We are, at first, born into family, place, a role.
As we live out our life, we choose our true family, we find our place in this world, we create a role for ourselves that enables us to be creative, expressing who we are and who we hope to become.
Life itself is a mitzvah.
Causes I support
Doctors without Borders brings aid and comfort to civilians in conflict zones and areas of natural disaster all over the world, regardless of state or statelessness, regardless of boycott or bad attitudes. They do what we wish we could, spread humankindness to those most in need. Other medical emergency groups are also worthy of your support: Red Cross/Red Crescent, first line of help in disasters, White Helmets risking their lives in Syrian battlegrounds, Planned Parenthood, offering healthcare services to women in underserved places, Recovery Point, fighting the Appalachian opioid epidemic one recovery at at time, or your local hospitals, hospices and homeless service centers.
Galería de la Raza is a local arts education and activism centre in the Mission District of San Francisco. I got involved when my friend and teacher Rafael Maradiaga co-founded the program. It's been for many years a beacon of hope and change. Another helpful SF group is Creativity Explored, definitely worth a gallery visit and your support. Wherever you live, arts groups like these change lives. Choose one. Give it your support through visiting shows, volunteering and donations.
The Movement for Black Lives grew out of concerns that the lives of non-white people are held more cheaply than the lives of those of European descent. In America, it is the rare person who is not of mixed heritage. It's time we honour and celebrate our diversity. Time to make good on our Declaration's pledge of equality. Two other groups focusing on righting the fundamental inequality of Black Americans are Campaign Zero, a practical blueprint to end police violence, and Black Lives Matter. Related justice reform movements include Southern Poverty Law Center, Stanford’s Criminal Justice Center and Criminal Justice Reform, bringing forward religious values in relation to criminal justice. Every town and city has social, political and civil rights groups working on equality and hope. Get involved.
. . .
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund faces up to censorship on the front line: Graphic novels and comix. The National Council of Teachers of English Center for Intellectual Freedom works on keeping open minds in schools. Open Internet access is supported by Global Internet Freedom Consortium, with PeaceFire helping youngsters and GreatFire focusing on freedom behind the China firewall. Every town and city has censorship challenges; don't let yours pass unnoticed. Save free speech.
The Advancement Project works to protect every person's right to vote. Obama and Holder are behind the National Democratic Redistricting Committee for local redistricting reform. Project Vote works on a Constitutional amendment to support One Person/One Vote, The Brennan Center at NYU helps draft re-enfranchisement laws, and our old and constant friend the ACLU is there when we need them.
The Center in San Francisco gives a home, and hope, to marginialised communities, especially LGBT and Queer folk. Anti-gay attitudes and actions have affected me the most of any exclusionary attitudes. Every person has their own history; find a group that supports those who suffer the way you suffered, to help remove that unnecessary chokehold on society and free up all people to do their best work.
Each generation has its challenges. I feel privileged to live in a city that has responded creatively and with love to many generations of need, from supporting Navy personnel and the workers who kept them going during WWII, through the Beats and Hippies, to Gay Liberation and the AIDS crisis. Wherever you live, stand up for the values that define you. Care for the less fortunate. Every town can be a City of Refuge, a beacon for change. By our compassion and our creative imagination, we shall be known.
Interesting stuff
Random links to activities and information surrounding my life. I have found these people and groups of interest; you may too.
Professional sites that keep me up on best practices in design, content and coding
Designer and programmer Quin Kennedy continues to expand our understanding of the possibilities of virtual and real-life interactions in education, entertainment and the arts. (And he's our son.) Other inspiration comes from Kawandeep Virdee, both his work at WhichLight and the meetings he presents, SF Tech Poetics and Spotlight, and the poet Maw Shein Win, who is a print-based artist.
My first mentor in coding design was Robert Nealan of Designers Who Code. His program is a good one and his blog has useful tips and ideas.
Designer and maker Vince Blaskovich at Vincie continues to push the boundaries of practical chic in everyday carry products. And he's the love of my life.
The photos
Most are taken by myself or my husband Vince Blaskovich. My point in using them is to open windows into my life and interests, so you might become acquainted with me. I use them to link to random sites you might find interesting, or not. Oh, and the double colons in the site menu also have random links. Hah.
