Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide
Posted February 07, 2010 in Book Shelf
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Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. KristofMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I've read a lot of books that are a sociological observation of oppression, discrimination, disease and poverty. I will be the first to admit my love-hate relationship with books of this nature, as they are the prime source of my maniac-depressant outlook on life, reality and humanity. While I drink these issues and predicaments up -I feel pushed closer to the brink of helplessness sitting in my tiny Brooklyn apartment, myself both struggling to pay rent and keep a job.
While some humanitarian books are overflowing with knowledge and facts, I come to the final chapter full of anxiety and pain -what can I do about this? I feel the great burden of guilt while purchasing food, clothes or sleeping in a pretty comfortable bed. My life becomes a mirage of guilt, I look through the eggplant I am cooking to the oppressed farmer in Chile, his wife and his family. I look through my Nike running shoes to the child seamstress in China, her life and her village. Where is a person to start?
In "Half the Sky" Mr. Kristof quoted Gandhi "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Not only did he quote Gandhi, he truly has lived this and also created this book as a manual for others to do the same. Through tales of women from around the world the author comes full circle from extreme human hardship, abuse or sometimes death; to success and happiness. He highlights hope and a good side of human beings, despite the horrid role numerous humans play as the villain in these stories. Unlike many privileged Westerners who posses a broad understanding of how people truly live around the world, he never gets preachy or elitist. He remains down here on earth, bluntly admitting failures even with the best intentions. These highlights of how "helping" is not always the definition one might think it would be was my primary area of praise for this book. He genuinely realizes the delicate nature of helping others and how respect and a open mind are two vital necessities to promoting any change at all.
Support and education seem to be the two most effective promoters of change and progress. Although support didn't always mean a cash flow or new possessions, a network of people who can assist morally and sometimes economically is crucial. And above all education is the key part of change. To give people knowledge and allow them to make educated decisions from their own perspectives. Education is the tool that allows everyone to see their worth and truly make CHOICES that allow them to live how they desire.
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Venus in her Monkey Suit
Posted February 07, 2010 in Italian Greyhound, Photography, Venus
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OneWheelNeal's mother was so nice as to make Venus some fancy new outfits for the NYC winter. She got a cute little knitted vest, which she will model soon and a monkey print, snuggy-style, lounge outfit.
She wore her vest to the pet store today, where she made some friends and picked up a bag of her favorite treats: Stella and Chewy's. And she spent the rest of her Sunday reading "Half the Sky" with me...in her monkey suit.
She wore her vest to the pet store today, where she made some friends and picked up a bag of her favorite treats: Stella and Chewy's. And she spent the rest of her Sunday reading "Half the Sky" with me...in her monkey suit.
Monster Jam
Posted January 30, 2010 in Kawasaki, New York, NYC Photo Safari, Stuntbike, Stunting
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A fellow stunter was in need this weekend, in need of a stuntbike. As I had no big plans to brave the 20 degree weather to make wheelies I happily put my Kawi to work for the weekend. After a lazy morning in bed with Venus attacking the "under the sheets monster" who she viciously growls and bites at (such a good guard dog) we got a call that Twite needed a bike. He was booked to preform with 2 other riders at Monster Jam, a traveling monster truck show. His bike had fallen over in the trailer on the drive up and was experience multiple technical problems. So Ant and I threw on many layers of clothing and drove my bike out to Nassau Coliseum.
We popped on a new handbrake lever, bled my brakes and Twite rode my bike for the very first time in front of a giant coliseum full of screaming monster truck fans.
We popped on a new handbrake lever, bled my brakes and Twite rode my bike for the very first time in front of a giant coliseum full of screaming monster truck fans.
Morning Flurries
Posted January 28, 2010 in New York, NYC Photo Safari, Williamsburg
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This morning while eating breakfast I turned to look out the window at the exact moment the snow started coming down. Big, light, playful flakes floated down from the heavy sky. Anthony and I excitedly tried out our new camera parkas and got to shoot on the way to work.
New Head Bearings
Posted January 26, 2010 in Female Stunters, New York, Stuntbike, Stunting
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Tuesday night Ant and I headed over to Eric's garage to replace my head bearings that have been squeaking since I bought the bike last summer. After a wild drive around Brooklyn searching for diesel...we got to work in Eric plush-for-NYC garage. I worked hard taking photos while Ant and Eric pulled all my old bearings and pressed new ones in.
Harley-Davidson's Forty-eight Sportster
Posted January 24, 2010 in Harley Davidson , New York
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We have been working to produce a new model release party for Harley-Davidson's top secret new motorcycle. Not even knowing ourselves what the motorcycle was, we were excited to see the star of the show.
Our production came together beautifully and we had a great, young, hip crowd turn out to see the official unveiling. In the basement of the Ace Hotel, Willie G. Davidson and the design team pulled the black sheet off of a incredibly stylish Harley-Davidson. Fitting well into their "Dark Custom" line, the bike appears to be the offspring of a cafe racer mixed with a bobber. With matte black tones, a tiny peanut tank and a 1948 style seat, the bike is something I would love to have in my garage.
