The Interrupters by Steve James and Alex Kotlowitz Documentary

Watch The Interrupters (Graphic Language) on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.

"The film’s main subjects work for an innovative organization, CeaseFire. It was founded by an epidemiologist, Gary Slutkin, who believes that the spread of violence mimics the spread of infectious diseases, and so the treatment should be similar: go after the most infected, and stop the infection at its source. One of the cornerstones of the organization is the “Violence Interrupters” program, created by Tio Hardiman, who heads the program. The Interrupters — who have credibility on the streets because of their own personal histories — intervene in conflicts before they explode into violence." from here

I watched Interrupters on Frontline last night. It is the best documentary I have seen in a long time. I believe that many  American documentaries are  sometimes too Hollywoodish. In  Interrupters, Steve James did it perfectly. It is real, raw, and for real. It is the story of many real people. To be honest, I did cry a lot because the film touched deep down in my story, in my fears, pains and tribulations. Yes, I am not from Chicago but I grew up in some impoverish neighborhoods or  "ghettos or  Cités ". Places where people fight everyday to stay alive inside. Where dreams are curses that alienate your soul. Where people are for real too. When my baby brother died the entire neighborhood, all his friends were present to support our family. They were family, there is beauty, kindness and love in "those" neighborhoods.... The sad part is that violence  is only a tiny fraction of the pain and suffering experienced. This documentary was able to show that violence is just a symptom. 
 The funny thing is that the first time I came to America, I landed to Chicago. I was amazed by everything. It was in summer everything was new and fun. All I cared was about cheap shopping and improving my English.  The second time, it was winter we stayed in a black neighborhood. Well, it was hardcore cold and cold. I could see how difficult it was to live there. But I felt comfortable, it is weird how when you from "those neighborhoods"  any of them feel reassuring in a weird way... Of course , I am happy that our son is not growing up in one and goes to a good school.  However, I frankly hope he gets some of that realness we got from where we from... Thank you to Steve James and Alex Kotlowitz for Interrupters.

Same Moonlight for Our Dreams...

"David Nkunzumwami est mort tragiquement en France, le Burundi a perdu un vrai patriote"by Gratien Rukindikiza

I would like to thank Gratien Rukindikiza for this touching article about my brother. Thank you!!!

DAVID NKUNZUMWAMI EST MORT TRAGIQUEMENT EN FRANCE, LE BURUNDI A PERDU UN VRAI PATRIOTE

Par Gratien Rukindikiza

 Burundi news, le 29/12/2011

Il y a des citoyens qui ont des qualités humaines, intellectuelles et patriotiques que les autres peuvent ignorer. Les plus valeureux ne sont pas ceux qui sont connus.

Il y a des morts qui emportent l'espoir et qui privent un pays d'un futur chef, capable de relever un pays. Ce sont des héros que nous ignorons et qui ignoraient même leur capacité de leur vivant.

Un jeune diplômé d'une grande école de commerce mort tragiquement, quelle  perte!

Le jeune David Nkunzumwami né le 21 novembre 1987 est mort le 10 décembre 2011 à Saint Denis, dans la région parisienne. Une douleur pour sa famille, ses amis et tous ceux qui le connaissaient. Une douleur pour le Burundi.

Qu'avait-il de plus pour mériter une telle place?

Personnellement, j'avais discuté plusieurs fois avec David. Je me suis toujours posé  la question sur son niveau intellectuel, politique et patriotique. Un garçon capable de formuler ses idées, d'avancer des solutions innovantes pour la question burundaise, d'avoir une vision apaisée sur la situation burundaise au point de captiver mon attention et mon admiration, je ne les rencontre pas souvent. Discuter de la politique avec David était une façon de se ressourcer comme jadis, quand nous fréquentions des cercles de discussions politiques dans les années 80.

A travers David, un espoir naissait. J'avais cru en lui, ce jeune nouvellement diplômé était le futur sauveur du Burundi, le futur pour incarner le futur, la réconciliation des Burundais. J'avais dit à un ami que j'ai rencontré un futur Rwagasore ou Ngendandumwe.

La mort a pris le dessus sur l'espoir. Le bon Dieu a emporté le sien sans laisser cette chance au Burundi qui a besoin des David.

