Category Archives: tragedy

Wonder Woman by Elise Estrada (Dedicated to Amanda Todd)

Wonder Woman by Elise Estrada (Dedicated to Amanda Todd)

Singer Elise Estrada dedicated her single “Wonder Woman” to Canadian teenager Amanda Todd, who committed suicide as a result of cyber-bullying via Facebook. Prior to her suicide, Amanda Todd even put together a 9-minute YouTube video where she held up a series of hand written notes to tell her story. (You can see her video below.) Her ordeal included blackmailing, bullying, and physically assault from various people. It’s such a tragic story about bullying. Learning all of this singer Elise Estrada felt compelled to create “Wonder Woman”. Here’s her message about the song:

I hope this song inspires you to be your own Super hero. BE that change. “Everyone talks about changing the world, but no one talks about changing himself”. People tend to look furthest away from themselves for fault – different countries, different religions, different political parties, or even criticizing others for their personal habits. I believe in order to make a real change, we need to search deep into our actions, behaviors, beliefs and start to do the only work we really can control-within ourselves.

Change begins within. In our families, raising our children to be good. Showing them what a healthy, loving relationship looks like. Treating our partners with friendship and respect. Caring for our aging parents in whatever way we are able. In our communities/jobs/schools-spread love and positivity instead of hate, gossip, discrimination and hurtful words.

Amanda Todd, your story has inspired many people to make changes. Changes within themselves and in their communities. With this song, “Wonder Woman” we really tried to comprehend what you were going through. Kids today don’t have the luxury of going home and escaping the bullies. Bullies are everywhere. They’re on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Youtube, chat rooms. It deeply disturbs me when people take bullying so damn lightly – “kids will be kids” they say. Or “Suicide isn’t caused by bullying”. Maybe not. But obviously the constant emotional torture and the repeated hurtful words meant to damage Amanda’s spirit, self worth and reputation didn’t have a negative influence on her psyche right? Obviously getting beat up and left in a ditch just to be found by her father didn’t do anything negative to her mental health right? Ignorant, insensitive MEAN people.

So here’s my promise to you Amanda…I will spend so much time spreading love and sharing your story to others. Every time I sing “Wonder Woman” I will speak of you and hope the song touches and inspires young people who are being bullied to stay strong, makes a bully change their ways or gives bystanders the courage to be a SuperHero, form an army and say STOP. I know this won’t put an end to bullying. But if this song and telling your story inspires change in more people, I’m doing my job. “Change ripples with water…and we are that stone.” RIP Amanda.

You can get the single on Wonder Woman - Dedicated to Amanda Todd - Wonder Woman - Dedicated to Amanda Todd - Single.

Here’s more videos about bullying: TEASE : Lil Crazed Bullying Prevention Campaign, Childhood Bully by Just Kidding Films, Bully by KevJumba, Overcome, Bully vs Nerd, Hines Ward’s Story, and An Open Letter to All Bullies.

Wonder Woman by Elise Estrada (Dedicated to Amanda Todd)

Amanda Todd youtube video

Justice for Danny Chen

Justice for Danny Chen

On Oct. 3, 2011, Private Danny Chen was found dead after being hazed by six superiors. Eight have been charged in connection with his death and face court-martial in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. So far, five have been convicted and sentenced for charges ranging from dereliction of duty, hazing, maltreatment including racial taunting, and assault. Three more remain to be cort-martialed. This year, show Danny that we have his back!

On Oct. 3, 2012:
1) Call Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta at (703) 692-7100 and say: Stop Hazing, Save Lives. Rest in Peace Private Danny Chen.
2) Come to a vigil at Union Square, E. 14th Street (South Side Pavilion), Manhattan, 5:30 p.m. Holding posters with Danny’s picture, we remind the world that we have his back!
3) Hold your own event. Share your event photos & videos on Facebook: “Justice for Pvt. Danny Chen”
4) Go here to sign the petition demanding army reforms.
5) Email oca-ny@oca-ny.org to attend or help mobilize people to the court-martials in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. OCA-NY is organizing free transportation from NYC to NC.

Each year, tens of thousands of brave young men and women, including thousands of Asian American sons and daughters are recruited into the army to serve and risk their life for America. These brave young men and women need to make an informed decision before putting their life on the line. They need to know what affirmative steps the army is taking to integrate, support, and protect its soldiers, particularly minorities who are living and training at these bases. Our community needs guarantees from the army before their sons and daughters enlist that they will be respected and protected by their peers and superiors, especially in the living quarters of an army base where they should have an expectation that they are safe among comrades.

What happened to Private Danny Chen?

Remembering Japan One Year Later

Remembering Japan One Year Later

Last year, Japan suffered a devastating quake and tsunami. The tsunami reached as high as 133 feet,traveled up to six miles inland, destroyed or damaged over 270,000 buildings, and at one time leaving as much as 396,739 people homeless. 3,824 people are still missing, while 15,824 people died. March 11 marks the one year anniversary of this tragic event. Although all this devastation is bleak, there is still hope among the survivors. Big and small contributions from people around the world gave love & courage to Japan as they rebuild little by little. Much progress has been made, but much more needs to be done. New hope is growing everyday.

Remembering Japan One Year Later

R.I.P. (Pvt. Danny Chen) by Jason Chu

R.I.P. (Pvt. Danny Chen) by Jason Chu

Rapper Jason Chu released the song R.I.P. (Pvt. Danny Chen) following the revelations that he was hazed by his fellow G.I. It was so bad that Danny Chen took his own life. The rapper followed the scandal as it has grown, and had to voice his increasingly strong emotions over the tragedy that’s happened. Much like what he did with the single Vincent Chin as part of Model Minority, Jason Chu tells the tale of Danny Chen and his struggles and draws parallels in his own life.

