By Last month Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) came very close to winning the $250,000 contest sponsored by Pepsi. This month they are trying again to win the Pepsi sponsorship. This short video gives you an idea of the impact LiNK has on the lives of North Korean refugees:
Please click the link below to vote:
12:45 pm on March 16th, 2010 1
From near starvation to a house in the US with electric, heat, indoor plumbing, and markets everywhere, not to mention a car, she is trying to live with dignity?
So are the rest of us and many with less.
7:24 pm on March 17th, 2010 2
What are you trying to say Gerry? Have you had your human rights taken away? Allot of people don't even know what Human rights are because they have never had any. I am near sure that lady earned everything she has with hard work because unlike many people who have never had to fight or struggle for daily meals, and basic needs as a being on this planet when folks like that are given any sort of light they run with it. I don't care if she did but feel she did work for what she has. Make yourself clear please! You either understand , think you do, or don't. Sounds like you don't care and I don't care who you are in particular: it is the idiotic attitude that abounds to these people that are stuck in places like North Korea that strikes me as wrong. Then this idea; They are bad because when they get out they do well. Its a hell of allot more than dignity they are looking for. It's understanding they need but dare not hope for that. You know the song by Neil Young "Southern man"? If you ever listen to the lyrics you would know it applies to selfish man not Southern man. Neil young and southern rock bands like Lynard Skynard knew what it was about. But they don't promote lyrics like those anymore and young bands now days are to conform to society the way the social structure wants them to put it out. Less freedom everywhere these days. Folks just looking for there nest egg and get out. Most don't want to promote art, or philosophy anymore. I'm sick of it, and have low tolerance for idiots, and or jealous fools. My kids are half Korean blood as their mom was born in Korea both my kids with her were born in America. But that doesn't stop idiots from calling them stupid names. "Other full blood Caucasian Americans" grow up with the Idea that this is their land and folks that look different than them are getting a favor from them. Our kids are fully American born as if it matters, and raised. My wife is American citizen. Gave up her Korean citizenship. Oh and my wife is a house cleaner. Not just any house cleaner but one that her customers love, and respect because she works so f**ken diligently. she has deep calluses on her hands. Before she was a house cleaner she opened oysters for 11 years getting carpal tunnel syndrome but that don't stop her either. Her heart is pure! I am sure her ancestors are elated by her. My kids are somewhat typical American only they are light years ahead of their peers as we have taught them that they are better than NO ONE! not even the ones that talk down to them. And they will have to work hard to find their way in this world. The world is trying to kick them down because they are neither full Korean nor full Caucasian. They are strong but when my 19 and 25 year old daughter's cry because of the names people call them (and there is no question they are beautiful by everyone's standards but that cause deep jealousy also) I want to kick stupid hater's asses. But what good would that do? Only make them worse since their heads are in their asses. Finally making assumptions about things you know not about gives you no power! That statement is pure picture of what you might be like. Take your prejudgments home to bed with you everyday. See how far you get with them! Met a 91 year old man the other day. Seemed to me he had wasted a whole life because he spent his time speaking down about certain peoples of the world. There was no sounds of positivism in this man. Hated Native Americans, Japs, And had some stupid things to say about Black folks. He ended up hating me also as I told him he had not grown in a positive way in his life IMO. I told him he had little time to see the fact that he is flesh, blood, and bone just as the people he has hateful designs on. He got so angry at me it was a spectacle. While I did not disrespect him he felt respect was me listening to his hate; So when I pointed out that he really hadn't grown much if any in 91 years well that was bad. I will try a different approach if this ever happens again. I did apologize to him just because of his age. He has 40 years on me. Very sad man, I thought. What is life if we can not learn and become tolerant and caring of each other?
10:36 am on March 18th, 2010 3
LOL, wow, all that from my pithy comment. My wife is Korean, my daughter is Korean, I am of French ancestry. Stationed (lived) in Korea for two years. and spent 13 years of my life living in other countries.
My wife went to work as a seemstress when she first arrived in the states and retired working in one of the regional offices of the Postal Service after 20 years. Got her GED and Associates degree in the US.
I started working when I was 13 on the tobbacco farms, and moved up to a lumber yard and then a bus boy in a coffee shop when I was 16.
I do not begrudge what this woman has, only that she seems to feel she is fighting for her dignity every day when others the world over, are much worse off (who do not own a house, car or have a job). She has markets to shop in that would be a dream in North Korea. She drives a car that only the very priviledged have in NK and some in the US don't have. And much of the remainder in the world could only dream of.
She should be thankful everyday for what she does have (as I am), and not so worried about how she appears in her new community.