En allant à son enterrement, j'ai accompagné le David, un homme physique mort. J'ai aussi accompagné l'espoir  au cimetière, le grand patriote. La douleur était double; double car il s'agissait de la mort d'une personne mais aussi parce que cette mort emportait un espoir. Physiquement, nous sommes des mortels et nous avons une petite place. De son vivant, l'homme incarne des idées qui font sa valeur. Le corps physique meurt mais les idées restent et la grandeur de l'homme reste vivante, incarnée par ses idées. David est mort mais ses idées restent vivantes à travers ses amis, ceux qui l'ont côtoyé. Espérons que le Burundi aura plusieurs David qui sauveront son peuple.

Que David se repose en paix.

The Middle of the World (O Caminho das Nuvens) by Vicente Amorim

The Middle of the World (O Caminho das Nuvens) is one of my favorite movie of the year. The story is about a family road trip on bicycles throughout Brazil looking for jobs. It is beautifully made. It is intense and weirdly  soothing. Yes, it gives a real perspective of how hard it  is to make a living in this global economy.  It is a simple movie that captures  the conflicts and complexities of life and family. I just love it! A must watch!!! On Netflix oh yes...In Portuguese with English subtitles.. Enjoy!!!

Same Moonlight for our Dreams

The Middle of the World is a road movie on bicycles. It is freely adapted from the true story of an unemployed truck driver who, with his wife and five children, pedals from Paraíba, in the poverty-stricken Northeast of Brazil, all the way to Rio de Janeiro looking for a job. Romão (the father) feels destined to earn 1000 reais (about 300 US$) a month a vast sum for Brazilian standards. On four bikes, the family goes through five states, knows solidarity and indifference, aggressiveness and cordiality. A 2000-mile odyssey through the hinterlands of Brazil all the way to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's best-known postcard. The Middle of the World shows the quest for the dream of a decent life a story of dreams and hope.

Foundation of the week:Cultures of Resistance

Cultures of Resistance:  The Official Trailer from Cultures of Resistance on Vimeo.


I stumbled on this amazing documentary by filmmaker and activist Iara Lee working with Cultures of Resistance.
Just watch the preview!!! I am buying the DVD!

CULTURES OF RESISTANCE is a project, a campaign, a mission, and a living, breathing, growing network. Our collective of activists, agitators, artists, and dreamers is primarily focused on issues of peace and justice in the global south, and we are especially interested in supporting organizations and activists around the world who are working toward international solidarity and social justice.
Worldwide, people from all walks of life are finding creative ways to oppose war and promote peace, justice, and sustainability. Culture, including film, music and food, is fertile terrain for this struggle. Education that nourishes a critical mind and fortifies the soul is just as essential. CULTURES OF RESISTANCE was established to identify and support international and diverse initiatives that embody these values, and to fortify an international network of activists and agitators, educators and artists, insurgent musicians, guerilla filmmakers, vanguard gardeners and gourmands.

California Senate Bill No.861 Conflicts Minerals in the Democratic Congo

   On October 9, 2011 the state of California did pass SB861, Corbett. Public contracts: contract eligibility: conflict minerals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This bill will ensure that companies are held accountable when using conflicts minerals. Thank you to Senator Corbett and her staff, Djibril Diop!!!! 

    In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank-Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to impose regulations on militia-controlled minerals from Congo. Companies must reveal to the SEC whether they use these minerals in their products and the steps they are taking to make sure that they are using “conflicts-free minerals”.

     I know that very few people know about blood minerals or even care about the impacts. I would like to thank everyone who made SB 861 happen, on behalf of “poor people that worked in hellish conditions” as nicely said by Tim Worstall, in" Blood in the Mobile: What,Conflict Minerals, Again? ". His point of view is very interesting and informative. He said  “Get those refiners to stop taking Congo material, or even material that they cannot trace back to a mine, and you’re done.” So SB 861 is another step forward!! According to Amy Westervelt in “AnticipatingNew SEC Rules, Tech Companies Shift To Conflict-Free Metals” , companies are  now willing to do anything to avoid PR nightmares....

    And yes, very poor people work in hellish conditions for little money every parts of the World.  So thank you California for caring!

