Depeche Mode has been creating music for over 30 years. They are – one of a handful – of groups who gave a voice to electronic/alternative music. They have given us countless and the timeless 80’s classics – Just Can’t Get Enough, Leave in Silence, Everything Counts, Master and Servant, Love In Itself, People Are People, Blasphemous Rumours, Shake The Disease, Stripped, But Not Tonight, New Dress, Fly on the Windscreen, Strangelove, Behind the Wheel, Never Let Me Down Again and Personal Jesus. In the 90’s, they continued with some of their most successful albums and released many pivotal singles for a new generation of fans, like; Enjoy The Silence, Policy of Truth, World In My Eyes, I Feel You, Walking In My Shoes, Condemnation, In Your Room, Barrel of a Gun, It’s No Good, Home, Useless and Only When I Lose Myself. They began the 2000’s with the cool electronic sounds of Dream On, I Feel Loved, Freelove and Goodnight Lovers. A re-release and reinterpretation of Enjoy the Silence was released in 2004 which began another string of singles such as Precious, A Pain That I’m Used To, Suffer Well, John The Revelator, Martyr, Wrong, Peace, Perfect and Hole to Feed/Fragile Tension. In 2011 – they began with a reinterpretation of their previous single, Personal Jesus.
What is next for this legendary electronic/alternative supergroup? They plan to start a world tour in Tel Aviv in the first quarter of 2013 and have signed on with Columbia Records with promise of an album slated for release in March of 2013 (a perfect birthday gift).
It is very rare for groups to consistently release relevant material – especially in a world that had little respect for new wave/electronic groups. Those “legitimate” rock groups and their groupies were constantly criticizing such bands indicating that they had no talent, never played instruments and that they would never last. Looking back – many of those criticizing groups are nowhere to be seen while Depeche Mode continues to be innovative, fresh and relevant in a world that is so addicted to ‘fast food’ music. I look forward to hearing new music from this great band and I am grateful that they have consistently maintained a sound that is way ahead of the game and far superior then the music on pop radio.
The song that I chose from Depeche Mode as ‘song of the week’ comes from their # 1 album, Violator. The song was never released as a single and is my personal favourite on this album. Enjoy the greatness that is ‘Waiting For The Night’. I have added the audio first and then a live version from their 2009 Barcelona show.
WAITING FOR THE NIGHT
I’m waiting for the night to fall
I know that it will save us all
When everything’s dark
Keeps us from the stark reality
I’m waiting for the night to fall
When everything is bearable
And there in the still
All that you feel
Is tranquility
There is a star in the sky
Guiding my way with its light
And in the glow of the moon
Know my deliverance will come soon
There is a sound in the calm
Someone is coming to harm
I press my hands to my ears
It’s easier here just to forget fear
And when I squinted
The world seemed rose-tinted
And angels appeared to descend
To my surprise
With half-closed eyes
Things looked even better
Than when they were opened
Been waiting for the night to fall
Now everything is bearable
And here in the still
All that you hear
Is tranquility
For more Depeche Mode information, discography, live dates etc….please visit the Depeche Mode website at: http://countdown.depechemode.com
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
Does humanity really understand the impact of their actions? Do you believe that without the aid of graphic photos or videos of some of the horrors animals go through is enough for you to make the required changes in order to save those animals? Do our oceans need to experience another environmental catastrophe for people to understand that we can’t wait any longer to do something – we must ACT now! How much longer can you turn a blind eye? Is it because we do not see the direct impact of our ignorance?
BBC has recently posted highlights on a report conducted by conservation group WWF that indicates the following:
funds from trafficking are being used to finance civil conflicts
Malaysia officials captured 20 tonnes of ivory
wildlife crime has escalated drastically over the past decade, more threat than ever before
rebel militia groups in Africa are cashing in on demand for elephants, tigers and rhinos
illicit sale of animals and plants is the world’s fourth largest illegal trade after narcotics, counterfeiting of products and currency and trafficking of people
What can we do? Do not buy any products that are made of ivory! Visit the WWF website (within your region) and make a donation.
Many cultures believe that certain animal body parts will keep them prone to certain disease or health issues. I really don’t believe that killing tigers for their testicles can promote any type of well-being. Shark fin soup – is not detrimental to good health and longevity. What happens when tigers, elephants, rhinos, gorillas, etc become extinct? What will it take for people to understand that these remedies (animal body parts) are not making them healthier, giving them longevity or fixing their sexual dysfunctions?
