Goodnewspaper: Issue 04

NEWSPAPER @GOODGOODGOODCO

CELEBRATE GOOD NEWS. BECOME GOOD NEWS.

ISSUE 04

Welcome to the Goodnewspaper.

You are now a part of a global community that celebrates the people, ideas, and movements that are changing the world for the better.

It’s when times are hardest that it’s most important that we shine a light on good news.

Not cheesy stuff. Hope — real hope — no matter how messy it may be.

There’s a lot of good in the world that needs to be celebrated. And we need to be a part of it.

2

H E L LO H E L LO !

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

WHO MAKES THE G O O D N E W S PA P E R ?

Editor-in-Chief Branden Harvey - @brandenharvey Managing Editor & Writer Kailey Thompson - @kaileythompson Art Director Judson Collier - @judsoncollier Community & Communications Lead Kristi Karrenbrock Contributing Writer Sammi Harvey - @sammiharveyco Podcast Producer Chad Michael Snavely - @chad_michael Centerfold Poster Featured Artist Carra Sykes - @carrasykes Comic Artist

A year ago when I launched the Goodnewspaper I didn’t quite

Thousands more of you found out about the Goodnewspaper later on

Adam J. Kurtz - @adamjk

know what I was getting into.

and ordered yourself a copy or subscription.

Brad Montague - @bradmontague

I didn’t yet know the difference between hope and

Teachers bought dozens of copies of the Goodnewspaper for class

optimism (which you can find illustrated by artist Carra Sykes

activities. People brought old copies of the Goodnewspaper to hospi-

in our centerfold poster this issue). I didn’t yet know that in

tals and left them in waiting rooms. I even snuck a half-dozen copies

the last 20 years, the number of people living in extreme pov-

into Speaker of the House Paul Ryan’s office in Washington, D.C.

erty has more than halved (as mentioned on page 12). And

We’ve received countless emails about readers finding new places

I didn’t yet know that thousands of people from across the

to volunteer or to financially support via the Good Bar. And even more

world cared enough about celebrating good news to subscribe

emails about the way the Goodnewspaper has been a meaningful gift

to a Goodnewspaper.

for a loved one going through a difficult time.

I didn’t know much, but I knew I felt overwhelmed by so

This is the final issue of Year 1 of the Goodnewspaper, and I want to

much of what I was seeing happening in the world that I had

say from the bottom of my heart: Thank you. Thank you for investing

to do something. For years I traveled around the world as a

in this idea of the good in the world. It really matters, and it makes a

photographer and storyteller, helping nonprofits and socially

difference in a time where making a difference is so important.

Strategy Consultant Katie Lentile - @katielentile Photography Support Stocksy United - @stocksyunited

We’re looking for an amazing designer and illustrator. Find out more at goodnewspaper.org/jobs •••••••••••••••••

Learn more about the Goodnewspaper and

conscious brands tell their stories — and from that I knew the

And on that note, if you’ve been with us since the begin-

world was filled with people who were creating solutions to

ning, then your subscription expires after this issue. To re-

the problems of the world. I didn’t know all the details yet,

new your subscription at a (very!) discounted rate, please visit

Subscribe to our podcast, “Sounds Good with

but I thought maybe a small team and I could create a space

Goodnewspaper.org/Year2 to continue supporting good news. It

Branden Harvey,” at soundsgoodpodcast.com

where we catalogued people creating solutions — and that

means you keep getting the Goodnewspaper every quarter (Year 2

maybe that space would be safe and energizing enough that it

is going to be AMAZING), and it means you get to help sustain our

could inspire myself and others to roll up our sleeves and join

tiny, hopeful operation.

in to create solutions ourselves.

Keep celebrating good news and becoming good news.

It’s been absolutely incredible to see what’s happened in the year since that happened. More than 1,400 of you said you believed in this idea enough that you supported our Kickstarter.

Thank you.

-BRANDEN HARVEY @BRANDENHARVEY

Good Good Good at goodgoodgood.co

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Get more good news (at a discounted rate) and support this mission by subscribing at Goodnewspaper.org/Year2.

This issue was made possible by the support of 1,439 Kickstarter backers, our loyal subscribers, the people who tag us on Instagram, and generous and impactful advertisers. Thank you! We’re so grateful.

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3

W E ’ V E G OT G O O D N E W S

An Artificial Intelligence System Could Help Block Terrorist Propaganda The internet is a powerful tool. It provides the same capacity for leveraging both good and bad on an international stage. In recent years, terrorist propaganda has posed a challenge for security agencies internationally, but innovation in the tech industry is aiding the fight. The ministerial department that heads security for the United Kingdom partnered with machine learning startup ASI to develop a technology that prevents the spread of terrorist videos.

The artificial intelligence system works by sitting on a website’s backend and automatically detecting terrorist content as it’s uploaded. It’s really, really accurate, too — 99.995 percent accurate to be exact. For every 1 million videos uploaded, only about 50 would require additional human review.

