Category Archives: human rights

“A Handmaid’s Tale” – Is fiction becoming reality?

Posted on May 22, 2017 by

Though written 32 years ago, the dystopian theocratic society described in Margaret Atwood’s striking novel bears an uncanny likeness to what is (and has been for some time) being preached and advocated by far-right political and religious zealots in our … Continue reading →

Posted in art, book reviews, books, Canada, censorship, civics, civility, Communications, culture, feminism, futurism, human rights, humanity, Labor, literature, Love, Religion, Women, writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Metro areas most impacted by the new immigration ban

Posted on January 31, 2017 by

Interesting data from the Brookings Institutionis provided below which is related to existing immigrant residents in the United States from the recently banned seven (7) Muslim nations.  The data in the first chart shows those cities where these immigrant populations … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, cities, civics, civility, culture, demographics, diversity, geography, human rights, humanity, immigration, inclusiveness, planning, politics, Statistics, urban planning | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shedding light on shameful Sundown Towns

Posted on December 28, 2016 by

I feel ashamed to admit having grown up in the United States, garnered high school, undergrad, and graduate degrees, including a minor in history, and still didn’t know about Sundown Towns. Let me correct that, I didn’t know how prevalent … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, art, book reviews, books, cities, civics, civility, Communications, culture, demographics, diversity, education, geography, government, history, Housing, human rights, humanity, racism, social equity, spatial design | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The “not-so good” war

Posted on August 19, 2016 by

Often, as Americans we are told that World War II was “the good war.” But, is that really the case or is it just an example of the victors writing history to serve their needs? No one is disputing that … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, art, book reviews, books, civics, civility, Communications, culture, diversity, entertainment, geography, government, historic preservation, history, human rights, humanity, literature, military, peace, politics, racism, social equity, writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Cities with a Homeless Bill of Rights

Posted on April 11, 2016 by

On November 2, 2015 the City Commission of Traverse City adopted a Bill of Rights for homeless residents of the city. I am so very proud of my new home town for having taken this important and compassionate step. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, cities, civics, civility, culture, health, homelessness, Housing, human rights, humanity, inclusiveness, infrastructure, land use, Love, planning, politics, social equity, urban planning | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Homelessness in paradise

Posted on April 5, 2016 by

 Since moving to Traverse City approximately six months ago we have observed a number of political and planning issues that are fairly common in larger cities, but which have percolated to the surface here more recently as the region has … Continue reading →

Posted in adaptive reuse, Advocacy, cities, civics, civility, demographics, economics, health, homelessness, Housing, human rights, humanity, infrastructure, land use, Love, planning, politics, poverty, social equity, Statistics, unemployment, urban planning | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Nurturing world peace one pagoda at a time

Posted on June 17, 2015 by

Until recently, I was unaware of the Peace Pagoda (or Shanti Stupa) program initially begun by the late Nichidatsu Fujii and is continued today by the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhists. This awe-inspiring effort to promote peace throughout the world began in 1947 as … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, art, Asia, charities, cities, civics, civility, Communications, culture, diversity, Europe, geography, historic preservation, history, human rights, humanity, inclusiveness, India, land use, landscape architecture, Love, Maps, Mexico, North America, peace, placemaking, planning, Religion, skylines, spatial design, Statistics, third places, tourism, Travel, UK, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment