Two Thumbs Up

Make this book the last! Nobody should have stories like these to tell. With your help, the American Anti-Slavery Group aims to retire the slave narrative genre once and for all. Help us make Enslaved the last book of its kind. The regular edition sells for less than $20. I treated myself to the signed edition for my birthday present to myself. It is signed by Gloria Steinem and sells for $45. Give the gift of abolitionism All proceeds from the sales of Enslaved will go to the efforts of the American Anti-Slavery Group to eradicate modern day slavery through awareness, activism, advocacy and direct aid! The American Anti-Slavery Group is a U.S.-based non-profit dedicated to the abolition of modern day slavery. While many believe that the slave trade ended some time ago, there are still over 27 million people held in bondage today. In addition to chattel and sex slaves throughout Africa and parts of Asia, there are cases of human trafficking documented in affluent neighborhoods in the United States. Slavery isn't history. It's a modern human rights crisis that has only begun to be addressed. Learn more about this grave injustice and find out what you can do. Somwhat related to this topic is a movie you must see. It's called Born Into Brothels. From the site Kids With Cameras : "Born into Brothels, by Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski, is the winner of the 77th annual Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. A tribute to the resiliency of childhood and the restorative power of art, Born into Brothels is a portrait of several unforgettable children who live in the red light district of Calcutta, where their mothers work as prostitutes. Zana Briski, a New York-based photographer, gives each of the children a camera and teaches them to look at the world with new eyes." There is also a hardcover cloth edition for sale containing the photographs. All proceeds from book sales support Kids with Cameras in fulfilling its mission. The second edition lists for about $65. (Now if my husband is reading my blog today...hint hint the book would make a perfect birthday gift :) I'll even give the link again! HERE.) Since I seem to be on roll today with recommended titles, a really interesting indie film you might want to see is Bubble. From an IMDB.com review (an awesome movie site) : "I was lucky enough to see this movie followed by a Q&A with the screen writer. I thought this was one of the most amazing movies i have ever seen. They used all non-actors who actually lived in the town. The acting was so true, Rose's daughter was her real daughter and the reactions that they got from the child were so genuine that they could only come from true relationship. They kept the "actors" in the dark about how the story would unfold and shot in sequence. this could not be more clear when you watch the film. The reactions were true in a way only the best actors could pull off. They were not acting, they were being themselves in these contrived situations. They used the actors real houses, clothes and life experiences. I thought it was one of the most brilliant and unconventional films of our time. " The Plot: Set against the backdrop of a decaying Midwestern town, a murder becomes the focal point of three people who work in a doll factory. This flick won't be for everyone, but if you like films that make you think, you'll probably enjoy it. Still out from Netflix to watch I have Thank You For Smoking and M (1931 German movie in black and white starring Peter Lorre. It was Fritz Lang's first talkie). The Plot for M: A psychotic child murderer stalks a city, and despite an exhaustive investigation fueled by public hysteria and outcry, the police have been unable to find him. But the police crackdown does have one side-affect, it makes it nearly impossible for the organized criminal underground to operate. So they decide that the only way to get the police off their backs is to catch the murderer themselves. Besides, he is giving them a bad name. Dave swears I don't watch any movies to laugh..I really do! I've seen The Pee Wee Herman movie tons of times. I think it's my always have to be learning something side. Have a great day everyone..and cross you fingers my ears open up some time in this millenium.