In Search of the Human Spirit

One of the biggest problems after Hurricane Katrina has been deciding what to do with those who have been evacuated. Shelters are full and people are being flown from state to state.

When Patricia Edwards of Pennsylvania found out that many of her family members were caught up in the hurricane, she was concerned for their welfare. Those families members got out safely. But, when their money ran low, they didn’t know where to turn. They called on Edwards and she knew what she had to do. She invited them into her home. They began arriving just a few hours after dawn…all 39 of them!

Her house is packed to the gills. She’s got 20 adults and 19 children–from babies to senior citizens. The quarters are tight, but no one is complaining. If it wasn’t for Edwards’ generosity they’d be sleeping a shelter or in their cars.

Her relatives have nothing left. They own the clothing they were wearing and little more. Neighbors and Co-workers are pitching in by donating useful items such as diapers, clothing, things for the babies, blankets, and more.

Their are six family member unaccounted for. Hopefully, they are okay. If they show up on Edwards’ doorstep, she’ll make room somehow.

[Photograph courtesy of Dirk Taccke, www.sxc.hu]

Jeriel Bey founded Architeckz in 2002. It’s a Hip Hop Freestylin’ group with participants aged 8 to 22. Most come from bad neighborhoods and teeter on the edge of trouble. Architeckz keeps them on the right track.

Architeckz roots come from Oakland, California where people come together just to show off their hip hop style. Architeckz isn’t just a dance crew. They consider themselves an athletic team. And, they want to bring their sport to the world.

Bey organized a competition at a local college last May between Architeckz and another street dance crew from Los Angeles, the Remanece. Bey hopes this is the first of many competitions. He has feelers out for competitions throughout the US.

Bey has been involved with the issues of obesity, health, and attitude among youth in inner cities. He sees freestylin’ as more than dance. He sees it as a way to teach kids health and fitness. Street dancing appeals to many kids because the emphasis is on personal expression and style, rather than performing a certain move in a certain way. So, why not get schools and other organization involved in promoting freestylin’ as a form of athletics since kids already enjoy it? With the help of the local YMCA, Bey has programs going at Brett Harte Middle School and Rudsdale Academy in California. Bey hopes to channel the positive energy of Hip Hop into something that will transform lives.

[Photograph courtesy of Alexander Popelier, www.sxc.hu]

It’s a little known part of American history that Japanese Americans fought for the US in World War II. Their stories were practically erased with the images of internment camps and deportations. Those who fought for the US were forgotten.

Ben Kuroki was born in Hershey, Nebraska. His parents were Japanese. He went about his daily business until World War II interrupted their quiet farm life. Kuroki tried to volunteer for military service but was rejected. He was persistent and eventually was given permission to join the Army Air Corp by Secretary of War, Harry Stimson. He was considered the first Nisei war hero and may have been the only Japanese American to have flown over Japan during the war. He earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

After the war, Kuroki studied journalism. He became the first Japanese American editor of a general circulation newspaper in Nebraska. He also did lectures and a movie was made of his life entitled “the Boy from Nebraska”.

Kuroki, now 88, is having honors bestowed upon him. H recently received the Distinguished Service Medal that is given out by the U.S. Army. The state of Nebraska held a banquet in his honor. He also was given an honorary doctorate at the University of Nebraska.

On August 21, 2005, an orchestra of Jewish and Arab musicians played Ramallah in the West Bank. The concert was was to honor and celebrate the life of one of the founders, Edward Said, who died in 2003.

The orchestra was the dream child of Conductor, Daniel Barenboim and writer/professor, Edward Said. Barenboim was born in Argentina to Jewish-Russian parents, while Said was born in Palestine. They had a chance meeting in the early 1990s, formed a friendship, and came up with the plan to use music as a way to teach understanding.

The orchestra took two years to put together. It includes approximately 100 musicians from Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Lebanon. They range from 14 to 25 years old. The musicians were trained classically and had some famous teachers such as Yo Yo Ma.

Creating beautiful music isn’t the only goal. Barenboim and Said hoped to spark understanding and open dialog between the musicians. They then hoped the orchestra and the Barenboim-Said Foundation would promote understanding throughout the world especially among young Arabs and Israelis.

The concert was well received. The audience, made up of Israelis and Palestinians, cheered wildly and clearly enjoyed the performance. As coincidence would have it, the performance coincided with the removal of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. There was some worry about security problems, but the concert went on without a hitch.

[Photograph courtesy of Karl-Erich Bennion, www.sxc.hu]

By now we’ve all seen thousands of tragic images after Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast. From New Orleans to Biloxi, there’s nothing but devastation and stranded survivors. Chaos reigns supreme and despair can be found on every face.

At the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, one woman is keeping hope alive. Her name is Anita Roach and she spent Saturday singing. She sang to give herself and others strength even as death hung in the air. Her voice rang out for all to hear. And, then something happened. Others joined in. Friends, family, and strangers sang gospel together. As they sang, their spirits lifted. One bystander credited the singing with reducing tensions and warding off a riot.

Roach doesn’t have much to sing about. She and her husband woke up Monday as their house filled with water. They pooled their inner strength as they waited to be saved. The rescue boat made it to their flooded house on Tuesday. After their rescue, their wasn’t any place to go . They wandered around until being taken to the Convention Center. The Convention Center wasn’t much of an improvement, but at least it had a roof over it.

The Roach family has lost everything. But, Anita Roach can still sing. And, through song she holds on to hope.

[Photo copyrighted by Melody Lassalle - All Rights Reserved]

What do you do when your website has same name as a major hurricane that has devastated areas in several states? That was the question facing Katrina Blankenship. She owns the domain katrina.com, which she uses as a personal and business website.

Because her domain holds the same name as the hurricane, people turned to her website for disaster relief information. Instead of being annoyed, Blankenship converted her website to aid people. The website has been revamped to provide information on missing persons, relief efforts, and important telephone numbers for public services. A message board has been set up so that those seeking information or aid may communicate with others. The Missing Persons link takes you to the Homeland Security website, which includes a link to report missing people. Several links are provided to government agencies working with hurricane survivors. There is even a guest book so visitors can share their thoughts and prayers.

Thanks should be given to Katrina Blankenship! She’s taken the minor frustration of misdirected traffic and turned it into a hub of information for families and survivors.

[Photograph of Hurricane Katrina courtesy of: NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz at NASA GSFC]

Teens buy alot of cosmetics. Mascara, blush, lipstick…you name it, they’ve got it packed away somewhere. The wide use of cosmetics has caused concern in some circles. Not because products are used by younger and younger kids, but because of the toxins hidden inside. That’s why a group of teens started the group “Sisters in Action for Reproductive Empowerment” (SAFIRE).

The group is comprised 20 Asian American teens. They’re examining the cosmetics they use every day. They want to know what’s inside each product and if these ingredients are possible toxins. It’s one of many teen groups working with legislators on the safety of cosmetics.

No federal agency oversees the cosmetic industry. Only about 10% of the ingredients used in cosmetics have been tested. Therefore, finding information on the dangers of chemical used in everyday products is very difficult. The Cosmetic Industry claims their products are safe because even the known carcinogens are present in very small amounts. Yet, it is unknown how a person may be affected after constant daily use. This becomes a major concern among women who may become pregnant.

Some of the young women who make up SAFIRE have connections to nail and hair salons. Relatives own similar businesses and they may follow in their footsteps. They want to learn as much as possible, then, use that information to raise awareness of the products used in these businesses. They hope to help provide alternatives and eventually see labeling on cosmetics that helps consumers and business owners buy the safest products.

[Photograph courtesy of Johann Snyman, www.sxc.hu]