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My 2025 Reading List (aka: Books That Rewired My Brain)

January 1, 2026 WLeave a comment

2025 was a “multiple tabs open” kind of year. This reading stack is the stuff that kept me grounded, suspicious of hustle-culture, allergic to propaganda, and still soft enough to believe humans can be better than the systems we’re trapped in.

The image says it all: me in a bookstore-library maze, sitting at a piano, surrounded by stories and ideas like they’re sheet music. That’s basically my whole philosophy in one frame. Reading is how I tune my mind back to the right key—especially when the world is loud, cruel, and trying to sell you distraction as destiny.

Below is my 2025 list based on the covers in the collage—what each book gave me, and why it mattered.

1) The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt

This book is a huge cultural Rorschach test. Haidt argues we’ve shifted from a “play-based childhood” to a “phone-based childhood,” and that it’s tied to rising youth anxiety and depression. Wikipedia+1

What I took from it wasn’t “phones bad, throw them in the river like a cursed ring.” It was the bigger point: design matters. If an environment is engineered to hijack attention, then pretending it’s just “personal responsibility” is lazy. That said, the science and causality claims are actively debated—Candice Odgers’ review in Nature argues the book overstates what the evidence can support, and The Guardian summarized similar critiques. Nature+2Psychological Effects of the Internet+2

My 2025 vibe: take the parts about childhood freedom, sleep, and community seriously—without turning it into a moral panic that ignores poverty, racism, trauma, and all the other very real drivers of mental distress.

2) Rework — Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson

This is the anti-hustle manifesto for people who are tired of business bros talking like they invented breathing. The core idea: you don’t need endless meetings, performative scaling, or stress as a personality to build something real. Google Books+1

For me, Rework lands because it treats calm as competence. That’s radical in a culture that mistakes exhaustion for virtue.

3) It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work — Fried & Hansson

Same authors, more focused punch: stop worshipping “crazy” and start building workplaces that don’t chew people up for productivity optics. Even the publisher description basically says: celebrate calm, not chaos. Amazon+1

If you’re organizing, building projects, running campaigns, or just trying to survive capitalism with your soul intact—this one is a needed reset.

4) Utopia for Realists — Rutger Bregman

UBI (universal basic income), shorter workweeks, open borders—the book is basically Bregman saying: “your imagination has been privatized; let’s steal it back.” Wikipedia+1

What I respect is the insistence that “realism” doesn’t mean accepting cruelty as policy. It means asking what’s possible if we stop treating human suffering as a budget line item.

5) Humankind: A Hopeful History — Rutger Bregman

This one pairs perfectly with Utopia for Realists. Bregman argues that humans are more cooperative—and more shaped by context—than the cynical “people are trash” narrative suggests. Hachette Book Group+1

And look, I’m not naïve. The world provides receipts every day. But cynicism is also a scam: it makes people easier to govern and harder to mobilize. This book is an antidote to that.

6) Freedom: The Case for Open Borders — Joss Sheldon

Open borders is one of those ideas that gets dismissed as “too extreme” mostly because we’ve normalized the extreme violence of borders. This book makes a full-spectrum argument—historical, economic, cultural, philosophical—for freer movement. It was published in 2024, so it’s a newer addition to this conversation. Amazon+1

For Dearborn—and for anyone living diaspora life—this hits differently. When your community’s story includes migration, exile, and paperwork as fate, “freedom of movement” stops being abstract. It becomes personal.

7) Anti-Intellectualism in American Life — Richard Hofstadter

Published in 1963 and winner of the 1964 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, this book traces America’s long tradition of distrusting expertise, thought, and learning—especially when it challenges power. Wikipedia+1

Reading this in 2025 felt like watching an origin story for the current era: conspiracies, anti-science culture wars, loud confidence with zero homework. Hofstadter doesn’t just drag people—he explains the social conditions that make anti-intellectualism feel comforting.

8) The Power of Moments — Chip Heath & Dan Heath

This book explores why certain experiences become “defining moments,” and how we can design moments that create meaning—at work, in community, in life. Heath Brothers+2Simon & Schuster+2

I read it like an organizer: movements aren’t only built on strategy; they’re built on memory. People stay involved because of moments where they felt seen, brave, connected, and useful. That’s not sentimental. That’s logistics for the human heart.