Many major tech companies — including Google and Facebook — have their own advanced AI systems in place that work similarly for their own platforms. These companies have reported the difference it’s made in working to rid their platforms of terrorist content, but smaller companies don’t always have the resources available to integrate the same measures. This project aims to make that same technology available for all platforms, which could mean big wins for small tech companies that want to combat

Medication Works to Help Those Who Experience Depression Fake News Won’t Wreck Fact-Based Reporting

abuse of their platforms by terrorists and their

Depression is one of the most common, distressing, and costly men-

According to the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism,

supporters to incite violence, recruit members,

tal health conditions in adults. According to the World Health Organ-

fake news reaches fewer people than we thought. In one of the

and spread fear.

ization, about 350 million people worldwide experience depression.

first quantifications of fake news in Europe, authors of a study

While there are a variety of coping mechanisms for clinical depres-

the institute published this year found internet users in France

sion including exercise, diet changes, counseling, and medication,

and Italy spend less time on fake news websites than genuine

Japan’s Suicide Rate Is At Its Lowest In 22 Years

not all of these treatments are available to all people because of a lack

sites. Most of the fake news sites in those countries reached less

Japan currently has the second-highest rate of

of resources in some communities. For many people, psychological

than 1 percent of internet users, compared to more than 50 per-

suicide among industrialized nations, but the

interventions — like therapy or counseling — are unavailable or too

cent reached by the most popular news outlet in Italy.

rate has actually shrunk over time. The number

costly, and antidepressants are the only available option. Fortunately,

The lack of reach translates to a lack of site time, too. Main-

of suicides in the country surged in the 1990s

stream news organizations accrued significantly more time

and stayed steadily high for more than a decade

In February, the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet pub-

spent on their stories than fake news outlets. So whilefake news

— the worst being about 34,000 suicides in

lished an intensive study revealing antidepressants are effective. The

did reach some internet users, they actually spent more time

2003. That number has remained below 30,000

major study measured effectiveness of 21 antidepressants and found

on the most popular mainstream news sites — more than

since 2012 and in 2016 reached its lowest rate

that all of them were more effective in treating depression than no

the time spent on the 20 sampled fake news sites combined.

in 22 years at under 22,000 that year.

treatment. While medication isn’t for everyone, it works for those

Fake news certainly poses a challenge to modern journalism,

Since mapping out its first strategy to counteract

who need it. For some, it literally saves lives.

but it won’t thwart it entirely. Fake news simply doesn’t reach

suicide in 2007, the Japanese government has tak-

Depression affects every person differently. If you are experiencing

as many people as fact-based outlets, and where it does find

en a series of steps to lower its high rate of suicide.

depression, work with your doctor and a trusted counselor to find an

an audience, it doesn’t necessarily mean more time spent

Over the last decade, the government has strength-

option that works best for you. You have options — use them.

on the sites.

ened research on the causes of suicide, set up more

they work.

HOW TO FIGHT FAKE NEWS GO OD

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BEST

Play the video game “Bad News.” Your goal in the game is to spread fake news. The idea is that once you’ve seen unethical tactics in the game, you build up resistance.

Fact check articles, stories, and memes before you share them. Snopes, PolitiFact, and FactCheck.org are all wellrespected sites that can help you figure out what’s true.

Support good journalism. Journalists work hard to find and share the truth and are quick to disclose when they’re wrong. Your support fills the world with more real news.

4

W E ’ V E G OT G O O D N E W S

A Bombing Victim Hugged His Attacker In a Display of Reconciliation A man surprised judges and onlookers when he hugged the man standing trial for bombing a Starbucks and nearby department store in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, killing seven people — the worst terror attack in the country for more than a decade.

A traffic policeman named Denny Mahieu was stationed outside of the department store where the 2016 attack occurred. He was severely injured but survived, although he never regained full use of his legs. During trial, Mahieu asked hotlines, held seminars for municipal leaders, and increased sup- along the border that have legalized marijuana use. The

the court for permission to approach Aman Abdurrahman,

port for people who have attempted suicide.

crimes most greatly affected were robberies and homicides.

who prosecutors allege orchestrated the attacks. He then

More than 20 states have implemented laws legaliz-

crossed the room, hugged Abdurrahman, and said, “We’re

Japan still has a ways to go, but it’s encouraging that the

rate has seen improvement. According to a survey the coun- ing and regulating use of medical marijuana. And the leg-

brothers — we’re both Sudanese.”

try released last year, 23.6 of respondents said they had con- islation these states have brought to the table are prov-

The act of reconciliation surprised the panel of judges and

templated suicide, and about half said they hesitate to seek ing to be successful in reducing violent crime related to

Aman, who, according to ABC, smiled awkwardly at the ges-

help. We know that by increasing support for those experi- drug trafficking.

ture. Mahieu’s radical act of reconciliation shows us the free-

encing depression, we can see suicides continue to decrease

dom that can come from both private forgiveness and public

in the country.

fence-mending.

Immigration Is Good for Countries Almost half of Americans say immigrants make crime worse, according to a 2017 Gallup poll. But most studies indicate there’s simply no link between immigration and higher crime. Actually, immigrants are really, really good for countries and might even reduce crime rates.

