I'll be the first to admit that some American traditions are asinine and a pain in the butt. But generally striving towards more rather than less tolerance, is a custom that should be heralded. It's bizarre watching traditional American customs disintegrating in the name of political correctness and tolerance of others' traditions that have often emanated from far more intolerant social regimes. So Americans, eager to not offend might be too trigger happy when it comes to accommodating the de-identifying of the baby country. The insidious or noble effort to make America a thing of complete neutrality, without personality or color appears to benefit from this country's oblivion. The U.S.A. really does not need to be attacked when it can be systematically dismantled.

The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) is a worldwide community of volunteers dedicated to exploring and sharing peaceful and effective ways to deal with conflict and violence.

Alternatives to Violence Workshop in Philadelphia

May 28-30, 2010

Friday 28: 4:30 – 8:00 pm

Saturday 29: 9:00 am – 6:30 pm

Sunday 30: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm



Please note: A commitment to participate in all workshop sessions throughout the weekend is required.

Location: Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center

2646 Kensington Avenue (a few steps South of Lehigh)

This AVP workshop is open to the public.

Registration: On or before May 23. Space is limited.



Fee: $5.00. This fee is set to cover costs of materials, snacks, and Saturday’s light lunch. Scholarships are available.



ALL ARE WELCOME: Teachers, Social Workers, Community Organizers, People of Faith, Police, Parents, Youth, and… Anybody seeking real alternatives to violence!





For more information contact Jorge Aráuz: 215-421-5811, cityquake@aol.com

A lot of us seem to recognize the slave mentality when we see it. But, accentuating the positive, there's another dynamic that should be noted. It's an innovative spirit that, in some ways can be seen as reacting to the very prevalent "massa" mentality. That mentality loathes innovation in the very ones that it seeks to oppress. But if necessity is the mother of invention, then it makes sense that oppression begats innovation. And still we rise.