In honor of World AIDS Day, here are 5 movies that taught all of us about AIDS. They are all narrative (there are tons of amazing docs out there though) and are all very different. Enjoy the list and let me know if I missed any.
Also, be sure to takepart with the World AIDS Campaign
5) Before Night Falls - The story of real life Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas is one of hope and one of living your life for what you believe in. It's also a story that ends with a man dying of AIDS. Julian Schnabel's story captures the beauty of Arenas' life and thus puts meaning and emphasis on how he died - making this is a film that not only teaches us all how to live but also about AIDS. The ending is quite dark (and is after the jump)
The New York Times' City Room Blog has put warehouse retailer Costco in the spotlight by revealing that they don't accept food stamps. According to Costco, their reasons for not accepting food stamps have to do with the necessary equipment being too expensive, the fact that they operate on a membership protocol (which they feel many on food stamps would be unable to join) and their thought that they wouldn't be able to meet government qualifications.
The Times does a pretty good job of debunking Costco's excuses and more than that they successfully explain why Costco accepting food stamps is actually important.
For example, there is a Costco on Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, Queens. Within walking distance of this Costco are 30,000+ residents of the Queensbridge, Ravenswood and Astoria Homes, three public housing projects. I worked for 2+ years in the Queensbirdge neighborhood, teaching video at a local settlement house, and I feel like I can safely say that giving Queensbirdge residents the option of shopping at Costco would greatly benefit them.
In the direct vicinity of the neighborhood there is a grocery store that is quite lacking in healthy food options, a fried fish restaurant, a Chinese restaurant and a pizza/chicken.fries place. These options are cheap and nearby and many of the residents chose them solely on this basis. To have a nearby store that accepted food stamps, which many people are on, could start the show process of getting people to change how they shop for food and eat. I was always amazed at how the kids reacted when I brought my own food in to eat. One of my students would always comment on how I wasn't eating healthy because I was eating vegetables. About how I needed to eat some fried chicken. You would think he was joking or being difficult. I don't think he was, I think he was saying what he thought to be true.
Also it just seems wrong to put a big box store in a neighborhood that can't actually serve the neighborhood.
“It is inexplicable why Costco clings to a policy that is against both their public interest and the company’s own self-interest. More than one million New Yorkers a year use more than one billion dollars worth of food stamps benefits. I can’t understand why Costco is essentially placing a sign in their window that says ‘Your Business Not Wanted."
Ted Kennedy has been diagnosed with a Malignant Brain Tumor. Although the news is tragic, we can turn to Kennedy's own words for inspiration and solace. In 1980, in his concession speech to Carter, Kennedy said: "For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." So the best way, perhaps, to honor Senator Kennedy, is support the valiant work he has done for over 40 years, and continues to do today. Here are some more inspiring words from Senator Kennedy, followed by ways you can take action to ensure that the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream never dies.
But we do not win the war on terror by stooping to their level. We do not win by desecrating the very ideals that our soldiers are fighting for. We win by setting an example -- by doing unto others as we would have them do unto us.
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haitian authorities were considering on Monday how to deal with a group of American missionaries accused of trying to illegally take children out of the quake-shattered Caribbean country.
The Baptist missionaries, who were arrested late on Friday, deny Haitian charges they were engaged in child trafficking and insist they were only trying to help vulnerable orphans left abandoned and destitute by the January 12 quake. More
I am a huge fan of the Media the Matters Film Festival (and of their always gorgeously funky postcards, look at that pretty thang!) Dedicated to showcasing films that do good, the MTM Fest is an inspiring annual event that I have been fortunate enough to have been involved with in the past (once upon a time I was their office manager, then last year I was the comedian Mcee for their awards ceremony.) So filmmakers, start shooting some socially conscious cinema because, The Ninth Annual Media That Matters Film Festival has just announced its call for entries.Here's the official word from Media That Matters:
More than a film festival, Media That Matters is the premier showcase for short films with big messages. Following a New York City Premiere, Awards Ceremony and industry networking events in June 2009, your film will take part in the Media That Matters international, multi-platform campaign with DVD distribution, broadcasts, streaming and hundreds of screenings across the globe! Hundreds of thousands of people including educators, activists and nonprofits will watch and use your film. Submit your short film to make a real impact. Short Films: Keep it short! Under 12 minutes is good, but under 8 is even better. All Genres: Documentary, animation, PSA, narrative, music videos - be creative! Social Issues: Any and all. This year we are looking for films on Media Literacy, Human Rights, Elections & Democracy, Sustainability, Sexual Identity but all social issues are accepted. Youth produced projects are encouraged. Cash Prize: $1,000 per film. Submission Fee: $25 for general submissions; $10 for students over 18 (with valid student ID); free for youth 18 and under (with valid ID). All submission materials must be postmarked by January 9th, 2009.