9) The Art of Gathering — Priya Parker

Parker argues that most gatherings are bland because we don’t design them with intention—and she offers a practical way to make coming together meaningful again. Priya Parker+1

This is quietly political. “How we gather” shapes “what we become.” A strong community doesn’t happen by accident; it’s built—like infrastructure, like habit, like love.

10) The Hand — Frank R. Wilson

Published in 1998, The Hand digs into how the evolution and use of our hands shaped the brain, creativity, language—basically: civilization is a craft project. PenguinRandomhouse.com+1

I love books like this because they pull you out of doomscroll reality and remind you: humans make things. We’re not only consumers of chaos; we’re builders of meaning.

Bonus classics and roots

The Old Man and the Sea — Ernest Hemingway

A 1952 novella about an aging fisherman’s struggle with a giant marlin; it won the 1953 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Wikipedia
This is one of the cleanest stories ever written about dignity, stubbornness, and what it means to keep going when life is actively disrespecting you.

عصارة الزمن: سيرة ومسيرة — الدكتور نسيب فواز

The Arabic memoir in the collage appears to be “عصارة الزمن: سيرة ومسيرة” by Dr. نسيب فواز—a life-and-journey story tied to Lebanese diaspora life (including community visibility in Michigan). Al Binaa+2halasour \ هلا صور+2
This one matters to me because our communities aren’t just “immigrant success stories.” We’re archives. We’re memory. We’re proof that identity survives distance.

The through-line (because yes, I noticed the pattern)

This list is basically three rebellions in book form:

Rebellion against distraction (Anxious Generation, Power of Moments)
Rebellion against burnout (Rework, Crazy at Work)
Rebellion against cruelty as “policy” (Utopia for Realists, Freedom, Humankind)

And then Hofstadter shows up like: “Also, your country has a long-standing allergy to thinking, good luck.” Fair.

Disclaimer: This is a personal reading list and commentary, not mental health, legal, or financial advice. Book interpretations are subjective, and editions/titles may vary by region.

Sources / book references (for factual details)

The Anxious Generation — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Anxious_Generation
Nature review (Odgers) — https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00902-2
The Guardian critique roundup — https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/apr/27/anxious-generation-jonathan-haidt

Rework (Google Books) — https://books.google.com/books/about/Rework.html?id=3oSoqGOmI4sC
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work (37signals) — https://37signals.com/podcast/it-doesnt-have-to-be-crazy-1/

Utopia for Realists — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopia_for_Realists
Humankind (publisher) — https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/rutger-bregman/humankind/9780316418539/

Freedom: The Case for Open Borders (pub date) — https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Case-Borders-Joss-Sheldon/dp/B0CT89PL5R

Anti-Intellectualism in American Life — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-intellectualism_in_American_Life
Pulitzer page — https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/richard-hofstadter-0

The Power of Moments (Heath brothers) — https://heathbrothers.com/the-power-of-moments/
The Art of Gathering (Priya Parker) — https://www.priyaparker.com/book-art-of-gathering

The Hand (publisher) — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/191866/the-hand-by-frank-r-wilson/
The Old Man and the Sea — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Man_and_the_Sea

عصارة الزمن / نسيب فواز coverage — https://www.al-binaa.com/archives/429072

The 10 Best Films I Watched in 2025 (Out of 70)

January 1, 2026 WLeave a comment

I watched 70 films in 2025. These 10 hit the hardest—some like a gut-punch, some like a mirror, and a few like a chaotic little group chat that accidentally tells the truth.

I’m not ranking these by “objective greatness” because I’m not a robot (and even robots have Letterboxd opinions now). This is about impact: the movies that stayed in my head after the credits, the ones that made me rethink how we love, cope, deny, perform, survive—especially under systems that profit from our confusion.

1) Anora — the “funny-thriller” that turns into a spiritual audit

My notes were: powerful, funny, engaging—then boom: self-denial, losing yourself, materialism as emotional Novocain. That’s still the best summary.

Sean Baker takes what looks like a chaotic modern Cinderella setup—Brooklyn sex worker meets rich kid, sudden marriage—and uses it to expose the soft, seductive violence of money and fantasy. It’s fast, entertaining, and lowkey terrifying because it’s not about villains twirling mustaches. It’s about how easy it is to trade pieces of yourself for a story that “sounds” like winning. And then realizing you sold the wrong parts. Wikipedia+2IMDb+2

2) I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui) — grief as resistance

This one is a true-story gut-check: a family living under Brazil’s military dictatorship, and the mother—Eunice Paiva—having to rebuild reality after the forced disappearance of her husband. It’s not just “sad.” It’s that specific suffering families carry when the state disappears people and then tries to disappear the truth too.

