Social Action – Page 4 – Individual Empowerment

What if you grew up in a community surrounded by poverty along with a high infection of HIV/Aids? Would you have the strength to know you were capable of changing these conditions? Shadrak Kyobe grew up with a supportive family and a dream to make his home country of Uganda a healthier happier place for everyone.

He is an active supporter of women’s rights, is working hard to reduce the infection of HIV/Aids, and has decreased the cycle of poverty. He does all of this by teaching people that they are capable of creating change in their own lives. He founded the Empower and Care Organization in Uganda. His mission is “to reduce poverty and HIV/AIDS through economic empowerment, educational opportunities and support for disadvantaged groups. Their activities are targeted toward vulnerable women, especially widows and those living with HIV/AIDS; vulnerable children, youth, and the elderly.” I hope his interview inspires you to create change in your own life and eventually in your community and the whole world.

What was your inspiration or what necessitated you to begin this adventure? I grew up in a very poor environment and I also used to see vulnerable people not living a happy and healthy life. Now I devote my time to make a difference in people’s lives, develop a wide network, develop a range of skills and experience that can be used in everyday life, Each week, my gift of time will help nourish and sustain the quality of life for someone less fortunate than me and I love to see vulnerable people living a better and healthy life.

People who are poor and ill with AIDS are vulnerable to social isolation, depression, and the inability to care for their own and their family’s basic needs; Children are often forced to leave school to care for their dying parents. A widespread response is a home-based care program, which provides a community with trained volunteers to visit the homes of the ill. Home-based care volunteers assist with a range of needs, including food preparation, hygiene, basic medical care, and counseling. You can take your time and volunteer with this Uganda organization. And to me I have a belief that every human being is a unique individual and that we all have a right to good health and basic needs and should access means to a comfortable life in one way or another

Therefore I want to see women (since they are the mothers of the world) to be transforming from a state of hopelessness to a state of excellence hence freeing them from exploitation and fully exhaust their potential.

What steps did you take to create your program? Identified the status of these people and then the needs of these communities after that it was easier for me to start a program in this community.

What obstacles were you forced to overcome? That was poverty in our community, most of the people in our community thought that they were poor but these people were rich only that they didn’t know, so I am giving these communities the skills and knowledge on how to utilize the resources surrounding them.

What were the hardest problems to solve or actions to take? Is to drive out people’s mind that for them its poverty that has kept them to be vulnerable and they need money to solve their problems. Then I let them know that its not money that can solve a problem, but their the ideas if well expressed can bring money!

What must you do to stay operational? I must be trust worthy, Focused, Determined, Patient with a positive mind!

Who, if anyone, helped you succeed? My Parents and few friends have been on my side to see that I be what I am today, I remember my parents used to tell me that Shadrak you need to be patient, Hardworking and you have to listen to what others are saying as well as respecting their views if you are to win the battle. Besides that they advised me to have friends who are productive and that I should never and never look behind or having any negative thought in me because this can affect my future.

Get involved and learn more about the EACO at www.EACOuganda.webs.com …This interview is from a book that includes 15 other amazing people who are creating positive change. You can read the full book and buy a copy for you or your school at Bookemon.com

***

Social Action

Reality TV Racism

January 16, 2013January 14, 2013 Impower You

Have you heard about the new reality show called “All My Babies’ Mamas”?

Growing up in a racially mixed family I find this upcoming show on Oxygen absolutely disgusting and infuriating. I saw plenty of racism first hand towards me and my family as a child and I was always scared and saddened by those negative reactions. We don’t need more demeaning images of any people in our media. Exploiting racial stereotypes only leads to increased racism. This is demeaning to everyone no matter their skin color or socio-economic status. It is especially demeaning to the children involved.

Those children who will be featured in this show are not old enough to make a decision of whether or not they want to be on TV or have the drama of their lives played out as entertainment for millions of strangers. They are basically being used as props to fuel the careers of people old enough to know better.

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/oxygen/?akid=2789.1531931.79hTrc&rd=1&t=1

Even if you don’t sign this petition I hope this causes you to think twice the next time you hear stereotypes and prejudiced jokes. I think this is a great petition that shows just how many people realize stereotypes are harmful for everyone in our society.

What stereotypes do you find offensive?

How do you see those stereotypes encouraging prejudice or hate?

