Here at Link TV, we make it our business to broadcast and stream World Music videos that highlight different cultures and sounds from around the world. These videos take music to another level where visual artistry couple with great songs to create a whole new experience. But every now and then we get a video that is not just great entertainment; a video that tackles a deep subject, or a cause needing exposure. We can’t think of a better audience to share these special videos with than YouthNoise.
For our first post, I'd like to introduce to you a music video from India. In true Bollywood style, the vocal is not provided by the actress on screen, but by Shubha Mudgal, a hugely popular diva in India. "Mann Ke Manjeere" is one of our viewer’s favorites, and is based on a true story. It was produced by Breakthrough TV an organization that uses music videos to raise awareness of social issues in India, like AIDS, religious and ethnic tolerance, domestic abuse, etc. and they have been very successful in getting their message across! To learn more about this video, and the work that Breakthrough TV does, go to www.breakthrough.tv
So to further exercise your brain, what are your thoughts? How does this video and article relate to you or the women in your life? Why is it important to give women equal rights? (...beyond simply "it's fair.") Let us know!
Long and curly hair is a very popular hair style. As most people growing this type of hair will find out, it requires special hair care to make it manageable and eye-catching. Curly and long hair is most susceptible to breakage and split ends. They are also more prone to damage because the ends of the hair tend to be finer than short and straight hair. Special products should be used to maintain quality hair health. One method of maintaining healthy long and curly hair is to use a Organic natural shampoo.
In order to keep healthy long and curly hair, use a natural shampoo that contains organic ingredients. Manufactured shampoo contains harsh chemicals and additives that can dry the hair and cause the hair to break. A natural shampoo contains all-natural chemical free ingredients such as vitamins and minerals, and natural moisturizers such as aloe, lemon, Shea butter, lavender water, ylang ylang, coconut oil, Lavender essential oils, organic tea tree oil, and soy protein. Ingredients will vary depending upon which brand and type of natural shampoo that you purchase. These ingredients nourish and protect the hair from damage. The all-natural ingredients will reduce frizzy hair and leave the hair soft and shiny. As well, the natural ingredients alleviate inflamed cells of the scalp. The natural blend of essential plant extract oils penetrates the hair root follicles allowing oxygen to stimulate new hair growth.
Natural shampoos are much milder that manufactured shampoos because they contain 100% natural ingredients with no harsh synthetic additives. They moisturize the scalp with natural ingredients that will keep the skin hydrated and the hair follicles nourished. The enhanced moisturizing properties of the natural oils and minerals, as well as the plant and herb extracts, all work to promote healthy hair growth.
The stimulating and nourishing ingredients are designed to penetrate the scalp where the root grows, and provide much needed essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, to the hair and scalp. This helps increase the thickness of hair strands and makes the hair stronger.
Natural shampoo will transform fine, dry, and brittle hair into full, shiny, and soft hair. As well, it stimulates the hair follicles to produce thicker and stronger hair. The strength and suppleness of the hair is restored providing a stronger, softer, shinier and healthier looking hair. The healing process of using a natural shampoo consists of gently cleaning, repairing, and rejuvenating damaged and fine hair. Curly hair and long hair is often dry because the natural oils that are produced by the scalp have difficulty getting down the hair shafts. The best protection is a natural moisturizing hair shampoo. This will help keep the hair hydrated, healthy, and more manageable. Natural shampoo dose not contain any harsh detergents, synthetic preservatives, alcohol, or petrochemicals which can all damage the hair. Natural shampoos contain nutrient-rich botanical extracts and nourishing vitamins that leave hair soft and healthy. When you use natural shampoos, you are not only nourishing and protecting your hair, but you are also keeping harmful substances from being released into the environment.
Earlier today, I found this article, and was absolutely facinated by the reaction to the femicides in Latin America created by Swoon and Tennessee Jane Watson. I just found out about these femicides, and I'll try to do another blog post soon to explain more about what they are, and what you can do. For this post, I was really intrigued about the art that came out of Swoon's discovery of the femicides, and how she was moved to create the incredible instillation shown in the video below.
This video and the stunning images of the instillations really started getting me thinking, about how cool it would be to have more instillations that raise awareness for human rights issues. I started imagining what I would do if I was given a space to just CREATE something to help people understand the pain of refugees from Darfur, to help people feel what is going through their minds, and move them to take action.
I think that art is an incredibly effective way of reaching people, and forcing them to notice issues they may have ignored in the past. I love the absolute effectiveness of telling a story by creating a space, a story that can make people want to help, make people listen and want to speak out.
If you could create an instillation...
What issue would you want to feature?
Do you have any ideas for what you would want to put in your instillation? How you would shape the space?
How could you find a space to "create for a cause"?
Do you have friends who could help you with their different skills and talents?
*If anybody is interested in doing something like this, let me know! I'd love to help others create something like this!*
People have been using natural ingredients for centuries because the healing properties have had a positive impact on their health and well being. Because of the changes in our environment that have resulted in an accumulation of toxins in our air, soil, and water, more people are now choosing organic products to improve their health. One way of embracing a healthy lifestyle is the use of organic skin care products.
Organic skin care products are all natural, chemical and preservative free, and do not negatively impact the environment. Natural organic properties in the skin care products help to decrease the signs of aging, rejuvenate and replenish the skin with vitamin and minerals, and naturally moisturize leaving the skin smooth and soft.
