âTwenty-five years ago, driven by the inspiration of my adoption of an infant from Indonesia and my mother, a child psychologist, we established our first home for children in Indonesia, thus giving birth to Orphans International,â Jim Luce states.
âInfluenced by the teachings of my college professor father, the J. Luce Foundation emerged, aligning with our joint mission of Raising, Supporting & Educating Young Global Leadersover the past two decades,â Luce adds.
Jim Luce with orphaned children outside LomĂŠ in Togo, West Africa, 2008.
The theme of this 25th anniversary evening will be âPeace is possible even in the face of senseless violence. Young global leadership embraces nonviolent conflict resolution.â
The collective efforts of Orphans International and the J. Luce Foundation have empowered youth and enriched communities globally, as well as here in New York City, raising over two million dollars and impacting the lives of over two thousand young individuals.
Renown architect Noushin Ehsan, AIA states, “I am honored to have been selected as a recipient of The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundationâs 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. I look forward to celebrating with such remarkable individuals dedicated to making a positive global impact.”
The Silver Anniversary Reception will take place in the Luce Penthouse of the Asia Society, situated on Park Avenue at 70th Street, New York City. A 30-second spot (below) has been created to publicize the event, courtesy of Triumph Communications. Business of national attire is encouraged for the occasion.
The event will be held in the Henry Luce Penthouse of the Asia Society.
âThis is a significant milestone for us,â Luce says. âAs are assembling our Host Committee and extending invitations to public and diplomatic officials, and we ask our friends to confirm via email or text at 347-316-7087.â
The original sculpture of The Knotted Gun also known as âNon-Violenceâ was created by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd, a friend of John Lennon‘s family. Reuterswärd created this piece of art after Lennon’s tragic death as he wanted to honor the singer’s vision of a peaceful world.
A 30-second spot has been created to publicize the event, courtesy of Triumph Communications.
Awards
Awardees are still being invited but already include a member of the New York City Council and two college presidents.
Global Heroes: In the Initial Report of Orphans International Worldwide (1999), the founder wrote, âWithout saints, secular or divine, sanctity can too easily be viewed as mere abstraction. Our children need heroes. The courage of Mahatma Gandhi and the brilliance of Albert Einstein make sainthood a reality for us all.â
In our Initial Report, Luce called for 36 real-life saints to serve as role models for the children of OIW as part of the process of Raising Global Leaders. These global heroes included:
New York, N.Y. I created this one minute short, Before God & Buddha, a faux film trailer, in celebration of our third anniversary tomorrow (5/19/18). The title is taken from our wedding vows. We were married in Las Vegas after having gotten engaged on Roosevelt Island (8/24/17). I am happy to report that I am more and more today when I was three years agoâŚ
The assassination of Charlie Kirk at a university forum exposes the profound contradictions and costs of Americaâs firearm obsession.
New York, N.Y. â The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 11, 2025, at Utah Valley University is a tragedy layered in a paradox, wrapped in a national crisis. Kirk, a vociferous proponent of gun rights, was shot and killed during a discussion on firearm violence.
The grim irony is so profound it risks overshadowing the deeper, more systemic lesson his death imparts: that a nation awash in guns and vitriolic rhetoric cannot feign surprise when the two combine with deadly, predictable consequences. This moment must transcend mere mourning; it must become a catalyst for a long-overdue national reckoning.
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The Unsparing Irony of a Pro-Gun Advocateâs Death
Charlie Kirkâs stance on firearms was unambiguous and well-documented. He famously argued that gun deaths were a âprudent priceâ for the Second Amendment, a necessary cost of freedom.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
To be killed by the very instrument he defended so staunchly, in the midst of a debate about its dangers, is a narrative twist of Shakespearean proportions.
It is a painful, personal contradiction that highlights a brutal, collective truth: the violence often dismissed as acceptable collateral damage by pro-gun advocates does not discriminate based on ideology.
It claims its victims indiscriminately, from schoolchildren to politicians, and now, to one of the Second Amendmentâs most prominent voices.
This irony should not be a point for glib commentary but a sobering reflection on the universal vulnerability that defines Americaâs gun violence epidemic.
Permissive Laws and the Illusion of Security
The setting of this tragedy further deepens its instructive value. Utah boasts some of the most permissive gun laws in the U.S., allowing for permitless carry for most adults.
Utah lies in the western half of the U.S. Utah has a Republican governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature, as well as attorney general and secretary of state.
While public colleges like UVU require a permit to carry on campus, this incident exposed the terrifying gaps in such a framework.
The assailant used a high-powered, bolt-action rifle that was reportedly hidden near the campus.
The event, attended by over 3,000 people, lacked metal detectors and had sparse security. This reveals a catastrophic failure of imagination and enforcement.
Laws that are designed to be permissive, even with minor restrictions, are inherently vulnerable to bad actors who operate outside any legal framework.
The notion that âprotectiveâ laws alone can inoculate a society from violence is a dangerous fantasy, proven false by a rifleâs report in a Utah lecture hall.
A Disturbing Pattern of American Political Violence
Kirkâs assassination is not an anomaly; it is the latest, horrifying data point in an escalating trend of political violence in the United States.
From the shooting of Democratic legislators at a baseball practice in 2017 to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in 2024, the countryâs political discourse is increasingly punctuated by gunfire.
This event underscores the lethal synergy between polarized rhetoric, which Kirk himself often trafficked in, and easy access to firearms.
As observers have noted, âincreasingly divisive rhetoric, fueled by social media echo chambers and easy access to firearms, leads to raw nerves and a heightened potential for bloodshed.â
We have created an ecosystem where political disagreements are not just heated but exist under the constant, shadowy threat of lethal force.
Beyond Condemnation: The Path to Pragmatic Reform
In the wake of the shooting, leaders from across the political spectrum offered condemnations. Utah Governor Spencer Cox lamented that America is âbroken.â
But condemnation without action is merely sentiment. True honor for the victims of gun violenceâfrom Kirk to the children of Uvaldeâwill come not through words, but through the courage to change Americaâs gun laws once and for all.
This does not necessitate the abolition of the Second Amendment, but rather a embrace of pragmatic, balanced reforms that respect rights while prioritizing lives.
Such a approach could include implementing universal background checks to close dangerous loopholes, enacting red flag laws to temporarily disarm individuals deemed a threat by judicial review, and reinstating a federal ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines designed for maximum carnage.
A Requiem for Reflection and Resolve
Charlie Kirkâs death is a national tragedy. It is also a stark, undeniable lesson. He believed in the primacy of the Second Amendment, even at a âprudent price.â His murder is the ultimate, most devastating cost. It proves that in a nation with more guns than people, no one is truly safeânot in a church, not in a school, not at a supermarket, and not on a university stage.
To fix what is broken, as Governor Cox stated, requires moving beyond partisan divides. It demands a collective commitment to fostering a more respectful public discourse and building a legal framework that values human life above absolute, unfettered access to weaponry. The time for thoughts and prayers is over. The time for reflection has passed. The time for action is now.
Summary
The assassination of Charlie Kirk at a Utah university is a tragic irony that exposes America’s gun violence crisis. This piece argues his death by a firearm during a debate on gun control highlights the failure of permissive laws and demands pragmatic reforms to balance rights with public safety, moving beyond partisan rhetoric to meaningful action.
Hell’s Kitchen’s Latest Gem Resurrects Ancient Siamese Culinary Royalty with Perfect First-Week Reception
Editor John Laing.
New York, N.Y. â In an era where restaurant openings are often met with mixed reviews and cautious optimism, Jan Jao Kha has achieved something remarkable: unanimous five-star ratings across both Google and Yelp after just one week of service.
The Thai restaurant at 830 Ninth Avenue, nestled between 54th and 55th Streets in Hell’s Kitchen, has captured the imagination and palates of early diners with its resurrection of ancient Siamese royal cuisine.
The restaurant, co-owned by Bix Luce and partners West and Champ, opened its doors on August 26, 2025, with the ambitious mission of presenting dishes that were once exclusive to the nobility of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya kingdoms. Within seven days, the establishment had garnered 23 five-star Google reviews and 18 perfect ratings on Yelpâan unprecedented achievement for any new restaurant in Manhattan’s competitive dining landscape.
Early Diners Embrace Culinary Time Travel
The spectacular wall mural was hand painted by artisans from Bangkok.
The reviews paint a picture of dining experiences that transcend typical restaurant visits.
Margaret Chen, a food blogger from the Upper East Side, wrote on Google: “This isn’t just dinnerâit’s a masterclass in Thai culinary history. The golden dumplings alone are worth the pilgrimage to Hell’s Kitchen.”
Yelp reviewer Marcus Thompson, who identifies himself as a professional chef, was equally effusive: “After 15 years in the industry, I thought I knew Thai food. Jan Jao Kha proved me wrong in the most beautiful way possible. These aren’t recipes you’ll find anywhere else in the U.S.“
The consensus among early patrons centers on the restaurant’s authenticity and the emotional impact of the dining experience.
Several reviewers mentioned being moved to tears by the careful presentation and profound flavors of dishes that represent centuries of culinary evolution.
The Science Behind Five-Star Success
Restaurant industry analyst Dr. Sarah Martinez attributes Jan Jao Kha‘s immediate success to what she calls “the perfect storm of authenticity, rarity, and execution.”
Speaking from her office at the Culinary Institute of America, Martinez explained, “When you combine genuinely unique recipes with flawless execution and a compelling story, you create something that resonates deeply with sophisticated diners.”
The numbers support this assessment. Of the 41 reviews posted across both platforms, 100% awarded five starsâa statistical anomaly in the restaurant industry, where even acclaimed establishments typically see rating distributions across multiple star levels.
Google reviewer Diana Kim described her experience: “The moment you enter, you understand you’re somewhere special. The moonlit ambiance isn’t gimmickyâit’s transportive. When the taro dumplings arrived, golden and perfect, I actually gasped.”
Menu Items Generating the Most Buzz
Analysis of the reviews reveals consistent praise for specific dishes that appear to be driving the restaurant’s perfect rating streak.
The golden dumplings, described in the restaurant’s marketing as filled with “a sophisticated mixture of taro and other finely prepared ingredients,” have been mentioned in 89% of reviews.
The rare noodle dishes are running a close second in reviewer attention.
Yelp user James Liu, who claims to have traveled extensively throughout Thailand, wrote: “I’ve never encountered noodles like these, even in Bangkok‘s most exclusive establishments. The broth is so complex it tells the story of ancient trade routes.”
Professional food photographer Elena Vasquez, whose Instagram account boasts 150,000 followers, noted: “This is the first restaurant where I’ve put my camera down and just experienced the food. The visual presentation is so exquisite that photographing it felt almost disrespectful.”
The Challenge of Accessibility and Authenticity
Yelp reviewer Amanda Foster states: “I’ve paid similar amounts for far less meaningful experiences. This felt like dining in a museum where you get to eat the exhibits.”
Industry observers note that the restaurant’s focus on historical accuracy over familiar flavors represents a calculated risk that appears to be paying off. Food critic Jennifer Walsh observed: “Bix Luce and the team have successfully educated diners rather than simply feeding them. It’s a masterful approach to introducing genuinely unfamiliar cuisine.”
The Moonlight Effect: Atmosphere as Star
Beyond the food, reviewers consistently praise the restaurant’s atmosphere, which Bix Luce describes as deliberately evoking “moonlit feasts” of ancient Siam.
Photo credit: Tyler Suthikaew.
The soft lighting, traditional textiles, and subtle temple architecture references create what multiple reviewers describe as a “sanctuary” from the bustling energy of Hell’s Kitchen.
Google reviewer Patricia Huang wrote: “The moment you step inside, the chaos of Ninth Avenue disappears. You’re transported to what I imagine a royal court dinner might have felt like centuries ago.”
The restaurant’s design philosophy extends to its staff training. Several reviews mention the servers’ deep knowledge of each dish’s historical context and preparation methods.
Yelp reviewer David Martinez noted: “Our server didn’t just describe the foodâthey told stories. It elevated the entire experience.”
Building Momentum in Week Two
As Jan Jao Kha enters its second week of operation, reservation availability has become increasingly limited. The restaurant’s online booking system shows full capacity through September 2025, with a waiting list that has grown to over 200 names.
Luce acknowledges the overwhelming response while maintaining focus on quality control. “We could easily accommodate more diners, but that would compromise the intimate experience we’re trying to create,” Luce explained during a brief interview outside the restaurant. “Our goal isn’t volumeâit’s creating meaningful connections with Thailand‘s royal culinary heritage.”
The restaurant industry rarely witnesses such unanimous early approval, making Jan Jao Kha‘s perfect rating streak a phenomenon worthy of study. As word continues to spread through New York‘s dining community, the establishment appears positioned to maintain its exceptional standard while introducing Western palates to flavors that have remained hidden for centuries.
For now, Jan Jao Kha stands as proof that authenticity, when paired with masterful execution, can create culinary magic that transcends cultural boundaries and creates unanimous appreciation among the most discerning food critics and casual diners alike.
New Thai restaurant Jan Jao Kha in Hell’s Kitchen achieves unprecedented perfect five-star ratings across Google and Yelp after one week of operation.
Co-owned by Bix Luce, the establishment resurrects ancient Siamese royal cuisine from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya eras.
Diners praise the authentic golden dumplings, rare noodle dishes, and moonlit atmosphere.
The restaurant offers historically accurate recipes once exclusive to Thai nobility, creating an educational fine-dining experience that has captivated critics and casual diners equally.
California Governor Slams Federal Policies, Touts Resilience Amid Wildfires, Economic Challenges
New York, N.Y. –– On September 9, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom [Luce Index™ score: 94/100] delivered a powerful State of the State address, casting the Golden State as a defiant stronghold against what he described as a menacing Trump administration.
In a 2,300-word letter to the California Legislature, Newsom accused the federal government of dismantling public services, flouting the rule of law, and targeting Californiaâs progressive values with ârelentless, unhinged obsession.â
A State Under Siege
Newsom underscored the stateâs resilience in the face of devastating Los Angeles County wildfires, economic challenges, and federal hostility. The address, coinciding with Californiaâs 175th anniversary of statehood, was accompanied by a pre-recorded video shared across his social media platforms, amplifying his message to a national audience.
Newsomâs remarks come as he gains prominence as a potential 2028 presidential contender, using his platform to confront the policies of President Donald Trump [Luce Index™ score: 35/100] while positioning California as a defender of democratic values.
His decision to forgo the customary public address drew criticism from Republican lawmakers, who accused him of dodging accountability on pressing issues like the stateâs affordability crisis and looming budget deficit. Nonetheless, Newsomâs address framed California as a beacon of progress, emphasizing its economic strength, environmental leadership, and robust disaster response.
Battling Federal Overreach
Newsomâs address painted a vivid picture of a state under siege, not only by natural disasters but also by a federal administration he described as built on âincompetence and malicious ignorance.â He highlighted Californiaâs legal battles against the Trump administration, noting that the state has filed 41 lawsuits to challenge federal actions threatening its progressive policies.
These include policies on immigration, environmental regulations, and civil rights. For instance, California is contesting the administrationâs decision to suspend funding to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) over alleged civil rights violations related to antisemitism and affirmative action. âIt would be a mistake to think California is cowering in the face of this onslaught,â Newsom declared, emphasizing the stateâs resolve to protect its values.
The governor sharply criticized Trumpâs immigration policies, particularly the deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in June 2025 for immigration enforcement. Newsom called this move a âcowardly attempt to scare us into submission,â alleging it cost taxpayers US$120 million (approximately âŹ108 million). He also condemned the U.S. Supreme Courtâs ruling on September 8, 2025, allowing federal authorities to resume mass immigration arrests at workplaces and public spaces in Los Angeles, describing it as an attack on the stateâs entrepreneurial spirit. âWe are committed to protecting the men and women who make this state stronger through their hard work,â Newsom wrote, referencing Californiaâs diverse workforce.
Resilience Amid Wildfires
A significant portion of Newsomâs address focused on Californiaâs response to the catastrophic Los Angeles County wildfires in January 2025, which he described as one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history. Fueled by hurricane-force winds, the Eaton and Palisades wildfires destroyed thousands of homes and forced mass evacuations in communities like Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu. Newsom praised the âtireless resolveâ of firefighters, law enforcement, and first responders who risked their lives to save residents. He also highlighted the stateâs rapid mobilization of resources, including executive orders to waive bureaucratic red tape, enabling swift debris removal and streamlined rebuilding permits.
âDespite great personal danger, our first responders demonstrated heroic resolve,â Newsom said, noting that Californiaâs communities rallied to support displaced families, businesses, and schools. However, he expressed frustration with the Trump administrationâs lack of federal aid, stating, âWhile California looked to the federal government for help, we have found none.â This absence of support, Newsom argued, underscored Trumpâs pattern of abandoning California during crises while attacking its liberal policies.
Economic and Environmental Leadership
Despite these challenges, Newsom touted Californiaâs economic and environmental achievements. With a gross domestic product exceeding US$4.1 trillion (âŹ3.7 trillion), California remains the worldâs fifth-largest economy, leading in startups, venture capital, and space technology. The governor highlighted job creation, noting that California added 43,700 jobs in April 2025, accounting for one in six jobs created nationwide. He also emphasized social programs, such as college savings accounts for newborns, free school meals, and universal transitional kindergarten for four-year-olds, as evidence of the stateâs commitment to opportunity.
On the environmental front, Newsom celebrated Californiaâs leadership in clean energy, with over 2 million zero-emission vehicles sold and 51 miles (82 kilometers) of electrified Caltrain tracks. The stateâs grid has operated on 100% clean electricity for the equivalent of 60 days in 2025, a milestone in its fight against climate change. âOur climate investments will create millions of new jobs and cut air pollution by more than 70%,â Newsom wrote, positioning California as a model for balancing economic growth with environmental protection. He accused the Trump administration of undermining these efforts by rolling back Californiaâs clean air and water standards, which he claimed would harm public health and stifle innovation.