In terms of our environment – do we not realize that deforestation and drilling for oil is not the solution to our environmental crisis. Raping the earth of its natural resources is not only a catastrophe for the planet – it will contribute to a global health epidemic which will deplete our financial resources. Is that what our governments and big corporations want? Are we willing to allow big corporations to contribute to a global health crisis that they will financially benefit from. Government and big business rely on us to not ask questions – they want you to consume, to watch television, to drive gas-guzzlers, to want bigger homes, boats, cars etc….because, if you are pre-occupied with ‘wanting more’ – there is no need to think about the horrific acts that the oil companies have done and continue to do to our planet.
Personally – I will do anything that I can to save our planet. I will continue to write letters to my MP and I will continue to voice my concerns about this planet. I will continue to blog about the atrocities that animals endure and I will continue to blog about the companies that are depleting the earth’s resources. We need a voice for the planet and for wildlife – join me and together we can be that voice. We can really create the change we want to see in the world (thank you Gandhi) – but we must act now. Forward this blog and site to all of your friends, family and followers. Let us spread the message and then WE WILL see that change. Here are some good resources as a starting point – GET CONNECTED and GET INVOLVED:
In light of the holidays – I have decided to post a holiday video by Tracey Thorn. As many of you may already know, Tracey Thorn was one-half of the acoustic/electronica group, Everything But The Girl. Their best-known single is “Missing”,released in the early 90’s. Tracey Thorn has recently released a holiday album entitled ‘Tinsel and Lights’. Take a listen to her new single “Joy” and get into the holiday spirit. Here is the video:
This video is a pure joy to watch…..I think this could be the best conversation between a child and dog I have ever seen…..I hope this video brings a smile to your face and I hope it warms your heart and brings you the same joy it has given me:
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
Is there such a thing as constructive criticism? How about being able to express how you feel about something without the intention of offending those who feel differently about whatever it is you are talking about. As a blogger and activist for human rights, the environment, veganism and the ethical treatment of animals – I find that most people become really outraged or offended when I write on these topicHUMAN RIGHTS for the GAY and LESBIAN community:
I really don’t understand how the decision to get married for 2 consenting adults of the same-sex would create a massive problem for the sanctity of marriage. Quite frankly – the divorce rate between heterosexuals is at an all-time high. I have been in a committed relationship with my husband for over 18 years (we have been married for over 6 years). My relationship and my commitment to my husband has not created any issues for the heterosexual community that I am aware of. If there have been issues in my relationship with my husband – the issue only lies with the people who bring it up.
In regards to being a homosexual and living my life openly as a gay male – well again, the problem is usual with those who are homophobic or pretend to hide behind their religion. I never make my sexuality an issue – it is always someone else who makes it an issue. I find people become very uncomfortable when I discuss my relationship with my husband – it used to make me feel like our relationship was not as legitimate as theirs, but that has definitely changed. I have made the choice to express how I feel about my relationship despite how uncomfortable others may be about the issue of sexual orientation. If someone is uncomfortable with my sexuality – that problem is not mine, it is theirs. I certainly have no problem hearing the stories my heterosexual friends share with me about their relationships and marriage. I have long passed the days of feeling the guilt that others have inflicted onto me – guilt for nothing, guilt for how I was born. Shame for how I was born. I have dealt with all that. Maybe it’s time for those people who feel uncomfortable about someone’s sexual orientation to deal with their own guilt and shame because once they do – only then can you move towards a more positive and non-judgemental life.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Whenever I blog or have discussions about the environment, I am always told that, “trying to save the environment is a losing battle”, “corporations won’t allow us to move towards a more sustainable environment”, “one person can’t make a difference”, “there are bigger forces at work – therefore we can’t win the environmental battle.” – For me, these are the reasons that there are not more positive victories for environmentalist and the planet as a whole. People are not motivated to act because they already believe they are defeated. I also believe that people become defensive and they feel that I am making a judgement against them because as soon as I talk environment I get comments like “recycling doesn’t work, it all ends up in the landfill anyway” or “environmentally friendly products cost more and are less effective”, “electric cars are not efficient and won’t work”, “solar and wind power will not be able to power huge metropolitan areas”……the skeptics always have the answers to what will and will not work for our environment but never really look at the data or evidence that these things are already working. What is the worst that can happen if we try to do things that will benefit the planet and the lives of our future generations????
