how i spent my sunday afternoon in ann arbor
it was snowy but full of fired up people
‘i need to be able to tell my grandchildren i did not stay silent.’
Jan6
Category Archives: activism
Jul9
fresh for everyone.
Pete the Cat is in his bag and he feels safe in there.
—
this post is dedicated to all of the farm workers out there
may they and their families be safe from harm
during this very challenging time
we see you and appreciate you
thank you for the hard work you do every day to bring food to all of us.
—
‘the people who give you their food give you their heart.’
-cesar chavez
*Cesario Estrada Chavez 1927-1993) was an American labor leader and civil rights activist. Along with Dolores Huerta and Gilbert Padilla, he co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) to become the United Farm Workers (UFW) labor union.
May3
the voice of truth.
today, may 3rd is world press freedom day
on this day, in 2025, 361 journalists worldwide are in prison
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The One Free Press Coalition (#OneFreePress) uses the collective audiences of member organizations to stand up for journalists under attack for pursuing the truth worldwide.
With journalist freedoms under assault worldwide, the One Free Press Coalition was conceived during a meeting of the International Media Council at the World Economic Forum. Top editors from leading media organizations committed to use their collective muscle—by working together, they could shine a massive light on the plight of threatened journalists all over the world.
Coinciding with World Press Freedom Day (May 3rd), global media outlets unite as One Free Press Coalition to publish this annual “10 Most Urgent” list, bringing attention to fellow journalists who are being imprisoned for seeking to tell the truth. These ten cases illuminate governments’ efforts at criminalizing journalism, silencing the media, and withholding information from the public.
The list is compiled in collaboration with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). According to CPJ data, 361 journalists were behind bars worldwide at the end of 2024 (up from 320 in 2023).
In August 2024, the One Free Press Coalition celebrated the release of two American journalists—Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva—from Russian detention after their cases topped the May 2024 list of “10 Most Urgent” press freedom cases.
Given the increasing number of journalists detained for simply doing their jobs and seeking to tell the truth, and given the successful 2024 campaign to free Gershkovich and Kurmasheva, the One Free Press Coalition crucially and emphatically unites our collective voices in support of the following individuals and their urgent cases of press persecution.
https://www.onefreepresscoalition.com/list
World Press Freedom Day 2025 is a powerful reminder that journalism is more than just reporting—it’s a lifeline for democracy, justice, and the environment. As we face global crises like climate change, the need for fearless, ethical, and free journalism has never been more critical.
Let’s celebrate, support, and protect the voice of truth — today and every day.
“In every country in which there has been a loss of freedom, where does it begin? It begins in news media, in public print, in books, and on the proscenium. That’s where they attack you first right there. That’s the bread basket.” – Rod Serling
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image credit: unesco
Apr22
we must return it.
‘even a wounded world is feeding us.
even a wounded world holds us,
gives us moments of joy & wonder.
i choose joy over despair, not because i have my head in the sand,
but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and i must return it.’
-robin wali kimmerer, author, braiding sweetgrass
—
today, on earth day, and every day
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walking the ann arbor parks, michigan, usa, 2025
Apr19
the herds.
These animals, crafted from cardboard and plywood, make up “The Herds,” a public art project that recently set off from the Democratic Republic of Congo on a journey through major cities in Africa and Europe. The goal is to raise awareness about how the climate crisis is endangering the very animals represented by the life-size puppets. “We believe thousands and thousands of people are watching us,” project member Siphokazi Mpofu told AFP. “We believe out of these thousands, maybe 10 will take out something on what we are doing and then take it back to their communities, to their cities.” Watch a video of the herd in motion.
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‘The wildlife and the natural beauty of this earth are the heritage of all generations to come.
We must act as their guardians.’
– Sir David Attenborough
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source credit: AFP
Apr2
“If America hasn’t broken your heart, you haven’t loved her enough.”
thank you, senator booker
for speaking for 25+ hours in the senate
while standing with no breaks
breaking the previous record
standing for our country
for inspiring all of us
for what is right
for democracy.
Feb6
‘hope will never be silent.’ – harvey milk
50 protests/50 states/50 capitols
good to be one small part of
these peaceful protests
filled with people
refusing to be silenced
in my state capitol of lansing, mi, usa
and all around the country
people traveling long distances
sharing rides
taking time off of work or school
in cold and bad weather
to show their refusal to sit down
lawmakers of all ages and races and genders spoke out
this young activist, a local college student
who helped to organize our state’s protest
spoke with passion and cried
while addressing
why this is so important
already understanding at such a young age
some truths are universal
proud to stand with each and every one of them
on national tv tonight – protests in states across the nation
united in their cause.
—
“in matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems,
for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.’
-albert einstein
Jan20
“what’s going on” – on mlk day.
Gem/Redfern – Getty Images
January 20, 1971
Marvin Gaye releases hit single, “What’s Going On.”
In early 1971, on the heels of the Civil Rights Movement and in the midst of the Vietnam War, soul singer Marvin Gaye first crooned the words “Mother, mother, there’s far too many of you crying / Brother, brother, brother, there’s far too many of you dying” — heartbreaking lines that would resonate with millions of listeners, then and now. The powerful protest ballad “What’s Going On” skyrocketed to No. 2 on the Billboard charts, the first tune of Gaye’s to overtly tackle political themes and a far cry from his earlier love songs. Produced by the singer himself, the track paved the way for other Motown artists to claim more agency in their careers and helped reinforce the genre’s potential to be a mouthpiece for social justice issues. Listen to the song and learn more about its making.
Feb17
one love.
always enjoyed bob marley
the new biopic musical film about him
was a bit disjointed
but
leads were very good
his message stood strong
music was a great bonus
especially loved the real footage at the end.
—
“love the life you live, live the life you love.”
-bob marley
—
image credit: paramount pictures
Jan15
humanity.
our class of 3’s-4’s
met with their learning partners
a 4th grade class
and together
they read a book
learned about what Dr. King
stood for and fought for
in his own peaceful way
talked about
what love, fairness, equality
meant to them
then created
a lovely art piece together
each to become a square
in a large paper quilt
created by the whole school
a beautiful collaboration.
—
“make a career of humanity.
commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights.
you will make a better person of yourself,
a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – March for Integrated Schools, April 18, 1959.
I didn't have my glasses on.... 