What hit me: the film doesn’t treat survival like a motivational poster. It treats survival like work—like courage you don’t get credit for until decades later (if you’re lucky). And it lands even harder knowing it’s adapted from Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s memoir, meaning this is literally memory fighting back. Wikipedia+2AP News+2

3) Babygirl — desire, denial, and the chaos of not knowing yourself

This movie is a psychological maze about sex drive and fantasy—especially that maddening human thing where we want what we deny we want… and we also don’t want it to be clear, because clarity comes with consequences.

Halina Reijn builds it as an erotic thriller where a powerful CEO risks everything in an affair with a younger intern, but the real thriller is internal: the tug-of-war between identity, control, shame, and impulse. It’s messy in a way that feels honest—because humans are messy, and pretending otherwise is how we end up emotionally illiterate with good lighting. Wikipedia+1

4) The Hypnosis (Hypnosen) — cringe comedy with a philosophy degree

A couple building a women’s health app goes to pitch it at a fancy startup competition… and then hypnosis cracks the “normal person” mask right off. Watching it felt like being trapped at a networking retreat where everyone is performing “purpose,” and then one person accidentally becomes real.

It’s funny, but it’s also a sharp little satire on conformity: the way “professionalism” becomes a cage, and how quickly society punishes anyone—especially women—for stepping outside approved behavior. Also: it premiered at Karlovy Vary and cleaned up attention back home in Sweden (major Guldbagge love). Wikipedia+2kviff.com+2

5) Sick of Myself — body horror, attention economy, and the saddest laugh

This is an absurdist black comedy that’s shockingly deep about self-hate, image, and attention as a survival strategy—until it becomes a trap.

The story is basically: a woman spirals into increasingly extreme behavior to become the center of attention, and the film dares you to ask whether you’re judging her… or recognizing the culture that taught her attention equals worth. It premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, which makes sense because it’s both hilarious and psychologically rude (compliment). Wikipedia+1

2025 watchlist truth: A lot of “mental health” discourse is really just people trying to name the pain caused by systems that monetize insecurity.

6) A House on Fire (Casa en flames) — family love, but make it explosive

I went in expecting “family drama,” and got a sharply funny, painfully real pressure-cooker: a divorced mom drags the whole family to a Costa Brava house weekend while everything simmering underneath finally boils over.

It’s the kind of movie that understands a brutal truth: family can be the source of your deepest wounds and the last thing standing when the world collapses. Also, quick correction to my own brain: it’s Catalan/Spanish (not French), and it skewers bourgeois hypocrisy with a smile that shows teeth. Wikipedia+1

7) Soul Kitchen — joy as a serious human need

This is the “simple but happy” pick, and I mean that with full respect. Fatih Akin gives us Hamburg life, a chaotic restaurant, friendship, music, and a kind of grounded optimism that doesn’t feel fake.

In a year where so much cinema (and reality) is about collapse, Soul Kitchen is a reminder that joy isn’t a distraction—it’s fuel. It even snagged major Venice love back in 2009, which is wild for a crowd-pleasing comedy. Wikipedia+2Wexner Center for the Arts+2

8) Happening (L’Événement) — a necessary reminder in a rollback era

Set in 1963 France, a student tries to obtain an abortion when it’s illegal—meaning the state forces her into danger, isolation, and humiliation, then pretends it’s “morality.”

This film is intense because it refuses to look away. It’s based on Annie Ernaux’s memoir and it won the Golden Lion at Venice, which tells you how hard it hit. Watching it now—while women’s rights are openly under attack again—lands like a warning flare. Wikipedia+2Vanity Fair+2

9) The Encampments — student courage vs. the crackdown machine

This documentary is painfully relevant: it tracks the student encampment movement that ignited at Columbia and spread across campuses, as students protested their universities’ ties to the war on Gaza and faced escalating repression.

