dolls designed specifically for 4- to 8-year-olds are associated with an objectified adult sexuality." The APA created a Task force on the Sexualization of Girls.

Bratz dolls offer an extraordinary case study for “Passion for Fashion” doll branding and media in the U.S. They are well represented in Wikipedia with their development and multi-media history—wonder how their entry got there. The team at the toy company has been very sharp at promoting these dolls with 2D animation movies and continuing to come up with new figures including boyfriends for the dolls. Ok, so how’s this all different than Barbie and Ken? It’s really not. Competition is healthy and Bratz is using an entire arsenal of media ventures to promote the brand. No different than any other consumer product.

But let’s get back to the movie. So now Bratz dolls are turning real. The Bratz movie is all about being anything you want to be—not being in a clique. Perhaps that’s oversimplifying. Oh--they also want to win a talent contest. The movie has Angelie Jolie’s father, Jon Voight as the school Principal and American Idol’s Paula Abdul. Of course there’s a soundtrack, including a Black Eyed Peas song, Express Yourself. According to the producer, Avi Arad "There's nothing in the movie you wouldn't want your 5-year-old to see, there are a lot of great life lessons." It all happens August 3rd. According to Chelsea Staub, 18, a Hollywood newcomer, "I think parents will be impressed." Hmm. I wonder.

WHAT'S THE BEST STUFF IN THE WORLD?

Two web developers in Melbourne, Australia are passionate about making stuff. So they created an open ended social-opinion-wiki web so that people can share their opinions on what "they think is the best stuff in the world." It's a cross between social networking, Martha Stewart's "Good Thing" and the Million Dollar Home Page concept that a college student came up with to pay for his tuition. If Best Stuff in the World can really get consumer participation it offers good corporate marketing and advertising possibilities in the future. For now, add your own "Best Stuff," and watch while this site grows.

1673 people think Firefox is the best thing in the world
209 people think finding money in a trouser pocket is the best thing in the world
165 people think a smile is the best thing in the world
92 people think IKEA is the best thing in the world
10 people, plus myself think a kiss is the best thing in the world

What do you think?

VOICES SELECT| THEATER

I've wanted to write about Spring Awakening ever since I heard Duncan Sheik interviewed on NPR a week ago. Mind you I haven't seen the play personally, but I love the story and concept. Then I was reminded again when I watched the first hour of the Tony Awards and it was winning left and right. I didn't watch to the end, but this play won 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical. I’m not at all surprised.

Spring Awakening takes its inspiration from one of literature’s most controversial masterpieces – a work so daring in its depiction of teenage self-discovery, it was banned from the stage and not performed in its complete form in English for nearly 100 years.

This story is about 2 teen lovers, living in a repressed society. It speaks about taboo subjects like suicide, abuse and abortion and is performed to contemporary, hip music. It reminds me of the tone in RENT which I have seen three times and have the soundtrack on my iPod and on CD. I favor theater, art and media that speak to youth in original and modern ways. Spring Awakening appears to ‘fit-the-bill’ -- fresh and innovative, and I think we can all applaud that, especially when there are so many remakes of old works. It is truly refreshing to see theatrical Producers and Directors taking on more original pieces rather than rehashing the tried-and-true productions. Those certainly have their place, but artists should be responsible to show the present culture--our time-frame, or at least adopt/adapt the art within our modern culture. That is all we have to leave behind for future generations to visualize the place we are in now-- ten years into the Millennium.

Adapting old stories so that they resonate contemporaneously is difficult and risky business. But with originality, creative producers can serve up entertainment and inspiration to people of all ages. Maybe they will even go one step further and offer solutions. I’m sure Spring Awakenings is well worth the ticket to a few hours of fun and enjoyment.

VOICES SELECT | TECHNOLOGY COMMENTARY

Susan Ellis of Energize Inc. has put together a great little article on how Non-profit's can use technology. The benefits of Flickr, podcasting, blogging and the use of social networking spaces are well encapsulated in one article. Well worth the read.

PSAs PROMOTE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

According to the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) during the last twenty-five years there has been a dramatic decrease in voter turnout among 18-24 year-olds. In addition, a 2002 report conducted by The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement found that 57 percent of American youth aged 15-25 are completely disengaged from civic life and politics. Furthermore, adults who began volunteering as youth are twice as likely to volunteer as those who did not volunteer when they were younger, according to a 2001 report from the Independent Sector and Youth Service America.

New survey reveals that 95 percent of young adults believe that..."What goes around comes around.

The PSAs aim to encourage young adults to become involved in their communities in any way they can, including voting in local elections, volunteering in their spare time or reading the newspaper and discussing current events with friends. The television, radio, print, outdoor and Web ads humorously show audiences what happens to people when they are not civically engaged and encourage them to "get good karma."

