Why We Are Here (Part V)

Why We Are Here

In the past few weeks, I’ve shared some stories about the cold, cruel and unbalanced world around us and the need to keep the signal going.  But what happens when you do speak out?  Do things change?  The answer is yes – they do.  Some change faster than others but action and speaking out do make a difference.

That’s why today’s “Why We Are Here,” is about the positive side of working to make the world a better and more equal place.  There are two stories I am going to reference today, where Equality Now has helped justice prevail and the winds of change sweep far and wide.

Our first story deals with Zambia and the horrific rape of school girls by their teachers.  Not for the first time, Edson Hakasenke raped one of his students by luring her to his house on the premise of collecting schoolwork. … Read more…

Promoting CSTS to the Airwaves and Beyond!

Do you have a podcast (or know someone who does) who also loves all things Serenity? Would you like an audio file on your Browncoat website promoting this year’s Can’t Stop the Serenity events?

Then, this here little gem (available in either .mp3 or .wav) is just what you’re looking for!

Click here to go to our fabulous multimedia page and snag the file that’s right for you.

And while you are here, feel free to browse around our various media promotional materials. If you see something you like and want to help spread the signal, feel free to download any of these as well. Feel free to share them and this page with Serenity/Firefly lovers everywhere, so we can keep promoting CSTS 2009!… Read more…

Thank You from EN for CSTS 2008

To Beth Nelson (’08 GO) and all the CSTS 08 organizers:

I am writing on behalf of Equality Now to thank you and all of the Browncoat volunteers and attendees for the incredible achievement of 2008’s Can’t Stop the Serenity Global screening event. I know how hard each and every one of you worked to make your event special, to make it fun for the attendees and participants, to make it the great success that it was!

It’s been a tough year, and a great year. We’ve seen some remarkable progress in the struggle to end the practice of FGM (female genital mutilation). Equality Now’s FGM Program is working with grassroots partners in more than sixteen African countries who are working to stop FGM in their communities by raising awareness and offering alternatives, and you are helping us do this.… Read more…

Keeping the Signal Going! – EN & the UN

Dear CSTSland and others who support the Cause:

It’s time to do our job and help spread the signal.  Equality Now has made the front page of the Wall Street Journal because they are working on making the world aware about Sexual Harassment within the United Nations. They want to get the word out to as many people as they can.

That’s where you come into the mix.  You can help make a difference by doing two simple things.  A:  Read the following statement from Equality Now and become educated about the matter.  B: Send the message on to everyone you know and urge them to do the same.  Twitter it, post it on your websites, get it out anywhere and everywhere you can.

Let’s help make a difference.… Read more…

Why We Are Here (Part IV)

Why We Are Here

“ . . . Because it’s no longer enough to be a decent person.” – JW

This week’s, “Why We Are Here” marks the anniversary of the post which changed my life.  On May 20, 2007, Joss Whedon wrote his impassioned poignant plea on Whedonesque entitled “Let’s Watch a Girl Get Beaten to Death.”

“ . . . I look and I see the earth in flames. Her face was nothing but red.” – JW

For 30 minutes, Du’a Khalil Aswad was stoned to death by more than 20 men (while 2,000 or more looked on) some of them family and friends.  Her own family lured her back, promising all was forgiven, all was well.  Some participants threw rocks with one hand and captured it all on their cell phones with the other. … Read more…

Broadcasting the Signal

Announcing….

Broadcasting the Signal – A CSTS Promotional Campaign

It’s time to spread the word in earnest to those who need to hear it. You’ve heard about why we are here. You’ve heard about the important work that Equality Now does. And you know how fun a “Can’t Stop the Serenity” event can be.

Well, now it’s time to Broadcast the Signal!

We’re going to be spending the next week telling the world about CSTS, and you can help!

Our first event is 24 May (CSTS Dallas Women’s Music Showcase) then things really kick into gear in June revving all the way through to September.

“What can one person do?”

The answer is plenty. Did you know that when two sound waves occur at the same time and are in the same phase, the waves reinforce each other and the sound becomes louder?… Read more…

Why We Are Here (Part III)

Why We Are Here

Freda Adler, a US author, educator and theorist states: “Rape is the only crime in which the victim becomes the accused.”  Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow of Kismayo, Somalia learned this lesson the hard way – a way that ended in her death.