Organic skin care products are better for the environment because they are made without pesticides, synthetic preservatives, chemicals, mineral oil, animal by-products, artificial colors and fragrances, and other toxic substances. When choosing an organic skin care product it is important to read the label. They should state they are 100% vegan, cruelty free, and do not contain any chemicals and additives. Natural ingredients to look for include rosemary, sage, seaweed extract, honey, vitamins and minerals, apricot, coconut oil, mango, herbal plant extracts, avocado, distilled water, safflower oil, pure spring water, witch hazel, bee pollen, hazelnut oil, pink grapefruit, papaya, and aloe vera.
Synthetic ingredients that will tell you that the product is not organic include:
Petrolatum/Paraffin/Mineral oil: As byproducts of crude oil, mineral oil blocks the skin’s absorption of vital vitamins and essential nutrients. It also blocks dirt and debris from exiting the skin. Any mineral oil derivative can be filled with cancer causing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH's.) Mineral oil derivatives include: Liquidum paraffinum, Paraffin oil, and Paraffin wax.
Parabens: These are harmful chemicals. Look for the prefix methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl. They are petroleum-based and can cause skin irritation and other reactions. Parabens are thought to alter estrogen levels and there is a concern that they increase the risk of breast cancer. Types of parabens include: propylparaben, methylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, ethylparaben, and benzylparaben.
Phthalates: These are chemical substances that can seep out of plastics. They are toxic, carcinogenic, and have been associated infertility.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate: These are chemical foaming agents that have been linked to such health conditions as PMS, menopausal symptoms, cell membrane damage, and immune system damage. They may also be linked to an increased risk of cancer such as breast cancer.
Isopropyl alcohol: This product dries the skin and can cause premature aging of the skin. FD&C Color Pigments: These substances are full of heavy metal salts that penetrate the skin. As synthetic colors made from coal tar, studies have revealed these substances as being carcinogenic.
When you research the chemicals found in manufactured skin care products, it is easy to see why so many people are turning to organic skin care products. Studies have revealed “that up to 60% of what we apply to our skin may be absorbed into the bloodstream.” If you are using non-organic skin care products, it is important to note the impact of toxic chemical on your body.
Organic skin care is an eco-friendly choice that is healthy for the planet and your skin. To ensure healthy skin care and overall good health, it is wise to replace your current chemical skin care products with organic products. Your skin will appreciate the dose of good health.
And that place is in the home and preferrably in the kitchen.
A few weeks ago I watched an episode of Wife Swap where one woman read this book on how to be a good wife. This book happened to be published in the 50s when all women were chaste and wore skirts and curled their hair to perfection. Every woman knew how to cook a good meal and, not unlike in Pleasantville, they smiled and welcomed their husbands like they were the world. Or something like that. I couldn't imagine my dad's mother bowing before my grandpa when he came home from working on the railroad (that's blue collar for you).
Point being, the book was somewhat outdated, but this woman believed very deeply in it. At first, I shook my head. It was pretty silly to think that your needs should come second to anyone, even your husband. And why shouldn't he stay home and do the cooking and cleaning? Aren't their plenty of house husbands these days? But by the end of the show I realized that that's what I wanted.
I'm not saying I want a life of servitude, because I'm a little more independent than that, but I want to be a house wife. I have the hugest problem finding a career, but I eventually will. But what about my kids? I think daycare is good, because I was there and it taught me to not cling to my father's leg 24/7, but I think spending so much time with my dad was good for me. I think kids should grow up around their families, not strangers trying to act motherly. Besides, you never know with daycare. My nephew's babysitter actually locked him in a bedroom when he was seven and to this day (he'll be sixteen soon) he cannot even shut a door while he's alone in a room.
Not only does being a house wife eliminate that dreaded career search and babysitter in my life, but it allows me to do things that I like without leaving my home and being put under pressure. I can write, I can research, I can do the laundry. Wait what? Yeah, I like doing laundry. It gives me time to think. I also like doing dishes and vacuuming, but don't tell my dad that or he'll expect me to do it all the time.
Not every woman should do this, though. Not every married woman should stay home and take care of her children and clean her house every day, because it's not for everyone. While I like to clean, cook, and ultimately want to be there for my children, I know my best friend wants a career outside of her home and would be more comfortable putting her child in daycare and hiring a maid. I also don't think I'd mind taking my husband's coat and asking him how his day was. But I draw the line at rubbing his feet and clipping his nails. He's a big boy, he can do it himself.
(One small point here, my friend tells her boyfriend to rub her feet every day. This bothers me because he wakes up at six and works until five. When he comes home he's tired and wants to rest. She demands a foot rub and a massage. That's rude. Especially considering she just sits at home all day and watches television. I'm not saying she needs to rub his feet, but she shouldn't demand him to do something that she wouldn't do for him after he's been working and she hasn't.)
In May of 1955, Housekeeping Monthly ran a short article which included these suggestions for wives (take them how you will):
* Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to
have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of
letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are
concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and
the prospect of a good meal (especially his favourite dish) is part of
the warm welcome needed.
* Prepare yourself. Take fifteen minutes to rest so you'll
be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make up, put a ribbon in
your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of
work-weary people.
* Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him.
His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
* Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.
* Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare
and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has
reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too.
After all, catering to his personal comfort will provide you with
immense personal satisfaction.
* Be happy to see him.
* Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.
* Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to
tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not one of them. Let him
talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important
than yours.
* Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home
late or goes out to dinner or other places of entertainment without
you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and
his very real need to be at home and relax.
* Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of
peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself body
and spirit.
* Don't complain if he's late home for dinner or even if
he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might
have gone through that day.
* Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a
comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or
warm drink ready for him.
* Don't ask him questions about his actions or question
his judgement or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and
as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness.
You have no right to question him.