The campaign uses humor to communicate to young adults that acting on what is important to them will protect them from having "bad karma," or negative consequences. All of the PSAs end with the tagline "Stay on the universe's good side. Volunteer. Vote. Get involved." The PSAs direct audiences to visit www.GetGoodKarma.org, a new interactive website, for tips on how to become civically engaged.

VOICES SELECT | FILM | MOTHERHOOD MANIFESTO

Women shouldn't be discriminated against simply because they are mothers... but they are! Hear about true experiences of American mothers, and learn how shared problems can be solved. MomsRising’s intent is to engage millions of women and other caregivers, to educate the public about the problems facing mothers and families, and to provide avenues for civic engagement, as well as common-sense solutions to shared issues.

"Despite all the rhetoric about being family-friendly, we have structured a society that is decidedly unfriendly... What's missing now is a movement. What's missing now is an organization. That's why MomsRising is so important." -- Senator Barack Obama, 9/28/06

“Today, two-thirds of all moms also work outside the home…and government must take your side.” --President George Bush

Find out more about Mom'sRising, the grassroots organization mobilizing mothers across the country. Order the video

BRING PEACE HOME

What You Can Do For Peace Today--

Every so often, the right message comes along at just the right time. At a point in history when the world has never needed more peace, comes a book whose message is both ageless and urgently relevant. Where Peace Lives, by Debbie Robins, is a book for all ages about an angel named Peace who’s been locked in a glass box and can’t get out. It’s about the journey to find the Three Keys that will set Peace free. The characters are inspired by the peace teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Buddha, Gandhi, Christ, Moses and the Prophet Muhammad.

When you click to BRING PEACE HOME, you will also bring home some extraordinary gifts, hand-picked for you by some of the most influential voices for peace of our time. The value of this unprecedented opportunity: gifts of peace in your own life and in the world.

Treat yourself to PEACE.


“....the coolest ride with pearls of wisdom.”

“....a beautiful invitation to practice peace.”

“....a magical fable to delight, inspire and educate.”

“....a roadmap to the soul.”

Order now

MOTHER'S DAY FOR PEACE

Did you know that originally, way back in 1870, Mother's Day was envisioned as a time for women to come together and unite for peace?

The Brave New Foundation launched a new short viral video in honor of Mother’s Day featuring actresses Felicity Huffman, Vanessa Williams, Alfre Woodward, Christine Lahti and feminist icon Gloria Steinem. The video celebrates the original meaning of Mother’s Day, founded during the Civil War as a call upon women to unite for peace in the name children everywhere.

The film features the celebrities and two Muslim women reading the original Mother’s Day Proclamation and sharing their thoughts on the meaning of Mother’s Day. “I’m not only parenting Mavis and Duncan,” says Alfre Woodward in the video, “but I am responsible for every child.” Actress Christine Lahti states, “Mother’s Day to me means a global notion of Motherhood, of course I think about my children and my mother ... but I can’t help think about the mothers of all the Iraqi civilians and soldiers who are dying every single day, I can’t help think about our own soldiers who are being killed every day, I think Mother’s Day is a day to bring violence against our children to an end.”





The film gives viewers a chance to honor the original meaning of Mother’s Day after watching the three minute video at www.mothersdayforpeace.com, by purchasing an e-card for their mothers. All proceeds from e-cards will benefit No More Victims, a non-profit organization which brings war-injured Iraqi children to the United States for medical treatment. Contributions made through the site will go to help bring Salee, a ten-year-old girl who lost both of her legs in the Iraq war, to Greenville, South Carolina where she will receive surgical treatment and prosthetics.

NIKE - THANK YOU IGNORANCE AD

Going back about 15 years ago I tried to get a client to make socio-political comments in their advertising. They thought it was great and creative, but clearly they wanted to sell outerwear and went with the traditional guy standing on a colored background. A few weeks ago Nike ran an ad in the New York Times thanking 'ignorance' for starting a conversation and drew attention to the positive accomplishments of the Rutger's women's basketball team. I like Nike's idea for the ad, but is it a tad self-serving? I wish it didn't take an 'event' of slander to get corporations to develop socially conscious advertising. I must be dreaming. The above-mentioned outerwear company is now defunct.

Virginia Tech, Killer's 'Media Manifesto' Broadcasted

I am absolutely flabbergasted—although I know I shouldn't be—that NBC is broadcasting to the world the words, video and images of a killer. When I watched the broadcast last night, the first thing that came to mind were very brief broadcasts I've seen of Al-Qaeda members when they've captured people. We only see about 10 seconds of that. Why does this merit who knows how long of discussion and critique? Ok...ok..I know free speech, but we're talking about a dead person who killed 32 people on a idyllic college campus in the US. I could see NBC broadcasting a few photographs (like the mail package) and quoting some of his words, but to show his video—YouTube style? I think it's a very bad idea.

Why should we be educating the masses on what it's like to get inside the mind of a 'madman'? Why do we need to see and hear those images? It only perpetrates more violence. Enough already. In the age of developing content for the Internet we need not encourage more violent acts to show up for viewing to teach our youth about 'how-to' become a killer.