Our production came together beautifully and we had a great, young, hip crowd turn out to see the official unveiling. In the basement of the Ace Hotel, Willie G. Davidson and the design team pulled the black sheet off of a incredibly stylish Harley-Davidson. Fitting well into their "Dark Custom" line, the bike appears to be the offspring of a cafe racer mixed with a bobber. With matte black tones, a tiny peanut tank and a 1948 style seat, the bike is something I would love to have in my garage.
Check some photos from the Harley-Davidson Back to Basics 48 release party at the Ace Hotel. My in detail review will be up soon :)
Mirrorball's new XR1200
Posted January 23, 2010 in Harley Davidson , New York, Video
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Finally picked up the company Harley's up from the New Roc Harley-Davidson, which everyone should check out (it's a crazy awesome dealer).
Interview in Women's Sports Report
Posted January 23, 2010 in Female Stunters, New York, Press, Stuntbike, Stunting, Williamsburg
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Check out my interview in Women's Sports Report
"Brooklyn based street stunt biker"
Brooklyn based street stunt biker Leah Petersen talks to Women Sport Report and explains her passion for the emerging motor sport of “street bike freestyling “, or stunting, and the underground sports culture that supports it. Currently stunting is a male dominated sport, and on the surface appears wild, reckless, and dangerous, but under that façade, she argues ,there is so much more. Stunting has no sanctions, no rules, no governing body, and has little recognition beyond the community of its participants and, except for very limited exceptions, no real money to be made. It does however ,have a dedicated Florida based web site and magazine at Super Sreet Bike. Over to Leah !
WSR: You describe yourself with evident pride as “a stunter”, not a status that means a whole lot to most of us competing or involved in sport and hard for most to see a connection with any sport. We tend to associate the word with crazy professionals who do the extreme really dangerous stuff as stand ins for movie stars ! Can you elaborate for us?
Leah: I am a stunter. I am also aware that when I say this; it doesn’t really mean anything to most people. It’s not like saying “I’m a student” or “I’m a soccer player,” people don’t draw mental pictures, don’t feel any type of common bond, they mostly just look at me confused and ask me to explain. I attempt to construct a worthy image of the sport, but always feel like I just can’t explain stunting in words.
WSR : We have already seen a number of huge spectacular arena biking events in the UK recently featuring seasoned professionals using huge earth ramps to gain altitude and nailing breath taking leaps incorporating incredible airborne tricks so what is stunting ?
Leah: Stunting is a lifestyle for the urban pioneer, a sport for the technical soul, a family and a community for those who really never fit in anywhere else. Stunting is a developing motor sport. Indie, underground, alternative –however you label it, stunting has grown in leaps and bounds over the last 10 years since its modern birth. “Stunters” ride full size, race-style motorcycles and practice a technical blend of brake, gas, clutch and balance, normally on one wheel, which results in what some describe to be dancing on a motorcycle.
WSR: You talk about the stunting community. How has that developed and how does it help this members?
Leah: The stunting community is world-wide but remains tight-knit, with images and video connecting riders all over the globe. Developments in skills, stunt accessories and the community are shared and discussed passionately through online forums.
WSR: What has been achieved up till now in terms of competitive events raising the public profile of stunting?
Leah: Several national and international competitive circuits have developed over the last 5 years thrusting stunting further toward the status of a legitimate sport.
WSR: We have already witnessed other originally urban sports like Skateboarding and BMX developing beyond the streets , acquiring a professional dimension, with BMX for example , established now as a legitimate international mainstream sport. Where is stunting up to in terms of the development of its status?
Leah : Like skateboarding in the ‘70s most people look upon us with disdain and confusion. People disregard the sport as insane, but what they don’t consider is what the sport provides to the stunter. Stunting normally makes sense to people who have never entirely fit into mainstream sports, or mainstream anything. Due to the lack of public awareness we are a sport still pioneering our image and without societal legitimisation, we turn to each other for support. Together we know this is our art, our expression of self and life.
WSR: All genres of motor sport are almost completely male dominated globally and of course WSR’s mission , above all, is to campaign to level the playing field for a fairer representation , particularly in the media ,of women excelling in those sports . What’s your take on the gender issue with regards to stunting?
Leah : As a woman in a near-entirely male dominated subculture; I am given even more opportunities to believe in myself. There are only a handful of female stunters in the world and like any minority we suffer our fair share of discrimination and discouragement. Personally, I was immediately attracted to the technical aspect of the sport and to the pure DIY energy of the community. Yet after starting to stunt, I found that females nearly exclusively observed from the sidelines. After chatting with these ladies I find they need support, an example, to be more than a passive cheer team. With that understanding riding has become so much more than just tricks and wheelies to me; it is a reminder and encouragement for all to toss fear aside and ride full throttle towards whatever dream resonates with who you are.
