Anti-Racism Daily

11/04/2024

Today in 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act, granting fair housing options to all regardless of race, religion or national origin.

Tthe Fair Housing Act made it illegal to discriminate in housing sales, rentals, and financing based on race, religion, national origin, or s*x. This legislation was designed as an extension of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and encountered fierce debate in the Senate.

However, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4th, the House of Representatives expedited its passage. The Fair Housing Act represents the last major legislative success of the civil rights movement.

The Fair Housing Act alone didn't solve the perpetual housing inequity and discrimination that marginalized communities experience to this day. But it helped to contextualize the housing crisis on a federal level. It also led to more legislation to include protections against discrimination for individuals with disabilities and those affected by family status, including pregnant women or households with children under 18.

18/03/2024

As the presidential election nears, former President Trump has doubled-down on racist, derogatory language in conversations related to immigration. And just yesterday, he warned of a “bloodbath” if he’s not elected.

Today's newsletter unpacks the impact of his statements on Latine communities. https://20465691.hs-sites.com/unpack-trumps-terrible-dehumanization-of-immigrants

30/01/2024

Our 28 Days of Black History series starts Thursday!

Every day in February, we'll send one email highlighting an underappreciated story in Black history.

This year's theme is African Americans in the Arts, so we've gathered incredible stories of artists, magicians, musicians, entrepreneurs and more that have redefined arts and culture.

This is a FREE learning experience so don't miss out! Subscribe on our website:

28 days of Black history delivered in your inbox each day of February 2022.

19/01/2024

Businesses in the U.S. lose $359 billion a YEAR due to the impact of unresolved conflict.

And more urgently, we lose opportunities to foster deep, meaningful connections with one another and create spaces where we can thrive.

We’re hurtling into another deeply polarized year. And an election season.

Leaders – what are you doing to build your conflict resolution skills?

How does your organization proactively plan for interpersonal tension and internal calls for accountability on political and social issues?

I’ve been inspired by how attendees of our Conflict Evolution workshop are taking more nuanced, informed approaches to planning the year ahead.

Join our next session on Wednesday, January 24 if you find it’ll be helpful.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOPConflict Evolution: From Friction to Transformational Change Wednesday, January 24 | 3-5pm EST Quantity: Enroll With tensions and anxieties at an all-time high in a politicized landscape, effective tools for conflict resolution is a must.This two-hour workshop on conflict resolution....

17/01/2024

David Rasavong’s restaurant closed down last year after facing false accusations of serving dog meat, a racist stereotype that intensified amid a surge in anti-Asian sentiment and hate crimes during the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

In November, Rasavong reopened his restaurant under a new name: with overwhelming support from the community – both locally and across the country.

https://www.businessinsider.com/restaurant-asian-stereotype-eating-dog-racism-thai-community-2024-1

16/01/2024

Last week, the Biden administration announced a significant change in a federal labor rule that classifies U.S. workers as either independent contractors or full employees.

The new policy will make an increased number of freelance workers eligible for full-employee status, potentially obligating their employers to furnish them with higher wages, certain benefits and other worker protections.

Business owners have been known to go to considerable lengths to avoid granting workers full-employee status. But this means they're likely losing wages and benefits that their work would make them eligible for.

A 2022 report by the EPI stated that “a typical construction worker, as an independent contractor, would lose out on as much as $16,729 per year in income and job benefits compared with what they would have earned as an employee.

https://truthout.org/articles/uber-lyft-and-doordash-workers-may-gain-employee-benefits-under-new-labor-rule/

05/01/2024

As conversations around race grow in offices and around dinner tables, microaggressions have more of a chance to come out of the shadows.

But it puts non-white people in a difficult position. Not only do we have to reckon with the emotional impact of the microaggression itself, we have to choose how to respond– knowing our disadvantaged position in these scenarios. We have to consider how responding could further enforce false stereotypes about our race. We have to gauge whether we could be provoking more racial aggressions, even bodily harm. We also have to consider how staying silent will enforce this behavior in the future, and cause further suffering.

