All Blog Posts (828)

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (and, How Not to Get Discouraged in the Face of Activism.)

In the past few weeks, I have been bombarded with different facets of the promotion of women's rights. I am writing an Anthropology paper on what Shariah law says about the covering of women in Islamic countries; my HPA chapter, the JUUstice LeagUUe, and I are conducting a service about Human Rights and AIDS in India; I have been reading a lot about the Girl Effect and trying to figure out what my chapter is going to do as a project relating to it... and now, it is the 16 Days of Activism Agains… Continue

Added by Brenna McCaffrey on November 27, 2009 at 8:23am — No Comments

The Depiction of the Female Character aka One of the Many Reasons JKR is So Amazing

The other day I was in drama class, and a friend of mine walked in and asked me, "Hey Laurie, are you a feminist?" I responded, "Yes." Of course I'm a feminist. Why wouldn't I be? I'm a female. I'm ready to kick a guy where it hurts if he makes that idiotic sort of statement like, "A woman's place is in the kitchen." My friend, an avid feminist, was very upset because her AP Government teacher had raised this question of feminism to her class, and about 3 people of 30 raised their hands to say t… Continue

Added by Laurie Phoenix Weasley on November 27, 2009 at 5:30am — No Comments

Children Witches of Nigeria

We all know, deep down, deep, deep down, that we are not actual witches or wizards. We all know, *sigh*, that we do not attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We know we have never ~truly~ been Sorted into Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. *Hangs head* We do not create magic through wands. Accio will not really bring things to us. We cannot Stupify anyone. Imagine for a moment, however, that your mother or father truly believed that you could. Imagine if… Continue

Added by Tassana Burrfoot on November 27, 2009 at 4:10am — 2 Comments

Giving Thanks

So it's thanksgiving in the USA today and although I am not American my mum lives out there so it is a recognised holiday for me. For many of you today is about being thankful and celebrate what you have and thinking in the HPA mindset; being thankful for your freedom and the people in your life as well as material gifts that you have that other people in other parts of the world do not have access to even the basic things you have. I am not in knowledge of an English equivalent so I thought I… Continue

Added by Kate on November 26, 2009 at 10:00am — 1 Comment

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'd like to say that I'm so grateful for all of you here at the Harry Potter Alliance. I think all of you are incredible people and the work that we do makes real and lasting change. You are all wonderful, and Happy Thanksgiving!

(If you're curious how I put the smiley there, click here.) Continue

Added by Max C on November 26, 2009 at 9:30am — 1 Comment

The death of a sport.

This happened about a week ago but I’ve only just got round to writing about it: the day businesses killed a sport. I’ve been watching Formula One for 15 years. 2009 was one of the best ever: a new team came out of nowhere, winning with a British driver. The sport was back on the BBC and “The Chain” ruled the mother of all theme tunes yet again. There were new presenters who have done the most incredible job. Barring Lie-gate, Renault-gate, Diffuser-gate and everything else that went on 2009 was… Continue

Added by blue_dreamer on November 26, 2009 at 12:23am — No Comments

Child's Play 2009

Hi, everyone! Tassana here! Beginning in 2003, Child's Play is a gaming industry charity that gives to over 60 children's hospitals worldwide. Each year they collect millions of dollars to donate towards video games, gaming consoles, toys, and movies. These toys and such are then given to the hospitals for children who otherwise wouldn't be able to have a good Christmas. If you wish to learn more about Child's Play, you may find them here: h… Continue

Added by Tassana Burrfoot on November 25, 2009 at 1:08pm — 4 Comments

I Don't Know Anymore, think what you will.

http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/the_depressed_child http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/panic_disorder_in_children_and_adolescents http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/newsroom/fact-sheets/e… Continue

Added by Shealey Wallace on November 24, 2009 at 6:32pm — No Comments

"16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence" Starts Tomorrow!

"This year, the Save Darfur Coalition is marking the internationally-observed 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, running from November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10th, International Human Rights Day. This link serves to emphasize that women's rights are human rights, and that each of us has a responsibility to act when human rights are violated. Each day for 16 days, the coalition's unique campaign will honor a l… Continue

Added by Max C on November 24, 2009 at 8:00am — 6 Comments

The more then Once a Year Reasons Of Being Thankful.

