The shit going down at Mizzou right now is disgusting. Everyone please stay safe tomorrow
“If you EVER wondered who you would be or what you would do if you lived during the Civil Rights Movement, stop. You are living in that time, RIGHT NOW.”
That Kurdish child from Syria whose picture is being shared had a name, his name was Aylan Kurdi and he was 3 years old. He had a brother name Galip who was 5 years old who died as well, along with their mother. He had a family and would have had a bright future had the International community done anything to stop the attrocities, had the International community done anything to make seeking reguge easier and more humane. When you share his picture as some nameless person in order to spark outrage, in order to pat yourself on the back for doing *something* or for likes and shares you engage in the dehumanization of a 3 year old child. He had a name, Aylan.
And instead of sharing such a triggering, dehumanizing, and disgusting image to make yourself feel good you could donate money to the many organizations that are attempting to help refugees find shelter, that are attempting to feed them, you could start petitions, you could share the history of the war (words not just pictures), you could write letters to legislators that represent you to help put the pressure on them to act regarding the refugee crisis. When enough people actually DO something…things get done. But when you share a disturbing picture which further fuels our desensitization to violence you’re not doing anything other than appeasing your own ego.
So here are some ways to *actually* help:
1. Doctors Without Borders is providing medical aid in and around Syria. If you call this number you can ensure your funds go directly to Syrian refugees 1-888-392-0392.
2. World Visions works in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan to provide clean and sanitizing water. You can donate by calling 1-800-562-4453.
3. CARE operates multiple refugee centers in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon and you can donate to them by calling 1-800-521-CARE
4. World Food Program will provide food to Syrians and other refugees…you can donate at wfp.org
But you can also do more, get involved in grassroots organizations locally, fundraise with your church/mosque/temple. Write and start new petitions. Protest in front of embassies or other places of governance.
Really, there are many ways to help and sharing a picture of a young child…a BABY without his name, his story, anything is not one of them.
Livestock and their byproducts actually account for at least 32,000 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, or 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.
Livestock is responsible for 65% of all emissions of nitrous oxide – a greenhouse gas 296x more destructive than carbon dioxide and which stays in the atmosphere for 150 years.
Animal agriculture use ranges from 34-76 trillion gallons (129-288 liters) of water annually.
1,000 gallons (3,780 l) of water are required to produce 1 gallon (3.78 l) of milk.
477 gallons (1,806 l) of water are required to produce 1 pound (450 g) of eggs; 900 gallons (3,407 l) of water are needed for cheese.
The meat and dairy industries combined use nearly 1/3 (29%) of all the fresh water in the world today.
A farm with 2,500 dairy cows produces the same amount of waste as a city of 411,000 people.
90 million tons of fish are pulled from our oceans each year.
For every 1 pound (450 g) of fish caught, an average of 5 pounds (2,3 kg) of unintended marine species are caught and discarded as by-kill.
Scientists estimate as many as 650,000 whales, dolphins and seals are killed every year by fishing vessels.
Animal agriculture is responsible for 91% of Amazon destruction.
1-2 acres (4.000-8.000 m2) of rainforest are cleared every second.
110 plant, animal and insect species are lost every day due to rainforest destruction.
70 billion farmed animals are reared annually worldwide. More than 6 million animals are killed for food every hour.
1.5 acres (6.000 m2) can produce 37,000 pounds (16.800 kg) of plant-based food. 1.5 acres can produce 375 pounds (170 kg) of meat.
A person who follows a vegan diet uses 50% less carbon dioxide, 1/11th oil, 1/13th water, and 1/18th land compared to a meat-eater.
