My Blood Divides And Unites

I am a Coloured woman of South Africa raised during apartheid. Because my blood was neither pure nor White, I struggled with self-doubt. The book explores my reconciliation of the contradictions in my blood. I am a microcosm of nations riven by strife. Hence, I urge individuals and nations to undergo a similar process of self-reconciliation.

The first quarter of the 21st century introduced the world to rapid uncertainty, be it the social-political and financial crises, or pandemics, or the shaking up of well-established democracies with an increasing rise in populism. At the same time, the technological promise has taken off with automation, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnologies increasingly becoming an economic reality. This open-access book brings together experts of specific domains, through the windows of their experience, and in a crowdsourced fashion, to analyze these world developments to develop an overall view, a compelling case of what we should be prepared for, as we march towards 2050. Topics covered include the future of leadership, the future of solving global challenges, and designing a way of life in harmony with nature. Other topics include disruptive entrepreneurship, the relevance of geographical borders, game-changing future innovations, education, and networked learning, interplanetary travel, and communication. The book also places an importance on the role of empathy, mindfulness, presence, and sharing becoming the anchors for future decision-making by 2050. Of general interest to anyone eager to understand the future of the world, this book is particularly useful for planners, policymakers, strategists and entrepreneurs.

Selected for The Globe 100 Books in 2013. With the 2013 CBC Massey Lectures, bestselling author Lawrence Hill offers a provocative examination of the scientific and social history of blood, and on the ways that it unites and divides us today. Blood runs red through every person’s arteries and fulfills the same functions in every human being. The study of blood has advanced our understanding of biology and improved medical treatments, but its cultural and social representations have divided us perennially. Blood pulses through religion, literature, and the visual arts. Every time it pools or spills, we learn a little more about what brings human beings together and what pulls us apart. For centuries, perceptions of difference in our blood have separated people on the basis of gender, race, class, and nation. Ideas about blood purity have spawned rules about who gets to belong to a family or cultural group, who enjoys the rights of citizenship and nationality, what privileges one can expect to be granted or denied, whether you inherit poverty or the right to rule over the masses, what constitutes fair play in sport, and what defines a person’s identity. Blood: The Stuff of Life is a bold meditation on blood as an historical and contemporary marker of identity, belonging, gender, race, class, citizenship, athletic superiority, and nationhood.

This engaging collection surveys and clarifies the complex issue of federal and state recognition for Native American tribal nations in the United States. Den Ouden and O'Brien gather focused and teachable essays on key topics, debates, and case studies. Written by leading scholars in the field, including historians, anthropologists, legal scholars, and political scientists, the essays cover the history of recognition, focus on recent legal and cultural processes, and examine contemporary recognition struggles nationwide. Contributors are Joanne Barker (Lenape), Kathleen A. Brown-Perez (Brothertown), Rosemary Cambra (Muwekma Ohlone), Amy E. Den Ouden, Timothy Q. Evans (Haliwa-Saponi), Les W. Field, Angela A. Gonzales (Hopi), Rae Gould (Nipmuc), J. Kehaulani Kauanui (Kanaka Maoli), K. Alexa Koenig, Alan Leventhal, Malinda Maynor Lowery (Lumbee), Jean M. O'Brien (White Earth Ojibwe), John Robinson, Jonathan Stein, Ruth Garby Torres (Schaghticoke), and David E. Wilkins (Lumbee).

Cleven L. Jones is the pastor of the First United Church of Jesus Christ in Detroit Michigan. He is married to Julia M. Jones for thirty-eight years and they have three children Cleven Jr., Desiree and Jewel. He and his wife pioneered the First United Church in October 1981 and have served faithfully ever since. He served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, retiring from the chaplaincy at the rank of Lt. Colonel. Besides pastoring he works in mental health, assisting and advocating for employment for individuals who have experienced such mental health issues as major depression, bi-polar, and schizophrenia. Pastor Jones is a graduate of Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD (B.A., 1973), and Howard University School of Religion (M.Div, 1976). He has received awards for his work in ministry, secular work, and civic mindedness. Cleve Jones understands that so many people when facing many of the issues of life do not have the resources to get the help they need. Some problems are beyond the skill set of some pastors and churches. Sometimes people need a "quick hitter" to help them through the issue of the day and something inspirational, and thought provoking enough to get them to begin mentally processing about long term solutions. If this book can reach some people within that context, it will have served one of its purposes.

Human diversity is a rich tapestry that goes far beyond the superficial distinctions of race. Our shared humanity transcends the boundaries that society has imposed on us. By reducing individuals to mere categories based on external factors, we overlook the intricate web of connections that binds us all together. When we acknowledge the profound interconnectedness of humanity, we begin to appreciate the beauty of our shared heritage. Our blood carries within it the stories of countless generations, weaving a common thread that binds us all together. Through this shared ancestry, we find a sense of unity that transcends the artificial barriers of race and ethnicity. Blood, the life force that pulses through our veins, serves as a powerful symbol of our shared humanity. It is a tangible reminder that beneath the surface, we are all connected by a common bond that transcends societal divisions. Regardless of our differences in wealth, power, or social status, our blood flows with the same life-giving vitality, indifferent to the external labels that seek to define us. In its purest form, blood knows no prejudice or bias. It does not discriminate based on race, gender, or background. It simply fulfills its essential purpose of nourishing and sustaining every individual with equal strength and determination. This unifying force of nature underscores the fundamental equality that exists among all human beings, reminding us that we are more alike than we are different. The universal nature of blood serves as a powerful metaphor for the interconnectedness of humanity. Just as our blood circulates throughout our bodies, carrying oxygen and nutrients to every cell, so too does our shared humanity bind us together in a web of mutual dependence and support. In times of crisis or need, it is this shared life force that unites us, inspiring acts of compassion, solidarity, and kindness that transcend the artificial barriers that divide us. By recognising the unifying power of our blood type, we can strive to build a more inclusive and compassionate world. We can embrace our shared humanity and work together to create a more just and equitable society, where the life-giving force that flows through our veins serves as a reminder of our inherent interconnectedness and shared responsibility to one another. Our blood is a powerful emblem of harmony, that goes beyond its mere medical significance. It signifies a shared bond that unites us all, regardless of race or ethnicity. Fundamentally, it is our shared blood that paves the way for a future where connections run deeper than the constraints of race. Our blood holds the key to our future—a future, where blood ties extend far beyond the realm of our respective race, and where the fallacies of racial disparities are finally laid to rest.