Here are some photos of Angelina Jolie in Washington DC on Monday. She stopped by the State Department to meet with Secretary of State John Kerry, and Kerry gave her a forum (at State!) to make a speech about refugees and more. The reason? Monday was World Refugee Day, and Jolie is special envoy to the UN High Commission on Refugees. Angelina and Secretary Kerry have met and worked together several times before, and while my instinct is to say “John Kerry has a crush,” I’ll fight that urge and simply say that Kerry, along with many diplomats, ambassadors and leaders around the world, respects and honors Angelina and the attention she brings to these vital issues. Kerry and Jolie have gone to the United Nations together as well, and Kerry supported and promoted her speech before the UN Security Council in 2013. Here’s video. HER SUIT!! I don’t even mind the peplum.
Kerry looks at Jolie the same way William Hague looks at Jolie, which is the same way I look at a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. Hunger. Need. Appreciation. Lust. Respect. After Kerry’s introduction – which included some lovely words about Jolie’s work, her “personal leadership,” her “commitment” – Jolie spoke about the ongoing refugee crises. Part of her speech:
“If I ask people for anything on this day, it is to take a moment and to truly grasp what a refugee crisis of today’s magnitude means for peace and security of the world. I ask people to understand that with 65 million people displaced by conflict, we are facing a world of wars we cannot ignore or turn our backs on. To do that would be naïve, irresponsible, and dangerous. Today, partly in response to this crisis, we are seeing rising intolerance and xenophobia. But strength lies in mastering and channeling our emotions so that we pursue policies that reduce—not inflame—threats to our security. We face a very clear choice: to continue as we are and see displacement and insecurity grow, or to come together with other nations and find a new approach, one that does not focus solely on aid and resettlement but on solution, stability and returns. Strength lies in mastering and channeling our emotions so that we pursue policies that reduce – not inflame – threats to our security. We need leadership. We need solutions.”
Word. Many are interpreting Jolie’s words about “rising intolerance and xenophobia” as a slam on Donald Trump. I think that’s probably true – and she’s made pointed criticism of Trump before – but Angelina always takes an international view. She’s not merely interested in domestic squabbles. And there’s a rising tide of anti-immigration, xenophobia and intolerance all around the world, not just in America. Not too shabby from Professor Dame Saint Jolie.
I’m also including some photos of Angelina with Knox, Maddox and James Haven on Tuesday.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
Good for her, that’s an awesome speech. As someone who is currently working to sponsor a refugee from Syria (related to my stepmom) it’s nice to see that not everyone is hateful and xenophobic. Honestly, even here in Canadaland it gets bad, and we don’t have a walking Cheeto running for leader of the country.
“Walking Cheeto”! Bwahahahaha! You rock.
best one I’ve heard yet was Velveeta Raccoon.
LMAO.. I like Walking Cheeto.
I call him the Orange Oompa Loompa.. but I may borrow that too.
I’ve heard Cheeto Jesus, Shouty McShoutface, Orange Foolius, the Velveeta Racoon and F*ckface Von Clownstick, but the Brits have us beat ten ways from Sunday for creative insults. One of them called him a “hoofwanking bunglec*nt”. How are you going to beat that?
I’ve wondered about her politics. Her father is a Trump-type loon and there have been hints that she’s not the Obama liberal you’d expect given how her values are.
This gal for VP!! Bewigged genetically-engineered tapeworm Donald Trump is far too close to real power.
yes! Jolie for VP.
Hahahaha, thank you very much, I try. To be honest, I do love Velveeta Raccoon too, and I’ve heard him called everything from the human Dorito to earthworm with hair. 😛
How about Mein Herrpiece?
Is it really bad over there? We are just days shy from immigrating to Canada from the third world ourselves and I am worried as to what we will face. Given the substantial amount of immigrants/refugees to Canada over the last years, I fear the tolerance is growing thin.
Oh hello, Nur. And welcome to Canada, truly. I think you will find yourselves more comfortable and less menaced here than you would be in many parts of the USA. Both nations are so large and so regionally diverse. May I ask to which province or city you are headed?
Canadians voted in a new federal government last fall and it is working hard to overcome some of the prejudice and intolerance fostered by the previous government.
In any case if you are immigrating then you have to compare the risk of being in Canada to the risk of where you are right now. That is the main difference ahead of you and you can only know through experience what you want to do.