VEGANISM
I think this is the one that most people really don’t understand. My choice to become vegan ties into the ethical treatment of animals. I really don’t understand how we can pick and choose which animal we can eat and which ones can become our pets. For me, I have made a clear distinction that I will never eat anything that has a heartbeat or that has eyes. I have even gone as far to say that I will never eat anything that is living or breathing. Here are some of the comments I have received about being a vegan: “you can’t live without meat”, “what do you eat”, “plants are living and breathing”, “salads are good”, “you don’t look unhealthy”, “how do you get your vitamin B”, “you are going to get sick”, “tofu is gross”, “do you eat leaves”….I could go on. I have decided not to become defensive myself whenever I hear such comments – I now explain that my food choices are endless and contain all the nutrients I require to ensure optimum health. After completing research about the meat and dairy industry, I have concluded that consuming any meat or dairy products would be detrimental to MY health. I try not to preach but do want people to understand what is in their food. Being a vegan is a little challenging when you don’t live in a metropolitan area – everywhere you look, restaurants advertise burgers with cheese and triple bacon, steak with potatoes, eggs with bacon and sausage, duck, turkey, lamb, veal, goat, etc….In an attempt to show people how I eat as a vegan – I have started to post some of my meals on Facebook. I only did this to show people who I eat just as well as those who believe that it is essential to eat meat not to provoke a Facebook photo war of meat vs. vegan. Guess my photos offended some people.
ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS
It’s funny how I never really questioned why I was eating meat – it always looked awful to me. Eating meat was a learned behaviour. I never thought about why I was eating eat until my late 20’s. I slowly decided that I did not want to eat meat anymore and looked for alternatives. I did occasionally eat chicken and fish and decided to give them up because of a video I saw about rabbits being scalded alive for food – I heard them scream and that sound is what did it for me. Since then, I never consumed meat again. It was the most important and satisfying decision I have made in my life since ‘coming out’ as a gay male. I will not support any company that allows animals to be tortured. I will not support any organization that tests on animals and I certainly will not support an industry that not only allows their animals to be pumped with hormones and other chemicals but has a devastating effect on our environment. Why is it that we lack respect for some animals and keep others as pets? I have so many ‘animal lover’ friends yet they continue to tell me not to send them emails/notifications on how ducks and turkeys have feeding tubes inserted into their mouths, or how pigs and chickens are confined in gestation crates with barely enough room to move. They don’t want to hear about the cruel practice of how they get veal or how baby chicks are shuffled through conveyor belts to their doom – just like humans were shuffled to their deaths in concentration camps. The meat and dairy industry is a cruel industry but these are only words – until people have the courage to learn about the food they consume, only then can a conscious decision be made.
I am not perfect and never have claimed to be – what I have done is become responsible for the decisions in my life. I have taken the “blinders” off and am much more aware of what is going on around me. I have limited myself to ‘fast-food’ television as I believe it instills fear, anxiety and paranoia. I can only pass the information on that I have learned to those who are willing to listen and willing to ‘take the blinders off’. I am tired of being told that we must medicate the diseases that consuming these foods cause – this isn’t being proactive in our health, it’s creating a sick and diseased environment. I refuse to be part of a society that will not ask questions but believe that medication will fix their emotional and physical illnesses or that doesn’t hold big corporations and our governments accountable to the harm they are inflicted to our people, our animals and our environment.
I challenge you to TAKE OFF YOUR BLINDERS and really make the informed choices that you need to make and not have them made for your by our government or the corporations they protect. Here are some great websites to help you stay informed and to buy amazing products that are ethical.
Sia Furler was born on December 18, 1975 in Adelaide, South Australia. Furler decided to go to school in Italy at the age of 14 – Her parents had enough money to either fix her snaggletooth or send her to school, she … Continue reading →
I am always inspired by the positive ideas and thoughts of others and enjoy hearing how they feel about the social and political issues that we currently face and have faced in the past. Here are some great quotes from … Continue reading →
I have always had a love for nature – I love being outdoors and watching the birds fly over my head or listening to the sound the trees make in a gentle breeze. I love the way the suns rays glisten and reflect on the water and I love walking and listening to the various sounds of wildlife when hiking on a trail. There is nothing more serene and relaxing than going back to nature and showing gratitude for the beauty our planet provides.