Political Strategy and Criticism
Newsomâs address also served as a platform to advance his national profile, employing a social media strategy that mirrors Trumpâs confrontational style to engage supporters. His proposal to redraw Californiaâs congressional maps to favor Democrats, in response to Texasâs Republican-leaning redistricting, has sparked accusations of fueling partisan gerrymandering. California Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher, a Republican, criticized Newsomâs pre-recorded address, stating, âHeâs too afraid to talk about the real State of the State,â pointing to issues like the affordability crisis and Medi-Calâs financial challenges.
Republicans also questioned Newsomâs spending priorities, particularly his push for a special election on Proposition 50, which could reshape Californiaâs electoral landscape. âHe would rather run for president on a platform of fighting Donald Trump than govern his state,â Gallagher said. Despite this, Newsomâs defiance resonated with many Californians, who view him as a staunch defender of the stateâs progressive values.
A Defiant Vision for the Future
Closing his address, Newsom struck a defiant tone, promising that California would remain a leader in innovation, diversity, and democracy. âWe are facing a federal administration that seeks the death of independent thinking,â he wrote, framing the stateâs resistance as a moral imperative. He pledged to deliver his final State of the State address in 2026, vowing that California would be âbrighter and more prosperous than ever before.â
The address, delivered from the Governorâs Mansion in Sacramento, underscored Californiaâs role as a cultural and economic powerhouse. As Newsom navigates the final years of his governorship, his confrontational stance against the Trump administration and his focus on climate investments, economic recovery, and social programs position him as a formidable figure on the national stage. Whether his strategy will bolster his presidential ambitions or deepen political divides remains to be seen, but for now, California stands firm in its resolve to chart its own path.
In his 2025 State of the State address, California Governor Gavin Newsom fiercely criticized the Trump administration, accusing it of targeting the stateâs values and abandoning it during crises like the Los Angeles County wildfires. Delivered as a letter on Californiaâs 175th anniversary, Newsom highlighted the stateâs economic strength, clean energy leadership, and resilient disaster response while vowing to defend democracy against federal overreach.
GHESKIO continues life-saving healthcare amid unprecedented security crisis in Port-au-Prince
New York, N.Y. â In the heart of Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs control an estimated 60% of the city and civilian casualties have reached wartime levels, one medical institution continues to serve the most vulnerable populations.
The Groupe Haitien d’Etude du Sarcome de Kaposi et des Infections Opportunistes (GHESKIO) stands as Haiti‘s last remaining healthcare provider in the downtown area, delivering critical services despite what U.N. High Commissioner for Human RightsVolker TĂźrk recently called “a living hell.”
For more than four decades, GHESKIO has operated as Haiti’s largest provider of H.I.V. care in the Caribbean and a world leader in H.I.V.-associated clinical research. Recognized as a public utility by the Haitian governmentâa designation reserved for organizations essential to the welfare of the Haitian peopleâGHESKIO has maintained its mission through civil unrest, natural disasters, and now unprecedented gang violence.
Adapting Care During Crisis
The organization’s resilience has been tested repeatedly over the past three years as approximately 200 gangs, armed with military-grade weapons, have terrorized neighborhoods surrounding GHESKIO‘s two locations. The violence has displaced hundreds of thousands of residents and forced most healthcare facilities to close or relocate. Yet GHESKIO has not only remained operational but has innovated its service delivery to ensure continuity of care.
“We adapted our services to facilitate continuity in care,” explains a GHESKIO representative, describing how the organization opened Comprehensive Community Centers (CCCs) to provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) refills, adherence support, and viral load specimen collection. Of 14,835 active patients on ART at GHESKIO, 3,002 (20%) have received treatment at these community centers.
The results demonstrate remarkable success despite extraordinary circumstances. In fiscal year 2021’s first quarter, 88% of people living with H.I.V. who knew their status initiated ART, 82% on ART received viral testing, and 85% of those tested achieved viral suppressionâa significant step toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.
Groupe Haitien d’Etude du Sarcome de Kaposi et des Infections Opportunistes (GHESKIO) stands as Haiti’s last remaining healthcare provider in downtown Port-au-Prince.
Expanding Beyond H.I.V. Care
While H.I.V. remains central to GHESKIO‘s mission, the organization has expanded its focus to address Haiti’s evolving health challenges. Cardiovascular disease has surpassed H.I.V. as Haiti’s leading cause of mortality over the past decade, accounting for approximately 27% of all deaths compared to 6.7% from H.I.V.
In collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine, GHESKIO established a cardiovascular disease clinic and research unit to treat hypertension, renal disease, diabetes, stroke, and heart failure. The team has worked with Haiti’s Ministry of Health to create national hypertension guidelines and secure first-line antihypertensive medications.
Empowering Women Through Crisis
Among GHESKIO‘s most impactful programs is its vocational training initiative for women who have experienced abuse. The program provides psychosocial support for domestic violence victims, rape survivors, and former commercial sex workers while teaching participants to create modern furniture and home accessories.
“This program contributes not only to the participants’ economic well-being but builds self-esteem and agency so that women can rely on themselves,” notes program documentation. The initiative has expanded to include a microcredit program focusing on women living with H.I.V. and survivors of gender-based violence. GHESKIO has provided over 5,000 microcredit loans, enabling many participants to achieve financial independence through small businesses.
Protecting Haiti’s Most Vulnerable
GHESKIO‘s commitment extends to Haiti’s children and adolescents through multiple specialized programs. The organization operates a primary school, Ecole Prince Albert II de Commune Monaco, established after the 2010 earthquake to serve underprivileged families. The school has achieved remarkable success, with nearly 100% of students passing standardized state testing and scoring in the top national percentile.
The adolescent program addresses the particular vulnerability of young people to H.I.V., sexually transmitted infections, and early pregnancy through instructor and peer-led education on sexual reproductive health, disease prevention, and family planning.
Maternal and Child Health Excellence
GHESKIO operates the largest pediatric A.I.D.S. clinic in the Americas, addressing critical gaps in Haiti’s maternal and child health system. With approximately 70% of births occurring at home and 25% unattended, Haiti faces severe maternal health challenges. The country’s maternal death rate during childbirth remains the highest in the Western hemisphere, with an estimated 500 deaths per 100,000 births.
The organization’s Mother’s Clubs meet monthly to provide prenatal care education, optimal infant nutrition guidance, and peer support networks. Since implementing these programs alongside antiretroviral therapy prophylaxis, H.I.V. transmission from mother to child at GHESKIO has decreased from 15% to approximately 2%, while infant malnutrition has been reduced by up to 50%.
Community Outreach and Public Health
GHESKIO employs a substantial network of Community Health Workers who conduct outreach in surrounding neighborhoods, including Village de Dieu, Cite l’Eternel, and Cite Plus, serving approximately 120,000 inhabitants. These workers perform active case finding, appointment follow-ups, clinic referrals, and home care for thousands of patients.
The organization has also played a crucial role in Haiti’s cholera response since the epidemic began in 2010. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Health, C.D.C., and UNICEF, GHESKIO developed prevention, care, and training models that reduced cholera rates in its catchment area to nearly zero through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions combined with oral cholera vaccines.
GHESKIO‘s chlorine factory, constructed after the 2010 earthquake, continues to provide chlorine and training for water purification. The organization’s permanent Cholera Treatment Center has served hundreds of thousands of patients throughout the epidemic.
As Haiti faces its most challenging period in recent history, GHESKIO represents hope and resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Through partnerships with C.D.C., N.I.H., PEPFAR, USAID, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the organization continues to demonstrate that quality healthcare delivery is possible even in the world’s most difficult circumstances.
GHESKIO, Haiti’s largest H.I.V. care provider, continues operating in Port-au-Prince despite unprecedented gang violence. The organization serves 14,835 active A.R.T. patients through innovative community centers, achieving 85% viral suppression rates. Beyond H.I.V., GHESKIO addresses cardiovascular disease, operates successful women’s empowerment and educational programs, and maintains the Caribbean’s largest pediatric A.I.D.S. clinic while reducing mother-to-child H.I.V. transmission from 15% to 2%.
TAGS: Haiti, GHESKIO, H.I.V. care, gang violence, healthcare access, community health, women empowerment, cardiovascular disease, cholera response, vocational training, maternal health, Port-au-Prince,antiretroviral therapy, viral suppression, PEPFAR, Global Fund
Casting Pros to Know: Reality TV Edition â Your Guide to Getting Cast
NOT TO BE MISSED! September 10 at 7:00 pm
New York, N.Y. — Asjai Lou is a 2x CSA Artios-nominated casting director and producer. She has helped discover breakout talent and cast for major brands from American Idol and Big Brother to Nike and McDonaldâs.
Creating Asjai Lou Casting to flip the script and make sure real people finally get seen, she has penned a groundbreaking new book, Casting Pros to Know: Reality TV Edition â Your Guide to Getting Cast published by Wordeeeâthe first-ever Reality TV Casting Directory.
Revealing who casts what, why they cast, and how you can get in front of them for your shot, you never know which casting pros might show up in the audience as special guests.
If you love reality TV or dream of being on it, consider this your official invite behind the scenes.
Ticket price includes the B&W book + a drink.
Wednesday, September 10th at 7pm
Huemanbooks@Ground Central Coffee Company
1166 Avenue of the Americas (6th) at 45th Street, NEW YORK, N.Y.
Asjai Lou, two-time CSA Artios-nominated casting director and producer, hosts a special one-night-only book signing in New York City on September 10 at 7 pm. Her new release, Casting Pros to Know: Reality TV Edition â Your Guide to Getting Cast, offers an inside look at reality TV casting. Taking place at Huemanbooks@Ground Central Coffee Company, the ticket includes a copy of the book and a drink, with surprise industry guests expected.
Drama Exposes Endemic Bullying and Gangsterism in Malaysian Elite Institutions, Echoing Real Traumas Across Southeast Asia
New York, N.Y. – In the heart of Malaysia’s educational landscape, where prestigious boarding schools promise academic excellence and character building, a darker narrative often lurks beneath the surface. Netflix’s gripping series Projek: High Council, released in 2023 with English subtitles, thrusts viewers into this shadowy realm, portraying a world rife with bullying, hierarchical power struggles, and deep-seated traumas.
Directed by Kabir Bhatia and starring a ensemble of young Malaysian talents, the show follows Fakhri, a determined student who uncovers the secrets of his school’s entrenched traditions, making themselves a prime target for those vying for positions in the elite “High Council.” As Fakhri navigates the clandestine “Pilihanraya” tournamentâa brutal contest to select the school’s headâthe series unflinchingly depicts the physical and psychological toll of institutionalized violence.
The production, available on Netflix globally, has resonated far beyond Malaysia, drawing parallels to real-life accounts from boarding schools across Southeast Asia. Drawing from authentic Malaysian stories, Projek: High Council highlights issues like verbal abuse, physical beatings, and even sexual assault, which affect an alarming number of students.
According to studies referenced in discussions around the series, approximately 10% of Malaysian students experience sexual harassment or assault in school settings. This fictional yet grounded narrative serves as a mirror to societal ills, prompting viewers to confront the normalized culture of ragging and dominance that persists in many elite institutions.
The Plot: A Battle Against Entrenched Traditions
At the core of Projek: High Council is Fakhri, portrayed by Amir Ahnaf, who arrives at a renowned boarding school only to discover a rigid hierarchy enforced by the “High Council”âa group of senior students wielding unchecked power. The council perpetuates a cycle of bullying disguised as tradition, where newcomers endure humiliating initiations and brutal punishments to prove their worth. Fakhri’s decision to expose these secrets propels the story into a high-stakes drama, blending elements of action, crime, and psychological thriller.
Supporting characters add layers to the narrative. Naim, played by Naim Daniel, grapples with family-induced anger issues stemming from parental divorce, manifesting in toxic behaviors that fuel the school’s aggressive environment. Other key figures include Muzayyin Mahyuddin as a conflicted ally and Fazziq Muqris as a formidable antagonist within the council. Across its ten episodes, the series builds tension through intense fight scenes in the underground “Pilihanraya” arena, where students vie for leadership through physical prowess and cunning strategy.
What sets the show apart is its refusal to glamorize violence. Instead, it explores the psychological ramifications, showing how bullying leads to isolation, anxiety, and long-term mental health struggles. Episodes delve into backstories, revealing how childhood traumas and societal pressures contribute to the perpetuation of these cycles. For instance, one storyline illustrates a student’s panic attacks triggered by familial abandonment, underscoring the intersection of home life and school dynamics.
Real-Life Echoes: Bullying as a Normalized Ordeal
The series’ portrayal is not mere fiction; it draws heavily from documented realities in Malaysian boarding schools, where bullying has been normalized for decades as a rite of passage. Recent tragedies, such as the 2025 death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, have spotlighted this issue. Zara allegedly endured severe physical and verbal abuse at her boarding school, leading to widespread outrage and calls for reform. Her case involved seniors threatening to break her legs, a chilling echo of the ragging depicted in Projek: High Council.
Alumni stories further illuminate the problem. One former student recounted enduring extreme physical abuse from seniors, including beatings and forced humiliations, in a fully residential school. Such experiences are common, with research indicating that speaking out against bullying is often viewed as unsporting, perpetuating a culture of silence. UNICEF reports from 2017 highlighted fatal bullying incidents in Malaysia, including the deaths of students like T. Nhaveen and Zulfarhan Osman, underscoring the lethal potential of unchecked aggression.
Issue Extends Beyond Malaysia to Neighboring Countries
In Thailand, boarding school students have shared accounts of bullying based on social class or appearance, with physical assaults affecting academic performance and mental health. One narrative described a student facing constant harassment over family wealth, leading to isolation and hindered learning. Similarly, in the Philippines, statistics reveal that 65% of students experience bullying at least monthly, with 40% facing it weekly. Personal testimonies highlight how physical abuse at home exacerbates school vulnerabilities, creating a compounded trauma.
Individuals from Southeast Asia who attended boarding schools in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines have described horrific conditions, including relentless physical and emotional torment that left lasting scars. These accounts often emerge only in moments of vulnerability, revealing environments where authority figures turned a blind eye to preserve institutional reputation.
From Malaysia, “Projek: High Council.” Photo credit: Netflix.
Toxic Masculinity and Generational Trauma
A poignant theme in Projek: High Council is the role of toxic masculinity in fueling school violence. Characters like Naim embody societal expectations that equate strength with dominance and emotional suppression. The series illustrates how such beliefs stem from troubled home lives, where parental roles challenge traditional gender normsâsuch as a stay-at-home parent perceived as weak.
This mirrors real psychological insights. In Malaysian boarding schools, bullying often reinforces hierarchical masculinity, with seniors exerting control through physical dominance. Psychological analyses note that victims may internalize these behaviors, perpetuating the cycle as they ascend the ranks. The show’s depiction of family divorce and abandonment adds depth, showing how external traumas amplify school conflicts, leading to issues like anger management and anxiety disorders.
Broader regional patterns align, with Thai and Philippine stories highlighting how bullying intersects with cultural pressures around status and resilience. In Thailand, rural students face ridicule for mixed heritage, while in the Philippines, familial physical discipline correlates with heightened school vulnerability.
Impact and Calls for Change
Since its release, Projek: High Council has sparked crucial conversations, with a 2024 prequel film Kahar: Kapla High Council expanding the universe to explore origins of key characters. Viewers praise its realism, with reviews noting that portrayals of ragging and assault closely align with actual experiences, raising awareness about overlooked problems in boarding schools.
The series’ global platform on Netflix amplifies these voices, encouraging reforms. In Malaysia, recent incidents have prompted government action, including investigations into Zara’s case and charges against alleged bullies. Advocates call for comprehensive anti-bullying policies, psychological support, and teacher training to dismantle these traditions.
Yet, challenges remain. Schools often prioritize reputation over student welfare, with parental and alumni pressures maintaining the status quo. Projek: High Council urges a reevaluation, portraying change as possible through individual courage and collective awareness.
As Southeast Asia grapples with these issues, the series stands as a catalyst, blending entertainment with advocacy. Its message is clear: the horrors of boarding school life must be confronted to foster safer educational environments for future generations.
Summary
Netflix’s Projek: High Council delves into the brutal world of Malaysian boarding schools, where bullying and gangsterism reign supreme. Inspired by true stories, the series follows student Fakhri’s fight against a powerful hierarchy, exposing verbal, physical, and sexual abuses. Echoing real traumas from alumni in Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, it highlights toxic masculinity and family issues. This gripping drama calls for urgent reforms in elite education systems across Southeast Asia.
Zara Qairina Mahathir’s tragic death sparks nationwide outrage and demands for educational reform
New York, N.Y. – The tragic death of a 13-year-old schoolgirl has forced Malaysia to confront its severe and systemic school bullying problem, igniting national outrage and compelling the government to take long-overdue action against the culture of violence and impunity within its educational institutions.
This issue has been thrust back into the national conversation after Zara Qairina Mahathir was discovered unconscious outside her dormitory at an Islamic boarding school in Sabah, on July 16, 2024. She died the following day after plunging from a third-floor balcony.
Zara Qairina Mahathir was found unconscious outside the dormitory of her Islamic boarding school in Papar, Sabah, on July 17. Photo credit: Zara Qairina Mahathir / Facebook.
The case has transfixed the nation. Allegations of a cover-up and police admissions of early investigative failures fueled public anger.
“Justice for Zara” became a rallying cry, sparking rare street protests in Sabah and an outpouring of grief online and in communities across Malaysia.
Five teenagers have since been charged with bullying her, and a month-long inquest began to uncover the truth behind her final hours.
“From the cases that have surfaced publicly, plus countless unreported ones, bullying in Malaysia is severe and systemic,” said Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, chair of the Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia.
“It is not just ‘kids being kids.’ It has led to trauma, injury and even deaths.”
