#racial justice and equality

[alwaysbewoke]

[hussyknee]

I just want to make one thing very clear. Black and brown people, especially Muslims right now, don't owe white people for your allyship in racial justice. Not even those who are themselves systemically marginalized in some way. Not white Jews, not white queers, not white disabled, not white working class, not white poor.

Whiteness is the most lethal kind of oppression because it built the current colonial capitalist, imperialist world order. Every white person benefits from and is complicit in its systems in some way because white supremacy is global. Whatever marginalization has white people in it can be and is easily weaponized against the mellanated. When charged with your racist, exclusionary and oppressive behaviour you hold up Black and brown people of the same marginalizations as tokens. This is the only time they are ever visible; more often than not you profit off their labour, hoard their gains, throw them under the bus and make them part of your iconography for liberal progress points once they're dead and have no inconvenient opinions about your conduct.

This is why it's very hard for Black and brown people to take accusations of bigotry towards you in good faith. We also have a duty of care towards others but more often than not it feels like you want us to do what you want while holding a knife to our necks. Even when you don't do it directly, you issue demands like "if you don't do x and y you clearly don't care about my people and deserve the worst!!!" without considering for a moment that the full brunt of that policing will always fall on Black and brown people, because punitive justice exercises itself first and foremost on the vulnerable. If your demands for allyship carry disproportionate punishment for Black and brown people should we refuse, you're just on some power trip and never needed our help in the first place. This also obfuscates the needs and disenfranchisement of BIPOC Jewish, queer, poor, disabled and Global South people, because without racial justice, few of your gains will ever materialise in their lives. It's always trickle down liberation for the rest of us.

Your allyship is supposed to be the work of conscience, a recognition of injustice and a drive towards privilege equal to your own. For white people, it's an individual reparation on your part. It is not an act of kindness, or benevolence, or a transaction that must be repaid in kind. The worst of us deserve the same rights the worst of you already have. That's the meaning of equality. If you're willing to let us get fired, deported, or brutally murdered for bad behaviour, then not only were you never an ally, you were also just waiting for the opportunity to use that weapon you claim you never wanted. There is no justice in an asymmetry of power.

[momachan]

"It may be considered naive and unrealistic to assume I can eliminate prejudice, implicit bias, and long-held racial fears. Yet I won't ever stop trying for men and women... For all those unjustly imprisioned by a system unwilling or incapable of recognizing their humanity. To exist... to prosper... within that framework... takes a level of strength that would make even Superman envious. I'll be in your corner. I'll fight for your freedom. Always."

Truth & Justice (2021). "The Revolving Door."

[isawthismeme]

[eugenedebs1920]

This is America? This is who we are? A country where people will boycott a company that maintains diversity, equity and inclusion? It’s utterly pathetic.

I was taking a walk through the downtown of a small city I live near. On the downtown strip I ran across two plaques. Both were plaques in memorial to the horrific lynching and death of African Americans. The last plaque, on the opposite side about an angry mob of white people, lynching a young boy then going after other African Americans, killing 15 in total, one as young as 13, and the oldest being in his 80’s, was an overview of lynchings in this town. It said that over 300 lynchings of black Americans had occurred there from 1886-1950.

1950! That’s not that long ago. Many of our grandparents were alive in that period of time. We were never meant to go back.

It got me thinking. Was this when America was great? Is this what maga wants to go back to? A time where you could use mob justice to kill an innocent person because they were not white.

These plaques are up as a solum reminder of the hate and violence in America’s past. They are not meant to be goals to go back to.

In my short life, to see this nation go from breaking the color barrier for the White House, to threatening companies for encouraging diversity in the workplace, is the most shameful stain that has soiled the fabric of our nation.

May the world forgive, may all who fought for racial justice forgive us, may all who experience this rise of hate forgive us.

In the name of my fellow countrymen, please forgive me. I am utterly embarrassed and so sorry.

I can say I will do all I can to stifle and stop this hatred and blatant racism. I hope others feel the same…

[amandagr3]

[hersheysmcboom]

If you valve your freedom, sign this now!

