At the end of every month, I summarize local, national and international “stories of need” from news sites, blogs, press releases and editorials. The following are some of November’s most need-in-the-news-worthy stories:
THE REFUGEE CRISIS — The Islamic State continues to uproot families in Iraq and Syria. Thousands of Nigerians, too, are seeking refuge from Boko Haram. What is missing from the refugee crisis?
RUSSIA — A Russian airliner crashed in Egypt killing 224 people. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but it’s possible a bomb hidden in the hold of the aircraft exploded during flight.
YEMEN — In the midst of violent conflict, the people of Yemen have recently suffered through flooding, as well.
COLORADO — Sunday, Nov. 29, marked the 151st anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre in eastern Colorado, when up to 200 members of the Cheyenne and Arapaho nations were killed after a morning attack on a sleeping camp of mostly old men, women and children. To mark the anniversary, tribal leaders and Colorado representatives held a ceremony at the state capitol.
- At times, what gets lost in the concern and clamor over major local, national and international events and issues, are ordinary people, communities, businesses and other groups doing extraordinary things. Here are a few I’ve heard about recently:
TACOMA (Washington) — Detainees at the Northwest Detention Center recently began a hunger strike in an effort to receive better treatment.
OUTER SPACE — Humans have now been living in space in the International Space Station for 15 years.
SAN FRANCISCO (California) — Kevin Adler started Miracle Messages to help people who are homeless record videos to post on social media. So far it has helped prompt four reunions with family member and more are in the works.
RONDONIA (Brazil) — Deep in the Amazon, local rubber tappers are fighting against the illegal logging that threatens their way of life.
HOUSTON (Texas) — Spending 24 hours with an OB/GYN is certainly an “everyday epic.”
LESBOS — NGO Volunteer Peggy Whitfield helped perform CPR on refugee survivors of shipwrecks off the island of Lesbos.
COLUMBIA (Missouri) — Some African-American members of the Missouri Tigers football team boycotted practice and games in support of a graduate student who went on a hunger strike in an effort to address racism and the lack of response to it by school administrators.
- Stories worth reflection:
CAUSES OF PALESTINIAN UNREST — The Israeli Intelligence Chief recently acknowledged the despair and frustration of the Palestinian people as sources of the unrest leading to violence between Palestinians and Israelis.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING SHORTAGE — In the Denver and Boulder areas, housing costs, in particular rental prices are reaching unprecedented levels, leading to a dearth of affordable housing.
