This Veterans Day 2022, we honor all who served!
To learn more about the significance of this important day, please visit https://bit.ly/DeptVA.
For an extensive list of discounts, offers, and free meals, visit https://bit.ly/Dept-VA.
We Must Have Courage...
Comment"We must have courage — determination — to go on with the task of becoming free — not only for ourselves but for the nation and the world” - Rosa Parks
My Generation of Black Girls Got Bamboozled by Relaxers. Here's Why It Matters! by Cara Doumbe Kingue
Comment"Not only did whole generations get bamboozled by relaxers, but they also unknowingly may develop (or have developed) health issues related to their use." - Cara Doumbe Kingue
Read more here: https://bit.ly/Psalm-124-1-8
The Hair Tales by Tracee Ellis Ross
CommentBe sure to watch Hulu's "The Hair Tales," a new docuseries hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross!
"The Hair Tales is an intimate and intentional docuseries focused on the parallel journeys Black women have with their hair and with themselves... By centering the stories on Black hair and what it means to be a Black woman in this country, Tracee Ellis Ross will take viewers on a dynamic journey that documents not only how hair has been part of every Black woman’s identity and personal expression throughout history, but also the radical impact that Black women have had on culture and humanity. Through cultural, societal, and historical context, The Hair Tales acts as living documentation of the wholeness of Black women, and ultimately, the wholeness of culture. The Hair Tales will not only demonstrate that Black women are a runway to humanity but also how Black women liberate us all."
Watch the official trailer here:
In A World Where You Can Be Anything...
Comment"To be kind is more important than to be right. Many times, what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks but a special heart that listens." - Rabbi Menachem Mendel
SB 1085, authored by Senator Sydney Kamlager and signed by Governor Newsom of California
Comment#ICYMI, SB 1085, authored by Senator Sydney Kamlager and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, prevents child welfare removals based on poverty alone, and paves the way for further combatting unjust and often discriminatory family separation practices.
"We want to make it super clear that poverty should never be the sole reason why these children are coming into the jurisdiction of the child welfare system,” said Stephanie Jeffcoat, a community organizer with A New Way of Life Reentry Project, based in Los Angeles. “There have to be more reasons aside from ‘Oh, their refrigerator isn’t filled with food, their cabinets are bare, or their phone is broken.’ That should never be a reason for family separation.”
Follow along here:
Activists Seek to Halt Poverty Based Family Separations
Comment"The Reimagine Child Safety Coalition calls for legal counsel to be provided for low-income parents at the onset of a social worker investigation, instead of later...
Activists also want agencies to implement reforms that have been introduced in New York City and state that would guarantee parents Miranda-style rights at the onset of a child maltreatment investigation."
Read more here: https://bit.ly/ItsTimeToReimagine
"Motion Picture Academy Apologizes Formally to Sacheen Littlefeather at Celebration of Native American Culture"
Comment"In 1973, Sacheen Littlefeather, a member of the Screen Actors Guild, became the first Native woman to stand onstage at the Academy Awards ceremony, on behalf of Marlon Brando. At his request, Littlefeather did not accept Brando’s Best Actor award for The Godfather and gave a passionate 60-second speech regarding the stereotypes of Native Americans in the entertainment industry. She also brought attention to the 1973 Wounded Knee protest in South Dakota. This moment resulted in her being professionally boycotted, personally attacked and harassed, and discriminated against for the last 50 years."
Read More: https://bit.ly/-LittleFeather
Live event on September 17, 2022: https://youtu.be/wNHtImiC90o
Updated October 3, 2022 by the Academy Museum
"Sacheen Littlefeather, who famously stepped onto the stage at the 45th Academy Awards and declined Marlon Brando's Best Actor Oscar on his behalf, died on Oct. 2 at her home in Novato, California. She was 75." https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/sacheen-littlefeather-actress-and-civil-rights-activist-dies-at-75
President Biden Quotes Queen in 9/11 Remembrance: ‘Grief is the price we pay for love’
Comment"’Grief is the price we pay for love,’ Biden said, referring to a message sent by the monarch, who died last week, after the attacks that killed almost 3,000 people.”
Read on here: https://bit.ly/ForeverForAlwaysForLove
The Trauma of Being Black in Foster Care by Dr. Kizzy Lopez
CommentIn this TEDxTalk, Dr. Kizzy Lopez shares her experiences as a Black child in foster care and "the reality of both the trauma and racism Black foster youth suffer." Today, she uses those experiences to advocate for more just child welfare policies, and reminds us that "our action or inaction creates a society that all if our children live in." She also exhorts us to be honest and "acknowledge that racism exists, get educated about the injustices that happen in communities of color, challenge our own unconscious bias, be engaged in policies and practices that dismantle structural racism, and do better because the lives of African American foster youth depend on it!"