Immigrant populations in the U.S. have been growing — quickly! — for decades, but the data regarding their link to crime just doesn’t add up. Since 1980, the immigrant

Americans Feel Empowered to Fight Corruption

population in the U.S. increased by 118 percent, while the violent crime rate actually fell by 36 percent. For a

More Americans than ever feel empowered to engage and

large-scale study by The Marshall Project in collabora-

make a difference. In fact, 74 percent of respondents for a

tion with The New York Times, researchers compared

survey the global anti-corruption coalition Transparency

immigration rates with crime rates for 200 metropolitan

International conducted said they believe ordinary Ameri-

areas over the past several decades and found that a large

cans can make a difference in fighting corruption. The most

majority of these areas saw an increase in the immigrant

No matter your thoughts on cannabis use, we have good news effective actions they can take? Voting, reporting corruption,

population but fewer violent crimes. In fact, the 10 areas

for you: Medical marijuana laws have led to a sharp decline and taking direct action apart from voting — such as joining

with the greatest increase in immigrants all had lower

in violent crime in U.S. states bordering Mexico. According a march, sharing on social media, boycotting businesses, or

levels of crime than in 1980.

Legalizing Marijuana Has Lowered Violent Crime Rates

to research published in the peer-reviewed academic journal talking to friends and family.

The Economic Journal, when states along the U.S.-Mexico

The myth that immigration is linked to crime is in-

Young people in particular feel more responsible to engage

accurate at best and dangerous at worst — it’s inspired

border legalized medical marijuana use, homicides related to politically and work to ensure a transparent and just soci-

policy that hurts people and breaks up families. When

the drug trade fell by a staggering 41 percent.

ety and government in the U.S. While 67 percent of Ameri-

we are making decisions that affect people, we have to

Most of the marijuana consumed in the United States can survey respondents 35 years old and younger stated in

get our facts right. And it’s just not true that immigrants

originates in Mexico, where cartels control the drug trade. 2016 they would feel obligated to report corruption if they

bring crime. They revive the economies and cultures in

Now that local American farmers can grow marijuana and witnessed it, that number rose to 79 percent in 2017. By in-

neighborhoods

sell it to dispensaries legally, the cartels get much less busi- creasing a sense of personal responsibility to hold power to

diverse groups of people, we have the capacity for learn-

ness. The effect? Less cartel-related crime. The research in- account, we can collectively ensure a more transparent soci-

ing, forming relationships, and expanding our worldview

dicates violent crime fell on average by 13 percent in states ety in our future.

just a little more.

they

move

to.

Where

we

have

HOW TO SUPPORT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE GO OD

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BEST

To learn more about restorative justice, watch Daniel Reisel’s TED talk: The Neuroscience of Restorative Justice. It dives into the topics of morality and rehabilitation.

Donate to organizations like Peace Alliance, I AM SJK, Prison Fellowship, and NACRJ to support restorative justice being done in the United States and around the world.

Do you need restorative justice? The Restorative Justice Council provides resources and support for victims at restorativejustice.org.uk.

6

SE L F CA R E

a book club, take drum lessons — pursue something that you’re curious about and excited by. By intentionally and regularly pursuing a hobby, you’ll expand your way of seeing the world.

Schedule time with loved ones FaceTime with a long-distance friend, go on a fun adventure with your partner, or invite family over for dinner. Prioritizing connection with others on a regular basis will help increase your capacity to empathize with others and help you feel a stronger sense of self-worth.

Create strict “no phone” zones in your day Choose a time frame each day to put your phone on silent or airplane mode. Whether in the morning, during meal times, or an hour before bed, having a space in your day with no phone to distract you will help you stay focused at tasks at hand and create more space for mindfulness.

Turn off unnecessary notifications It’s no secret that one of the best

10 Ways to Be Proactive In Your Self-Care Routine

By Sammi Harvey

ways to keep yourself on track during a deadline is to turn your phone on airplane mode. What if you eliminated all unnecessary pings and popups in the first place? Experiment with turning

off

frivolous

notifications

While it’s absolutely important to take notice of and celebrate good news, the

Move your body

ultimate goal of this paper is to empower readers to become good news them-

Try running, group exercise classes, at-home yoga,

selves. On occasion, that might look like hopping on an international flight

or even just going on long outdoor walks. Make sure

Fuel your body

to volunteer in a developing country, but most of the time our impact will be

your body is taken care of by taking regular opportuni-

Keep nutritious snacks and water around

made in the cities, hometowns, and small communities where we live.

ties to help it grow strong, manage stress, and release

at the office and in your car. Consider meal

positive endorphins.

planning and prepping before your work

It might look like hosting food drives for hurricane victims, voting in local elections, or fundraising for homeless shelters. But more than that, it will look

this week.

week starts to minimize temptations to

like putting intentionality and care into our everyday actions: voting with your

Make time for personal cleanliness/grooming

dollar by supporting good companies, advocating for vulnerable communities,

Prioritize time to take care of your body — to trim your

or recycling. The list of opportunities goes on and on. And that’s where the im-

nails, get a haircut, or exfoliate and moisturize your

Attend counseling

portance of maintaining a regular, personalized practice of self-care comes in.

skin. Taking time to take care of your physical self will

If you’ve never visited a counselor, there’s

Many people think the idea of self-care is reactive — that if we’re feeling

increase both self-love and self-confidence, ultimately

no better time than the present. Even if

overwhelmed by a bad day we should cancel all plans and just eat ice cream.

creating a higher motivation to make more loving deci-

there is no significant trauma that you’re

“Treat yo self!” says Aziz Ansari’s Tom Haverford of NBC’s hit comedy show

sions for yourself throughout the week.

trying to work through, meeting with a

“Parks & Recreation.”

The best kind of self-care though is proactive. It’s built into an individual’s

Start a gratitude journal

skip meals or eat junk food.

professional counselor can do wonders for helping you become more self-aware and

life in a way that creates sustainability as one continues to prioritize creating

Dedicate a journal solely to keeping log of the good in your

encourage you to reach new levels of per-

stories of good in their day-to-day life. Try out these 10 ways to be proactive in

life, no matter how small or insignificant the good may

sonal growth.

taking care of yourself:

seem. For example: a hot cup of coffee in the morning, sunny weather, or a pleasant interaction with a stranger. Pick

Try meditating

a regular time to make entries, whether every morning or Sunday night right before bedtime. Write about what is

If you’ve never meditated before, the app Headspace is a great place to start.

delighting you and remember to flip through it every so of-

Sammi Harvey is a writer and advocate for

This free app guides you through short meditation practices that train you

ten — it’ll be like your own personal Goodnewspaper.

self-care living in Nashville, Tennessee.

how to become more self-aware. Not ready to jump in just yet? Start by just

You can follow her on Instagram where she

creating moments of silence in your day as you enjoy your coffee or take a

Pursue a hobby you enjoy

shower in the morning — it can go a long way to creating more mindfulness

Put something in your daily schedule that you can regu-

her dog child, Poptart.

in your day.

larly look forward to. Take a coffee brewing class, start

@sammiharveyco | sammiharvey.co

shares about reading, mental health, and

7

GAME CHANGERS

Renewable energy is an envi-

lower cost for consumers in the coming

ronmentally conscious choice,

years. The best wind and solar projects

but it might soon make the most

could even end up costing half their fossil

economic sense, too. Fossil fuels

fuel counterparts. Plus, global competition

aren’t sustainable, and they’re

helps to spread the very best development

bad for our air, water, health, not

practices, reducing risk and making re-

to mention for the health of our

newable energy more cost-effective than

planet. According to a recent re-

ever before.

port from the International Re-

“If the stuff you’re building to generate

newable Energy Agency, the trend

electricity costs less, the end effect of that

toward green energy is rapidly

is having to pay less for the electricity that

growing. Some renewable energy

comes from it,” Jonathan Marshall, energy

infrastructures currently com-

analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelli-

pete with the cost of fossil fuels,

gence Unit, told U.K.-based news organiza-

and experts who wrote the report

tion The Independent.

state that all renewable energy

The global economy is paving a way for

technologies will fall within the

renewable energy to take the lead. With the

same cost range as fossil fuel-

support of politicians, businesses, and con-

powered technology by 2020.

sumers, the use of unsustainable fossil fuels

Many will fall at the lower end of

for energy might soon be a thing of the past.

the cost range or will even beat

Renewable Energy Might Soon Be Cheaper Than Fossil Fuels

the cost of fossil fuels.

“Renewable energy is now the solution for countries looking to support economic

The report dug into the relative

growth and job creation, just as it is for those

cost of new energy projects and

seeking to limit carbon emissions, expand

found that investment in green

energy access, reduce air pollution and im-

energy and continuous techno-

prove energy security,” said IRENA director-

logical advances will translate to

general Adnan Z. Amin in a press release.

Parkland Students Point to Chicago Students’ Experience The students of Stoneman Douglas High School in Park-

March, the students from Parkland met with high school

land, Florida have found themselves at the center of a na-

students from Chicago to discuss gun violence and its ef-

tional conversation about guns after the Feb. 14 mass shoot-

fects on their communities. The Parkland students are us-

ing that claimed 17 lives at their high school. These students

ing their newfound national platforms to join in on and

grasped national attention for their very public calls for gun

highlight the work that black students in Chicago have been

control reform. But they want to leverage the work of those

leading for years.

who have been working long before them to imagine and create a world without gun violence.

“Those who face gun violence on a level that we have only just glimpsed from our gated communities have never had

“Young black people have been fighting to save lives through gun reform laws for years without the support and energy given to the Stoneman Douglas students,” wrote Teen Vogue columnist Lincoln Anthony Blades.

their voices heard in their entire lives the way that we have

The activism these students have inspired has gone na-

in these few weeks alone,” tweeted Emma González, a stu-

tionwide. Thousands of people turned up to the student-led

dent activist from the Florida high school.

March for Our Lives demonstration in March. There were

The Parkland students acknowledge it’s tragic that their

more than 800 events all around the country full of people

Florida community was forced to recken with the reality

calling for a solution to gun violence. Young people tend

of gun violence unexpectedly and abruptly, while gun vio-

to be the least politically engaged, but this was among the

lence is simply nothing new for other communities. In early

largest student-led protests since the Vietnam War era.

