Call for Submissions: Stolen Lands, Stolen Culture, Stolen Time

We're so excited to talk about the Lies that Build Empire during February — starting on Monday with a loving and politicized letter to a beloved jambolan tree. For you media makers out there who feel inspired to write something for our next theme, here's the next call for submissions!In the second theme for The System Stinks, we’re taking a look at systemic theft. How do we live within the precept “I will not steal” when the systems around us are built on stealing?Do I live on land that was stolen from indigenous people?Do I borrow what I want from other people’s religious and cultural traditions without permission? Is cultural appropriation a problem in non-Asian Buddhism?Does my boss pressure or guilt me to work more without paying me more? If our economic system creates profit from unpaid labor time, do we consider this stealing?Did my ancestors pass down wealth they earned through access to jobs, land, and resources that were denied to others based on race, gender, immigration status, or class status?We’d love to hear your take on these general questions: What is systematically stolen in our world? Where are we complicit in the theft? How do we resist this kind of stealing, not only individually but especially collectively?We're interested in your artwork, poetry, photography, and videos in addition to more traditional prose pieces. We’re especially excited for media reflecting on examples of direct action / organizing, theory, personal stories, and practices we can try at home. We are all wrestling with uncomfortable contradictions and strong counter-arguments to our views.  We find ourselves especially moved by media that demonstrates vulnerability, courage, and a willingness to surprise yourself in the media-making process.If you are a spiritual and political seeker looking to contribute toward liberation, we would love to hear from you. Send your Buddhist, Buddhist-friendly, or spiritual-activist media to submissions@turningwheelmedia.org by March 15th, to be featured on Turning Wheel in April 2013. Selected works will also go into the PDF curriculum for The System Stinks, distributed to Buddhist Peace Fellowship members and study groups internationally.Image Credits:United States Department of the Interior 1911 advertisement offering 'Indian Land for Sale'. The man pictured is a Yankton Sioux named Not Afraid Of Pawnee.Troll MEME Generator, "Strongly Against Cultural Appropriation / Buddhist"