Latest news with #HelenKeller
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Tiruchi District Central Library marks Helen Keller Day
The Tiruchi District Central Library and its Readers' Forum observed Helen Keller Day by organising a special function for visually challenged persons on Saturday. The global commemorative holiday (June 27) celebrates the life and achievements of the American author and disability rights advocate Helen Keller who lost her sight and hearing at a young age. I. Abdul Jabbar, a visually challenged senior government school history teacher and coordinator of the library's differently abled section, was conferred with the Helen Keller Award for his services to promote the institution's initiatives for persons with disability. Replying to the felicitation, Mr. Jabbar lauded the District Central Library officials for installing the free screen reader NVDA in the institution's computers that had helped many visually challenged candidates to pursue higher education and prepare for competitive exams through an audio database of learning material. He said at present, 75 visually challenged persons who studied with the help of the District Central Library in Tiruchi are working in government jobs. Visually challenged persons presented poems and songs as part of a cultural show. Social activist and Readers' Forum head Allirani Balaji and Grade 1 Librarian S. Dhanalakshmi spoke.
Japan Forward
28-06-2025
- General
- Japan Forward
Explore Meiji-Era Elegance at Osaka's Former Public Hall
このページを 日本語 で読む Meiji-era Japan (1868–1912) was a time of rapid Westernization. This influence reached even architecture. A perfect example is the main entrance of the Old Sakuranomiya Public Hall in Osaka's Kita Ward. Today, it's a popular wedding venue and a symbol of early Meiji design. Until June 30, 2025, visitors can also enjoy dishes recreated from Meiji-era menus at the hall's retro and elegant restaurant. I visited in early May. From Minami-Morimachi Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line, it's just a short walk to the building, nestled among lush greenery. Its impressive main entrance is recognized as an Important Cultural Property and features six Tatsuyama stone pillars and grand doors. Across the street stands Senpukan, another Important Cultural Property. It once served as a guest house for the Japanese Mint Bureau. Together, these buildings create a charming atmosphere that feels like stepping back into the Meiji era. Inside the public hall, a lavish restaurant illuminated by sparkling chandeliers awaits visitors. The staircase handrail is said to be the original from when the building was constructed. Built in 1935 as the Meiji Emperor Memorial Hall, the Old Sakuranomiya Public Hall incorporates the main entrance from the early Meiji period Mint Foundry (now the Mint Bureau). This entrance was preserved and relocated here when the foundry was demolished. The large doors and lighting remain intact, just as they were originally installed. Today, the building is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The hall, where Helen Keller once spoke, closed in 2007 and remained unused for many years. Osaka City, the owner, eventually sought a company to manage the site. Novarese took on the challenge, renovating and reopening the hall in 2013 as a wedding venue and restaurant. The main entrance of the Old Sakuranomiya Public Hall, featuring six impressive pillars, is designated as an Important Cultural Property. Because only old blueprints remained, there was little information about the original interiors or usage. Restoration was difficult. Still, preserved ceiling decorations and careful design brought the era's atmosphere back to life beautifully. "Welcome," said Tetsuya Ozaki, General Manager of Novarese's Osaka and Ashiya districts. The featured menu, called the "Meiji Feast," recreates dishes from the Meiji era based on historical records. It is available from April through June. I had the chance to enjoy a seven-course meal. A course meal inspired by a Meiji-era menu. The appetizer was steamed salmon chaudfroid — salmon gently cooked and topped with a mayonnaise-based sauce, resting on consommé jelly. Its charming retro presentation matched the harmonious flavors: rich salmon, tangy mayonnaise, and light consommé. For the fish course, I had sea bream stuffed inside red eggplant. The tender fish and potatoes were baked inside a tomato, balancing sweetness and acidity. Interestingly, during the Meiji period, vegetables were served before dessert to close the meal. The menu honors this tradition with asparagus, offering an experience of the dining culture of that time. Ozaki proudly noted, "This is the only place where you can enjoy Meiji-era cuisine in a building connected to Emperor Meiji [Mutsuhito]." Immersed in this historic atmosphere, I savored the luxurious, carefully recreated dishes. Author: Saki Maehara, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Famous birthdays for June 27: Tobey Maguire, Vera Wang
