Social Issues


9
Feb 10

Photoshoot for cast of MLK in a Hip Hop World

A little background information about this act sourced from a PR release:

Rooted and grounded in the civil rights era, “MLK in a Hip Hop World” allows audiences to observe dramatic scenes through the lens of the hip-hop generation. We are reminded that hip-hop is not just a form of music but an undeniable social movement.“MLK in a Hip Hop World” examines the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., contemplates his work and lifts his legacy to the rhythm and pulse of the streets.

“MLK” reminds viewers of Dr. King’s history and philosophy through a cultural perspective that has influenced our progress as a diverse nation.“MLK in a Hip Hop World” is an original theatre piece written and performed by ACT alumni and Asante Touring Company members Jocque “Coosto” Carey, Cleo “The Dark Knight” House, Vincent “LL” Jordan and “King” David Orr, under the direction of Deborah Asante, Founder and Artistic Director.


27
Oct 09

Don’t know what to believe anymore!

IMG00025(Disclaimer: I do not endorse the above website, but I thought the flyer was interesting. Seen at the intersection of Guilford and Westfield in Broad Ripple Village)I don’t know what to believe anymore. I read NY Times but quickly scan to the technology section. I have turned a blind eye to the economic news, yes we are recovering but where are the jobs? Now we hear that banks are conducting business as usual, when will they learn? I am disappointed by our government. It is held hostage by special interests. There have to be term limits in Congress – to stop some from sabotaging the work of many. I am disappointed by the double standards our Government applies to Nations. If it is convenient we turn a blind eye to human rights abuses. We import products of suspect quality to save a few bucks. We allow drug companies peddle their junk science. We are wasting money creating drugs for diseases that don’t exist while ignoring those that do because there is no profit to be made. I am disappointed!


13
Oct 09

Never too young to start training for McDonald’s Job

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I was at Target the other day shopping for some baby stuff and came across this toy. It is a replica of cash register with replicas of the various food items sold at McDonald’s stores. I understand that for many teens across the world a job at McDonald’s is a good deal and a nice training ground for future careers. But a toy for 3 year olds may be going a bit too far, what do you think?


9
Oct 09

Mr. President turn down the Nobel Peace Prize

barrack-obama-at-the-un-pic-reuters-454708089I cannot believe I am saying this but I agree somewhat with a NY Post article about President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Yes his achievements are great but the Prize should be awarded for a body of work with concrete results and not hypothetical projections. I felt the same way when Vice President Al Gore won the Nobel Prize for his work on Climate Change. If a pretty presentation can win you the prize then Apple CEO Steve Jobs should win for his amazing Keynotes. This award may actually end up hurting President’s chances of steering his domestic and international agenda. President Obama should do the right thing and politely decline the award. He can then use this opportunity to press his agenda forward. Mr. President Turn Down This Award!


8
Oct 09

Legitimate anger or misguided nationalism?

Looks like the economy is finally takings its toll. I saw one sign of it yesterday at a local gas station on 62nd Street (Broad Ripple Ave.). Someone pasted stickers on the pumps with what seemed to be some kind of a nationalistic statement. It looked like the gas station operator/owner made an unsuccessful attempt to remove them.
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The same person may have also written in permanent marker “Stop All Jap Crap” which to me seemed like a call for boycotting Japanese car brands.
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I personally think that this person is taking his anger out on the wrong people. Japanese Companies make most of their cars in the US or Canada pumping millions of dollars into the local economy. Just ask the folks in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio where Honda and Toyota manufacture bulk of their cars.
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We are all suffering from this poor economy in our own unique way, some are just more fortunate than the others.


21
Aug 09

Second Helpings Graduates it’s 55th Culinary Class

Second Helpings, an Indianapolis based NPO, graduated it’s 55th culinary class. It was an emotional affair both for the graduates and the staff. Here are some photos from the event: