LOVE AND MONSTERS IN SOFIA'S LIFE: A Book Review

March 03, 2021 in BOOKS, Breast Feeding, Death and Desperation, Death and Dying, Empathy, EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING, Grief, Health and Fitness, Health Inequity, Human Rights, Infant & Child psychology, Social Commentary, Social Justice, Child Psychology, Marriage and Family Thera, Childrens Books

Belinda Hernández Arriaga and Veronica Castillo’s children’s picture book, LOVE AND MONSTERS IN SOFIA’S LIFE, is a bold and beautiful addition to the cannon of children’s literature. That boldness is in prose, art, and therapeutic concept. LOVE AND MONSTERS IN SOFIA’S LIFE acknowledges that adults can try to run away from the reality that their children live in a disparate world — but they cannot hide from it forever.

It is a children’s book for a child, but for parents, older siblings, friends, and teachers— it is a road map. It is a way to build an emotional safety net for children and families who are disproportionately affected, by forced deportation, incarceration, and early death. This book is not for “the faint of heart”.

As a Bioethicist — I am aware that writings on loss involving children usually are directed at parents who loose children. LOVE AND MONSTERS IN SOFIA’S LIFE acknowledges that there are whole generations of children who loose their adults, and siblings, who also need support and protection from the most virulent consequence of their valid fears, the allostatic load of oppression, and potentially devastating grief.

LOVE AND MONSTERS IN SOFIA’S LIFE is available in all the usual places including your local independent book dealer.This is the link for more information about Dr. Belinda Hernández Arriaga’s work.

A THOUSAND CUTS Film Virtual Live Stream Question and Answer with Christine Amanpour, Ramona Diaz , Maria Ressa. →

August 08, 2020 in Bioethics, Health Inequity, Human Rights, Social Justice, EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING

A Thousand Cuts SPECIAL LIVESTREAM Q&A SUNDAY, AUG. 9, 2020 at 11 AM EDT Go Here You may submit questions for participants Christine Amanpour, director Ramona Diaz & Maria Ressa. Also, you can still see the film during its virtual opening period prior to the Frontline broadcast in January. Here is how:

If you are not familiar with the virtual cinema openings ( hardly anyone is) here is what to do for dditional information on seeing the film A Thousand Cuts - GO HERE: ahead of its FRONTLINE broadcast in January 2021. You will be asked to have your purchase credited to the theater you have chosen in your region, that is, he independent theater where you would have gone to see it near you. It may seem complicated but welcome to “The New Now” now.

More about the film A THOUSAND CUTS:

A THOUSAND CUTS is a film directed by Ramona S. Diaz (IMELDA, MOTHERLAND) and featuring the work of Philipino Journalist Maria Ressa ( CEO of news organization Rappler.)

Nowhere is the worldwide erosion of democracy, fueled by social media disinformation campaigns, more starkly evident than in the authoritarian regime of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Journalist Maria Ressa places the tools of the free press—and her freedom—on the line in defense of truth and democracy. Cl Click here: Theatrical Release Date August 7, 2020, USA nationwide virtually, Running Time: 98 minutes, Language: English/Tagalog with English Subtitles. Broadcast release —Frontline —early 2021. The theatrical release is virtual and the link above will take you to more information.

* September Williams supports Thousand Cuts Virtual Livestream Q &A w/Christine Amanpour, director Ramona Diaz & Maria Ressaa →

August 03, 2020 in Baby Boomers, Bioethics, Cove International, Echo Boomers, Human Rights, New Media, Resistance, Social Commentary, Social Justice

This is one to see — my review will follow but I wanted my followers to have a chance to buy tickets from the link on the website for the virtual opening. It is a bone-chilling film and yet so familiar in these times of the USA.

A THOUSAND CUTS produced and directed by Ramona S. Diaz is about the work of journalist Maria Ressa. After studying molecular biology and theater at Princeton she applied for a Fulbright fellowship with which she completed her Masters in Journalism. She has been a journalist in Asia for nearly 35 years. Maria Ressa co-founded Rappler, the top digital-only news site that is leading the fight for press freedom in the Philippines. As Rappler's executive editor and CEO, Maria has endured constant political harassment and arrests by the Duterte government, forced to post bail eight times to stay free. Rappler's battle for truth and democracy is the subject of A Thousand Cuts.

For her courage and work on disinformation and 'fake news,' Maria was named Time Magazine’s 2018 Person of the Year, was among its 100 Most Influential People of 2019, and has also been named one of Time's Most Influential Women of the Century. She was also part of BBC's 100 most inspiring and influential women of 2019 and Prospect magazine's world's top 50 thinkers.