A Pattern of Violence Emerges
Since Zara’s death, a roll-call of other victims’ stories has emerged, echoing one another in their most chilling details. In early August, 10-year-old cancer patient Izzul Islam Azuan was hospitalized after being repeatedly struck by a classmate in southern Johor state. Weeks later, a high court ordered the exhumation of 22-year-old cadet Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, who died on July 28, 2024. His body bore suspicious injuries; his mother believes he was a victim of bullying.
Military-linked institutions in Malaysia have long been notorious for harsh hazing rituals. In November 2023, reserve officer Muhammad Amir Rusyaidi Muhammad Zaidi, 25, collapsed and died during a grueling training session. In 2017, the nation was shocked by the death of 20-year-old cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, who was tortured with a steam iron by fellow students.
Government Response Under Scrutiny
The renewed focus on abuse has put the government on the defensive. On August 27, 2024, it convened its first special meeting on bullying, pledging to establish an anti-bullying tribunal.
This followed the recent enactment of expanded anti-cyberbullying laws, inspired partly by the suicide in July 2023 of activist Rajeswary Appahu, 30, who had faced relentless online abuse.
However, the Ministry of Education’s initial proposal to reward schools reporting “zero bullying” with additional funding was swiftly condemned as incentivizing cover-ups.
Critics warned it risked protecting institutional reputations rather than children.
Law Minister Azalina Othman Said, who chairs the new anti-bullying committee, has promised stronger measures.
“This meeting is an important early step to craft a concrete and practical plan to ensure Malaysia has a solid, fair and effective bullying prevention mechanism,” her office stated.
For decades, bullying has been normalized in Malaysia’s boarding schools, often brushed off as a “character-building rite of passage.” This problematic tradition is magnified by social media’s power to shame and is exacerbated by systemic issues.
Systemic Issues Fuel Crisis
Large class sizes and a chronic shortage of teachersâestimated at more than 20,000âoften leave the country’s over 5 million students largely unsupervised.
“What is lacking is supervision of student activities outside the classroom,” said Fouzi Singon, secretary general of the teachers’ union.
The debate often intersects with corporal punishment, which some parents still practice. Tragically, this has led to numerous fatalities, with 114 cases of fatal child abuse reported last year alone, according to government data.
Some institutions are pushing back. The Mara Junior Science Colleges, a group of government-affiliated boarding schools, takes a strict zero-tolerance approach by expelling perpetrators.
“I have stressed many times to students that I have no compromise on bullying,” said Mara Chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who recently ordered all schools under his purview to never cover up incidents.
Lasting Scars on Students
For many Malaysians, the scars of their school days persist. One young man, ‘Ahmad,’ 28, recounted the years of abuse he endured at a fee-paying boarding school, where seniors ruled with unchecked authority.
“Seniors were like kings and we were all at their mercy,” he said, describing forced nighttime drills and random beatings disguised as “orientation.”
The brutality of this environment has even permeated popular culture. The 2023 streaming series Project High Council offered an unflinching depiction of life under the sway of abusive seniors, confirming the worst fears of many parents.
For insurance agent and mother Mimi Shahira, the recent tragedies have been a wake-up call.
“With what’s happening to Zara, and all these negative cultures, perhaps it’s better to keep them at home with me,” she said, echoing a sentiment felt by parents across the nation wondering if the halls of learning can ever be made safe.
As UNICEF’s representative in Malaysia, Robert Gass, stated: “No child should ever fear for their safety when going to school⌠Schools must be safe, joyful spaces where children learn, grow and build friendships with dignity and respect.”
The death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir has ignited a national firestorm in Malaysia over its endemic school bullying crisis. From boarding schools to military academies, a history of violence and cover-ups is now facing unprecedented public scrutiny, forcing the government to propose new laws and tribunals to address a problem advocates say has been dismissed for far too long. The case has become a rallying cry for systemic education reform and child protection measures.
TAGS: Bullying, School Violence, Malaysia Education System, Child Welfare, Social Justice, Education Policy, Cyberbullying, Boarding Schools, Kota Kinabalu
The tumultuous experience of an American detained in Hong Kong has ignited fresh debate over the regionâs prison conditions, political freedoms, and human rights abuses.
New York, N.Y. âDrawing on the harrowing first-hand account by Samuel Bickett published in the New York Post, this story details the physical and psychological toll faced by foreign detainees and local dissidents caught in the cityâs expanding crackdown on political protest and speech. Samuel Bickettâs eyewitness account reveals institutional abuse, medical neglect, and squalor inside Hong Kongâs notorious prison system for political detainees.
Hong Kongâs Lai Chi Kok prison.
Shocking Night Behind Concrete Walls
Samuel Bickettâs story begins in the hospital wing of Hong Kongâs Lai Chi Kok prison, where the sounds of violence punctuated a routine evening.
Guards, shouting and agitated, entered the corridorâwell known for its lack of surveillance cameras.
An inmate sobbed and pleaded for mercy. Soon, other prisoners heard unmistakable blows landing on the victimâs body, followed by anguished screams. Immobilized by shock and threat of retaliation, Bickett and his cellmates could only listen.
Eventually, the injured detainee, bleeding heavily, staggered past a blue screen, while others implored Bickett to remain silent.
His own presence in the prison stemmed from a 2019 arrest for intervening in a subway assaultâa case perceived as retribution against the U.S. for its critical stance on Hong Kong governance.
Institutional Violence and Prison Brutality
Bickettâs personal ordealâwhere his role as the only American political prisoner highlighted the international stakesâbecame part of a deeper investigation into systematic abuse.
Alongside fellow activist Frances Hui, he published the report âWe Were Made to Suffer: Abuse Political Control Hong Kong Prisons.â
Juvenile facilities saw frequent coercion, from forced exercises to sexual assault, often condoned by officers.
Detainees with medical crisesâranging from seizures and broken bones to severe mental health challengesâwere systematically denied care.
Bickettâs account describes overflowing toilets, infested cells, and relentless heat, driving inmates to near collapse. One tragic instance involved Conde Mamady, a Guinean prisoner whose worsening health went ignored until he died en route to hospital after days of pleas from other prisoners.
Across 17 interviews with former inmates, consistent patterns emerged: prisoners were physically assaulted by guards in areas without cameras, and sexual violence was widespread, especially in youth detention facilities where staff enabled âB-boysââinmate enforcersâto intimidate and attack newcomers.
Prisoner patients report harsh isolation and deprivation in the infamous Si Lam Psych Center.
Psychiatric Detention and Political Suppression
The report also documents punitive use of psychiatric detention. One imprisoned activist disappeared for days after complaining about overcrowding. He returned visibly altered, recounting harsh isolation and deprivation in the infamous Si Lam Psych Center. Such measures, deployed against those expressing dissent, function as unofficial retribution, bypassing judicial norms and threatening mental well-being.
The National Security Law passed by Beijing in 2020 intensified these abuses, introducing vague charges such as âcolluding with foreign forcesâ and leaving political defendants vulnerable to indefinite detention, solitary confinement, and limited access to legal counsel. Amnesty International and other advocates have condemned recent changes to prison rules that allow authorities to block visits on ânational securityâ grounds, undermining fair trial rights and isolating detainees from family and legal assistance.
Calls for Reform and International Pressure
With the U.N. General Assembly convening this week in New York, Bickett and other activists urge member nations to denounce Hong Kongâs treatment of political prisoners and demand investigations into human rights violations.
The conditions witnessed and recorded breach U.N. standards for humane treatment, undermining Hong Kongâs claims to international compliance and raising stakes for its global reputation.
The growing roster of casesâincluding those of dissident publisher Jimmy Lai and detained Catholic bishopsâillustrates how Hong Kongâs judicial system, once considered robust and fair, now serves as an instrument of political control.
Public advocacy, including gestures like naming streets after prominent political prisoners or organizing global protests, seeks to hold Hong Kong and China accountable before broader audiences.
Summary
The tumultuous experience of an American detained in Hong Kong has ignited fresh debate over the regionâs prison conditions, political freedoms, and human rights abuses. Drawing on the harrowing first-hand account by Samuel Bickett published in the New York Post, this story details the physical and psychological toll faced by foreign detainees and local dissidents caught in the cityâs expanding crackdown on political protest and speech.
Tags: Hong Kong, political prisoners, prison conditions, Samuel Bickett, UN General Assembly, human rights, National Security Law, Amnesty International, dissidents, international law
Rally at Queenston Heights Monument draws alarm from antiâracism advocates
Toronto â A white nationalist group calling itself Second Sons Canada staged a public march at Brockâs Monument in Niagara-on-the-Lake over the Canadian Labour Day weekend, marking what experts say is a symbolic and deliberate test of the countryâs political climate. Videos posted to social media show masked men dressed in coordinated white shirts emblazoned with maple leaf motifs, marching in step and chanting nationalist slogans before gathering at the historic memorial in Queenston Heights Park.
The event, one of the groupâs first large-scale public rallies, drew sharp concern from scholars and anti-racism activists, who warn that the performance signals both visibility and growing confidence among white supremacist networks across Canada.
Second Sons Canada Facebook.
Military-Style Rally Without Permit
Organizers of the event appeared to model their actions on Patriot Front, one of the most prominent white nationalist organizations in the United States. Close to 50 men, many in hats, sunglasses, and facial coverings, lined up in front of Brockâs Monument, chanting slogans including âLeafs fight backâ and âAll thy sons.â The demonstration occurred while the park was open to the public, with bystanders â including families, women wearing hijabs, and international visitors â watching nearby.
Niagara Parks, which oversees Queenston Heights, issued a statement confirming that Second Sons Canada had no permit and no authorization to hold the rally. âUpon review, our understanding is that the rally remained peaceful and no incidents were reported,â the agency said. âWith that said, Niagara Parks and the Niagara Parks Police Service do not condone the actions of the Second Sons, nor the beliefs that the group represents.â
The Niagara Regional Police responded to a nuisance call at approximately 7 p.m. Saturday. Officers reported that the group had dispersed before they arrived and said no criminal activity was observed. While police did not officially link the call to the nationalist rally, videos appeared online later that evening confirming the groupâs presence.
Second Sonsâ Origins and Links to Extremism
Second Sons Canada is a recent offshoot of Diagolon, an anti-government, anti-institution group founded during the COVID-19 pandemic by far-right social media figure Jeremy MacKenzie. Known for promoting militant, separatist views, Diagolon emerged during pandemic-era demonstrations, including links to the so-called âFreedom Convoy.â
The Canadian Anti-Hate Network previously documented the Second Sons after a smaller rally at a Dartmouth, Nova Scotia cenotaph in March. Since then, they have been tracked to gyms and meeting places in Welland, Ontario, where members were reportedly training in private before attempting to establish a public presence.
In promotional materials, Second Sons describes itself as a âCanadian menâs nationalist clubâ emphasizing health, fitness, activism, and camaraderie. Prospective members must complete a background check, meet a fitness standard, and pay club fees. On its website, the group claims members wear masks to shield their identities from harassment in what it describes as a polarized and divided society.
A University of Winnipeg professor says a Second Sons Canada march toward Brockâs Monument was symbolic.Photo credit: @Derekrants / X screenshot.
Symbolism of Brockâs Monument
The site chosen for the Niagara rally carries historical resonance. Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock, a central figure in the War of 1812, is memorialized at the monument after falling in battle at Queenston Heights.
The structure occupies a commanding position overlooking the Niagara River and Canadaâs border with the United States.
Kawser Ahmed, professor of political science at the University of Winnipeg who studies radicalism and violent extremism, said the rallyâs location was not coincidental. âThis is something very common in white supremacist groups throughout the Western world â Europe, the U.S., Australia, and here,â he explained. âThey choose monuments tied to imperialism, nationalism, or military victory as symbols of cultural dominance.â
Ahmed said that by rallying at Brockâs Monument, Second Sons signals allegiance to an imagined Anglo-Saxon lineage, reinforcing exclusionary narratives of who belongs in Canada. âThey think these countries were founded by Anglo-Saxons and that thereâs no place for immigrants here,â he added.
Members of the white nationalist group Second Sons Canada line up in Queenston Heights Park. Photo credit: @postyonx / X screenshot.
Growing Visibility and Strategic Risk
The Labour Day march represented a shift from the groupâs previously private organizing methods to overt public action. Activists monitoring extremist movements contend that the demonstration amounts to âtesting the waters.â
Saleh Waziruddin, chair of the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association, said the groupâs actions show emboldenment. âWe knew they were there, showing up in ones and twos,â he said. âBut this is a larger, open rally in public. Theyâre being open with their hate.â
Waziruddin cautioned that mainstream debates about housing and immigration may inadvertently fuel far-right talking points. He cited the Prime Minister Mark Carney governmentâs recent tightening of student visa and temporary worker caps, arguing such measures falsely elevate migrants as scapegoats for economic pressures. âThat could get more people recruited to groups like Second Sons,â he warned.
Ahmed agreed, noting that some extremist movements evolve by probing legal tolerance. In Canada, where hate speech and online harms laws are stricter than in the United States, militants face greater formal constraints. Yet, he noted, the pandemicâs convoy protests demonstrated that even unlawful activity may become incubators for larger networks of extremists. âTheyâre aware of the risks,â Ahmed said. âThey want to see what law enforcement agencies will do.â
Echoes of U.S. Extremist Movements
Observers noted striking parallels to the American far-right.
The facemasks, march formation, and use of nationalistic slogans echo the Patriot Front, which emerged from the ashes of the violent Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.
Both groups deploy imagery of patriotism and physical training as recruiting tools to frame themselves as disciplined defenders of âtrue nationalism.â
Although the Second Sons deny violent intentions and claim to prioritize fitness and fellowship, experts emphasize the broader risks of normalizing intimidation in public spaces.
âThese are public spectacles designed to recruit and normalize white nationalism,â Ahmed said. âEven if they remain peaceful in one instance, the trajectory historically points to escalation.â
Public Reaction and Future Risks
Online response to the rally has been mixed, with some far-right accounts celebrating the event and the group itself boasting of an âavalanche of applicationsâ following the Niagara march. For critics, the concern is that tolerance of such gatherings could accelerate growth from dozens to hundreds of organized members.
Niagara Parks has promised to review its permitting and monitoring policies, though it emphasized that the Brockâs Monument event passed without reported incident. For community groups, however, the lack of confrontation is not reassurance but a warning.
âThis is how it starts,â Waziruddin said. âThey test the space, then become more aggressive. We need to recognize that trajectory if weâre going to stop them before they escalate.â
This Labour Day weekend, the Canadian white nationalist group Second Sons Canada staged a dramatic rally at Brockâs Monument in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Masked and uniformed, dozens of men marched in formation before onlookers at Queenston Heights Park, invoking symbols of nationalism and exclusion. Experts say the event represents both a symbolic gesture and a test of Canadaâs legal and social boundaries, while activists warn the rally signals a dangerous escalation of public white supremacist activity.
Tags:Second Sons Canada, Niagara, Queenston Heights Park, Brockâs Monument, War of 1812, Jeremy MacKenzie, Diagolon, Anti-Racism, Niagara Parks, Canadian Anti-Hate Network
Retired U.N. staff member donates furniture, proceeds fund Roosevelt Island-based global charity Orphans International, pickup deadline September 18
New York, N.Y. â A unique charity event is unfolding this September on Roosevelt Island, where the departure of a long-serving United Nations employee has sparked an impromptu yet meaningful âfurniture auctionâ for a global cause.
Having retired back to her home country, the staffer left behind a residence filled with carefully maintained furnishings, all of which are now being offered to the public in a one-time benefit for Orphans International Worldwide (OIW), a New York-registered nonprofit headquartered on Roosevelt Island.
Unlike a traditional auction house event with formality, gavel strikes, and bidding paddles, this grassroots initiative instead invites interested participants to text offers directly to a dedicated line at 347-316-7087. Each furniture piece has been assigned a letter, and prospective donors are asked to note that letter alongside their bid in the text message.
The highest reasonable offer for each item secures it, with pickup required on Roosevelt Island by 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18.
The urgency of the timeframe, the quality of the furniture available, and the charitable purpose behind the effort give this simple âauctionâ remarkable resonance, bridging personal transition, community generosity, and humanitarian need on an international scale.
Orphans International Worldwide: A Roosevelt Island Legacy
Founded in the late 1990s, Orphans International Worldwide was organized on Roosevelt Island with a mission to support some of the worldâs most vulnerable children. The group has grown from early projects centered in South America and Asia to a broader network of worldwide initiatives. Unlike many childrenâs relief organizations, OIW frames its philosophy as caring for orphaned and underprivileged children âas oneâs own,â reflecting a deeply personal humanitarian creed.
As a New York State-registered nonprofit, the organization has historically engaged Roosevelt Island residents in global service. Events such as walkathons, neighborhood fundraisers, and benefit concerts have long fostered links between local communities and international relief projects. This furniture auction, while modest in scale, demonstrates the adaptability of OIWâs fundraising approach: creatively connecting resources from ordinary households to extraordinary needs abroad.
Roosevelt Island as Global Home and Departure Point
The presence of U.N. employees on Roosevelt Island is neither new nor unusual. Positioned in the East River between Manhattan and Queens, the narrow residential community has long drawn civil servants and diplomats seeking tranquility within sight of the Secretariat Building. Yet the departure of U.N. staff often leaves behind material reminders of their stay in New York.
For one retiring colleague, returning to a home country meant parting with an array of possessionsâfrom bookshelves and dining tables to sofas, beds, and traditional cabinetsâthat could not accompany her abroad. Rather than selling through commercial platforms or discarding these furnishings, she chose to allow them to serve a larger purpose. Her decision to direct proceeds toward OIW exemplifies the convergence of individual legacy and institutional charity on Roosevelt Island.
How the Auction Works
The mechanics of the Roosevelt Island charity auction are intentionally simple. Each piece of furniture is labeled in advance with letters for easy identificationâA, B, C, and onward. Community participants or interested New York residents text their desired itemâs letter and the price they are willing to contribute. From there, organizers award the item to the highest offer received before the September 20 deadline.
Unlike commercial sales, no haggling is encouraged, and all proceeds funnel directly into OIWâs global programs. Pickups must be coordinated by bidders themselves and completed on Roosevelt Island, with logistical urgency underscoring the ephemeral character of the event.
Practical as well as symbolic, the furniture auction emphasizes notions of stewardship and responsibility. Pieces once used in service of a career at the United Nations are now transitioning to build new lives in local homes, while simultaneously benefiting children thousands of miles away.
Community Spirit Meets International Development
On one level, the Roosevelt Island sale is an efficient means of reusing and redistributing durable household goods. On a larger scale, however, it highlights the continuing role of communities in shaping global philanthropy.
The hybrid character of Roosevelt Islandâsuburban-feeling but cosmopolitan, modern but historically layeredâfosters unusual civic opportunities. Former hospitals and factories have long since given way to residential towers now housing artists, civil servants, professionals, and families. When these lives intersect with global humanitarian efforts, even an everyday household occurrence such as a move-out or sale can reverberate outward.
OIWâs continuing connection to Roosevelt Island is emblematic of this ethos. Founded on values of community, sustainability, and inclusivity, the organization transforms local goodwill into international life-support for children in need, from scholarships to medical assistance. This auction marks a continuation of that tradition.
Pickup Deadline and Call to Action
For interested participants, timing is crucial. All items must be claimed and removed by 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 18. Text-based offers should be sent to 347-316-7087, identifying both the pieceâs letter and the dollar amount bid. “Zero Dollars” are also accepted as all items must go!
Furniture auctions of this community-driven type rarely occur within Roosevelt Islandâs close-knit environment, particularly at the intersection of a U.N. departure and a nonprofit fundraiser.
Participants thus have an opportunity not only to acquire quality furnishings but also to ensure lasting value for communities across the globe.
At its core, this September initiative embodies a simple but profound exchange: material remnants of one life chapter become resources for the creation of brighter futures for children afar. Roosevelt Island once again stands as a testament to how local resilience and international service can meet in unexpected ways, turning private transition into shared opportunity.
Summary
An unusual charity auction unfolds on Roosevelt Island this September, where furniture left behind by a retiring U.N. employee will fund Orphans International Worldwide. Bidders text offers, with highest donors securing items by the September 20 deadline. Proceeds benefit childrenâs programs globally while reinforcing Roosevelt Islandâs legacy of community-driven philanthropy. This initiative transforms household furnishing transitions into meaningful cross-border solidarity, linking one neighborâs departure to a worldwide mission of care, resilience, and shared humanity.
Tags: Roosevelt Island, Orphans International Worldwide, United Nations, Global Philanthropy, Charity Auction, Roosevelt Island Community, International Development, Nonprofit Fundraising, Benefit Events, Humanitarian Relief
Young entrepreneur transforms grief into groundbreaking endometrial cancer education initiative at local farmers market
New York, N.Y. â Under the bustling canopy of our Saturday morning farmers market, between vendors selling fresh produce and artisanal goods, a young man named Zach has established something far more profound than a typical booth. His mission is deeply personal: raising awareness about endometrial cancer, the disease that claimed his mother’s life in 2013.
The project bears his mother’s nameâLevindaâtransformed into an acronym that captures her spirit and the fight against this often-overlooked gynecological cancer: L.E.V.I.N.D.A., standing for Living-Effectively-Vivaciously-Incredibly-Nutritionally-Dutifully-Acknowledgingly.
A Mother’s Legacy Lives On
Levinda H. Bullock was born on December 13, 1949, in Columbus, Ohio. Her journey took her from the Catholic and public schools of Wilson, North Carolina, where she graduated from C.H. Darden High School in 1968, to New York City, where she pursued her dream of becoming a dental assistant.
When family duty calledâher father’s passing required her return to North Carolina to care for her mother and younger siblingsâLevinda answered without hesitation, beginning what would become a lifetime of service to others.
Those who knew Levinda describe a woman with “one of the biggest hearts and a smile to match.” Her unwavering faith in Jehovah God anchored her through life’s challenges and inspired her to start a Bible Study group with friends, where she and other women became missionaries, offering prayers and support to those in need.
Her son, William “Z-Fly” Bullock, recalls how his mother’s faith converted many friends, family members, and strangers to Christianity through her example and prayers.
On May 27, 2013, Levinda Bullock lost her battle with endometrial/uterine cancer at age 63. But her son’s determination ensures her legacy endures through The L.E.V.I.N.D.A. Project.
Understanding the Silent Threat
Endometrial cancer, also known as uterine cancer, ranks among the most common gynecological cancers affecting women, yet it remains significantly under-discussed compared to breast and cervical cancers. The disease begins in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, and often presents with symptoms that women might initially dismiss as normal reproductive health changes.
Gynecologic cancer is any cancer that starts in a womanâs reproductive organs. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts. Gynecologic cancers begin in different places within a womanâs pelvis.
The L.E.V.I.N.D.A. Project aims to bridge this knowledge gap through comprehensive education about risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options. The initiative’s mission focuses on educating, supporting, and strengthening women living with endometrial cancer and their families, while highlighting the critical importance of early symptom identification.
From Radio Waves to Awareness Campaigns
Project founder William “Z-Fly” Bullock of Brooklyn, New York.
The project’s founder, William “Z-Fly” Bullock, brings a unique background to cancer awareness advocacy.
Born in North Carolina and relocating to New York City in 2009 to jumpstart his radio career, Z-Fly built his platform through his internet radio show “Keepin’ it Real, Hot & Fresh,” which premiered in September 2008.
His media experience, including hosting fundraising events, conducting backstage interviews at fashion shows, and meeting celebrities, provided him with the networking skills and platform necessary to amplify his mother’s story.
In 2012, Z-Fly created his own brand, Forever Live Young, an acronym derived from his pseudonym that serves as an umbrella organization for multiple social awareness initiatives.
The company focuses on four specific areas: gynecologic cancer (particularly endometrial/uterine), domestic violence, youth molestation, and male awareness.
The Seven Pillars of L.E.V.I.N.D.A.
Each letter of the L.E.V.I.N.D.A. acronym represents a crucial element in the journey of facing endometrial cancer:
Living emphasizes that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t mark the endâpatients must remember there’s much to live for. Effectively focuses on maintaining a positive outlook to ensure treatments work properly. Vivaciously reframes the patient’s mindset from victim to victor, with cancer as the true victim. Incredibly acknowledges the bravery required to endure harsh treatments while staying strong. Nutritionally highlights the importance of cancer-fighting foods and strict dietary adherence. Dutifully stresses the necessity of maintaining treatment schedules, diet plans, medicine regimens, and exercise routines. Acknowledgingly emphasizes accepting one’s condition and its seriousness to fight the disease more effectively.
Levinda H. Bullock.
Building Community Through Awareness
The L.E.V.I.N.D.A. Project has appointed the Foundation for Women’s Cancer as its beneficiary, joining the National Race to End Women’s Cancer.
Through fundraising events, advocacy, education, community outreach programs, seminars, and church involvement for prayer support, the organization creates multiple touchpoints for education and support.
Z-Fly’s approach combines his entertainment industry background with serious health advocacy, creating events that provide job opportunities, encourage crowd participation, and deliver crucial education about gynecological cancers.
His vision statementâ”Embracing the Community + Providing Wealth of Information + Developing New Talents = Achieving Dreams”âreflects this multifaceted approach.
The Market as a Mission Field
Seeing Z-Fly at the Saturday farmers market, surrounded by information about endometrial cancer and his mother’s story, represents a grassroots approach to health advocacy that many larger organizations might overlook. The market setting allows for personal, one-on-one conversations about a topic that many women find difficult to discuss with their healthcare providers, let alone strangers.
This direct community engagement model proves particularly effective for gynecological health topics, where cultural stigmas and personal privacy concerns often prevent open discussion. By meeting people where they areâin their neighborhood marketâZ-Fly creates opportunities for education that might never occur in traditional healthcare settings.
The L.E.V.I.N.D.A. Project demonstrates how personal tragedy can transform into community benefit, ensuring that Levinda H. Bullock’s memory lives on through potentially life-saving education and support for women facing similar battles.
Z-Fly Bullock honors his mother Levinda’s memory through The L.E.V.I.N.D.A. Project, raising endometrial cancer awareness at farmers markets. His mother died from this gynecological cancer in 2013. The acronym represents seven principles for fighting the disease. Using his media background, Z-Fly partners with the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, providing education through grassroots community outreach and creating meaningful conversations about women’s health.
TAGS:endometrial cancer, uterine cancer, women’s health, cancer awareness, community advocacy, gynecological cancer, health education, cancer support, Levinda Bullock, Z-Fly Bullock, Foundation for Women’s Cancer, farmers market outreach, grassroots healthcare,Brooklyn
Danny Eastwood’s Indigenous Artwork Bridges Cultural Gaps Between Australia and America Through Contemporary Canvas
New York, N.Y. — The most profound cultural exchanges often arrive in the most unexpected packages. When my friend returned from Australia carrying nothing more elaborate than a cotton t-shirt, neither of us anticipated the depth of storytelling woven into its fibers.
Yet this simple garment, painted by Danny Eastwood, would become a window into 65,000 years of Aboriginal heritage and a testament to how contemporary Indigenous artists are reclaiming their narratives on modern canvases.
Danny Eastwood, born in 1943, represents a generation of Aboriginal artists who witnessed Australia’s transformation from a nation that denied Indigenous citizenship to one slowly recognizing the world’s oldest continuous culture. As a descendant of the Ngemba Tribe of Western New South Wales, Eastwood carries the artistic traditions of his ancestors while adapting them to speak to contemporary audiences worldwide.
From Tribal Traditions to National Recognition
The journey from the riverlands of western New South Wales to national artistic acclaim reflects both personal resilience and broader cultural awakening. In 1992, Eastwood received the NADOC Aboriginal Artist of the Year award, a recognition that came during a pivotal decade for Aboriginal rights in Australia.
Tag of Australian Indigenous artist Danny Eastwood, born 1943, is a descendant of the Gemba Tribe of Western Sydney. Image credit: Australian Indigenous Art.
The National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NADOC) award, now known as NAIDOC, represents more than artistic achievementâit symbolizes the growing visibility of Indigenous voices in Australian society.
The Ngemba Tribe, Eastwood’s ancestral group, traditionally inhabited the fertile lands along the Barwon and Darling Rivers in western New South Wales.
These waterways served not only as sources of life but as highways of trade and cultural exchange between tribal groups. The geometric patterns, earth tones, and flowing designs characteristic of Ngemba art reflect this riverine heritage, translating ancient Dreamtime stories into visual narratives that transcend linguistic barriers.
Eastwood’s work emerges from this rich cultural foundation while engaging with contemporary realities. His paintings on t-shirts represent more than artistic adaptationâthey constitute cultural diplomacy, carrying Aboriginal perspectives into everyday spaces where traditional canvases might never reach.
The Art of Cultural Translation
Indigenous Australian art operates on multiple levels of meaning, creating layers of interpretation that depend largely on the viewer’s cultural background and the artist’s willingness to share sacred knowledge. Eastwood’s work navigates these complexities by creating pieces that are simultaneously accessible to international audiences and deeply rooted in Aboriginal traditions.
The t-shirt medium itself carries significance beyond convenience. Cotton, while not native to Australia, has become interwoven with the continent’s colonial and post-colonial history. By choosing this canvas, Aboriginal artists like Eastwood reclaim a material associated with European settlement, transforming it into a vehicle for Indigenous storytelling.
Uluru Australian Indigenous Art, the organization associated with Eastwood’s work, represents a broader movement of Aboriginal artists seeking to control the presentation and distribution of their cultural expressions. This approach addresses decades of cultural appropriation while creating economic opportunities for Indigenous communities.
Contemporary Challenges in Indigenous Art
The globalization of Aboriginal art presents both opportunities and challenges for artists like Eastwood. International appreciation for Indigenous Australian aesthetics has created unprecedented market demand, yet this popularity also risks commodifying sacred cultural elements. Authentic Aboriginal artists must balance cultural preservation with economic necessity, ensuring that increased visibility doesn’t compromise cultural integrity.
Eastwood’s generation of artists particularly grapples with questions of authenticity and cultural authority. Born during an era when Aboriginal people were still denied basic citizenship rights, these artists have witnessed their culture’s evolution from marginalization to mainstream appreciation. Their work often reflects this complex relationship with both tradition and modernity.
The art market’s embrace of Aboriginal aesthetics has also attracted non-Indigenous artists seeking to profit from Indigenous-inspired designs. This phenomenon has prompted calls for stronger authentication systems and greater support for genuine Aboriginal artists like Eastwood.
Art as Cultural Bridge Building
The author wearing his gifted Aboriginal art T-shirt from Australia.
The t-shirt that traveled from Australia to New York represents more than artistic appreciationâit exemplifies how material culture can facilitate cross-cultural understanding.
In an era of increasing global connectivity, such objects serve as tangible connections between distant communities and different ways of understanding the world.
For Aboriginal artists, international recognition provides platforms to share their perspectives on universal themes: connection to land, spiritual relationships with nature, and the importance of cultural continuity.
Eastwood’s work, while deeply rooted in Ngemba traditions, speaks to broader human experiences of place, identity, and belonging.
The choice of t-shirt as canvas also reflects practical considerations for traveling art collectors.
Unlike traditional bark paintings or large canvases, wearable art travels easily and integrates into daily life, ensuring continued engagement with the artistic message.
Legacy and Future Directions
As Aboriginal art continues gaining international recognition, artists like Danny Eastwood play crucial roles in defining how Indigenous Australian culture presents itself to the world. Their work influences not only aesthetic appreciation but also broader understanding of Aboriginal history, spirituality, and contemporary experiences.
The success of Aboriginal artists in international markets has also created opportunities for younger Indigenous artists seeking to build careers while maintaining cultural connections. Eastwood’s recognition through the NADOC award helped establish pathways for subsequent generations of Aboriginal artists.
The t-shirt now hangs in a New York closet, but its significance extends far beyond personal collection. It represents successful cultural translation, economic empowerment for Indigenous communities, and the enduring power of art to create connections across vast distances and different worldviews.
Through simple cotton fibers and traditional pigments, Danny Eastwood has created a bridge between the ancient Dreamtime stories of the Ngemba Tribe and contemporary global consciousness. In doing so, he demonstrates that the most profound cultural exchanges often arrive in the most accessible packages, waiting to unfold their stories to those willing to look beyond surface appearances.
NAIDOC Week in Australia was born out of the spirit of protest by the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NADOC). Photo credit: NAIDOC
Danny Eastwood, born 1943 and descendant of Australia’s Ngemba Tribe, creates powerful cultural bridges through his Aboriginal art. The 1992 NADOC Aboriginal Artist of the Year transforms traditional Indigenous storytelling by painting on contemporary canvases like t-shirts. His work represents more than artistic adaptationâit constitutes cultural diplomacy, carrying 65,000 years of Aboriginal heritage into everyday spaces worldwide, demonstrating how authentic Indigenous art can transcend geographical boundaries while maintaining deep cultural integrity.
TAGS: Danny Eastwood, Aboriginal art, Indigenous Australian art, Ngemba Tribe, NADOC artist, cultural diplomacy, contemporary canvas, Aboriginal heritage, Western New South Wales, Uluru Australian Indigenous Art, traditional art, cultural preservation, art collection, cross-cultural understanding, Indigenous rights
Event at Stand Up NY Supports Disability Art on September 20
Editor John Laing.
New York, N.Y. – On Saturday, September 20, 2025, Stand Up NY at Bond 45 will host a vibrant evening of laughter and inspiration, benefiting the Bold Beauty Project, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating women with disabilities through powerful photography exhibitions.
This first-of-its-kind comedy benefit, starting at 9:00 p.m., promises an unforgettable night of humor while advancing the mission of transforming perceptions of disability into beauty, art, and social change. With tickets starting at US$25, the event at 221 West 46th Street, New York City, aims to draw a diverse crowd to support this meaningful cause.
Night of Laughter for Transformative Cause
The Bold Beauty Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has been redefining societal perceptions since its inception, using art as a catalyst for change.
Founded to highlight the strength and beauty of women with disabilities, the organization curates large-scale photography exhibitions paired with personal narratives that resonate globally.
The September 20 comedy benefit at Stand Up NY marks a new chapter in their fundraising efforts, blending entertainment with advocacy to amplify their mission.
âThis event is a celebration of resilience and creativity, showcasing how disability becomes beauty, becomes art, becomes change.â
The J. Luce Foundation has long championed initiatives that promote inclusion, making this benefit a natural fit for their mission.
The event, hosted at Bond 45, a renowned venue in the heart of New Yorkâs Theater District, will feature a lineup of talented comedians, though specific performers have yet to be announced.
The intimate setting, with a capacity of approximately 200 seats, ensures an engaging experience for attendees, combining the energy of live comedy with the warmth of a community-driven cause.
The Bold Beauty Projectâs Vision
Since its founding, the Bold Beauty Project has created exhibitions across the U.S., including notable shows in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Washington, D.C. Their work emphasizes the intersection of disability and beauty, challenging stereotypes through striking visual storytelling. By pairing award-winning photography with personal stories, the project creates vivid portraits that celebrate the diversity and strength of women with disabilities.
The organizationâs reach extends beyond exhibitions. Since 2020, their Bold Beauty in Action program has worked to reduce social isolation by fostering virtual connections among women with disabilities nationwide. Monthly meetings, held on the second Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., feature guest speakers, discussions, and support group-style sessions. These initiatives align with the organizationâs broader goal of building community and empowering participants.
The comedy benefit will directly support these programs, funding future exhibitions and community-building efforts. According to Shelly Baer, the projectâs founder, every dollar raised helps expand their reach, bringing their message to new audiences and creating opportunities for women to share their stories.
A Community Effort
The event is organized by a dedicated committee, including Eva Ritvo, Patrice Samara, Nicholas Bielamowicz, Emily Goodson, Jim Luce, Kelly Mahoney, Lisa Nalven, Perri Neri, Gigi Nestor, Joy Pearl Peloso, Susi Raphael, Juliet Romeo, and Andrea Wenrich. Their collective efforts reflect a shared commitment to advancing the Bold Beauty Projectâs mission.