Same Moonlight for Our Dreams...

Senate Bill No. 861
CHAPTER 715
An act to add Section 10490 to the Public Contract Code, relating to
public contracts.
[Approved by Governor October 9, 2011. Filed with
Secretary of State October 9, 2011.]

legislative counsel’s digest
SB 861, Corbett. Public contracts: contract eligibility: conflict minerals
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Existing law authorizes contracting between state agencies and private contractors and sets forth requirements for the procurement of goods and services by state agencies and the various responsibilities of state agencies and the Department of General Services in implementing state contracting procedures and policies. This bill would prohibit a scrutinized company, as defined, from entering into a contract with a state agency for goods or services, as provided. This bill would not become operative until the later of January 1, 2012, or the date the United States Securities and Exchange Commission issues the final rules and regulations on the implementation of Section 1502 of Public Law 111-203, and would become inoperative upon a specified date.

....

BILL NUMBER: SB 861 CHAPTERED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Corbett (Coauthor: Senator Anderson) (Coauthor: Assembly Member V. Manuel Pérez)

Blitz The Ambassador "Best I Can" ft. Corneille

Hello to you all!!
Here is a beautiful video from Blitz The Ambassador, I  found this on Kalae All Day's Blog.
I love the story behind, one story among many but so close to us... 
Peace...
Same Moonlight for Our Dreams

Inside Job by Audrey Marrs with Jeffrey Lurie and Christina Weiss Lurie

I finally managed to sit and watch this documentary. I am all for awareness but all the "political dances" tend to annoy me. It is well done. It gives a great understanding of all the "deregulation from 1981-2011" and the "global Ponzi Scheme".  A must watch !!!

Artsy peeks for 14 th july

Growing up in France, civic lessons were my favorite part of the school day. Our elementary school principal was the mayor of a small village(Mr Clavez... if I recall). He was so passionate about our future as citizens.  He gave us a beautiful message of hope. Thanks to him, I loved everything about  the French revolution. The Marianne was the emblem of that free republic. In high school, I found out about Cordier's sculptures. Cordier described that other part of France, which I belong. Nevertheless, when I turned eighteen years old, I rushed  to get my card of elector. So Mr Clavez did a great job.Thank you!!
Here some of Cordier busts...
Enjoy!!!

World Refugee Day 2011, June 20th

I just want to say thank you to my parents, for everything they have done for us. I am more than a refugee, I am here. Thank you for everything....

"Smile even through your tears. Be strong even through your fears. -Zen Habits"

Peace to you all...
Same Moonlight for Our dreams...


Rahma Profile from iActivism on Vimeo.

World Refugee Day 2011

"A coalition of individuals, activists, filmmakers and international organizations that believe we can be more effective when we work together than when we work alone.  Because of this belief, we are working together to coordinate events all around the world during the week of World Refugee Day. Whether you are a genocide prevention activist or a recent refugee, an elementary school teacher or a Rabbi, we hope you will take this day to reach out to your community and connect.

Help make the world a more compassionate place by attending or hosting an event on June 20th. If you can’t make it out that day, please take at least one other action that day and share this website with your friends and family."

Book of the Week: Cultural Internationalism and World Order by Akira Iriye

This book is currently on top of my book wish list!
I like the fact that Akira Iriye analysis goes beyond traditional diplomatic history by incorporating cultural perspectives. I like the term of "cultural internationalism", I am not sure about world order but I will read this book!! As an international student, I found out that your cultural imprint goes beyond  "diplomacy", at the end you learn to adapt while understanding others. Akira Iriye seems to have a very liberal view. He is encouraging "cultural internationalism"beyond the traditional understanding of international relations as competition for power and wealth. His book was published in 1997 but I think the issue is still current!