It features Mahmoud Khalil—who later became a symbol of the U.S. crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism when he was detained by immigration authorities, and then released months later after a judge’s ruling. Whatever your politics, that sequence should set off every civil-liberties alarm bell you own. AP News+3Wikipedia+3Watermelon Pictures+3

10) The Charmer (Charmøren) — immigration, desperation, and moral weather

Set in Denmark, this is a tough, realistic story about an Iranian man racing against time to secure legal stay—trying to find a woman to marry, and slowly revealing how love, manipulation, fear, and trauma can tangle together.

It’s not interested in easy moral judgment. It’s interested in the psychological cost of borders—how immigration systems turn relationships into survival math. The film premiered at San Sebastián in the New Directors program, which fits: it’s controlled, smart, and emotionally sharp. DFI+2Film Forum+2

Honorable mentions (aka: the bench was stacked)

Emilia Pérez
The Brutalist
The Seed of the Sacred Fig
No Other Land
The Idiots
Certified Copy
The Delinquents
Passages
Lurker
The Bests
Die My Love
Harvest
Moon
Non-fiction
Yannick
The History of Sound

The pattern I didn’t expect

A lot of my “best of 2025” ended up being about denial—personal denial, family denial, state denial, cultural denial—and the moment it cracks. That’s not just cinema. That’s the world. And from Dearborn to anywhere else, we know what it’s like to live with big narratives forced onto real human lives—and still insist on being human anyway.

Disclaimer: This list reflects personal viewing and opinion, not medical/legal advice or official endorsements. Film availability, versions, and release dates may vary by region and platform.

Sources (for the factual film details)

Anora — Wikipedia (release, Cannes, awards). Wikipedia
Anora — IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes (synopsis). IMDb+1
I’m Still Here — Wikipedia (story basis, credits). Wikipedia
I’m Still Here — AP / Reuters (Oscar win). AP News+1
Babygirl — Wikipedia / Rotten Tomatoes (premise, release). Wikipedia+1
The Hypnosis — Wikipedia / KVIFF (premise, premiere). Wikipedia+1
The Hypnosis — Guldbagge Awards page (nominations/wins context). Wikipedia
Sick of Myself — Wikipedia / Cannes (premiere context). Wikipedia+1
A House on Fire (Casa en flames) — Wikipedia (plot/setup). Wikipedia
Soul Kitchen — Wikipedia / Wex Arts (Venice prizes). Wikipedia+1
Happening — Wikipedia / Venice coverage (premise, Golden Lion). Wikipedia+1
The Encampments — Watermelon Pictures / Wikipedia / coverage (film description). The Washington Post+3Watermelon Pictures+3Wikipedia+3
Mahmoud Khalil release — AP (timeline detail). AP News
The Charmer — Danish Film Institute / Film Forum / Wikipedia (premise + premiere). DFI+2Film Forum+2

Article 6 – Governance and Meritocracy

December 5, 2025December 5, 2025 WLeave a comment

A Democratic system is achieved when every citizen has representation in the parliament, minority rights are protected, executive branch has an overwhelming support of the people, and judicial system is directly elected by the people, and completely independent from other branches of government, and has jurisdiction over them.

The purpose of governance and law is the collective well being of humans. The aim of every political association is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of Man. All governments and their institutions should be established with a technocratic approach. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives, and the right for nomination based on meritocracy, and governments shall regulate election campaigns to ensure equality in representation and exposure of candidates.

A truly democratic system is realized when every citizen has meaningful representation in the legislative body, minority rights are effectively protected, and the executive branch enjoys broad, sustained support from the people. In such a system, the judiciary is directly elected by the people, fully independent from the other branches of government, and empowered with legal authority over them to ensure accountability and the rule of law. The purpose of governance and legal institutions is the collective well-being of humanity, and the primary aim of any political association is the protection and preservation of the natural, inherent, and inalienable rights of every person.

In our community of Livonia, Michigan, democratic governance means that every resident has a real voice in the institutions that shape daily life: City Council, School Boards, local boards and commissions, and neighborhood bodies. A healthy local democracy doesn’t just count votes; it ensures that families, workers, renters, homeowners, immigrants, youth, seniors, and minority communities are genuinely represented in public decision-making. For Livonia, this means building systems where city leadership reflects the diversity of the people who live here, where the executive functions of local government are accountable to broad public support, and where our courts and legal processes are independent, transparent, and accessible to all.

