Showing posts with label trevor project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trevor project. Show all posts
Friday, October 1, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
**********************************************************************
EARTHLINGS MUST BE TAUGHT
IT'S OKAY TO BE YOURSELF!
With recent news about clashing religions over the Ground Zero mosque controversy, online and campus bullying that leads to suicide, and continuing skirmishes about immigration and basic human rights, the We Are All The Same Inside ® - Sage doll-making workshop message is needed more than ever.
Award winning children's author, illustrator and educator, Timothy D. Bellavia says the only way to stop bullying and harassment of any adolescent or teen student is to teach diversity and tolerance at a young age. "The recent epedemic of hazing, beatings and the suicide of Rutger's University Freshmen Tyler Clementi is just devastating. His death is a reminder of how even in these seemingly progressive times - students think its okay to harass, humiliate and torment their peers because of they are seemingly different, but we are indeed all the same inside." According to a report, "More than 85 percent of teen students report of being harassed because of their sexual or gender identity, and more than 20 percent report of being physically attacked."
The Brooklyn Historical Society will host the 10th Anniversary edition book, CD & DVD launch party and Sage doll-making workshop on October 24, from 1 PM to 3 PM that will feature an exclusive, anniversary edition of the Sage doll that are all numbered and stonewashed specifically for this celebration. The Brooklyn Historical Society is located at 128 Pierrpont Street in Brooklyn Heights, NY.
All of the Sage dolls created for this event will honor notable people connected to Brooklyn. Participants of all ages, races, religions, creeds, genders, orientations will then have the chance to create their own Brooklyn Sage doll with hair, yarn, leather, rhinestones, beads and more! The event filled afternoon will also include a read aloud, book signings and special a musical performance by LOUIE.
Bellavia, author of "We Are All The Same Inside" series has devoted his life to spreading the message of acceptance. He too, was bullied as a teenager for being different. "Like many teens growing up; I lived for a day where I could exist without being tormented or harassed. Luckily, I was able to escape that by moving to Brooklyn and New York City - where human diversity is embraced." Bellavia created a diversity workshop where participants create dolls to recognize that despite our differences, ultimately - "We Are All The Same Inside."The reissued 10th anniversary edition of We Are All The Same Inside® includes a brand new, eye-popping cover and the original 32-page story, featuring the lovable and recognizable alien, Sage. Additionally, the book contains rare and unseen images, paper doll patterns and lesson plans that educators can use in their classes and parents and/or guardians can use at home to further illustrate the book's message.
Over the past decade, Bellavia has led hundreds of workshops in classrooms, museums, and colleges across the country. We Are All The Same Inside ®, the book and accompanying Sage doll, was created by artist and educator Timothy D. Bellavia, to celebrate a message of tolerance among all peoples - while also embracing each other's differences. Bellavia himself has toured over a hundred schools over the last decade, using his props to teach human diversity to children, and picking up many awards along the way. Bellavia has also collaborated with Sesame Workshop, We Are Family Foundation, and the NYC Culural Affairs.
For more information go to:
Dear WAATSI follower(s):
More saddened to learn from blog follower Anna Indelicato that this month the tally of "bullycide" related teen suicides has reached a total of six. What is going on? My inner poly fiber is breaking.
Regardless what your politics or beliefs are - everyone deserves to be accepted and feel comfortable OR just simply "be". This is where tolerance is indeed better than being scapegoated or humiliated until one is driven to sadness or utter despair where no hope is left.
The following video/song link was written by my favorite singer, songwriter and former Motown records producer- Sherlie Matthews.
http://http//www.youtube.com/user/timothydb?feature=mhum#p/a/u/1/x2rawGoS3pc
Peace,
Sage
Dear WAATSI follower(s):
I am traumatized to learn that Seth Walsh, a thirteen year old adolescent was taken off life support recently. He attempted to take his own life; due to the ongoing taunting and teasing - in regard to his affect and gentle spirit. It has been reported that those children that hurt him with words - were in tears to learn that their teasing could have influenced his actions. Sadly those teasers and taunters will never know. Seth is gone now.
In these times, where not asking and not telling is being upheld - it is just elementary knowledge that human beings are different, special and some even stick out from the masses. Take me for example - an alien being with no external skin. If you are not familiar with my history on earth - I arrived just a decade ago in form of a children's story book, entitled WE ARE ALL THE SAME INSIDE and doll-making workshop. In this story, I too was harassed, teased and even ran away from the diverse earthling characters that belittled me - because I was different from them.
When the earthlings rejected me - I tried to mask who I was for their acceptance, but I slipped up and exposed my inner core. In my story, the message and mission is to embrace our individuality as well as have the knowledge that we ALL want to have a sense of belonging. In essence, embrace our common humanity.
Regardless of your B.A.V.'s (beliefs, attitudes and values) can we agree that an adolescent has a right to an education as well as a right to be be protected and feel safe at home, in school and within a community? Hope so.
I am truly thinking of the Walsh family in their time of grief. I hope that we can truly embrace each other and help make this earthly nonsense stop.
With respect and love, for ALL - Sage
I am traumatized to learn that Seth Walsh, a thirteen year old adolescent was taken off life support recently. He attempted to take his own life; due to the ongoing taunting and teasing - in regard to his affect and gentle spirit. It has been reported that those children that hurt him with words - were in tears to learn that their teasing could have influenced his actions. Sadly those teasers and taunters will never know. Seth is gone now.
In these times, where not asking and not telling is being upheld - it is just elementary knowledge that human beings are different, special and some even stick out from the masses. Take me for example - an alien being with no external skin. If you are not familiar with my history on earth - I arrived just a decade ago in form of a children's story book, entitled WE ARE ALL THE SAME INSIDE and doll-making workshop. In this story, I too was harassed, teased and even ran away from the diverse earthling characters that belittled me - because I was different from them.
When the earthlings rejected me - I tried to mask who I was for their acceptance, but I slipped up and exposed my inner core. In my story, the message and mission is to embrace our individuality as well as have the knowledge that we ALL want to have a sense of belonging. In essence, embrace our common humanity.
Regardless of your B.A.V.'s (beliefs, attitudes and values) can we agree that an adolescent has a right to an education as well as a right to be be protected and feel safe at home, in school and within a community? Hope so.
I am truly thinking of the Walsh family in their time of grief. I hope that we can truly embrace each other and help make this earthly nonsense stop.
With respect and love, for ALL - Sage
Dear WAASTI follower(s):
Although I am just a alien being (an inanimate stuffed doll at that) it still stings me to my poly fiber core to read that within the past week five precious lives have left earth in an untimely way - due to school teasing, taunting and unnecessary on-campus activity and trauma.
What can earthlings learn from this? Can't we see value in all lives, beliefs, religions, creeds, genders, orientations, values, and even learn from some attitudes that totally differ from our own?
... With human spirit it is time to rebuild.
ALL Children's hopes must be fulfilled.
Love and compassion are the only solution,
to keep this planet away from confusion.
Dear earthing sisters (and brothers) its is truly time to come and abide,
Help teach earthlings-WE ARE ALL THE SAME INSIDE.
Signed at the end of this this virtual page.
With respect and love, SAGE
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- Sage
- Since the year 2000, a friendly plush doll named Sage was invented to spread their message of peace and solidarity through books, digital stories and doll-making workshops.