15 Cable / Broadcast Network Stations and How Much of Their Programming is LGBT Inclusive in 2009

(ref: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)

The GLAAD Network Responsibility Index evaluates the quantity and quality of images of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people on television. Based on GLAAD’s 2009 report, below is a list of cable and network broadcast stations sorted according to the percentage of programming hours showing LGBT people and themes in a positive light.

10 Interesting Facts About This Land is Your Land

(ref: Freedom Song by Mary Turck, woodyguthrie.org, wikipedia)

1. In 1940, Woody Guthrie wrote This Land is Your Land because he was tired of the radio overplaying Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” which he thought was unrealistic and complacent. [wikipedia]
    
2. The tune for the song was taken from a gospel hymn “When the world’s on fire” recorded by the Carter Family in 1930.
    
3. A verse that is normally left out when performed…
   Was a high wall there that tried to stop me
   A sign was painted said: Private Property
   But on the back side it didn’t say nothing
   That side was made for you and me.
    
4. Another verse that is normally not sung…
   One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple
   By the Relief Office I saw my people
   As they stood hungry, I stood there wondering
   If this land was made for you and me?
    
5. Various artists who have performed the song include: Bob Dylan, The Kingston Trio, the Limeliters, Pete Seeger, Peter Paul and Mary, and Bruce Springsteen
    
6. The song was most recently sung by Bruce Springsteen and Pete Seeger (with the usually omitted verses intact) during President Obama’s Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial
    
7. The soundtrack to the movie Hard travelin’ includes an original recording of Woody Guthrie singing the song with his son Arlo Guthrie digitally mixed in to sing the omitted verses as taught to him by his father.
    
8. Guthrie’s original “copyright” on his song reads:
   This song is Copyrighted in U.S., under Seal of Copyright #154085, for a period of 28 years, and anybody caught singin’ it without our permission, will be mighty good friends of ourn, cause we don’t give a dern. Publish it. Write it. Sing it. Swing to it. Yodel it. We wrote it, that’s all we wanted to do.
    
9. Woody Guthrie was born on July 14, 1912, in Okemah, Oklahoma. Guthrie was disabled by and died of Huntington’s disease which ended his life in 1967.
    
10. A Woody Guthrie quote [woodyguthrie.org],
    “A folk song is what’s wrong and how to fix it or it could be
    who’s hungry and where their mouth is or
    who’s out of work and where the job is or
    who’s broke and where the money is or
    who’s carrying a gun and where the peace is.”
     

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Freedom Song by Mary Turck is available at Reach and Teach

9 Promises Made by Everyone Who Marched with Gandhi in 1921

[ref: soulforce.org]

This is the pledge to nonviolence signed by marchers with Mahatma Gandhi in 1921. Gandhi’s birthday is October 2nd.

1. A civil resister will harbor no anger.
2. A civil resister will suffer the anger of the opponent.
3. In so doing, a civil resister will put up with assaults from the opponent, never retaliate; but he will not submit, out of fear of punishment, to any order given in anger.
4. A civil resister will voluntarily submit to the arrest and he will not resist the attachment or removal of his own property.
5. If a civil resister has any property in his possession as a trustee, he will refuse to surrender it, even though in defending it he might lose his life. He will never retaliate.
6. Non-retaliation excludes swearing and cursing.
7. A civil resister will never insult his opponent, nor take part in the newly coined cries contrary to the spirit of nonviolence.
8. A civil resister will not salute the Union Jack, nor will he insult it or its officials, English or Indian.
9. If any one insults an official or commits an assault upon him, a civil resister will protect such official or officials from the insult or assault at the risk of his own life.

This is the pledge to nonviolence taken by marchers with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963

1. Meditate daily on the life and teachings of Jesus.
2. Remember that the nonviolent movement seeks justice and reconciliation – not victory.
3. Walk and talk in the manner of love; for God is love.
4. Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men and women might be free.
5. Sacrifice personal wishes that all might be free.
6. Observe with friend & foes the ordinary rules of courtesy.
7. Perform regular service for others and for the world.
8. Refrain from violence of fist, tongue, and heart.
9. Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
10. Follow the directions of the Movement leaders and of the captains on demonstrations.

Check out the recently published book “After Gandhi – One Hundred Years of Nonviolent Resistance“.

Soulforce is an organization that works for freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance. Soulforce takes its name from the English translation of the Sanskrit word Satyagraha, the philosophy and practice of nonviolent resistance developed by Gandhi.

Kids in Action #1: 10 Tips for Successful Petitions

(reference: The Kid’s Guide to Social Action by Barbara A Lewis)

“A universal feeling, whether well or ill founded, cannot safely be disregarded.” — Abraham Lincoln

“No one listens to me!” you might complain. But you can do something about it. You can collect other voices and create a louder noise — one that’s harder for people to ignore. Here are some ways to create an effective petition campaign.

*IMPORTANT NOTE* If you plan to take your petition door-to-door, never go alone. Always get a parent, teacher, or other adult to go with you!

1. Most of the time you’ll use an 8-1/2″ by 11″ sheet of paper to describe the problem and collect your signatures. But sometimes your medium might also be part of the message. If the problem is for example, reducing waste in restrooms, you might collect signatures on a roll of toilet paper.
2. Give your petition a title.
3. Identify your group.
4. Identify the official or agency that will receive your petition.
5. Write a statement describing the problem you want to resolve or the plan you are proposing. This statement should be at the top of every petition page so that people can’t say they didn’t understand what they were signing.
6. Provide blank lines for people to write…
   signature
   class, grade, or group
   school or hometown
   address and phone number
7. Number the signature lines for easy totaling.
8. Remember to smile!
9. Keep calm and stay polite with people who disagree with you. Never speak rudely
10. Photocopy your signatures and keep the copy in a safe place. You may need the proof later!
11. Present your petition to someone with the power to act on your idea.

Learn more ideas by reading The Kid’s Guide to Social Action by Barbara A Lewis