Author: Vanessa King

Writer Challenges Freedom

- Vanessa King

Orhan Pamuk is a famous writer from Turkey who is challenging freedom of expression in his country. In daring to comment about the genocide of thousands in Turkey he is now facing prosecution for the ‘public denigration of Turkish identity’. If convicted, Pamuk faces three years in prison, even longer if he publicly discusses his case before it goes to trial in December.

‘I said loud and clear that one million Armenians and 30,000 Kurds were killed in Turkey, and I stand by that. For me, these are scholarly issues,’ said Pamuk. ‘I am a novelist. I address human suffering and pain and it is obvious, even in Turkey, that there was an immense hidden pain which we now have to face.’

In finding the courage to speak out about his views on freedom of expression Orhan is creating a stir all throughout Turkey. The International community is taking notice of his case as well and this week he is being awarded with the German Peace Prize.

When people in the public eye challenge oppression and human rights violations it is a huge and bold step toward creating change.

‘It goes without saying that I stand by my words,’ he’s said in recent interviews. ‘And even more, I stand by my right to say them.’

Anti McDonalds Day!

- Vanessa King 16 Comments

Yesturday was the 20th annual National Anti-McDonalds Day. Every year on October 16th people all over the World come together in peaceful protest against this corporate junk food giant to raise awareness about subjects such as McDonalds damaging the environment, exploiting workers, cruelty towards animals and for targeting youth in their ad campaigns. The date of protest was started by the London branch of Greenpeace in 1985 and was chosen because October 16th is also the United Nations World Food Day.
You can visit the official anti McDonalds site here for more information on the company and can also download a version of their “whats wrong with McDonalds” leaflet to learn more about why there is controversy behind the Mc Giant.

UN Congratulates Angelina!

- Vanessa King 69 Comments

Actress Angelina Jolie has recently been presented with the Global Humanitarian Award from The United Nations Association of the U.S.A. for her work in aiding refugees all over the Globe.

She first became involved with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) after travelling to the small African country of Sierra Leone, which has been devastated by years of civil war. After witnessing the suffering and challenges that refugees face she chose to use her noteriety as a highly popular actress to aid in their cause.

Angelina has visited more than 20 countries to talk personally to refugees and has also become highly regarded for her activism before senior political and economic leaders in arguing the protection of refugees. She has served as a voice for millions of displaced people all over the Globe.

UN High Commisioner for refugees António Guterres said in his congratulatory message “The depth of your dedication and commitment inspires many others, especially the legions of young people who admire you, to think about how they too can help to make the world a better place.”

Thanks and More Thanks!

- Vanessa King 1 Comment


For many Canadians this time of year can be great fun! We get into the excitement of yummy turkey dinners with mashed potatoes, gravy and the best stuffing recipes only YOUR mom can make best. My mouth is watering just thinking about this Thanksgiving. It can also be easy to get so involved in the festivities that we forget what the holiday is really all about! BEING THANKFUL!!! Giving thanks for all of the creature comforts that we are blesed with and the numerous opportunities before us as humans in North America is a really great way to remember just how fortunate we really are. It helps us to look on the bright side of our daily lives and realize how significant our experience really is.

Canadian Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to be thankful for the years harvest and also has some historical ties to the early settlments of Canada as a time of year to give thanks for the land and for surviving the long journey it took to find it. Enjoying turkey dinners of course is relevant to that because the harvest is what brought our food to us. Nowadays there is even more to it as our food travels varying distances before coming to our plate and the plethora of food selection we have is so deliciously enormous!
So today, for all who are reading this, perhaps we can take the time to remember just how lucky we all are and not forget to count our blessings along with our helpings of YUMMY GOODNESS!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

*Artist Highlight*

- Vanessa King

Omran Suleman Bebo is a young artist from northern Iraq. His paintings reflect his local Yezidi culture (a little known religious sect highly oppressed by Saddam Husseins regime) and many of the transitions and challenges faced by Iraqis today.

As an art teacher, and previous fine arts student himself, he sees the importance of facilitating communication through creativity and encourages his students to express themselves through the medium of art.

You can view more of his original works here.

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