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ALR news
One of the most important things we can do in the wake of the recent events is remember that life still goes on. The issues that are dealt with in these newsletters are still as valid as before if not more so. Reports are already coming in that many charitable organizations are bracing for record low donations this year, since people have already made their allotted annual contributions to attack related funds. The question is: How can we sustain these philanthropic feelings and extend them towards others who are need? Hopefully some of the links below will help.
September 11th
Before we continue with the usual listings I've included a couple of links that weren't mentioned last issue and relate specifically to the recent events:
Since 1993 Help The Afghan Children, a non-profit organization based in the US, has been sending delegations to Afghanistan to provide education, medical assistance, and other humanitarian aid to children and families suffering under extremely oppressive conditions. Their site http://www.htaci.com/ provides a well documented account of their program and gives several ways that individuals can help.
The American Institute for Graphic Arts (AIGA) has dedicated a section of it's Design Forum (http://designforum.aiga.org/) to recent events, including writings by members of the design community on a variety of topics. The AIGA has also created a gallery of visual responses to September 11th by graphic designers which can be seen at http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm?ContentAlias=911gallery.
activism
The Moritorium Campaign, chaired by Catholic nun, Sister Helen Prejean, the subject of the film Dead Man Walking, is based on the belief that a necessary step towards the full protection of human rights is an immediate moratorium on the death penalty. Their site http://www.moratoriumcampaign.org/ gives background information on the campaign as well as access to their petition which has already been signed by over 3.2 million people worldwide. (thanks to list member Jen Willis for passing this along)
Oxfam, the international organization working for social and economic justice, has several ongoing campaigns of crucial importance, including a petition calling for a change in the WTO medicine patent rules. Artificially high drug prices has lead to the lack of access to medication for preventable diseases in developing countries. The petition can be signed online at http://oxfam.org.uk/e-campaigns/unclesam/uspetition.html. Visit Oxfam's US site for more information on this and other campaigns at http://www.oxfamamerica.org/
(source: Victory is Certain)
do it yourself
Is there a social justice issue which you believe has not gotten the attention it deserves? Then Petition Online is for you. This site provides free hosting to public petitions: just write a petition, decide who it should go to, post it online and spread the word. Start your online activism or check out one of the dozens of already posted petitions at: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/
Strength in numbers is the idea behind "giving circles". These groups are formed by concerned individuals with the objective of pooling resources for charitable causes. Already becoming popular in several parts of the country "giving circles" are an excellent way to help when your funds are limited. Check out Giving New England's web page http://www.givingnewengland.org/circpage.html for more information on starting your own circle. (source: The Christian Science Monitor 10/1/01)
environment
Activists interested in working on local environmental issues can turn to Scorecard for direction. This easy to use online database gives you detailed information on environmental pollution in your area and what or who the cause of it is. Go to http://www.scorecard.org for the lowdown.
(source: Adbusters Sept/Oct 2001)
design
Provided as a forum for socially conscious designers, Desk With Drawers (http://www.deskwithdrawers.org/) proposes a variety of ways we can break out of the traditional design mindset. Chock full of ideas, texts, and links, this site is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to think "out of the box" on design issues.
(source: Adbusters Sept/Oct 2001)
The Center for The Study of Political Graphics was created as a non-profit educational archive that preserves what can often be a very transient art form. The power of the arts in times of political upheaval has been proven again and again and designers wishing to create their own political graphics may do well to start their research here: http://www.politicalgraphics.org/
(Thanks to list member David Herman for sending us this one)
The founders of the design firm World Studio felt that they needed to do more than just create ad campaigns for major clients, thus they founded the World Studio Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to channeling social activism through the arts. Via mentoring, scholarship programs, and their publications they have made a difference in many lives. To find out how you can join them go to http://www.worldstudio.org/
(source: I.D. Feb 2001)
There's a new tool for web designers looking to ensure accessibility to their sites. The Vischeck software let's you view web pages form the perspective of someone who is colorblind (which includes an incredible 10% of the population!). Download the free tool or check sites directly via their website at http://vischeck.com/
(source: Design Tools Monthly, September '01)
food
Want to support your local economy and eat well? Buy produce from a farmer's market. The USDA provides a searchable database of markets in your area at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/
green consumer
The winter holidays are approaching and gift giving will be moving to the forefront of many people's minds. People interested in giving unique and socially conscious gifts should visit NOVICA (http://www.novica.com/) a portal for international artisans to sell their wares in a non-exploitive environment. The stories and faces behind the works make visiting this site a powerful experience.
The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental group working for socially responsible forest management. Their rigorous certification process means that lumber with the FSC logo has been fairly and safely harvested. Go to http://fscus.org/ to find out where certified lumber can be bought. (source: Christian Science Monitor 8/23/01)
media
The word Baraka can be found in many languages and means roughly "Blessing" -- and a blessing is a perfect way to define the 1992 film of the same name. Shot in gorgeous 70mm in 24 countries, this film is much more than a travelogue. Without narration or dialogue we are given an unblinking eye's view of our world. Especially poignant in light of recent events, Baraka, directed by Ron Frike the cinematographer of Koyaanisqatsi, reminds us of the interconnected web of lives that our planet supports. While scenes range from indescribably beautiful to heart wrenchingly sad the ultimate result is a reaffirmation of what makes life worth living. Highly recommended for these troubled times.
nosh
Social activists and vegetarians finally have a way to participate in big game hunting with a clean conscience. No it's not a video game, just a wacky concept put forth by San Francisco activists at http://www.changingtheclimate.com/. Participants buy or create bumper stickers that say "I'm changing the climate, Ask me how" and then stick them to the most egregious gas guzzling SUVs they can find. They probably won't change any minds but it sure looks like fun. If you do decide to participate don't tell anyone you heard it from us, stickering cars is vandalism.
(source: Adbusters Sept/Oct 2001 and our friends at Victory Is Certain)
in closing
Thanks for your time and feel free to contact us with suggestions for future issues, web sites to check out, or just to say "Howdy".
Noah Scalin, founder
ALR design
socially conscious graphic design
noah@alrdesign.com
http://www.ALRdesign.com