🙂

Social Action

Role Models: Emily May of Hollaback

November 19, 2012April 14, 2013 Impower You

Welcome! Today is the start of my series interviewing a new generation of role models. I will be profiling people from all over the world. They will share their stories about the amazing actions they are taking to create positive change or break barriers of prejudice to succeed. I am so excited to share these amazing role models. You will learn about what it takes to break barriers of prejudice and create positive change in your own community. Every week new interviews will be posted and eventually all the interviews will become a book. The book will be free to read on Bookemon.com, freely available as a PDF, and for sale as a soft cover that can be given to someone who needs a little inspiration. Let’s Begin~

Emily May is the Executive director of Hollaback and if you are a woman you should definitely know who she is. Emily and her friends(both women and men) started Hollback to create a worldwide community support system so people can stop the street harassment of women and girls. She is a role model because she is taking what seems like a problem that can’t be fixed and is fixing it. For someone like me who walks and takes public transportation just about every day, harassment is an annoying, unwanted part of my life. Men and even boys will creep up close to me with some disgusting comment, drive up and proposition me, or yell “hey baby” at me from across the street. At first the harassment made me nervous so I just pretended to ignore it, but after a while it pissed me off. So now I stand my ground. I don’t smile or say please. I just tell them to leave me alone. It may not work every time, but I feel good speaking up for myself. It also feels great knowing that there are thousands of people out there who will stand up with me. Hollaback encourages women to take a photo or video of the harasser(s) and post it online. It’s also really funny watching the videos of these men who in one moment have no problem being loud pushy jerks suddenly get all shades of shy.

What was your inspiration or what necessitated you to begin this adventure?

I started the journey to end street harassment when I was 24 years old. My friends and I — four woman and three men — were sitting on a roof deck in Brooklyn, when the women started talking about the crap men said to us on the street. My friend Samuel Carter – who grew up in the same town as me and went to the same college with me, said quite bluntly, “Emily, you live in a different NYC than I do.” And we resolved to change that. It was 2005 and we’d recently heard the story of Thao Nyugen, a young woman who was riding the NYC subway when an older man sat down across from her and began to masturbate. She pulled out her newfangled cell phone camera — because remember, this was 2005 — and took his picture so that she would have evidence to give to the police. But when Thao showed the photo to the police, they dismissed her and her story. They didn’t take the photo as evidence, and they didn’t file a report. What Thao did next was a game-changer. She put that photo up on flickr, where her story quickly went viral. It made it to the front cover of the NY Daily News and ignited a citywide conversation about public masturbation. It felt like everyone either had a story or they knew someone who did. My boss at the time had seen that exact guy masturbating on the subway. We inspired by Thao’s story. So we logically did what any other twenty-something would do in 2005: we decided to start a blog. We named it Hollaback, and we documented stories and photos of street harassment in New York City.

What steps did you take to create your program? Our little bog struck a nerve. Almost immediately after launching we were overwhelmed with requests from activists wanting to bring Hollaback to their town. So, in 2010, I applied to 8 foundations and 2 fellowships. I was rejected from all of them. And so, with no promise of an income, I took the leap, left my job, and built wings on the way down. Today, I am proud to announce we have scaled our work to over 60 cities in 20 countries and in 12 different languages —- and now we’re expanding to address sexual harassment on college campuses too.

What obstacles were you forced to overcome?For the first six months, I shot up out of bed at 6 a.m. and worked straight until midnight. To save money, I ate mostly dried beans. I gained ten pounds. I barely saw my friends – or the light of day. At my worst moments, it was an obsession. At my best, it was a calling.

All I knew was that I had to make this happen. And I did. In those first six months, we launched iPhone and Droids apps to give people a real-time response to street harassment, and a new website to house local sites; and began working with the New York City Council on ways to address street harassment.

What must you do to stay operational? We’re in over 60 cities, but we only have two full time staff. To keep this movement moving, we need to build additional capacity. Support us by donating or becoming a member: https://npo1.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1006067

Who, if anyone, helped you succeed? So, so, many people. My mother, who raised me with courage and confidence. My small but mighty staff, who make this organization what it is. Our site leaders, who keep this movement moving internationally. Our donors, without which we wouldn’t be here today. Our volunteers, who give over a half million a year in in-kind services. Our board, who goes above and beyond to keep us on track. The list could go on forever.

Do you have any advice for readers who want to get involved or start a similar program? If you want to start a Hollaback site, check out our website for details! It’s a free, three month on-line training a planning process — but the result is world-changing.

And if you’re looking at starting your own venture, my best advice is surround yourself with people who believe in what you’re trying to do. This includes volunteers, a board, and friends for sure — but it also includes a supportive partner. It’s a hard road, and there will be times when you’ll need to come home and cuddle it out. Having a supportive partner in my life has made all the difference. …This interview is from a book that includes 15 other amazing people who are creating positive change. You can read the full book and buy a copy for you or your school at Bookemon.com

Social Action

A Guide For My Son

September 18, 2012December 31, 2012 Impower You

Dear Son, You are an amazingly talented and loving boy who will grow up to be a strong, altruistic man. The world will give you so many conflicting ideas of what you should be, what you should want and how you should act. I wrote this guide for you. When you are in doubt, when you are in pain and when you are at a crossroads, remember this. Decide for yourself which if any to follow and keep moving forward. (see also – A Guide For My Daughter)

1) I have a right to change my mind at any point in any situation. Whether because I am scared or uncomfortable, if something feels wrong or I am no longer able.

2) I will not allow anyone to turn me into a victim. I am a survivor who will always look after myself first.

3) If I am physically assaulted, I will fight back with every ounce of my strength. I will look my attacker in the face so I can report them to the authorities.

