Adopt-A-Cause

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Current issues affect all of us. No matter how much you might like to hide your head in the sand -- don't. Rev. Martin Niemoller's 1945 poem about oppression holds true: first they come for people you don't like, but eventually they come for YOU. So stand up for other people's rights because, in so doing, you also stand up for your own. Here on the Internet we have great opportunity to reach out and connect, to support each other in our various quests of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Click on the banners below to find out more about these issues, which represent a sampling of my own quests.

Issues

• Alternative Religions
• Environmental Protection
• Free Speech
• Gender Studies and Alternative Sexuality
• Media Responsibility
• Survivors
• World Peace
• Rainbow of Ribbons

Alternative Religions

The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights include some fine words about our freedom to honor the Divine in whatever way we see fit -- or not at all. A lot of people would like to make those freedoms a matter of academic argument instead of practical fact. Please remember that other folks feel just as attached to their belief system as you do to yours, and respect their choices. Help maintain the separation of church and state, and the right to practice diverse religions without fear of losing one's life, liberty, home, job, spouse, children, or self-respect. These banners serve as a reminder that not everybody enjoys these freedoms, and that over history more people have died in wars sparked by religious differences than in all other wars put together. There IS no One True Right and Only Way. (If you would like to learn more about alternative religions, check out the Spirituality section of the Website.)

Environmental Protection

YOUR connection to

Earth Day Events and Activities!
Environmental Resources on the Internet!

We all share this beautiful, rather fragile little planet. Think of it as a lifeboat floating through a frigid, airless, utterly inhospitable void -- because that's exactly what it is. The Jewish folks have a clever saying about situations like this: "When ten men share a lifeboat, no man has the right to bore a hole under his own seat." Every instance you see of somebody abusing the Earth, polluting it, stripping it of vital resources ... that's a case of boring a hole under their own seat. Do what you can to stop it, because otherwise this will turn into a case of sink or swim. Remember too that we two-legged people are not the only ones who live on this planet; we have obligations to protect all the other inhabitants as well. Many people also conceive of the Earth as sacred and alive; She will take care of us if we take care of Her.

Free Speech

Here in the United States we enjoy the rights of free speech and expression -- but only as long as we continue to defend them, because there are always people trying to take them away. Among my friends in the professional writing community, it is considered a mark of honor to have your writing banned. Why? It means you're saying important things, dangerous things, powerful things that could change a person's mind ... or even their life. The censors don't bother to shut up insignificant commentators. The Internet offers infinite freedom of speech as long as we can protect it from the censors. We need to keep an eye on privacy, too, because the right to speak also includes the right to speak privately and the right to remain silent about things we would rather not have the whole world know. So stand up, speak out, and think for yourself -- before it becomes illegal.

Gender Studies and Alternative Sexuality

Another popular prejudice has to do with sexuality, gender identity, and related areas of the human psyche. Sexuality is dynamic, fluid, and fun to explore. People who like to explore it generally come under severe condemnation from those demand that we ignore our natural curiosity about this fascinating field and do it in the dark under the covers in the prescribed fashion without talking and wash our hands afterward. Likewise, gender roles vary dramatically from one culture to another; this is a broad spectrum and not a set of pigeonholes. Some people find that in order to describe themselves accurately, they need to step off the beaten path. Yet even those who accept socially-approved gender roles often fall victim to discrimination and abuse. So this section is about being who you are, and doing what you like to do with people you find appealing, and letting other folks do what they like even if it isn't what you like. (For more information on this popular topic, check out the Gender Studies and Alternative Sexuality section of the Website.)

Media Responsibility

With great power comes great responsibility. My mother says, "If you're not responsible, then you're irresponsible and that's worse." Also, just because something is a right doesn't necessarily mean that it can't be abused. Those of us in the business of gathering and distributing information have a responsibility to exercise good judgment, fair coverage, differentiation between facts and opinions, adequate public debate of issues, honest relations with sources and audiences alike, thorough research, and careful assembly of content. Misrepresenting, distorting, or fabricating facts to sensationalize the end product and make it sell better ... is wrong, and in some instances illegal. It is also common. The Internet, that wonderful information highway, features its own kind of moral roadkill. Bandwidth robbery, spam, e-mail bombs, and slanderous Websites all leap readily to mind. Responsible people do their best to make their work excellent, accurate, and available to all without damaging innocent people in the process. Come cheer for the heroes and hiss at the villains.

Survivors

This Java Applet Banner will run continuously, displaying the 13 Missing Children Alert Cases. Clicking on the photograph will bring up the Alert  Page with more information, and the ability to print posters. Clicking  on the Marquee Message will connect to the NCMEC home page.

This Missing Children's Ring site is owned by Elizabeth Barrette.  Click for the Next Page || Previous || Next 5 || Join  If the Ring is down, a complete listing of members' links are here.  Newest Missing Alerts!

Note: The Children Missing Organization banner uses a Java applet
to display the photographs. If they are not appearing on your browser, you may want to visit the Children Missing Organization's Website.

Regrettably, some individuals like to entertain themselves by harming people. Victims include all kinds of people -- women, children, men, any age, all races. The specific type of violence may vary from region to region but there are no safe zones yet. This section is dedicated to those courageous people who managed to survive an attack of some kind: rape, child abuse, domestic violence, hate crimes, whatever.

This also requires a moment of silence for the many who don't survive.

