I recently heard a person on one of those tabloid-like radio shows say that immigration is a real problem and it needs to be taken seriously.  The host being of like mind agreed with them and blamed the Federal Government for not doing anything about this problem.  The interesting thing is that they did not blame the state government they blamed the federal government for its lack of involvement and lack of prudency in addressing this issue.  The same person followed with the argument that Arizona did what it had to do because again the Federal Government was ignoring their cries  for help from the sate and was not assisting the local government with its “Immigration Problem”.

Now here is where it gets interesting.  They then followed this series federal government villainizing scenarios with a call for smaller government and less big government involvement. Uhhh say what?  How can you call for an entity to get involved on one hand and then ask for it to but out on the same hand.  The same hand!?!?  The insane thing is usually you can say on the other hand, but in this instance they didn’t even switch hands!!!

Either you want local government or you want big government even I know that you have to pick one.  That’s basic debating 101.  But I guess that is why they are called talking heads.  There is no debate, just propaganda talk that fuels the fires and increases listeners so that they can sell more advertisement. Immigration and a path to citizenship really is not the issue here.  Making money off of a specific clientele is.

The shameful part is that they have that clientele so amped up on fear and disdain that they have somehow charmed them out of their reasoning capabilities.  For instance how does a country go from placing a plaque inside of the museum of The Statue of Liberty that says and I quote “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free.” to saying we need to keep immigrants out?  How do we go from the civil rights movement, the accomplishments of the Women’s suffrage movement, and the devastation of the Antisemitic events of World War II to classifying people as immigrants by appearance (i.e. race or color) and anyone who says that that is not what the Arizona law would be doing is just lying to themselves.

I guess the question is when did we lose our minds.  Did somebody put something in the water?  I ask because there is nothing crazier than a country of immigrants aggressively attempting to shut out immigrants.  It’s like we have forgotten the mistreatment of the Irish, the Italian,  The Polish, The Hungarians, The Jews, and many other immigrants who came to this country in the early 1800’s.  It’s is like we have forgotten the horrible Japanese Camps of WWII that made it legal to strip American Citizens of their homes and businesses strictly based on their race.  It’s almost, as some who call themselves “True Americans” and celebrate their immigrant heritage on one hand while condemning one for their immigrant heritage on the other, have forgotten the plight of their own early immigrant ancestors.

I think that it is safe to say that each and every one of them would be ashamed to see some of the discussions being had about immigration today.  I just hope that sooner than later we will begin to think about what it truly means to be a melting pot.  I hope that we will truly begin to think about that famous poem in the museum at the base of the Statue of liberty.  I hope that we will take a look at our ancestry and remember their struggles.  I hope that we will start to pull together as a country.  We built this thing together and we need all of the parts to make it run.

That includes those of us that are trying to get here from other countries.  Those of us who deserve a path to United States Citizenship if we so choose.  We are all immigrants here some by our own free will and some by force, but all immigrants.  I think it is time that we remember where we came from. Oh, and if our roots don’t end with an ancestor from an Eastern Continental Native American Tribe guess what?  You should probably start advocating rolling out a country wide welcome mat.

Shelock Holmes Movie

I had the pleasure of watching the new Sherlock Holmes last night, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. It was a very clever and well directed movie that retold the story of the English detective. The film was based off of the famous series written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

In this movie the clever detective comes out of retirement to take on a case, and oh what a great adventure ensues. It was very well done. The fight scenes were amazing (hey what can I say I am a guy.) and the slow motion replay of Sherlock’s discovery of the clues was great!

Even though I enjoyed every minute of the film. I couldn’t help but wonder when will our society begin to tell elaborate amazing stories that reflect clever heroes and heroins of different cultures braving the challenges that come with fighting villains. No disrespect to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ,but we are retelling a story that has been told a time or two.

I can’t believe that there aren’t any great contemporary authors telling great stories that have multicultural heroes/heroins. The question is not whether or not they exist. The question is why are they not being given the opportunity to tell their stories through major media.

A little test for you. Can you name five major movies starring a gay,lesbian, physically disabled, or minority actress or actor as the lead?  If not… why not?

I think that it is again important to think of these questions not as a condemnation of anyone or anything, but think of it as a call to just being aware. If we live in a media driven society and the media that is driving that society does not reflect all of the society’s members how do we expect to promote unity in our society?  Is it logical to be surprised when the members that are not reflected in the media in a media driven society feel disenfranchised?

Maybe with more diversity in media we will all get a chance to look at the world from a different perspective.