4) If I am emotionally assaulted, I will choose to either look my attacker in the face and inform them their behavior is unacceptable or I will ignore their words and walk away standing tall.

5) If my date, partner or anyone says they do NOT want to have sex, I will respect those words and stop. I will NEVER rape or sexually assault anyone.

6) I will help people by teaching not preaching.

7) I will treat everyone I meet with respect and will not judge based upon gender, skin color, sexual orientation, religion, place of birth, physical appearance, or economic class.

8) I know that I am strong, smart, handsome, and capable.

9) I will learn from my mistakes. I will not call myself stupid when I fail. I will pick myself up and move forward.

10) I will strive for my best and not compare myself to others nor they to me.

11) I will love my body. It is the only one I have. I will not fall for a socially accepted idea of what a man should look like.

12) I will be involved in my community and always vote.

13) I will not be defined by the labels of others, society, or authority.

14) I will create my own opinions, live by my own creed, and act upon my own morals.

What Guidelines Will You Pass On To Your Son?

Social Action

What’s Victim Blame?

September 6, 2012 Impower You

It seems to be very hard to explain to some men and a few women about victim blaming and how it makes no sense. I found this funny, thought provoking post about why it’s common sense for men to just stay home instead of going out to a bar or party, lest they become the victim of a “false” rape account. Keep in mind that accounts of false rapes, are RARE, like Rush Limbaugh saying something logical. Below is an excerpt that all men need to read and a link to the full article.

“The harsh truth is that yes, indeed, you wouldn’t go out leaving your front door open – that’s just an invitation to burglars. Nor would you leave your iPad on a table in the pub while you nipped to the loo. It’s just basic risk management. Why, then, do so many men go out and have sex, when clearly that’s a red flag to all potential false rape accusers? I’m not saying such men are to blame when false accusations are made, just that all men should seriously restrict their activities in order to minimise the opportunities…” Continue Reading at GlossWatch.com

Social Action

Thank you T.H.E.

September 5, 2012September 5, 2012 Impower You

We got our first sponsor! Emelina Minero bought a $19 banner ad for her online community magazine, The Human Experience(T.H.E.).

What is T.H.E.? It is the validity in your story and the story of 7,000,000,000 other people in this world. How do you put a label on being human? You don’t. You open your heart and listen.

I really like the goals of her community. My favorite and one, is the limited stereotypical images of LGBTQ in our media consumption. I am so tired of stereotypes in general that I have downsized my media consumption a great deal. I got rid of my TV three years ago and stopped reading popular magazines. Those were my two main reinforcements of our oddly skewed society and I can tell the difference just when I go to a friends house and watch a show with them or see the magazines they read. I forget how inundated we are through the media with such limited ideas of how we should be. It makes me laugh and feel a bit sad at the same time.

Please visit Emelina’s website and see just how awesome her project is at The Human Experience.com

***

Then visit my campaign on IndieGoGo.com/EIE

***

Social Action

The P Word

August 30, 2012September 9, 2012 Impower You

Repeat after me: “Prostitution is NOT empowering!” Next time someone gives you that bullsh*t line tell them to up shut because prostitutes are forced, coerced, threatened, bribed, lied to, and sold into the sex trade. The few women(1%) who CHOOSE to sell their bodies for sex do it for MONEY, not empowerment. Women are not a weak and stupid gender, we can be just as greedy as any male. That said, men are the major buyers or JOHNS that support this crappy job/enslavement industry.

When I worked at the domestic violence and sexual assault resource center we trained about prostitution and sex slavery. They have become the same thing. Whether you talk about prostitution in the “good old”(eye roll) USA or some brothel in any so called “third world” (more eyes rolls) country, it sucks sweaty stinky balls.

Women may be the majority of prostitutes, but men can be victims (or survivors) as well. So I am not on some anti-male rant right now. It is not our nature to ‘buy sex’, but our nature to want and crave sex. Before you brush off sex trade as the worlds oldest profession(that’s a lie, it’s agriculture and the trade of food and supplies for survival and what does being a profession have anything to do with it being okay?) let’s look at the effects. Prostitution objectifies people as a product to be used and not humans with feelings and brains. It increases the spread of venereal disease, including that deadly one, AIDS/HIV. It encourages and promotes violence against women. It can lead to drug use, crime, and hatred towards the opposite gender. It helps cheaters cheat which breaks your little sisters/best friends heart. If none of that bothers you, why are you reading this?

Now it is time for some resources. Get your ass off the couch and GET INVOLVED with ending prostitution. But, what can I do? You can support these programs with TIME and ENERGY or donate money. You can tell your friends that jokes about prostitutes are not funny. You can use your voice to tell your government officials that YOU care about the problems prostitution cause.

Learn all that you can at The Coalition Against Trafficking In Women: http://www.catwinternational.org

Contact your government officials and tell them your concerns: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/

Get out of prostitution or help someone get out with these resources at WomensLaw, http://www.womenslaw.org/gethelp_national_type.php?type_id=1063

What bothers YOU most about prostitution?

What other information should I have added to this post?

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: