Living on a Dollar a Day

More than a billion people around the world, one-seventh of the Earth's population, are believed to live on a dollar a day or less. This staggering fact is hard to fathom for many living in affluent countries - yet it is an inescapable reality for many millions living in the developing countries of the world. The lack of awareness about global inequality, and the lack of serious efforts to remedy it, inspired the non-profit organization The Forgotten International to send a photojournalist around the world to document the lives of some of the planet's poorest. The outcome of this journey is captured in the book Living on a Dollar a Day: The Lives and Faces of the World's Poor. Attorney, child advocate, and Professor of Law, Thomas Nazario is the author of this book and the founder and president of The Forgotten International. The compelling photographs featured in Living on a Dollar a Day were shot by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Renée C.Byer.

Niels Bos interviewed Tom Nazario for Share International. (more…)

Unfolding Into Activism

By Niánn Emerson Chase

I was brought up in a home with responsible, dedicated parents who showed how much they cared for us four children in many ways every day. I was taught basically “to do onto others as you would have them do onto you,” which meant to be kind, considerate, honest, and generally “go with the flow” and “don’t rock the boat.” But, as I grew from childhood into my young adult years, it became more and more difficult for me to just flow along, only seeing the good in others and in situations, for I didn’t just see the wonderful and the good (of which there was much in my world), but I also saw much that was not good and was, in fact, horrible. I increasingly realized that the boat of the status quo was very rocky for most of my Apache friends, who weren’t able to go with the flow of the dominant culture that forced a reality of poverty, racism, poor health, and marginalization for them and their tribe. (more…)

The Cost Of Being An Activist

by Gabriel of Urantia 6/11/14

I’m sure that many of the activists in neighboring Arivaca (of Pima County, Arizona) can identify to some extent with this article and my experiences. I am very proud to live in Santa Cruz County—a county that has a good number of activists for a variety of worthy causes. And I want to honor Mayor Garino of Nogales, Arizona for his valiant stance for prayer before the council meetings—a nationwide issue that went all the way to The Supreme Court.

It takes both courage and humility for the Mayor to stand up for the right of city officials to pray for some assistance higher than just themselves in meeting the many challenges of local governments. Even more ideal is when the various belief systems of the local area can be represented in these prayers. No one has to personally participate in the prayer who chooses not to, but I think providing the opportunity for those who want to appeal to a Higher Source is wise, for many reasons. (more…)

Conscious Peace

From the Book RADICAL PEACE: People Refusing War By William T. Hathaway

I was sitting in full lotus, body wrapped in a blanket, mind rapt in deep stillness, breathing lightly, wisps of air curling into the infinite space behind my closed eyes. My mantra had gone beyond sound to become a pulse of light in an emptiness that contained everything.

An electric shock flashed down my spine and through my body. My head snapped back, limbs jerked, a cry burst from my throat. Every muscle in my body contracted ― neck rigid, jaws clenched, forehead tight. Bolts of pain shot through me in all directions, then drew together in my chest. Heart attack! I thought. I managed to lie down, then noticed I wasn't breathing ― maybe I was already dead. I groaned and gulped a huge breath, which stirred a whirl of thoughts and images.

Vietnam again: Rotor wind from a hovering helicopter flails the water of a rice paddy while farmers run frantically for cover. Points of fire spark out from a bamboo grove to become dopplered whines past my ears. A plane dives on the grove to release a bomb which tumbles end over end and bursts into an orange globe of napalm. A man in my arms shakes in spasms as his chest gushes blood. (more…)

Sharing a Heartfelt Conversation on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

Creating a Culture of Congruency with Personality-Integrated Individuals

Niánn Emerson Chase

I realize that gender identity and sexual orientation for any individual are very complex issues, with not only biological factors but environmental, social, and cultural elements to also consider. In our modern society, with its fast-pace and digital device onslaught, we all need to slow down and take time to have honest and thoughtful conversations about this sensitive and important subject of today’s culture. (more…)

Finding a Spiritually Sound Political Stance

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Human experience is a paradox. Our fundamental purpose is to experience unique individuality, and the many lessons this state presents. However, at essence we remain in oneness with our Spiritual source, and also share the common purpose of re-discovering that oneness as we journey through life.

Humans are clearly the most successful species on the planet. Our achievements tower above anything found in the animal kingdom. Much of that success thus far is due to our social nature and membership of "society". But society needs structure (eg leadership, direction) in order to function. The way in which that structure is determined and implemented is through politics. (more…)

Islam: Religion of Peace & Love?

By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

"Say ye: 'we believe in God and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord. We make no difference between one and another of them, and we bow to God.'” Koran, Chapter 2, Verse 136*

Often I get forwarded e-mails from fellow travelers who are fearful, reading the headlines about Muslim extremists. These extremists are using their religious beliefs to justify deadly action against others of their own faith; and others who they designate as non-believing or Westerners. In America and across the world, this is a real threat to the way we live and maintaining our personal freedom. These Muslim extremists would tell us how to live, what to believe and kill any who deviate from their view.

Sadly this is the not the first time that religious belief has been used to justify action and war against others. History is full of examples and it is such a powerful tool and motivator, follow what God wants, that it is continues to be used today. Just read the Old Testament or follow the accounts of the Crusades; Jewish and Christian history is full of examples where deadly force was used to protect and further a cherished belief system. Today in this matter there is little choice; all freedom loving people must stand their ground, raise their voice and fight against those who would take from us.  It is clear that we are long past solving this problem only with words. (more…)

Spain's Robin Hood mayor and a radical nun speak out against market forces

by Niels Bos

Two Spanish citizens have successfully rallied the voice of the people against government austerity measures that threaten the very fabric of life in Spain.

He is the 57-year-old mayor of an Andalusian town who has been dubbed "the Robin Hood of Spain" for organising anti-austerity marches across the region, occupying banks and supporting a food raid on a supermarket in order to distribute the food to the poor. She is a Benedictine nun, a Harvard-educated theologian and a doctor by training, who has emerged as a leading voice in Spain's "indignant" protest movement against the excesses of capitalism. They both have been making the national and international headlines separately for their outspoken ideas, words and actions.  (more…)

Breaking the silence: taking action on cancer and the environment

In an interview, internationally recognized authority Dr. Sandra Steingraber discusses the mounting evidence linking cancer and pollution, and asks how much evidence is needed before action is taken.

Ecologist, author and activist Sandra Steingraber PhD, is an internationally recognized authority on the environmental links to cancer and human health. She is the author of four books, including Raising Elijah: Protecting Children in an Age of Environmental Crisis (2013) and Living Downstream: An Ecologist's Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment (1997, revised 2010). Dr Steingraber holds a doctorate in biology and is a scholar in residence at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. Jason Francis interviewed her for Share International. (more…)

My Brother's Keeper

By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

If a small child stumbled
Fell and cut her knee,
Would you not bend over and try to help?

Helping the fallen
Is part of the basic requirement
Of being a human being.

Then why do you run away
From all the broken ones
Who call out for our help?

Are we not broken ourselves?

-SB (more…)