Can Empathy Be Taught?

Currently I am teaching a class called "Social Media in a Global Context". Not only are the students learning about how to use social media tools for academic purposes, but they are also learning how to use the social media tools to solve real world problems. How do we connect people with organizations that provide helpful services? How do we help people communicate with one another?

This is the first year that my co-researcher and I are teaching this class. We had some assumptions going into the class, as our students are primarily first year undergraduates who love social media and use it often. They alternately use their phones, the desktop computers in the classroom, and laptops to try out different social media tools, as well as to locate information. They can spend all day and night talking about the social media apps and tools they have found, and the pros and cons of each type.

In the beginning of the semester, we had the students come up with a shared definition of "social media". We also discussed what it means to be a global citizen, and we came up with two shared definitions of "global citizenship":

"A global citizen sees themselves and others as first and foremost, human.  A global citizen thus does not discriminate based on nationality, race, gender, religion, sexuality, or any other secondary identities.  Instead, a global citizen sees these differences as fascinating- as new things to be learned and respected.  The beauty of being able to learn from every individual, place, and event amazes a global citizen, and they also recognize that they also have something to offer.  Every single person has had a different experience from all others; the fascination in these different experiences characterizes a global citizen. Global citizens often are proponents of human rights, stay informed on global affairs, and have a love for travel- this is inspired by their love and interest in all people" ("What is the Definition of a Global Citizen?" Young Global Citizen).

"Global citizenship is an umbrella term for the social, political, environmental, or economic actions of globally-minded individuals and communities on a worldwide scale. The term can refer to the belief that, rather than actors affecting isolated societies, individuals are members of multiple, diverse, local and non-local networks" ("Global Citizenship", United Nations Academic Impact Hub on Global Citizenship).

While students felt strongly about these definitions, and most believed that they were shining examples of global citizens, this week's class activity showed that some of my students have a long way to go in terms of empathy.

In order to model a process for solving a real world problem using social media, I introduced a scenario to the class of a homeless teen whose education was interrupted due to their homeless state. I did not identify the race, gender, sexual orientation, or other identifying factors about the teen, other than their homelessness. During our discussion, it so happened that two of the students "came out" and told the class that they had been homeless for extended parts of their life. Neither of the students are urban kids; all of the students in this class live in small towns or in the country. Apparently, there were students who were not listening, as some of the students asked in their online reflections why they had to learn about homelessness; there was no homelessness in the towns where they grew up, and no one cared if their classmates dropped out of school. I was absolutely shocked! So we have to dig deeper, and do a little more educating of souls as well as minds.

Support for the 2014 Olympics is Support for Russia's War on Homosexuality

In 1936, when other nations threatened to boycott the Berlin Olympics because Hitler had declared that no blacks or Jews should compete in Berlin, Hitler recapitulated to the point where he demanded that all "No Jews" signs be removed during the Games, and that all police and brownshirts hold back on beatings of Jews and other race enemies during the Games. Because there was no Internet or social media at that time, and it was easy to fool people, a lot of Americans and others who went to Berlin for the Games thought that Hitler wasn't such a bad chap after all, that the persecution of Jews and others was hogwash, and Hitler laughed into his sleeve...once the games ended, he made everything even worse for Jews and others, and limited media coverage of the truth.

It was a strange time in history for Jews and African-Americans. We were also considered racially inferior or suspect in other countries, yet we saw the Olympics as our chance to shine--to beat the "master race" at sport. In many instances, we did. The Hungarian Jews were master fencers and wrestlers. And of course, everyone knows about Jesse Owens. There were many non-Aryan Olympic champions that year who showed the Germans that they are not invincible. Their victories, unfortunately, did not change Hitler's agenda.

Seventy eight years later--in 2014--the Russians will host the Summer Olympics in Sochi, by the Black Sea. In 2013, Vladimir Putin has declared a war on LGBT people and has given police and vigilante groups free reign to beat and arrest anyone even suspected of being queer. While Putin has said that foreign LGBT "guests" and athletes who participate in the Olympics will be safe, and the anti-gay laws will not apply to them, that is not good enough. As my friend nomadmatan said, "We do not need an LGBTQ Jesse Owens--we need a boycott." Any nation or corporation that has taken a stand to support LGBT rights should NOT support the Summer Olympics in Sochi.

A petition is going around to ask corporate sponsors--Coca-Cola, Panasonic, and others--to pull out of the Games. Sign it and comment if you care about human rights.