HOW TO SUPPORT COMMON SENSE GUN REFORM AROUND THE UNITED STATES GO OD

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Have a genuine conversation about guns with the people in your life. 90 percent of Americans are in favor of common sense gun reform. We have more in common than we think.

Donate to Everytown, an organization of 4+ million moms, survivors, cops, teachers, gun owners, and everyday Americans working to make their communities safer.

Use callyourrep.co to easily call your elected representatives’ offices. Tell them a little bit about yourself and why you personally care about decreasing gun violence.

8

HOPEFUL TRENDS

13 Percent of People Believe We Can Eliminate Extreme Poverty By the Year 2030

In the last 20 years, the number of people living in extreme poverty has more than halved, but people are generally pessimistic about the possibility of eradicating poverty for good. Most people just don’t know how much progress we’ve made worldwide — a whopping 87 percent of people from 24 countries believe poverty has increased or stayed the same and see it as highly unlikely we can eradicate global poverty by 2030.

We want to celebrate the 13 percent of people who think it’s possible to end poverty for good by 2030. And it turns out this minority has a distinct profile: millennials who occupy positions of influence.

We all have the opportunity to be people of influence — to step up and choose to influence the people around us by increasing knowledge about the progress already made and opportunities to engage to end poverty for good.

HOW TO FIGHT POVERTY GO OD

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BEST

Read past issues of the Goodnewspaper to better understand and be encouraged by the good news of how poverty has rapidly decreased.

Bill Gates says chickens are the secret to ending poverty. He’s not wrong. Donating a chicken via Heifer Intl. is a great way to provide food and income to women.

Ask your elected official to support increased funding for foreign assistance. Government spending on fighting poverty is vital and truly moves the needle.

#GOODNEWSPAPER

@GOODGOODGOODCO

H O P E I N N O R T H KO R E A

Secrecy. Control. Dictatorship. Is

million people,” Song says. “Often-

political prison camps, where many North Koreans are sent

that what comes to mind when you

times [the] North Korean govern-

without any due process for any type of political dissent or

think of North Korea? You aren’t

ment is portrayed as being vilified or

hostility toward the government — sometimes multiple genera-

wrong to think this — the North Ko-

as being dangerous, and the people …

tions of a family are sent to these camps for the crime of just one

rean government makes it a top pri-

get lumped up into that.”

family member.

ority to make certain you think this.

We don’t often hear anything

Amnesty International estimates that, based on satellite im-

But what about the people of North

about the people. It’s on purpose.

agery, about 200,000 people are held in six large political prison

Korea? What about refugee issues?

And the problem with excluding the

camps in the country. We have more information now than we

Or human rights issues? Or simply

North Korean people from the nar-

used to because of the thousands of North Korean defectors

the everyday lives of the 25 million

rative is that the less humanity we

who have managed to escape in the last 10 to 20 years. And

people living in the country?

can associate with North Korea, the

their testimony tells a grave story of human rights violations.

“The general understanding of the

less we’re compelled to change the

No freedom of movement. No freedom of religion. No access to

American public when it comes to

injustices occurring there. It seems

information. Enslavement, rape, torture, forced abortions and

North Korea is very heavily shaped

like a lost cause. But it’s not true —

other acts of sexual violence, starvation, and even murder.

and portrayed by what we see in the

there’s so much we can do.

media. … It’s oftentimes about the nuclear and the security issues,” says Hannah Song, president and

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTH KOREA?

CEO of Liberty in North Korea, an

There’s a lot we don’t know about

organization that rescues North Ko-

what’s going on in North Korea. The

rean refugees.

government goes to great lengths to

These are all crimes committed by a government on its own people.

“One of the biggest travesties that we see here is honestly that this is decades of human potential that’s been lost in North Korea because the government has prioritized absolute control above all else,” Song says.

“The North Korean people have

display a carefully crafted image to

THERE’S REASON TO HOPE

been missing from this narrative for

the international community. We

Despite the terrible atrocities we have learned take place in the

so long, which is kind of crazy when

have very little opportunity to con-

country from the defectors who have escaped it, there is reason

you think about it because of the fact

tact anyone inside the country. We

to have hope for North Korea. Why? Because there are 25 mil-

that North Korea is a country of 25

don’t have a way to sneak a peek at

lion people in the country not only facing incredible challenges

12

“This is decades of human potential that’s been lost … because the government has prioritized absolute control above all else.”

13

but overcoming them.

It’s happening at a grassroots level. In the 1990s, as many

H O P E I N N O R T H KO R E A

you want to travel to a few towns over, you could bribe an official and get the paperwork that you need to be able to do that.”

as 420,000 North Koreans died because of a severe famine

Like most things involving people, it’s complicated. But the people in

in the country. The government was incapable of eradicat-

North Korea are finding both subtle and blatant ways to subvert the in-

ing the famine, so the people took it into their own hands and

justices they face.

developed a widespread — and illegal — black market system.