One I love are cupcakes. And my most favorite cupcakes come from a little shop in New York City called BabyCakes. What makes BabyCakes stand out (beyond how wonderfully tasty they are) is that their cakes and cookies are all natural, organic and free from the common allergens: wheat, gluten, dairy, casein and eggs. They also never use white sugar or toxic chemical sweeteners. Instead, most products are sweetened with agave nectar—a natural syrup from a cactus which is low on the glycemia index and often a safe alternative to most non-insulin dependent diabetics.
How awesome is that!!!
Even more awesome is that the BabyCakes team (headed up by Erin McKenna) have a cookbook coming out on May 5th. And they made an awesome video to promote the book - which will definitely make you want to dance and eat cupcakes (but only cupcakes made with the awesome ingredients that BabyCakes uses).
Take a look at the video and then takepart to learn more about the reasons behind BabyCakes decision to give people tasty sweets that don't contain a lot of junk!
Big Cat Rescue TV is a close look into the day to day operations, the conservation efforts and the 140 feline residents of "Big Cat Rescue" in Tampa, Fl. USA:
Big Cat TV has an amazing 72 videos all about the awesome work they do and all about how awesome big cats like tigers, leopards and lions are. The videos help them to promote their awesome mission statement:
“ A world where the animals we share it with are treated with respect and caring and where their habitat is preserved to insure the indefinite future survival of these wonderful gifts of nature. We also hope the same principles of respect and caring will carry over to the way humans treat each other. [BCR]
For years, some women have worried about a link between soy products and breast cancer. The fears weren't unfounded—previous research on animals had indicated there might be a link, because soy can act like estrogen, which is like steroids for tumors. But a newly released study says that while women probably shouldn't start popping soy supplements, a little tofu for dinner or soy milk in your coffee won't do you no harm. More
Health care reform in the U.S. will likely include scrapping costly, inefficient and outdated approaches, however, we may do well to look to Rwanda for inspiration where the long-standing, but seemingly archaic practice of house calls is proving effective and affordable. The PBS series NOW recently featured an amazing new program developed by Boston-based Partners In Health, a Skoll Foundation Social Entrepreneur, in cooperation with the Rwandan government to provide door-to-door medicine and medical care in villages around the country.
While there are some Western doctors involved with the program, the majority of the care-givers, including doctors, nurses and volunteers are Rwandan, providing an economically sustainable and culturally attuned support system. In addition to house calls the program also offers a well-stocked and well-staffed clinic to meet the diverse medical needs of the community. More
2 weeks of veganism have passed for me (I started July 15th) and I have to say it's really awesome! My body feels light and better than usual. I have good energy and stamina to boot! Here's another round of tantalizing photos to prove to you how tasty veganism can be (round 1 is here).
* Fresh corn on the cob, summer squash, fresh peas, green and white beans (all from a local farmer) and grilled sweet potato
Is "clean" coal really so clean? Big Sky Country ignites over new land deal : http://bit.ly/bUpcWE8 hours ago
#CaneToads director Mark Lewis visits takepart for a short interview #participant http://twitpic.com/12asfu10 hours ago
Small impact, short end of the stick. How indigenous ppl's ways are being trampled in the race to corral CO2 emissions: http://bit.ly/bs7SFy10 hours ago
The New York Times' City Room Blog has put warehouse retailer Costco
Ted Kennedy
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haitian authorities were considering on Monday how to deal with a group of American missionaries accused of trying to illegally take children out of the quake-shattered Caribbean country.
