Category Archives: Social Consciousness

The Five Dollar Doctor

There is a lot of controversy about Obamacare and socialized medicine, but one thing is true (at least to me) – everyone deserves medical care.  How can you say that someone doesn’t deserve medical care just because they can’t afford insurance or aren’t lucky enough to work at a place that provides affordable insurance for them? All of this might not be a problem if more doctors were like Russell Dohner.  Granted, at age 87, Dr. Dohner is in his twilight years, but he still sees patients seven times a week at his practice in Rushville, IL, not far from … Continue reading →

‘Blessings’ Founder Faces Prison

As recent events grimly reminded us, good and evil are often intertwined and that can also be true of social consciousness. I was sad to read recently that Stan Curtis, the man who founded “Blessings in a Backpack” is facing counts of tax fraud and money laundering. “Blessing in a Backpack” is an incredible program that was started by Curtis, a stockbroker who grew up orphaned.  Each week, the program sends backpacks filled with food items such as peanut butter, tuna, crackers, and cereal home with school children who live in food insecure households.  The food is donated by local companies … Continue reading →

Major Stereotype Faux Pas by Sorority

I was a college student once and I will admit that we did some dumb things.  But, what could the members of the Penn State sorority Chi Omega have been thinking when they posed for a photos dressed as Mexicans?  And by dressed as, I mean they were wearing sombreros, fake moustaches (those that didn’t have fake moustaches posed with finger moustaches), panchos and perhaps most offensively, in one photo, two women were holding up signs that read “Will mow lawn for weed + beer” and “I don’t cut grass I smoke it.”  The photos were taken at the Chi … Continue reading →

A Taste of Hunger

It sounds ironic, doesn’t it? A Taste of Hunger? But, that is the name of a recent event held in Memphis. It was sponsored by Balmoral Presbyterian and the Memphis Jewish Federation Anti-Poverty Task Force to show the hunger in the surrounding area. The event invited many community leaders to the event to experience the local food disparity for themselves. A few weeks ago, our pastor, who attended the event, told us that Memphis is one of the hungriest cities in the nation. The gallop poll showed that 26 percent of the people in Memphis said that they couldn’t buy … Continue reading →

How Accurate is ‘Lincoln?’ Part 2

I went to see Lincoln this weekend and it was a great film. But, how well did it really portray history? Be forewarned – this blog contains some movie spoilers! The film was about Lincoln trying to get the 13th Amendment passed in order to abolished slavery. As for the tension in the country as Lincoln was trying to get the amendment passed – that was accurate. I just didn’t realize all the political tension. Some in Congress still wanted the Emancipation Proclamation recalled and even those for the 13th Amendment didn’t seem ready to hear the specific words “equality … Continue reading →

How Accurate is ‘Lincoln?’ Part 1

Like many people, we went and saw Lincoln this weekend. I had read nothing but great reviews and one even suggested you take your children. The person who wrote that review might want to change it to say “take your teen” because I took my eight-year-old and after about 15 minutes, he was asleep. And mind you, this is the child that stayed awake for the entire showing of The Conspirator, an equally slow yet historically interesting movie about the assassination of Lincoln. Actually, I can’t blame him – the first part of the movie was really slow and it … Continue reading →

Hurricane Sandy Relief

Well, it’s Election Day and thank goodness – I don’t think I can take any more ads, debates, or Facebook posts. While many people are focused on the election, much of the country’s focus is still on Hurricane Sandy’s destruction on the east coast and providing relief to those in need. While the physical storm is over, the real problems still exist and will for months, if not years to come. Some people are having trouble getting gas, some are still without electricity, many are homeless, and now that section of the country is facing a nor’easter, which could bring … Continue reading →

Timberlake and Biel’s Wedding Video

As you probably know by now, one of the most anticipated weddings of the year took place last weekend. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were married last Friday at the Borgo Egnazia Resort in Puglia, Italy before family and friends. The couple, who have been dating on and off since 2007, reportedly called their wedding “magical.” Now you may be thinking I have confused my pop culture blog with my green blog, but wait, let me explain. This wedding is thought to have cost $6.5 million. Now, I know Biel and Timberlake are young, beautiful, talented, and earned every bit … Continue reading →

Femen Opens International Training Camp in Paris

What is Femen? It’s a feminist protest group which originated in Kiev, Ukraine. It began in 2008, was founded by Anna Hutsol, and consists mainly of female university students between the ages of 18 and 20, although there are a few men in the organization. The group original goals were to “develop leadership, intellectual and moral qualities” for Ukraine women. Among the things it’s protested in the past is the sex industry and prostitution, religions that discriminate against women, and anti-abortion legislation. Some might call it a radical group because many of its protests are done topless. Of the members, … Continue reading →

Pakistan Factory Fire

The factory was full of workers, most working for slave wages. Employees were treated like slaves too, being locked inside the factory by the uncaring management to prevented theft and unauthorized breaks. Then, the worst happened – a fire broke out. Trapped in the building behind locked doors, hundreds died. Some of smoke inhalation, some that jumped to their death. In 1911, that scenario happened in New York City at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. The fire killed 146 workers, mostly female victims between the ages of sixteen and twenty-three years old. (This media file is in the public domain in … Continue reading →