When It Comes to LGBT Rights, Think Global

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, Minnesota became the 12th state in the Union to legalize same-sex marriage. A few days later, on Friday, May 17, 2013, almost no one in the United States called attention to the fact that it was the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO for short). In fact, no one even made mention that IDAHO was established in 2004 and is celebrated in over 100 countries around the world.

Our fight against homophobia and transphobia is not over in the United States. We still do not have federally recognized same-sex marriage in this country, nor do we have federally mandated non-discrimination against LGBT people. These things matter if you want to live as a free queer person in this country, if you would like to work and live in different parts of the United States to fulfill professional or personal ambitions. These things matter if your partner is not from the United States, as the government still is not giving green cards to people in binational same sex relationships. These things matter if you can't get the same tax breaks as everyone else, and if you can't get your partner's Social Security earnings once they pass away. It definitely matters if you have children.

Also, why is it the case that only one type of relationship will receive legal recognition? What is wrong with domestic partnership and civil unions, for heterosexual people or queer people? In fact, what is wrong with polyamory of any kind? In France, where same sex marriage was legalized the day after IDAHO, the government gives some rights and benefits to couples who choose to live together but not marry, as do most other European countries. In fact, the European Union is doing a better job in providing legal recognition of same-sex couples than the United States--only nine EU countries define marriage as between a man and a woman, as opposed to twenty nine US states against same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage does not lead to increased acceptance of gays and lesbians. In between legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota and IDAHO, three major gay bashings took place--two in New York City, and one in London, where same-sex marriage was passed in the House of Commons and soon will go up for vote in the House of Lords. The victim of the London gay bashing incident was Christopher Bryant, the editor of Polari magazine.

More than ever, the United States must join with all the member nations of the United Nations committed to combatting homophobia and transphobia. Here is the new video from the UN Human Rights Office, stating some facts, and their support.

Establishing a Workers Center in St. Cloud

AFL-CIO Labor Union Education for St. Cloud Somali Workers

(text and photos shared with permission of Stephen Philion)

On January 18th, a labor rights and union education session was held in St. Cloud, which featured a discussion with Garat Ibrahim, an organizer wtih SEIU Healthcare MN. A second meeting was held at the St. Cloud Labor Home, which discussed problems Somali workers face in the workplace and with temprary agencies in the St. Cloud region. Information about the non-profit support organization for refugees in Central MN, Hands Across the World, was also presented. These discussions are the beginning stages toward establishing a workers center in St. Cloud, MN.

The list of issues recorded on a white board that Somali workers raised at the meeting at the Labor Home in St. Cloud during the evening meeting.

 

Casey Hudek, AFL-CIO representative, explaining labor rights and law, with Abdul Kulane interpreting

  

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2013

On Monday January 21st, 2013, we celebrate the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and we reflect upon the civil rights we have earned since his time. 2013 will mark the 50th anniversary of Dr. King's famous "I Have a Dream" Speech and his March on Washington.


People still have big dreams for the United States, and for our children. The King Center allows all of us to add our dreams to their website using this simple form. Take a look at the collection of dreams here.

According to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service website:

" Dr. King believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place to live—creating the Beloved Community. 

"The MLK Day of Service is a way to transform Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action that helps solve social problems. That service may meet a tangible need, or it may meet a need of the spirit. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, bridge barriers, and create solutions."

If you are interested in participating in Day of Service activities, visit this website for more information.

If you would like to get involved in social justice and community engagement more than one day out of the year, there is an open position on the St. Cloud Regional Area Human Rights Commission. You may fill out the following online application or email Mike Williams at michael.williams@ci.stcloud.mn.us
for a print application.

Human Rights Issues of 2013

2012 is over. I did not write a blog post highlighting Top Ten Human Rights issues of 2012; to be honest, I was overwhelmed by them. From the effects of environmental disasters on our daily lives to unsafe schools to human trafficking to all sorts of discrimination taking place in our own backyard, I did not know where to begin.

It is now 2013, a new year. Instead of looking back, I want to look forward, and identify some human rights issues that must be addressed by our state, as well as our nation, starting today.

1. Improvement of mental health services for all. Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek makes two statements: a. Multiple studies show a strong link between untreated mental illness and an increased risk of committing violent acts (when properly treated, even the severely mentally ill pose no greater threat than do those in the general population), and b. The state of Minnesota has the lowest number of psychiatric beds per capita in the nation. Failure to identify and help those who may be demonstrating symptoms of serious mental illness is a human rights abuse--first for the victim of mental illness, and second for the community. Heterosexual men are less likely to seek mental health services than women, and often cite that mental health services are promoted to women or LGBT communities--not to them. Meanwhile, all of the mass murderers in the United States in recent history have been boys or men suffering from serious mental illness.

