Pre Election Thoughts

I'm nervous y'all.

I'm nervous that this election is going to divide this country permanently.

I'm anxious that people are going to vote based on a single issue rather than a holistic view.

I'm sad at the thought of having to deal with the frustration and disappointment on both sides after the results are in.

Most of all, I'm sad that we can't seem to have a civil discussion with each other on a national platform.

Yet I will vote because it is my civic duty {and because I want the sticker}! Maybe I'll bring chocolate or cookies to hand out while I'm waiting in lines. No better way to cross party lines ;-)

What about you all? Is anyone attending an election party? Watching the news coverage on Tuesday night with bated breath?

- A

Cry or Laugh?

I don't think I've spoken much about this but I'm deeply concerned about the state of things in regards to Muslim Americans. I've been watching as crazy allegations, hate crimes and the public discourse on Muslim Americans has gotten uglier.

I'm Muslim. I'm American. I'm tired of this.

That said, I do see the humor in the ridiculous allegations that are brought up. Let me enlighten you:

Terror babies? Six degrees of separation to terrorism? Really? I don't know whether I should laugh or cry!

National security should be a concern for all of us but what we should not tolerate is mud slinging which is what is happening right now. As shown in the video, terror babies allegations and shady logic based on insufficient and incorrect intelligence is inappropriate especially for elected officials. I formed this opinion long ago and Anderson and Rep. Ellison alluded to it: this is about attention, grabbing on to the political/social zeitgeist of the day to further your own need for attention. Well if that's what these people want, they need to leave for Hollywood because the political arena is certainly not the place to do this.

As for me, I'm gonna go and alternate between laughing, crying and organizing against this type of nonsense.

Great resources:

American Civil Liberties Union

Amnesty International: Security with Human Rights

Muslim Profiling and Behavioral Profiling



- A

Ten Years

Ten years ago today I was on my way to my first college class. Bright eyed and bushy tailed, I turned on the radio to jam to some music on the commute in to college. The next 45 minutes, as I listened in horror, the world as we knew it changed. One senseless and vile act took so many lives. I wish that was where it had ended; wasn't that suffering enough? One act shook the world and apparently our moral compass leading us to do some not so great things, leading them to keep on with their mantra of hatred, causing us to....and so we go round and round. I hope in the next decade we can move towards peace.

 'Oh peace train take this country...come take me home again'

Peace for the 2,977 men and women killed 9/11/2001.

- A

Stagnant Revolution

Have you guys seen Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution? The documentary series, which airs on ABC, follows British chef and food activist/reformist Jamie Oliver as he attempts to bring change to America's food system. Last season he was in Huntington, West Virginia and this year he is in L.A. One would think L.A., home of the celebrities, Hollywood and all around pretty people would be completely on board with change but so far (I've watched only one episode) the L.A. school district is being more difficult than Huntington!

Why is it so hard for people or rather institutions to be willing and ready for change (easy answer: money. Read Food Politics if you want an in depth answer)? It is one thing to put inappropriate things in our own bodies but if we can't protect and guide the children in our care then what is wrong with us?! I once had a 'debate' (more like an argument) with a high school teacher who vehemently opposed the removal of vending machines in schools here in Texas. His logic? They're adults, they can make that decision. Since when are 15-18 year olds adults? We won't talk straight to them about matters like sex because we're afraid that they don't have the maturity to handle it but they amazingly have the capability to make decisions that impact their health in a significant way, leading to obesity, diabetes, not to mention concentration issues that directly affect the purpose of education.

Let's also talk about what it takes to be an adult. Children are *supposed* to be taught right from wrong along the way to adulthood. When sugar and fats are being shoved down their throats starting from pre-K, do they really have the right skills or worldview from which to make the appropriate decision?

I'm all for personal responsibility and individualism (which I think are key arguments for people who believe that obesity is a personal problem) but both these concepts apply to the food problem in the U.S. as well. It is our personal responsibility to teach children good eating habits. Is it really individualistic to feed children mass produced unhealthy food?

Once again, the agencies that are supposed to protect us (USDA, I'm talkin to you) are failing us. You may feel like a small voice against a strong loud arsenal of government agencies and large corporations but we can't let the revolution go stagnant. Significant changes have been made worldwide (for example, flavored milk is no longer offered in any school in Europe) so what the heck are we waiting for? I strongly believe in Jamie's message; I wish I could say that change will start at the top but in this case, its not going to. We all have to band together, us 'little' folk, and make change happen. It starts with us and it needs.to.start.now.

What do you guys think? Should we regulate what children are fed or should we keep the system as it is? Will you get involved?

Get involved:

Sign the petition

Local Initiatives




- A

Love & Politics?!

Love and politics...two words I never thought I would use in the same sentence but I can say that the only time I love politics is at the White House Correspondents' Dinner because those politicians get it! This years was no exception. President Obama was hilarious! My favorite part? The Lion King clip and his follow up..."I wanna make clear to the FOX news table, that was a joke"...hahahaha. Then Seth Meyers followed up and killed it! Both men had me laughing hysterically and quite out loud.

I love that about this country. You can make fun of your leaders, all the way from the top (president) to the senators and representatives.

Did you have a chance to watch the dinner? What did you think? I'd never watched one until last year. For curiosity's sake, I decided to go back and watch from the previous administration.

- A