Weekly Reading List [4.27.12]

1. ACTIVIST CHEN GUANGCHENG FLEES HOUSE ARREST & ACTIVISTS: BLIND CHINESE LAWYER FLEES HOUSE ARREST & BLIND CHINESE ACTIVIST ESCAPES FROM HOUSE ARREST - Back in 2007, I was working at a small non-profit advocating on behalf of religious minorities. One of the individuals that we were working particularly hard on behalf of was Chen Guangcheng. Chen is a blind, pro-life human rights activist. He was arrested and imprisoned without trial. Recently he was moved to house arrest, but it's been a long 5 years. Yesterday big things started happening. He allegedly escaped house arrest!! My heart lept. Could it be true?! The rumor mill is swirling, he's at the U.S. embassy. He's with friends. "If Chen has made it to the Embassy, then we need to pray that our nation will stand strong and not surrender this brave man back into the hands of torturers.  Whatever has happened, we need to pray for Chen's family, as there has been no mention of his wife's whereabouts and his extended family will be threatened by the communist regime" (via The Jubilee Campaign)

2. MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD MP SEEKS TO ABOLISH FEMALE RIGHTS AND ENFORCE FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION & CHILD BRIDES: WILL SAUDI ARABIA SET AN AGE LIMIT FOR MARRIAGE- Child brides and FGM are two issues always near and dear to my heart. I hope in both cases to see women and children's rights upheld.

3. A COMPLETE GUIDE TO "HIPSTER RACISM" - I've been watching the unfolding of the Trayvon Martin case. According to the Pew Research Group so are a fair number of you. "Developments in the case against George Zimmerman, the man charged in the killing of Trayvon Martin, topped Americans' new interest last week" About a quarter of the public (26%) says they followed developments in the case more closely than any other news" Along with following the news, I've been thinking about race/racism; I thought this was a very interesting article.

4. PUPPY LOVE

Weekly Reading List [4.13.12]

1. 2ND DEGREE MURDER CHARGE IN SHOOTING & GEORGE ZIMMERMAN ARREST: PROOF THAT THE SYSTEM WORKED FOR FAILED? - I know this is a sensitive subject, and it makes all of us feel defensive, sad, frustrated. But we need to talk about it. So it's number 1 this week. Treyvon Martin.

2. HOW WILL NORTH KOREA COPE WITH ITS FAILED ROCKET? & LAND OF ROCKETS AND BICYCLES - Yesterday, North Korea launched it's much touted rocket. And it was...a bit anticlimactic. Sounds like it launched for 1+second. Then fell apart into the sea. For all intents and purposes, it failed. But even more than it's failure, one has to wonder what will be the consequences to the citizens of North Korea. As one foreign policy wonk said, "How many North Koreas will starve because of this failed rocket launch?"

3. DESIGNING FOR DEMOCRACY - This is an interesting article about the power of branding and logos in politics. It looks particularly at the recent elections in Myanmar, and how similar all the parties propaganda was. When you read the article, be sure to click all the internal links to see more articles and pictures of the various posters.

4. THE BROKEN "BUY ONE GIVE THREE MODEL": THREE WAYS TO SAVE TOMS SHOES - I have to admit. I'm a fan of Toms Shoes. I like their style. I like that people are trying to do good. However, this article raises some great long-term sustainability points.

5. WHAT AMERICA BUYS & PRICES ARE PEOPLE: A SHORT HISTORY OF WORKING AND SPENDING MONEY - I thought it was very eye opening to see how spending habits have changed since 1949 and 2011. I also found the info-graphics and charts in both articles enlightening.

*This time next week, we'll be homeowners!*

Loves...

J. loves cycling. As a result, I have found myself with a new interest. I really enjoy watching the races and even have my own favorite riders. J. made my day today when he sent me a link to some photos of Mark Cavendish (my favorite rider). Mark is from the U.K. and I love the photographers clash of old world and new in these photos. (Here's a link to the rest of the photos)

Weekly Reading List [4.6.12]

It's been a crazy week, so bear with me please. I'm going to try something new. I'm depressed with the world today. So there will be no current events. Just art, blogs, and thoughts. Enjoy.

1. Disruptive Wonder

2. YOUNG MAN & OLD SOUL - This is a blog that J. shared with me this morning. I really like this guys style, it's all very manly. Which is nice to see. I also really really love his profile statement "I am a classic man. I love God, my lady, my passions, friends, family and working with my hands. I'm a blue-collar hard working man and find joy in simple living. I hope this collection brings you encouragement, inspiration, or most importantly, closer to God."

3. THE DIELINE - As part of my job, I source designers to join our company on a project by project basis. It's pretty cool, I get to meet so many amazing people, and the breadth of exposure to various design skills is awesome! This week I've been sourcing a packaging designer. Someone turned me on to this site, with all kinds of packaging content.

4. GARDEN & GUN - Is a southern country magazine. Which I'm sure has you raising your eyebrows. But the design is amazing, and the content is also very intellectual, and more highbrow than you would expect.

*Happy Easter*