All institutions of government should be organized on a technocratic and meritocratic basis, where knowledge, competence, and expertise guide decision-making. Every individual has the right to participate in the governance of their country, directly or through freely chosen representatives, and to seek public office on the basis of merit. To safeguard fairness and equal opportunity, governments must regulate electoral campaigns so that all candidates receive equitable access to representation, visibility, and public platforms, ensuring that political competition reflects ideas and qualifications rather than wealth, privilege, or entrenched power.

The purpose of governance in Livonia is the collective well-being of its residents: safe streets, fair policing, strong public schools, accessible parks and libraries, and an economy that allows people to live with dignity. Every board appointment, staff position, and public office should lean toward meritocracy and technocracy—choosing people based on competence, integrity, and expertise, not on personal connections or partisan favoritism. Every Livonian has the right to take part in public life, whether by running for office, serving on commissions, or participating in open meetings. Local campaign rules and practices should move toward equalizing access—so that a teacher, nurse, or small business owner has a fair chance to be heard alongside well-funded interests. In applying Article 6 here at home, Livonia becomes not just a place we live, but a community we actively co-govern.

AlFatiha – Interpretation by Wissam Charafeddine

November 18, 2025November 18, 2025 WLeave a comment

In the name of compassion,

of mercy.

With gratitude I begin,

all praise is for That which nurtures and sustains,

in all dimensions of our existence,

seen and unseen,

The compassion,

The mercy,

Compassion that meets every wound with patience and healing,
Mercy that grants space to fail, to learn, to begin again,
the quiet support beneath every breath.

Toward compassion and mercy I choose to orient my life,
and from them I seek strength and clarity.

Guide me to walk the path of thankfulness—
the path of those who recognize the grace in their days
and live in harmony with it—
not the path of forgetting,
nor the path of turning away from the light that can grow within.

Article 5: Sexual Freedom

October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 WLeave a comment

Article 5: Sexual Freedom – Everyone has the right of freedom of choice and expression in their sexual orientation, and the only limitation of law should be related to securing the consent of adults within the sexual relationship and preventing rationally considerable harm related to it to citizens and to society.

Article 5 is simple: the state should be a referee, not a roommate. Adults who give informed, voluntary consent—and who aren’t harming anyone—should be left alone by the law. That’s not culture-war fireworks; that’s limited government with a backbone. If we defend freedom of worship, speech, and association from state micromanagement, we should be consistent and defend private, adult relationships that clear the same bar.

Consent here isn’t a shrug; it’s architecture. Adults only. Informed, voluntary, and capable—no coercion, no grooming, no fraud, no power-play that makes “yes” meaningless. The other guardrail is preventing real, demonstrable harm: assault, exploitation, trafficking, blackmail, non-consensual images. Draw those lines bright, enforce them hard, and we protect what matters: the vulnerable, the integrity of commitments, and the peace of our homes.

This approach strengthens families and preserves religious freedom. Churches, synagogues, and mosques remain free to teach and bless—or not—according to conscience. The civil law stays humble: punish force and fraud, respect private adult choices. That’s moral federalism, not moral relativism—one civil standard for everyone, and many voluntary moral codes within our communities.

Scientific research has played a role in challenging earlier views that considered non-heteronormative orientations as pathological. Advances in psychology and understanding of sexual orientation have contributed to recognizing it as a natural and diverse aspect of human identity. Professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization have depathologized homosexuality and emphasized the importance of respecting sexual orientation as a fundamental aspect of an individual’s identity.

Treating homosexuality like a contagion misunderstands both science and kids. Decades of research in psychology and pediatrics show that sexual orientation isn’t learned by exposure any more than left-handedness is picked up by sitting next to a southpaw; it’s a stable trait shaped by a mix of biology and development, not by classroom mentions or a neighbor’s marriage. What children do absorb from adults is whether the world is safe, honest, and fair. A conservative society that prizes family strength and personal virtue should focus on shielding kids from real harms—coercion, exploitation, bullying—not from the existence of people who are simply different. Teaching respect doesn’t “turn” anyone; it teaches our sons and daughters how to be decent.

If we can agree that adults must be free, children must be safe, and predators must be stopped, then we already agree on the heart of Article 5. The rest belongs to families, faiths, and the quiet dignity of conscience—a Michigan kind of common sense that guards liberty without losing sight of responsibility.

