Author: Mark A. Ashwill

International Education’s Deafening “Culture of Silence”

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Below is the first part of my latest essay for University World News. The editor's title is International educators need to end their silence on Gaza. Follow this link to read it in its entirety. Jainendra Jeevan, The Kathmandu Post There is a price to pay for speaking the truth.  There is a bigger price … Continue reading International Education’s Deafening “Culture of Silence”

IF I MUST DIE, The Last Poem by Refaat Alareer (1979-2023)

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Source: Instagram post on 26.11.23. Refaat Alareer was killed in an airstrike by the Israeli military on December 6, along with his brother, his brother’s son, his sister, and her three children. If I must die,  you must live  to tell my story  to sell my things  to buy a piece of cloth  and some strings,  (make it white with a long tail)  … Continue reading IF I MUST DIE, The Last Poem by Refaat Alareer (1979-2023)

In Memory of John Pilger (1939-2023)

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A quote that appears on John Pilger's website. I was saddened to learn of the passing of John Pilger, whom I have followed for years. Noam Chomsky described him this way: "John Pilger's work has been a beacon of light in often dark times. The realities he has brought to light have been a revelation, … Continue reading In Memory of John Pilger (1939-2023)

Happy Solar 2024!

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A Facebook friend posted this question: How does one say Happy New Year when our planet is being murdered! My response: The answer is in this essay about a friend who recently passed away: Godspeed to George William Cooper, Activist and Purveyor of Kindness. Here are the three concluding paragraphs: Paraphrasing the Vietnamese Zen master … Continue reading Happy Solar 2024!

Godspeed to George William Cooper, Activist and Purveyor of Kindness

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A photo of George and his wife Solita on one of their trips. It was just over a year ago that Don Luce, whom I described in The Man Who Exposed the Truth About the Tiger Cagesas a kindred spirit and one of my heroes, passed away. Closer to home, literally and emotionally, longtime friend George … Continue reading Godspeed to George William Cooper, Activist and Purveyor of Kindness

Season’s Greetings from Vietnam!

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For your reading pleasure, here's the English version of a December 2021 article I wrote about Christmas as the kickoff to a long holiday season that culminates in Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration: Christmas in Vietnam: bookending a long festival season. Even though most Vietnamese identify as Buddhists, Christmas has become a popular secular holiday in recent years, which is why … Continue reading Season’s Greetings from Vietnam!

The “Made in the USA” Addiction Business Model

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Good for the Corporate Bottom Line, Bad for Consumers' Health A loud and clear message from Robert Lufkin, MD, a medical school professor (UCLA & USC) whom I follow on LinkedIn whose lengthy tagline is helping people prevent/reverse chronic disease, cultivate consciousness, and live life to the fullest. 'Envision a world of love, abundance, and … Continue reading The “Made in the USA” Addiction Business Model

Canadian Public Schools Remain Popular Destination

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Here's a useful update I received via email from the Canadian Association of Public Schools - International. During the 2022-2023 school year, over 33,000 international students from 139 different countries studied in Canadian public schools. Here’s a look at the top 10 source countries of students who studied in a one-semester or academic year program. … Continue reading Canadian Public Schools Remain Popular Destination