45 years ago today, real world Auror Dr. Martin Luther King Jr stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial and gave one of the most moving speeches in US history and perhaps world history. Almost every child in the US has some familiarity with the “I Have A Dream” speech. It is a dream not only from Dr. King but from millions of people throughout the world. Dr. King helped plant the seeds for such a dream - sometimes the seeds sprout up and sometimes their sprouts are cut down by the forces of oppression. But the seeds are there. We can continue to plant them in our lives and in our own dreams…and protect those that are sprouting out and becoming alive and vibrant. It is up to us to make this dream come true. Check out the video. After watching, remember, the torch has been carried to our generation. It is up to us to ensure the global realization of this dream:
I apologize for my absence in blogging this last week! I have two excuses: the first being is that my computer has been inundated with spyware and viruses and it’s not giving me access to the HPA blog (so I’m borrowing this computer). The second excuse is far more interesting: I was in Poughkeepsie, New York this last weekend at one of the most mind blowing events I’ve ever attended: Wrock For Darfur.
This event which we talked about in our One World, One Dream podcast was organized by four young women ages fifteen and sixteen. I am still in disbelief at what they managed to pull off. So much so that it’s difficult to even begin describing the event, I think we’re going to have to do a whole podcast about it. But in short, it was an INCREDIBLE Wizard Rock Festival that raised money for Civilian Protection and school supplies for Darfuri refugees. The event brought together businesses from all over the city of Poughkeepsie, a local church, Wizard Rock and Muggle bands, the city’s mayor, the media, enthusiastic teenagers, children, parents, and seniors — all working for peace and justice in Darfur.
I had the honor to speak there as did a member of STAND. The event raised over 4000 dollars in total (I am still waiting to hear the final tally). There was face painting, great music, food, a HORCRUX HUNT! I’ll be writing more soon about this experience and what went into it soon!
We continue to promote the Olympic ideal of “One World, One Dream” that neither the government of China or the International Olympic Committee seem to have much respect for. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is kind of like the “Barty Crouch Sr” for our world, organizing a sporting event meant to promote ideals of international understanding and cooperation.
It turns out that Olympic athletes have been forbidden from showing any support for Tibet - a country which the government of China took over and continues to occupy by force. But in an act of solidarity, over 40 Olympic athletes have downloaded an album called “Songs for Tibet” with songs by many distinguished musical artists. Take a look at the article here.
For more on ways that you can take action on behalf of Tibet, take a look at freetibet2008.org!
Remember that just 3 dollars goes to protect one Darfuri woman for an entire year. Please make your donation today at thehpalliance.org/civilianprotection
And please remember during the Olympics to not watch the commercials and also to make sure that you watch Mia Farrow’s coverage of what she calls The Darfur Olympics at darfurolympics.org
They are making progress. And not to be a snob but still, this is your standard Wizarding invisibility cloak with Muggle branded versions of Disilliusioning Charms. That’s still incredible and Arthur Weasley would totally flip out over that. But as a Harry Potter nerd, I just can’t see how any of this is going tomatch the caliber of a cloak crafted by Death for one of the brothers Peverell. I mean, you know?
The HP Alliance is proud to present our newest episode of Potterwatch (with an intro by Jim Dale!): ONE WORLD, ONE DREAM! Once you subscribe to our feed, please make sure to listen to this new episode: “One World, One Dream.” If you have trouble getting to it, you can listen to it directly right here at this link. We hope you find it empowering, educational, and inspiring as we ask for Harry Potter fans across the world to embrace the Olympic (and the TriWizard) ideal of “One World, One Dream.”
While the government of China who are hosting the Olympics are creating “One World” with “Many Nightmares” by financing the genocide in Darfur and the military junta in Burma, as well as their continual occupation in Tibet, we members of Dumbledore’s Army are taking measures into our own hands by working on behalf of people in all three of these areas, as we spread our love to our spirits as well as the spirit of all humanity.
Please find out more about how you can take action at thehpalliance.org/triwizard.html and email dinah@thehpalliance.org to throw a House Party! And no matter what, please download this podcast! Either on Itunes or if you don’t have Itunes right here at this link.
Back in July, we asked all of you to Switch Over to Darfur during the Olympics by watching Mia Farrow’s reports from Darfur instead of the commercials. By doing this, we are sending a message to the Olympic Sponsors that we don’t support their silent acceptance of the situation in Darfur, and instead of watching their ads, we are going to take this time to learn about the situation and take action (this is all explained much better in Andrew’s original post). I signed, and I know many of you did as well.
Today is Day 3 of the Olympics, and for me, Day 3 of Switching Over to Darfur and refusing to watch Olympic advertisements. I’ve been keeping up with news over at the Darfur Olympics site and watching Mia Farrow’s videos (which you can also find on Youtube). These broadcasts are illustrating what’s going on in Darfur right now…Mia Farrow is really there, and she’s speaking with real people and working hard to make sure that all of us at home have the chance to truly experience what’s going on.
For me, Switching Over has been a really hard thing to do. Not only is it hard for me to face the atrocities and tragedies occurring in Darfur, I also just really love the Olympics and don’t want to miss anything. But I am doing this.When the commercials come on, I walk out of the room, put on another channel, mute the TV and concentrate of my knitting for MAK, and do anything else I can think of to make sure I’m not watching those commercials.
I started with the Opening Ceremonies, which I watched with some friends and their families. I got some questions about why I was “acting strangely.” I explained to everyone about the Darfur Olympics and my pledge to not watch the commercials, and why I felt it was so important. That night, I went home and watched the Alternative Opening Ceremonies online. Since then, I’ve explained my decision to my own family and several other friends. Sometimes, I get really good reactions. Other times, not so much.