I know it's not quite Thanksgiving yet but it's close enough :) I have noticed that people are for the most part only thankful during this time of the year. Anytime other time of the year, forget it. We have become thankful when we have to be. The outmost amazing thing to me is people from countries like Darfur are always so grateful for the simple things: Food, water, and family they don't think about getting a new cell phone or a new Wii. They think about is how are they going to survive each… Continue

Added by Chan on November 22, 2009 at 7:43pm — No Comments

Wild Geese: A Poem by Mary Oliver

I've always loved this poem, and I wanted to share it with all of you. Wild Geese You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains… Continue

Added by Max C on November 22, 2009 at 10:31am — 2 Comments

Overwhelmed

This isn't the first time I've been overwhelmed with everything that has happened to me because of Harry Potter. Since I've read Harry Potter, I've traveled hours to hear bands that play about books. I've watched many many YouTube videos. I've become a better reader. I've become apart of very tight-knit networks. I've been shown amazing groups by others. I've come to embrace my inner nerd. I've met authors, played with wrock bands. I've met people i now call friends. I now have a social network… Continue

Added by izzy on November 22, 2009 at 8:00am — 3 Comments

POTTER COMEBACKS NEEDED

hey guys! another blog post to hopefully satisfy your bloggy needs has arrived! ok, so the point of this blog is that i need help with something. Last year my friend started the comeback book. basically its a book with different categories that help you come up with good comebacks. ( we stared this because my friend couldnt come up with comebacks better than " um, you too. dumby." doesnt that sound like a great one? so, there are several catagories and the one in progress right now is, you guess… Continue

Added by gwen on November 19, 2009 at 6:28pm — 8 Comments

Don't be a bully, be my friend

Oops, another long post! I Have reason to believe it’s Anti-Bullying week here in the UK. I used to think I was bullied at High School until a year ago when I came to Uni and joined the HPA. The reason I stopped thinking I was bullied? I learned the true meaning of friendship. I learned about making the choice of what is right, over what is easy. When I was younger I lived in a well-to-do village with over-protective parents and went to a village primary school of only eighty kids. When I was e… Continue

Added by blue_dreamer on November 18, 2009 at 11:00am — 1 Comment

My Epic Adventure of Life Change: Wrockstock III

I had been so nervous the night before I left; this was the adventure I had only dreamed going on since the first day. I knew my life was never going to be the same again. I had finally gotten my acceptance letter to Hogwarts. My adventure started very much how Harry's did in Deathly Hallows, everything seemed to be going fine until we had gotten to the LAX Airport went the swarm of Death Eaters attacked from all angles and directions. I felt just like Harry did when he watched his best friend a… Continue

Added by Chan on November 16, 2009 at 5:03pm — 1 Comment

the awesomeness of potter fandom

hey guys! first of all, im just going to warn you, this is my first blog here and i hope i am ok at it to satisfy your bloggy needs. so i was just sitting on the computre and i realized something deepy important that has probaly crossed the minds of millions. THE HARRY POTTER FANS ARE AWESOME!! we(the hp community) just totally rock! we raise money for awesome charities, can rock out like no one else and have created to many amazing things to count! just stop and think of all the things people h… Continue

Added by gwen on November 15, 2009 at 12:10pm — 6 Comments

The Wagon of Warmth

A few days ago, a group of children from my neighborhood were out collecting items for the homeless shelter. This group of children included myself and sister, along with dozens of other children. This organization is called the Wagon of Warmth. This is how it works. A week before collection day, each of the families in the organization takes a street and we distribute flyers to each of the houses. We have a list of things that are needed on it. These things are everything from non-perishable fo… Continue

Added by Phoenix Guardian on November 13, 2009 at 12:59pm — 2 Comments

Phoenix Poetry Reading

I am on the editorial board of my school's literary and art magazine, the Phoenix. Of course, the name made me want to join from the start. A few times a year, we hold a themed poetry reading in the library. The first one of the year was today, and the theme was night. I wrote a poem inspired by the work of the Harry Potter Alliance. As I expected, a few people giggled when I explained the dedication of my poem, but not in a rude way, just because everyone knows how much I love Harry Potter. Thi… Continue

Added by Laurie Phoenix Weasley on November 13, 2009 at 12:37pm — 4 Comments

TWLOHA

Today was To Write Love on Her Arms Day. For those of you who don't know, the aim is to write the word "love" on your arm to raise awareness and show support for people struggling with depression, self harm, suicide, and addiction. This was my arm today. I think it will be familiar to all of you. My apologies for being a terrible artist. http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj213/ScarletPhoenix22/Photo47-1-1.jpg… Continue

Added by Laurie Phoenix Weasley on November 13, 2009 at 12:32pm — 2 Comments

what do you do when…

What do you do when your family is unsupportive and you need someone to talk to, What do you do when your friends all have their own problems but you still need someone to talk to, What do you do when your Dumbledore isn't around but you still need someone to talk to, What do you do when Albus Dumbledore doesn't have the answer. What would you do when this happened to you!? Continue

Added by Kate on November 12, 2009 at 12:27pm — 1 Comment