I just discovered this safety jewelry that sets off a loud alarm, texts friends/family/contacts of your location, and dials 911 all at the touch of a button. It’s called Roar Jewelry. Part of the purchase price goes to educating children in empathy, so that the rape and violence culture cycle ends.
Upon thinking about the Brock Turner case and how to deal with the underlying rape culture, I’ve come up with some practical solutions.
1. A rape kit needs to be a part of everybody’s first aid kit, right alongside bandaids and aspirin *. Since 1 in 5 women experience rape (I’m not sure what the numbers are for men), this is such a common occurance we all need to be prepared because it will inevitably happen to us or someone we know as things currently stand.
2. All children need to be educated about consent, starting from an early age. (No, you can’t play with Trisha’s doll unless Trisha says you can. No you can’t touch Ben’s private parts – those don’t belong to you, etc.)
3. All teenagers through adults need to be clearly taught what consent and respect for others means, and the legal consequences of not respecting others boundaries. (I think overall social and kindness practices used to be taught in class as ‘citizenship’ or ‘social studies’ or something like that? But this would add the meaning of consent to the mix as well.)
4. All teenagers and adults need to be taught that assault is assault, and consent is consent – that a person (in this case, the rapist) doesn’t get to decide that someone else ‘wanted’ it. He can only say that HE ‘wanted it’. And if the other person was asleep, or drunk, or said no, or was unable to respond, or was vulnerable (a child, special needs, an employee afraid of losing their job, physically ill, mentally ill, etc.) then they CAN’T legally give consent. Meaning, even if *you* were ‘just getting 20 minutes of action’ using the vagina etc. of another person, if that other person didn’t want your ‘action’, that is called rape and you will be prosecuted.
5. The legal system will clearly define the above (i.e. consent, assault, personal responsibility, personal autonomy) so that there is no doubt as to the meaning of consent, assault, and that personhood rights belong to each individual concerning his or her OWN body.
By Barb Hughes
PS. This discussion is personal for me as my daughter was raped and went through much the same things Brock Turner put his victim through – and many of you/your friends/family have experienced the same thing. Honest education, legal protections, and creative and proactive medicine can help.
*I just discovered this jewelry that is proactive to set off a loud alarm, text friends/family/contacts of your location, and dial 911 all at the touch of a button. It’s called Roar Jewelry. Part of the purchase price also goes to educating children in empathy, so that the rape culture cycle ends.
Bike-Stroller: convenient for parent and child as a bike riding to and from, and as a stroller when you get to your location. Great exercise, and so practical!
Posted in Health, Stewardship, Uncategorized
Tagged Community, Family, health, Sustainable
Don’t throw away your disposable silverware – eat it! This innovative ‘silverware’ is a food item that is baked, and comes in various flavors to go with whatever you are eating – sweet, savory, etc. Disposable environmentally destructive plastic was ‘innovative’ in it’s day, but we’ve learned now that it’s harmful to the planet and to our health. With todays technology and understanding we can do better! (Plus the edible cutlery is nutritious and delicious according to those who’ve tried it.) What a great new business model.
The above story is from The Better India a news source featuring innovation for positive and practical change. I’ve just discovered it and bookmarked it. Good stuff!
Posted in Business, Health, Heroes, Media, Stewardship
Tagged Food, health, New idea, Sustainable
With Easter and stories of new life and resurrection on our minds, I wanted to explore a side of Easter that I’ve never heard discussed before.
I saw a comment on facebook from a friend of mine that said:
“Sick. Depressed. More than I can handle”.
Without having context to that comment, it got me to thinking. How many of us have felt that way at one time or another? It sucks. Sometimes life gets sucked out and so it just sucks. Lack of health sucks. Trying to keep a smile on sucks. Having a person/pet you love die sucks. Getting out of bed sucks. Watching people just not ‘get it’ sucks. Not being able to do anything about it sucks. Not having energy sucks. About the only things that don’t suck at times might include:
1. the love and kindness of a spouse who cares/close family who will listen and not judge
2. soft organic flannel sheets
3. Hyberbole and a half dark humor
I wonder if sometimes ‘hitting bottom’ might possibly be compared to a place like Christ in the tomb: cold, dark, quiet, a suspended life. And that’s OK. It’s OK to be buried for awhile. In fact, maybe that’s part of the Easter Story? Maybe instead of rushing to the resurrection, maybe it’s OK to be in the tomb? Maybe it’s not a ‘fault’ to be in the tomb? Maybe it’s just part of a – can I say it – healthy life to be in the tomb? Even if we don’t know how long it will last? Especially if we don’t know how long it will last?
