vertical slum... or oasis?

image from YouTube

I read about this slum in Caracas, Venezuala. Torre de David - known as the world's tallest slum. On face value, it seems like an absolute disaster: a vacant, unfinished, unserviced skyscraper - abandoned during construction due to an economic crash... and then filled with some 2,500 squatters out of both protest and necessity.

Watching a short documentary produced by Vocativ, another (contrary) story emerged. One where housing is viewed less of a commodity and more of a basic right. Where a supportive community has evolved and adopted innovative solutions to a seemingly hostile environment. Where a severe shortage of housing makes a vertical slum far preferable to one on ground level that is subject to the vagaries of weather and lacks the same sense of community. Accessibility is limited due the lack of elevators. This is an inconvenience but aids safety as people must climb multiple floors. It is a fascinating and thought-provoking film.

Vocativ is a crowd-sourced media start-up in beta stage. An independent news service, this will be an interesting source for information. 

texting and driving don't mix

image from YouTube

When we first arrived in the States over 7 years ago, I was really taken aback by the number of people talking on cell phones while driving. Having come from a country where this was illegal, it really angered me to see people distracted while behind the wheel. Since that time, texting while driving has become popular, more prevalent and such a preventable danger. 

It is obvious when people do it. I have seen cars swerve across lanes. I have seen drivers clearly not watch the road as they look into their device. I am livid at such blatant disregard, disrespect and pure selfishness. I have a couple of friends who actively yell at or visually chastise other drivers they witness texting (including a police officer!). I applaud their bravery and fortitude - and hope that their actions have helped prevent accidents. 

Texting while driving has been recently been made a primary offense in the state of Virginia. It is difficult to see how this law will be enforced given that talking on a cell phone while driving is not illegal. 

I am so glad to see some recent high profile traction on this issue. This is something we MUST educate our young children about. 

I know several people who take a very cavalier approach to road safety: speaking on the phone, drifting through stop signs or failing to seatbelt their children when driving in their local neighborhood. This does not send a positive message to their children whilst in the car. Monkey see - monkey do. I don't want my children to take any risks when behind the wheel - particularly as they will become immortal/bullet-proof teenagers one day - so I seek to enforce safe behavior by modeling it. AT&T has released a It Can Wait campaign, encouraging people to take the pledge to not text while driving. I have done so. 

Werner Herzog*, the German Film Director has released a short documentary From One Second to the Next telling the stories of several people affected by texting accidents - from a variety of perspectives. It is heart wrenching - but a must see. 

The United Kingdom is using a very shocking and graphic video produced by the Gwent Police Force to educate high school students and raise awareness of the dangers of texting while driving. 

When the appropriate time comes, I will be making my children watch these videos. I seek to enlighten my children to make good decisions and to be brave enough to encourage their friends to make good decisions too. 

*Werner Herzog does have a lighter side too - see my blog post here. 

Leaders can only lead by example

Paul forwarded me this video. Very timely given my recent post about the need for leaders to take 'the lead' in situations of systemic abuse. Lieutenant General David Morrison, the Chief of the Australian Army, is inspirational in taking a strong stand against any form of demeaning behavior. The passion of his message is clearly apparent. His unyielding stance can only result in an improved army culture, reputation and legacy. Bravo. 

This is water...

image from You Tube

The viral nature of thoughts and ideas across the ether brought this video to my attention today. The video was released 9 days ago. The words were written some 8 years ago. The presenter, David Foster Wallace died almost 5 years ago. The words were written for a commencement speech delivered to a graduating class of college students by an author and educator.  

As well as being beautifully produced, the video produced by The Glossary struck a chord. It was a reminder for people to look outside their own spheres - and to understand that - you - me - are not the center of the universe... the world does not evolve around us alone. The full speech, as given can be found here. 

As is often the case with introspective and insightful people, Wallace suffered from bouts of depression - and prematurely ended his own life. 

Violence and Silence

image from You Tube

As the mother of two boys, it is largely up to my husband and I to empower our boys with the courage and skills to be good men. Men who have the confidence and enlightenment to stand-up for themselves and to challenge and lead others to do the right thing. 

With so many recent stories about the abuse of others and the continuance of that abuse through social media... with assaults being perpetrated in institutionalized settings and then 'legitimized' through silence and inaction... I hope we have finally reached a tipping point. Several recent items have given me hope. 

I recently read this letter from a mother to her sons. I love how well and clearly this mother tells her boys real and unadulterated life facts, and provides guidance and good sense while empowering them to be, if not a hero, a decent and functioning human being.  

Paul showed me this video about what to do with a drunk girl passed out. Simple. 

Then this morning, I was referred to a TEDxFiDiWomen talk by Jackson Katz. I love listening to the TED talks. Such a diverse range of points of view - some truly inspiring, enlightening, thought-provoking and humorous. This talk too was inspirational. Katz works within the field of gender violence prevention and is an anti-sexist activist. His work attempts to shift the paradigm from violence being 'women's issues' to laying the blame fair and square on not only the perpetrators but their peers. Working within male-dominated cultures such as the United States Marine Corps and professional and college athletics, Katz attempts to remove victim-blaming from the conversation and to redefine manhood. He wishes to enable the 'by-stander', whoever they may be, to step up and speak up against anyone making sexist, racist, degrading or harassing comments or enactments. Katz emphasizes the need for peers to speak up and not remain silent where that silence would be seen by the perpetrator to be a form of consent or complicity. 
He has some very salient points about need for men (and women) in seats of power to take (true) leadership and to be held accountable for forming the thinking and encouraging the responses of younger impressionable people.