COVER - Yasmine Aker - Canaries In The Coal Mine

Iranian actress Yasmine Aker is capturing hearts on screen and beyond the camera's lens. Motivated by her humanitarian spirit, she uses her platform to spotlight issues near and dear to her heart. Yasmine takes on societal challenges and embraces the meaning of advocacy by spotlighting mental health awareness while standing up for LGBTQ+ rights and women's empowerment. Beyond her roles on screen, she provides a glimpse into the beauty of her Iranian heritage by taking on the role of a cultural representative in the industry and spreading a message of understanding. To learn more about Yasmine Aker, and all her activism, please read on!

Damien D. Smith - The "Directorial" Force to be Reckoned With

Damien D Smith is a multi-talented artist, actor, director, and activist who uses his art form to create awareness and initiate conversations around a range of social issues. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and has dedicated his life to making a difference in the lives of those who are historically underserved and undervalued. His work has been widely acclaimed and awarded due to his dedication to sparking awareness on human rights. His award-winning directorial projects, are Target: St. Louis, Detangling The South, and Free To Be Free. These projects have been widely acclaimed and awarded, and have made a huge impact on the world. Jejune is excited to put Damien D. Smith on your radar and explore his inspiring commitment to making the world a better place.

Editor's Pick, Art, zIssue 48Jessica MoraMarch 24, 2023Actor, Director, writer, artist, human rights, advocateComment

What does the future look like for Afghan women?

Under the new Taliban rule, Afghan women now face a harsh new reality which may erase two decades of hard work seemingly overnight. To truly understand the extent of this issue, we need to be educated on their progress and the people who are threatening it.

Into the Hidden Dangerous World with George Gittoes

You definitely don’t want to miss out on George Gittoes! No one is more daring and adventurous than him. The Australian native is not only an artist and photographer, he’s also a filmmaker. Gittoes has spent over 25 years witnessing life-changing moments in some of the most notorious places in the world. Despite the uncountable encountered dangers, he continues to strap on filming equipment and goes into battlefields to fight for justice and equality. The talented director and his lovely wife, Hellen Rose, have brought positive social change and shun light on the local community through a non-profit they founded, The Yellow House. Come with Jejune to understand more about his experience in the hidden dangerous world and the impact his artwork has brought to the world with our exclusive interview below.

What is happening in Nigeria?

There have been a series of protests against “SARS” (Special Anti-robbery Squad) and the Nigerian Police Force. SARS was initially started as a targeted task force to prevent motor robbery, cattle rustling kidnapping, and firearm thief. However, SARS has abused their power by attacking, beating, murdering, torturing, and extorting citizens of Nigeria. These violent acts have triggered the #ENDSARS movement. This ongoing campaign wants to bring attention to the violation of human rights through demonstrations and protests. The Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari had disbanded SARS on October 11th, 2020. However, the fight remains because SARS has been “reformed” and re-badged various times over the years, specifically taking on a new name “SWAT” (Special Weapons and Tactics Unit) or “FSARS” (Federal Special Anti-Robbery Unit).

Articles, zIssue 26SAMANTHA COLÓNNovember 4, 2020human rights, protests, endsars, police brutality, police reform, donate, Nigeria, learn, education, #helpComment

Robert Eberle Has Had Enough

Robert Eberle, Long Island, New York native and musician, has had Enough. Like many of us, he has been watching the mounting issues with police brutality towards the Black population with anger and frustration. Taking to his craft, Robert teamed up with Versa the Band and Don Da Menace to help get the message out that this is Enough and things need to change. Please read our exclusive interview below with Robert Eberle.

Reunited, Ebony Buckle's Fight For Immigration

The debate on immigration is riddled with controversy and divisiveness, yet distinctively universal. In America, we commonly think of the debate of immigration being associated with illegal immigration through the influx of aliens via the U.S. southern border. The UK faces a similar discussion. Those in favor of loosening stringent migration standards argue that countries can benefit from a greater cultural diversity, flexible labour markets, and a solution to aging populations. Those in favor of more secure borders often state free borders can result in lower wages for unskilled workers, overpopulation, and a negative impact on GDP per capita. With all said, it seems that like most political debates, an agreeable consensus seems distant. However, despite this, what remains true are the families and individuals suffering through the process.

UK artist Ebony Buckle experienced the impacts of tight UK immigration laws first hand. Her new single “Ghost” chronicles her plight with immigration when her marriage visa was refused shortly after her wedding, resulting in a two year separation from her husband. This experience inspired her to partner with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) to help fight for Asylum Seekers’ rights and provide legal support, food, medical support and more. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about Ebony Buckle.

Art, zIssue 25Jejune ContributorAugust 4, 2020music, musician, singer, singer song writer, #singer, Immigration, immigrant, covid-19, humanity, human right, human rightsComment

Elizabeth Cline, Benita Robledo, Rachael Wang, and Lauren Fay Fight For The Garment Workers

We are talking a lot about how fashion brands are being affected by COVID-19, but what of their workers? Factories around the globe have been closed down and orders are being cancelled and unpaid for. If garment workers are still working it is to make masks, and they are often not given PPE. What can be done? How can we help? Learn more here.

Lawful

Everything happening at the border between the United States and Mexico is legal.

For over two years, I had been working to claw back money from financial crimes done against the government. As a seemingly interminable case finally seemed to be winding down, word had come in that my next assignment, until at least November, would be assisting ICE…

Praneet Akilla Stands For Equality

Praneet Akilla, known for his work on Netflix original series October Faction has had a steady ascension into the spotlight. Born in Mumbai, India and raised in Calgary, Alberta Canada, Praneet developed his taste for performance art and storytelling. His acting specialization originated in the theatre with his earliest role as Aladdin in his middle school play. During his college years, Praneet participated in community theatre productions including Iceland (Theatre Calgary), Coriolanus (Bard on The Beach), The Orchard (Arts Club), and many more.

Praneet’s ambitions extend to local and international scale social issues. Praneet is an avid supporter of his local food banks and Plan International’s Because I am a Girl program, a campaign designed to remedy the issue of gender discrimination around the world and bring them out of poverty. Please read more to learn about Praneet and his work.

Karen Strassman Is A Voice For The Homeless and Trafficked

Actress and voice actress, Karen Strassman, uses her voice for good and evil on the screen, but entirely for good offscreen, as she works with and advocates for homeless and human trafficked youth in Los Angeles. To learn more about this passionate woman and her powerful work, please read our exclusive interview here.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 17Jejune ContributorDecember 11, 2019actress, #actress, homeless, activist, activism, Actor, human rights, socially aware, Art, art, artist, #artistComment

TONA Paints Everywhere

Street art is powerful for so many reasons, it completely changes its surroundings, it is undeniable, and it is free. A street artist can do whatever he or she wants. They put their message out for the world and the world cannot do anything about it buy see it, well, and maybe paint over it.. But there is a lot of power to this freedom. TONA takes advantage of this with his powerful paintings of children that he has painted all over the world and his partnership with Viva con Agua. Please read Jejune’s exclusive interview here.

Art, Reviewed, zIssue 14Jejeune MagazineSeptember 16, 2019Art, street art, paintings, children, clean water, sustainable, water is life, human right, human rightsComment