Canada has an official policy of multi culturalism. Many of the white people born here appreciate what that means and work hard to support and celebrate it. The others – well, some of them know better than to say anything, and others are passive aggressive (it’s the Canadian way). But on the whole it is a less violent and more peaceful country than the USA, and it’s too cold in the winter to get excited anyway. Be ready to get warm clothes! And welcome!
You will probably be fine, but prepare yourself for those who won’t welcome you with open arms. There have been incidents across the country of people harassing immigrants in various ways (vandalism, personal attacks, general rants online). I have found that a lot of immigrants or potential immigrants have this idea of Canada that is really outdated and unrealistic though (like from 50 – 70 years ago … it`s not the same now). The economy is in a real downtown and the security (economic, political, military) that a lot of people thought they`d be living in is eroding fast and that pressure feels like it`s turned this country meaner … or people are more easily threatened. It`s harder to make a living, even with a good education, competition for jobs is stiff, it`s expensive, and comfort zones are being threatened, so people lash out. I mean, I don`t know, Canada probably is a lot better than developing nations in some ways, there is a lot of freedom and space, and sure, if your country is being bombed to bits, then Canada is a good place to go, but from my acquaintances that have come here as international students or short term working posts, it can be hard and not anything like they thought it would be. Although, it being better than living under genocidal conditions, it was incentive to make good on their new life. Some were glad to go home after university though. I don`t know. Anyway, just make sure you have a good support network. Other Canadians on this board may think differently though; it`s just my opinion. 🙂 And oh yeah, of course: welcome!
I hope you are privately funded. Those that are funded by the government don’t do so well long term. After a year they’re left on their own with very little support. I think if your English is good and you are able to find work you will be fine. I wish you well.
Canada is like any other comparable country. It’s not a utopia, but I would say it’s significant less dire than d implied (though that could be due to different circumstances). I’m living in one of the cities worst hit by the drop in oil prices, and working in that industry, so yes things are definitely not as rosy as they were a few years ago. And yes, there is racism and xenophobia here, just like everywhere else. But that’s only a segment of our population. Canada is huge, and different cities and towns all have very different “feels.” Do people have a hard time adjusting when they immigrate here? Sometimes yes, but I honestly think that has less to do with Canada itself and more to do with the fact that, man, immigrating anywhere is tough! You’re leaving your home, and even if it’s because you’re fleeing something bad, you’re still saying goodbye to something.
Welcome to Canada! I will be more optimistic than the other Canadiann posters here and say this: just yesterday I was talking to my husband about potential international job assignments that he is considering and at this time we would not leave Canada for anything, anywhere. That was not always the case, I was born in Romania and came here at 19 with a younger sibling and two suitcases, my dad (who had a Masters in Engineering) was struggling and supporting as a janitor while suing a major corporation for wrongful dismissal. He had been working on a factory line after being unable to find work in his field, and when the company learned about his education they fired him for being over qualified. Guess what, with the help of government paid labor /fair employment attorneys he was rehired, as an engineer and stated employed there until late retirement. My sib and I put ourselves through university and then advanced degrees, way more affordable than in the US. I can’t imagine many places where that outcome would have occurred.
My point is, as a newcomer it will be hard anywhere but I would still pick Canada over anything. It is not perfect, of course, but most health care is free, university undergrad is affordable, most people you will meet are kind and polite and can relate to the immigrant experience due to their own, or their family’s history.
Big cities like Toronto and Vancouver are both goid and bad: good because that is where a variety of jobs are. Bad because the cost of housing is insane. Focus on getting your previous education recognized, get back to school as fast as you can, even if part time and to start with, accept the fact that you will do lesser work than before. People here -sadly- only respect Canadian work experience, and that applies to everything from doctors to pilots to welders. Glad to answer more if you think it would be helpful and goid luck!
Thanks for all the feedback.. My expectations are not very high tbh. Although we are living a comfortable life at the moment, we are also in a semi-middle eastern country on the brink of sinking to hellhole with each passing day and we have a baby girl, so what can you do if not try.. We are pretty much forced to land in Toronto, as my husband (and I) are in finance and I gathered that’s the only place with a shot of finding smth for him. I guess I will be forced to stay at home.
I heard about the curse of the Canadian experience and the resulting flipping burgers or menial factory line jobs so I tried to cover all the bases and give him a head start but who knows..
It is so difficult to try to fit all your life into a few luggage and leave everything behind, jumping into unknown with no support network but your life savings, all because your girl might have a better life. I cant imagine what those refugees are going thru..