Imagine you’ve been raped by three men on the way to visit your grandmother, and that you are brave enough to report it.   It is hard to put yourself in Aisha’s place isn’t it?  Because rape is a disgusting, uncivilized sickness – one, we don’t like to talk about.  The courage it takes to come forward is almost inconceivable.  Even if the rapist is caught and brought to justice, his victims who survive suffer for the rest of their lives.

Aisha and her family came forward seeking help and healing. … Read more…

Why We Are Here (Part II)

Why We Are Here

Mother’s Day – we celebrate it on different days around the globe, but it means the same thing.  It is a day when children of all ages say thank you; a day we can tell our moms how special they are and how much we love them.

Yet in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, many mothers will only receive meaningless silence and painful tears, instead of flowers and family hugs.  They will not be celebrating with their daughters this year.

And indeed for some, ever again.

Just across the border from El Paso, Texas, Death struts about performing his horrible magic tricks.  Countless women disappear.  Some have never returned.  Those that do are only recovered as mutilated pieces.  It is as if Death owns the town – and maybe he does. … Read more…

CSTS Event Update

The countdown is on to the first Can’t Stop the Serenity event of 2009!

CSTS Dallas is first cab off the ranks with their CSTS Musical Showcase on Sunday, 24 May. Musical performers include Marian Call, Inner Frequency and Kristina Morland, so if you’re down Dallas way head on over for a fun filled night of great food, drinks, Whedonverse trivia and phenomenal music!

June is packed full of events, with over 20 events already raring to go. We’re starting off in Toronto, Canada and then the US events kick into high gear! Check our Calendar for all the
details.

We’re thrilled to see so many cities back with events in 2009, many in their fourth successful year of raising funds for Equality Now. And we’re beyond excited to see that Can’t Stop the Serenity is still growing!… Read more…

Why We Are Here (Part I)

Why We Are Here

The answer to this question varies. Many of us participate in CSTS events and other Browncoat related activities for a number of reasons. We join together to make a difference in the world because we’ve been rallied by Joss’s words to do something, anything. We meet up so that we can share our love of the Serenity/Firefly/Whedonverse, and because we are like-minded folk who want to share other aspects of our lives with our fellow Fireflyians. These are just a few of the reasons we come together in this fellowship

And they are all, very good reasons.

The main focus of Can’t Stop the Serenity has always been to help Equality Now keep the signal going. EN seeks to let the voices of abused women the world over, cry out and be heard.… Read more…

Event Registration Dates Extended

Dear CSTSland:

How are all you amazing Browncoats? Thank you for working so hard to make Can’t Stop the Serenity 2009 an amazing success!

I come to you today with hat in hand. Why? Well I just bet you’ve seen the affiliate form and thought… hmmm we get it on May 1st AND it’s the deadline… What’s up with Global? Why wasn’t it up before?

And you’d be right to think that.

I originally created the Affiliate Event Registration Form in February about the same time as the Serenity Screening Event Registration Form. My email said “Hey it’s sent!” So I skipped off into the sunset and neglected to double-check the number of attachments. My bad. While planning a drive to promote of Affiliate Events (now that the Serenity Screening Events are moving and grooving) I discovered that the form wasn’t up on site.… Read more…

Affiliate City Registration

Do you want to have a CSTS event in your area, but can’t find a willing or reasonably priced cinema? Are there not enough Browncoats, or think there’s not enough time to get it done for this year?

Become an Affiliate City!

Affiliate Events could include a quiz night, a BBQ, Dr Horrible screening or a bakesale in the name of CSTS. You’ll receive acknowledgment on the website for your efforts, be part of the CSTS community, and you’ll have helped support a really wonderful cause, Equality Now.

There is a special allocation of global swag (items donated by global sponsors) for Affiliate Events.

This is a great opportunity to get together with likeminded people and spread a little “Can’t Stop the Serenity” joy.

Event Registration deadlines are as follows:

15 May 2009 – This guarantees your event is listed on global merchandise (eg.… Read more…