I have always felt that I didn’t belong to the city – I feel like it is a concrete prison that I desperately continue to escape. It is too busy, polluted, hectic and it fills me with anxiety, fear and ager. I believe that the concrete jungle I live in is slowly killing me. But why am I still living in the same concrete jungle that I feel is responsible for my slow demise? There are many reasons – and maybe those reasons are my excuse to hide behind my fear. Can I give everything up and start fresh and live the way I want to live – nurturing our planet? Yes, I can but I want to do it right.
Our governments seem to be too greedy to forge ahead and commit to a more sustainable planet – what is holding them back? Why are they not making the decisions or those giant leaps to begin – Imagine a government body making a radical decision or policy that would curb climate change? Imagine a government that would reward and encourage its citizens to contribute to this radical change? Instead of SUV’s – they would actually require the automobile industry to make electric cars. Instead of depending on fossil fuels – we can rely on solar and wind power. Can you believe I am calling these solutions radical? What can be worse?
There was a time that I didn’t care about what impact my choices were making on our environment, I didn’t care. I was more concerned in making my life more convenient and efficient without understanding the implications of those choices. Not anymore! I have seen the horrible destruction our ‘throw away society’ is causing to our planet, to wildlife and to ourselves and it is heart-breaking!
If we continue to abuse our planet and it’s resources the way we are – what kind of planet will we be leaving for future generations? Will they have to wear masks to prevent them from our poisonous air? Will there be accessibility to fresh water to sustain us? Will we have enough food for the ever-increasing population? Will future generations look to some species of animals as we look at dinosaurs? Is convenience and the need to have everything more important than creating a world a healthy and vibrant planet?
Are you doing enough to help the planet? For those of you with children – do you think about the kind of world your children (and their children) will live in? What can we do? Here are some suggestions:
Know and understand what kind of impact your everyday decisions is contributing to our environment
Most of us don’t even understand how our everyday decisions impact our environment. I suggest visiting a local landfill and witnessing first-hand the devastation of what our ‘throw away’ society has created. Go to local park or your harbour front area and witness how people just throw their garbage anywhere they can.
Ask your government to be environmentally responsible
Contact your Member of Parliament and ensure they understand the environmental issues are your top priority and it should be theirs too. Ask them to support companies that are committed to renewable energy instead of supporting those companies that want to continue to drill for oil in very sensitive parts of the world – we don’t want to contribute to anymore environmental catastrophe’s. The impact of the Exxon and BP oil spills will have long-lasting negative environmental, health and financial impact for generations.
Find different ways reduce your carbon footprint
Are you buying 5 cups of coffee everyday? Do you live close enough to work to walk or ride a bike? Can you buy food locally and support local farmers? Are you running your water when you shave or brush your teeth?
I used to do many of these things – but I have a new appreciation for all of our conveniences. I have water that is accessible (for now) when some people around the world have none. I have food available to me whenever I am hungry – while hundreds of thousands are starving daily. Many friends have the mentality or notion – that these issues are too big to make any difference, so they don’t even try. I know what is happening, and there is no-way that I will never ‘not try’. I will try to make an impact everyday for as long as I live. This is what is required of me and it should be what is required of all of us. The solutions are there, we just have to demand them! If we can put man on the moon or create nuclear weapons that can annihilate us all – why can’t we create the things that can ensure our survival and our planets survival?
I ask you all to notice the things that you are doing and make the necessary changes to ensure our planets survival! If not for you – for your children. Let us do something radical – LET’S WAKE UP!!!
“Be the change you want to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
What makes an individual evolve to accept something they thought they never would understand? Is it because they were proactive in seeking the truth about what they did not understand? Is it because they decided to abolish the ideas and what they have been taught to believe was the truth? People are so easily influenced by many things and what they believe to be ‘the truth’ – Religion is one of the biggest factors in justifying ignorance or an excuse for people to hide behind what they fear or don’t understand. Despite all of the progress the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgendered) community has achieved, there is still those who seek to ‘demonize’ sexual orientation and deem it ‘un-natural’ and an ‘abomination’ according to the Bible. I find it fascinating how different religions are adamant about separating their beliefs with other religious denominations but seem to find unity in what they hate.
