[doginakimono]

What to Do in 2015: Become an Activist!

Many commentators and news sources are citing 2014 as the year of protest (See: 2014: The Year in Protest via TakePart.com). 2014 definitely had its fair share of protests and uprisings, all for very good reasons. In the U.S. alone, protesters gathered around the nation in response to capitalism overshadowing individual human lives, racism and the disproportionate impact of the legal system on people of color, the lack of resources and education provided to our law enforcement officers who are tasked with doing a very difficult job day in and day out, and much more. Overseas, protesters in Hong Kong made worldwide news as they fought for the right to vote. Citizens in Brazil rose up to protest the 2014 World Cup as a call upon their government to stop ignoring social issues that ail their people daily.

I'm not sure if 2014 was the year of protest, but it was a good one for it. 

The best part, perhaps, about the protests of 2014 is the innumerable conversations they started. From inside classrooms to around the family dinner table (and let's not forget social media), individuals were drawn to share opinions and ask questions through a variety of mediums.

Many have critiqued those who protested this year by saying their impact is little, or that their energy would be better spent elsewhere. I disagree. If you've discussed #blacklivesmatter or #icantbreathe, if you even know what those two hashtags are in reference to, then those protestors made their point. Their impact was felt by a nation.

So that leads us to 2015. What is in store this upcoming new year? In the midst of creating meal plans, exercise routines, and deciding on the "new you" 2015 will learn to deal with, I'd like you to consider becoming an activist. Bridge your conversations filled of passion and thoughtfulness with real-life application. Take a leap into the exciting, exhausting, sometimes hot, sometimes cold world of advocacy and activism!

WikiHow is always at-the-ready with how-to guides, so here's an awesome reference from them: How to Become an Activist. You can also read Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals, which I highly recommend anyway. You can buy it from Amazon here: Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals.

For those who wish to stay on this page (thanks!) and gather whatever information you need to rock activism in 2015, my top 5 recommendations for becoming a (better) activist are as follows:

1. Be passionate. There are a million things that would help make our communities better. Find the one, two, or maybe three things you are passionate about: the issues that pull at your heartstrings. Activism is hard; not everyone agrees with you and it can be exhausting work because quick, tangible results are never guaranteed. You need to find your passion because that will sustain you.

2. Strengthen your communication skills. The core of activism is community. Community demands that we be in relationship and dialogue with others, whether we like them or not, whether we agree with them or not. Strengthening your communication skills will allow you to temper your emotional responses, ask questions to model active listening, speak with kindness while also with a punch, and to communicate in a way that others will hear you.

3. Do your research. I mean, really do your research. Everyone has their own version of "fact", so you need to arm yourself not only with passion and communication, but personal story, policy, statistics, theory, and real-life examples. 

4. Find others who share your passion. As shared earlier, the core of activism is community. An individual can have a tremendous impact, but an individual who is supported with the work of another? Amazing.

5. Pick and choose your battles, with patience. Even the most dedicated of activists need their rest. Allow yourself the humility and the grace to turn off our activism every now and again to simply exists in the world. Have a look around, see goodness, watch the sunrise, drink some coffee, and recharge your soul. Humanity is waiting for a full, healthy, and equipped you to make the positive social change you seek. 

[doginakimono]

What to Do in 2015: Become a Writer!

Have you ever thought about becoming a writer? With the onset of a new year, many people are preparing themselves to set resolutions for becoming new themselves. What better way to develop your newness than to hone in on your writing skills and put your voice out into the world? And, lucky for you, Dog in a Kimono online magazine is always on the lookout for passionate, committed writers to add to our writing team!  

Writing is one of the few spaces that exists where you are with yourself solely. Your brain communicates with your fingertips, which connect with the keyboard in front of your face and voila! Writing.

Fear not, though! Writing can be very intimidating; we, the founders of Dog in a Kimono, fully understand the powerful tool that writing can be. Those who write for us write at their pace, on topics they are most comfortable, and share their voice as they feel is best to represent their message. With the exception of our editor, who combs through articles solely for grammar and punctuation, you are the only one responsible for what you share with the world. This is both freeing and overwhelming, but we'd love for you to give it a try!

We have two main categories of writing: pop culture and social commentary. Each category has 4 sub-categories, into which all articles are further filtered into. Pop Culture is broken down into Books, Food & Drink, Media, and Tech, while Social Commentary is broken down into (In)Justice, Perspectives, Politics, and The Good. As a writer for Dog in a Kimono, you can choose which sub-category to submit articles to. Additionally, if you are passionate about writing for our online magazine and think your writing doesn't quite fit into one of the preset sub-categories, let us know and we can talk about how best to organize our articles that suit your voice best!

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a writer or have any questions, shoot us an email at [email protected] or private message us on Facebook!

[doginakimono]

Let Us Code and Empower Our Girls

I feel like as an adult I have come to truly appreciate all that I have and how far I have come in life (oh dear do I sound old!) And on the same token, I think we all have those moments where we kick ourselves and say, "Why did I not think of this sooner?"

I had one such moment this summer where it dawned on me that I wanted to learn how to code.  I have always been tech savvy, enjoyed technology and well, why not?  It could be fun, right? Now that I have started learning, I love it and have no idea why I did not start sooner.

