Massive Changes at New Republic Spark Critiques of Gay Owner
Facebook cofounder Chris Hughes, who bought the venerable magazine two years ago, is the target of much criticism after changes in leadership led to a staff exodus.
Dawn Ennis
www.advocate.com/politics/media/2014/12/07/massive-changes-new-republic-spark-critiques-gay-owner
Why Racial Profiling at Airports Is Surrender to Terrorism
You’d think racial profiling was a thing of the past, but recently the Obama administration re-affirmed the right to profile by race and religion at airports, border crossings and immigration checkpoints. It’s not just disappointing — it’s part of a long-standing surrender to fear.
After all, if terrorism is the use of fear and violence to influence and change societies, then all of the rules after 9/11 that allowed and encouraged racial profiling are a validation of Al Qaeda’s evil tactics. The continued policy of racial profiling isn’t just disrespectful to Arab Americans, African Americans, Latinos and Muslims, it’s also a slap in the face to veterans who fought for our freedoms and those who have died in the War On Terrorism. We should never change ourselves or our belief in human equality out of fear. We should never let Al Qaeda or any other group turn Americans against each other. By treating Arabs and Muslims different we are also giving aid and comfort to extremist viewpoints that America is at war with Islam, rather than just with the radical groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS.
One of the lessons I learned growing up as a young gay man in the Midwest is that you don’t give in to bullies. You don’t change yourself or go back into the closet or hide who you are. The people who do violence and who are disrespectful are wrong, not the victims. Our laws since 9/11 have been changed so fundamentally, and the Patriot Act continues to be such a fortress of paranoia, that it begs the question whether America is still committed to carrying the torch of freedom and democracy.
Many of the groups the United States targets for extra scrutiny are also our biggest allies in the War on Terrorism. The United States has had so much success getting help from Muslim and Arab Americans that the CIA is one of the biggest sponsors of Dearborn’s Arab International Festival. Not to mention, Muslim Americans have been at the forefront of the intellectual battle within Islam that has bolstered moderates in the Middle East. Just recently, community leaders held a rally condemning ISIS that was woefully under-reported by mainstream media.
On a personal level, I’ve learned how respectful, kind and generous Muslim people are. While I grew up facing beatings and disrespect from some Christian religious communities, not once in my life have I heard a Muslim utter a disrespectful word to me. Respect for others is part and parcel with the American Islamic community.
As a political activist, I’ve found a similar level of open-mindedness. This year I worked at the local Arab American community center, ACCESS, and was treated like a valued member of the team. Everyone knew I was gay and that I wrote for the Huffington Post’s “Gay Voices” blog on the side. It didn’t matter to them. While my college schedule made it difficult to keep up with the work, I still look back fondly at the time I spent at ACCESS.
Just recently, at the Arab American Civil Rights League dinner the president of the Dearborn Democratic club and his wife pulled me aside just to tell me how they wanted me to know that they valued what I did in the community and that I was supported no matter who I loved. They’re both Arab American and Muslims. In a small community of activists, writers and politicos, these things matter. But I have to ask – who would I be if I didn’t support them, too? Who would I be if I didn’t turn around and support other minorities in my community?
The fact is, we need to get over the Post-9/11 fear of Arabs and Muslims. It’s not just about doing the right thing – although it certainly is about doing the right thing. Racial profiling is a surrender to terrorism, but we can choose to fight back. The only way to win in the War on Terrorism is to never give in — to fight for justice and equality, side-by-side, with our fellow Americans.
Voices – Barbados LGBT Speaking Out Report
VOICES Highlights the reality that many LGBT people face in Barbados; especially LGBT youth. This project was not conceptualised to fuel the debate surrounding homosexuality, but to bring…
Towletech v.132: Net Neutrality, Artificial Intelligence, Extremely Large Telescopes, E-Ink Smartphones
With the Orion spacecraft having a successful test flight Friday, when can we expect to see manned trips to Mars?
And if you thought watching a harrowing space survival journey (a la Sandra Bullock in Gravity) was intense, try playing one.
It’s only been 9 days since the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed teaser trailer exploded onto the internet, but dedicated fans have already built one of the new, controversial “crossguard lightsabers” using a 3D printer. Check it out below:
IMAX may soon be getting some high-def competition in movie theaters with Dolby Cinema.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel argues against net neutrality, calls for special access fast lanes.
Check out Sony’s latest marketing stunt showing off their waterproof devices – the Xperia Aquatech Store in Dubai. It’s an underwater concept store that requires scuba gear and an invitation to reach.
Awareness or alarmism? Stephen Hawking’s recent comment on artificial intelligence potentially leading to the “end of the human race” has stirred debate among AI experts.
In related news, if you have 20 minutes to spare be sure and check out this new TEDx Talk on the wonderful and terrifying implications of computers that can learn.
Work has begun on the European Extremely Large Telescope, an enormous telescope with a 128 ft main mirror that will be able to obtain high-resolution imagery of planetary formation and potentially even detect water and other organic molecules on far off planets.
A fascinating look at how ultrafast cameras that capture 100 billion frames per second will enable us to watch how light moves and may even help us study invisibility cloaks.
Introducing the word’s first 1,000 mph car.
If you’re not down to fork over $200+ for a smartwatch, check out the $7 Fastfox.
Yota’s slick, dual-screened e-paper smartphone is now on sale in the UK.
The virtual reality headsets that give Oculus Rift a run for its money.
Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg fires back at Apple’s Tim Cook after Cook suggested that free online services (like Facebook) treat their users as “products”.
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice has just wrapped filming.
Why ultrasonic devices may be the key to haptic feedback for virtual reality.
Pizza Hut’s new tablet-menu will track your eye movements to pick your favorite toppings for you.
Kyler Geoffroy
SALENTO LGBT FILM FEST Gianluca Rollo (Lecce2019), Giovanni Minerba e Salvatore Tramacere
Lettera d’amore "immaginata" di Ottavio Mario Mai a Giovanni Minerba, letta da Gianluca Rollo (Lecce2019) durante la presentazione del libro NEGLI OCCHI IL CINEMA, NELLE MANI L’AMORE …
WATCH: Ariz. Anchor Challenges 'Hatemonger' Pastor on Antigay Views
But Pastor Steven Anderson doubles down on his rhetoric, equating gays with ax murderers and Adolf Hitler.
Trudy Ring
A Tear-Jerking Tailgate in Oxford, Mississippi
In a powerful op-ed in The Clarion-Ledger, HRC Mississippi Faith Organizer Denise Donnell shared a powerful story about faith, love and acceptance in the Magnolia State.
HRC.org
Why Didn’t The Crying Game’s Big Reveal Show An Erect Penis?
Somebody said to me, ‘Look, no matter if [Dil was] a guy or a girl, if this guy was in love with you, why was his penis not erect?’ Of course the thing was, you wouldn’t be allowed an erect penis [on film]. You were allowed a penis, but not an erect penis. A lot of men will tell you, sadly, it isn’t always erect when it’s supposed to be [laughs], but anyway, that’s just a technicality. Most people were just shocked at the presence of the penis, not whether or not it was aroused.”
— Stephen Rea answers the pressing question while discussing the filming of the big reveal in 1992’s The Crying Game with Vulture
Jeremy Kinser
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