War and hatred and apathy and cynical nonchalance are the spawn of closed eyes.
I am convinced of this.
If we, as the human race, could see the world stained in a different shade--through the eyes of different cultures and communities than our own--I sincerely believe that we would be more hesitant to point the finger or drop a bomb.
With this in mind, I have become altogether too excited about [insert drum rolls, fireworks, and yours truly tap-dancing in glee] PANGEA DAY!
Pangea Day = a four-hour live stream of international films, made by people just like you-- from everywhere, to everywhere. The films (and concerts and speakers) are going to be broadcast on TV, as well as the internet, so EVERYONE reading this right now--yeah, you too!--can watch along with the world.
There are "official" events in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Dharamsala (India), Kigali (Rwanda), Tel Aviv (Israel), Ramallah (Palestine), Cairo (Egypt), London and NYC, as well as smaller, private events sprinkled over every continent.
Excited much? I am.
Seriously, how much does the average person truly know about how someone in another country lives and thinks? Or even in a different socio-economic atmosphere? Or a different political sphere? Or religious sphere, at that?
Not. too. much.
Hopefully that will change on May 10th. Pangea Day.
Go! Watch! Anticipate! Spread the word! >>>
http://www.pangeaday.org/?vid=1
http://www.pangeaday.org/?vid=4
I'll admit- I have no clue about the rest of the world! I've been isolated into this place where everyone eats the same food (I'm looked at as weird for being vegetarian), wears the same clothes, and wants the same house, car, dog, etc. Even though I knew it was out there, I was shocked to read about women still being treated as property in Saudi Arabia, and people being persecuted for displaying anything detrimental to their national religion. It helped me to realize how ignorant I was, and how I needed to actively become aware of the world around me. The media doesn't publicize this stuff, so it's up to us to learn about it and tell others.