Before we proceed forward, though, it is probably a good idea to dissect coding, as there are two different types: front end and back end.  I am currently learning front end, which includes HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and JQuery.  Without getting too technical and esoteric, HTML & CSS are what allow you to put text and styling on a web page, and JavaScript and JQuery make the page more interactive.  Back end coding is server-side language, like PHP and Ruby-on-Rails.  These are the languages used to typically create apps.  Back end also allows websites to collect data from users.  For example, when you fill out an online contact form with your name, email, and other info, the back end elements of the site allow you to store this data.

Now that we have a firmer understanding of what coding is, it still begs the question, why do women like me not think of coding sooner or at all?  From a purely gendered standpoint, if you look at the breakdown of the technology field right now, very few women are actually in it. More so, the most prominent names you hear who come up with the "next big thing" are men. This isn't to say that women have not created anything worth talking about because clearly we have, but it does not garner the same press.  So, from my experiences in the field and my observations of national media, there are very strong messages being sent to women that coding is a man's game.

From an educational standpoint, coding is hardly ever taught in American public schools. There are only two ways I've ever experienced opportunities to learn coding: take a computer science class in college, or have an adoring significant other, friend, or family member who decides to teach you because they think it is awesome.  I fall into the latter category, combined with finding my passion for coding more and more as I have aged. 

Unfortunately, as someone who was never taught computer science in school, I think our education system is missing out on this one.  Coding is a perfect vehicle to teach girls and women alike skills in critical thinking, problem solving, spatial relations and a host of other things.   My learnings from coding thus far are two-fold:

Even though I may not have been strong at subjects like math in school, I find that coding made learning math much easier, more logical, and more fun (surprisingly!).  I think the high school or elementary school-aged me who was struggling would have loved to have a way to flourish in this regard. 

If something that I write does not work or is broken in some way, I am the one who has to fix it.  The ability to take ownership of what I am doing and the resulting adrenaline rush once it is functioning again is truly one of the most amazing feelings.  Empowerment is so important for all women, but I think it is especially important for girls at the elementary and high school age who struggle the most with finding their own voices in the world.   

Clearly, I think that teaching coding in schools would be a beneficial step for the American public school system to take, but how feasible is it? Of course, there is the need to hire teachers who at least have basic knowledge of coding. But, that being said, the actual software that is used to code, such as Sublime Text 2, is completely free. You read that right.  No cost at all, just computers with access to the internet.  Children in the United States already have computer classes required in their curriculum.  So, why is this step not being taken?

Now comes my call to action.  Empower all youth, but especially our young girls and women to start coding.  Coding is just another vehicle through which we can change the world.  I think our world is ready for as many female voices in the technology sector that want to be a part of it to help inspire this shift.  So let’s spread the word: coding is a women’s world too!

[doginakimono]

Feminism is Not Just for Women

Women who identify as feminists are under attack by…...everyone. Feminists are often pegged as ‘men haters,’ instead of people focusing on the real agenda: gender equality. Emma Watson, the United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador, introduced a new initiative on September 21st: HeForShe, a movement that hopes to bring men and women together to work towards gender equality.

Ms. Watson gave a passionate speech on feminism and gender at the U.N. headquarters as part of the launch for HeForShe. In her speech, Watson addressed some major misconceptions about feminism; she advocated against campaigns like Women Against Feminism, and when the speech was completed, Watson was given a standing ovation from the audience. She said:

"I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word… Apparently, I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, anti-men, unattractive even. Why has the word become such an uncomfortable one?"

HeForShe is about reaching out to men and boys to support the gender equality cause. Men should care about the equal treatment of women because policies that restrict a woman’s control over her body or ability to earn as much as their male counterparts impact their mothers, sisters, daughters, friends.

This is not just a female issue, though; men are affected by gender stereotypes just as much as women are. If we can break down the wall that divides the sexes and their gender "roles" everyone can benefit. During Emma’s speech, she said,

“If men don’t have to be aggressive, women won’t be compelled to be submissive. If men don’t need to control, women won’t have to be controlled.”

I never thought about gender equality being an issue that men face, but after listening to the speech I realized how much pressure society puts on men to ‘man up’ and suppress their feelings. Gender equality is an issue that faces society as a whole, not limited to one sex or the other. Through the education of the HeForShe campaign, let's hope the gender divide can be destroyed and society can be more accepting and equal of everyone. 

[doginakimono]

Shows to Add to Your Weekly Fall Lineup!

If you haven’t figured out what shows you are adding to your weekly TV schedule, check out a few new shows airing this FALL!

1.  If you are a fan of Scandal, then you must check out How to Get Away with Murder (ABC, September 25, 2014). Shonda-Rhimes is the executive producer for this show with Viola Davis starring as a college professor who provides opportunities for her students to work at her law firm. If this show is anything like Scandal, it is going to be a hit!

2.  How I Met Your Mother is over, but do not fret! NBC has a new show to fill the void. Check out A to Z, premiering this October. Ben Feldman plays Andrew, a hopeless romantic.

3.  I have been a huge fan of Kate Walsh since Private Practice and Grey’s Anatomy. Walsh stars in NBC’s Bad Judge, as a respected criminal court judge. It seems her character Rebecca may be not so grown up!

4.  For those of us still young at heart and can’t get enough of scripted teen dramas, check out MTV’s Happyland. Think Laguna Beach but at a theme park with a little bit Degrassi. Of course add a love story and a complicated scandal, and you have a winner!

5. Adrien Brody, an Academy Award winner, stars in Houdini! It’s a miniseries in which the life story of Harry Houdini is told.

What shows do you plan on watching in this year’s lineup? With so many returning TV show hits and a few new shows appearing, it's going to be a difficult choice! 