September Williams MD-Author with Director Mike Binder Black & White, at the Mill Valley FIlm Festival, 2014

September Williams Author of Chasing Mercury: The 2020 US Census as An Act of love in the time SARSCoVID-19

March 21, 2020 in Baby Boomers, Bioethics, Death and Desperation, Film, Grief, Healing, Health and Fitness, Health Inequity, Peace, Resistance, September MD-Writer, Social Justice

I very nearly forgot to fill out my household’s United States Census, amid the struggles around the SARS-CoVID19 pandemic. Maintaining social distance is designed to save lives—not to save money and it will do so—if people work hard to adhere to it during the rising phase of this viral epidemic. The USA census is also designed to save lives. Of course, the devil is in the details of the application. But it starts by “We the people” making sure every member of our nations households are fully counted. It’s not about citizenship, but about the distribution of resources in accordance with humanitarian law which demands every nation provide certain things for those living in it. We see the hell on earth when nations stop doing that. By the way, It took me exactly 10 minutes to fill out the US census. Here is how the census is applied. It determines:

1) The way that federal money is distributed to the citizens of the country at local levels when things work at their best—based on the science of health, welfare and economic parameters—consistent with humanitarian law. That includes providing for local communities schools, roads, public services.

2) Funds for preparing for transportation and emergency readiness.

3) THE NUMBER OF SEATS EACH STATE HAS IN THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND YOUR POLITICAL REPRESENTATION AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. Have a look and please fill out the census and make sure every member of your household and your family, community and living soul in this nation is counted.

In that obscure way, that I often put things together, I was reminded about a film I reviewed 5 years ago, while completing the last question of the census, That question asks the race of each member of the household is counted. The question is as lousily written this year as those in the past. It mixes up the fallacy of race with ethnicity and nationality all over the place. The film reviewed was Black or White by Mike Bender. The review got picked up by Mixed Race Studies.

September Williams Author of Chasing Mercury & Filmmaker Screens When We Are Asked at CSU-Chico/Talks Diversity & Inclusion

December 20, 2019 in Bioethics, Film, Social Justice, September MD-Writer, Human Rights, Death and Desperation

Hi, I hope you are all well and beginning a holiday break!

For your Calendar:

September Williams MD-Writer- Filmmaker will be at California State University-Chico (CSU-Chico) speaking and screening her film When We Are Asked: About Crossing Over (WWAA), February 12, 202 When We Are asked is a 360 view one-hour documentary narrative about End of Life Issues from the perspective of African Americans and those who are allied and provide care for those who are living until they die. She is presenting as a part of the CSU- CONVERSATIONS ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION series at 12 noon in room BMU 210 and a 6 PM full screening. For more venue information contact CSU-Chico office of diversity and inclusion For more on my screen work at IMDb and for recent film reviews I’ve written go to Bioethics.net.

September Williams' BIOETHICS SCREEN REFLECTIONS -Remember the Loving Decision and Families

June 18, 2019 in Baby Boomers, Bioethics, Book to Film, Destiny, Echo Boomers, Feminism, Freedom of the Press, Human Rights, Peace, Resistance, Social Justice, Victor Hugo

Author GiGi Panderian ( the Accidental Alchemist and others) sent a note today reminding me that this is the day that the Loving Decision was handed down by the US supreme court confirming the right to marry and have children under the 4th Amendment of the United States and the 16th Article of the Declaration of human rights. of the Declaration of Human Rights. This is the Anniversary of the Loving Decision in the USA supreme court.Confirming the right to marry and have family as outlined in Article 16 of the Declaration of Human Rights.

It was only in 1968 that the Supreme Court of the USA ruled that interracial marriage is legal to see my the two-part review--and be aware that we, at this time, on this date of today as a nation are moving backward in terms of family protections under the law--if we do not stop it. Have you checked the news today to see what is being done in our name? see both parts of the review Part I and 2 — then watch the movie and recommit to justice for families that are being torn asunder.