2. Federal anti-discrimination policies that identify sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. Until this comes to pass, federally recognized same sex marriage will remain a fairy tale, and incidents such as this one, where a restaurant manager in North Carolina hands a lesbian couple a letter condemning their lifestyle after they paid their bill, will continue. If that restaurant manager had handed such a letter condemning African-Americans, Jewish people, or any other minority to customers who fell into such identified category, he would have been served a lawsuit that the state of North Carolina could beat him with. The only thing a restaurant manager should say to customers paying their bill is "Thank you for your business--have a nice day."

3. Sexual harassment training and protection in all MnSCU institutions. Students and faculty remain at risk for sexual harassment in MnSCU institutions. This creates unsafe educational and work environments. Victims of sexual harassment do not get the justice they deserve, and faculty are not given the training or administrative directives to know the legal consequences of their actions. 

4. Creating sustainable lifestyles in an age of rapidly changing climates. Hurricanes, tornadoes and derechos, brush fires in Australia, record heatwaves, droughts, floods, and unprecedented cold snaps are putting an increasing human population at risk for homelessness and starvation. The world must work together to find sustainable solutions to life in unpredictable climates.

If you can think of any more issues, feel free to comment...for me, this is quite enough for one year. 

Hurricane Sandy Relief

I will just put it out there, for the record--I hate asking people for money. But a large chunk of our nation has been hit by the worst storm ever recorded in our history, and one week later people are still suffering from the aftermath. My own parents still do not have electricity or phone service. It is difficult to get gas and, in some places, basic groceries.

Senior citizens, people who depend on public transportation, and the homeless especially need assistance during this time. Some kids will still be home from school on Monday if there is no electricity and no way to get to school. For some of those kids, their school lunch may be the only meal they get to eat all day.

If you have the time to volunteer, or the money to donate, please consider the following opportunities:

1. The Ali Forney Center for LGBT Homeless Youth in NYC is under four feet of water and all computers, food, phones, and electricity wiped out. Thousands of kids depend heavily on this center for food, education, and personal safety. Please click here to learn more about how you can help. 

2. Top 12 ways to donate time, money, etc. to Hurricane Sandy victims in NYC.

3. General donation/volunteering sites:
     AmeriCares Hurricane Sandy Donations
     American Red Cross

Even spreading the word about what is happening and how to help is huge. Thank you for listening.

High School Students and Human Rights

I co-facilitated a workshop with Eunice Adjei-Bosompem  called “Human Rights in Your Community” for middle and high school students at a Civic Engagement conference at St. Cloud State University on Thursday October 25^th. The students who attended this conference did so voluntarily, and chose this topic of human rights as their first choice and main interest. When I asked the students why they decided to attend this workshop, all of them claimed that they believed in equal rights for all people and that they wanted to learn more about fighting for human rights. We asked them to define the term “human”; students used terms such as “flawed”, “unique”, “imperfect”, and “alive” to describe “human”.

We conducted an experiment. We gave the students photographs of all different kinds of people cut out from newspapers, and asked them to choose three photos of people whom they would want to befriend, and three photos of people they would not want to be friends with. Students “liked” people who appeared happy, and possibly shared a common interest. They were likely to “like” athletes, dancers, and singers, regardless of whether or not they knew of their celebrity status. Students “disliked” people who were featured in photos with cigarettes or firearms. They also were more likely to “dislike” people with glasses, factory/construction workers, protesters, and the elderly.

After this experiment, we had a valuable conversation about where human rights in the community begin: empathy in the heart, and realizing that one day all humans will grow old, can become disabled, can become poor, can become disenfranchised. We talked about the global community and the local community. We talked about opening spaces for all human beings in one’s community, and to start with those spaces where others do not have access (ex. non-handicapped accessible spaces). The workshop was a wakeup call for the students, and a reality check.

Are we recognizing the human “imperfections” that are distinct from our own? Do we have the capability to identify and address our own individual imperfections? While we can never teach people to be perfect, as the attainment of human perfection is impossible and not universally defined, then how do we create a space where we recognize and acknowledge those “imperfections” in order to build bridges and provide the best service that we can, to each other and to our users? Before we can define human rights and fight for them, we must first accept and fight for a universal definition of humanity.