[doginakimono]

#ItsOnUs to Stop Sexual Assault

Rape on college campuses is increasing at alarming rates. According to report by the Department of Justice, entitled “The Sexual Victimization of College Women,” a college with 10,000 students could experience as many as 350 rapes per year. That is an alarming number, especially when 75% of women who report rapes are under 25 years old.

I recently heard a story about 23 women who attend Columbia University. They had each filed a federal complaint, alleging that the university did not do enough to protect them after being raped by a fellow student. Columbia encourages women to file complaints of “non-consensual sex” through the school instead of contacting the police, but Columbia University is not handling these situations properly.

Emma Sulkowicz, one of the women who filed the federal suit, was the first to file a complaint against her rapist.  Since then, two more women reported the same student, yet he is still attending class. Emma is bringing attention to this injustice in a unique way; she is carrying a mattress, like the one that she was raped on, to all of her classes, until the school expels her rapist.

Once Emma filed her complaint to the school, it took seven months for a hearing. The panelists in the hearing were not trained on how to speak with victims and survivors, and their questions usually were reportedly crude. One panelist insisted on repeatedly asking how it was possible for anal rape to happen, causing Emma to give graphic detail of her assault.  After the hearing and an appeal, the male student was found not guilty and continues to stay on campus.

When Emma first started the protest, she thought she would be doing this alone; she was surprised when so many people responded to her issue by carrying mattresses of their own alongside her. This group of mattress-toting women started the “No Red Tape” movement, which calls on Columbia University to change their policy and procedures while responding to a report of rape.

This is just one story, but I’m sure if you walk onto other large universities across the country you will find a pattern of sexual assaults. How can this be prevented? With more education, more availability of information, better college staff trained specifically to help victims of sexual assault? Even if all of this was to happen, can a potential rapist be deterred?

I think we can make a difference, especially on college campuses, through the power of information. During freshmen orientation, administration can require workshops about sexual assault and prevention.  Schools could adopt zero-tolerance policies, so students understand the consequences of their actions: they will be expelled if they are involved in the sexual assault and/or rape of another student.

Do you think assault complaints should be handled through the college or through local authorities? How do you think we can change the story?

[doginakimono]

Scotland's Independence

There is much talk and controversy over the vote about to take place in Scotland; a vote that would give the country its' independence and formally break the land from the United Kingdom. There are a lot of questions surrounding this vote, much of them due to uncertainty. Questions like what will the currency be and how much of the national debt should they take are hot in the air.  There is good reason for concern, because for the last three centuries the nations of the United Kingdom have been intertwined. Undoing the unity and working through the kinks in the state of a divide will be no easy task.

It is estimated that if there is a yes vote, it will take roughly 18 months to fully create a new country.  A wise man once said, "...breaking up is hard to do, and this has been one hell of a relationship."

But, above all of the concerns and controversy, perhaps the greatest thing to come from this is the hope for other nations and provinces to become their own countries, either again or for the first time. Even in a "no" vote, the precedent has now been set, and the journey can begin.

Earlier in this process, a poll suggested that 1 in 5 people were still unsure how they would vote, but today as we near the closing of polls, only 4% of registered voters are still undecided. While the "yes" campaign has had much support, including the backing of present First Minister Alex Salmond, the future of Scotland is still very uncertain.

Those who oppose Scotland breaking away and gaining its independence are worried that a nation with very little fiscal identity will find itself in trouble, and that is not worth independence. I disagree; What could be greater than a people rising up to ensure a better and brighter future for all those that follow? It's hope, and it's a wonderful thing.

Tonight the polls close at 10 PM (5:00 EDT).  Many pubs are staying open overnight, and people are planning to gather in iconic locations in hopes that tomorrow brings a new dawn, and the work can begin to separate Scotland from England; there is hope that an independence can be celebrated. A separatist movement is a nerve-wrecking idea, but a beautiful one indeed, and Scotland could give the necessary platform for small nations in the United Kingdom and around the world to rise up and let their voices be heard and allow them to begin their own existences. The world is changing before our eyes, and it's kind of amazing.

A move away from societies formed during imperial periods, where countries lost their voice by being overpowered by larger nations, could give a new face to many cultures and people, not to mention how we view the world. It could also potentially raise questions from citizens in our own nation.

If the voice of Scotland is heard, what is to stop those whose land was taken when America was formed from standing up and demanding a redrawing of this country's lines? This is not something to be taken lightly, and if Scotland votes yes tonight, the change will most certainly be heard around the world. It will force us to take a stand on new ideas and identities. This will be at the forefront of national summits, serving as fodder for change for underrepresented citizens of the world. A new world could be before us, and we want to know, what do you think of the potential of a global separatist movement? 

A follow-up piece to this will be posted after the election. Look for it later this week, but most importantly, continue to be the change and support those who have found their voice again.

[doginakimono]

A Culture of Violence and the NFL

Athletes from the professional leagues are revered as celebrities across the country and role-models to countless children. NFL players have consistently been making headlines because of violence, and most of them still have their jobs as professional football players. Should the NFL take a stricter stance on violence from their players? Should they be held to a higher moral standing?

NFL players Greg Hardy, Ray Rice, and Adrian Peterson have all been in the headlines in recent months for violent behavior. Ray Rice was fired from the Ravens and suspended from NFL indefinitely after the full video of him assaulting his then-fiance, Janay Palmer, in the elevator of the Revel Casino Hotel was released on September 8th. By the following Monday evening, Rice's contract was terminated from the Ravens and he was suspended from the NFL indefinitely.