WSR: In your formative years , with a passion for horses , you tell us you wanted to get back to some sort of grass roots culture to satisfy your pioneering spirit. and even , at one time, had the ambition to embrace the anachronistic frozen in time Hamish way of life but ultimately that sober life style was too monastic to satisfy your wild side and lacked the glitz and dollars. How does stunting meet your inner needs?
Leah: By choosing a fringe, underground sport, I have learned so much about what makes me, and to have the confidence to know my own worth, even if no one else can truly understand it. I don’t need further legitimisation ; I know the sport is worthy and positive, when I see our sport touch and change realities of both stunters and the general public.
"Brooklyn based street stunt biker"
Brooklyn based street stunt biker Leah Petersen talks to Women Sport Report and explains her passion for the emerging motor sport of “street bike freestyling “, or stunting, and the underground sports culture that supports it. Currently stunting is a male dominated sport, and on the surface appears wild, reckless, and dangerous, but under that façade, she argues ,there is so much more. Stunting has no sanctions, no rules, no governing body, and has little recognition beyond the community of its participants and, except for very limited exceptions, no real money to be made. It does however ,have a dedicated Florida based web site and magazine at Super Sreet Bike. Over to Leah !
WSR: You describe yourself with evident pride as “a stunter”, not a status that means a whole lot to most of us competing or involved in sport and hard for most to see a connection with any sport. We tend to associate the word with crazy professionals who do the extreme really dangerous stuff as stand ins for movie stars ! Can you elaborate for us?
Leah: I am a stunter. I am also aware that when I say this; it doesn’t really mean anything to most people. It’s not like saying “I’m a student” or “I’m a soccer player,” people don’t draw mental pictures, don’t feel any type of common bond, they mostly just look at me confused and ask me to explain. I attempt to construct a worthy image of the sport, but always feel like I just can’t explain stunting in words.
WSR : We have already seen a number of huge spectacular arena biking events in the UK recently featuring seasoned professionals using huge earth ramps to gain altitude and nailing breath taking leaps incorporating incredible airborne tricks so what is stunting ?
Leah: Stunting is a lifestyle for the urban pioneer, a sport for the technical soul, a family and a community for those who really never fit in anywhere else. Stunting is a developing motor sport. Indie, underground, alternative –however you label it, stunting has grown in leaps and bounds over the last 10 years since its modern birth. “Stunters” ride full size, race-style motorcycles and practice a technical blend of brake, gas, clutch and balance, normally on one wheel, which results in what some describe to be dancing on a motorcycle.
WSR: You talk about the stunting community. How has that developed and how does it help this members?
Leah: The stunting community is world-wide but remains tight-knit, with images and video connecting riders all over the globe. Developments in skills, stunt accessories and the community are shared and discussed passionately through online forums.
WSR: What has been achieved up till now in terms of competitive events raising the public profile of stunting?
Leah: Several national and international competitive circuits have developed over the last 5 years thrusting stunting further toward the status of a legitimate sport.
WSR: We have already witnessed other originally urban sports like Skateboarding and BMX developing beyond the streets , acquiring a professional dimension, with BMX for example , established now as a legitimate international mainstream sport. Where is stunting up to in terms of the development of its status?
Leah : Like skateboarding in the ‘70s most people look upon us with disdain and confusion. People disregard the sport as insane, but what they don’t consider is what the sport provides to the stunter. Stunting normally makes sense to people who have never entirely fit into mainstream sports, or mainstream anything. Due to the lack of public awareness we are a sport still pioneering our image and without societal legitimisation, we turn to each other for support. Together we know this is our art, our expression of self and life.
WSR: All genres of motor sport are almost completely male dominated globally and of course WSR’s mission , above all, is to campaign to level the playing field for a fairer representation , particularly in the media ,of women excelling in those sports . What’s your take on the gender issue with regards to stunting?
Leah : As a woman in a near-entirely male dominated subculture; I am given even more opportunities to believe in myself. There are only a handful of female stunters in the world and like any minority we suffer our fair share of discrimination and discouragement. Personally, I was immediately attracted to the technical aspect of the sport and to the pure DIY energy of the community. Yet after starting to stunt, I found that females nearly exclusively observed from the sidelines. After chatting with these ladies I find they need support, an example, to be more than a passive cheer team. With that understanding riding has become so much more than just tricks and wheelies to me; it is a reminder and encouragement for all to toss fear aside and ride full throttle towards whatever dream resonates with who you are.
WSR: In your formative years , with a passion for horses , you tell us you wanted to get back to some sort of grass roots culture to satisfy your pioneering spirit. and even , at one time, had the ambition to embrace the anachronistic frozen in time Hamish way of life but ultimately that sober life style was too monastic to satisfy your wild side and lacked the glitz and dollars. How does stunting meet your inner needs?
Leah: By choosing a fringe, underground sport, I have learned so much about what makes me, and to have the confidence to know my own worth, even if no one else can truly understand it. I don’t need further legitimisation ; I know the sport is worthy and positive, when I see our sport touch and change realities of both stunters and the general public.