When in doubt – accuse the victim or defender of the victim of being a victimizer… this kind of trying to avoid today’s realities by burying it in the past, is wearing thin. The world weeps over the genocide of the Armenians, Jews in Europe and Russia, Cambodia, Darfur and prays that a similar fate is not visited upon Palestinians.

“Of course, many millions perished. It is quite strange that some of the people who are running the state of Israel seem to be quite complacent and happy to allow the same to happen in Gaza.”

Her words drew sharp condemnation from the chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, Karen Pollock.

“We expect our politicians to speak responsibly and sensitively about the past and about events today,” she said. “These lazy and deliberate distortions have no place in British politics.”

Qureshi, the MP for Bolton South East, said she had not intended to draw a direct parallel and felt “personally hurt” that anyone could think she had done – especially as she had visited one of the most notorious death camps.

“The debate was about the plight of the Palestinian people and in no way did I mean to equate events in Gaza with the Holocaust,” she said in a statement. “I apologise for any offence caused.

“I am also personally hurt if people thought I meant this. As someone who has visited the crematoria and gas chambers of Auschwitz I know the Holocaust was the most brutal act of genocide of the 20th century and no one should seek to underestimate its impact.”

Pollock said: “Whilst current events in the Middle East understandably stir emotions, it is astonishing to think that anyone could visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, learn about the industrial nature of the Nazis’ murderous regime, even walk through a gas chamber – and then make these offensive and inappropriate comparisons.”

via Labour MP apologises for Holocaust remark | Politics | theguardian.com.

Feminism, human rights, Indigenous Achievers

Last native tribal speaker dies in U.S. state | News , International | THE DAILY STAR

February 7, 2014 nedhamson

The last person to have spoken the Klallam language from birth and the eldest member among the Klallam tribes of the Pacific Northwest has died in Washington state at the age of 103, family and tribal members said.

Hazel M. Sampson was the last person who first learned Klallam, then learned English as a second language, said Lower Elwha Klallam tribal member Jamie Valadez, who teaches the Klallam language and culture at Port Angeles High School.

Her death on Tuesday changes the dynamics of the culture, Valadez told the Peninsula Daily News in a story Thursday.

“In the U.S., this is happening all over Indian Country,” Valadez said. “They carry so much knowledge of our culture and traditions. Then it’s gone.”

via Last native tribal speaker dies in U.S. state | News , International | THE DAILY STAR.

Feminism, human rights, HumanLoving, innovation, peace, poets, Rock on-Peace Out, Viva!

Rebel with a Cause: Question Everything. | Rebelle Society

February 7, 2014 nedhamson

This is how the world must be changed, by questioning everything. We dismantle our ideas about ourselves so that we may understand others more fully. We honor ourselves by honoring each other. We question our thoughts to access the truth. We can change the world by opening up and letting go.

Perhaps you don’t believe me, perhaps you believe things are fine the way they are, that your life is as it needs to be. True, the present moment is perfect as it is, we must learn to be with things as they appear — but how many moments are you using to celebrate being alive?

For peace to exist, we must first practice peace with ourselves, we must be peaceful. For love to exist, we must first practice love with ourselves, we must be loving. If you really want to overthrow the system, put on your motorcycle jacket and start meditating.

Decide, commit, manifest. Rebel with a cause.

via Rebel with a Cause: Question Everything. | Rebelle Society.