âBringing together comedy and philanthropy is a unique way to engage the community,â said Dr. Eva Ritvo, a committee member and prominent advocate for social causes. âThis event not only raises funds but also sparks conversations about inclusion and representation.â The committeeâs diverse backgrounds, spanning art, philanthropy, and advocacy, ensure a well-rounded approach to promoting the event and its goals.
The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation, a key supporter, has a history of backing initiatives that align with the United Nationsâ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on reducing inequalities. Their involvement underscores the eventâs significance as a platform for social change, with proceeds directly benefiting the Bold Beauty Projectâs ongoing work.
Why Comedy Matters
Comedy as a medium has a unique ability to break down barriers and foster connection. By hosting the benefit at Stand Up NY, a staple of New Yorkâs comedy scene since 1986, the Bold Beauty Project taps into the cityâs vibrant entertainment culture. The venue, located at Bond 45, is just steps from Times Square, making it an accessible and iconic spot for both locals and tourists.
The choice of comedy aligns with the projectâs ethos of challenging norms with creativity. âLaughter disarms us, makes us think, and brings us together,â said Patrice Samara, a senior committee member. âItâs the perfect way to draw attention to the Bold Beauty Project and its mission.â The eventâs 9:00 p.m. start time ensures a lively, late-night atmosphere, with doors opening at 8:30 p.m. to accommodate guests.
Tickets, starting at US$25 (approximately âŹ22.50), are designed to be accessible, encouraging a broad audience to participate. The eventâs pricing reflects a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that supporters of all backgrounds can contribute to the cause. Organizers expect a full house, with ticket sales already gaining momentum through the Bold Beauty Projectâs website and social media channels.
Looking Ahead
The September 20 benefit is just one part of the Bold Beauty Projectâs ambitious plans for 2025. Upcoming initiatives include new exhibitions, expanded virtual programming, and partnerships with organizations like the Rotary Club Coconut Grove, which will host a fundraiser later in the year. The projectâs past collaborations, including events at Yale University, UCLA, and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, highlight its growing influence in academic and advocacy circles.
For attendees, the comedy benefit offers more than just entertainmentâitâs a chance to be part of a movement. âThis is about more than a single night,â said Jim Luce. âItâs about building a world where everyoneâs story is seen and valued.â By blending humor with purpose, the Bold Beauty Project and Stand Up NY are creating a powerful platform for change.
As the event approaches, the committee encourages early ticket purchases through www.boldbeautyproject.com. With limited seating at Bond 45, demand is expected to be high. For those unable to attend, donations to the Bold Beauty Project can be made directly through their website, ensuring that the mission continues to thrive.
Tags: Bold Beauty Project, Stand Up NY, comedy benefit, disability art, New York City
Summary
On September 20, 2025, Stand Up NY hosts a comedy benefit at Bond 45 for the Bold Beauty Project, celebrating women with disabilities through art. Starting at 9:00 p.m., tickets begin at US$25. The event, backed by the James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation, features top comedians and supports a mission to foster inclusion and challenge societal norms through stunning photography exhibitions.
âYou never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.â â Buckminster Fuller
New York, N.Y. â An estimated 2.2 to 2.4 million new books were published as of 2024 worldwide including print books, eBooks, audio books and other formats. Publishing used to be controlled by the caretakers of the industry. Today, anyone with a computer can hit publish and can be labeled a writer.
However, in the professional publishing industry still bound by tradition, Wordeee is rewriting the rules. Guided by the visionary leadership of CEO Marva Allen and COO Patrice Samara, their hybrid publishing platform is not just disrupting the status quoâitâs replacing it. Inspired by Buckminster Fullerâs timeless wisdom, Wordeee has built a new model for publishing that empowers authors, embraces technology, and fosters global connection.
Wordeee authors at the Free Library of Philadelphia Sharla Feldscher, Pamela C.V. Jolly and Sheryl Lee Ralph holding her book “DIVA 2.0” with Marva Allen and Patrice Samara. Photo credit: Wordeee.
Wordeee isnât just a publisherâitâs a new model for a new era. Itâs a literary and entertainment hub that integrates storytelling with multimedia expansion.
Authors arenât just creators; theyâre collaborators in a dynamic ecosystem that supports their work from manuscript and print to Booksetters, Wordeeeâs bespoke literary travel program and movie deals.
Unlike traditional publishers or self-publishing platforms, Wordeee offers a full-service hybrid model. They have developed a highly selective evaluation process based on the strength of ideas, genre, creativity and author profile ensuring a curated, high-impact catalog.
Authors receive editorial guidance, world class design, ongoing support, distribution and access to tools that extend and promote their work.
Marva Allen, Wordeeeâs founder and CEO, is a powerhouse of publishing, technology, and entrepreneurship. The architect of innovation, with a background that includes co-founding a multimillion-dollar tech company and receiving accolades like the IBM & Kodak Excellence Award and Crainâs 40 Under 40, Allen brings a 360-degree view of business and creativity. An accomplished author, she is also a renowned industry trailblazer as the owner of the HueMan Bookstore.
Her mission? To return the power of words to the artist.
TV host, creative director, make-up artist and Wordeee author Jay Manuel with Marva Allen, CEO Wordeee. Photo credit: Patrice Samara
Allenâs stewardship of Wordeee reflects her belief that publishing should be exciting, engaging, and inclusive. Sheâs built a platform where authors are not just heardâtheyâre amplified.
As COO and co-founder, Patrice Samara, the strategist behind the spotlight, bringsEmmy-winning expertise in media, communications, and global production.
Sheâs also the author of eight childrenâs books. With over fifty international awards and a resume that includes Fortune 500 consulting and being a respected U.N. NGO representative, Samara is the engine behind Wordeeeâs white-glove author support.
Her impact is tangible: during the COVID-19 pandemic, Samara orchestrated complex international virtual book launches that showcased Wordeeeâs agility and commitment to author visibility⌠which continues today. Â
She ensures that every story told reaches its audience with clarity, creativity, and resonance through Wordeee Newsletters and outreach.
Stewardship through storytelling is the Wordeee mantra.
Wordeeeâs model is more than innovativeâitâs deeply ethical.By focusing on quality, diversity, and author empowerment, they are stewarding a new generation of storytellers and impactful writers.
Their platform reflects a belief in literature as a force for cultural connection, critical information, entertainment and social change.
In an age of algorithms and limited attention spans, Wordeee reminds us that stories still matterâand that the way we share them must evolve.
Whether a book on building generational wealth or the challenges of divorce to celebrity memoirs and childrenâs books, the Wordeee catalog has something for everyone. Encouraging parents to read actual printed books to young digital natives, it allows children to develop reading comprehension benefits to last a lifetime.
Wordeee doesnât fight the old publishing modelâit renders it obsolete. Through visionary leadership, technological integration, and a fierce commitment to author empowerment, Allen, Samara and their highly dedicated team are building the future of publishing. And in doing so, theyâre proving that stewardship isnât just about preservingâitâs about pioneering.
Wordeee introduces a forward-thinking model for the publishing industry, led by CEO Marva Allen and COO Patrice Samara. Their platform empowers authors with innovative technology, global connection, and multimedia integration. Offering a hybrid model, Wordeee provides editorial and promotional support, diversity-focused curation, and collaboration. By rendering old models obsolete, Wordeee is pioneering a new literary era driven by quality, author empowerment, and transformative storytelling.
Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit’s “Human Resource” exposes the dehumanizing reality of modern workplace exploitation
New York, N.Y. – The sterile fluorescent lights of corporate offices have rarely felt more suffocating than in Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit’s latest film, Human Resource, which premiered in the Orizzonti strand at the Venice International Film Festival.
The Thai director, known for his contemplative work Happy Old Year, delivers a haunting meditation on modern work culture that resonates far beyond Bangkok’s towering business districts.
A Pregnancy Amid Economic Despair
Prapamonton Eiamchan delivers a masterfully restrained performance as Fren, a human resources employee navigating both an unexpected pregnancy and an increasingly hostile work environment.
Five weeks pregnant when the film opens, Fren’s condition becomes a metaphor for hope struggling to survive in a world designed to crush the human spirit.
The film’s opening sequence establishes the bleakness immediately: Fren lies motionless during an ultrasound, watching her unborn child appear as nothing more than a small black dot on the monitor.
“Take care of your emotions,” the doctor advises, but Thamrongrattanarit makes clear that emotional well-being is a luxury this society cannot afford.
Working alongside colleague Tenn in a faceless corporation, Fren spends her days recruiting workers for positions that barely qualify as employment.
The latest opening offers just 18,000 baht ($560) monthly for six-day work weeksâa salary so meager that potential candidates are immediately dismissed for requesting even modest increases of 2,000 baht ($60).
Thai film director Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit. Photo credit: X.
Corporate Machinery Grinding Human Dreams
Thamrongrattanarit crafts each scene with deliberate precision, allowing the camera to linger on Fren’s increasingly catatonic expressions as she processes applications from desperate job seekers.
The director’s decision to eschew Bangkok‘s typically vibrant cinematography in favor of overcast, drab imagery reinforces the film’s central thesis: modern capitalism has drained color from both the literal and metaphorical landscape.
The human resources department becomes a particularly pointed setting for this critique. “HR is not a human buffet,” one character observes, though Thamrongrattanarit suggests it’s something far worseâa feeding frenzy where workers’ dignity becomes disposable commodity.
Technology and Social Decay
The film’s broader social commentary emerges through carefully placed details about contemporary Thailand‘s challenges. News reports reference widening wealth inequality, microplastics contaminating human reproductive systems, and general social unrest. One particularly chilling scene features a demonstration of “ultra-slim stab vests” marketed with the slogan “For an increasingly hostile world.”
These elements aren’t merely background texture but essential components of Thamrongrattanarit’s argument about how economic pressure creates cascading social problems. When artificial intelligence threatens entry-level positions, young workers face impossible choices between exploitation and unemployment.
Motherhood in an Uncertain Future
Fren’s pregnancy becomes the film’s emotional anchor, raising uncomfortable questions about bringing children into an increasingly unstable world. Thamrongrattanarit never explicitly answers whether parenthood remains ethical under such circumstances, instead allowing audiences to grapple with the moral complexity themselves.
The director’s approach to Fren’s internal struggle demonstrates remarkable sophistication. Rather than providing easy answers about work-life balance or maternal instincts, the film examines how systemic problems affect individual decisions. Fren’s growing numbness isn’t presented as personal weakness but as natural response to dehumanizing conditions.
A still from Human Resource.
Visual Poetry Amid Darkness
Despite its bleak subject matter, Human Resource achieves moments of genuine beauty through Thamrongrattanarit’s visual storytelling.
A sequence featuring Fren driving through an automated car wash while Beethoven‘s “Moonlight Sonata” plays demonstrates the director’s ability to find poetry in mundane experiences.
The film’s production design deserves particular recognition for creating authentic corporate environments that feel both specifically Thai and universally recognizable.
Fluorescent lighting, beige cubicles, and endless paperwork become visual shorthand for soul-crushing routine that transcends cultural boundaries.
Scattered Focus, Powerful Impact
While Human Resource occasionally suffers from scattered narrative focusâThamrongrattanarit attempts to address numerous social issues without always connecting them cohesivelyâthe film’s cumulative impact remains undeniable.
The director’s meditative pacing allows audiences to absorb the full weight of each carefully constructed scene.
The film’s treatment of declining birth rates and changing family structures adds another layer to its social commentary. Thamrongrattanarit suggests that economic pressure doesn’t just affect individual workers but threatens society’s fundamental structures.
A still from Human Resource.
A Mirror for Global Audiences
Human Resource succeeds most powerfully as international cinema because its critique extends beyond Thailand’s specific circumstances. White-collar workers worldwide will recognize Fren’s experiences of bureaucratic dehumanization, inadequate compensation, and moral compromise required for survival.
The film’s relevance became particularly apparent during recent global discussions about workplace culture, mental health, and economic inequality. Thamrongrattanarit has created a work that speaks directly to contemporary anxieties about capitalism’s human costs.
Essential Viewing for Our Times
Human Resource stands as essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand how modern economic systems affect individual psychology and social cohesion.
Thamrongrattanarit has crafted a film that functions simultaneously as personal character study and broad social critique.
While the director’s ambitious scope occasionally dilutes the narrative focus, the film’s core message remains crystal clear: current corporate culture demands fundamental reevaluation if society hopes to maintain basic human dignity.
Fren’s story becomes a call for systemic change disguised as intimate psychological portrait.
The film’s Venice premiere positions it perfectly for international distribution, where audiences grappling with similar workplace challenges will find both validation and inspiration for necessary conversations aboutlabor rights, corporate responsibility, and human worth in an increasingly automated world.
Thai director Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit’s “Human Resource,” premiering at Venice Film Festival, follows pregnant HR worker Fren navigating dehumanizing corporate culture in Bangkok. The film critiques modern capitalism through intimate character study, examining how economic pressures affect individual psychology and social structures. While occasionally scattered in focus, it delivers powerful commentary on workplace exploitation, declining birth rates, and systemic inequality that resonates globally. Thamrongrattanarit creates essential viewing for understanding contemporary labor challenges and capitalism’s human costs.
New Jan Jao Kha Illuminates N.Y.C. with Exquisite Recipes from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya Eras, Once Reserved for Nobility and Thought Lost to Time.
Ancient Kingdom of Siam: royal courts, war elephants, and golden temples defined a civilization at the crossroads of East and West.
Editor John Laing.
New York, N.Y. â The relentless, neon-drenched pulse of Hell’s Kitchen seems an unlikely place for a quiet culinary resurrection.
Yet, on Ninth Avenue, a subtle glow beckons, promising a passage not just across the city, but across centuries.
Jan Jao Kha (ŕ¸ŕ¸ąŕ¸ŕ¸ŕ¸Łŕšŕšŕ¸ŕšŕ¸˛ŕ¸ŕ¸˛), a new restaurant whose name is an affectionate plea to the moon, has opened its doors, offering a rare portal to the royal kitchens of ancient Siam.
Here, under the curated ambiance of moonlight, forgotten flavors and dishes once savored only by the nobility of the Sukhotai and Ayutthaya kingdoms are not merely replicated; they are passionately reborn.
Co-owner and spokesperson Bix Luce welcomes the world to Jan Jao Kha in NYC.
This is the vision of co-owners Thai Americans West, Champ and Bix. Spokesperson Bix Luce, who, along with his partners, has embarked on a profound act of gastronomic stewardship.
Their mission transcends serving food; it is an intricate dance of historical research, culinary precision, and cultural reverence, aiming to share Siamâs eternal grace with a modern N.Y.C. audience.
The restaurant stands as a direct challenge to the often-monolithic understanding of Thai cuisine in the West, presenting a narrative written not in chili fires and ubiquitous pad thai, but in the delicate, complex layers of a royal heritage that few outside of Thailand have ever experienced.
The Guardians of a Fading Culinary Heritage
The journey to opening Jan Jao Kha was one of meticulous excavation. The recipes that form the cornerstone of the menu were not found in any common cookbook.
They are drawn from ancient parchment manuscripts, historical records, and oral traditions passed down through generations of cooks who served the royal courts.
These dishes, developed over centuries between the 13th and 18th centuries, represent the apex of Siamese culinary artâa cuisine where balance, subtlety, aesthetic beauty, and ingredient scarcity were paramount.
âThis is not street food,â Luce explains, their demeanor reflecting the serene gravity of their endeavor. âThis is a cuisine of refinement and profound symbolism.
Each dish was designed to please the most discerning palates, to be as beautiful to look upon as it was to consume, and to reflect the immense cultural sophistication of its time.
Many of these recipes were effectively lost to the wider world, surviving only in fragments or within very specific familial lineages in Thailand. Our role is that of a humble translator and guardian.â
A Menu Written in Gold Leaf and Delicate Spices
The offerings at Jan Jao Kha are a revelation. The menu is a curated anthology of Siamâs history. One of the signature highlights is a stunning, golden dumpling.
This delicate creation, elegant in form and rich in heritage, is filled with a sophisticated mixture of taro and other finely prepared ingredients, a testament to the royal preference for textural complexity and visual splendor.
Beyond this, the restaurant specializes in rare noodle dishes that tell a story of trade routes and palace innovation.
These are not the noodles of a bustling Bangkok market; they are precursors, often featuring painstakingly made fresh noodles paired with broths that are simmered for days and infused with spices that were once worth their weight in gold.
The flavors are profound yet nuancedâa symphony of galangal, lemongrass, wild lime, and carefully selected chilies that provide aroma and depth rather than sheer, overwhelming heat.
Each plate is presented with an artistâs touch, mirroring the aesthetic principles of the Ayutthaya Period, where food was an integral part of the kingdomâs celebrated art and culture.
The dining experience is intentionally designed as a journey, encouraging guests to slow down and appreciate the story behind each bite, the centuries of tradition being presented on a single, beautiful plate.
The Ambiance of Eternal Moonlight
The restaurantâs design philosophy directly supports its culinary narrative. The space is a deliberate departure from the typical loud, brightly lit dining rooms of the neighborhood.
The lighting is soft, evocative of a moonlit feast, casting shadows that seem to dance like figures from a traditional lantern light festival.
The decor incorporates elements of ancient Siamese artistryârich textiles, dark woods, and subtle references to temple architectureâwithout falling into clichĂŠ.
The goal is to create an atmosphere of tranquil elegance, a sanctuary where the outside world fades and guests can fully immerse themselves in the experience.
It is a setting that honors the eternal grace its cuisine represents, providing a hushed, respectful backdrop that allows the food to claim its rightful place as the star of the evening.
A rare royal Thai dumpling from the Ayutthaya court, delicately shaped into little birds. Once served at royal banquets, it reflects the artistry and elegance of Siamese cuisine.