Dr Augustus White on Tavis Smiley about "Seeing Patients: Unconscious Bias in Health Care"

Charlie Rose and Tavis Smiley are the few shows, I stay up for. Last week, I stayed up late enough to watch the interview on Dr. Augustus White by Tavis Smiley. It was about Health-care, race, and health disparities in USA.  In his memoir,"Seeing Patients: Unconscious Bias in Health Care"; Dr. White addresses the issue of cultural awareness in medicine. He talk about all biases, not just race.  He believes that we need to address our own cultural biases to be more compassionate.  His argument reminds me of my father.  He did teach us that in term of health we are our best advocate.  At a very young age, we went to some doctor consultations alone because he wanted us to be responsible of our health.  Dr White emphasizes that patients  must be trained about cultural disparities as well as health-care disparities.  Dr White also talked about how he became a doctor coming from segregated South. It is delicate issue that is still current for many among us due to Socio-economics segregation. In my opinion, the message  is about  awareness of our flaws and prejudices.

Thank you Dr. Augustus  White and Tavis Smiley!

Watch the full episode. See more Tavis Smiley.

Book of the week: Le Héros de Kavomo by d’Agnès Barasokoroza

This is a very personal testimony by d’Agnès Barayiyaka born  Barasokoroza about the 1972 mass killing in Burundi. She is a family relative. I am really proud of her book.  Her testimony is peaceful and forgiving. I deeply appreciate that someone testified about May-July 1972. That period does not define me but the consequences did shape who I am today. In 1972, my grandfather was unjustly killed and my grandmother left alive! Ironically, due to the very selective character of the killing it is not labeled as genocide or holocaust!!The labeling does not matter, however a testimony of that period is a beautiful closure. Thank you Agnès Barasokoroza  for Le Héros de Kavomo. You did inspire me to write a book about my family!!!

Short description:
The testimony of Agnes Barayiyaka, born Barasokoroza is a striking illustration of the disastrous and disturbing clashes in Burundi in 1972 and their devastating consequences. Based on her experience and her father's experience (a man of great conviction and righteousness), Agnes Barayiyaka describes situations whose origins are found in Africa, certainly, but also in ideologies and colonial practices of the Europe.

She talks about  the disconcerting aspects, unjust, cruel and deeply inhumane.There is evidence in her great sensitivity,sadness, pain and melancholy. But at the same time, no page is marked by a spirit of revenge or despair.Quite the contrary, we can feel  across a genuine hope for a better future as long as the Burundian find and restore the values ​​of their traditional culture, many of which converge with those of the Gospel.

Le témoignage d’Agnès Barayiyaka, née Barasokoroza est une illustration saisissante et troublante des funestes affrontements au Burundi en 1972 et de leurs conséquences ravageuses. A partir de son expérience et de celle de son père (un homme de conviction et de grande droiture), Agnès Barayiyaka décrit des situations dont les origines sont à chercher en Afrique, certes, mais aussi dans les idéologies et les pratiques coloniales de l’Europe.

Elle en indique les aspects déconcertants, injustes, cruels, profondément inhumains.

Il y a dans ce témoignage beaucoup de sensibilité, de tristesse, de souffrance et de lassitude. Mais, en même temps, aucune page ne porte la marque d’un esprit de vengeance ou de désespoir. Bien au contraire, on sent poindre d’un bout à l’autre une espérance authentique dans un avenir meilleur pour peu que les Barundi retrouvent et restaurent les valeurs de leur culture traditionnelle dont beaucoup convergent avec celles de l’Évangile.

To buy go on  UniBook.com 

 

La miseria del hombre by Gonzalo Rojas

Gonzalo Rojas was a Chilean poet.May he rest in peace!
Here his poem...just beautiful!!
Just in Spanish if I find good translations I will post them!!!
Enjoy...


La miseria del hombre

El sol y la muerte

La eternidad

La poesía es mi lengua

El caos

La libertad

Retrato de la niebla

Himno a la noche

La cordillera está viva

La materia es mi madre

Salmo real

Coro de los ahorcados

El principio y el fin

Naturaleza del fastidio

El abismo llama al abismo

Rotación y traslación

El condenado

La fosa común

El sol es la única semilla           

Descenso a los infiernos

Revelación del pensamiento

El fuego eterno

La nube

Crecimiento de Rodrigo Tomás

El poeta maldice a su cadáver

Perdí mi juventud

A quien vela, todo se le revela

La salvación

Carta del suicida

La vuelta al mundo

Pompas fúnebres

A una perdida

El polvo del deseo

Elegía

El dinero

Los cobardes

La sangre

           

La lepra

Fábula moderna

Drama pasional

Las mujeres vacías

Fundación de Valparaíso
 by Gonzalo Rojas

Source: Universidad de Chile

No Conflict Minerals in California!

