Creating a better world for all
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Humanitarian crisis in gaza
Millions of innocent civilians in Gaza are facing unprecedented violence and persecution. An estimated 35,000* (and counting) civilians have lost their lives due to senseless bombings from Israel. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes, and are living each day facing struggles that are unimaginable to the privileged many around the world, you and me included. There is absolutely no defending this.
*source: Swiss Broadcasting Corporation
Additional readings:
-AFSC: What It Means To Be A Refugee in Gaza, Awad
-Red Cross: What's Happening in Gaza? A Desperate Humanitarian Crisis
-PBS: What’s Happening in the Israel-Hamas War as Truce Ends and Combat in Gaza Begins Again
As with every social justice issue, individual research is paramount. Listen with an open mind to those who experience oppression, injustice, and persecution daily.
Here's how we help
Contact your representatives, and urge for an immediate ceasefire, before any more innocent lives are lost. Call their offices, send them emails, and be sure to vote for officials who not only have your best interest at heart, but also the best interest in preserving decency and humanity at large. If you don't know where to begin, start here.
Learn about the plight of the Palestinian people. Propaganda that aims to uphold the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians paints them as subhuman. This harmful rhetoric has cost too many lives already. The Israeli occupation has suffocated Gazans for nearly two decades. Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire, by Jehad Abusalim (Editor), Jennifer Bing (Editor), and Mike Merryman-Lotze (Editor) is an anthology of first-hand accounts detailing the strife that Palestinian people have endured for sixteen years (and counting). True allyship comes from upholding and uplifting Palestinian voices and perspectives.
Consider giving when you can. As always, it is important to research every organization that you intend to give money to, to ensure that your donations are reaching the correct people. Consider organizations such as the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, and the American Friends Service Committee, which are all aiming to aid civilians and put a stop to the violence in the West Bank.
the fight for REPRODUCTIVE Rights
On June 24th, 2022, the United States Supreme Court shamefully overturned the landmark case, Roe v. Wade, effectively stripping away the reproductive rights and bodily autonomy of people all across the country. Abortion is a completely safe and common medical procedure*, and in some cases, absolutely necessary. Restricted abortion access leads to unsafer methods of termination of pregnancies, and can increase maternal and infant mortality rates.** The bottom line is, an abortion is a medical procedure, and whether or not that procedure gets performed should be entirely at the executive discretion of the patient and their chosen medical professional.
*source: The World Health Organization
**source: AmericanProgress.org
If you or someone you know is in need of reproductive healthcare resources, check out the National Network of Abortion Funds, which can help provide safe and secure access to anyone who might need them.
Additional resources:
-Planned Parenthood: Court Reform Petition
-National Abortion Hotline
-Center for Reproductive Rights
As with every social justice issue, individual research is paramount. Listen with an open mind to those who experience oppression, injustice, and persecution daily.
Here's how we help
Vote for human rights. Do not be misled, abortion rights are human rights. Any politician who aims to limit human rights has no business serving in public office. Research candidates, and elect officials who listen to science and are dedicated to upholding human rights. Check out Planned Parenthood's Sexual and Reproductive Health Congrssional Scorecard here.
Educate yourself. Chances are, you know someone who has had or considered an abortion. No two stories are the same. Listen with empathy, and you will likely learn something that you've never known before. Check out this ACLU resource on how to navigate conversations dealing with abortion rights.
Consider giving when you can. In some states, the overturning of Roe v. Wade made abortion care extremely inaccessible, but not impossible. Consider researching, and if possible, donating to organizations who are committed to granting safe and secure abortion access to all. Some organizations include Planned Parenthood, MSI Reproductive Choices, and the National Network of Abortion Funds, which all aim to make reproductive health resources accessible to all.
Black Lives Matter
It is an unfortunate truth that racism has permeated many facets of this country since its very founding. In an age where the plight of all groups are so easily at our fingertips, it is clear that racism is a systemic problem within the building blocks of America. The Black Lives Matter movement is an international sociopolitical movement that aims to eradicate white supremacy to build a better, more just world for all. You can read more about the work of Black Lives Matter here.
There have been far too many lives lost to police brutality and irrational fears from racists everywhere. All around the world, innocent Black and Brown civilians are perceived as threats just because of the colors of their skin. This is the painful truth of white supremacy. It does not end until we call it by it's name, and actively work to dismantle its pervasive grip in our day-to-day lives.
Additional readings:
-Black Lives Matter Resource Archive
-Ibram X. Kendi's Anti-Racist Reading List
-Human Rights Campaign: Resources for Intersectional Communities of Color
-NPR: Being Black In America: 'We Have A Place In This World Too', Peters
-Gallup: The Black American Experience, Lloyd
-ACLU: Defunding The Police Will Actually Make Us Safer, Fernandez
As with every social justice issue, individual research is paramount. Listen with an open mind to those who experience oppression, injustice, and persecution daily.
Here's How we help
Educate yourself. The best way to become an ally to marginalized and oppressed communities is to educate yourself on the ways that racism affects the lives of people of color. Engage in antiracist literature, learn about white privilege, and engage in civic discourse about dismantling white supremacy. In this comprehensive list by the NAACP, you can learn about all the issues that are being tackled daily, in order to dismantle racism.
Elect antiracist officials. Anti-racism isn't just denouncing racism but actively working to eradicate it entirely from society. You can learn more about antiracism, implicit bias, and structural racism here, from the The National Museum of African American History and Culture. When researching and voting for candidates, pay special attention to how they tackle complex issues surrounding race equality and justice for all.
Sign petitions, and consider giving when you can. Systemic change doesn't happen overnight, but it can start tonight. Keep up with active campaigns with organizations such as Color of Change, and consider donating to movements such as Black Lives Matter, the Anti Racism Fund, and the NAACP, who are committed to dismantling racism, and rebuilding diverse communities. Additionally, seek out and support Black-owned businesses. You can start here, at this comprehensive online list, which includes more than 450+ Black owned businesses around the world.
In your fight to denounce racism, make sure to amplify diverse voices, attend protests, believe survivors, fight to change policies, and always call racism as you see it, even if it's uncomfortable for you. Allyship may not always be easy, but it is always worth it.