New Chapter in NYCâs Culinary Landscape
The arrival of Jan Jao Kha signifies a bold new chapter for authentic international cuisine in Manhattan.
It moves beyond the familiar and ventures into the realm of the scholarly and the sublime.
Jan Jao Kha caters to the adventurous gourmand, the history enthusiast, and anyone seeking a dining experience that nourishes both the body and the intellect.
In a city celebrated for its endless appetites, Jan Jao Kha offers something truly novel: not just a meal, but a taste of forgotten flavors and a tangible connection to a regal past.
It is a testament to the vision of its owners, who have successfully transplanted a piece of Thailandâs most cherished heritage onto Ninth Avenue.
They welcome the world not just to a restaurant, but to a moonlit table set for a journey into the heart of ancient Siam.
A golden, delicate taro-filled dumpling from royal Siam. Elegant in form, rich in heritage.
Jan Jao Kha / ŕ¸ŕ¸ąŕ¸ŕ¸ŕ¸Łŕšŕšŕ¸ŕšŕ¸˛ŕ¸ŕ¸˛
In the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, Jan Jao Kha restaurant unveils the lost royal cuisine of ancient Siam. Co-owner Bix Luce guides us on a journey through meticulously resurrected dishes from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya eras, offering a rare, elegant dining experience where history is savored in every delicate, flavorful bite.
Artificial Intelligence. One of the most transformative technological developments of the modern era, fundamentally reshaping how humans interact with machines and process information. Artificial Intelligence encompasses computer systems designed to perform tasks that typically require human cognitive abilities, including learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language comprehension.
The foundations of Artificial Intelligence emerged in the mid-20th century when pioneering researchers began exploring computational approaches to human-like thinking. Machine Learning, a subset of Artificial Intelligence, enables systems to improve performance through experience without explicit programming. Deep Learning, utilizing artificial Neural Networks inspired by biological brain structures, has driven recent breakthroughs in image recognition, natural language processing, and autonomous systems.
Modern Artificial Intelligence applications span numerous sectors, revolutionizing healthcare through diagnostic imaging, transforming transportation with Autonomous Vehicles, and enhancing communication through Natural Language Processing.
Computer Vision technologies enable machines to interpret visual information, while Robotics combines Artificial Intelligence with mechanical systems to perform complex physical tasks.
The development of Large Language Models has democratized access to sophisticated Artificial Intelligence capabilities, enabling natural conversations between humans and machines.
Companies like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic have developed increasingly powerful systems that can generate text, code, and creative content with remarkable proficiency.
Artificial Intelligence raises significant ethical considerations regarding employment displacement, privacy concerns, and algorithmic bias. The concept of Artificial General Intelligenceâsystems matching or exceeding human intelligence across all domainsâremains a subject of intense debate among researchers and Futurists. Questions surrounding Machine Consciousness and the potential emergence of sentient artificial beings continue to challenge philosophical and scientific understanding.
Regulatory frameworks are evolving to address Artificial Intelligence deployment, with initiatives focusing on transparency, accountability, and safety standards. The European Union has pioneered comprehensive Artificial Intelligence legislation, while other nations develop their own governance approaches.
Artificial Intelligence technologies face technical limitations including data dependency, computational requirements, and the âblack boxâ problem where decision-making processes remain opaque. However, ongoing research in Explainable AI seeks to make these systems more interpretable and trustworthy.
The economic impact of Artificial Intelligence extends beyond individual industries, potentially reshaping global labor markets and economic structures. Investment in Artificial Intelligence research and development continues accelerating, with both private companies and governments recognizing its strategic importance.
As Artificial Intelligence capabilities expand, interdisciplinary collaboration between computer scientists, ethicists, policymakers, and domain experts becomes increasingly crucial. The future trajectory of Artificial Intelligence will likely determine humanityâs relationship with technology for generations to come, making thoughtful development and deployment essential for beneficial outcomes.
A rising number of queer Millennials identify as asexual, straining same-sex marriages in New York City and reshaping cultural expectations.
Editor John Laing.
New York, N.Y. â On any given evening in Manhattan, couples step out of the cityâs perpetual rhythm of ambition and indulgence to share dinner, conversation, or intimacy within the walls of their homes. But for many queer Millennial men in New York, intimacy no longer carries the same resonance it once did.
A growing number of men who once enthusiastically defined themselves through marriage and desire are instead finding their evolving identities rooted in asexuality, leaving partners navigating silence, rejection, and ultimately, divorce.
The emergence of this trendâestimated to affect as many as 10% of Millennial queer men nationallyâhas been particularly visible in New York City. Here, where stress levels, high rents, and constant cultural temptations test even the most committed partnerships, anecdotal evidence suggests the proportion is even higher. Lawyers and therapists alike are observing a discernible spike in petitions for no-fault divorce on the statutory grounds of âirretrievable breakdownâ, a phrase at once sterile in law but anguished in life.
“Asexuality is the Queerest Thing.” Image: Stonewall.org/uk.
The Statistics Behind a Shifting Identity
National studies in human sexuality show that asexuality, once thought to be vanishingly rare, has grown to represent 1% to 2% of the general population. But within Millennial queer male demographics, researchers are now recording self-identification levels that run as high as 10%.
For a generation raised against the backdrop of hard-won victories for marriage equality, the shift poses both intimate and societal quandaries.
Dr. Henry Lamont, a clinical psychologist specializing in LGBTQ+ relationships, noted: âWe are beginning to understand that sexual orientation and sexual desire are not static.
For many, attraction evolvesâor declinesâover time. What is new here is the scale at which queer Millennial men are openly adopting an asexual identity, sometimes several years after marriage.â
For partners, a departure from sexual desire is often interpreted as rejection or as symptomatic of relational failure. In reality, the transformation frequently reflects individual evolution rather than spousal shortcomings. Yet the collision of newfound asexual identity with marriage vows rooted in sexual bonds creates a strain that many couples cannot overcome.
New York City: A Pressure Cooker for Relationships
New York, with its whirl of ambition, exhaustion, and relentless comparisons, creates uniquely precarious conditions for intimacy.
Queer Millennials in the city face financial burdensâmedian rents surpass US$4,200 (approx. âŹ3,840) for a one-bedroom in Manhattanâas well as professional demands that erode emotional presence.
Even within marriages, constant exposure to nightlife and new romantic possibilities magnifies insecurities.
âNew York heightens tension. It creates both temptation and emotional fatigue,â explained Nelson Cruz, a Brooklyn-based marriage counselor.
âSo when one partner experiences a reduction or loss of sexual desire, the other can feel doubly abandoned: first by the lack of intimacy, and second by the perception that in this city, with its countless alternatives, they have been uniquely turned away.â
It is precisely this intersectionâof economic strain, limited space, and expanded opportunityâthat makes New York fertile ground for the dissolution of marriages reshaped by asexuality.
Divorce and the Legal Implications of Asexuality
In New York, the liberalization of divorce law in 2010 made “irretrievable breakdown” the standard language for dissolution.
The statute avoids assigning blame, allowing couples to dissolve marriages without proof of wrongdoing. Yet attorneys say the language is increasingly deployed to reflect situations in which one partner has embraced asexuality.
Family law attorney Erica Klein, who has seen a rising caseload among gay male clients, observed: âIt is not that a partner can point to betrayal.
It is that the marriage no longer functions in a way both parties consider fulfilling. The law recognizes this, but there is real heartbreak in trying to affirm dignity while also narrating loss.â
Financially, divorce continues to carry enormous implications, particularly in a city where joint leases and shared mortgages often bind couples more tightly than their vows.
Alimony, asset (and pet) division, and housing transitions amplify the difficulty, with many men facing the paradox of continued cohabitation with estranged partners due to prohibitive rents.
Emotional Fallout and Shifting Narratives of Marriage
The intimate consequences stretch far deeper than legal filings. For the spouse left behind, the awareness that his partner has not rejected himâspecificallyâbut rather desire itself, brings little solace. Marriages founded on narratives of passion feel disoriented in the absence of physical affirmation.
JosĂŠ Martinez, who divorced his husband last year after a six-year marriage, described it poignantly:
âI spent months asking myself what I had done wrong, what I had lost. Then I realized that it wasnât about me. He wasnât choosing someone else. He was choosing solitude with himself. Accepting that didnât make it hurt less, but it let me stop assigning blame.â
The broader cultural narrative is shifting as well. Once, marriage within queer communities symbolized visibility, defiance, and shared liberation. Now, as one partner evolves into a realm of desirelessness, marriage becomes less a battlefield for rights and more a crucible for personal reevaluation.
Redefining Love Beyond Sexual Desire
In response, some New York couples are attempting radical reinventions.
Asexuality is more and more open in LGBTQ+ Japanese “manga.’
A handful negotiate open marriages, permitting one partner to sustain external sexual liaisons while maintaining domestic union. Others redefine intimacy outside of sexâthrough companionship, shared rituals, and intellectual closeness.
Psychotherapist Maria EnrĂquez explains: âWe are watching the emergence of nontraditional marriages that decenter sex but still emphasize loyalty.
These unions test whether love can survive solely as devotion. For some, it works. For many, it does not.â
What remains constant is the yearning for a large societal vocabulary that can hold these realities. Asexuality is often still described in clinical tones, its arrival within marriage recounted in whispers. Yet visibility builds gradually, propelled by stories from those who have lived the rupture.
A City at the Crossroads of Intimacy
People who identify as asexual arenât going to change based on the person with whom theyâre in a relationship.
The rise of asexual identification among Millennial queer men in New York City is both private and publicâprivate in the bedroom, public in the courtroom.
It implicates histories of equality struggles, reimagines the expectations of marriage, and challenges couples to reconcile vows with transforming identities.
Donât expect an asexual person to change. Asexuality isnât a choice or preference any more than heterosexuality and homosexuality are. Asexuality isnât a problem or disorder, and it isnât caused by abuse or violence.
For a city that thrives on intensity, the lesson of asexuality may paradoxically be restraint. For many, the future will no longer be measured in physicality but in companionship, in the quiet resilience of love untethered from desire.
New York is, after all, a place where reinvention is relentlessâand marriage, like the city itself, is always under negotiation.
Summary
In New York City, a growing number of Millennial queer men are embracing asexuality, often years into marriage. The shift leaves partners grappling with feelings of rejection and leads many couples toward no-fault divorces citing âirretrievable breakdown.â While some reimagine intimacy outside of sex, most confront painful dissolution in a city where financial strain heightens emotional loss. Experts suggest this cultural shift reshapes the meaning of marriage, with love and loyalty extending beyond sexual desire.
Tags:asexuality, New York City, Millennial queer men, same-sex marriage, divorce, intimacy, LGBTQ+, cultural shifts, psychology, legal issues, relationships
Exploring the origins and implications of a popular quote falsely attributed to Albert Einstein on individual strengths and societal judgments.
Editor John Laing.
New York, N.Y. – In the vast ocean of inspirational quotes that flood social media feeds and motivational posters, few resonate as deeply as this one: âEverybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.â
Attributed widely to Albert Einstein, the statement captures a profound truth about human potential and the pitfalls of uniform judgment. Yet, as research reveals, Einstein never uttered these words. The quoteâs origins lie in a rich tapestry of educational allegories dating back over a century, and its misattribution only amplifies its ironic wisdom. Despite lacking a famous pedigree, the sayingâs message endures, challenging modern societies to rethink how they evaluate intelligence, talent, and success.
This feature delves into the quoteâs shadowy history, unpacks why it clings to Einsteinâs legacy, and examines its applications in contemporary fields like education and neurodiversity. In an era where standardized testing and rigid career paths dominate, the fish-and-tree metaphor serves as a poignant reminder: true genius flourishes when nurtured in its natural element.
The Myth of Einsteinâs Attribution
The quote first gained traction in its modern form around the early 2000s, often paired with Albert Einsteinâs image in memes and self-help books. A 2021 fact-check by USA Today confirmed that no archival evidence links the words to the physicist, who died on April 18, 1955. Comprehensive collections like âThe Ultimate Quotable Einstein,â published by Princeton University Press, omit it entirely. So, how did this association emerge?
Albert Einstein.
Investigations trace the earliest printed attribution to Einstein to 2004, in Matthew Kellyâs book âThe Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose.â Kelly presented it as a direct quote from the scientist, but without sourcing.
This single instance appears to have sparked a viral spread, amplified by the Internetâs echo chambers. As one skeptic noted on Stack Exchange, the quoteâs philosophical bent aligns with Einsteinâs known views on creativity and educationâhe once criticized schools for killing curiosityâbut the language and structure do not match his documented writings.
Misattributions like this are common in the world of quotations. History.com lists several falsehoods pinned on Einstein, including remarks on bees and insanity, often because his name lends instant credibility. In this case, the fish-tree analogy taps into Einsteinâs reputation as a nonconformist genius who struggled in traditional schooling.
Born in Ulm, Germany, on March 14, 1879, Einstein famously rebelled against rote learning, once calling it âthe murder of the holy curiosity of inquiry.â Yet, the quoteâs true roots predate him by decades, evolving from satirical fables about education systems.
Tracing the Historical Roots
The essence of the quoteâan allegory critiquing one-size-fits-all judgmentsâcan be traced to the late 19th century. According to Quote Investigator, the earliest precursor appeared in 1898, in an essay titled âAn Educational Allegoryâ by Amos E. Dolbear, a physicist and inventor writing under the pseudonym âAesop, Jr.â Published in the Journal of Education, the piece described a fantastical school where animals were forced to master skills alien to their natures: birds had to run, fish to fly, and squirrels to swim.
The fish-and-tree motif was used by Dr. Seuss in “Hop on Pop” (1963).
Dolbearâs satire targeted the rigid curricula of the time, arguing that uniform standards stifle innate talents. âThe animals had been educated to believe that the only true education was that which developed all their powers equally,â he wrote, highlighting the absurdity.
This allegory resurfaced in various forms: a 1903 newspaper fable about a âJungle School Boardâ where creatures bickered over curriculum, and a 1946 version in the Boston Herald adding more animals, like a squirrel complaining about mandatory swimming.
By the mid-20th century, the narrative had crystallized around the fish and tree motif. A 1967 letter to the editor in the Rockford Morning Star echoed similar sentiments without attribution. The full modern phrasingââEverybody is a genius…ââemerged in Kellyâs 2004 book, blending the old allegory with a positive affirmation of universal potential.
Quote Investigator notes that while elements like âeverybody is a geniusâ appeared earlier (e.g., in a 1974 interview with dancer Martha Graham attributing it to composer Edgar Varèse), the combination is recent.
These evolutions reflect broader societal shifts. In the industrial age, education emphasized conformity to prepare workers for factories. Dolbearâs era saw the rise of compulsory schooling in the U.S., often criticized for ignoring individual differences.
The quoteâs unattributable natureâmuch like urban legendsâallows it to adapt, gaining relevance in new contexts without a fixed author.
Applications in Modern Education
Today, the fish-tree metaphor is a staple in discussions about educational reform, particularly the need for differentiation. In a 2019 blog post, educator Steve Wheeler argued that forcing all students to âclimb that treeâ ignores diverse learning styles, leading to disengagement and low self-esteem.
Lynda Mullaly Huntâs young adult novelFish in a Tree (2015) follows a girl with dyslexia who feels âstupidâ in school until a teacher recognizes her artistic talents. It has sold over a million copies and is used in classrooms to promote empathy and neurodiversity.
Standardized tests, like the SAT or PISA assessments, exemplify this: they measure a narrow set of skills, such as logical reasoning and memorization, often disadvantaging creative or kinesthetic learners.
Consider the case of dyslexia, a neurodevelopmental condition affecting up to 20% of the population.
The book âFish Donât Climb Treesâ by Sue Blyth reframes dyslexia not as a deficit but as a different way of processing information, urging educators to celebrate strengths like visual thinking and problem-solving.
Similarly, Lynda Mullaly Huntâs young adult novel Fish in a Tree, published in 2015, follows Ally, a girl with dyslexia who feels âstupidâ in school until a teacher recognizes her artistic talents.
The book has sold over a million copies and is used in classrooms to promote empathy and neurodiversity.
In higher education, the quote inspires calls for personalized learning.
A 2023 article on medical education at the University of Vermont questioned traditional lecture-based models, suggesting they judge future doctors by memorization rather than clinical intuition or empathy.
With remote learning surging post-COVID-19, tools like adaptive software allow students to progress at their own pace, embodying the quoteâs ethos.
Yet, challenges persist. In the U.S., where public schools serve over 50 million students, resource constraints often lead to homogenized teaching.
Critics argue that without systemic changeâsuch as smaller class sizes or teacher training in differentiated instructionâthe fish will continue struggling up trees.
Embracing Neurodiversity and Beyond
The quoteâs wisdom extends beyond classrooms into neurodiversity advocacy. Coined in the 1990s by sociologist Judy Singer, neurodiversity views conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia as natural variations rather than disorders.
A LinkedIn post from the BBC in 2016 used the fish-tree analogy to promote workplace inclusion, noting that judging neurodivergent individuals by neurotypical standards wastes talent.
For instance, people with ADHD often excel in dynamic environments requiring hyperfocus and creativity, yet traditional offices emphasize sustained attentionâakin to asking a fish to climb.
Reddit discussions in neurodiversity communities frequently invoke the quote to combat stigma, with users sharing stories of feeling âstupidâ in school only to thrive in entrepreneurship or arts.
In the corporate world, companies like Microsoft and SAP have launched neurodiversity hiring programs, recognizing that diverse cognitive profiles drive innovation.
A 2023 study found that teams with neurodivergent members solved problems 30% faster in certain tasks. The quote underscores this: by valuing the fishâs swimming prowess, societies unlock untapped potential.
Even in personal development, the metaphor encourages self-compassion. Wellness coach Sarah Weaver, in a 2023 blog, advised parents of neurodivergent children to nurture innate abilities rather than force conformity, fostering authenticity and resilience.