The main purpose of my blog and this website – C.O.P.E. (Coalition of Positive Energy), is to offer information to readers on what is happening in the world so that we can work together in creating positive outcomes. I try to focus on writing positive stories but I also want to inform readers that in order to achieve a positive outcome – we must face the negativity. Here are some stories I want to share with you so that we never forget to fight for love, compassion and understanding.
MATTHEW SHEPARD
On Saturday December 1, 2012 – it would have been Matthew Shepard’s 36th birthday. Matthew Shepard was driven to a rural area by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson were they robbed, pistol-whipped, and tortured him. Matthew was discovered 18 hours later by Aaron Kreifels still tied to a fence, alive and in a coma. Aaron Kreifels initially mistook Matthew for a scarecrow. Matthew suffered fractures to the back of his head and in front of his right ear. He experienced severe brain damage, which affected his body’s ability to regulate hear rate, body temperature, and other vital functions. There were also about a dozen small lacerations around his head, face and neck. Matthew was pronounced dead on October 12, 1998 at 12:53am in Fort Collins, Colorado. He was 21 years old.
His death was a hate-crime and spawned an activist movement that, more than a decade later, would result in passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a federal law against bias crimes directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered people.
At 21, I decided to let my friends and family know that I was gay. I understood the public perception of homosexuals and I did experience homophobia – I was called a “faggot” and even had a beer bottle thrown at me just because of my sexual orientation. I knew what my risks were for coming out as a gay man but I never really believed that death was one of those risks – not until I learned about the crime committed against Matthew Shepard.
Matthew’s story is a reminder that we all must stand together and speak out against bullying. We need to stop people from perpetuating hate in the name of religion. Imagine being the family of Matthew Shepard and having to deal with those who have a misconception of ‘the word of God’ at your son’s funeral. Fred Phelps, leader of the Westboro Baptist Church, took his message of “God Hates Fags” to protest at Matthew Shepard’s funeral wielding signs that read “No Tears For Queers” and “Fag Matt in Hell”.
If you would like to make a donation to the Matthew Shepard foundation – please visit the official Matthew Shepard foundation site founded by Matthews mother and father, Judy and Dennis at:
Uganda has been receiving much media scrutiny and attention since 2009 ever since their parliament has tabled a bill to ban homosexuality from their country. In April 2009, the Ugandan Parliament passed a resolution allowing Member of Parliament (MP) David Bahati to submit a private member’s bill in October to strengthen laws against homosexuality. The bill was proposed by Bahati and is based on the foundation of “strengthening the nation’s capacity to deal with emerging internal and external threats to the traditional heterosexual family”, that “same-sex attraction is not innate and immutable characteristic”.
The legislation strengthens the criminalization of homosexuality in Uganda by introducing the death penalty for people who are considered serial offenders, are suspected of “aggravated homosexuality” and are HIV-positive, or who engage in sexual acts with those under 18 years of age.
After facing intense international reaction and promises from Western nations to cut financial aid to Uganda, on 9 December 2009, Uganda’s Minister of Ethics and Integrity, James Nsaba Buturo said Uganda will revise the bill to drop the death penalty (substituting life imprisonment) for gay people with multiple offences.
Legislation like this perpetuates and incites violence towards gays and lesbians – the government is giving a clear message that citizens who have a sexual orientation other than heterosexual are not equal under their laws. If we do not voice our concerns – innocent people will die or be left to rot in prison because of how they were born.
Please contact your Member of Parliament and ask them to speak out against this bill. We must let the Uganda people know that their government is wrong to punish people because of how they were born. Contact your government and pressure them to cut financial aid to Uganda should this bill pass.
Homosexuals in Libya have reason to fear in the post-Gaddafi climate. Some people have said that it is even worse for gays and lesbians in Libya after Gaddafi. London’s The Times, ran a story in which gay Libyans told of how the capital city Tripoli’s largest militia, the Nawasi brigade, have been harassing and attacking them with impunity.
The Times is subscription-based, Pink News UK offers a summation of the situation:
The city’s largest and most powerful brigade officially work under the authority of the Ministry of Interior, and , according to witnesses, were taking people away just for being gay.
Ahmad said he was witness to recent events during which the Nawasi drove past a birthday party, saw a man dressed in a wig and dress, and beat him until he admitted he was gay, at which point he was taken away.