“While there’s no organized political resistance really inside the coun-

The creation of these markets was a turning point because

vdisobedience that we see happening across the board with the North

the North Korean people began to find and create ways to

Korean people,” Song says.

survive on their own. They couldn’t rely on the government

For one, there’s a sense of shared disobedience, especially among young

but came to rely on the markets to get what they needed. The

people. The millennial generation living in North Korea grew up with lit-

result, unsurprisingly, was a sense of empowerment, which

tle to no experience or memory of the government providing for them,

led to a series of social changes we still see unfolding today.

much unlike their parents’ generation. These young people’s experience

According to Song, there are three major social changes we can point to:

is largely of getting what they need through the black markets instead of from the state. As a result, the younger generation — called the Jangma-

• There’s a sort of de facto capitalism thriving within these

dang or “market” generation — has less sense of loyalty and reverence for

markets that the government reluctantly tolerates despite

the government. Song says these younger North Koreans are much more

officially maintaining a socialist economy.

curious and tolerant to risk.

• North Koreans are experiencing an influx of informa-

On top of the subtle ways North Koreans uncover the taste of freedom

tion from the outside world through DVDs and other me-

within the country, more than 30,000 people have escaped the country.

dia materials. These materials are opening their eyes to

These defectors now have the opportunity to be agents of change for the

the reality of what’s happening both within and outside of

country they escaped and the people they left behind.

the country.

Research indicates that about 50 percent of defectors actually re-es-

• And strangely enough, one of the things we can be most

tablish contact with their family inside North Korea. Of course, it’s not as

hopeful about in North Korea is the rampant corruption.

simple as picking up the phone and making an international phone call. It

“It’s sort of a double-edged sword,” Song says. “What cor-

takes a covert network and smuggled cell phones to reach family, but it’s

ruption has done has actually allowed some relative free-

worth it because defectors are able to send money back home through un-

dom. If you have the ability to bribe an official, you could

derground brokers who deliver remittances directly to family members

find yourself getting out of a sticky situation where per-

inside the country, usually anywhere from $1,000–15,000 at one time.

haps you were caught with this illegal piece of media or you were caught with this illegal Chinese cell phone or if

The average income in North Korea is just over $1,100 USD annually, so even $1,000 is substantial spending potential.

“North Koreans are just like us. … Their hopes and dreams for the future are very often the same as the hopes and dreams that we have for ourselves.”

14

H O P E I N N O R T H KO R E A

“[The money] empowers family members in North Korea to engage in market activities, to invest in their own market activities, to bribe officials, to protect themselves, to provide themselves with goods that they need,” Song says.

THE PATH TO FREEDOM The path to leaving North Korea is, unsurprisingly, not easy.

In many ways, it’s like a modern-day underground railroad, Song says. It’s dangerous and lengthy — 3,000 miles by train, bus, car, and in large part by foot, all done covertly because if caught, escapees could be sent back to North Korea to face serious punishment. Even if they make it to China, North Koreans still face danger because the Chinese government arrests and forcibly repatriates refugees. Even if they evade arrest in China, they still face hardship because their illegal status makes them vulnerable to sex trafficking and exploitative employers since they can’t be in the public eye.

Liberty in North Korea steps in at that point to help North Korean refugees out of China. The organization operates largely by referrals received from North Koreans they’ve already helped escape who now want to help bring their families out. The organization has a network of partners they work with in China and southeast Asia plus their own staff who helps defectors complete the last leg of their journey once they make it to China.

“When we meet them at the very tail-end of this journey, and they finally make it to southeast Asia, and we’re able to meet them and welcome them and say, ‘you are safe,’ there’s nothing like it,” Song says. “Just the mix of emotions and just the opportunity for them to really breathe a sigh of relief and for the first time to feel safe and to really begin to dream and imagine their future.”

The work organizations like Liberty in North Korea do is

There are plenty of ordinary North Koreans living behind

to create a day when the North Korean people can achieve

that curtain. This narrative is dangerous because it keeps the

their own liberty, Song says. And it has to come from the peo-

world from engaging with some of the greatest human rights

ple themselves because the people are the best solution.

injustices in the world today. The repression North Koreans

For many North Koreans, finding freedom is about creating

experience is atrocious and deserves far more international

a better future for themselves and for their families. And when

attention and support than it’s received. Hope for North Ko-

it comes to the narrative of North Korea, despite the media im-

rea all starts with shifting the narrative.

ages we see of nuclear threats, security issues, and repressive

The North Korean people have shown extraordinary resil-

government plus the accompanying feelings of fear or defeat,

ience and are uniquely positioned to create lasting change for

we can’t forget that it all comes back to the people and collec-

the country because they now have more room for possibili-

tively working toward good for those people.

ties and perspectives than ever before. Their access to in-

“North Koreans are just like us,” Song says. “Their hopes

formation is ever-growing, all weakening the regime. Lib-

and dreams for the future are very often the same as the

erty in North Korea believes the North Korean people will

hopes and dreams that we have for ourselves.”

achieve liberty in our lifetime. For those outside of North

LET’S CHANGE THE NARRATIVE The neatly crafted narrative we hear about North Korea isn’t

HOW TO FIND AND SUPPORT LIBERTY IN NORTH KOREA: @libertyinnk on Twitter @libertyinnorthkorea on Instagram libertyinnorthkorea.org LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST SERIES ON NORTH KOREA: soundsgoodpodcast.com/northkorea

Korea, we can accelerate change by working to pivot the conversation toward the people. For people and their ability to achieve their full potential, it’s always worth fighting.

true — it’s not all nuclear weapons and military uniforms.