In May, Greg Hardy, defensive end for the Carolina Panthers, was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend. The warrant for his arrest accused him of, “...grabbing the victim and throwing her to the floor, throwing her into a bathtub, slamming her against a futon, and strangling her.” The victim also stated that, “...Hardy choked me with both hands around my throat while I was lying on the floor.” Hardy was found guilty in July of assaulting and threatening his ex-girlfriend, but it was still announced on September 11th that he was slated to play in the Panthers' opening home game against the Detroit Lions. In a last minute switch, Hardy was put on the team's inactive list and management is staying quiet about his position and future with the team.

Ray McDonald, of the San Francisco 49ers, will still be playing this weekend after he was arrested on August 31st for felony domestic violence. The CEO of the 49ers said he will allow McDonald to continue playing until “...an entire legal police investigation shows us something.” Meanwhile, 49ers broadcaster Ted Robinson was given a two game suspension after making insensitive comments about Janay Palmer and her decision to still marry Ray Rice. While Robinson should have been suspended for publicly attacking a victim, how are they allowing McDonald, someone charged with domestic violence, to continue to play? Does McDonald’s value to the team outweigh his domestic violence charges?

If domestic violence charges aren't disgusting enough, Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings was indicted this week by a grand jury and turned himself in on September 14th for reckless and negligent injury to a child. It is alleged that he used a switch to "punish" his four year old son, resulting in cuts and bruises all over his arms, hands, legs and buttocks. After the child returned home to his mother, she saw the injuries and brought him to a doctor, who then reported the abuse to Texas authorities. Text messages sent to the child’s mother after the abuse happened stated, “...Never do I go overboard! But all my kids will know, my daddy has the biggest heart but don’t play no games when it comes to acting right.” The Vikings released a statement Friday after Peterson’s indictment, saying they were deactivating him, which only lasted for September 14th’s game. By Monday morning, the Vikings’ owners released a statement saying that Peterson will be back on the field on the 21st and will be participating in the week’s teaming meetings and practices. What caused the quick change in attitude? Perhaps it was their 30-7 loss against the Patriots. Apparently, winning a football game is more important than sending a clear message that violence is unacceptable.

Should these men be banned for life? Absolutely! When you take a position in the NFL, you sign up a position in the public eye, and you should be held to a higher standard. The NFL needs to take stronger stances on issues of domestic violence and child abuse, with zero tolerance policies that are followed through on, regardless of the scoreboard.

As pointed out by ESPN’s Hannah Storm, 45 % of the NFL fan base are women and to see these men get a slap on the wrist is intolerable. Watch Storm's video below and hear the emotion when discussed having to talk to her daughters about the violence these men are charged with and the culture of violence the NFL continues to perpetuate. This isn’t a new issue, but I think when faced with the graphic images of the Ray Rice video, it’s hard to ignore. Seeing that woman hit the floor and her unconscious body being dragged was unbearable. It is time that football fans send a clear message that this is unacceptable behavior and we will not support those teams which continue the employment of violent men.

In response to the backlash and anger due to the NFL’s disregard for violence against women and child abuse, Commissioner Roger Goodell is including four high-profile women while shaping the league’s new domestic violence and sexual assault policies.

“Anna Isaacson, the league's Vice President of Community Affairs and Philanthropy, will be promoted to Vice President of Social Responsibility. Pelissero reported that Lisa Friel, the former Head of the Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit in the New York County District Attorney's Office, NO MORE co-founder Jane Randel and Rita Smith, the former Executive Director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, will be retained as Senior Advisers.”

While this move was clearly a public relations response to the events of the past week (which isn't to say that these policies are long overdue), it’s about time we see the NFL take some real action. So many women are fans of football and it is important to send a clear message that they matter. Let's see how long it takes for this policy to be written and put in place. I would also like to see if the league takes action against the men that were already charged, like Ray McDonald.

[doginakimono]

Is it Wrong to Make Money from the Suffering of Others?

What do you think? If we say yes, then we need to drastically change many of our policies, economic practices, and consumer behaviors. If we say no, then we have a lot of soul-searching to do in terms of our ethical guidelines and standards of morale. 

Is there a way to say yes, and still continue living the life that we lead? No, but the good news is that we can try. I would venture to say that in this modern-age, living in an industrialized, first-world country (the United States), most everything that we purchase and consume is on the backs of others. And, unfortunately, the story tends to go that the less we pay for something, the more injustice there is connected to a product. But, without venturing too far down that path, because let's be honest, it's a very long and winding path, let's look at two specific cases.

Case #1: Selling Rape Whistles

Rape has been and continues to be a disgusting violation of a person's body, both men and women. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network), a U.S. American is sexually assaulted every 2 minutes, and 97% of rapists will never see one single day in jail. One in six women have been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime, and one in 33 men have. With statistics like these, it's hard to imagine rape would cease anytime soon, and it is certainly hard to believe that victim-blaming still occurs. 

So, crass as it may sound, there is a market for self-defense. The Self Defense Superstore, for example, builds its entire profit base on selling merchandise so individuals can defend themselves. But, ethically, is it "okay" to make a profit from the suffering of others? Basic supply and demand tells us that in order for the Self Defense Superstore to stay in business, it's in the best interest of their bank account for rape and the need for self defense to continue to thrive. Without rape, there is no need for the rape whistle. So, that being said, should companies donate rape whistle? Or, perhaps be more involved in advocacy? How about working on the criminalization of rapists?