Nur, if you come back, you sound realistic and prepared. Your baby will be much better off here. Parents who emigrate for a better life focus on the kids. You will probably be pleased with the quality of education and while there is sexism, on the whole women have it so much better here than in many other countries.
You don’t have to stay home; you can volunteer in your field or try something new. I’ve found volunteers to be treated very professionally here and often it’s the way newcomers find their way into the workforce because of that (ridiculous and discriminatory) “Canadian experience” requirement.
Some things about Canada find me gritting my teeth, but on the whole it is a reasonable society that tries to deal with its social issues in a methodical way. It’s not perfect and I have to agree, Canada has sold itself to immigrants with an idealized image that it can’t possibly uphold. Just remember you don’t have to love it (though you will be asked to!) … just make the best of it and see how you like your life over time. Canada needs people like you, more than many Canadians want to admit.
Yes welcome to Canada Nur!!!!
As a mixed 1st generation Canadian that grew up in small towns, avoid small town Canada if you can 🙂
( Sorry to my fellow small town folk but it’s hard for visible minorities in such rural places).
As long as you are in one of the major centers, hopefully the transition will be a little easier. It really does sound to me like you have done your research and are aware of the challenges you will have to face and that is truly half the battle. I hope you are welcomed and wish you and your family the absolute best of luck!!!!
Nur – Echoing others, welcome to Canada 🙂 Overall, we’re a safe welcoming country. I hope your travel here is easy and not too upsetting for you. I can’t imagine what it’s like… some ideas in case it helps – buy a business instead of work for someone else. Even better, create your own business.
Volunteering is a great way into a job or idea for business. I don’t know how you feel about politics, but if you can volunteer for a political candidate in your area that would be great help to you. I’m thinking of Carolyn Bennett and others in the Liberal Party. They’re the party in power just now and good for your purposes. To find your riding, after you settle on a place to live… http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/election-ridings/canada/ Even just contact your local MP for your riding and arrange a meeting at their office. Great way to start.
Living – land in Toronto but don’t have to live there and I suggest don’t head north. Aim for Guelph, Waterloo, Kitchener or anywhere around there. Even London. All in province of Ontario. Housing more affordable, just as multicultural as Toronto, Go Bus/train commuting to Toronto takes same time as living IN Toronto without the cost of car and is faster than sitting in traffic. Nothing moves in cars in Toronto anymore – it’s gridlock nearly 24/7.
I wish I could do and think of more. My heart is with you and I know you will be happy here. It’s incredibly daunting for you I understand but I know this will be ok. You will like it here.
Nur, welcome to Canada. You picked one of the best country’s in the world to live in. I really hope your experience is a positive one. Best of luck, I think you’ll love it here.:)
“Walking Cheeto” 🙂 🙂 🙂
You should TM this.
Agreed. She is absolutely correct. We are all one and it’s heartbreaking how many people are in need that don’t have to suffer. America was built on diversity. Ideally. That orange orangutan Trump is devisive and a pandering, thin skinned ball of stupid. He’s like that middle school bully who didn’t get diagnosed with a.d.h.d and o.d.d yet so he’s unmedicated and hormonal. And his robotic wife looks like she needs her battery changed every morning before their actor, hired son who plays their kid comes in for a family photo op. Trump#sorrymydaughtersaresohot #makeamericahateagain
Walking Cheeto: love it. And good for Angie to address such an important and timely issue. (Fashion note: She is always beautiful, but grey is def NOT her color.)
Firstly I her remarks were very well stated..but I loved her speech at the Interfaith Iftar Dinner.. and the fact that she a woman was allowed to speak there was a major thing. She looks great in her suit.. simple and appropriate for the event. I love that she wears her clothes..they don’t wear her. It is never about making a huge fashion statement.. but about what she has to say on an issue.
for those interested in hearing her awesome speech..
https://youtu.be/LCegBpm5Nfw
She and Brad actually returned back to LA on the same day.. just a few hours apart.. and man I can see a lot of Brad in Knox.. some of the facial expressions he makes just scream his father. and their similar haircuts are cute.
It’s funny but when I see Knox with Angelina, he looks like her and then he looks like Brad when he is with him.
I think the family had a few weeks rest before this weekend because they look mighty fine and years younger.