June 27 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer. They include: -- Irish patriot Charles Stewart Parnell in 1846 -- Poet Paul Laurence Dunbar in 1872 -- Disability rights activist Helen Keller in 1880 -- TV personality Bob Keeshan in 1927 -- U.S. businessman/former presidential candidate H. Ross Perot in 1930 -- Poet Lucille Clifton in 1936 -- Musician Bruce Johnston (Beach Boys) in 1942 (age 83) -- Fashion designer Norma Kamali in 1945 (age 80) -- Fashion designer Vera Wang in 1949 (age 76) -- Actor Julia Duffy in 1951 (age 74) -- Actor Isabelle Adjani in 1955 (age 70) -- Actor Jeremy Swift in 1960 (age 65) -- Actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai in 1962 (age 63) -- Filmmaker J.J. Abrams in 1966 (age 59) -- Musician Draco Rosa (Menudo) in 1969 (age 56) -- Actor Tobey Maguire in 1975 (age 50) -- Actor/performer Bianca Del Rio, born Roy Haylock, in 1975 (age 50) -- Actor Joseph Sikora in 1976 (age 50) -- Musician Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer) in 1976 (age 49) -- TV personality Khloe Kardashian in 1984 (age 41) -- Actor Drake Bell in 1986 (age 39) -- Actor Sam Claflin in 1986 (age 39) -- Actor Ed Westwick in 1987 (age 38) -- Actor Alanna Masterson in 1988 (age 37) -- Actor Matthew Lewis in 1989 (age 36) -- Actor Kimiko Glenn in 1989 (age 36) -- Actor Emma D'Arcy in 1992 (age 33) -- Musician Lauren Jauregui (Fifth Harmony) in 1996 (age 30) -- Actor Shannon Purser in 1997 (age 29) -- Musician H.E.R. in 1997 (age 28) -- Actor Chandler Riggs in 1999 (age 26)
The Wire
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Why Helen Keller's Revolutionary Legacy is More Relevant Now Than Ever
The 145 th birth anniversary of Helen Keller, falls on June 27, 2025. During the celebrations, the dominant yet sanitised mainstream narrative will portray her as an inspirational figure, an icon, who, notwithstanding her disability, broke many barriers and scaled great heights. These achievements by all means are highly significant, more-so in the times that she lived in. However, these stories gloss over the fact that one of the most widely recognised figures in US history, Helen Keller, was also a political activist. More importantly, she was a pioneer in pointing the way toward a Marxist understanding of disability oppression and liberation, a fact that remains largely suppressed till date. Anti-imperialist to the Core Hypothetically, if Helen Keller was alive today and was witnessing the spate of unprovoked and unabashed attacks on sovereign Iran by Israel and the United States, what would her response be? Keller would have unequivocally condemned the aggression by imperialist powers who want to assert their geopolitical dominance which in no way are in league with their stated objectives for launching the attacks. Keller's views on war and peace aligned strongly with socialist and anti-imperialist ideals. Her outspoken opposition to war was inseparable from her critique of capitalism and class exploitation. She saw war as a tool of the ruling class – an instrument wielded by the rich to protect their wealth and power at the expense of the working class. Keller would have stood in solidarity with the Iranian people – especially the working class, women, and marginalised communities – while also rejecting any form of authoritarianism or religious oppression within Iran. At the same time, she would have unhesitatingly called on workers and citizens in the U.S. and Israel to resist the war machine, to organise, and to refuse participation in militarism. She would have been alongside Greta Thunberg and others aboard the Madleen and demanded an end to the genocide in Palestine and for its independence. Keller's voice today would be a clarion call for peace through solidarity, justice, and the dismantling of the empire. A fierce critic of U.S. involvement in the First World War, she condemned the war as a capitalist enterprise that sent workers to die while profiteers grew rich. "Strike against war," she declared in a 1916 speech, "for without you no battles can be fought!" This radical stance cost her support and drew criticism from those who preferred to see her only as a symbol of personal triumph of a deaf-blind person. A committed socialist Keller's anti-war activism was deeply rooted in her socialist beliefs. Peace, according to her, was