Yes, resurrection does come, and we celebrate that, but maybe there is also a place to respect the times in our lives that represent tombs? Why do we fear the cold, dark, quiet, suspended times? Is it because in American culture those are seen as ‘weak’, or ‘useless’, or ‘bad’, or ‘unproductive’…and we feel shamed for them? What would happen if those times of depression/grief, or “tomb-time”, had a different, purposeful meaning in our culture? Do other cultures have a place of respect for those times in a person’s life?
How can we incorporate a safe, honorable, and healthy place for those -including ourselves – who are experiencing tomb-time? If we had a different perspective, maybe we wouldn’t feel the cultural need to deny, try to cheer-lead it away, or shame it? Maybe tomb-time is an important part of a healthy life?
Some possible resources: the book Tear Soup , online helps from Tear Soup.
Barb
This light source powered by gravity produces clean, free energy for lighting. No sun or batteries needed. No breathing kerosene fumes, no danger of damage by fires, only safe, clean, off-grid energy.
Posted in Health, Heroes, Stewardship, Tech
Tagged Community, Family, health, New idea, Science, Sustainable
Utah is tackling the homeless problem. Their plan is already saving taxpayer money AND is improving the economy, plus they are on track to eliminate homelessness by 2015.
Jerry the Bear is an interactive teaching tool for kids with type 1 diabetes. The bear needs the same thing a child does: checking blood sugar levels, choices on what to eat, and even helping kids master their medical procedures through play.
To learn more about Jerry the Bear, click here. If you don’t know a child with type 1 diabetes, you can still play a part in helping those who do here.
The Netherlands has a unique eldercare community built specifically for dementia patients, called Dementia Village. Dementia Village is a safe 4 acre indoor/outdoor community where residents can enjoy the seasons, visit a restaurant, drink a cup of tea, get their hair done, go shopping, and are free to go wherever they want (within the save indoor/outdoor village with a ratio of 2 staff per resident).
This 4 acre complex is home to 23 housing units with 7 different ‘lifestyle themes’, the goal being to create a space where each resident can enjoy life and feel welcome. On a physical level people here require fewer medications, eat better, live longer. On a mental level they also seem to experience more joy.
Thanks to CNN’s World’s Untold Stories for this video.
Posted in Business, Health, Stewardship
Origami algorithms are being used to create medical implants and space telescopes. I wonder if origami algorithms might be used to create the build-a-building, using plastic, wood, and mesh sheets that can be folded differently to create different shaped useful small buildings? Learn more about this amazing new technology that combines art, science, and history in this Ted Talk.
Posted in Media, Stewardship, Tech
Tagged Economics, health, New idea, Science, Sustainable
Ikea is developing a prototype of refugee shelter that is easy to put together, is insulated, has a solar light so people can cook/sew/do homework when it gets dark, and other simple yet practical features.
Ikea is getting feedback from refugees to improve upon the concept before they roll out the final design. They also plan to include a system of health care, education, and more so refugee families can not only get stabilized physically, but get all members of a family back on their feet in body/mind/spirit as quickly and respectfully as possible.
Posted in Business, Health, Heroes, Media, Stewardship
Tagged Community, Do-it-yourself, Economics, Family, Frugal, health, New idea, Sustainable
Wanna start a free pop-up store for the homeless? Check out this video, which gives how-to information including downloadable posters!
Introducing The Street Store. The world’s first rent-free, premises-free, free ‘pop-up clothing store’ for the homeless, found entirely on the street and curated by you.
Download open-source files and host your own Street Store on www.thestreetstore.org
Follow on Twitter @TheStreetStore and on Facebook.com/thestreetstoreorg
Posted in Business, Fashion, Health, Heroes, Media, Stewardship
Tagged Accessories, Community, Do-it-yourself, Economics, Family, Free, Frugal, health, Love, New idea, Sustainable
Vacations are fun! Even if you’re in a wheelchair or have limited mobility. Accessible Adventures is a new video series, hosted by former radio host John Williams, that SHOWS accessible vacation spots featuring wheelchair and limited mobility people having fun in the Northwest! Also check out the blog to see Jim Martinson skiing Crystal Mountain on a mono ski. Here’s a video with John Williams telling more about this timely idea:
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Sharing Ideas events raise awareness of local grassroots efforts throughout Portland Oregon that strengthen community. Project presenters share the inspiration that launched their idea, how it moved into action, where they are today, and their hope for the future. Everyone is invited. RSVP suggested online or by phone at 503.546.7499. Refreshments will be provided. Childcare (9 and under), transportation, and interpretation are provided upon request, with 48 hours advanced notice. When: Saturday, April 26th, from 11 AM to 1 PM Where: Central Library, 801 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205. Who: You! Bring your friends and family to this free event and discover pathways to new possibilities! |
Posted in Health, Heroes, Stewardship, Tech
Tagged Community, Do-it-yourself, Economics, Free, health, Sustainable
Rebecca Onie asks audacious questions: What if waiting rooms were a place to improve daily health care? What if doctors could prescribe food, housing and heat in the winter? Here’s a Ted Talk that gives concrete information to create a healthcare system that actually keeps us healthy.