Open Forum

On Wednesday October 17th, the St. Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission held an open forum for the community to discuss discrimination. We had a great turnout--at least 40 people showed up--and everyone had a chance to voice their questions and concerns.

Some common concerns that people shared:

1. Employment discrimination in the region. People released from prison, unaccompanied youth (often young adults out of the foster care system), youth under 18 years old, transgender people, and people with disabilities have a difficult time finding employment in central Minnesota. While times are hard for everyone, some employment applications still ask questions that are against state law. Forum attendees asked what groups in the region assist disenfranchised people in finding employment, and they wanted to know how they could find out more.

2. Discrimination against people of color. Somalis who live in a particular section of St. Cloud live in fear of their apartment manager and a security force. In the St. Cloud 742 school district, a clinical study of 25 African-American boys is being conducted without parental consent. Not all of central Minnesota is as diverse as St. Cloud; some children of color feel isolated in their schools because they may be the only ones.

3. Communications and connections. While the St. Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission meetings are open to the public, they have not been advertised. Some people requested future updates to issues brought up at the forum. Commissioners reminded attendees about the blog and Facebook page.

4. Forum as Safe Space. Some of the most at-risk populations in central Minnesota who would benefit from some support and guidance from the Human Rights Commission may not feel safe in a public forum outside of their comfort zone. People suggested that, to attract more participation from groups in need, Human Rights Commissioners should organize population-specific forums in those places where those groups feel safe.

Please watch this space--as well as our Facebook page--for information about upcoming forums.

Out in the Community

Members of the Saint Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission were at St. Cloud Pride on Saturday September 22nd, meeting the community and advertising our Open Forum in October!

The Saint Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission Open Forum will be on Wednesday October 17th from 6 pm - 7:30 pm in St. Cloud City Hall Council Chambers. Meet the commission members, learn about what we are doing to fight for human rights, and join us in conversation on how we can work together in ending discrimination in the region. Become a member of our Facebook page and join our event!

Saint Cloud Pride Week

This week, citizens of Saint Cloud will come together in support of LGBTIQ Pride through a variety of events:

Thursday September 19: PFLAG PRIDE RALLY AND ABOVE THE CLOUDS PRIDE MARCH at Barden Park (in front of the Miller Center Library at Saint Cloud State University) 7:00-10:30 pm. This is the last rally   that we will have prior to the November election on the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. All are welcome to attend. The Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus will also perform at the event.

Saturday September 22nd: The St. Cloud Pride in the Park Festival will be at Lake George/Eastman Park from 11 am - 5 pm. Free entertainment, exhibitors, community organizations, and food vendors will be there. The Saint Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission will also have a table there--come and say hi to Rachel!  :) St. Cloud Pride is a family friendly event--don't miss it!

Later that Saturday night is The 3rd Annual Drag Show at the Rivers Edge Convention Center. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the show goes from 7:30-11:30 pm. Tickets are available from Blooming Creations or the LGBT Resource Center for $10, or pay $12 at the door. Our drag performers really are the best--their performances will keep you warm through our long winter months.

Sunday September 23rd: Biology 701 at 701 West Germain St. in downtown St. Cloud will host a brunch from 11 am - 1 pm. Tickets are available for $10 in advance, or $12 at the door. Click on this link to buy advance tickets. Brunch menu will be posted soon.

September Holidays

September 8th is International Literacy Day. UNESCO has been celebrating International Literacy Day for over forty years, reminding the international community that literacy is a human right and the foundation of education.

September 15th kicks off National Hispanic Heritage Month. Check out how the Library of Congress is recognizing the Latino/Latina population of the United States. National Hispanic Heritage Month ends on October 15th.

September 17th is Citizenship Day, also known as Constitution Day. How much do you know about the United States Constitution? See how well you do on these quizzes.

September 21st is the International Day of Peace. Established in 1982, the International Day of Peace provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date.


Happy September!

Back to School for Hungry Homeless Kids

Roughly three hundred homeless students will start a new school year in Saint Cloud, and almost seventy in Sauk Rapids-Rice.

Local organizations such as Anna Marie's Alliance are providing all the support they can for children and teens in the shelters. It is extremely difficult for homeless kids in shelters to keep up with school, as shelters only allow families to stay for 30-45 days at a time. Anna Marie's Alliance has recruited tutors for the homeless children, and a fleet of five iPads so that students can stay connected with assignments and instruction through online learning and educational apps.

