Women, earthquakes and Boobquake 04/26/2010

In response to a statement by an Iranian cleric that women wearing revealing clothing cause earthquakes, an Indiana blogger initiated a demonstration called Boobquake.

“In a prayer sermon, the cleric said: ‘Many women who do not dress modestly… lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which increases earthquakes,’” Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi said in response to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s warning of a possible quake striking Tehran.

Miffed by this statement, blogger Jennifer McCreight shared her views online, which resulted in a campaign to get women worldwide to show as much cleavage as possible as an answer to the cleric’s link between women and this natural disaster. Boobquake is slated for today and while I usually support grassroots movements empowering girls and women and have a daring streak, I can’t show off the “sistahs” today so I’ll pass on this effort; supporters can buy a T-shirt (sales will benefit the Red Cross). But I am sure the effort will generate a lot of buzz. I am too old/modest and more inclined to challenge ideas with my mind. I can’t help but wonder what type of criticism it will generate. Last time a woman’s body made headlines was when singer/songwriter Erykah Badu debuted a video off her latest CD. She tried to make a powerful statement, but I think that message was overshadowed by the reaction to her disrobing as she walked in Dallas, namely near the site of Kennedy’s assassination.

“Obligatory disclaimer: I in no way think that all Muslims or Iranians or theists agree with these two men. For all the rational thinkers out there who happen to fall into those groups, my mockery is not directed toward you,” McCreight posted on her blog.

After her joke generated a lot of online and media attention, she wrote Wednesday, “I just want to apologize if this comes off as demeaning toward women. To be honest, it started as silly joke that I hurriedly fired off since I was about to miss the beginning of House. I never thought it would get the attention it did. If I would have known, I would have spent more time being careful about my wording. That being said, I don’t think the event is completely contrary to feminist ideals. I’m asking women to wear their most ‘immodest’ outfit that they already would wear, but to coordinate it all on the same day for the sake of the experiment. Heck, just showing an ankle would be considered immodest by some people. …”

Haiti Relief 01/24/2010

Gospel Stars Unite to Help Haiti 01/23/2010

Penned by award-winning songwriter/producer Kirk Franklin, “Are You Listening: A Love Song for Haiti” premiered Friday night an hour before Gospel Music Channel’s broadcast of the “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon. The two-hour global telethon featured musical performances and a phone bank manned by celebrities. Proceeds will benefit organizations such as the Red Cross, UNICEF and the Yele Haiti Foundation started by Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean, a telethon co-host.

“All the artists associated with the project donated their talent and gifts for this project,” said Franklin, project producer, in a press release posted on the Verity Gospel Web site.

The Haitian government said 111,481 people were confirmed dead in the 7.0 quake that struck the Caribbean nation on Jan. 12. The quake also displaced more than 600,000 people in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The recording happened while the gospel artists gathered in Nashville last week for the 25th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The awards program airs nationwide in February. The song will be available on iTunes, in Wal-Mart and other retailers in a few days.

“The words are so incredible. It’s a strong song and it’s for a very needed time. I was honored to be a part of it. That’s the least that we could do is lend our voices and our gifts to help people,” said singer CeCe Winans in a behind-the-scenes video about the project. She said she hopes that the victims know they are not alone. She also wants then to know that “those things we don’t see, He sees. Those voices we don’t hear, God hears.”

Franklin wrote part of the song nearly eight years ago. But he was inspired to finish as he watched quake coverage on CNN while he was in Nashville.

“It’s a song God gave me after 9-11 but by the time I finished it, the timing had passed and I was just never able to marry it to anything,” Franklin said. “But as I watched what was going on in Haiti, the Lord brought it to my attention that it would be perfect. We recorded it as quickly as we can so that we can have it to radio and other outlets with all of the proceeds going to the people of Haiti.”

All of the proceeds from the song go to Haitian relief.

The project features more than 150 participants including Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, Dorinda Clark Cole, Natalie Grant, Fred Hammond, Tamela and David Mann, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Bishop Paul S. Morton, J. Moss, Smokie Norful, Marvin Sapp, Nicole C. Mullen, and Micah Stampley.

“This initiative is so important because while we are asking America to give we know that many are giving sacrificially. The people of Haiti are very spiritual people with an unwavering faith and belief in God and still count The Lord as the main source and provider,” Franklin said. “We will continue to pray and stand with them. We hope this song will bring much needed support and awareness in an effort to raise funds in the near and long-term future.”

An encore presentation will be shown at 6 p.m. ET today on Gospel Music Channel. To buy the song.

Obamas Visit Red Cross Headquarters 01/18/2010

 

Flickr image courtesy of http://www.redcross.org/

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama on Monday visited the American Red Cross headquarters, located near the White House in Washington, D.C. The pair toured the Disaster Operation Center, a 24-hour operations command post that coordinates disaster services activities; during large-scale disasters addition DOCs may be available.

During the visit Monday, Obama thanked employees and volunteers, complimenting them service.

The president also sent his first tweet. He hit send “Send” button on a message a media team member typed: “President Obama and the First Lady are here visiting our disaster operation center right now.” The next message: “President Obama pushed the button on the last tweet. It was his first ever tweet!”

Wyclef Defends Haiti Charity 01/17/2010

Haitian-born, Grammy winning Wyclef Jean spoke out Saturday in defense of his foundation, which collected more than $2 million to help victims since a 7.0 magnitude quake hit his country.

He posted a statement and video on online in response to scrutiny of the accounting practices of Yele Haiti, also known as the Wyclef Jean Foundation Inc. Jean arrived in the capital city a day after the temblor Tuesday afternoon. 

Concerns surfaced after the charity collected donations since the quake shattered the Caribbean nation. Since Tuesday, he has appeared on television and appealed online to supporters to text “Yele” to 501501 to donate $5 to his foundation.

On Facebook, as word of the financial scrutiny spread, several of my friends noted that while Jean’s group may not have the longevity and experience with disaster relief as the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders, they didn’t think he was disingenuous.

One friend in Newark, N.J. noted that while Jean’s Yele Haiti’s received media coverage, “there are a few other organizations that are accepting donations for Haitian disaster relief that are directly connected to the people.

“One reputable organization that is directly connected to grassroots organizations in the region is the Haiti Support Project, an organization under the umbrella of the African think tank, Institute of the Black World (21^st Century) founded by Dr. Ron Daniels,”Ali McBride wrote.

“An Associated Press review of tax returns and independent audits provided by Jean’s foundation showed that it was closely intertwined with Jean’s businesses,” according to an AP story.

Jean denounced the allegations and said he’s never profited personally through his work with the charity.

“In fact, I have, time and again, committed significant amounts of my own money to support the work of Yele Haiti and other organizations in support of our efforts over the years,” reads in part Jean’s statement posted on his blog. “More than that, I have spent countless hours, days, months and years of my life committed to the country of Haiti, the people of Haiti and the success of Haiti.”