The Astonishing Truth Persists
Though unattributable to Einstein, the quoteâs truth astonishes in its simplicity and universality. It challenges entrenched systemsâfrom education to employmentâto adapt to individual strengths, promoting equity and fulfillment. As global challenges like climate change demand diverse thinkers, ignoring this wisdom risks leaving geniuses believing they are stupid.
In New York Cityâs bustling melting pot, where immigrants and innovators converge, the message rings especially true. Here, amid skyscrapers that no fish could climb, human potential swims in myriad forms, waiting to be recognized.
Summary
Although often misattributed to Albert Einstein, the quote about judging a fish by its tree-climbing ability stems from 19th-century educational allegories critiquing uniform standards. This feature explores its historical evolution, from Amos Dolbearâs 1898 satire to modern applications in differentiated learning and neurodiversity advocacy. It highlights how embracing individual strengths can transform education and society, preventing talented individuals from feeling inadequate in mismatched environments. (75 words)
Daily Beast Column Comparing Trump To Lenin Creates Viral Rumors About Red Square Interment
New York, N.Y. â A satirical opinion piece published by The Daily Beast on August 28, 2025, has ignited widespread online speculation about whether President Donald Trump might someday be buried alongside Vladimir Lenin in Moscow’s Red Square.
The rumor, which has circulated across social media platforms and messaging apps, stems from a provocative commentary that employed dark humor to discuss the president’s health and political legacy.
Origin of the Rumor
The speculation originated from a column titled “It’s Tasteless to Speculate That Trump Might Soon Be Buried On Red Square Like Lenin” by foreign policy expert David Rothkopf. The piece began with a Soviet-era joke about a man searching newspaper obituaries for a death announcement that would appear on the front page, implying the demise of a major political figure.
Rothkopf’s commentary suggested that “if he keeps serving the Motherland as he always has, Trump could end up buried in a glass casket in a mausoleum on Red Square like Lenin.”
This satirical observation, intended as political commentary rather than factual reporting, quickly became distorted as it spread across digital platforms.
The author used this provocative imagery to recommend viewers watch Armando Iannucci’s film “The Death of Stalin” as preparation for potential political transitions. However, social media users began sharing excerpts from the piece without proper context, leading some to interpret the satirical speculation as genuine reporting.
Social Media Amplification
Digital platforms have amplified fragments of Rothkopf’s commentary, with users sharing screenshots and partial quotes that omit the satirical nature of the original piece. Twitter/X, Facebook, and Telegram channels have circulated versions of the rumor that present it as breaking news rather than opinion journalism.
The viral spread demonstrates how satirical content can transform into apparent fact when removed from its original context. Meme culture and algorithmic content distribution have accelerated this process, with engagement-driven platforms prioritizing provocative headlines over nuanced analysis.
Several fact-checking organizations have begun addressing the rumor, emphasizing that no credible sources suggest any plans for presidential burial in Russia. The speculation appears entirely rooted in Rothkopf’s rhetorical device rather than any substantive political developments.
Historical Context of Lenin’s Mausoleum
Lenin’s preserved body has been on “almost continuous public display inside the mausoleum since its completion in 1930” on Red Square. The Soviet Union constructed the monument as a shrine to the revolutionary leader, where his embalmed remains lie in a glass casket for public viewing.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has “rejected any plans so far to bury the body, saying that he was not in favor of taking any steps that would divide society.”
This reluctance to alter Lenin’s resting place reflects ongoing political sensitivities around Soviet history and Russian identity.
The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia has petitioned to “rid Red Square of the remains of the main persecutor and executioner of the 20th century”, though domestic religious authorities have not supported this position.
The mausoleum remains a significant tourist attraction and symbol of Russia’s revolutionary heritage.
The Kremlin Wall Necropolis adjacent to the mausoleum contains the remains of other Soviet leaders and prominent figures, making it a politically charged location for any hypothetical international burial.
Political Reality Assessment
Foreign policy experts emphasize that the rumor has no basis in diplomatic reality or established precedent. U.S.-Russia relations remain strained across multiple fronts, making any ceremonial burial arrangement highly improbable regardless of political circumstances.
International law and diplomatic protocols would require extensive negotiations for such an unprecedented arrangement. No American president has ever been buried on foreign soil in a manner that would honor both nations’ political traditions.
The U.S. State Department has not commented on the rumors, likely viewing them as unworthy of official response. Presidential burial traditions in the United States follow established patterns at national cemeteries, presidential libraries, or family burial grounds.
Russian government officials have similarly ignored the speculation, focusing instead on current diplomatic and economic priorities. The Kremlin’s silence suggests they view the rumor as irrelevant to serious policy discussions.
Media Literacy Implications
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in distinguishing satirical commentary from factual reporting in digital media environments. Algorithmic distribution systems often prioritize engagement over accuracy, allowing provocative content to spread rapidly regardless of its factual basis.
Lenin’s Tomb on Red Square in Moscow.
Media literacy experts recommend readers examine source context, author intent, and publication standards before sharing content that makes extraordinary claims.
Satirical publications and opinion columns employ rhetorical devices that can be misinterpreted when circulated without proper attribution.
The Trump-Lenin burial rumor serves as a case study in how political satire transforms into apparent news through social media amplification.
Educational institutions and civic organizations increasingly emphasize critical thinking skills to help citizens navigate complex information environments.
Journalism ethics require clear distinctions between news reporting, opinion commentary, and satirical content, though these boundaries blur in digital spaces where content appears without editorial context.
Summary
A satirical opinion piece from The Daily Beast has generated viral rumors suggesting Trump might be buried on Red Square with Lenin. The commentary, written by foreign policy expert David Rothkopf, used dark humor to discuss presidential health concerns and drew parallels between Trump and Soviet leadership. The piece sparked widespread social media speculation, though experts emphasize the rumor has no factual basis. The story highlights how satirical content can evolve into misinformation in digital spaces.
TAGS: Trump, Red Square, burial rumor, Daily Beast, political satire, misinformation, social media, viral content, David Rothkopf, Moscow, Kremlin, Soviet history, mausoleum, Lenin, political commentary, fake news, digital media, fact-checking media literacy
A constitutional breach involving a private call with Cambodiaâs former leader ends the Shinawatra Dynasty, deepening Thailandâs protracted political instability.
New York, N.Y. â The nine judges of Thailandâs Constitutional Court delivered a seismic verdict on Friday, voting six to three to remove Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office for ethics violations stemming from a leaked private phone call with Cambodiaâs former long-ruling strongman, Hun Sen.
The ruling immediately plunged the nation into fresh political turmoil and marked a severe blow to the enduring, yet besieged, political dynasty founded by her father, the exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra.
The case centered on a June phone conversation, the audio of which was publicly released by Hun Sen himself. In the recording, the 39-year-old prime minister could be heard referring to the Cambodian leader as âuncleâ and offering criticisms of the Thai army. The call occurred against a backdrop of rapidly escalating military tensions along the two nationsâ disputed border, which weeks later erupted into a deadly five-day conflict that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
In its written ruling, the court determined that Paetongtarnâs âpersonal relationshipâ with Hun Sen âappeared to align with Cambodiaâs interestsâ over those of Thailand. The judges dismissed her defense that the call was a good-faith, âpersonal negotiation to⌠bring back peace without using violence,â stating it instead âcaused the public to cast doubtâ on her loyalties and whether her actions âwould benefit Cambodia more than the nationâs interest.â
The ousted leader publicly acknowledged the courtâs verdict but stood by her actions. âFrom the first day I took this office, my every action has been for the benefit of the people,â she stated in a televised address from Government House. âMy intention in that private discussion was solely to save lives and prevent violence, drawing upon a long-standing personal connection to achieve peace. I maintain that this was in the nationâs best interest.â
A Fraught Border and a Familial Connection
The leaked call exposed the deeply personal and political complexities of Southeast Asian diplomacy. Hun Sen was once a close ally of Paetongtarnâs father, Thaksin, during his premiership in the early 2000s. The Shinawatra familyâs populist policies and immense wealth have long made them adored by the rural poor and reviled by the Bangkok-centric elite, the military, and the royalist establishment, leading to two previous premiers being removed from office.
This familial history provided the subtext for the courtâs decision. The use of the familiar term âuncleâ and the criticism of the Thai militaryâa sacrosanct institutionâwere deemed by her critics as evidence of a cavalier attitude toward national security and a conflict of interest. âA prime minister cannot have a private foreign policy, especially with a nation we have a volatile border with,â said Prawit Wongsuwon, leader of the Palang Pracharath party and a former army chief. âIt was a profound error in judgment that compromised her position.â
The Shinawatra Curse and Judicial Intervention
Paetongtarn Shinawatra becomes the fifth Thai prime minister to be dismissed by the Constitutional Court since 2008 and the third member of her family to have a premiership cut short. Her father, Thaksin, was deposed by a military coup in 2006, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, was removed by the same court in 2014 for abuse of power over a rice subsidy scheme. Thaksin, who returned from a 15-year exile last year under a controversial deal with his former rivals, has seen his influence wane considerably with his daughterâs dismissal, raising questions about the future of the Shinawatra political machine.
Her own rise to power was itself a product of judicial intervention. She assumed the leadership of the Pheu Thai party and became prime minister only after her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was dismissed by the court for illegally appointing a cabinet member who had a prior conviction.
A Swift Realignment of Power
The vacuum of power was filled with astonishing speed. Within hours of the verdict, the conservative Bhumjaithai party, a one-time coalition partner in Paetongtarnâs government, announced it had secured enough support from other parties to form a new government. Its leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, is now poised to become the next prime minister.
The party, which has strong influence in the northeast, had earlier outlined its top priorities, which include resolving the ongoing border dispute with Cambodia and dissolving parliament to call for new elections within the next four months. This rapid shift underscores the fragile and transactional nature of Thai coalition politics, where alliances are quickly made and broken.
Regional Implications and a Diplomatic Spat
The fallout extends beyond Thailandâs borders, significantly straining relations with Cambodia. The act of Hun Senâwho ceded power to his son, Hun Manet, last year but is widely believed to still control the governmentâleaking a private diplomatic call is viewed as a profound breach of diplomatic protocol. Analysts suggest it was a calculated move, possibly intended to destabilize a Thai government led by a family he once considered friends, or to gain leverage in the border negotiations.
âThis is an unprecedented level of diplomatic sabotage,â said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor of political science at Chulalongkorn University. âHun Sen has effectively intervened directly in Thai domestic politics with severe consequences. It will take a long time to rebuild any semblance of trust between the two capitals.â
The Unending Cycle of Thai Politics
The courtâs decision reinforces a persistent pattern in modern Thai history: elected governments, particularly those affiliated with the Shinawatras, are systematically challenged and often removed by the nationâs unelected institutions, including the judiciary and the military. This cycle has prevented any single elected government from completing a full term in over two decades, creating a perpetual state of political uncertainty that has hampered economic growth and deepened social divisions.
For millions of the Shinawatras’ âRed Shirtâ supporters, the verdict is the latest evidence of an entrenched establishment using its power to nullify the will of the voters. Protests are planned for the weekend in the partyâs stronghold in the northeast, with leaders decrying what they call a âjudicial coup.â
As Anutin and Bhumjaithai move to consolidate power, the nation is left to grapple with the same fundamental tensions that have defined it for a generation. The removal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra is not merely a change in leadership; it is the latest eruption of a deep-seated conflict between the elected will of the majority and the power of the old guard, a conflict that shows no signs of abating.
Summary
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been removed from office by the Constitutional Court for ethics violations related to a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. The court ruled her private discussion during a border crisis undermined national trust. Her removal continues a pattern of judicial intervention against Shinawatra family leaders and triggers a rapid political realignment, with the Bhumjaithai party moving to form a new government.
Progressive Activists Label Worship Event as Harassment, Urging Permit Revocation While Mayor Upholds Free Speech Rights
New York, N.Y. – Amid escalating tensions in one of the U.S.’s most progressive urban centers, a so-called Christian worship concert led by conservative activist Sean Feucht is proceeding as scheduled at Seattle’s Gas Works Park on August 30, 2025.
Despite vehement opposition fromLGBTQ+ organizations, who have branded the event as “malicious harassment and incitement,” city officials have affirmed the organizer’s constitutional protections under theFirst Amendment.
Conservative Activist and So-Called Christian Preacher Sean Feucht in Washington, D.C. Photo credit: Sean Feucht / Facebook.
This clash highlights ongoing debates over religious expression, public spaces, and community inclusivity in deeply divided American cities.
Sean Feucht, a California-based singer, songwriter, and preacher, gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic through his Let Us Worship movement.
Launched in 2020, the initiative protested government-imposed restrictions on religious gatherings, framing them as infringements on faith-based freedoms.
Feucht’s events often blend contemporary Christian music with conservative political messaging, including support for President Donald Trump [Luce Index™ score: 35/100] and critiques of progressive social policies.
His “Revive in ’25” tour, which kicked off earlier this year, aims to spark spiritual renewal across North America, but it has repeatedly encountered resistance in liberal strongholds.
In Seattle, a city renowned for its vibrant LGBTQ community and progressive politics, Feucht’s planned rally has stirred significant controversy. Initially set for Cal Anderson Park in the Capitol Hill neighborhoodâa historic hub for LGBTQ rights and the site of the 2020 CHOP autonomous zoneâthe event was relocated to Gas Works Park following concerns raised by local leaders.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth urged the shift, citing public safety considerations rather than content-based restrictions. “The law is crystal clear. You cannot shut down a venue on anticipated speech,” Harrell stated in an interview with KING 5 News. He emphasized that any group, regardless of viewpoint, has the right to assemble in public parks under constitutional protections.
Backlash from Community Advocates
Opposition to the event has been spearheaded by groups such as Capitol Hill Pride and the Lavender Rights Project, a Black transgender feminist organization.
Charlette LeFevre, director of Capitol Hill Pride, described the rally as antithetical to Seattle’s values, telling local media, “This is not what Seattle is about.” Critics point to Feucht’s past statements on social issues, including his opposition to LGBTQ-inclusive policies, as evidence that the gathering could foster an environment of exclusion or harm.
The Lavender Rights Project, along with 15 partner organizations, announced plans for a counter-event to challenge what they termed a “propaganda machine.” This response echoes broader concerns about Christian nationalist movements, as outlined in analyses from outlets like Cascade PBS, which situate Seattle within a larger playbook of conservative activism targeting progressive cities.
Activists argue that allowing such events in symbolically significant locations like Capitol Hill could undermine efforts to create safe spaces for marginalized communities.
Recent history amplifies these fears. Just months earlier, in May 2025, violence erupted at Cal Anderson Park during the MayDayUSA“Don’t Mess With Our Kids” rally, a Christian-led protest against certain educational policies perceived as promoting LGBTQ ideologies. Counter-protesters clashed with attendees, resulting in 23 arrests by the Seattle Police Department.
Police reports indicated that items were thrown between groups, and one officer required medical treatment after being assaulted. Mayor Harrell attributed the unrest to both the rally participants and “infiltrating anarchists,” underscoring the volatile potential of such gatherings.
Echoes of Canadian Controversies
Feucht’s challenges in Seattle follow a string of permit revocations in Canada, where eight cities canceled his tour stops earlier in August 2025.
Conservative Activist Sean Feucht. Photo credit: Sean Feucht / Facebook.
In Edmonton, Alberta, on August 22, 2025, Feucht performed on the legislature grounds amid protests from LGBTQ supporters, who displayed messages decrying the event.
Canadian officials cited public safety and permit issues, but Feucht framed the decisions falsely as “discriminatory against Christians.”
In West Kelowna, British Columbia, the concert was axed over “public safety” concerns, with Feucht accusing mayors of hypocrisy for allowing pride events while restricting worship services.
These international setbacks have fueled Feucht’s narrative of persecution. In a video posted on X, he rallied supporters for the Seattle event, stating, “Will you help us bring the fire of God’s presence to Seattle?” and soliciting donations.
He referenced past Antifa disruptions in Seattle, humorously noting how opponents’ live streams inadvertently spread his message.
Feucht’s resilience is evident in his statement to Fox News Digital:
“Every single time we come to worship in Seattle, we face many different kinds of resistance. However, as you’ve seen through the five-year history of Let Us Worship, we refuse to back down for anything.”
Police Preparedness and Free Speech Debates
In anticipation of potential unrest, the Seattle Police Department has bolstered its presence at Gas Works Park, a 19-acre (7.7-hectare) site overlooking Lake Union. The department’s strategy draws from lessons learned in May, aiming to prevent escalations while respecting assembly rights. A spokesperson for Mayor Harrell reiterated the city’s commitment to the LGBTQ community, noting, “At the same time, the City strongly celebrates and supports the LGBTQ+ community.”
This situation underscores broader U.S. tensions surrounding free speech. Legal experts argue that content-based permit denials violate the First Amendment, as affirmed by Harrell. Yet, advocates for vulnerable groups contend that speech perceived as inciteful can lead to real-world harm, prompting calls for nuanced public policy.
In Seattle, where 26% of residents identify as non-religious according to recent surveys, the intersection of faith and politics often sparks debate.
Feucht’s movement has also drawn support from conservative figures. Pastor Paula White-Cain, a former Trump White House faith advisor, condemned violence at previous events on Fox News’ “Hannity,” alongside journalist Katie Daviscourt. Additionally, reports indicate the FBI is investigating claims of targeted violence against religious groups following evangelical protests in Seattle.
Looking Ahead: Revival or Division?
As the concert unfolds, observers anticipate a mix of worship, protest, and police oversight. Feucht’s tour continues post-Seattle, with stops in Missoula, Montana, and Yakima, Washington, before heading to the nation’s capital. His efforts have inspired similar revivals, such as a blue-city pastor reporting tens of thousands attending a Christian crusade earlier this year.
Critics, however, view these events as part of a larger Christian supremacist strategy, as detailed in The Stranger’s coverage. Edmonton City Councilor Andrew Knack publicly opposed a similar Feucht event, calling it counter to values of inclusion. In contrast, supporters like those on X pray for Feucht’s safety and success, seeing the backlash as affirmation of their cause.
