Amnesty International
This is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, available in over three hundred languages. For anyone that knows me, they know that I have a huge obsession and worship-complex with none other than Angelina Jolie. To some this could be a little crush, to others it might be some fascination with her rocky road flavored love life. And some might even think I like her acting! Which, admittedly, I do. But one can only take so much Lara Croft before deciding that it isn’t for them. And really, if you’re interested in seeing Jolie actually act, go pick up Gia and Girl, Interrupted. They’re definitely worth the watch. But what I claim to be the greatest work Jolie has ever done, is not actually an on screen portrayal of a vixen heroine, nor a dark and mysterious character that belongs in an asylum. But in fact her book, published in 2003, “Notes From My Travels”. Well worth the read, and it gives you a very new perspective on life outside your front door, or your vacation spot, or your northern getaway. The information found in this book, as Angelina works her way through the UNHCR food chain, all the way and ultimately to an Ambassador position (which she now holds), is not information I was often confronted with. This was the first in its kind to reach me, as I hadn’t gone out and searched for it before. It isn’t something they show you on the news each night, even if I did bother to sit down with Lloyd Robertson with my dinner in tow each night. I don’t, and probably won’t any time soon, but when I have caught the news it hasn’t mentioned this. It’s been local, or a well-known universal coverage. But if every multitude of news stations is covering it, you wonder what’s been falling by the wayside in exchange. Maybe news just like the stories found in this book, maybe not. It doesn’t dismiss the possibility, though.
In short, Angelina Jolie is what has made me so interested and so focused on causes like Amnesty International. I wouldn’t be able to sum them up better than they can even if I tried, but for lack of eloquence (it is 9:30 in the morning, after all) I will just say that they are a worthwhile cause and candidate for you to spare a few extra dollars. For the price of your Starbucks coffee, or two of your Tim Hortons iced capps, you can help out. A little does a lot, a penny a day, and all that jazz. The link for the website will ever remain in the corner of this blog, and even if you can only spare five dollars, you’ll be doing more people a favor than you could ever know.
Here’s some music for you to enjoy this morning. The Weakerthans - My Favorite Chords
Happy blogging.