not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice – economic, racial, and gender-based. Her vision of peace demanded the dismantling of systems that perpetuate inequality and violence – capitalism. Keller's legacy is not just inspirational but revolutionary. She rejected patriotic propaganda and called for international solidarity among the oppressed. In doing so, she challenged the dominant narratives of her time, and ours, that equate war with heroism and peace with passivity. Helen Keller's unwavering commitment to peace through justice places her firmly within the radical tradition of anti-war activism. Born into a well to do family, Helen contracted an illness when she was just 19 months old that left her both blind and deaf. She attended several institutions for the deaf and blind before enrolling at Radcliffe College, the women's branch of Harvard University. She graduated in 1904 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, the first deafblind person to achieve such a feat. It is at Radcliffe, that Helen was exposed to progressive ideas, including those of Karl Marx, which deeply influenced her later political activism. She began to question societal norms that governed not only the treatment of the disabled, but also the economic and social structures that perpetuated inequality across the board. In the compilation of essays Out of the Dark: Essays, Letters, and Addresses on Physical and Social Vision (1913), Keller addresses issues like socialism, gender equality, and the rights of disabled individuals. This publication is arguably her most explicitly political book and showcases her strong commitment to the socialist ideology. Keller joined the Socialist Party of America in 1908 and began giving public speeches and writing articles advocating for workers' rights, women's suffrage, disability rights, and racial equality. Her work focused on the systemic roots of poverty and injustice, which she believed capitalism had worsened. Disability: A social & economic issue She was particularly outspoken about the plight of disabled individuals, many of whom, she discovered, had acquired their disabilities through industrial accidents, unsafe working conditions, or poor healthcare – issues directly tied to corporate greed and government neglect. This realisation deeply affected her. She realised that while her family's resources had helped her thrive despite her disabilities, others in less fortunate circumstances were often left without support or hope. Keller viewed disability not as a purely medical or individual problem but as a social and economic issue. She argued that poverty, lack of access to education and healthcare, unsanitary living conditions, and dangerous labor practices were all contributing factors, a factor often purposefully glossed over by majority of disability rights activists. The media: From celebration to hostility While early in her life, the American media celebrated her as an inspirational figure, a symbol of individual perseverance and the "American spirit" this soon changed to hostility and scorn when she began criticising capitalism and advocating socialism. This sudden shift in how she was perceived highlights an important reality that persists even today: disabled individuals are often celebrated only when they conform to society's expectations of passivity and perseverance. Once they assert political opinions, particularly radical ones, they risk being dismissed or demonised. The Detroit Free Press wrote about her in 1914: 'As long as Miss Keller appears before the public in the light of a member of society struggling nobly under great handicaps and furnishing by her example inspiration for others who are unfortunately placed, she does a valuable work. But the moment she undertakes to speak ex cathedra, as it were, of all the political and social problems of the day, she receives a consideration out of all proportion to her fund of knowledge and judgment." 'Helen Keller, struggling to point the way to the light for the deaf, dumb and blind is inspiring. Helen Keller preaching socialism; Helen Keller passing on the merits of the copper strike; Helen Keller sneering at the constitution of the United States; Helen Keller under these aspects is pitiful. She is beyond her depth. She speaks with the handicap of limitation which no amount of determination or science can overcome. Her knowledge is, and must be, almost purely theoretical, and unfortunately this world and its problems are both very practical'. Responding to such criticisms Keller wrote: 'I like newspapermen. I have known many, and two or three editors have been among my most intimate friends. Moreover, the newspapers