Actively working for change…
Audre Lorde was particularly focused on issues involving race and oppression, but her words are relevant to all of today's critical issues. Individually, we may not affect material change, but…
human rights
Should I smite them?
In 2000, James M. Kauffman forwarded a satirical letter circulating the Internet, addressed to conservative talk-show host, Dr. Laura Schlessinger. As a result, he became entangled in the raging controversies…
Gifted lifter of political veils and pretenses
A decade ago, the New York Times included American cartoonist Jen Sorensen on a short list of the "most gifted lifters of political veils and pretenses." Her work might be…
On humanitarian concerns
Jagmeet Singh has taken comfortably to the task to dealing with the economic aspects of the new Trump administration - both in pressing other leaders on their determination to respond…
things i heard at the library, an occasional series # 42: why i’m not letter-writing this year, part 1 #w4r2024
This is the first time in 16 years that I am not spending Christmas and Boxing Day writing letters. This time of year, I normally participate in Write for Rights,…
Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestine
Professor Michael Lynk, who teaches law at the University of Western Ontario, served as the United Nations “Special Rapporteur for the human rights situation in the Palestinian Territories occupied since…
what i’m reading: three retellings of classics: julia (1984), james (huckleberry finn), finn (huckleberry finn)
When I first heard about Julia, Sandra Newman's retelling of George Orwell's 1984 from Julia's perspective, I wasn't sure I would read it. Orwell is one of my very top…
what i’m reading: the red parts: a powerful, haunting memoir of trauma, loss, and the limits of justice
This is why I keep a running book list that is decades long. For more than 15 years, my list has included this note.The Red Parts - Maggie Nelson -…
The Dark Secret That Will Bring The Fascists Down
Epstein Island is the tip of the iceberg. Watch this interview, below, on the now undeniable, documented fact, that the US is now the biggest trafficker in child sex slaves…
Thursday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – Joan Westenberg discusses how to fight back in the war against knowledge, while Julia Doubleday calls out the lengths to which the…
Remembering the ‘year of the Irish’
Statues placed at Toronto’s Ireland Park to represent the arrival of the Irish famine migrants on the city’s waterfront in 1847. Designed by Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie, they were modelled…
what i’m reading: operation paperclip: the secret intelligence program that brought nazi scientists to america
Many years ago, I wrote about how the label conspiracy theory is used to shut down inquiry and squelch the questioning of authority: two words, part one, two words part…
what i’m reading: operation paperclip: the secret intelligence program that brought nazi scientists to america
Many years ago, I wrote about how the label conspiracy theory is used to shut down inquiry and squelch the questioning of authority: two words, part one, two words part…
Gaza Stories
“Gaza – Stories of Grief, Resilience and Hope” was hosted by the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba and Independent Jewish Voices Winnipeg at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in…
Trans enters the culture wars
Pierre Poilievre states that biological men should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports. I agree. But then I’m not aware of any biological men attempting to compete in…
The morality of tyrants
I have long been intrigued at how men who inflict torture and murder on their fellow human beings can consider themselves moral leaders. History is replete with authoritarians of various…
December 10—Human Rights Day
It doesn’t seem to have attracted the attention it deserves but 2023 is the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration “is a milestone document in…
Further Reflections On Nationalism
I would emphasize there are better and worse forms of nationalism, but stress that nationalist political-economic policies can be highly beneficial for the people, as opposed to neoliberalism, globalism or…
write for rights 2023: my fifteenth year #w4r2023
2023 marks the fifteenth year that I have participated in Amnesty Interntional's Write for Rights.Fifteen years ago, I chose one case, one person. I wrote to officials about them, and…