[talesofwhimsy]

I'm 100 pages into Moby Dick and they just got on the goddamn boat

This book actually kinda fucks hard it's great?

[fuck-em-up-your-grace]

The thing the American left needs to understand is that the best thing you can do to advance leftism* is to vote for Joe Biden.

[faramirsonofgondor]

American Indian Discrimination and Issues

If you want the links to important causes just skip towards the end, but I implore you to read through what I’ve written as it’s important as well!

I think it’s a major disservice that barely anyone talks about the fact that the Federal Government doesn’t recognize members of tribes whose land was taken from them. Obviously most of the US is stolen land but in the mid 1900s the Federal government terminated Indian land rights to “assimilate” Indian people, and without an official land base it’s harder to congregate and act as a sovereign nation, therefore they aren’t eligible for federal recognition. Furthermore, in 1900 the Bureau of Indian Affairs didn’t do a complete consensus of the US and missed places where Indians lived, meaning members of indigenous communities were missed and not represented on the census data. One of the criterion to becoming a federally recognized tribe is the demonstration “that it has been identified as an American Indian entity on a substantially continuous basis since 1900.” (R. Lee Fleming, Director of the Office of Federal Acknowledgement).

Some of you may also be wondering why federal acknowledgement is so important. For starters, American Indians are the poorest ethnic group in the US. Federally recognized tribes are permitted to open up casinos in places that do not permit gambling because these tribes have the status of being a sovereign nation. While these casinos are able to provide for many Indian families and make improvements to reservations, this income isn’t extended to those with tribal ancestry who aren’t apart of those Federally recognized tribes. You also can’t get financial assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs if you’re not from a Federally recognized tribe. This means that any federal programs, health insurances, grants, reparations, etc. are not provided.

There is also a large chunk of American Indian history that is erased from the knowledge of the general public - such as the fact that they weren’t granted US citizenship until 1924, 56 years after African Americans were granted it, or the fact they were also subjected to Jim Crow laws and racial segregation in the South, or the Red Power movement as a whole.

I think it’s important to understand the struggles American Indians have faced and still face to this day - having the highest likelihood than any other race of being killed in a police encounter (3x the rate of White Americans, 2.6x the rate of Black Americans), having an incarceration rate 38% higher than the national average and receiving harsher sentences than White, Black, and Hispanic offenders, having the highest rate of violent crime victimizations compared to every other race with around 70% of those committing hate crimes not being of the same race as them, with 46% of the perpetrators being complete strangers to the victim, and 75% of sexual assaults against them being committed by strangers or acquaintances (according to the Bureau of Statistics )- whereas amongst the general population only 58.5% of sexual assaults are committed by strangers or acquaintances (RAINN).

They also have the lowest median household income out of all races in the US (data from 2022). Furthermore, the American Indian population is rarely mentioned in discussions about the racial wage gap despite the fact that they make nearly the same (only one cent more) earnings per dollar as Black Americans do (US Department of Labor) relative to White American earnings and having a lower share of income than every other race. Nor is it mentioned that American Indian women on average are paid less than Black Women (who are often more focused on by the media) when looking at the racial gender gap (National Partnership for Women and Families).

Another issue that is rarely addressed is the poor access and racism faced in terms of health care. The leasing causes of death for American Indians are heart disease (25% of deaths), cancer (22%), and accidents (19%). There are many diseases that affect American Indians at a higher rate than the general population as well. However, they also are more likely to not receive medical assistance because of the cost and much less likely to have visited a dentist as well, putting them more at risk for dental related illnesses. 33% of American Indians also do not have health insurance either. Furthermore, the Indian Health Service (the Federal Department dedicated to providing American Indians with Health Care services) has had its funding cut multiple times within the past two decades (with a $800,000,000 cut in 2013) making it harder to provide adequate health care for them.

I would also like to state that I’m not trying to diminish the discrimination, racism, and pain that other people of color undergo, nor am I trying to devalue or discredit their experiences. All people of color deserve justice and equality . I’m just trying to raise awareness to the fact that American Indians face a lot of discrimination at higher rates but are less focused on in the media. Overall, I just think that it’s important to draw more attention to the issues that they face and different ways to combat those issues.