HOW TO EMPOWER THE PEOPLE OF NORTH KOREA FOR GOOD GO OD

BET TER

BEST

When you hear harmful rhetoric about North Korea from media or leaders, remind yourself and others of the difference between the government and its oppressed citizens.

Donate to Liberty in North Korea. Your generous donation will make rescues possible and impact the lives of the North Korean people.

Start your own fundraiser to rescue North Korean refugees at refugeerescues.org. You’ll change the life of a refugee and educate your community about the need.

15

GAME CHANGERS

New Media Gives Hope to the Future of Representation Representation in media is having a moment.

to see full, expansive, complicated characters that look and act

Filmmakers and TV execs alike have awkwardly

and talk and experience the full breadth of life like the very

stumbled through figuring out what it means

real and richly diverse people in the world.

now that consumers demand to see more of

That’s why media like Queer Eye and Black Panther are get-

themselves on the screen, and there have cer-

ting something right. Black Panther is the first major cinemat-

tainly been hiccups over the years. But we’re

ic feature of its kind with black actors at the forefront — and it

getting closer.

got everyone talking about the enormous cultural significance

A researcher from Indiana University co-au-

of a superhero movie centered on blackness. The film avoided

thored a study published in 2012 that focused on

topics usually included in media representations of the black

the effect of television on self-esteem. The study, fo-

experience, instead placing an entirely different, powerful, and

cused on children, indicated that TV made subjects

unapologetic narrative on the big screen. In the film’s opening

feel good about themselves — if the subjects were

weekend, 37 percent of audience members were black. That

white boys. Girls and children of color reported they

number usually sits at 15 percent for superhero films.

had lower self-esteem after watching.

And the reboot of the makeover show Queer Eye is making

And this matters. Researchers George Gerbner

resistance approachable and bite-sized. We’re seeing toxic

and Larry Gross wrote it best in a 1976 paper they

masculinity reframed and challenged, self-care celebrated,

published: “Representation in the fictional world

and racism and LGBT prejudice denounced, all neatly tied up

signifies social existence; absence means sym-

in hour-long quirky, funny, light-hearted episodes designed to

bolic annihilation.”

make you feel good.

Tropes don’t count. One-dimensional versions

These shows are important because they signal a conse-

of people don’t count. Tokens and generaliza-

quential shift in what representation in media means. The

tions don’t count. These watered-down versions

nerdy Asian student and friendly black best friend aren’t good

of real people add up over time, telling viewers: I

enough. We all need a turn at the head of the table. And for too

don’t matter. Or even: They don’t matter. We need

long, too many people haven’t even had a seat.

There’s A Simple Way to Eradicate A Parasite Keeping Thousands of People in Uganda From Walking

An organization in Uganda is working to eradi-

embracing the fight against the parasite in Ugan-

cate a tiny parasite that’s keeping thousands of

da head-on. The procedure is simple: A healthcare

people from going to school, playing, working,

provider opens the skin with a sharp razor and re-

and even walking. The parasite, called jiggers,

moves the egg sack. This quick step is repeated

starts so small that it’s almost invisible but bur-

hundreds of times until a person’s body is jigger-

rows into a person’s foot and latches onto blood

free. Once the wounds heal, Sole Hope fits the per-

vessels. In just days it grows up to 1,000 times

son for shoes.

its original size and lays eggs, eventually lead-

While amazing that jiggers are so simple to

ing to even more jiggers. It causes pain, itching,

treat, there’s a lot more to addressing jigger in-

and infection.

festations: education, clean water, removal sup-

Worst of all, many people who have them are

plies, wound care, sanitation, shoes, and more. By

outcasted because they’re seen as “bewitched”

partnering with and educating communities on

with a “curse” upon the body. The affected peo-

what jiggers are and how to live a jigger-free life,

ple who believe this often wait to die instead of

lives can be transformed. Organizations like Sole

trying to remove the parasites. It’s a widespread

Hope employ Ugandans and partner with patients

and prominent challenge in areas of Uganda

to provide sustainable jobs, knowing that when

that have poor hygienic conditions, where the

families are positively affected, communities

flea-looking parasites thrive. But the problem

become stronger. Fighting a treatable condition

has a simple solution.

transforms communities: Children can return to

Jiggers can be treated by removing them

school and play, adults can return to work, and

through a simple procedure and using topical

most importantly, affected people can do some-

medication. An organization called Sole Hope is

thing as simple as walking again.

HOW TO SUPPORT MORE REPRESENTATION IN MEDIA GO OD

BET TER

BEST

Use your voice. When you see a trailer for a movie or show that isn’t representative enough, tweet about it. Make your voice heard. Demanding change is the first step.

