I am feeling down. And sometimes, I just need to give myself permission to feel the feelings that are undeniable. Today two things have gone badly with the Rhode Island statewide Darfur event that I am producing.
If I am feeling down, then how do those feel who have been forced to live in refuge camps?
When you step up and organize a big event for Darfur totally without funding and it all falls to you to get everything done it can be overwhelming. That is sort of where I am. So I need to pick myself up and I thought of the music of Ricardo Lemvo and the Makina Loca. YouTube has a lot of Ricardo but the sound leaves a lot to be desired on most.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w96LWd9Tr7g
Makina Loca & Ricardo Lemvo @ Summerdance in Chicago: 6/28/07.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJr6d3uuUBY
Continues the above Youtube
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZOpB8ITpaw
Interview and "Le Rendez-Vous" on The Today Show March 11, 2000.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkdYyA1kp6U
Intro and "Boom Boom Tarara" on The Today Show
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92vdHP4LYSA
RICARDO LEMVO: "Mama Kiyelele"
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRLsuUVCAv8
This shows the fun that is contagious of this band.
Genocide. People I ask if they know about Darfur, often do. But often they don’t also. Someone asked me if it was a disease recently. When I ask people if they know what genocide is – many give me a blank look that is trying not to give away that they don’t. I take the opportunity to explain when this happens.
Then I hear what Bush has been doing about HR 180 the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act – that he doesn’t want it passed. Also, Bush doesn’t want Congress to pass the non-binding resolution that acknowledges that what happened to the Armenians by the Ottoman empire in 1915 was genocide. This is detestable. Who IS this guy?
US Congressional Committee Approves Armenian Genocide Resolution
By Dan Robinson
Washington
10 October 2007
article at:
http://voanews.com/english/2007-10-10-voa50.cfm
Armenian National Institute
Dedicated to the study, research, and affirmation of the Armenian Genocide
http://www.armenian-genocide.org/
Bush and Congress dispute Armenian 'genocide' status
By Rupert Cornwell in Washington
Published: 11 October 2007
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article3047633.ece
Turkey appeals to US to kill Armenian genocide legislation
HISTORY: The dispute involves the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks from 1915 to 1917, which Turkey refuses to call a genocide
AP, WASHINGTON
Thursday, Oct 11, 2007, Page 7
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2007/10/11/2003382677
I think it boils down to context and perspective. Thinking of situations more serious than our own doesn't minimize the problems or make them go away, it just gives us a different lens to see them through. Hopefully a more accurate one.
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better today.
Thank you, Al. I never dreamed that when I started this blog that I would draw strength from comments such as yours. The blessings of blogging!
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