Some American Indian Organizations and Causes to support are:

The Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance whose goal is to aid American Indians in being seen and heard in independent media. https://imfreedomalliance.org/

C.O.P.E. which aims to help Najavo people who live with chronic illnesses & improve the wellbeing of American Indians. https://www.copeprogram.org/aboutus

Land Back which fights for the return to indigenous lands in the US to their peoples. https://landback.org/

The American Indian Community House which aims to improve American Indian wellbeing and increase the visibility of American Indian cultures in urban settings. https://aich.org/about/

C.H.I.R.P. which originally served to research, preserve, and document the history & culture of the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe. However, it now serves as a way to support their people after it was no longer recognized by the Federal government, leaving them without access to programs that support their health and well-being. https://chirpca.org/

Diné C.A.R.E. which defends Najavo communities against exploitative and destructive environmental practices and issues. https://www.dine-care.org/about-us

Hopi Relief Fund which aims to distribute the necessary supplies to aid community members in their recovery of the Covid-19 crisis. https://hopirelief.org/about-us

Indigenous Roots which uses art and activism to promote opportunities for Indigenous peoples, such as local classes, scholarships, artist grants, art installations, etc. https://indigenous-roots.org/

Intertribal Friend House whose mission is to expand resources for American Indians so that they can stay connected to their culture. https://www.ifhurbanrez.org/

The National Urban Family Coalition which advocates to bring awareness to the struggles that American Indians living in urban areas still face. https://www.nuifc.org/

R.J.I.P. which focuses on bringing justice to American Indian victims and addressing the disproportionate rates at which American Indians are victimized. https://www.indigenousjustice.org/

Sogorea Te’ Land Trust which focuses on returning Indigenous Land to indigenous people (similar to Land Back). https://sogoreate-landtrust.org/

N.A.D.L.C. which advocates for American Indians with disabilities. https://www.nativedisabilitylaw.org/

AISES https://www.aises.org/about/history

https://nativephilanthropy.candid.org/timeline/era/indian-self-determination-and-self-governance-era/#timeline-content

I also implore you to also check out these American Indian and Indigenous Businesses:

Cheek Bone Beauty https://www.cheekbonebeauty.com/

Sḵwálwen Botanicals https://skwalwen.com/

Prados Beauty https://pradosbeauty.com/

Ah-Shí Beauty https://www.ahshibeauty.com/

Satya Organic Skincare https://satyaorganics.com/

The Yukon Soaps Company https://yukonsoaps.com/

Blended Girl Cosmetics https://blendedgirl.com/

Sequoia Soaps https://sequoiasoaps.com/

Sister Sky (Haircare) https://sistersky.com/

Quw'utsun Made https://www.firstpickhandmade.com/personnel/quwutsun-made/

Ginew https://ginewusa.com/

B.yellowtail https://byellowtail.com/

Eighth Generation https://eighthgeneration.com/

Lauren Good Day https://laurengoodday.com/

Urban Native Era https://urbannativeera.com/

OXDX Clothing https://www.oxdxclothing.com/

Beyond Buckskin Boutique https://shop.beyondbuckskin.com/

Liandra Swim https://liandraswim.com/en-us

Lesley Hampton https://lesleyhampton.com/

Haus of Dizzy https://hausofdizzy.com/

[living4socialjust1c3]

Defeat Project 2025

⚠️ 🚨The Dangers of Electing a GOP President in this Coming Election🚨⚠️

📘 👀Please read up on the Heritage Foundation’s Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise, also known as Project 2025. 

🤼We must Defeat Project 2025 because it endangers our country’s democracy, social justice, freedom, human rights, and environment.

👉 The far-right plans to:

🔏Centralize the power to the executive branch, which eliminates the checks and balances of our democracy!