Vote with your dollar. Go see movies with great representation in theaters. Buy books that are filled with diverse characters. This allows more similar media to be made.

Work for representation in your life whether or not you work in media. Hire people from marginalized communities, trust their perspectives, and amplify their voices.

17

GO OD QU E ST ION S

Good

you

learn

topics

that

Here we also have our classified ads — but instead

matter to you. You can submit a question

of jobs and apartments, we’re listing what our gen-

at goodnewspaper.org/goodquestions or tweet us your

erous Kickstarter backers care to have printed here.

more

Questions good

I’ve been reading articles about echo chambers in our media. What are some ways to break out of my bubble and interact more with people whose experiences are different than mine? —Chad M. GOOD EXTENSION

is

stuff

here

to

about

help the

question at @goodgoodgoodco.

I’m a mom, and I want to raise my kids to be empathetic, globally conscious, and, ultimately, to make a difference in the world. Any tools for helping along the way?

—Catherine P.

Escape Your Bubble — This Chrome browser extension helps people better

GOOD WATCH “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” — If you’ve been a subscriber to the

understand the arguments of their political opponents. It replaces Face-

Goodnewspaper for very long at all, you know that we deeply admire

book ads with content that challenges your worldview.

Fred Rogers. His iconic show is an incredible tool for building empathy.

GOOD FOLLOW

GOOD SUBSCRIPTION

Follow people who don’t look like you. Start looking for people of a differ-

Little Passports — This award-winning subscription service will leave

ent gender, ethnicity, and whose life experiences don’t look like yours. Start

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inspire and empower kids to learn about the world through fun activities.

GOOD FORUM Change My View — This Reddit subreddit is a place to post an opinion you

GOOD READ

accept may be flawed in an effort to understand other perspectives on the

“A Little Radical: The ABCs of Activism” — This children’s book by Jason

issue. Enter with a mindset for conversation, not debate.

and Danica Russell from Invisible Children is a fantastic tool for teaching kids how to make the world a better place.

I’ve always loved exploring new places. I’d love to learn how to be a better traveler — and on top of that, I’d love to learn how to make my travels make a difference. —Kendall W. GOOD SITE

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counteract this impact by buying carbon offsets.

Thank you to our generous Kickstarter backers!

GOOD CLASSIFIEDS

“Keep Still” - a solo exhibition by Heather Day. Opening reception on May 5th, 2018 from 6-9pm at Hashimoto Contemporary. The exhibition is open to the public May 5th through May 28th in San Francisco. heatherday.com

We Welcome Refugees has become a guide for so many people interested in helping refugees. Check them out at wewelcomerefugees.com #WeChooseWelcome

Everyone please look at my Dud’s photography @mchltckr and mchltckr.com —Love from Michael’s Dogter Maggie Mags p.s. Also, shoutout to Poptart

This one is for the dreamers and doers. We need you to be you, to lead and to work and to believe and to hope for a better world. We here at The Weller Society believe in you and are behind you. Keep up the good work, friends.

Hi friends! I share one full design workday per quarter with non-profits, pro bono. I would love for you to be next! More info: bethanybauman.com/nonprofit

Check out my favorite online shop: Chipper Things. It’s filled with beautifully designed optimistic objects that always make me happy.

18

GOOD FUN

GOOD FUN! GOOD COMIC

This is the Goodnewspaper’s Good Fun section,

newspaper!), and of course, what newspaper would

where you can take a break from all the good news to

be complete without a comic? Sunday morning cof-

have a little (more!) good fun.

fee (or chocolate milk not included.

See if you know all the answers to our Good

Take a seat, grab a pen, and get to having some

Crossword (all the answers can be found in this

good fun.

Find the answers to the crossword at goodnewspaper.org/crossword

GOOD CROSSWORD DOWN

AC ROSS

1. According to Transparency International, Americans feel empowered to fight what?

4. Renewable energy might soon be cheaper than what?

2. The common abbreviation artificial intelligence

for

3. _____ is important in media because it shapes who we are, who we aspire to be, and how we view the world around us.

10. Denny Mahieu, a policeman who showed an act of reconciliation toward the man who took his ability to walk, is from which country?

5. This parasite is almost invisible and is keeping thousands of people from going to school, playing, working, and even walking.

6. One of the most common, distressing, and costly mental health conditions in adults 7. The president and CEO of Liberty in North Korea, an organization that rescues North Korean refugees 8. _____ justice is a system of criminal justice that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large.

9. Issue 04’s centerfold poster quote centers around hope and _____.

11. The North Korean market generation 12. In order to reach safety in South Korea, most North Korean refugees must first pass through which country?

Excerpt from Adam J. Kurtz’ book “Things Are What You Make of Them”

From our best pal, Brad Montague. Follow him on Instagram @bradmontague

NEVER STOP CELEBRATING GOOD NEWS HERE COMES ANOTHER YEAR OF GOOD NEWS!

If you haven’t already, subscribe to Year 2 of the Goodnewspaper to keep the good news flowing straight into your mailbox.

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