One World, One Dream – the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony in Beijing

Did you see it; the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony from Beijing? It was breathtaking. The Chinese have superseded all other modern Opening Ceremonies with the elaborate and interpretive nature of the presentation.

Of course, as a lesson in One World, One Dream I was sure to gather my children (and partner too) around the TV to witness the amazing demonstration of talent. This was a teaching moment for our children that people from all races can gather and celebrate a single cause.

Artistically and culturally the Opening Ceremony was a smashing success. As I write this, it is difficult to find the right mix of superlatives that could capture the overwhelming success and imprint that the 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony had on me.

The Olympics have had a historical record of playing a cursory role in world's harmony quest. I cried a tear during the torch lighting segment when the crowd's ecstatic cheer hit a crescendo as the Torch Runner levitated by cable and headed towards the top of the Bird's Nest wall. The Torch Runner artistically galloped in slow motion around the stadium's highest wall towards the Olympic torch. The event attendees were a blaze in joy at the sheer beauty of the sight and something else, the brotherhood of mankind. The games are about achievement excellence and winning but here at this moment is a stadium filled with people from every continent and participating without the filters of their government. And here I shed a tear while watching the Torch Runner and listening to the cheers as I thought, "…we have a chance, all is not hopeless."

Here we are with a diverse crowd of people – cheering for One Dream from One World. Maybe we can make it as a race of humans.

http://www.nbcdvd.com/index2.html

The Doll Experiment - "A Girl Like Me"

"Black is Beautiful" Or is it? Not according to our 4 yo children.

I found this video a short while back and was blown away by the very simple message that society is transmitting to our black(and presumably white) children. That black is not beautiful/good and that white skin is best. The most frightening aspect is that our children are receptive to this message at a such a young age. The children in the experiment appear to be 3 to 4yo.

Please view this video and share it with someone you love and leave your comments below. (The actual Doll Experiment occurs about halfway, at 3:22 for those who would like to skip to it)

View the Video on Youtube below:


Also NPR ran a story on the updated Doll Experiment:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6181729

Welcome - The First Blog Entry

Welcome.

The Information Age while empowering has provided challenges to the contemporary family. Some see the free exchange of information as a dilution of our culture which forces us to redefine aspect of ourselves. I am often amazed at the extent that blatant racism, anti-culturalism, bigotry and proudly displayed ignorance of other people is often looked at as the social norm. While enlighten, free-thinking and questioning individuals are often seen as the oddities of society. I live in the United States of America and I love my country. While I find myself as a deeply patriotic individual I also believe that the answers to many of the world’s problems could be solved if information were to be exchanged freely. I believe this concept of sharing and learning applies evenly across my great nation as it does for the world’s States. This open door is an opportunity to help shape our children’s concepts of their inherited world and strengthen the communities where we live. Our children and our society must be ready to meet these challenges. It is a privilege to raise my children with a broad awareness and appreciation of the human race. Age appropriateness will be my guidance of selecting experiences to develop my children’s own vision of the world and educate it means to hold dear the rights and responsibilities of World Citizenship.

Join me as I share my real life project while providing updates and techniques to further my/your children’s experience of other cultures, ethnic backgrounds, environmentalism, religion and communities that have been marginalized in the United States. Together we can raise future leaders which share our shared compassion and dedication to the human race.