Yeah the 3 younger children will change depending on which parent they are with. I use to see Angie more in Knox.. but this week I swear I saw pictures where he just looks so much like Brad. Shiloh is the one that confuses me the most. But they are back in LA and I don’t think there will be a lot of pics. They manage to really go MIA when they are in LA. I also agree that they have had some rest while home.
She could be referring to the UK. With the referendum tomorrow to decide whether to stay in the EU xenophobia seems to be rife.
go on, girl! preach it, and preach it LOUD!
on another note, my bf’s uncle works for Kerry (like REALLY closely…and with Clinton before that)…I wonder if he got to meet her?!
I love Kerry and was horrified the way republicans ruined his reputation a few years ago. This man gave his life for his country and they repaid him by casting doubts on his military service.
what was especially disgusting about that is that his opposition at the time, DUHbya, avoided serving in Vietnam altogether by using Daddy’s influence to get into the National Guard. he was WAY down on the waiting list, with terrible grades at Yale, when MIRACULOUSLY, he was accepted.
so, that was OK with the GOP but Kerry serving, and then protesting the war, was BAD BAD BAD.
Well GOP is fine with a racist, homophobic, male chauvinistic arse so I am not surprised that they were okay with a man who did nothing for his country.
I hope Hillary keeps Kerry in her cabinet as he is doing a very good job right now.
Kerry seems to be an extremely effective diplomat, and I hope he gets to stay on in some capacity. It could be that what made him seem a ‘boring’ candidate for president (I voted for him) serves him well in this new capacity. It’s a great fit
And its supposed the party for Veterans. Well it is BS. The Republican Congress has repeatedly stripped funds from their heath care and yes even thing like SNAP which many soldiers families rely on. Also, lets never forget this is the party that got us into Iraq. Never forget the Rumsfeld & Cheney administration.
Still no one knows what designer she is wearing that’s how you do no let the media talk about the dress but the issue at hand
Still no one knows what designer she is wearing that’s how you do no let the media talk about the dress but let’s talk the issue at hand
The only time I see people talking about dresses is at red carpet events where celebrities are wearing thousands of dollars in free clothes/jewelry expressly to promote designers, which is what red carpet events are designed to do. This is not a red carpet event.
I love this woman’s compassion, drive, work ethic and the good heart to help others.
In the beginning, a lot of people were a bit sceptic towards Angelina’s passion for humanitarian work. But as the years go by and she continues to do good work – people realize that she is genuine and the real deal.
John Kerry, William Hague etc probably thought here is another celebrity who just shows up, takes pictures and doesn’t know anything about the causes. They then spend time with Angelina and realize that not only does she spend hours with refugees, she also throughly researches the causes and is quite knowledgeable on world affairs. I see respect and admiration in their eyes when they introduce Angelina and nothing else.
I think there is xenophobic and racism everywhere and that is what Angelina is talking about. In US – racism, intolerance towards Muslim and homosexuals are at peak. In UK – intolerance against immigrants is at peak especially with the EU referendum. In Muslim countries – racism against non Muslim, intolerance against women and homosexuals are horrible.
PS: on the shallow side – Angelina looks stunning and the early menopause has been good to her because she has gained weight.
Jolie is 100% right about the ramifications of 65 million displaced refugees… I am sure that they want nothing more than to return to their homes in peace. Shelter can be provided from every nation of the world, sure, but what we are seeing is the absolute decimation of a culture and life from these areas in the MIddle East because of unstable, militant, completely out of control warlords and terrorists. Something must be done about the fighting, something must be done to help the refugees reclaim their home bc all the good intentions in the world, all the shelter provided, all the displacement aid you can give– nothing beats home. Something must be done to give them back their homes and their country
I like it, Jolie keeps on marching ahead leaving the haters 12 years languishing behind.
I think she and Brad don’t really pay attention to what is said. They are not on social media and that probably helps. If you don’t read gossip and rumors then you can just do your thing and not let the noise around you affect how you live your life. They seem to be doing that very well. Not allowing any of it to bother them.
You don’t see them addressing every silly rumor or tabloid headline. I actually saw a comment a bit ago saying why didn’t they dispute some gossip story.. My take they don’t give a crap and why bother. People believe what they want.
Grey is her colour. It suits her best IMO. But I’ve always liked grey.
Really? She never wears color anymore and I really miss that. The gorgeous emerald gown she wore the last time she was pregnant was breathtaking and the best she’s ever looked.
“Professor Dame Saint Jolie”???????? There’s more refugees than ever so exactly what has she accomplished?
Really??
