Oct 20th: Occupy Wall Street with your bank account [PLUS Bank Transfer Day on Nov 5th]

Compassionate Finance: Bring Your Money Back To Your Community
Emancipate Yourselves at Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street, and the occupy movement, are an attempt to solve the problem of disparity of wealth and political influence between the 99% of people, and the 1%. A lot of the focus is on making corporations accountable, and on keeping mega-banks in their place.

This week, there is a way for you to directly put a crimp in the power of the mega-banks. You can join with the 99% to make a shift from big banks, to smaller, locally-based credit unions. You can celebrate “International Credit Union Day“, an annual event sponsored by the Credit Union National Association [CUNA].

On October 20, 2011, consider closing (or starting the process of closing) any bank accounts you have with big banks, and moving your money to a credit union (or small, local bank.) That is all you have to do to make a big difference, and send a huge message to the mega-banks and to our government.

As CUNA notes:

Credit unions are unique because they

are not-for-profit, democratically controlled,

member-owned cooperatives. Continue reading Oct 20th: Occupy Wall Street with your bank account [PLUS Bank Transfer Day on Nov 5th]

First US Woman to Win the Nobel Peace Prize 10/17/11

The Power of Nonviolence Writings by Advocates of PeaceThe fifth chapter of The Power of Nonviolence: Writings by Advocates of Peace brings us into the 20th Century with a section from Jane Addams 1907 book Newer Ideals of Peace.  She is the first woman’s voice we hear in The Power of Nonviolence.  Her approach to peace work is informed by her work battling poverty, furthering feminism and engaging in  electoral politics.

Addams paid a dear price for her pacifism.  She was attacked by the newspapers of her day, including the New York Times, for her opposition to entering World War I.  Dr. King was similarly attacked the leading newspapers, including the Times, for his opposition to the Vietnam War.  Despite this she worked for peace internationally and became  founding president of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Some believe her opposition to participation in World War I, was the reason he Nobel Peace prize was delayed until 1931.

The first paragraph from the selection from Newer Ideals of Peace subtly brings forward her belief that women are needed in politics to bring forward peace to create a “change in men’s attitude toward war”.  This became the focus of her argument for women’s suffrage. Continue reading First US Woman to Win the Nobel Peace Prize 10/17/11

“It’s Our Future, It’s Our Land”: Peace Song For 10/15/2011

All around the world, including in Times Square, New York City, New York, people took to the streets today, for the sake of justice and democracy. It is ironic that this song, “Der Traum Ist Aus”, which is about war, peace, and struggle, was performed on September 16, 2011, the day before Occupy Wall Street began.

“Der Traum Ist Aus” (The Dream Is Over) by Rio Reiser, is the Peace Song of the Day for October 15, 2011. I discovered this song while perusing the PeaceSmiths Archives. It was published in the War Resisters League 2006 calendar, “Peace Loving Nations: Music of Peace and Resistance”.

The video shows the song performed in German. At the read more are the words in English.

Continue reading “It’s Our Future, It’s Our Land”: Peace Song For 10/15/2011

Casa Abierta (Open House): Peace Song of the Day for 10/14/2011

Casa Abierta by Nicaraguan singer-songwriter Salvador Cardenal is the Peace Song of the Day for Friday, October 14th. I uncovered this song among the archives for PeaceSmiths, a Long Island group committed to peace, justice and environmental issues. PeaceSmiths holds a copy of the 2006 War Resisters League Peace Calendar, “Peace-Loving Nations: Music of Peace and Resistance”, where this song appears.

Below is a video of the song sung in Spanish. And, after the video, the chorus in English and Spanish.

Continue reading Casa Abierta (Open House): Peace Song of the Day for 10/14/2011

When the earth is owned by labor: Peace Song for 10/13/2011

“Commonwealth of Toil” by Ralph Chaplin is the Peace Song of the Day for Thursday, October 13th. The tune is to the traditional song, “Nellie Bly”. You can find this song on page 181 of the Rise Up Singing songbook, which you can purchase through Peace Couple: here.

The Duke and Duchess are dedicating this song to the folks on the ground at Occupy Wall Street. Tomorrow morning, the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators are facing eviction from their park. If you can support them with your presence or a phonecall, please take action before tomorrow morning at 6am. You can find more information at www.occupywallst.org

More about this song, and its connection to Occupy Wall Street below Continue reading When the earth is owned by labor: Peace Song for 10/13/2011

Feelings and Friendship: Peace Song of the Day for 10/12

“How To Save A Life” by Fray is the Royal Peace Song of the Day. The song is beautiful and soulful. The video is full of images of real people showing the full range of emotions from fear, sadness, and grief to happiness, joy, and release.

Why is this a peace song? Being in tune with your own feelings, and understanding how important feelings are to yourself and others, is an important key to Nonviolent Communication.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjVQ36NhbMk&ob=av3e] Continue reading Feelings and Friendship: Peace Song of the Day for 10/12