Spirited Away @ JICC Oct. 27

The Japan Information and Cultural Center will have a screening of the Miyazaki film, "Spirited Away" or "Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi." The screening will be at 6:30pm at the JICC. Since the event will be near Halloween, the JICC encourages all participants to wear a Halloween costume.

The JICC is located at:
Japan Information and Culture Center
1155 21st St., NW
Lafayette Center III
Washington, DC 20036

Metro: (Orange Line) Foggy Bottom Station. (between 21st St. NW and L St. NW).

You can register here.

Have a spooky time there. ^_^

Comic Con

I finally have some photos of NY Comic Con and the Far East to East concert at NYC. The con was cool. I hope to come back for 2011.

The Otaku's Voice Article with guests from NYCC will be posted after the holidays.

ENOUGH!!!!

Instead of writing about anime and other things about pop-culture I have decided to write something close to my heart, bullying. Bullying has been a constant problem in schools for a very long time. Now, it has become an issue where young children are committing suicide.

As a teacher I find it quite troubling. As an educator, we all have upheld an oath to “do no harm” and “to protect the child.” More must be done by administrators and teachers to curb this rampant problem. This is something that can’t be tolerated anymore. The victims and bullies are children, they need more guidance. Maybe requiring all troubled students to have a mentor. This has worked wonders for after school programs, such as the Boys/Girls Club and Big Brothers/Sisters program.

I have witnessed bullying first hand as a victim and the bully. I have vowed not to be a bully to someone who is different than me. I was taught at an early age that picking on someone who is different is a wrong thing. I understand that some of the bullies are often victims of being bullied by older people. When I lived in Japan bullying has been the number one issue in all schools in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Suicide was a rampant concern, such as children jumping in front of trains or falling off buildings. The Tokyo Government has tried to increase the number of counselors to help the students. That is a first step, but more must be done.

I don’t have all the answers, just suggestions. Maybe you can try and find someone who you can trust, such as a school counselor or a trusted teacher. To the bully, all I can say is this about your actions. There is a Wicca saying that I always remember, “Those who speak ill of others will be brought upon them tenfold.”

I hope this has helped soothed your wounds and made you strong. As a victim of being bullying, all I can say is this, “YOU ARE NEVER ALONE….”