R.I.P. Private Danny Chen. Our prayers & thoughts go to his family.

R.I.P. (Pvt. Danny Chen) by Jason Chu

Lyrics to R.I.P. (Pvt. Danny Chen) by

Intro [0:05-0:20]
Hey
I’m sick right now but I’ve been reading the news
and I HAD to put my thoughts in words
and my words in a song
So if you hear me sniffling, that’s why.

Justice for Danny Chen

Verse 1 [0:20-1:00]
Heard the news, I didn’t want to investigate
After many traumas, there’s a damage to the brain
Story I’ve heard before – why expect a different outcome?
This race-based hate is a tide that we can’t outrun
I’m out – but the headlines kept pulling me back
New discoveries, uncovering the bullying acts
I was repulsed, but I knew I should examine the facts
If we don’t study from the present – the past is coming back
Refreshing the page, Wikipedia news
My eyes blurring with the rage of the story I viewed
It was a mockery of honor that a man who enlisted
Was allowed to be belittled by the men who were with him
Military insisted that they had no clue
Then they flipped and admitted what the evidence proved
Bigger problems at hand, and the story kept growing
My heart kept sinking as the demons kept showing

Chorus 1 [1:00-1:20]
What happens to a dream deferred?
How many more R I P’s till our tale is heard?
What happens to the silent youth?
How many more news headlines before we hear the truth?

Verse 2 [1:21-2:00]
Born in 92, he was younger than my little sis
Manhattan Chinatown where he was a little kid
Lookin at his pictures, can’t believe what I see
He’s skinny and he’s taller – but he kinda looks like me
Then I read about the hazing that had brought him to his knees
How they dragged him out the barracks when no shoes were on his feet
They threw rocks at him, how could this happen in my own country
But I know because I’ve had those ******* rocks thrown at me
In my backyard by some kids who just might have grown up to be
These 8 American soldiers who were just some big bullies
Should have been his band of brothers but instead they pierced his shields
With bullets made out of wounds that decades havent healed
And I think of Vincent Chin, it makes me physically sick
To think that three decades have passed and we’re still dealing with this ****
And officials still deny that the system has a glitch
So it’s up to us to raise our voices loud until it’s fixed

Chorus 2 [2:00-2:20]
CHORUS

Verse 3 [2:21-3:00]
I know there’s some problems that can’t be solved
I’m not saying that the army should be straight-up dissolved
There’s no need to get up in arms when race is involved
Hold up – yes we should, ’cause it affects us all
I can’t trust an army that covers its tracks
And tries to say it’s all good when it’s far from that
Look at the history: Harry Lew was hazed to death
And they still claim that their values are based on respect?
Mr. and Mrs. Chen, you can cry, it’s OK
Don’t try to pretend that it all makes sense today
But I see your inner strength and it lifts my soul
Makes me feel like there’s a chance for our country to grow
I’m NOT saying that our struggle’s tougher than yours
Every culture has a shame that we try to ignore
But light kills the darkness, so I’m tryin to shine
And shed rays on the pain of the race that is mine

Chorus 3 [3:00-3:20]
CHORUS

What Happened to Private Danny Chen?

What Happened to Private Danny Chen?

U.S. Army Private Danny Chen, of Chinatown, NY, was killed in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan on October 3rd, 2011. His funeral was held in Chinatown on October 13th, 2011, although official cause of death has not been listed. Two months ago, Private Danny Chen of the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division was deployed to Afghanistan. On October 3, 2011, Private Danny Chen died, but not from combat injuries. He was found dead in the living quarters of the army base where he was stationed in Afghanistan with an alleged gunshot wound below his chin. The community deserves to know the truth in a timely manner as to the circumstances leading to Private Chen’s death and the cause of his tragic death.

Community leaders, family, and friends are demanding a fair, thorough, and transparent investigation into Private Danny Chan’s death. This list of people gathered together to get your support to find out what happened:

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez
Kelly Tsai
Hayato Watanabe
YaliniDream
Claire Baldi
Lily Woo, Principal of PS 130 in Chinatown, NY
Tom Lee, Retired Veteran
NYU Students
Danny’s family and friends
OCA-NY

To support their cause and learn more, read and sign their petition here.

update: 8 Charged in Death of Fellow Soldier, U.S. Army Says

update #2: Private Chen’s Family Learns More About Hazing by Fellow G.I.’s

update #3: Asian-American soldier was forced by comrades to crawl 100m on gravel while being pelted with rocks hours before he killed himself

Eight soldiers are of 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division that were charged:

First Lieutenant Daniel J. Schwartz
Staff Sergeant Blaine G. Dugas
Staff Sergeant Andrew J. Van Bockel
Sergeant Adam M. Holcomb
Sergeant Jeffrey T. Hurst
Specialist Thomas P. Curtis
Specialist Ryan J. Offutt
Sergeant Travis F. Carden

What Happened to Private Danny Chen?

update: News report on What Happened to Private Danny Chen?

Safecast Crowdsources Radiation Map for Japan

Safecast Crowdsources Radiation Map for Japan

Eight months after a tsunami caused a nuclear accident in Japan, ordinary people are using new technology and the power of crowdsourcing to find radiation hotspots. The government isn’t sharing their data, so it’s up to the people to do it led by computer hackers. The PBS NewsHour reports on a grassroots group called Safecast that is crowdsourcing data on radiation contamination from locations around Japan. While in Tokyo, reporter Miles O’Brien spoke to Hari Sreenivasan about his conversations with Safecast workers, Japanese officials and Japanese residents eager for more information about the consequences of the nuclear accident.

Safecast Crowdsources Radiation Map for Japan

Crowdsources Radiation Map for Japan