So long as rape exists, and people who seek to harm others, I completely understand the need for self defense classes, products, and knowledge. But, how do we continue to burden the targets and victims of these heinous crimes through further sending the message that it is not enough to be human, but you must also be equipped to defend your humanity against those who seek to violate you?

It's a muddled world that we live in.

Case #2: Urban Outfitters Sold a "Vintage" Kent State Sweatshirt

Could Urban Outfitters be a more awful company? Urban Outfitters has made a name for itself by selling the most grossly unethical shirts with harmful messages on them. What's worse is that people actually buy them and continue to shop here. Here are a few examples of merchandise they've sold that is particularly awful:

A v-neck tee with "Eat Less" across the front

A tee with "Kiss Me, I'm Drunk. Or Irish, Whatever"

A Jewish Star Tee, resembling the patches Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust

A shot glass resembling a prescription medicine bottle 

A Monopoly-type board game, "Ghetto-poly" targeting the Black community

Shirts coming in a charcoal black color, referred to as "Obama Black"

Most recently, Urban Outfitters has struck again with their "Vintage" Kent State sweatshirt, fully equipped with blood spatter. Perhaps it is their way of paying homage to the 1970 shooting that left four murdered, but it is particularly distasteful. 

This again begs the question, is it wrong to make money from the suffering of others? What do you think?

[doginakimono]

Should Marijuana Be Legalized?

Marijuana is the discussion of many political debates. Currently, 23 states allow medical or recreational marijuana use, even though it is still illegal federally.  Despite the increasing number of states that allow medical or recreational use, many people are discovering that employers are not easing their drug-free work policies, no matter the reason for the marijuana use. 

The New York Times recently ran a story about Brandon Coats, 35, who was laid off from his job with Dish Network in 2010. He was in a car accident when he was 16, leaving him paralyzed and in a wheelchair. He failed a drug test due to his use of medical marijuana to alleviate “painful spasms that jolted his body.” He mainly smoked in the evening before bed. There were never any incidences that marijuana affected his work performance, no complaints, but he was fired from his job because he violated the company's drug policy, even after explaining that it was for medical purposes.   

Brandon’s case is heading to the Colorado Supreme Court after losing his appeal in a 2-1 vote. If he is able to win the case, he can help countless people using medical marijuana save their jobs. Dish’s argument to maintain their drug policy is that it can’t really be considered legal because it still breaks federal law. 

I think it is time that federal government catches up with the states and legalize marijuana. If it is legalized federally, it can be regulated and taxed, helping with the nations debt, as well as lessening the burden on the justice systems. Low-level marijuana arrests are becoming such a burden on the system that Brooklyn district attorney, Ken Thompson, is developing a plan to stop prosecution of these crimes because it is draining resources in time and effort, especially since two-thirds of the cases are dismissed. After Thompson released this statement, Mayor de Blasio, Mayor of New York, agrees with the policy change, stating that it could help improve the relationship between community and police, as well as allow the attention to be focused on serious crimes. 

We have all heard the comparisons between alcohol and pot before, but let me reiterate them quickly. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 37,000 annual U.S. deaths are a direct effect of alcohol use, which does not include accidental deaths. Meanwhile, the CDC does not have a category for deaths caused by the use of marijuana. Alcohol is more addictive, has a higher link to cancer, and causes more damage to the brain. 

Marijuana has a negative stigma, but it can really solve a lot of issues that the U.S. is facing. It can help decrease the budget, help with the overpopulation in jails, and ease the backup in our courts. 

What do you think? Do you use marijuana now? If not, would you if it was legal? 

[doginakimono]

Mailbox Stickers Bring Communities Together

Who would've thought that the simplest, most childish craft could empower individuals to unite in community and make a real difference? The sticker has been reclaimed by adults, and not just of the bumper variety. 

An organization in Switzerland, Pumpipumpe, created a series of stickers to be placed on mailboxes, displaying which items a particular mailbox-owner has and is willing to lend out to those in need.  With a new era completely inundated in technology, the days of knocking on your neighbor's door for sugar cubes or a cup of milk have long gone. Now, we pick up the phone, send a text, hop on Facebook, or ask a friend of a friend to lend a hand. Pumpipumpe has created a pathway for communities to come out of their homes and actually- now, hold your breathe- come face-to-face with each other and act neighborly.  

From sewing machines to crock pots, bicycles to games, and internet access to camping tents, the little blue stickers, shaped into pretty little squares, are easy reminders that there are neighbors who are willing to lend a hand. 

Check out their website: http://www.pumpipumpe.ch/sticker-bestellen/

Stickers are free to those in Switzerland and Germany. Although they are not currently shipping to the U.S., this project seems easy enough to gather a group of friends and recreate, don't you think?

[doginakimono]

My Vinyl & Me

Whether it be the LP, the EP, 78's, vinyl, records, 33 & 1/3's or whatever else you may call it, few things feel better than hearing music pour out from a turntable. I remember buying my first record player from the Milton Flea Market in southeastern West Virginia as a 7th grader. I had no idea what it was, but the man said it was $5 and I just so happened to have $5. So, I bought it. He even threw in a Charlie Rich album (Behind Closed Doors, if I remember correctly). Man, I cranked that old water-damaged record day in and day out.

I only had the one Charlie Rich record. Thinking back, knowing what I know now about record players, I'm surprised the table even had a belt or a decent needle to play my one beloved album. I loved that hi-fi; I was hooked.