What do you do if you’re a small tree chipping company and you don’t want to spend your money on dumping fees? What do you do if you’re a city planner trying to keep your landfills from filling up so fast? What do you do if you’re a homeowner who wants to do some sustainable and frugal landscaping pathways?
A new website in Portland Oregon solves this three way problem with chipdrop. You open an account and give your address, and whatever local tree chipping company has a load of chips they need to dump, they drive it to your house and dump it free in whatever location you mention. It helps the tree chipping companies because otherwise they’d have to pay dump fees. It helps the homeowner because you get free wood chips delivered to your door. It helps the city because it doesn’t get it’s landfills full of woodchips. Everybody wins.
We took advantage of this new service and created front and backyard pathways! Our load, we were told, was mostly douglas fir, so the whole yard smells wonderful, and it’s safe for our backyard free range chickens.
Posted in Business, Health, Stewardship
Tagged Community, Do-it-yourself, Economics, Free, Frugal, Garden, health, New idea, Sustainable
Dr. Cole Galloway is turning kids toy cars into mobility devices and physical therapy for young children. This is making a lot of people happy – especially the little kids who get to drive the cool cars.
Learn more about the University of Delaware Go Baby Go! program here.
Read more about this on Upworthy here.
Posted in Health, Heroes, Media, Stewardship, Tech
Tagged Community, Do-it-yourself, Family, health, New idea
Are the qualities of friendship, fun, working together, inclusiveness, and kindness ONLY male traits; female traits; or are they human traits?
These hero’s are making the world a happier, kinder, more inclusive place; creating 3D men (instead of men chained in a 2D world box of destruction, disfunction, and distance).
The First Sign Hair Clip was designed by Rachel Emanuele as a tool to protect women from violent crime. The clip can attach to hair or even a purse strap, and then detects through algorithm if you are being attacked (it knows the difference between a violent attack, a bump on the head, or jogging for instance). It also has a panic button you can push in case of danger as well. The included app collects data as evidence such as where you are, records your conversation, notifies authorities that a crime is being committed, and sends out a verbal message saying you have been located and help is on the way (thus possibly scaring away the attacker so no more harm is done, but also gathering information about him for prosecution).
Here’s the background story
You can reserve a clip for yourself or a loved one, and bring this hair clip to market through your contributions to this Indigogo account.
Thanks to Gizmag for this article on Impact Sensing Hair Clip Helps Fight Violent Crime.
Here’s an innovative apartment building in Sri Lanka. It uses recycled water (including rainwater) to water the outdoor plants and flush toilets, and a solar panel to run the lobby lights and other shared resources.
When it’s completed in 2016 it will be the tallest residential vertical garden in the world, with planted terraces circling the entire structure. The 164 apartments, each with 2300 square-feet of floor space and an open feel, are designed to give residents a sense of ground-level living, as well as privacy and tranquility in a bustling city.
The planted terraces for each apartment will help absorb sound, provide shade, and cleanse the air. They’ll be automatically watered using a drip-irrigation system of rainwater, and along with recycled water to flush toilets, will help to reduce intake from the national water supply by an estimated 45 percent.
Check out this innovative Sri Lankan apartment building here. Thanks to Gizmag for this article.
Posted in Health, Stewardship, Tech
Tagged Clean water, Community, Economics, Garden, health, Relax, Sustainable
Be blown away by youth that demonstrate a passion for restoring the health of the environment! The April 26th Sharing Ideas event, features the Roosevelt High School Science Club, a group of students determined to counteract pollution in Portland, Oregon. These local youth are experimenting with planters that recycle polluted air into clean air and testing of air quality surrounding Roosevelt High School. They have been invited to Washington, D.C. later this year to present their findings.
Better Ideas Now 