NEW REVIEW ON SEPTEMBER WILLIAMS' BIOETHICS SCREEN REFLECTIONS: ROMA Bioethics and the Mobius Loop

January 25, 2019 in Baby Boomers, Bioethics, Echo Boomers, Environmental Justice, Feminism, free grassy.net, Human Rights, ipen.org, Louis Riel, Resistance, Social Justice

ROMA: Bioethics and the Mobius Loop

It is difficult to describe the number of ways that writer-director Alfonso Cuaron’s semi-biographical ROMA represents an Ichthian leap in cinema. There are no special effects to speak of, no costumes except at a New Year’s Eve party cum fire. To compare the film with the level of change that Italian Neorealism presented in the middle of the last century seems strident, yet true. Equally valid is the sense that this film represents the 7th Art at its best in both the creative and technical expression of cinema. There is not a super hero among them — but a sense of magic at the level of Murakami’s Wind Up Bird Chronicle or Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle. It is a universal film from the soul of a Spanish master.

See more at: http://www.bioethicsscreenreflections.com/2019/01/roma-bioethics-and-mobius-loop.html

Cuaron, Alfonso ROMA https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6155172/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Miyazaki, Hayao HOWL’s MOVING CASTLE https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347149/

Murakami, Haruki https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/first/m/murakami-windup.html

Copy of September Williams'Bioethics Screen Reflections : A PRIVATE WAR Bioethics meets the Guardians of Truth

January 08, 2019 in Bioethics, Book to Film, Death and Desperation, Feminism, Grief, Human Rights, Peace, Resistance, Social Justice, Waking up in Syria

As we move into the Oscar Season — I am reviewing films from the fall. A PRIVATE WAR is a film that likely will not win an Oscar, despite an Oscar winning director, and an Oscar nominated actor who gives an Oscar worthy performance. This ought to be the period where male and female actors are held as equal not separate and compete against one another for awards — this past year gave so many stellar leading roles for women that the dramatic bar iis set somewhere in the moons orbit. There are women directors, and directors of color unlike any other — kind of reminds me of the midterm elections in terms of land-slide. I’ll be giving you a look several other films if you want to get a head start: The Hate You Give, If Beale Street Could Talk, The Kindergarten Teacher, Destroyer, Roma, Widows,

So — A Private War— Things are not wrapped up in a tidy fictional bow in the end. I really should have used one of the gorgeous shots of Rosamund Pike in the protagonist role — but that would be misleading. You may want to understand the history in more detail — given the story turns on a region of the world where the USA has troupes on the ground in several countries — at least for the moment. You will be mad as hell and guilty too. So I have posted a two part series on Bioethics Screen Reflections http://www.bioethicsscreenreflections.com — with some references.

It is a hard story to tell, about a woman with a compulsion to change just one thing — the capacity for anyone to say “But I didn’t know that atrocity was going on.” If you vote, anywhere in the world — if you believe science and technology should be used for beneficent purposes and war doesn’t meet that bill, and if you, I dare say —believe in love— this is a film you need to see.

In the spirit of full disclosure — many readers of my novel Chasing Mercury know that one of the protagonist, Forest, is a whistleblowing journalist. They are not easy types to live with— or without.

Copy of September Williams Author of Chasing Mercury and The Canary in the Tunnel Who Refused to Die - Maria Pallante

July 29, 2018 in Baby Boomers, Bioethics, Cold War, Destiny, Echo Boomers, Human Rights, Occupational Disease, Peace, Resistance, September MD-Writer, Social Justice, Librarians, Copyright

In the the throws of of helping the publication of Sarah Kornfeld’s “What Stella Sees” I saw the original certificate of copyright for that book. It was signed by the same person as who signed that of Chasing Mercury. I realized that it was just over a year ago when one of the finest public servants the nation has known resisted collaboration with —well— what we have in our government today— Are is the piece form last year. piece — the “Canary in the Tunnel.” I’ve republished it for you here today.

“I had a very strange experience today. I went to the drawer where I keep my copyright certificates for film and written works. I couldn’t remember the date I received the copyright for Chasing Mercury. I needed it for the front matter of the book as we prepare to publish. I opened the drawer, in the space which we laughingly refer to as my desk. The copyrights are there so my kids can find them when I die. I fished out and unfolded the certificate. Then I saw it—”

September Williams Author of Chasing Mercury Supports Marin City's Performing Stars & performingartstars/national-memorial-for-peace-and-justice-and-the-legacy-museum

April 16, 2018 in ART EXHIBITION, Bioethics, Chasing Mercury the Novel, Echo Boomers, Environmental Justice, Human Rights, Librarians, Peace, Resistance, Social Justice

This project is directly related to themes in Chasing Mercury. I can't begin to express the admiration I have for the founder/executive director of the Performing Stars Youth Program -- Felecia Gaston. She is truly a woman who knows "What plot of ground she has been given to till," As Ralph Waldo Emerson would say. And thanks to my dear friend Ola Bonds for flagging Performing Stars and it's director. PS is onto a new venture after taking children on driving tours across the USA to historically significant sights of contribution to the world of African American figure the program's right place is being honored. Performing Stars' youth ( http://performingstars.org) from Marin City are invited to attend the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and Legacy Museum From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration in Montgomery, Alabama.