Article 3 – Freedom of Expression and Assembly

August 18, 2025 WLeave a comment

“Every human being has the right for freedom of expression without transgression on the rights of others. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.”
From the Universal Declaration of Human Values by Wissam Charafeddine

These freedoms have deep historical roots. From Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Voltaire to the American and French revolutions, the right to express ideas and organize peacefully has been seen as essential to justice and social progress. After the horrors of World War II, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) formally recognized these rights as fundamental to global peace and human dignity. Thinkers like John Stuart Mill, Hannah Arendt, and Amartya Sen have all argued that expression and association are necessary for truth, civic engagement, and human development. Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are the cornerstones of any society that seeks truth, justice, and progress. Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Values declares that every individual has the right to express themselves and to gather peacefully with others—so long as this expression does not infringe on the rights of others. But in today’s world, the boundaries of this right are increasingly contested.

We are witnessing a dangerous inflation in what is considered “hate speech.” While true hate— such as antisemitism, islamophobia, or transphobia that has incited real-world violence—is sometimes tolerated in the halls of government and media, legitimate political speech—such as saying Free Palestine which is a cry for liberation, justice, and the dignity of a displaced people – is often smeared, suppressed, or even criminalized. This distortion of the term “harm” threatens the very foundation of democratic discourse. We must recognize that the right to speak freely must outweigh the discomfort it may cause, especially when that discomfort comes from challenging injustice, power, or the political status quo.

It is critical to distinguish between criticizing ideas and demeaning people. Ideas are not people. Critique—even ridicule—of ideologies, philosophies, or religions must remain protected speech. What should never be tolerated, however, is the dehumanization or violation of individuals’ dignity based on who they are. I was able to publish my latest Arabic book, A Discussion – Universe from Void, which critiques classical arguments for the existence of God and proposes a new alternative arguments. It is a bold exploration of a sensitive subject—one that could not be published freely in many countries around the world. My ability to write it, and your ability to read it, are freedoms we must fiercely protect. Not just for ourselves—but for future generations who must be allowed to think, question, and speak without fear.

Speech should not be censored merely because it offends or challenges dominant power structures. While we must condemn real and substantial incitement to violence, we should err on the side of freedom—not fear. The moment we begin outlawing words for making others “uncomfortable,” we open the door to authoritarianism cloaked in the language of safety. We should not mask “suppressed speech zones” as “safe zones”. Dialogue happens to remove discomfort by communicating perspectives. History, from Voltaire to Dr. King to Edward Said, teaches us that truth is often uncomfortable. And justice often begins with a voice that refuses to be silenced.

Article 2: Equality

July 8, 2025 WLeave a comment

By Wissam Charafeddine
From the book Universal Declaration of Human Values — now available on Amazon

Community Spotlight: Article 2 – The Principle of Equality
From the Universal Declaration of Human Values by Wissam Charafeddine

Throughout history, humanity’s understanding of equality has been shaped by both struggle and revelation. While ancient societies often accepted hierarchy as natural, the idea that all human beings are equal began to take root during the Axial Age, around 800–200 BCE, when spiritual and philosophical traditions in Greece, India, China, and the Middle East began advocating for universal moral values. It later gained momentum during the Enlightenment, when thinkers like Rousseau, Locke, and Kant championed natural rights. These ideals blossomed in documents such as the American Declaration of Independence (1776), the French Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789), and ultimately the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), each building on the growing belief that no person is born superior to another.

As Langston Hughes once wrote:
“O, let America be America again—
The land that never has been yet—
And yet must be—the land where every man is free.”

In our diverse Livonia community and beyond, the principle of equality remains a cornerstone of justice and human dignity. Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Values reminds us that all individuals deserve equal treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, social status, religious belief, or family background. This isn’t just a moral idea—it’s a call to action to create a society where opportunity, protection, and respect are shared by all.

This principle is deeply rooted in historical struggles and global progress—from the civil rights and feminist movements to modern LGBTQ+ advocacy. Legal protections like anti-discrimination laws and international human rights declarations were hard-won through generations of effort, and they continue to shape our communities today. Livonia thrives when we uphold these values—fostering inclusion, fairness, and mutual respect in our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

By embracing equality as a guiding principle, we honor the legacy of those who fought for justice and build a stronger, more compassionate future for all. Article 2 is more than policy—it’s a reflection of who we are and the kind of community we aspire to be.