Ultimately, the Seattle rally encapsulates America’s cultural fault lines. While Feucht frames it as a stand for faith and freedom, opponents see it as a threat to hard-won progress.
As one protester’s sidewalk message in Edmonton poignantly stated amid the August 22, 2025, gathering: the divide persists. With the event drawing national attention, its outcome may influence future policies on public assemblies in progressive enclaves.
Summary
In Seattle, Christian worship leader Sean Feucht defies backlash from LGBTQ groups to hold his “Revive in ’25” concert at Gas Works Park on August 30, 2025. Activists label it harassment and plan counter-events, but Mayor Bruce Harrell upholds First Amendment rights amid safety concerns. This follows Canadian permit denials and echoes past violence at similar rallies, highlighting tensions over free speech and inclusion in progressive cities.
TAGS: sean feucht, seattle, christian rally, worship event, bruce harrell, lgbtq, gas works park, first amendment, progressive activists, public safety
By the Staff of The Stewardship Report: Let the truth-telling begin
New York, N.Y. â As grief grips Minneapolis in the wake of the horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, a familiar cycle of blame and misinformation has swept across influential media. Right-wing outlets such as Breitbart, Fox News and the New York Post have harnessed the tragedy for sensational headlines and divisive narratives, seizing on the shooterâs transgender identity while sidestepping the urgent reality of gun violence.
This moment calls us not to succumb to fearmongering, but to reaffirm the principles of truth, context, and compassion that should define responsible journalism.
Who
The tragedy centers on Robin Westman, a 23-year-old former student of Annunciation Catholic School, who opened fire during a morning mass, killing two children and injuring seventeen others before taking their own life. Stephen King, acclaimed author and vocal advocate for gun reform, entered the national discourse after urging the public to recognize that access to guns â not gender identity â is the central danger.
What
Multiple right-leaning media platforms immediately amplified the shooterâs gender identity, aggressively promoting the notion that transgender status is a factor in mass violence. Their coverage, echoing voices on Fox News and Breitbart, often ignored or minimized mental health issues, hateful messaging in the shooterâs statements, and â most critically â the role of guns in enabling such devastation.
When
On August 27, 2025, Minneapolis was again scarred by gun violence, marking the first mass school shooting of the new academic year and the worst school attack since Uvalde in 2022. The mediaâs rapid pivot to gender-focused blame occurred in the immediate aftermath.
Where
The attack took place within the sanctuary of Annunciation Catholic School, a location that should be a bastion of safety and peace.
Why
Politically motivated outlets have a clear interest in weaponizing this tragedy to distract from Americaâs epidemic of gun violence. Leveraging identity politics and moral panic, they hope to shift public focus from systemic failures with gun policy to stigmatize marginalized groups â especially transgender individuals.
Stephen King points out that access to guns â not gender identity â is the central danger.
The Media’s Distorting Mirror
Coverage by theNew York Post, Fox News, and others frequently replaced compassion and evidence with inflammatory rhetoric.
They fixated on Westmanâs trans identity, fueling online attacks and reinforcing harmful myths.
Such narratives ignore established facts: the overwhelming majority of mass shooters are not transgender, and transgender people are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.
When ideology trumps accuracy, the public loses sight of what tools truly enable mass murder â access to high-powered firearms.
Fact Over Spin: What the Data Really Shows
Despite breathless speculation, the rarity of shooters who are transgender is clear, with multiple studies showing no statistical correlation between gender identity and mass violence.
On the other hand, the U.S. continues to lead the developed world in gun deaths and school shootings, with 83 campus shootings reported in 2024 alone. Most perpetrators have been cisgender (not transgendered) men. Properly contextualized data demonstrates that blaming identity is a red herring that distracts from the central factor: widespread access to lethal firearms in the U.S.
The Cost of Scapegoating
By focusing on sensationalist identity politics, Fox News and the New York Post embolden those who wish to roll back protections for LGBTQ+ people and divert public outrage from necessary gun reform.
Scapegoating trans people not only fails to explain or prevent violence, it actively harms a community already facing disproportionate dangers, both from bigotry and the far more common threat of gun violence itself.
What Responsible Journalism Looks Like
Responsible reporting demands thoughtful context, transparency, and a commitment to evidence over ideology. It recognizes that tragedies like the Minneapolis school shooting are enabled by policy failures, not by the gender of those who commit them. As Stephen King insists, the common denominator in these mass shootings is the firearm â not trans identity, not mental illness alone, but the ease of acquiring deadly weapons in America.
Real journalism fosters dialogue, discourages scapegoating, and seeks solutions that honor those lost by acting for change. Let us challenge those who profit from outrage, and instead, call for common-sense reforms that could save lives.
Let this be your act of resistance â not through yelling, but through clarity. Not with conspiracy, but with conscience.
Summary
Media sensationalism after the Minneapolis school shooting blames the shooterâs transgender identity, but ignores the central issue: guns. Data shows gun access, not identity, drives Americaâs mass shooting crisis. Scapegoating harms vulnerable communities and distracts from policy solutions. This editorial urges a media focus on facts, empathy, and effective reform, calling for journalism that guides, not divides, in the wake of tragedy.
TAGS: Minneapolis shooting, Annunciation Catholic School, Stephen King, media bias, gun violence, Breitbart, New York Post, transgender rights, school shootings, U.S. media, LGBTQ+ issues, hate crimes, Fox News, responsible journalism, mass shootings, public discourse, advocacy, The Stewardship Report
Arthur Brooks’ promotion of BahĂĄ’Ă teachings overlooks the faith’s discriminatory stance toward LGBTQ+ individuals
New York, N.Y. – When Arthur C. Brooks recently penned “Five BahĂĄ’Ă Lessons for a Happier Life” for The Atlantic, describing the BahĂĄ’Ă faith as a “19th-century Persian offshoot from Islam” with “deep, humanistic teachings we can all benefit from,” he painted an appealing picture of universal wisdom and inclusive spirituality.
Yet this portrayal glosses over a fundamental contradiction at the heart of BahĂĄ’Ă doctrine: a faith that proclaims unity and universal love while simultaneously excluding LGBTQ+ individuals from full participation unless they suppress their authentic selves.
As someone who explored the BahĂĄ’Ă faith during college, drawn by its emphasis on the unity of humanity and progressive social principles, I discovered firsthand that this supposed universality has significant limitations. The faith’s teachings on human sexuality, particularly regarding homosexuality, create an irreconcilable tension between its proclaimed inclusivity and its actual practices.
The Allure of Universal Brotherhood
Arthur C. Brooks recently penned âFive BahĂĄâĂ Lessons for a Happier Lifeâ for The Atlantic, describing the BahĂĄâĂ faith as a â19th-century Persian offshoot from Islamâ with âdeep, humanistic teachings we can all benefit from,â he painted an appealing picture of universal wisdom and inclusive spirituality.
The BahĂĄ’Ă faith, founded by BahĂĄ’u’llĂĄh in 19th-century Persia, presents itself as a religion for the modern age.
Its central principles include the unity of God, the unity of religion, and the unity of humanity.
These teachings emphasize racial equality, gender equity, the elimination of prejudice, and the establishment of world peace.
For a young person seeking spiritual meaning beyond traditional religious boundaries, such ideals appear profoundly attractive.
BahĂĄ’Ă communities often pride themselves on their diversity and welcome newcomers with genuine warmth.
The faith’s emphasis on independent investigation of truth, the harmony of science and religion, and the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty resonates with many progressive-minded individuals.
This initial appeal explains why the faith has attracted followers worldwide, particularly among educated, socially conscious seekers.
The BahĂĄ’Ă writings contain numerous passages celebrating human diversity and dignity. BahĂĄ’u’llĂĄh wrote extensively about the nobility of human beings and their inherent worth regardless of background.
This philosophical foundation creates reasonable expectations that all individuals, regardless of their personal characteristics, would find acceptance within BahĂĄ’Ă communities.
The Reality of Conditional Acceptance
However, beneath this veneer of universal acceptance lies a more complex reality. BahĂĄ’Ă teachings explicitly consider same-sex relationships as contrary to divine law. The Universal House of Justice, the faith’s supreme governing body, has repeatedly affirmed that marriage is exclusively between one man and one woman, and that sexual relations outside this framework are prohibited.
For LGBTQ+ individuals, this creates an impossible choice: remain true to their authentic selves while being considered spiritually deficient, or suppress fundamental aspects of their identity to gain full acceptance within the community. This is not the kind of “happiness” that Brooks suggests BahĂĄ’Ă teachings can provide to “all” people.
The BahĂĄ’Ă approach to homosexuality differs from some other religions in that it doesn’t condemn individuals for their orientation, but it does prohibit them from expressing their sexuality in loving, committed relationships. BahĂĄ’Ă institutions often frame this as a test or spiritual challenge, suggesting that LGBTQ+ individuals should view their orientation as an opportunity for spiritual growth through self-denial.
The Harm of Spiritual Exclusion
This conditional acceptance causes real psychological and spiritual harm. Young LGBTQ+ individuals drawn to BahĂĄ’Ă teachings often experience profound disappointment and rejection when they discover these limitations. The message they receive is that their capacity for love and partnershipâfundamental human experiencesâis somehow flawed or spiritually inferior.
The impact extends beyond individual disappointment. LGBTQ+BahĂĄ’Ăs often struggle with cognitive dissonance, trying to reconcile their love for the faith’s principles with its rejection of their authentic selves. Some attempt to remain celibate, sacrificing intimate companionship for spiritual belonging. Others leave the faith entirely, often experiencing grief over the loss of a spiritual community they had hoped would be their permanent home.
BahĂĄ’Ă communities lose valuable members and perspectives when they maintain these exclusionary policies. The faith’s emphasis on diversity and unity rings hollow when it systematically excludes individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Inconsistency of Progressive Values
The BahĂĄ’Ă faith‘s stance on LGBTQ+ issues creates internal contradictions that undermine its progressive credentials. While the faith advocates for racial equality and women’s rightsâpositions that were revolutionary in the 19th centuryâit maintains conservative positions on sexuality that increasingly conflict with contemporary understanding of human rights and dignity.
This inconsistency becomes particularly apparent when considering the faith’s emphasis on the elimination of prejudice. BahĂĄ’Ă communities work actively to overcome racial, ethnic, and economic prejudices, yet they maintain institutional prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals. The cognitive dissonance required to maintain these contradictory positions weakens the faith’s moral authority on other social justice issues.
Modern BahĂĄ’Ă apologetics often attempt to resolve this tension by arguing that divine law transcends human understanding, or that accepting LGBTQ+ relationships would compromise the faith’s integrity. However, these arguments fail to address the fundamental question of whether a truly loving God would create individuals with innate orientations only to prohibit them from expressing love in meaningful relationships.
Moving Beyond Conditional Universality
Brooks’ article, while well-intentioned, perpetuates a sanitized version of BahĂĄ’Ă teachings that ignores their exclusionary aspects. True universality cannot coexist with systematic discrimination against any group of people. When religious leaders and commentators promote “universal” teachings while ignoring their discriminatory elements, they participate in a form of spiritual whitewashing that obscures real harm.
Religious communities genuinely committed to unity and love must grapple honestly with their limitations and work toward genuine inclusion. This requires more than tolerance or conditional acceptanceâit demands full recognition of LGBTQ+ individuals’ dignity and their right to loving relationships.
The path to authentic universality requires religious institutions to examine their teachings critically and consider whether inherited doctrines truly reflect divine love or human prejudice. Until the BahĂĄ’Ă faith addresses its treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals, its claims to universality remain incomplete and its promise of happiness remains available only to those who fit predetermined categories of acceptability.
Arthur Brooks’ recent Atlantic article promoting BahĂĄ’Ă teachings as universally beneficial overlooks the faith’s discriminatory stance toward LGBTQ+ individuals. While the BahĂĄ’Ă faith proclaims unity and universal love, it excludes gay and lesbian believers from full participation unless they suppress their authentic selves. This conditional acceptance causes real psychological harm and undermines the faith’s progressive credentials, creating internal contradictions between its stated values and actual practices.
Policies in Seoul lag in offering lasting support for frontline responders
Editor John Laing.
New York, N.Y. – The recent death of an unnamed firefighter who responded to the 2022 Itaewon disaster in South Korea has intensified calls to overhaul and strengthen the nation’s trauma care system. His passing highlights wider concerns over the countryâs preparedness for social emergencies and the psychological toll on its first responders.
This tragedy, the 160th official fatality linked to the catastrophic crowd crush, renews criticism of the failure to provide adequate, long-term support for frontline workers and survivors grappling with psychological trauma. Despite a history of high-profile social disasters in recent decades, systemic support structures remain underdeveloped.
On Wednesday, police in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, confirmed that the body of a firefighter, who had been missing for 10 days, was discovered without any signs of foul play. Authorities stated the 30-year-old appeared to have taken his own life. At the familyâs request, an autopsy will not be conducted. He left behind notes expressing sorrow to loved ones, though no formal will was found.
The firefighter, who had served as a first responder since 2017, was among the teams dispatched to the Itaewon disaster site on October 29, 2022. That night, more than 150 people were killed when a massive crowd became packed into a narrow, sloped alley near the Hamilton Hotel in central Seoul during post-pandemic Halloween celebrations.
Evening street scene in Seoul’s Itaewon district before the 2022 disaster.
Insufficient Support and Growing Concerns
Following his service at the disaster, the firefighter developed depression and received nine psychiatric consultations through the National Fire Agency. However, mental health experts argue this level of intervention was likely insufficient. Psychiatric counselors note that while a dozen sessions might help individuals coping with acute stress, more severe trauma and depression, common after such catastrophic events, typically require between 24 and 52 sessions of sustained therapy.
âIf you look at cases abroad, like 9/11, there is no fixed term for treating disaster survivors. Long-term, often indefinite support is essential,â said Dr. Kim Hyun-soo at Myongji Hospital. âNational support for disaster trauma must be both extensive and sustained, especially for first responders.â
Government figures indicate that between October 2022 and September 2023, approximately 1,316 firefighters involved in the Itaewon emergency response received crisis counseling. Of those, 142 received in-depth sessions and hospital referrals. Despite these efforts, many first responders have reported limited follow-up care and a significant lack of adequate long-term support, leaving them to manage their psychological wounds largely on their own.
Police confirmed that the body of the unnamed firefighter, who had been missing for 10 days, was discovered without any signs of foul play.
A Chorus of Voices Demands Reform
The firefighter’s death has deeply resonated with other survivors and the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster. On Wednesday, a group representing the families mourned his passing and urged authorities to extend trauma care beyond the immediate victims to include first responders and even local merchants who provided assistance at the scene.
Activist groups have echoed these concerns, pointing to critical blind spots in South Koreaâs disaster relief laws. âKoreaâs laws only recognize âdisaster victimsâ in a narrow sense, leaving out the bereaved and traumatized rescuers, witnesses and supporters. There is no clear system to support their mental health and basic rights,â the civic group Life Safety Citizen Net said in a statement.
The group drew parallels to past tragedies, highlighting a persistent pattern of neglect. âAfter the Sewol Ferry disaster, a rescue diver died from trauma. A firefighter responding to Itaewon now lives apart from his family, working as a manual laborer with his trauma unhealed. The government must pass meaningful safety regulations and recognize the rights and dignity of all affected.â
Labor unions, including the Korean Government Employeesâ Union, have demanded sweeping reforms. âThis incident isnât just one personâs tragedy; itâs a consequence of repeated disasters and the lack of meaningful trauma care for frontline workers. Reforming counseling, boosting mental health resources, improving working conditions and expanding staff are urgent national priorities,â the union stated.
International Practices vs. Korean Reality
Most countries with advanced disaster response systems acknowledge the profound risk of trauma for emergency workers and provide a wider range of care options compared to South Korea. Nations with experience in managing such disasters, such as the U.S. and Japan, have continually reformed their systems in response to major events.
After tragedies like 9/11 and various mass shootings, the U.S. dedicated significant resources to long-term mental health services for directly affected personnel. These programs include specialized treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide prevention initiatives, and ongoing monitoring. Organizations like the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation provide crucial trauma care and family support for responders who develop lasting symptoms.
Neighboring Japan, while also facing challenges in providing long-term trauma care for first responders, has made strides in improving relief accommodation standards and disaster planning, which now includes more robust mental health support for personnel.
Despite its own history of devastating social disastersâincluding the Seongsu Bridge collapse in 1994, the Sampoong Department Store collapse in 1995, the Daegu subway fire in 2003, the Sewol ferry sinking in 2014, and the Itaewon disaster in 2022âSouth Korea continues to struggle with providing long-term mental health care for survivors and responders, compounded by persistent personnel shortages among frontline staff.
Acknowledgment and a Path Forward
The tragedy has prompted high-level acknowledgment of the systemic shortcomings. President Lee Jae Myung expressed his condolences for the death of the firefighter and promised to make efforts to extend support to victims, families, and first responders to help them overcome the trauma caused by high-profile disasters.
âOur society has not established a sufficient social safety net and psychological support system needed to fully face and heal from national and collective traumas,â Lee stated in a Facebook post on Wednesday. âTo address such issues, our society needs to share the pain, recognize our collective responsibility with gravity and join forces for recovery.â
This incident serves as a stark reminder that the duties of first responders do not end when the immediate crisis is over; for many, the psychological battle is just beginning. The calls for change now echo throughout the country, demanding that the government build a system of care worthy of those who run toward danger.
Summary
The death of a South Korean firefighter, a first responder at the 2022 Itaewon disaster, has ignited urgent calls for comprehensive trauma care reform. Having developed depression after the event, his suicide highlights the insufficient psychological support provided to frontline workers. Experts, activists, and unions are demanding sustained, long-term mental health services, pointing to international models in the U.S. and Japan. This tragedy underscores a systemic failure in South Koreaâs disaster response, prompting promises of change from government officials.