"California is the first state to consider its own legislation to ease conflict minerals mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo out of the supply chain for electronics." from California leads US in taking a swing against Congo's conflict minerals by Talia Samuelson.

Please Sign the Conflict Minerals Petition here

SB 861 is a landmark piece of legislation that will help curb the trade in illegally extracted minerals from eastern Congo. The conflict in Congo is the deadliest since World War II, claiming more than 5.4 million lives since 1998. Rape has become a devastating weapon of war; hundreds of thousands of women have reported brutal rapes, a fraction of the estimated total. This bill could incentivize compliance with federal regulations on conflict minerals and the development of conflict-free products. In so doing, SB 861 could help show, once again, that California is a leader in protecting the rights of the most vulnerable in the world. I support swift and complete passage of SB 861.

For Japan With Love

For Japan With Love

Help Japan

International Medical Corps
UNICEF

Taiko of hope for Japan:Kodo

Kodo  is the most known group  in modern Taiko. This is a homage to Japan and their spirit of cooperation.
To all children of Japan...
Same Moonlight for Our Dreams

Happy International Women Day

Today is international women day! To be honest, I felt that I became a “Woman” only after I gave birth. I am not saying that childbearing and motherhood are the only paths to womanhood!!! Seriously!! Personally, pregnancy humbled me and made me aware of my role as a woman. I was blessed to have parents who taught me that I could do anything I wanted. However, I always felt that being a girl was a sort a "handicap", especially in the African culture. Nevertheless that "handicap" gives back some much power as long as you accept your role. I was certainly rebellious but I accepted my duties and played my role, while I was convinced I could do anything. When, I became a mother, I realized that womanhood was a powerful blessing not a handicap.  Beyond the sleep deprivation, and never ending diapers, I felt a weird sense of power..I understood who I was...

Happy Women day to you all and thank you...

Thanks to all the Men… 

 Image from here

Foundation of the week: Women for Women International

"Women for Women International and Google are pleased to collaborate on Join me on the Bridge, a campaign honoring the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2011. Join me on the Bridge brings women and men together in solidarity on bridges around the world, celebrating the achievements of generations of women before us while shining an international spotlight on the issues still facing women around the world....Women for Women International works in regions of conflict and post-conflict, helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. To the women enrolled in the organization’s year-long program, Join me on the Bridge represents the opportunity to raise their voices, call for peace and security and, with Google’s help, stand in virtual solidarity on March 8th with the women and men around the world who support them."

I do believe that life is an infinite sequence of bridges. And no matter how you cross each bridge you will cross all of them. If we keep in mind that our individual life is a singly infinite sequence but Life is a double-infinite sequence which  has neither a first nor a final element.   So crossing few bridges together as one, is pure awareness that we are children of the Universe. 
You all know,how much I love bridges!!!  If you want to attend or organize an event, go here!

 

Pride of Baghdad written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Niko Henrichon

I finished this graphic novel this weekend. It is a great fictional story based on a true story of four African lions that escaped from the Baghdad Zoo after an American bombing in 2003. It is a captivating allegory on freedom, humanity, community and survival. The illustration is the soul of this masterpiece!  Seriously, the illustrations are breathtaking. The plot is good: Baghdad in decline during the American invasion and four African lions in quest of freedom. The plot starts slowly  then it goes into a mind blowing "fictional dystopia allegory"  like  the animal farm of Orwell. That is why I love the story. According to Wikipedia, a dystopian society is also often characterized by mass poverty and brutal political controls such as a large military-like police. I like how fiction challenge our critical thinking.  Pride of Baghdad is an allegory on domesticated wild animals escaping a zoo in an urban jungle at war. Fighters or hunters, captives or servants, we are all starving for freedom.  One of the character says  "There's an old saying, Zill. Freedom can't be given, only earned".
 Thank you to K.Vaughan and Niko Henrichon for this masterpiece.
A must read, specially in our current revolutionary climate....
Same Moonlight for our Dreams