On December 6, 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution was officially ratified. The amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. This exception is often discussed in today’s discussions about criminal justice reform (including Ava DuVernay’s documentary, “13th”). Use this anniversary to talk about the continued need for racial justice in the United States, especially in our criminal justice system. Cite the values of equity and safety.
Tag: racial justice
Hanukkah
As you prepare for the holiday season, help your audiences get ready for effective and meaningful family conversations. Refer to values of equity, voice, and community.
Lesbian Visibility Week
Today is also the kickoff of Lesbian Visibility Week. In 2008, Diva Publisher Linda Rily celebrated the first Lesbian Visibility Day, which later became a weeklong celebration that aims to celebrate ALL LGBTQI+ women and non-binary people. Use this hook to discuss intersectionality and racial and economic justice by citing the values of economic opportunity, community, and voice.
Final Four
March Madness comes to an end this weekend with the Final Four teams in both men’s and women’s college basketball competing for their respective national championships. In recent years, the NCAA faced pressure to market and broadcast both tournaments more equitably and allow collegiate athletes to be financially compensated for their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Cite the values of voice and equity when supporting student-athletes.
Night Out for Safety and Liberation
Today is Night Out for Safety and Liberation (NOSL), hosted by The Ella Baker Center. Organized since 2013, the event serves as a counter-program to the law-enforcement driven National Night Out. Both events are held annually on the first Tuesday of August. The goal of NOSL is to shift the conversation about public safety. Cite the values of equity, safety, and community.
Welcoming Week
Observed since 2012, Welcoming Week is an initiative of Welcoming America that lifts up the work of local communities to become more welcoming places for all, including immigrants. Use this week to discuss Community, Opportunity, and Equality.
Take Action: See the Welcoming Week Toolkit for messaging guidance, social media assets, tips for hosting an event and sample proclamations or resolutions for state and local governments.
Arab American Heritage Month
During the month of April, the Arab America Foundation formally recognizes the achievements of Arab Americans through the celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). Across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and non-profit organizations issue proclamations and engage in special events that celebrate our community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society. Cite the values of voice and community in sharing these resources with your audiences.
National Farmworker Awareness Week
The last seven days of March are National Farmworker Awareness Week. Since 1999, Student Action with Farmworkers has coordinated this week of action to “raise awareness about farmworker issues, honor their everyday contributions, and gain more allies to help advocate for better living and working conditions in the fields.” Farm work exposes workers to significant occupational hazards and has few federal labor protections such as overtime pay or unemployment insurance. Talk about farmworker rights citing the values of economic opportunity, equity, and community.
The NAACP Image Awards
Tonight The NAACP Image Awards will “celebrate the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors.” The event provides a prime-time opportunity to uplift the importance of cultural strategies and representation to achieving racial justice. Cite the values of voice and equity.
Academy Awards
The Oscars awards ceremony airs live today. In recent years, the Oscars have drawn criticism for how nominations embody the failure to celebrate and uplift BIPOC creators’ work in Hollywood. Visit the Academy’s website to learn more about this year’s nominations and emphasize the values of equity and voice when talking about the show.