#PassTheCROWN
CommentNEWS ALERT🚨 Massachusetts is the 18th state to make hair discrimination unlawful!! Thank you, Governor Baker, for signing this important legislation!
"Our groundbreaking CROWN research study revealed that Black women are 80% more likely to change their hair from its natural state to fit in at the office. Now, this new body of research illuminates the pervasive nature and deep impact hair discrimination has on Black girls highlighting the horrific multi-generational impact of narrow beauty standards in America... These biases continue to perpetuate unfair scrutiny and discrimination against Black women and girls for wearing hairstyles inherent to our culture. This is unacceptable and why it is imperative that everyone join the movement to make hair discrimination illegal nationwide through the passage of The CROWN Act." - Esi Eggleston Bracey
Email your U.S. Legislator today to end race-based hair discrimination! https://bit.ly/PassTheCrown
A Celebration of Good
CommentFor the month of July, we've determined to continue our celebration of courage and the uplifting of those things that add light to our world. Oftentimes, we are so overwhelmed by the hour we live in that we are consumed and focus solely on these things. But let us rejoice in the Good that happens and may our collective prayers and hopes for humanity propel many more good things forward!
And so, we start our month honoring the wisdom and stand of State Trooper Jaret Doty and all those like him. As he teaches us in his incredible display of humanity, let your mark on the world be one of Light, servant leadership, empathy, compassion, and Justice. True power and honor is not found in crushing other human beings under the soles of one's feet. True power, honor, and wisdom is in upholding, lifting, empowering, helping and serving. May the courageous actions of Officer Doty be ones that we all aspire to follow!
Read more here: https://cnn.it/3nR1QVr
Linked article and images are from CNN
A Celebration of Courage
Comment"Do Good Anyway!" - Mother Teresa
"You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right." - Rosa Parks
"The arc of history does not bend towards justice on its own. We push it there." - Ben Jealous
"And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular – but one must take it because it is right." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
"Get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble!" - Senator John Lewis
"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. BUT EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, we want you to know, let us be very clear, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'” - Daniel 3
On Celebrating Courage
CommentWe celebrate and honor the courage of NFL Superstar and Social Justice Activist Colin Kaepernick.
During the month of June, we determined to celebrate courage and those who despite all odds and opposition, held their positions firm on the side of justice, good, and light.
As we considered words that might capture the complete essence of our deep appreciation for Colin Kaepernick's courageous position against injustice and institutional racism, our words failed us, and even our most holy and sincere tokens of appreciation were not enough. And so we say "Thank You, Colin Kaepernick" for your courage, conviction, and your many sacrifices for Good!
May all of heaven honor your prayers 🙏🏾🕊️
An Inspiring Story of Resilience
Comment“Follow one family’s journey to reunite with relatives of their ancestor, Hawkins Wilson, who was born into slavery and torn from his family as a young boy. As a grown, newly-freedman nearly 25 years later, Hawkins Wilson sent letters to the Freedmen’s Bureau desperately seeking assistance locating his siblings, but unfortunately, the letters were never delivered and his story, like many others, was suspended in time–until now.
This inspiring story of resilience and hope showcases the impact one family history discovery can have on an entire community that has faced many roadblocks when it comes to understanding their past.” - Ancestry.com
On Celebrating Courage
CommentIn our ongoing trajectory of honoring courage, we celebrate the life of William Lewis Moore.
“Known for standing up for his beliefs,” Moore, as a Postman, walked to protest segregation, and along with Black student protestors, was jailed for opposing the injustices that were inflicted upon Black Americans because of the color of our skin. On April 23, 1963, Moore was killed for the righteous stand he took against societal and institutional racism.
To learn more about William Lewis Moore, please visit: https://www.splcenter.org/william-lewis-moore
Do Good Anyway!!
Comment"For God is pleased when, conscious of His will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering..." (1 Peter 2:19-20).
On Celebrating Courage
CommentAs we continue our celebration of courage, we honor the life and actions of Cariol Horne, who in the face of great opposition, placed her life, wellbeing, and career on the line to defend justice and uphold humanity.
To learn more about the courage, trial, and victory of Cariol Horne, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrCHpYYtxqs
On Celebrating Courage
CommentThis month we will celebrate courageous souls in our great nation and around the world, who despite unspeakable odds and opposition, kept judgment and did justice so that others might be helped, uplifted and saved.
The first individual that we proudly honor is The Righteous Among the Nations Chiune Sugihara who helped save over 6,000 Jews during the Holocaust.
To learn more about Mr. Sugihara’s courageous and selfless actions, please visit: https://bit.ly/-Sugihara and watch https://youtu.be/GYI9ZiONCY0
Earth Day 2022
Comment"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature–the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter." - Rachel Carson
#EarthDay
#SpringAfterWinter
Photo by Unknown