I began collecting; I bought anything and everything just to have a collection. Saturday Night Fever OST, Elmore James, Gospel, I didn't care. I once had a collection of Gwen Stefani radio edit singles for no damn reason except to have a growing collection. That hobby got me through a lot of things. I hid in the grooves with the lyrics sometimes, but it was a foundation that lasted. I have been through several old tables now, and have seen my collection shrink and become more concise as my taste honed, but still to this day nothing beats the sound in the crackle and story of each line in that melted and carved piece of wax.

When I first started collecting, it was not popular for modern artists to release on vinyl, and very few did. Everything I bought was used from garage sales, estate sales, eBay, and flea markets. It was a thrill to hunt for awesome albums, like finding Led Zeppelin II buried under a pile of at least 300 Al Hirt, Herb Albert, and other random quartet singer's records. There was a pride in spending eight hours on a Saturday to come up with a two album find. I loved it. I had a pleather fedora that I would wear, and all the vendors knew my name and held on to special finds for me. I would bring them home and clean them and take care of them, and once in a blue moon, I would hang the still-intact poster folded inside with its wonderful 30 year-old creases.

Finally, came the listening. I was moved and haunted by music then. It was the first time music wasn't just about entertainment; it meant something to me. I first started reviewing albums as my collection grew. I wrote (I'm sure self-involved) reviews to nobody. I typed them on my Smith Corona Galaxie 12, that I also found at a flea market. I would tape the reviews to my walls where no one ever came to read them. I was in love with this new found passion, and I was convinced I was going to make money as a musicologist and forever listen to records. One of those things happened: I never stopped listening.

It is harder now, because many people have taken on this revival, but I would implore you to go find a record player. Second, third, or fourth hand if possible, and just listen. If you never buy more than 5 records, who cares? I highly recommend taking part in a wonderful hobby that will nearly force you to just relax and have a drink, or dance like a crazy person, or open the door to romance. If all or none of these happen, I am sure it will make you feel good in some way.

The top three records that changed my life?

Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run

Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited

The Velvet Underground, The Velvet Underground (Self-titled)

[doginakimono]

Midterm Election 2014: Is Voting an Obligation?

To vote or not to vote? That is the question. 

With the 2014 Midterm Elections upon us, voter registration and civic education is in the air. As of July 2014, approximately 2 million Americans are eligible to vote, 1.5 million are registered, and 1.4 million voted in the 2012 Presidential election. These numbers are huge, so it might seem like the disparity is small, but do not be deceived. That's 600,000 votes that were not cast in the previous election, and potentially 500,000 that won't be cast for our upcoming midterm elections.

For fun, let's break down those statistics a bit more. Of the 1.5 million voters (that's only 64% of of eligible voters) in the 2012 Presidential election,

72% of females who could vote, did

73% of White people who could vote, did

59% of youth aged 18-24 who could vote, did

78% of seniors aged 65-74 who could vote, did

50% of individuals without a H.S. diploma who could vote, did

86% of individuals with an advanced degree who could vote, did

64% of individuals who make less than $20,000 who could vote, did

82% of individuals who make $75,000-$99,999 who could vote, did

(Source: U.S. Census Bureau: Voting & Registration)

These statistics are striking because they begin to paint a picture of a story untold. It begs us to ask, why aren't each of those numbers at 100%? Should we even strive to have them at 100% (note: title of the article)? What are the causes of these disparities? And, ultimately, and perhaps most importantly, who's voices are being heard in our elections, who's are being left out, and is our process truly democratic if not all are participating?

Pause. Before we allow ourselves to become filled with thoughts of democracy, voice, civic engagement, and the arguable power of voting, let's take a step back and ask: is voting an obligation? Sure, our forefathers and foremothers fought for the rights we have today, but is it necessary, as a citizen, to vote? Or, is it a right I can choose whether or not to take advantage of?

Say, for example, I do not support any of the candidates up for election. Say, for example, the options presented for passing a current tax or amending a bill do not perfectly suit what I believe. What, then? Do I vote anyway, just to say I did? Do I take a stand and intentionally not vote, just to make a point? Do I even care?  How about, do I really want everyone to vote? I mean, come on, what about those people who don't know anything about the issues? Who can't even pronounce the names of the candidates? Those who I disdain, are of poor character, who I wouldn't trust to make my dinner, nonetheless have a say in how my country is run?  

Some say no, don't you dare vote if you are dissatisfied with what or who you are voting for. And no, it is not important, particularly compared to political advocacy year 'round. And yes, it is better for the uneducated voter to stay home instead of cast their ballot. Voting is not required by law; it is something that, as citizens, we can choose to do. 

And then some say yes, you must vote, regardless of how educated you are, and we must create pathways for all people to vote, regardless of identity or status. Voting is the most powerful tool you have to use your voice, engage in your citizenship, and make a difference in our government, local, state, and federal alike. Not voting is akin to slapping our freedoms in the face and taking them for granted; we are Americans, we have democracy, we have the electoral process, and our government cares about what we think. We must vote.

Personally, I will always encourage people to vote and I will continue to vote when the time rolls around. But, I understand. It's hard to feel like our vote matters when politicians spend billions on their campaigns, when some votes seem to matter more than others, and when some voices seem to speak louder than others. It's very difficult to engage in the work it takes to see the changes I'd like to see, especially as a full-time working parent who's life is not dedicated to political advocacy. It's why I vote for representatives to do the work I can't, but when those candidates fail, it comes back to us.

Perhaps this is where we went wrong in the first place. Perhaps, giving power to politicians was in turn taking power away from ourselves, or, making us think our power is not enough to make a difference. 