Even among the college set, some students couch surf and live out of their cars while they get an education. Their families might have kicked them out, they might have run away from home, or they simply have no family in the area and nowhere to stay while they go to college.

In Minnesota, ten percent of the population does not know where their next meal is coming from. Children make up forty percent of the hungry population. School becomes attractive to hungry kids, because they can receive at least one free meal there. Stearns and Sherburne Counties have more than the average number of hungry people in the state; many will be students.

For anyone who works in a school, the kindest thing to do is bring food for the kids. Any type of food will do. As Minnesota has also revamped its cafeteria menus to provide "healthier" lunches, all students will be eating less. Our hungry students will not make it through the winter without your help.

What No One Is Talking About

Voter turnout in the 2012 Minnesota primary election was the lowest in over 60 years.

Only 8% of the state voted.  People are either happy with the status quo, are resigned to the status quo, or...seriously...they did not get a reminder postcard from their local board of elections, or a booklet of some kind about the candidates.  Not only that, but candidates were not campaigning as hard this year as they had in previous years. 

One Perspective

For centuries, European countries have existed as unique, individual entities.  Each country had prejudice against the others, during times of war and peace alike.  Each country had prejudices against common minorities as well. 

In the twenty-first century, despite the financial problems caused by Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, and Italy, the western nations of the European Union seem to function like a close-knit team.  They have committed to some loft goals in terms of human rights, particularly in the area of LGBT individuals.  The Council of Europe has recognized that LGBT people contribute to national culture, and that by 2020 all cultural heritage institutions in the European Union will have LGBT resources.  The European Union has gone so far as to say that "homophobia will not be tolerated in the EU", and it is beginning to enforce anti-discrimination laws in its new central and eastern European member states.  Prominent European sports figures have even made pro-LGBT statements on television, with the hope of taming any homophobic sentiments in their rowdy fans.

At the same time, in everyday conversations, ordinary EU citizens make it plain on who does not belong.  They are fast to say that the Muslims do not support gay pride, which quickly translates to Muslims are the problem in the EU, even though .  They are also chilly toward any mention of Serbians, Russians, and Ukrainians.  "The Ukraine will never be a part of the EU," a man from Ireland told me, even though my question to him was how to help two gay Ukrainian men find funding for their magazine, the only gay magazine in the Ukraine.  The privileged educated elite also have no sense of charity or reaching out to the working class and poor. There is no sense of LGBT brotherhood/sisterhood that transcends class or educational status.  It is a very different movement than in the United States.

I have returned from two weeks in Amsterdam, which is one of the most multicultural, international cities in Europe.  During that time I have spoken with native Amsterdammers, as well as people from other EU countries during an international conference for LGBT librarians, archivists, and museum curators.  I was shocked to find that their concept of support for LGBT rights did not extend past their borders.  In an increasingly wired world, where only laws prohibit us from making all LGBT books available digitally for everyone around the world, this attitude must change.  Social justice is a global movement, not limited to a privileged few.   

The motto of the European Union is "United in Diversity".  But how is it so when EU countries continue to ban headscarves, veils, and other religious clothing and jewelry, when EU countries ban kosher and halal slaughter, and when EU countries continue to evict and forcibly relocate their Roma populations?  If homophobia has no place in the EU, then what about all of the other phobias? 

In the United States, we have our problems.  We are far from a perfect country, and perhaps we are a little less educated than the European Union.  But we admit our faults.  We know too well our history and present state of racism, religious discrimination, and homophobia/transphobia.  We make fewer grand national statements, but make greater, more permanent improvements in civil rights through national discussion as well as legislation.  We know that there will always be those who will not agree...and we know that, as long as they harm no one, we are OK if they do not agree. 

Saint Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission's Stand on the Marriage Amendment

The following is the Saint Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission's official stand on the proposed marriage amendment, which would define marriage as a bond between one man and one woman.  This press release will be published in the St. Cloud Times, and has appeared in other venues.

ST. CLOUD AREA REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

March 22, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The St. Cloud Area Regional Human Rights Commission announces its opposition to the proposed Constitutional Amendment against marriage equality in Minnesota.

Consistent with the resolution of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions, passed in May, 2011, local commissioners voted at its December, 2011, meeting to “oppose changing the Minnesota constitution in order to ban the legal recognition of same-sex relationships and unions.”