have been of great assistance in the work which we have been trying to do for the blind. It costs them nothing to give their aid to work for the blind and to other superficial charities. But socialism – ah, that is a different matter! That goes to the root of all poverty and all charity. The money power behind the newspapers is against socialism, and the editors, obedient to the hand that feeds them, will go to any length to put down socialism and undermine the influence of socialists'. Relevance of Keller's work When the New York Times branded her as an outcaste, she retorted: 'I am no worshiper of cloth of any color, but I love the red flag and what it symbolises to me and other Socialists. I have a red flag hanging in my study, and if I could I should gladly march with it past the office of the Times and let all the reporters and photographers make the most of the spectacle. According to the inclusive condemnation of the Times I have forfeited all right to respect and sympathy, and I am to be regarded with suspicion. Yet the editor of the Times wants me to write him an article! How can he trust me to write for him if I am a suspicious character? I hope you will enjoy as much as I do the bad ethics, bad logic, bad manners that a capitalist editor falls into when he tries to condemn the movement which is aimed at this plutocratic interests. We are not entitled to sympathy, yet some of us can write articles that will help his paper to make money. Probably our opinions have the same sort of value to him that he would find in the confession of a famous murderer. We are not nice, but we are interesting'. Keller remains an enduring symbol of courage, perseverance, and intellectual brilliance. However, to reduce her legacy to that of an inspirational figure alone is to do her a disservice. Keller was a revolutionary – someone who did not simply overcome personal barriers, but who used her experience and views to challenge the barriers faced by others. Her life should prod us to rethink how we understand disability, activism, and what it means to truly fight for justice. When disability rights, healthcare access, and economic inequality are still pressing issues, Keller's work remains highly relevant.
Style Blueprint
18-06-2025
- Style Blueprint
13 Last-Minute Weekend Getaways from Memphis
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit If you're looking for a few last-minute weekend getaways from Memphis, there's no need to book a flight. Within a four-hour drive, you'll find a surprising number of delightful spots that offer just the right blend of character, culture, and Southern charm. Join us for a short stroll through a few noteworthy destinations that may not be on your radar! Pin Alabama Huntsville Estimated drive time: just over 3.5 hours Huntsville is home to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. It's a perfect weekend destination for kids, but adults love it, too! Enjoy the 112-acre Huntsville Botanical Garden, the visual arts at Lowe Mill ARTS and Entertainment, live music, and a thriving local restaurant scene. Pin Muscle Shoals Estimated drive time: 2 hours, 40 minutes Muscle Shoals is the quintessential bucket-list destination for music lovers. Visit the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Helen Keller's Birthplace in nearby Tuscumbia, tour iconic FAME Studios, and explore the outdoors at several surrounding parks, including Pickwick Lake. Arkansas Hot Springs Estimated drive time: just under 3 hours Hot Springs is famous for historic Bathhouse Row and Hot Springs National Park. Nestled in the stunning Ouachita Mountains, the town offers beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and water sports at Lake Hamilton and Lake Ouachita. Visitors can dig for quartz crystals at nearby Ron Coleman Mining or explore the backcountry trails of Ouachita National Forest on guided ATV and UTV tours. You'll also find Arkansas's only Forbes Four-Star rated spa, the Astral Spa. And if you're feeling lucky, head to Oaklawn Racing Casino for thoroughbred horse racing! Pin Heber Springs Estimated drive time: 2.5 hours This lakeside gem combines natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and small-town charm. At the heart of the town is Greers Ferry Lake, known for its crystal-clear waters and opportunities for swimming, boating, and scuba diving. Anglers are drawn to the Little Red River, while hiking enthusiasts appreciate trails like Sugarloaf Mountain, Mossy Bluff, and Bridal Veil Falls. This getaway also boasts a charmingly historic downtown with a traditional square, antique shops, and much more. Mountain View Estimated drive time: just under 3 hours Home to sweeping