What do you think? Is voting an obligation? Is our current system set up to meet the outcomes we hope for? Share your thoughts! 

[doginakimono]

The Myth Of Bourbon and A New Hip Following

Far and beyond anything else, bourbon is my absolute favorite beverage, and I don't just mean of the adult variety. Before I turned 21, Coca-Cola always reigned supreme, but as time allowed, the soft drink was dethroned. Bourbon has humble beginnings and plenty of misconceptions surrounding it, but the allure of that beautiful caramel-colored beverage is unmatched by anything else. Hell, in recent conversation I posed a question that if you could only eat or drink three things the rest of your life, what would those items be? For me, it's easy: Bread, Cheese, and Bourbon. I know of nothing else that I could possibly need.

Enough with this already, let's get into the beauty of this great drink. There are at least three things we know must be true for this delicious product to be considered bourbon.

Bourbon must be made with at least 51% corn.

Bourbon must be aged in a new White Oak barrel, which can only be used once.

Bourbon must not have the color tampered. It must remain the color it takes on while being aged.

There are other things that make bourbon, bourbon, but these three are ultimate defining factors. There are many myths surrounding bourbon, and the deeper into Kentucky you get, the truer these stories become. Bourbon is said to have originated with a baptist preacher, Elijah Craig, and gained its namesake through being distilled in Bourbon County, KY, even though Craig never distilled in Bourbon County.

This is the story we have heard time and time again, and perhaps it was Pastor Elijah of Georgetown, KY, but the above claim to bourbon is based on a writing from 1874, where Craig's name is not even mentioned. Just reference to a preacher from a town. Could it be true? Absolutely. Do I claim this truth? Being brought up as an independent, fundamental Baptist who was made to feel guilty over the idea of drinking, ever, I sure as hell hope it's true. Because then there is some redemption in my story. Praise the Lord, Hallelujah, Bourbon is cleansing my soul.  But, alas, no one truly knows where Bourbon claimed its name; most believe it to be because of its trade in a port in Bourbon County, others try to place a greater French connection to its story, but all in all does it matter? No, because still no matter the mystery, we are graced with its presence.

We could go on for days about the stories and tall tales related to this drink, and believe me there are plenty of them. This summer my wife and I began the Bourbon Trail, and we heard no shortage of the many myths. All of this is fascinating, but what intrigues me the most is the hipster following that bourbon has today. 

I believe this generation is drawn to bourbon because of a longing for a simpler time. Yes, we are inundated with technology and convenience. It is extremely easy for me to get anything I want, and to make you read my online magazine, because everything is in front of us. Most of the time we love this, and it is in a way helping us simplify our lives. Suddenly, sustainability is a issue on our minds; we care about where food comes from, we encourage small business, and best of all, bluegrass and folk music are at the forefront of a generation again. So, with these farm ideals and with rural music traditions, it only makes sense that the drink of this lifestyle would be brought into the mainstream (a hipster's favorite word).

Whatever the reason, I don't care, truly. I love the food, the care, the music, and the bourbon. So, it works out perfectly in my favor. One last thing to leave you with, would have to be my suggestions on picking a bourbon. Bourbon, like beer, is becoming an overwhelming and flooded market. So many people are taking up the craft and doing a wonderful job.

My three personal favorite bourbons are:

1) Buffalo Trace

2) Four Roses

3) Woodford Reserve

They are all delicious and I would highly recommend any of them.

However, let me say this before you dive into internet to research ratings and the best bourbons: do yourself a favor and try many of them. Find out what you like, because for a highly regulated process, there are so many variations. Drink what you find delicious and don't worry about what the experts say. There are bourbons for all drinkers: those who like cocktails, those who prefer to sip, and those who choose not to remember last night. Whoever you are, bourbon welcomes you.

[doginakimono]

Baby Face Probz

I hate being told or hearing I look so young. It is not a compliment when you are 26. This past week, I participated in New Student Orientation and Move-In for incoming and returning students on a college campus. My first interactions with parents and students usually started out a bit awkward. 

Parent:  “Sorry I thought you were an RA.”

Me: “I am the AD, how can I help you?”

Parent: “Oh, my you are so young.”  “So, are you a graduate student?”

Me: “I get that a lot; I am actually a staff member at the college.”

This interaction is one I have quite often.  It can be a bit difficult as a young female professional to gain the respect of peers, and other colleagues. Being told how to look and appear in order to be more professional may have started as mere suggestions, but now have me very upset. I began to question, does my appearance and age really matter in how I progress in my career?

I flat ironed my natural hair, wore my name tag for the first three months at my last professional job, bought blazers for each day of the week, and attempted to decrease my love of wearing bright colors. It seemed to work! I was not mistaken for a teenager or first-year college student anymore.

I have attempted to be creative in my makeup choices. Making sure I never left the apartment without black liner and mascara galore. I even attempted to add blush to my makeup routine, but it left me looking like a clown and had me feeling a bit silly. So, I turned to my mentors for guidance, advice, and support regarding my young face.

Through my mentors, I learned that you can’t help but look young. Your age and one’s youthful look should not stop you from pursuing your goals. It’s all about how you present yourself. I realized that confidence, a bit of charisma, and doing your job well will set you apart from your colleagues and peers.

Being a professional is not about the clothes you wear or how you look; it’s all about the presentation. You may have a baby face too, and that’s ok. Instead of changing yourself, think about what you have to offer your company or role. As a younger worker, it is important to know your skill-set, and show your enthusiasm.