After the men were taken away, a picture of the detainees from the party appeared on the Nawasi brigade’s Facebook page (?????), in which they had their hands above their heads, and their heads against a wall, with their backs to the camera. Text accompanying the image read “flog them hard”, “ride them like camels” and “let’s see the bullets fly”.
The bridge admits to taking the men away, but says it did so more because of noise complaints and alcohol consumption.
“These guys are not straight, but that’s not the main reason we arrested them.” said one militia member. “The main thing was the big noise they were making to the neighbours, as well as the large amounts of alcohol and hashish we found.”
THE SALVATION ARMY – ANTI GAY?
The Salvation Army has a history of active discrimination against gays and lesbians. The church claims it holds “a positive view of human sexuality,” but then clarifies that “sexual intimacy is understood as a gift of God to be enjoyed within the context of heterosexual marriage.” they teach that “Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life.”
Since 1986 the Salvation Army has engaged in five major assaults on the LGBT community’s civil rights and attempted to carve out exemptions that would allow them to deny gays and lesbians needed services as well as employment.
The Salvation Army collected signatures in an attempt to get legislation killed when New Zealand considered passing the Homosexual Law Reform Act in 1986. The act decriminalized consensual sex between gay men, the measure passed over the charity’s objections.
In the United Kingdom, the Salvation Army actively pushed passage of an amendment to the Local Government Act. The amendment stated that local authorities “shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship.” The law has since been repealed, but it led many schools and colleges to close LGBT student organizations out of fear they’d lose their government funding.
In 2001, the organization tried to extract a resolution from the White House that they could ignore local non-discrimination laws that protected LGBT people. While the commitment would have applied to all employees, the group claimed that it needed the resolution so it “did not have to ordain sexually active gay ministers and did not have to provide medical benefits to the same-sex partners of employees.” After lawmakers and civil rights activists revealed the Salvation Army’s active resistance to non-discrimination laws, the White House admitted the charity was seeking exemptions.
Also in 2001, the evangelical charity lobbied to change how the Bush administration would distribute over $24 billion in grants and tax deductions by urging the White House deny funding to any cities or states that included LGBT non-discrimination laws. Ari Fleischer, White House press secretary, issued a statement saying the administration was denying a “regulation sought by the church to protect the right of taxpayer-funded religious organizations to discriminate against homosexuals.”
In 2004, the Salvation Army threatened to close all their soup kitchens in New York City to protest the city’s decision to require all vendors and charities doing business with the city to adhere to all civil laws. The organization balked at having to treat gay employees equal to straight employees.
WESTWOOD HIGH – MESA, ARIZONA
Two students were faced with the prospect of either suspension from school, or sitting in chairs in the high school’s courtyard and holding hands for 15 minutes during a lunch period. They opted for the latter.
What message does this send? The message that intolerance is not okay. Making two boys hold hands in public as a form of punishment sends the message that it is not okay to be gay and that you will be humiliated if you are. It also sends a clear message to the other students that this form of punishment and bullying is acceptable.
MICHIGAN TEACHER SUSPENDED
Susan Johnson is a performing arts teacher at South Lyon’s Centennial Middle School. She indicated that one of her students asked if he could play a song in class. The song was called “Same Love”, performed by Seattle-based hip-hop artist Macklemore and was produced in support of marriage equality. Susan asked if the song was violent and if there was any profanity and the student said no. “I really love my kids and I never want to hurt them, but I also know that there’s a lot of bullying and there’s a lot of gay bashing and racial issues going on in our country and I want the kids to feel comfortable in my class no matter who they are.” stated Susan to WJBK.
MACKLEMORE’s VIDEO:
Today, we should be encouraging and supporting our governments, religious institutions, teachers and health care professionals to promote tolerance, compassion and love for all of society. We need to stop focusing on making the differences in people a negative thing – who cares what colour we are, what language we speak, what nationality we are or what religion you belong to. What does matter is how we treat one another.
Have we not witnessed enough violence in our lifetime? Why must we continue to debate things that are not under our control. You can’t ask someone to change their skin colour – it is absurd! You can’t ask a woman to change her gender if she was born a woman and you certainly can’t ask someone who was born gay to become heterosexual otherwise, it would be just as easy for heterosexuals to choose to be gay.
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
COALITION OF POSITIVE ENERGY 