Paris Again 4: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 – Champs-Elysees

May 16, 2025 WLeave a comment

Woke up to flickering of trees at the balcony. The sun rises in my room. Something prevents me from closing the curtains in Paris…. a phobia of some sort .. an anxiety of separation from Paris, a fear of missing out. Our airbnb is on Mont Martre. Mont Martre is hill overseeing Paris, with the Sacre Decoer at the center of this hill. Streets draw circles around it and layers, and we are at the first layer after the church. Although we are on the first floor, but our balcony looks at the top of the buildings beneath us on the second circle. The tree tops reach our balcony. We can touch them with our hands. It is rare that you get to touch the top of a tree if you are not a bird or dreaming.

I don’t know what depression hits me when I am about to leave Paris. Perhaps because I am someone else in Paris, who I like. I am a writer… a poet…I would say a philosopher, but I hate philosophy. I glide over the streets like I am floating. The walls know me. They are alone when I am not here. I feel like an adopted son when meets his biological mother here. She has her life, and he has his, but there is a sad bond that we both avoid to talk about. She is exhausted and so am I. It makes her bitter that everyone is here but me. The streets are filled with them, but I am her son. They all see her, but she only sees me.

I write as if no one will read, nor do I want anyone to read this. I publish because vulnerability is the essence of writing, and without publishing, it is not vulnerable. But I wish nobody reads, because it is too personal, and who wants to read anyways when there is TikTok.

We got a fresh baguette from the closest boulangerie and a piece of brie cheese from the closest fromagerie, and some olives from a Tunisian grocery store owner, and sat in the park behind the basilica eating. Abe fed the pigeons again. He is fascinated by his ability to condition them fast, and he looks around to see if others are sharing his fascination, but in Paris, no body is fascinated by any other. The place has a spell and presence, that make us almost invisible in it.

After we were done, we walked back to the apartment and rented bicycles (Lime) and drove them down to Eiffel tower. It is Abe’s first time, and he must visit it. All the grass area was seiged. There were heavy presence of police and what looked like army. Long lines were in place to go up the tower. The sky was cloudy, and african immigrants roamed the place selling chinese souvenirs and wine. We walked to a nearby coffee shop and patisseries and they were very bad and commercial. Restaurant servers tried to pull you to their restaurants from the sidewalk.

Then we took the bicycles again toward the Champs-Élysées, where we are scheduled to have dinner with the famous and huge Arab Poet and thinker, Adonis at 7PM. We reached the avenue at about 6PM, which gave us an hour to walk around. I entered a fragrance shop called ….. and the girl from Argentine, who knew Pablo Neruda, greeted us and showed us the perfumes. They were all between 200 to 400 euros, which means I will never buy them in my life. But nevertheless, I took the tour of smelling all the various sections, from the smoky and wooded, to the floury to the citrusy and fruity.

From Dior to Louis Vuitton … walking all the way to the Arc du Triomphe, strolling on the Champs-Elysees is a conflicting experience. I don’t like luxury or luxurious attitudes. For me, it doesn’t matter what level of wealth I have, if I am traveling in a plane, I will not travel First Class. I can’t stand the feeling of sitting down on a wider seat while others pass by you to their chicken coups and looking at you. Also, who cares about 5 inches extra and is it worth double or triple the price of economy class? If the First Class seats are reduced to economy, perhaps there every seat can have an inch extra. At any case, I don’t like luxury nor does it make sense to me. I understand fashion, but fashion should be accessible, not selective.

The number one real estate location in the world is 1 Champs-Elysees Avenue, which is Qatar’s embassy. With the price of that embassy, you could have empowered a million non-profit and civil Arab organizations that would change the Arab world. Nevertheless, I still appreciate them owning a valuable monument that will forever appreciate in the foreseen future of our world.

I watched as the Door man let people in and out of Dior. It is walking into a dream. It is beautiful, but inaccessible… inspirational, but unreachable. But there must be Dior in the world so there can be fashion. It is the divine of fashion that all other fashion strive towards. This avenue is the capital of merchandising. It is the epic of what the graphic design and commercial art have produced. It is a show of strength between these brands, that represent much more than a company for profit … Versace, Cartier, Boss, Gucci, Armani; They represent dreams of women and fantasies of men. They represent the tension between classes and the disorientation of the conscious of capitalism.

There was a gathering of some sort at the side of the Qatari Embassy…it looked like it is for veterans. The presence of armed forces under the Arc was noticeable. Protests usually start from there, so it is understandable.

At the end, we walked to the Ajami to meet Adonis.