🥾Make federal employees at-will workers to ensure political loyal hires

👊 We need to fight to protect human rights because the far-right plans to eliminate:

❌Federal protections for LGBTQ+ Rights

❌Efforts that address gender equality and continue to restrict reproductive rights

❌Efforts that address racial inequality and diversity, equity and inclusion

🌎The plan will also roll back #ClimateChange mitigations🌎

✊ We need to #StandTogether in solidarity to push back against abuse of power and protect the democratic process✊🥺 Please be informed about the implications of voting for Trump this upcoming election🗳️ 🚫 No one party or person should have that much power or control🚫

🖲️Click here for more information: Read Project 2025, Media Matters Article on the Project, TIME’s Article on Project 2025, NECC Observer on the Dangers of the Project

[alwaysbewoke]

[orthopunkfox]

An Appalachian Orthodox Christian's Perspective on Juneteenth

Growing up in redneck country, I was no stranger to racism. I heard my great granny use the hard R and even my parents make little racist comments between themselves about BIPOC folx. I have remarked in conversations to friends that one of the disadvantages of growing up as a white cis man in Kentucky and Southern Indiana is that other white cis men will be racist around you. I can remember more than a few times being approached in the grocery store by men asking "Do you know Mr. Ayak?" the call sign for the KKK.

Today in the United States, we celebrate the end of the greatest disease that has afflicted our nation: the abomination of slavery. Yet we acknowledge that the great strides taken in the 1860s and the 1960s are but the first steps on a long road to true racial equality. Indeed today is not just a day of celebration, but remembrance. We remember the thousands of people, created in the image of God who's names have been erased from history because their lives and deaths were not counted worthy of remembrance.

We remember also, and mourn, those who twisted the words of Our Lord and His Saints to defend their racist actions, just as they do now with their anti LGBTQ+ rhetoric. We remember those who stood behind the pulpit and the Bible and dared to use even Christ's Holy Cross as a symbol of hatred for their fellow human beings.

On this day, it is worth noting that the Orthodox Church has a message for those people. In April of 1863, His All-Holiness Joachim II Patriarch of Constantinople released a statement that was printed in an Antiochian newspaper. He says:

The United States of America, after many years of union and peace, after gigantic material and moral development, are separated into two hostile camps. The Northern States, guided by true reason and evangelical principles, persistently seek the abolition of the slavery of the blacks. The Southern States, blinded by a badly understood material interest, obstinately and anti-Christianly seek the perpetuation of slavery. This war of ideas and physical interests is prosecuted to desperation. Bloody battles are delivered, but victory until the present is doubtful, and the return of peace does not seem near. But if we cast a careful eye upon the wonderful events of this age, we shall be inclined to believe that those who contend so nobly for the most unquestionable and humane rights, will, God helping them, reach the object of their desires.

We thank God that the (doubtful) hopes of the Patriarch were realized, and we vow, as inclusive Orthodox Christians to continue the battle for the rights of the oppressed, to step forward where we are needed and to step back in support when where we are not. We hope and pray and celebrate with our siblings of color today as they rejoice in they victories already won.

Glory to God for all things!

[IMAGE]: An icon depicting various Saints of Africa including Saint Moses and Saint Mary of Egypt.

[destielmemenews]

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[nando161mando]

Combatting racial whataboutism

[eugenedebs1920]

In moments where it seems that hatred and bigotry have consumed America, it’s nice to see that even some soulless corporations have a heart. I jest. Good on Costco for reals.

What is disturbing though is that a soulless corporation has a higher ethical standard than a large group of Americans. It was just the other week there was a call to boycott Costco because they refused to end their DEI practices.

SERIOUSLY! What is wrong with these people!? A group of overweight white peoples boycotting a wholesale food distributor!? How will they purchase the 5 gallon jug of cheese balls, or their 118 pack of Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches, their 30 rack of 2 liter soda!? How will their fat, pre diabetic children eat!? The humanity!!

F*ck anyone who’s celebrating the nullification of the Equal Opportunity Act! F*ck anyone who feels vindicated that DEI has been terminated! F*ck anyone who is jubilant that hard working immigrants, like all our ancestors besides those Native American or descendants of slaves that our immoral ancestors brought here, at one time were.

I hope AI takes your job 🖕🏾🖕🏻🖕🖕🏼⬅️(it’s DEI giving you ignorant racists the finger.)🖕🏿