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This 7-minute cartoon from the 70's about greed and racism in America still resonates today

"Freedom River" features the incredible voice of Orson Welles.

via Cartoon Crazys/YouTube

"Freedom River" a 1971 cartoon parable.

An interesting historical document from 1971 has resurfaced online because people believe it is as relevant today as it was 53 years ago. “Freedom River,” a 7-minute cartoon parable, shows that no matter how much time passes, Americans continue to contend with the same destructive forces.

“Freedom River” was directed by Sam Weiss for Bosustow Productions. The cartoon features narration by the great actor-writer-director Orson Welles. Welles directed what many call the greatest film of all time, “Citizen Kane,” as well as other classics such as “A Touch of Evil” and “The Magnificent Ambersons.”

The story of “Freedom River” mirrors that of America’s founding. Settlers from foreign lands find a river that promises liberty and abundance. The settlers fall in love with their new home and a world where they are finally free to pursue their own happiness.

However, the settlers began to take paradise for granted. They exploit the river they love while forgetting what drove them to discover it in the first place.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

“And so it happened that because they so coveted the river, they barred from it people who looked unfamiliar or talked differently in the false belief that strangers were not deserving – little remembering that not long ago they too were strangers,” Welles’ Narrator says. “And when some among them arose and selfishly took more than their share, the people did not stop them but instead resolved to do the same, instead of helping those that were ill and weak. They despised them and chastised them for their idleness. And even as the river grew weak and muddy, glib leaders said it was strong and clear. The people became confused. They did not know what to do.”

Fifty-three years after “Freedom River” was released, it still resonates with many because America still grapples with destructive greed. The country also has to contend with waves of xenophobia that crop up every time a new group of people attempts to establish themselves in the Land of the Free.

The film also addresses the perils of environmental destruction, a problem that first entered the public consciousness in the late ‘60s and is now one of the most critical issues we face as a species.



Many may feel defeated that America hasn’t overcome the problems of greed and xenophobia over the past 5 decades. However, the parable comes with a powerful solution: these problems can be overcome if we work together.

Ultimately, the Freedom River settlers have a decision to make. They can cower to authority, abandon the river and their freedoms, or clean up their mess, mend their ways, and start again.

“Let us work to make the waters of freedom flow fresh and strong again where it has been fouled by our foolishness,” the cartoon concludes. “It can be made clear by our wisdom where it has grown stagnant from our neglect. It can be kept fresh by our vigilance. And the people listening said, ‘The life or death of the river of freedom is in our hands.’”

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'This shelf is rather boring':Store pulls off clever stunt in support of diversity.

Edeka Hamburg, you have our attention.

Customers of an Edeka supermarket in Hamburg, Germany, came with full grocery lists this past weekend.

But many of them left empty-handed.

Photo by Daniel Roland/AFP/Getty Images.

The majority of products throughout the supermarket had been pulled from the store floor.

Entire aisles were completely barren.

No, Edeka isn't going out of business, nor have you missed any news about  widespread food shortages blanketing northern Germany.

The shelves were purposefully left empty to send an important message.

The store pulled all of its foreign products for one day, a stunt designed to prove a point about the often unconsidered benefits of diversity and the dangers of xenophobia.

Tomatoes from Spain? Gone. Olive oil from Greece? Sorry, out of luck. Cheese from France? Tragically, no.

Signs proving the supermarket's point were placed throughout the store, with messages roughly translated to sentiments like: “Without diversity, this shelf is rather boring” and "We will be poorer without diversity."

"Today, our selection has its limits,” another sign — taped above a pathetic-looking buffet — informed passing customers.

Edeka's dramatic gesture was a response to the far-right, anti-immigrant ideology that has been growing in German politics.

As the European Union continues grappling with the Syrian refugee crisis, worries about the "dangers" of immigrants — in terms of both economic and national security — have spread far and wide. Many of these perceived threats, however, are misguided or born from bigoted perceptions.

It's not just happening in Germany.

This past spring, candidate Marine Le Pen came closer to winning the French presidency than any other far-right politician in recent history. The U.K.'s stunning Brexit vote has been attributed, in large part, to fears of the "other." And in the U.S., of course, we have President Trump.

But immigrant populations play invaluable roles in many countries, including the U.S. We wouldn't have things like Google, blue jeans, many of the vegetables on our dinner plates, or even the song "God Bless America"(!) if it weren't for people immigrating to our shoes (often undocumented).

A similar point was made in Hamburg. And, according to Edeka, it was a point that's resonating well with most of its customers.

“Edeka stands for variety and diversity," said a company spokesperson, according to The Independent. "In our stores we sell numerous foods which are produced in the various regions of Germany. But only together with products from other countries it is possible to create the unique variety that our consumers value."

Our world really does work better as a melting pot, it seems.

Watch and share a video by DW News about Edeka's campaign to promote diversity:

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When Border Patrol asked a teacher if she was a citizen, she refused to say. Here's why.

"Citizens?"

San Diego middle school teacher Shane Parmely was driving with her family in New Mexico when she was asked that question at a Border Patrol checkpoint miles from the actual border.

Parmely refused to answer. A member of her family filmed the encounter, which has since gone viral on Facebook.

Parmely, who is white, told KGTV-San Diego that many of her Latino friends are frequently stopped at such checkpoints.

As a result, she believes they are unconstitutional and wanted to register her opposition.

"The people that we see you actually making show papers are all brown," she tells the arresting officer in the video. Parmely and her family were held for about 90 minutes before being released.

According to the ACLU, Border Patrol agents may ask "a few, limited questions to verify the citizenship of the vehicles' occupants," and may not detain drivers for an extended period of time "without cause."

In an email statement to KGTV, the Border Patrol affirmed its right to question Parmely about her immigration status.

A Border Patrol agent stops a vehicle at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2013. Photo by John Moore/Getty Images.

"At a Border Patrol checkpoint, an agent may question a vehicle’s occupants about their citizenship, place of birth, and request document proof of immigration status, how legal status was obtained and make quick observations of what is in plain view in the interior of the vehicle," the agency argued.

Nonetheless, Parmely felt it was important to stand up to something she believes is an affront to American values.

Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images.

"We would have no civil rights if people didn't question authority or challenge the status quo," she said in an interview with KGTV.

As a white woman, Parmely explains, she realizes she likely had the privilege of being waved through with a quick "yes, I'm a citizen."

Nonetheless, she couldn't simply tolerate the brief inconvenience because many of her non-white friends and colleagues don't have that luxury. As she told the station, "When you see something that is clearly racist, you have a choice."

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See how dancers turned Trump's appalling words into a powerful act of resistance.

With grace, passion, and a rhythm all their own, these dancers are taking the misguided, offensive words of Donald Trump and turning them into something beautiful.

With movements from ballet, jazz, and modern dance, these artists choreographed short routines inspired by statements made by Donald Trump (and one quote from Steve Bannon for good measure).

Photo by Photo by Yohann Ancele, used with permission.

Trump's words, most attributed to him prior to his election, are appalling and cruel.

The video captures the targets of the rhetoric, like African-Americans, women, the LGBTQ community, responding to his hateful vitriol with fiery, passionate choreography.

"Laziness is a trait in blacks."

All GIFs via 836M/Facebook.

"Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything."

"I think that putting a wife to work is a very dangerous thing."

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending the best ... they're rapists."

The choreography is a physical act of resistance to the man himself. A bold statement proclaiming, "We remember your words and we will not let you or anyone else define our worth."

Dancers VS Trump quotes

Thanks to our gifted artist in residence Redha Medjellekh for his work, exposing how dance is not only majestic but also a transcending tool of expression.

Posted by 836M on Friday, June 23, 2017

The man behind the project is Redha Medjellekh, a French dancer, choreographer, and videographer.

Medjellekh has made numerous videos that explore social and political topics through dance, and he completed this project as part of his residency at 836M, a gallery and art initiative in San Francisco. For this piece, he worked with a cast of dancers and these shocking quotes to create a powerful statement.

"I like to do contrasts," Medjellekh says. "I thought the Trump quotes with the contrast of the beauty of the dance would play well together."

Medjellekh films part of a scene, photo by Yohann Ancele. Medjellekh photo (right), via Red Is Dancing. Both images used with permission.

With everything happening in the world, it's easy to become discouraged and see little point in speaking out. Do it anyway.

Medjellekh considers performance and self-expression even more necessary in turbulent times like these, especially if it brings underrepresented groups together.

"It's even more important, more relevant in the time of oppression or political disaster or injustice," he says. "It's a good time to make everything creative." That's why Medjellekh makes an effort to incorporate people of different races, religions, gender, and identities, so everyone has a chance to see themselves represented and feel a part of the global conversation.

No matter how you express yourself, your voice is needed now more than ever.

And not just words — your heart, passion, and dance moves too.

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