September Williams’ CHASING MERCURY Print Edition Promotion: International Women's Day #PRESSFORPROGRESS

February 23, 2018 in Bioethics, Chasing Mercury the Novel, Echo Boomers, Eco-Fiction, Environmental Justice, Human Rights, mercury pollution, Memoir Environmentalist, Occupational Disease, Minamata disease, Peace, Resistance, Romance Novels, Social Justice, Victor Hugo

International Women's Day is March 8, 2018. http://www.un.org/en/events/womensday/history.shtml. Can I count you in again? I need my "Street Team" of Chasing Mercury supporters to mobilize and buy copies of Chasing Mercury (print edition) on Amazon this Sunday 2/25/2017 (12:01AM to 12 Midnight). If you have any questions shoot me a note. The timing will help assure the now available print version of CM’s success. Go to the Print Edition at https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Mercury-Toxic-Trilogy/dp/0692059660/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Why should you care about Chasing Mercury's success for International Women's Day-- besides your affection for, well, me?

Chasing Mercury is a best Seller in 3 Amazon categories today and #1 in one of those!

February 01, 2018 in Bioethics, Chasing Mercury the Novel, Cove International, Eco-Fiction, Environmental Justice, Memoir Environmentalist, mercury pollution, Resistance, Romance Novels, Romance Suspense Saga, Social Justice

Today, Chasing Mercury is #1 Best Seller in Memoirs/Biographies and environmentalist E books., #7 in all books in that category, and #78 ( Top 100) in ebooks Mysteries, thrillers & Suspense and international Crime!

That will last a day maybe — they recalculate Amazon best sellers every hour! But thank you so much for every one who has been reading and buying Chasing Mercury over the past week!! Part of the proceeds go to Green Action for Health and Environmental Justice, www.greenaction.org and to freegrassy.net

September Williams Author of Chasing Mercury Supports GREEN ACTION (greenaction.org) because as James Baldwin once said of Bayview-Hunters Point...

December 22, 2017 in Environmental Justice, Human Rights, mercury pollution, Memoir Environmentalist, Occupational Disease, Peace, Resistance, Social Justice

“This is the San Francisco, America pretends does not exist.”

Green Action ( greenaction.org) enters its 3rd decade of coalition building and stalwart support for environmental justice, health and against environmental racism and classism in Bay View Hunters Point, Kettleman City, Richmond and in coalition with so many others struggling for Environmental Justice. If you could bear to make it to the end of my ebook or audiobook Chasing Mercury - You would notice that the last point in the final “Authors Acknowledgements” reads, “A portion of the proceeds from Chasing Mercury go to: http://freegrassy.net and also to http://greenaction.org/?page_id=181”

September Williams' Chasing Mercury Audiobook is FREE this week to honor the POST/11/9 THE NEW NOW [NOW] EXHIBIT OPENING

November 06, 2017 in Baby Boomers, Bioethics, Chasing Mercury the Novel, Echo Boomers, Human Rights, Environmental Justice, Memoir Environmentalist, Minamata disease, Peace, Romance Suspense Saga, September MD-Writer, Social Justice, ART EXHIBITION, POST11/9/THE NEW NOW[NOW]

I'm excited to make this offer-- PLEASE ENJOY THE CHASING MERCURY AUDIOBOOK IN HONOR OF THIS AMAZING TRAVELING INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT OPENING IN CHICAGO POST/11/9/ THE NEW NOW [NOW]. The Art Exhibit opens this THURSDAY. PLEASE SHARE THIS GIFT ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND WITH FRIENDS. The cost of your free audiobook will be donated by Chasing Mercury to the POSt/11/9 THE NEW NOW [NOW] Collective as Chicago is only the first venue of many national and international sites fo for this marvelous exhibition. I'm not just saying that because I'll be there reading from Chasing Mercury.

September Williams Author of Chasing Mercury and The Canary in the Tunnel Who Refused to Die - Maria Pallante

June 18, 2017 in Baby Boomers, Bioethics, Cold War, Destiny, Echo Boomers, Human Rights, Occupational Disease, Peace, Resistance, September MD-Writer, Social Justice, Librarians, Copyright