On the same note I would like to send a big shout out to NBC for their hit show Community.  Have you seen this show if you haven’t then get yourself over to NBC on Thursday nights. You will not be sorry. I have to say that next to Senior Chang (Ken Jeong) Abed(Danny Pudi) is my favorite character. See you over at NBC on Thursday.

Peace!

A picture is worth a thousand words! Any governing body that would think that posting a sign like this on the side of the street would lead to safety and not to the psychological and and sociological denouncement of a race of people is clearly out of touch with their global community.  The only other sign postings of its kind us used to depict wildlife. My friends it is time to wake up and get involved.  We can no longer sit on the sidelines.  Those who profit from fear and misunderstanding are bringing the fight to anyone and everyone who wants a piece of the proverbial pie. It was o.k. to think that you could have a piece ,but now that you are actually reaching for it. They have a problem.  What will be your response?  What is happening in Arizona, and what are you going to do to change it?

A bill to ban Ethnic Studies was signed into law on May 12th 2010. Jan Brewer , The Arizona Governer on a roll after signing into law the new Arizona Immigration bill, shot another shot across the bow of equality by making it illegal to teach ethnic studies in the state.

Many Republicans say that the law does not target Latinos, however I have to ask our readers, whom do they think that it is targeting.  Do we really believe that police will be stopping visiting Western Europeans and asking them if they have there “Papers”? Will the Arizona police force begin to stop Germans or Englishmen on vacation to their desert resorts? I think we all know the answer to that.

I hope that the Governer is not that naive. What are you thoughts? Does this law promote discrimination and racism, or is it an attempt to protect Arizona citizens. Let your voice be heard. For more on the story click here. Arizona Bill Targets Ethnic Studies.

Peace,

Troy

A little Survey for ya!

This film is about talented musicians that play in fear of being persecuted for playing music. Let me say this again. These young musicians are in fear of being persecuted for PLAYING MUSIC! What has happened to the director of this film is an atrocity. It is an absolute atrocity! It is an atrocity that anywhere in the entire world someone, anyone, could be persecuted for playing music. It is even more of an atrocity that someone would not be able to return to their home country for making a film about musicians.

Everyone should know about Persian Cats! If you don’t believe that media is powerful if you don’t believe that music has influence. Watch this film. Click the link below to view the trailer and then RENT IT!

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/nooneknowsaboutpersiancats/

Media matters.

Peace,

Troy Horne
Diversity Blogger
http://onebug.org
info@onebug.org

“Being fat draws a lot of mockery in our society,” Lin said.

Lin said that he was teased because of his weight as a child, and that he would go to is room after school and sing away his sadness.  He described the bullying as a game that the other students would play. Some of his classmates would hit him and run saying “Fatty can’t catch me.” as they ran away.  Lin said that he never told his parents about what was going on because he did not want to trouble them. However, now his distress has turned into fame and promise.

“I now have more confidence in pursuing a singing career,” Lin told The Associated Press. “You don’t have to be a good-looking man or woman to succeed. Just be yourself and try your best.” AMEN! LIN! AMEN!

Actually, wait a minute let’s rephrase that. Maybe we need to redefine what a “Good-Looking” man or woman means. Diversity
is beautiful and it is time that we learn that right now. Lin you, your spirit, and your voice, are all beautiful. The fact that you sing this song with the feeling, that you sing with the skill that you do is beautiful. Let’s start understanding that we are all beautiful. All of us! Take a listen to this beautiful voice.

The beautiful thing about Lin is that he hopes that his new found fame will bring a sense of pride and self appreciation for all people who feel challenged by their weight.  He hopes that his fortune will be a message to them that they are wonderful, important, and worthy of great things. We are with you Lin.

Peace,

Troy Horne
Diversity Blogger
http://onebug.org

Diversity has always been a word that seemed more comfortably uttered by those who felt as if they had been excluded, and almost apologetically voiced by those who wanted to express their understanding of the excluded ones current situation. However, I would like to challenge those of us who find ourselves in this new ever shrinking global community, to erase all of those feelings of regret and remorse and approach this new global community with a different looking glass.

We must find a new way to understand diversity if we are going to achieve understanding and tolerance in this new world. Becoming diverse does not mean that we create or support an underserved or under-recognized group of people and exclude another. Becoming diverse and celebrating a diverse society means celebrating all, at the same time. To achieve this thing called diversity we must start by creating an environment free of animosity from perceived past wrongs and limitations.