[doginakimono]

Should the U.S. Pass Stricter Gun Laws?

Once again, a gun has played a role in another tragic death, when earlier this week a nine-year-old girl shot her shooting instructor in the face with a Uzi. The nine-year-old was at a gun range in Arizona taking shooting lessons from Charles Vacca when the gun was switched to automatic and the force of the recoil sent the gun flying back in the girl’s hands, causing a bullet to enter Vacca’s head.

My first question is, why is a nine-year-old learning how to shoot an automatic weapon? This question needs to be asked of the parents that permitted her to do so, and of Arizona. According to the manager of the Last Stop shooting range, where the tragedy occurred, “...the criteria is eight-years-old…We instruct kids as young as five in .22 rifles.” There are so many issues with this statement. Do we really believe that driving a car is more dangerous than guns? Smoking, drinking, the lottery, and pornography all have age restrictions of at least 18-years-old, but we are willing to put guns in the hands of five-year-olds.

The argument always comes back to the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights that was written 223 years ago.

“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

The United States Army was formed sixteen years earlier, but there were still civilian militias that fought to protect their freedoms. The people that wrote this document were living a completely different reality from the one that we are living today.

Personally, I do not interpret this to mean that American citizens have the right to carry concealed weapons or to keep weapons in private homes. I take this to mean we have the right to maintain a national defense to protect our rights and our country, not tote around any kind of gun we please.  

In my perfect world, all guns would be banned, but I’m realistic; that will never happen. What does need to happen, though, is much stricter gun regulations, including mandatory waiting periods and extensive background checks. There are countries that have a long history of strict gun policy and the low homicide rates in each prove that it works. In the U.K., you need to possess a Shotgun or Firearm Certificate in order to own a gun and the only guns that can be legally owned are, “...shotguns, black powder weapons, manually-loaded cartridge pistols and manually-loaded center-fire rifles."

In the U.K., to gain a Firearm Certificate, applicants must be over age 14, which I feel is still too young. If you are too young to make the decision to smoke a cigarette, I think you are too young to hold a gun. You need to file the application, provide passport photographs, have references, and pay a fee to file. You also need to meet with the local Chief of Police and prove that you are not a threat to society and that there is a real need for you to own a gun. This must be renewed every five years. If you are convicted of any crime, you are not able to handle a gun for five years and if you spend more than three years in prison, you are banned for life. Thanks to these strict guidelines, the U.K. had .07 gun homicides for every 100,000 people in 2011, while the U.S. had 3 gun homicides for every 100,000 people.

I think the U.K.’s gun laws are a realistic expectation for what the United States could pass as law, even though I would prefer Japan’s law. In Japan, civilians are not able to possess handguns, automatic assault weapons, semi-automatics, military rifles or machine guns. If you touch a gun without being licensed, you can face up to ten years in prison. Keep in mind that the highest amount of gun homicides in the past several years was in 2007 with 22 deaths for entire country of 122,800,000 people.

Also, when applying for a gun permit in Japan, you need to take an all-day class, pass a written and practical exam, then go to the hospital for a mental health exam and drug screening. The police then do extensive background checks, including relatives and group affiliations. If approved, gun owners are required to store them in a gun locker, keep ammunition in a separate safe, and provide the police a map of the location of the lockers. Guns are submitted to annual inspections and owners are required to retake the shooting range class and written exam every three years.

Other countries are able to uphold these strict policies and they are working, so why can’t the United States actually unite behind the idea of saving lives, protecting children, and cleaning up the streets? Every issue does not need to divide the country in two. I am just baffled by the strong attachment to guns many people of this country have.

Shouldn’t public safety trump a right you think was given to you 200 plus years ago? Just think about how many crimes of passion could have been prevented with a two-month waiting period How many mass killings could have been avoided with mandatory mental health screenings?

[doginakimono]

One Church's Display of Radical Hospitality

Rev. Alison Harrington, pastor of Southside Presbyterian Church in Tuscon, AZ, and her congregation have recently become known for challenging deportation policy by providing sanctuary for undocumented immigrants.

Since this past May, the church has housed two undocumented immigrants who were in the midst of the deportation process by the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. One, a married woman with two children who owns a house, pays taxes, and has no criminal history, and the other, a working man who has been in the U.S. for 14 years, who was pulled over for having a smoky exhaust pipe. These two individuals are considered by the ICE to be low-priority threats, yet they were detained and scheduled for deportation.

Rev. Alison Harrington, with her congregation supporting her, provides sanctuary with the hope of delaying or rescinding the deportation orders. So far, their tactics have worked. The first individual who took sanctuary in their church was granted a one-year stay of his deportation order. 

The church works with local immigration lawyers and advocacy groups, all on behalf of their faith. Rev. Alison Harrington said:

“We seek to follow Christ who commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves and also to offer radical hospitality to those in need...the scriptures tell us to care for the widow and the orphan, and our immigration system creates widows and orphans every day … So we are standing by undocumented families and not allowing them to be torn apart.”

Southside Presbyterian Church is just one of many churches that have followed suit along the U.S.-Mexico border. Known as the Sanctuary Movement, over 500 congregations across the U.S. have provided sanctuary to Central American refugees seeking conflict since the 1980s.

Many leaders of this movement have been seen as in defiance of the law, and have been arrested for their involvement. But, as Rev. Alison Harrington shared, she feels called by her faith to offer radical hospitality and to stand on the side of those who are afflicted.