Wise Monkey News is here to provide young people an opportunity to discuss the issues that affect their lives. We hope that, through your participation, this website serves as a forum for the development, exchange, and expression of ideas that will prepare us to assume our positions as the leaders of tomorrow's world. Have something to say?
What Role does the U.S. play in the world?
by: Hank Smith - printed on 09-11-2002
I remember a conversation I once had with a fellow American and a Swede. We were discussing movies, and the Swede mentioned that his favorite film was from the United States - American Beauty. Another American I was with could not believe it.
Epidemic and endemic diseases
by: Dr. Guillerme Rosenthal - printed on 04-10-2002
Translated by Jefferson Azevedo.
Dr. Rosebthal is on the board of directors for Doctors Association in Brazil. He also writes articles for different newspapers in Brazil.
In the early 1970's, Brazil was plagued by a ferocious epidemic of meningitis. The military dictatorship thought that, by imposing severe censorship in order to undermine the tragedy, it could render the outbreak non-existent.
‘That’s the thing about Christmas in Ghana’
by: Isaac Vanderburg - printed on 01-31-2001
It is an organic story, really. In 1969 two Peace Corps volunteers went to Ghana, West Africa. They taught English to the Twi-speaking children of villages called Aducrom and Laarte. They ate fufu and banku and redred and nkatiekwein. They did all the things that volunteers do: teach, travel, work, wander, laugh and cry. Of course, they couldn’t help but to love the kids they taught, love the work they did, and love most of Ghana in general.
A one year old monkey, Happy Birthday
by: Mono Vergara - printed on 10-24-2001
After a year of publication, I can step back and look at the 13 issues that we have successfully completed. Part of our mission has been accomplished; we brought a new forum for people to talk about the issues that affect their lives. During this period we all have learned that The Wise Monkey is needed more than ever. Today the world is facing the atrocities of war, and after thousands of years we still don’t seem to understand that war accomplishes nothing.
Japan's Forgotten People: The Ainu
by: Kukiko Iwamoto - printed on 04-11-2001
A widespread belief about Japan is that it is a homogenous nation. But there are minorities in Japan. About ten thousand years ago, people lived in the northern part of Japan (now called Hokkaido) who were ethnically separated from the rest of Japanese population by their different lifestyle, culture, and language. These people were called “Ainu” which means “human being” in their own language. Today, the Ainu are considered an indigenous people.
Living a life of nonviolence
by: Karen Shea - printed on 02-28-2001
Before he was brutally assassinated, Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador said: “Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty.”
It is in this spirit that I have dedicated myself to living a life of nonviolence.