With privilege comes the responsibility to intervene on behalf of someone harmed and address racist interactions directly. Derald Wing Sue, a psychology and education professor at Columbia University in New York City, offers a way for anti-racist allies to intervene during a microaggression in an interview with CNN.

1. Make the Invisible, Visible

According to Sue, the perpetrator is often unaware of their actions. As an anti-racist ally, you must, at minimum, make sure they are aware of the harm they caused. Diane Goodman, a social justice and diversity consultant, offers this format in the NYTimes:

“I know you didn’t realize this, but when you __________ (comment/behavior), it was hurtful/offensive because___________. Instead you could___________ (different language or behavior.)”

2. Educate the Perpetrator

Ensure they understand that regardless of the intent of what they said, it’s the impact of their words that matters. "You lose the argument when you focus on intention because you can’t prove intent. Focusing on the impact as influenced by the significance, Sue explained, gets the perpetrator to understand what happened and how he might have caused pain."

3. Disarm the Microaggression
Move the conversation away from the problematic statement to communicate that it’s offensive. According to Sue, you’ll be “modeling good behavior to other people present, and you can have a later conversation with the person about why his joke was inappropriate."

Macro systemic racism is reinforced by micro-actions, and racial microaggressions play a major part. We must take accountability for microaggressions, and use our privilege to call them out however we can.

04/01/2024

Rosewood, Florida was a predominately Black town that was burned down in 1923 after a mob of armed white men descended on the town seeking revenge for the alleged assault of a white woman. Eight people were killed, though it’s expected that the number of casualties was undercounted to downplay the severity. No one was charged due to insufficient evidence. And the town was abandoned.

The Rosewood Massacre mirrors countless stories of racial violence and injustice at the hands of white perpetrators that have faded silently into American history. While the dates, towns, and names are different, a commonality is shared: intentional false accusations of crime.

Racial hoaxing is a tactic used to evoke fear and violence against marginalized people. It's built on, and perpetuates, false racial stereotypes. Learning about these stories in our history helps us to rally against them today.

Racial hoaxing incidents often resulted in violence and injustices against Black people, like the Rosewood Massacre, Groveland Four, and the lynching of Emmett Till.

02/01/2024

Instead of: "He was treated unfairly because of his race."
Try: "He was treated unfairly because of racism."

Shifting our language helps to place responsibility not on the person’s racial/ethnic identity, but on the oppressive systems that create and perpetuate the inequitable treatment that person experienced.

This makes it clear that the person should not be held responsible for how others respond to the parts of his identity that he cannot change.

08/11/2023

Colonialism is often discussed through a historical lens, giving the impression that dispossession and exploitation of people and the land are a foregone system. But be it settler or neo, colonialism is a present reality for many current and formerly colonized people. In today's newsletter, Andrew covers how colonialization, in practice and the mindset, remains a stronghold in the West and what decolonization looks like.

Colonialism is often seen through a historical lens despite dispossession and exploitation being a present reality for many current and formerly colonized people.

02/11/2023

When the topic of immigration is discussed, the pros always center on what immigrants have to offer America, including how immigrants built this nation (and enslaved Black people). Though well-meaning, our support shouldn't hinge on what others bring to the table. In today's newsletter, Andrew discusses how we can show up for immigrants and other marginalized communities.

When the topic of immigration is discussed, the pros always center on what immigrants have to offer to white America.

27/10/2023

In our latest newsletter, we interviewed Nadya Tannous, a community organizer, writer and member of the Palestinian Youth Movement on the movement for Palestinian liberation and their central demands: the right of return for all refugees, the release of all political prisoners, the right to self-determination, and liberation of the Palestinian homeland. https://the-ard.com/2023/10/26/we-want-to-be-free-nadya-tannous-on-palestinian-liberation/

24/10/2023

America is facing a loneliness epidemic. Learn more about the importance of social bonds and who’s disproportionately affected by social isolation.

Despite being one of the most connected societies in the age of social media, America is facing a loneliness epidemic.

17/10/2023

Today, we’re bringing a spotlight to the ongoing calls for accountability for the safety and protection of marginalized Native people. The movement aims to protect those most affected by violence. Dominique shares how you can do your part to support those missing or at risk.

Unresolved cases like Mika Josephine Westwolf underscores the lack of attention and justice given to missing and murdered Indigenous women.

16/10/2023

Athletes are often chided for taking a stance on social justice issues—especially if they’re not supported by the dominant culture, as we’re seeing with the criticism against anyone publicly supporting Palestine right now. Today’s article looks at the powerful demonstration at the Olympics in 1968 and efforts to advocate for justice on the playing field.

The 1968 Olympics Black Power salute raised questions about racial justice, “politicized” sports, and solidarity that still resonate today.

05/10/2023

We lost the great Grace Lee Boggs on this day in 2015. Today, reflect on the legacy of her political thought and over seven decades of community organizing. Her example and words challenge us to commit ourselves to community empowerment and revolutionary change throughout our lives. “You cannot change any society,” said Boggs, “unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it." https://the-ard.com/2023/06/27/grace-lee-boggs-and-our-responsibility-for-change/

28/09/2023

As you already know, we deeply believe in access to books that help students fully understand themselves and the world around them. Our newest initiative, Banned Books Book Club , is solely dedicated to that. And thanks to many of you, we’ve been able to ship hundreds of banned books to readers across the U.S.!

Today’s newsletter dives into the latest on banned books and provides thoughtful ways to celebrate Banned Books Week.

27/09/2023

Our nation prides itself on religious freedoms, but that's not equitably distributed across beliefs. Learn how Judeo-Christian values shape our nation and how we treat others.

26/09/2023

If you look back through history, you may notice that many people-led, community-based initiatives are given a bad rap. The Black Panther Party is a known example. And so are the Young Lords, who were inspired by the Panthers and worked hard to support their community. Learn more about their work and impact in today's newsletter.

Much of the Young Lords' success came from their innate ability to provide hands-on community service programs while also doing attention-grabbing acts of civil disobedience.

24/09/2023

Diabetes patients face difficulty filling prescriptions as Ozempic shortage and Insulin costs limit drug access. We spoke with Emily Miller from Mutual Aid Diabetes, a group providing life-saving resources to keep community members safe and alive, to learn more about how the drug craze affects vulnerable populations.

Diabetes patients face difficulty filling prescriptions as Ozempic shortage and Insulin costs limit drug access.

20/09/2023

On September 20, 2007, around 15,000 protesters gathered in Jena, Louisiana to support six Black high school students facing serious criminal charges after an incident with white classmates.

The conflict began when a Black student sat under a tree where white students usually congregated. In response, white students hung nooses in the tree. Racial tensions escalated, leading to a physical fight between a white student and several Black students.

The charges against the Black students were initially upgraded to attempted murder, drawing national attention and sparking criticism of the school district's response.

Despite the charges being later reduced, the case symbolized the criminalization of Black youth and the significance of the school-to-prison pipeline.

https://calendar.eji.org/racial-injustice/sep/20

19/09/2023

How would you fare if you had to apply for citizenship to the U.S.? Today’s newsletter looks at the challenges to finding citizenship and how proposed changes may make access even harder for non-English speaking applicants.

14/09/2023

Earlier this week, we wrote about the misconceptions on terrorism, and how important it is to name the threats we face. As we approach the anniversary of the Birmingham Church Bombing, let’s reflect on the events on that date—and the nation’s response—with the context of white supremacist terror today. https://the-ard.com/2023/09/14/the-violence-leading-to-the-birmingham-church-bombing/

13/09/2023

Our Disability Justice workshop has been rescheduled to Wednesday, September 27 from 3-5pm EST. Dr. Akilah Cadet, DHSc, MPH will facilitate an interactive, two-hour workshop on centering disabled communities in equity and inclusion efforts. We still have a few slots left to join!

Disability Justice WorkshopPOSTPONEDSign up for emails to be notified of a rescheduled date. Disabled people are often overlooked and excluded from the workplace, even in equity and inclusion initiatives.Join us for this 2-hour workshop to learn how to effectively advocate for and center disabled co...

12/09/2023

Our view of the world is often shaped by the lens of the country we live in. And much of what we’re taught about Latin American countries is a story told to make the U.S. seem superior. But what might we miss about our own democracy, and our influence on countries abroad? Learn more about the history of democracy in Latin America in today’s newsletter. https://the-ard.com/2023/09/12/united-states-a-threat-to-democracy-in-latin-america/

07/09/2023

(Alternative title: Mexico does what the U.S. should have done a long time ago.)

Yesterday, Mexico’s Supreme Court threw out all criminal penalties for abortion, ruling that national laws prohibiting the procedure as unconstitutional.

The ruling will require the federal public health service and all federal health institutions to offer abortion to anyone who requests it.

Although some states still criminalize abortion and more work is needed to fully remove all penalties, this move highlights a growing trend across Latin America towards protecting reproductive rights.

This is a major win for the organizers that rallied to make this happen.

05/09/2023

The Georgia Attorney General’s Office has filed RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) indictments against 61 individuals alleged to be part of the Stop Cop City Movement, protesting against the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.

Over the past year and a half, local law enforcement has made dozens of arrests during overwhelmingly peaceful protests with overblown charges, from alleged property damage to domestic terrorism. These latest charges aim to imply that the “Stop Cop City” movement is organized crime. Some of the protestors included in this indictment were passing out flyers, sitting in trees in the forest, or holding protest signs. Another was an attorney present at a protest as a legal observer, and followed all protocol to do so.

The Cop City Vote coalition, along with other local and national advocacy organizations, strongly oppose these latest actions and the ongoing attempts to silence criticism.

“Threatening peaceful protestors with a seizure of their money and a twenty-year prison sentence not only mocks the purpose of the statute, it represents an assault on the most important and cherished rights of all American citizens: the right to protest, the right to seek redress of grievances, the right to enlist friends, colleagues, and the community to change government policy because the citizens want change.” - Attorney Dan Samuel

04/09/2023

Black workers face higher rates of discrimination, lower wages, and unsafe work conditions. The National Black Worker Center has created the
Black Worker Bill of Rights to advocate for the 20 million Black workers across the country.

Swipe to read the Bill of Rights and sign the petition to join the fight against anti-Black racism and support transformative policies that empower workers: https://www.change.org/p/it-s-time-it-has-been-time

📰 Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get more actions like this in your inbox each morning. subscibe.the-ard.com

01/09/2023

During the first week of September in 1884, a school principal denied 8-year-old Chinese American Mamie Tape from enrolling into school that year. The principal denied them because of their race, noting that the California Constitution described Chinese Americans as “dangerous to the well-being of the state.”

Her parents sued and won, forcing the California Supreme Court to admit that Chinese students had a right to public education. But instead of integrating schools, the state opened schools specifically for Chinese-American students.

It wasn't until the late 1920s that Chinese American students were allowed to attend school with white students.

This case highlights the extreme discrimination that Chinese American faced during the time, and the long and ongoing movement to provide equitable educational opportunities for all kids – regardless of their racial or ethnic identity.

https://calendar.eji.org/racial-injustice/sep/1

What other stories have you heard about school segregation? How has segregation in school affected you or your family? Let us know in the comments.

31/08/2023

After a shooting at where an armed gunman killed a faculty member, the published a compilation of text messages sent by students during the lockdown on their front page. The move highlights the ongoing trauma and terror that students experience around school shootings.