We must enter into an understanding of equality and compassion, and we must start the conversation that includes all people. So how do we do this? In my humble opinion I think the healing and understanding begins with transforming our media. Media matters. Media is one of the most powerful and yet underutilized tools of our society. Media today is being used, whether consciously or unconsciously, to promote separation and animosity. This current exclusion of races, religions, and lifestyles by the current media makes many of our society feel excluded and unrecognized. People who feel excluded and unrecognized tend to become empathetic and resigned. This ,my friends, is not a way to build a strong community.

I would like for you to visit the site Hulu.com. After you are there scroll through the images on the front page and count how many people of different ethnic backgrounds grace the slide show. Now that you have a rough count, click on a few of the slides and see how many of the programs that use a person of a different culture, actually feature that person in their show.

You might find yourself a little surprised at just how little our media looks like our world.

Troy
onebug.org

I have to admit I am pretty nervous and very excited.  WE are about to step into an even more  wonderful world. To be honest it has taken a lot for me to write this blog entry and to step into the place of leading this movement. As a matter of fact, it was very difficult even to type the word leading in the last sentence, but here we are. Elizabeth and I would like to share with you the poem that pushed me as an individual over the edge and into action. A very dear friend of mine (Austin Willacy) shared a very famous poem with me today. A poem that I, until today had never heard. I hope that it will be as inspirational for you as it was for me today.

Our Deepest Fear – by Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

—Marianne Williamson

This is a movement of connection. I know that you will join us in pooling together our time, our talents, and our treasures.  Together we will empower artists, writers, musicians, poets, and actors to create new stories for us to tell, and retell old stories for us to remember.  The idea that you can or can’t be something because of your religion, sexual orientation or color ENDS. Today we define the saying “You can do anything!” by creating positive images that will change the way that people see themselves and the world around them. I know that you will join us, because today is the day and we are the people. We are the ones that we have been waiting for.

Today we have set the bar high and we know that together we can reach it. We are looking to raise funds to produce our first animated series. An animated series that celebrates diversity through the retelling of global folktales. These multicultural friends will journey through different worlds, experience world folktales and discover ways to overcome their problems together.

Our vision is to raise the funding through one-dollar-a-month donations from one million people. So if you have a dollar and believe in diversity in and through media we hope that you will contribute that dollar via our donations page or simply mail a check for one dollar (or if you’d like to be efficient, $12 for the year!) to

Lightning Bug Studios
7500 W. Mississippi Ave, Ste B-150
Lakewood, CO 80226

One dollar a month and a forward is all it takes to raise the funding of this project. So please pass it on to your friends and let’s begin the process of making diversity in media a reality. Today! Also with your donation you will receive a copy of our first ever Lightning Bugs audio book. Our 501c3 status will be confirmed soon and all of your donations are tax deductible. We just found out that upon approval the 501c3 status is retroactive. Win! Win!

Peace,

Troy and Elizabeth

onebug.org

This beautiful film produced in 1997 was Alain Berliner’s debut at making a feature film, and what a debut it was. I cried during the entire film the first time I watched it, and I cried during the entire film the second time I watched it. Yes, I cried and I will probably do it again the next time I watch this film. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! This film is about a young boy who wants to be a girl. The story explores the effect that his decision has on his family and the neighborhood. I can’t believe that something so beautiful exist on this planet, and yet I am not surprised. I must say that I am so excited about what we are doing here. I am excited because we will be producing and marketing films just like this. Films that make it o.k. for people to be who they are. Films that celebrate everyone and open up the minds and hearts of all people so that we can share this world like never before. What a gift this film is. What a gift you are! What a gift this life is and what a gift it is to be born in a time when we can experience the birth of a new understanding of what it means to be human. WoW!

So, if you have not seen this film here is where you can change that.
You can buy it at Amazon, or view it on demand at Amazon by clicking the corresponding image below.

I know that you will enjoy this absolutely beautiful film. See you soon! Also don’t forget to tell your friends about what we are doing. We would like to have all of the positive energy possible behind us. With all of our energy committed to the celebration of our diversity we become an unstoppable force.

Peace,

Troy

Here is the HTML for test links to us. Please use this html code to link to our site.
<a href=”http://onebug.org”>Diversity Through Multicultural Media</a>

<a href=”http://onebug.org/about-us”>Diversity Through Multicultural Media</a>

Or Our Image Link Html Code

<a href=”http://www.onebug.org/” target=”_blank”>
<img src=”http://www.onebug.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Onebug-LogoAW2.png” width=”100″ height=”101″ border=”0″ alt=”Diversity and Multicultural Media!” />
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Results in the Image Below:

Email your info and the way that you would like for your link to appear to info@onebug.org. All we ask is that you link back to us so that we can all share in the blog wheel love.

Peace,

Troy