There is a lot of negativity in the online world. We’re dedicated to taking time each week to share positive things. Each Wednesday, we’ll provide a few links to the things that make us happy and that you may enjoy! They will be inspirational, happy, educational, moving, and/or just plain silly.
Adam Chang – Human Stories During Hurricane Harvey
By now you may have watched or read several news sources cycle through Hurricane Harvey and its impact on Houston, Texas, this past week. A recurring theme that has been sitting with me is the message of help and support from neighbors — neighbors in the very physical sense of “next door to my home,” but also in the sense of neighboring counties and states. I am sharing this video and article by ABC news as it offers ways for those of us a bit removed to help support Texans impacted by this natural disaster. There is nothing like seeing actual footage of victims to stir the heart to action. Given the present political climate, it was a bit of a reprieve to see Americans acting in a manner that I know to be at the core of many Americans. That there is a desire to want to help those not only during a moment of crisis, but to even extend that help to rebuild once the disaster is over. In the video, you’ll see two black men saving a stranded Spanish speaking female truck driver. You’ll hear about how neighbors are lending their boats, and states are offering their helicopters to assist in the search and rescue of thousands of displaced people. I want to remain hopeful that after this tragedy, many will remember that those who were “different” from them may have ultimately saved their life, and that this awareness remains with them. Lastly, I’ll point out that the article does list as one of their support organizations, Austin Pets Alive!, a no-kill pet advocacy group. The outpour of support thus far really has saved many lives — humans and pets!
Anika Steig – Carl Sagan explaining the 4th dimension
The solar eclipse this month was absolutely stunning, even for those of us not in the path of totality. It seems to have sparked an increased interest in space and science, which I hope lasts longer than the popularity of a viral video.
Even though this video of Carl Sagan has nothing to do with the eclipse, it has always been one of my favorites because of his amazing ability to clearly explain a concept that humans literally will never experience. Here, the brilliant Sagan describes the fourth dimension using physical props.
Bonus video if you think math is fun: Matt Parker’s lecture on ‘Four Dimensional Maths: Things to See and Hear in the Fourth Dimension’.
Justin Clark – Cisgender Support of Trans People
Last Friday, the Trump Administration sent a memo to the Department of Defense with formal guidance on a ban on transgender service members serving in the U.S. military.
As a cisgender person who spent 4+ years working with an organization that supported trans and non-binary youth, I was frustrated with this decision and some of the news coverage of it. However, it reminded me of two articles from late July that delve into privilege and definitive actions that cisgender folks can take to better support trans people.
Angela Dumlao penned an excellent letter in Huffington Post, To The Cis Person Angrily Sharing News Of Trump’s Transgender Military Ban.
Hannah Dean wrote in the Tempest about the importance of respecting someone’s pronouns, This is what you’re actually saying when you ignore someone’s gender pronouns.
“It’s about showing other human beings basic respect. It’s about accepting people at their word when they tell you what their life experience is. It’s about listening. It’s our obligation to try harder, not a trans person’s obligation to keep explaining themselves to you. It’s our job to do better.”