In January 2014, James Aspey – an animal activist from Australia — pledged not to speak for 365 days, hoping that, in his voicelessness, he could draw attention to the plight of the millions of animals on the planet raised for human consumption – animals who are being mostly ignored; animals who are suffering terribly; […]
Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burmese diplomat, author, and peace activist. She is the leader of the National League for Democracy, which she had newly formed in Burma with the help of several retired army officials who had criticized the failed 1988 military junta there … In the subsequent 1990 elections, her party (the […]
Uri Avnery is an Israeli writer who is famous for crossing the lines during the Siege of Beirut to meet with Yassir Arafat on July 3, 1982 — the first time the Palestinian leader ever met with an Israeli … Avnery is also the author of several books about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including 1948: A […]
Born in 1685, Bach became one of the most famous composers & musicians of the Baroque period. He enriched established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic organization, and original adaptations of rhythm, form, and texture from others. To this day, his music is revered for its intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty. […]
It is not the “magnificent” or the “awesome” or the “incredible” deeds of Kindness that will save us, but rather a massive coming together of thousands of Loving acts “small” and “unassuming” and “insignificant”. So, what can you do to help save Humanity? What tiny act(s) of Goodness will you show the world today?
In 1987, Mr. Li retired from his pedicab driving job and returned to his village, where he saw many children working in the fields because they couldn’t afford education. At that time he was already 74 years old, and yet he decided to go back to his job anyway. And he did so until 2001, […]
A pseudonymous United Kingdom-based graffiti artist & political activist, Banksy’s stencils feature striking and humorous images occasionally combined with clever slogans. His message is often anti-war, anti-capitalist &/or anti-establishment. Banksy beautifies & inspires for free — refusing to sell photographs or reproductions of his street art. “The greatest crimes in the world are not committed […]
Born in 1937, Barks is an American poet and former professor of literature at the University of Georgia. Although he neither speaks nor reads Persian, he is nonetheless renowned as a truly brilliant interpreter of Rumi, one of the more renowned Sufi poets of 13th century Persia. Barks makes frequent international appearances and is well […]
Moazzam Begg is a British Pakistani who was held in extrajudicial detention by the U.S. government for nearly three years — first in the infamous Bagram Internment Facility, and then in the equally infamous Guantanamo Bay detainment camp. In the former prison, Begg was abused by guards and witnessed two detainees beaten to death by […]
Thomas Berry was a cultural historian and ecotheologian (although “cosmologist” and “geologian” – or “Earth scholar” – were his preferred descriptors). Among advocates of “ecospirituality” , he is famous for proposing the idea that a deep understanding of the history and functioning of the evolving Universe is a necessary inspiration and guide for our own […]
Born in 1946, Biko was an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa in the 1960’s & 1970’s. Early on he became a popular student leader and founded the Black Consciousness Movement, which empowered and mobilized much of the urban black population. He was famous for his slogan “Black is beautiful”, which he described as meaning: “You […]
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