Cara Ruff, chair of the St. Cloud Area Regional Commission, stated, “Our purpose is to secure for all citizens and visitors equal opportunity, access, inclusion and participation in the affairs of this community.  We agree with the state League of Human Rights Commissions that ‘this legislation, if approved, would have a direct, negative impact on Minnesota’s GLBT community in particular, by denying equal protection of -the law and relegating families headed by or consisting of same-sex couples to a permanent second-class citizenship status’.” 

According to estimates from the Williams Institute of the UCLA School of Law, the city of St. Cloud has approximately 94 same-sex couple households.   The three surrounding counties—Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns—have approximately 223 same-sex households.  (http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Census2010Snapshot_Minnesota_v2.pdf)

  “Our role in the community is to promote and protect the human rights of all our residents and to work diligently to prevent discrimination based on a number of characteristics, including sexual orientation,” Ruff stated.  “We believe that the proposed amendment would enshrine discrimination against same-sex couples in our state Constitution on a permanent basis.  As human rights advocates, we believe it is our responsibility to voice our opposition.”

For more information: Cara Ruff (cara@independentlifestyles.org)

                                          Judy Foster (320) 240-6362

Is Circumcision a Human Rights Violation?

In the court of Cologne, Germany, judges had called circumcision a "criminal act", equating it with bodily harm.  Jewish and Muslim groups around the world have expressed deep concern over the ruling.  If all of Germany declares circumcision a criminal act, people would either have to travel abroad for the ritual procedure, or emigrate from Germany entirely.

While many studies show that there are multiple health benefits to circumcision,  these benefits are often debated.  Jewish and Muslim groups, as well as secular ones, also have conflicting views on circumcision.

Male circumcision is addressed in the Old Testament.  God commanded that Abraham, all of the men of his tribe, and all descendants should cut their foreskins to show their loyalty to God and also to identify themselves as God's Chosen People.  It is the responsibility of the father to circumcise his son when he is eight days old.  The family hires a mohel, or a ritual circumciser, to perform this duty during a celebration.  The mohel receives special training in this art.  Secular Jews will take their baby boys to a hospital for a surgical procedure.  To date, there has been no evidence that this procedure harms Jewish males or their sexual capabilities, and no reports of Jewish males suffering injury or death from the procedure. 

Male circumcision is not addressed in the Koran, but has become regular practice for Muslims around the world.  Legend has it, however, that Mohammed said that circumcision is traditional for men and "meritorious" for women...but never said that Allah requires it.  Depending on their cultural traditions, male Muslims are circumcised at different ages.  Grown men who convert to Islam may be expected to have themselves circumcised.

Unlike male circumcision, female circumcision (also known as "female genital mutilation" or FGM) has no health benefits, and has been proven to cause harm to women later in life.  It is an extremely painful procedure that often renders a woman unable to enjoy sexual intercourse, and can lead to various forms of cancer.  Some families who come from countries that practice FGM seek asylum in non-FGM practicing countries, to protect their daughters from this damaging practice.  Female circumcision is against the law in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Sweden, as well as in 15 African countries...but Germany has yet to outlaw this practice.

If the German circumcision ruling does something to address FGM, that would be one giant leap for womankind. 

Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité

July 14th is Bastille Day.  It is hard to name another national holiday that truly commemorates the fight for human rights. 

Bastille Day, also called "French National Day" in English speaking countries, is known in its native France as La Féte Nationale, or "The National Celebration".  The holiday not only commemorates the French Revolution, but more specifically, the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.  The Bastille was a fortress prison that held people jailed on the whims of the king, as well as political prisoners whose writings offended the royal government.  Even though only seven prisoners inhabited the Bastille at that time, the prison was a symbol of everything wrong with the French monarchy--autocracy, censorship, terror, and unquestioned power based on class.  The revolutionaries, with the held of the crowd and household troops of the French Army, took over the Bastille and freed the prisoners. 

In 1790,  La Féte Nationale was celebrated for the first time.  For four days, Parisians of all classes feasted, drank fine wine, and ran naked in the streets together to celebrate their freedom, equality, and common humanity.  In 1880, the French Republic voted to have Bastille Day as a one day national holiday that would include a military parade.  To this day, the French military parade is the oldest and largest military parade in Europe. 

For a short time, the President used Bastille Day to pardon criminals who commit minor offenses; in 2007 President Sarkozy abandoned the practice.  This break with tradition may be one reason why Sarkozy lost the recent election.

Today Bastille Day is celebrated in Belgium, Hungary, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and 50 cities in the United States...including the Twin Cities.