For those who do, activism provides a way of taking back their power. You can help by visiting these sites to find out more. Once you break the silence, these ugly crimes begin to wither and die.

World Peace

Peace is something that must be built, carefully, a piece at a time. It grows in quiet sheltered places. It grows in deserts and rainforests. It sprouts whenever someone gets tired of fighting. Yes, there is a time to fight -- and here is a time to stop. Stop pointing fingers and start holding hands. Help make the world a safe place for everyone by visiting these sites, many of which offer ideas for things you can do directly. Wage peace!

Rainbow of Ribbons

	Why a ribbon? Ribbon is inexpensive, readily available, and distinctive. The use of ribbons for raising awareness goes back many years. Some of you doubtless remember "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree" while for others the recognition begins with the red ribbon for AIDS/HIV awareness. Today we see ribbons for many, many different causes. It is easy to buy a roll of ribbon for a special fundraiser or other event and snip off a piece so people can show their support. It is fun to ask people the meaning of the ribbons they wear, so you can find out what causes you have in common. Some of the colors and causes overlap now, but that's okay. Consider this cause-by-the-color spectrum: White stands for the thousands of children who go missing; a white ribbon bow stands for survivors of cult abuse. A white ribbon also marks the hope for peace in Ireland and the end of US violence in Iraq. Men working to end men's violence against women use a white ribbon logo; so do groups working to raise awareness of suicide among gay teens. Pink stands for breast cancer awareness, an area which desperately needs more research and other attention; a pink ribbon knotted represents the freedom to marry campaign waged by folks who believe that "family" can mean more than just a man and his wife. Most people are familiar with the red AIDS ribbon; the same red ribbon, turned on its side, recognizes the necessity for animal research in the fight against AIDS. A red ribbon bow stands for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, often tied on cars as a pledge to drive sober. A crimson ribbon celebrates unity in diversity. Orange stands for the anti-branding campaign against GeoCities, a move to bring an end to terrorism, resistance to government databases, and a hope for a free Tibet. Orange ribbons can also represent an anti-poverty campaign, as well as a campaign to end teen suicide. Yellow still constitutes a remembrance for prisoners of war or soldiers missing in action; it can also stand for alcohol awareness. There are also yellow ribbon campaigns against teen suicide and to speak out against taxes on the web. Green stands for environmental activism or awareness; and also for media responsibility. There is a green ribbon campaign for a free Internet market. Mint green stands for survivors of sexual assault and the campaign to end abuse. Blue upholds the rights of crime victims, who are often victimized all over again by a system designed to protect perpetrators and not innocents; and it also upholds the rights of teachers to bargain for fair labor practices and to enough funding to do a good job of educating our children. Light blue represents No Diet Day (May 6) and, by extension, size acceptance; a fine reminder that people come in all shapes and sizes. An inverted light-blue ribbon supports a free market in technology (in particular, one in which Microsoft does not maintain a near monolopoly). Perhaps the best-known Internet ribbon campaign is the blue ribbon reprsenting free speech. Purple honors the fight against violence, especially urban violence; and the fight against racism. Purple also represents the Pagan struggle against violence, fear, and discrimination fueled by religious intolerance. On a more pleasant note, a purple ribbon supports mothers who breastfeed, and people who fight spam on the Internet. Brown serves as a memorial for victims of tobacco addiction and related diseases. Black commemorates the Day of Sorrow and Hope (February 24), the anniversary of two planes being shot down by Cuban MiGs over the Florida Straits -- and, by extension, it commemorates all those who have died due to similar acts of senseless violence. A black and white striped ribbon represents a campaign to educate the public on the potential dangers of vaccines. A black and white ribbon may also draw attention to the current problem of church bombings and burnings. A rainbow ribbon stands for the happy ideas of visibility and diversity ... for once, a celebration rather than a regret. A related rainbow symbolizes universal love. A somewhat different rainbow ribbon "provides a mechanism for people to show their solidarity with the Aboriginal people of [Australia] for the whole 'Stolen Children' episode." Another multi-colored ribbon encourages awareness and acceptance of polyamory. A polka dot ribbon encourages the use of correct spelling and grammar on the Internet. My all-time favorite ribbon campaign was a one-shot fundraiser held at a science fiction / fantasy convention for a well-known fan named Pete who was having serious trouble with his cow farm. The ribbon was white with black spots and the slogan was: "For Pete's sake, have a cow, fan." We raised a lot of money for Pete that way.

I hope you have enjoyed my little tour through the Land of Worthy Causes. These are just some things which I believe deserve more attention, time, energy, money, and other resources than they typically get. Hopefully I haven't ranted so much as to turn you off. Now, after all this criticism of various types of prejudice, I figure it's only fair to own up to the prejudices I hold: I am prejudiced against bigots and censors. I figure those will do a lot less damage in the world than most other prejudices, and I'm not perfect enough to be completely prejudice-free. That said -- go forth and make a difference.

Additional activism links

"Adopt-a-Cause" copyright 1998, 1999 Elizabeth Barrette.

Comments?

The ostrich on this page is from Windy's Web Design, in the Classy Clipart Borders section. Flickering candle is from Best Collection of Animated GIFs. Banners and ribbons are either the property of the referenced site or (to the best of our knowledge) in the public domain.

The URL for this page is http://www.worthlink.net/~ysabet/causes/index.html and it was last updated on March 21, 1999.