Wissam Charafeddine’s Top 10 Reads for 2024

December 27, 2024December 31, 2024 WLeave a comment

This year, Wissam Charafeddine explored a diverse range of books that broadened his understanding of history, humanity, and innovation. Here are his top 10 picks for 2024, complete with a synopsis of each book, its author, a memorable quote, and resources for readers.

1. War Against the People by Jeff Halper

Synopsis of the Book: A critical exploration of Israel’s global influence through its military-industrial complex and security policies.
About the Author: Jeff Halper, an Israeli anthropologist and activist, focuses on human rights and peace efforts in Palestine-Israel.
Memorable Quote: “This is not just a story about oppression; it is a blueprint for global control.”
Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
YouTube Review: Watch Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1xYJcHbKUY

2. Imaginable by Jane McGonigal

Synopsis of the Book: Learn how to predict and prepare for the future by imagining tomorrow’s challenges today.
About the Author: Jane McGonigal is a futurist and game designer helping people solve complex problems creatively.
Memorable Quote: “The future isn’t something to be feared; it’s something we create.”
Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
YouTube Review: Watch Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JG9Y2E2Uvw

3. The Anarchy by William Dalrymple

Synopsis of the Book: The rise and fall of the East India Company, detailing its impact on India and global history.
About the Author: William Dalrymple is an award-winning historian specializing in the colonial history of South Asia.
Memorable Quote: “The East India Company was the original corporate raider.”
Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
YouTube Review: Watch Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzHmyvWHoc8

4. The Great Syrian Revolt by Michael Provence

Synopsis of the Book: A detailed history of Syria’s 1925-1927 revolt against French colonial rule, showcasing local resilience and leadership.
About the Author: Michael Provence is a historian focusing on Middle Eastern independence movements.
Memorable Quote: “This revolt united Syrians across religious and regional lines.”
Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
YouTube Review: Watch Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKaXf_cxNkE

5. Humankind by Rutger Bregman

Synopsis of the Book: This book redefines our understanding of human nature, presenting evidence that people are inherently good.
About the Author: Rutger Bregman is a historian and author known for his optimistic view of humanity and societal progress.
Memorable Quote: “It’s our shared humanity that has brought us this far—and will carry us further.”
Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
YouTube Review: Watch Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPbuylTogHI

6. Muhammad and the Believers by Fred M. Donner

Synopsis of the Book: Reframing early Islam as a movement of faith uniting monotheists, this book explores the formative years of the Islamic world.
About the Author: Fred M. Donner is a scholar of early Islam and Islamic history.
Memorable Quote: *“The

early Islamic movement was one of inclusiveness and shared belief.”*

Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
YouTube Review: Watch Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ5c7D-Mo28

7. Crossing Borders by Christa Bruhn

Synopsis of the Book: An exploration of the challenges and opportunities presented by international education and collaboration.
About the Author: Christa Bruhn is an education consultant focusing on cross-cultural understanding and global partnerships.
Memorable Quote: “Bridging borders begins with understanding and mutual respect.”
Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
YouTube Review: Watch Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gSfDjIH4YY

8. Flights of Fancy by Richard Dawkins

Synopsis of the Book: A beautifully illustrated journey into the mechanics and wonder of flight, from birds to airplanes.
About the Author: Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist and renowned science communicator.
Memorable Quote: “Flight is nature’s poetry written in physics.”
Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
YouTube Review: Watch Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUdNjGqOB1c

9. The Option Method by Bruce Di Marsico

Synopsis of the Book: A guide to achieving emotional well-being through introspection and self-awareness.
About the Author: Bruce Di Marsico was a psychotherapist who developed the “Option Method” for personal growth and happiness.
Memorable Quote: “Happiness is not something we chase; it’s something we choose.”
Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
YouTube Review: Watch Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWgyRZVb8R

10. Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Synopsis of the Book: A revolutionary pamphlet that galvanized American colonists to seek independence from Britain.
About the Author: Thomas Paine was a political activist and philosopher whose writings greatly influenced revolutionary movements.
Memorable Quote: “These are the times that try men’s souls.”
Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
YouTube Review: Watch Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHI5bsZ0sFk

These books showcase Wissam Charafeddine’s passion for learning, humanity, and progress. Each offers a unique perspective on the world, inspiring reflection and action. Which one will you read next? Let us know in the comments!

Elementary & Secondary Title IX Training

October 24, 2024 WLeave a comment