panoramic views and natural wonders like Hell Creek Natural Area, Mountain View boasts natural beauty and cultural heritage. Known as the 'Folk Music Capital of the World,' this small town has preserved its rich musical legacy through the beloved Ozark Folk Center State Park, which showcases live music and arts history. Don't miss the Arkansas Craft Guild's downtown gallery — the state's largest craft cooperative — for handmade treasures. Pin Wilson Estimated drive time: 45 minutes Wilson may be small, but it packs a big punch. The town's Tudor-style architecture lends a distinctive charm to its historic square. The Hampson Archeological Museum displays archeological findings and immerses visitors in a cultural and historical treasure trove. For culinary delights, the Wilson Wine Experience offers themed dinners and tastings, celebrating global wine cultures. Visitors can stay at The Louis Hotel, a stylish boutique retreat that blends Southern hospitality with modern comfort. Kentucky Madisonville Estimated drive time: just under 4 hours Madisonville offers a relaxing blend of local charm and outdoor adventure. Bring your hiking boots and head to nearby Lake Pee Wee or Mahr Park Arboretum for trails, water views, and picnic-perfect scenery. Downtown Madisonville features locally owned restaurants and a beautifully restored performing arts center — the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts — for a dose of culture. Pin Paducah Estimated drive time: 3 hours, 15 minutes In Paducah, art, history, and riverfront views converge. As a designated UNESCO Creative City for Crafts & Folk Art, Paducah is home to the National Quilt Museum and a lively Lower Town Arts District filled with working studios and galleries. Stroll along the floodwall murals that line the riverwalk, or shop for vintage finds and handcrafted goods in the historic downtown. The town is walkable, colorful, and packed with personality. Pin Mississippi Corinth Estimated drive time: 1.5 hours Visit adorable downtown boutiques and enjoy the symphony and theater. History buffs can explore the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center and the Corinth Contraband Camp, an amazing tribute to the Black community that thrived there during the Civil War. Bonus: Corinth is on the Slugburger Trail, thanks to spots like Borroum's Drug Store, Mississippi's longest continuously open drug store, and THE place to sample this Southern specialty. Pin Oxford Estimated drive time: 1.5 hours A beautiful college town with a lively downtown square, Oxford offers unique shops, including the renowned Square Books and the oldest department store in the South, Neilson's. Literary fans, do not miss the opportunity to visit the historic home of author William Faulkner. Foodies will be in heaven, as the local restaurant scene is outstanding. Vicksburg Estimated drive time: 3 hours, 45 minutes In Vicksburg, you'll find a city steeped in history and Southern charm along the banks of the Mississippi. It is well-known as the site of one of the most pivotal Civil War battles, but modern Vicksburg offers much more. The city is a stop on the Great River Road and the Mississippi Blues Trail, and offers 11 historic homes to tour. It also boasts six museums in a one-mile radius of each other in a quaint downtown that includes the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, where Coke was first bottled in 1894. Pin Tennessee Brownsville Estimated drive time: 1 hour Brownsville is an easy, fun weekend road trip. Nature lovers can explore the untamed beauty of the Hatchie River Basin and Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. Learn more about the legendary Tina Turner at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, and check out her hometown, the nearby Nutbush. Brownsville has a cool little downtown with local restaurants and shopping. Pin Franklin Estimated drive time: 3 hours, 15 minutes Most Memphians enjoy Nashville for a weekend, but lovely little Franklin is only about 30 minutes from the state capital and an excellent spot for those who want the delights of a charming town. Filled with boutique shopping, arts and music, and plenty of good eats, Franklin deserves a place on any list of weekend getaways. In the mood for a leisurely scenic drive? The Natchez Trace Parkway winds nearby. Happy travels! This article contains hotel affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links. ********** For more travel inspiration, visit our archives. About the Author Gaye Swan As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about her home city of Memphis, she's still a Mississippi girl at heart — born and raised in Meridian, MS.