Ask that of world leaders that make police. Her JOB is to bring awareness and to give them a voice. Something she has been doing for 15 years. Stop reducing an issue that is affecting the world on the shoulders of ONE woman trying to help.
LOL. I think that Angelina is amazing but not even a hardcore Brangeloonie like me thinks that she has any control over issues such as war and persecution. I think that if you have a real frustration over this issue then asking the same questions to politicians and world leaders is probably more constructive then coming onto a celebrity website and throwing shade at somebody who in her own little way is trying to help.
The least she could have done was stopping all the wars.
this.
and ending poverty.
and making gumdrops rain from the sky.
god, what a slacker that broad is.
sheesh.
I love both these comments.
and I second the gumdrops raining from the sky thing.
Love her suit!
Still, there are some very serious issues, especially in Europe, with some of the refugees – rapes, attacks among different sects, etc. This is really happening and the fog of denial is part of what is inflaming xenophobia. The mayor of Cologne’s response to the New Years assaults was disgustingly misogynistic.
I think it’s clear that Kerry is trying to contain is lust, at least it looks that way to me in the photo, lol.
I like that she brings attention to this crisis because people who may not bother to listen to Kerry or other officials may actually take note of what she says. I think that’s the whole point of her role. And we can only hope that she has an impact at such a critical time.
Thank you Angelina. Next, please remind us that water is wet.
Well, you just reminded us that anonymous commenters are anonymous for a reason.
She is absolutely right. This intolerance and xenophobia is on the rise in many places in the west. The narrative that says that our problems exist because of foreigns is accepted as the truth by many and right wing parties capitalize on that through people’s fears and insecurities. Media doesn’t help at all.
One labour MP was murdered in the UK last week by a right wing guy who yelled “Britain first” when he did it and in the court said similar things. If we look at newspapers covers in Britain it’s obvious that media is also capitalizing on fear with more propaganda than information. And so many arguments in favour of Brexit are total bs, it’s really infuriating.
In France Marie Le Penn would win France’s elections is voting was today. In the Euro2016 in France we have seen so many nazi sympathizers from different countries creating chaos and violence everywhere. Almost everyday migrants die on the Mediterranean. My country in particular is ready to receive more but the bureaucracy is complicating the process. There are also migrant kids disappearing and no one seems to care…
I’m really going through a period of misandry. Looking at what is going on in the US isn’t helping either. These are really difficult times.
Sorry for the rant, I’m just really crushed by all of this:/
It’s on the rise and she has been saying do more. Really? How will it change her life because she lives behind walls. She won’t have to worry about her children being unable to walk to school without being attacked, she won’t have to worry about feeling insecure about the new neighbours because she lives behind walls with security, or her healthcare won’t decline because of overcrowded hospitals because she can afford private care. Sorry but these 1% very entitled people telling us peons we should be doing makes me so angry. She’s been born into wealth and is one of the elite. She has never lived like us regular people. She’s perhaps seen some terrible things during her travels from inside a bullet proof vehicle or surrounded by security but that’s not actually living with it day in and day out.
Well that not living it day to day can be said of every politician in the world. And yet she has been to places that the vast majority of policy makers have only seen on a map. She is the first to give credit to the people on the ground and to those suffering.
I wonder would it be better for Refugees is she took her family to live in a camp. How would that better their lives. That argument and position is not conductive at all. It is just a way to negate what she is trying to do. I give to charity and try to help. I don’t have to be homeless to care about homeless. I don’t have to have suffered a condition to care about the ones that are in a bad situation. Neither does she.
I don’t think her speech is as liberal as people want it to be. She’s not talking about just accepting masses of refugees. She’s talking about combating the issues (ISIS, perhaps?) that make them refugees in the first place. It’s clear that many refugees do not want to be displaced and they certainly don’t want to assimilate. The ways of the West are not their ways. At the same time, we cannot change our laws to accommodate Sharia. We are a society that believes in equal rights for all humans, not just straight men.
Check out the Des Moines register from yesterday. It has has a story about Iowa’s first Syrian refugee’s. Will melt your heart!
She’s wonderful and I loved her suit.
I think the rehabilitation of wild child Angelina is now complete. She has grown up, is living outside of her wants and needs, and is trying to help using her fame. Well done.
Now as to Kerry, he gives me the creeps. He is part of the problem, not the solution.
Also tells us the sky is blue. Patronising woman, go away.
After you.. please.. AFTER YOU