In my opinion, by broadcasting the words and images of a killer under the auspices of 'understanding' we give the power back to the violator and minimize the stories of the people (victims) most affected by this horrible turn of events. This violent student killer's (I don't even want to memorialize his name) story takes away the power of the victim's stories and sensationalizes the problem, making him appear as a hero-villain. Not a good message. Instead, we need to hear many more of the victim's stories which offer a powerful, pertinent learning lesson and understanding of violent experiences.

And, if we are going to try to start a reality-TV-style discussion about the Virginia Tech shooting, why don't we take a lead from last week's 'big story' with Imus and the Rutgers Women's Basketball team and at least get the discussion going about the right issues. Isn't this more about how easy it is to get guns in this country? Is a high school or college campus more sacred than our communities? Since Columbine, some high schools have constructed expensive metal detectors to retrieve the guns and violent tools that kids carry with them. Taking them away does nothing. They can get them again down-the-block at the local pawn shop and 'big boxes'.

I can only hope that enough people are incensed by this terrible tragedy to do something more than what we have become accustomed to seeing at these times-- symbols, candles, grave markers, letters, flowers and memorabilia posted to fences. I recognize these are healing devices. But we need to get beyond that. If we really want to support and heal the large numbers of people left behind in the wake of violence on campuses and in our communities, then we need to confront the real problem.

Guns and ammunition.

We need to do something to stop the easy access to these resources. The discussion this nation has about the Virginia Tech massacre needs to begin to focus on easy access to guns and ammunition. That would make all this nonsense we see in the media more palatable-hopeful-promising. Acting on what's really important to deal with these types of problems. Confront them. Solve Them. Otherwise we will continue this terrible cycle of violence, death and grieving, but never get to the most important level. Fixing it. That's a message that requires local, state national and global attention. Even if an entire economy revolves around it. We owe it to ourselves, our friends, our family and we owe it to humanity.

Recognize Volunteers During National Volunteer Week

"Everyone can be great because anyone can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t even have to make your subject and and your verb agree to serve… You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

During National Volunteer Week, April 15-23, thousands of volunteers nationwide will receive presidential recognition for their service through the President’s Volunteer Service Award – the most prestigious volunteer award currently associated with the White House. Like National Volunteer Week, this award seeks to inspire by example, honoring the service of our country’s most committed volunteers and sharing their achievements to encourage more Americans to volunteer.

If not this year, consider getting involved in National Volunteer Week in the future and thank your volunteers with a prestigious President's Volunteer Award. But remember—appreciating the work, spirit and generosity of volunteers should happen every day.

Future Dates for National Volunteer Week:
2008 - April 27 – May 3
2009 - April 19 – April 25
2010 - April 18 – April 24


The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network supports the vital work of millions of volunteers, who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities nationwide. To be connected to a local Volunteer Center and learn more about the volunteer opportunities in your community, call 1-800-Volunteer or visit www.1-800-Volunteer.org.

PODCAMP NYC- THE NEW MEDIA UNCONFERENCE

New York City, April 6 & 7, 2007—If you’re wondering how podcasting, videocasting, and other social media can improve your business and life, pack your bags and head to The New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan, April 6-7 for PodcampNYC. Podcamp NYC is part of the growing “unconference” movement that fosters networking and learning in a participatory, “all are welcome” environment. There are no keynotes here—session leaders simply sign up to speak and the “law of two feet” governs who attends. Plus: admission is free.

New Media “Unconference” encourages Participation and Community

What's an "unconference?" An unConference means that the participants are also the experts. Audio and video podcasters, enthusiasts, businesspeople, hobbyists, musicians, promoters, marketers, and people who generally want to understand more about the new media space. The power of an unconference is you get FREE ACCESS to ideas, thoughts, best practices, and the true "wisdom of crowds" simply by registering and attending.

VOICES | SELECT | FILM

Starting tonight, on Home Box Office, the documentary film "ADDICTION" will be previewed, and will be broadcast numerous times throughout the month. Some cable broadcasters will also be participating with a free HBO weekend starting on March 17th. HBO, in conjunction with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, has put together a campaign to educate Americans on drug and alcohol addiction. The campaign highlights the understanding of drug and alcohol addiction as a disease of the brain. The campaign centers on the 90-minute documentary and will proceed to broadcast a series of interviews with leading addiction experts throughout March.

OWN THE HBO SERIES ON DVD AND HOST A HOUSE PARTY ANYTIME

The four-disc set includes topics such as The Adolescent Addict, The Science of Relapse, Parents of Opiate-Addicted Children, The CRAFT Approach to treatment and Brain Imaging are explored to show the complexities of both addiction and recovery. Three discs of additional content are provided that will not premiere on the network. An interactive Addiction: Communities Take Action website will arm communities with tools, including a hosting toolkit and viewer's guide, to support their efforts. Purchase your DVD for year-round screenings and community gatherings with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.