Archive Author
Founder and CEO, Anti-Racism Daily. Nicole Cardoza is a serial entrepreneur passionate about reclaiming our right to be well. She’s a writer, innovator and consultant with companies and social change organizations. She’s also a magician.
Issues written by Nicole Cardoza for Anti-Racism Daily, newest first.
255 issues · 2020–2023
We created a guide to the grassroots and POC-led giving for social justice causes this Giving Tuesday.
Instead of taking accountability or addressing one's grievances, tone policing attempts to discredit and put the aggrieved back in their place.
For Black women and girls, incidences of violence and hate, informed by misogynoir, become a throughline to each of our lives.
Critics of Israel are being silenced, part of a long history of anti-Palestinian suppression. This guide explains your rights when advocating for Palestine.
Examining the role of qualified immunity and the U.S. judicial system in keeping law enforcement from facing accountability.
The story of the Jena Six highlights the double standard Black students experience in the educational and legal system.
Examining how the latest changes to the citizenship test have made it even more challenging to become a U.S. citizen.
White supremacist groups pose the highest risk to our nation's security. Yet, most counterterrorism programs unfairly target communities of color, especially after 9/11.
A brief overview of what power and privilege means and its role in systemic oppression to help you understand how privilege shows up in your life—and what you can do to address it.
Terms Capitalizing “Black” when referring to people in a racial, ethnic, or cultural context is to make language more inclusive and accurate.
Hawai'i has been decimated by its reliance on tourism, an economic decision that fuels the inequities that cause disasters to impact those most marginalized disproportionately.
Solitary confinement is the go-to solution for handling any issue brought on by a system that breaks down those within its confinement.
James Baldwin's work serves as a gateway for all to understand race, sexuality, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
A group of Black boys were criminalized for breaking into a public pool, echoing a history of banning Black people from public swimming spaces.
Lack of infrastructure and accountability from local U.S. governments has led to public distrust in tap water.
Black athletes might be overrepresented but deal with discrimination and stereotyping, unlike their white counterparts.
What will come of efforts to diversify college campuses with the end of affirmative action in higher education?
A new docudrama on Queen Cleopatra has been “canceled” because it cast a mixed-race actress in the role of the pharaoh.
Traditional Pride Month celebrations call for inclusivity and remembrance. But this year, go a step further. Here’s how you can amplify your impact this year and next.
This is the first Hollywood strike in 15 years, and insiders believe this stalemate could last months and have major rippling effects in the industry.
The 1992 Los Angeles riots were sparked by a series of injustices by the criminal justice system against marginalized people that remain unaddressed 30 years later.
Recent shooting incidents have renewed conversations on “stand your ground” laws, their impact, and who is protected by the self-defense law.
The differences between the Central Park Five and the Donald Trump indictments highlight the disparities and bias in the legal system.
There's a persistent narrative in U.S. history that pits the innocence of white women against a false notion of Black aggression.
As our communities continue to reel over the latest school shooting, attention to the types of victims of gun violence is left out of discussions.
The Combahee River Collective Statement advocated that society be reorganized based on the collective needs of those who it most oppresses.
Layoffs are disproportionately impacting DEI roles. Here’s how that will affect representation and inclusion in the workplace.
In recognizing Equal Pay Day, we must center the most marginalized and affected by the wage gap in order to achieve gender pay equity.
Learn how Seattle’s decision to ban caste discrimination addresses how caste discrimination affects the workplace.
The Watsonville Riots was a violent attack on Filipino farmworkers by a mob of white residents in the city of Watsonville, California, between January 19 and January 30, 1930.
This year, the importance of participating in politics and our communities were greatly emphasized, from court rulings to the polarizing political campaigning of key issues.
With the overturning of Roe v. Wade this year, the urgency to protect access to abortions and other reproductive care became a top priority countrywide.
Cities and states are developing unprecedented reparations initiatives to address economic inequities and historical injustice against Black people.
Our biases on gender, class, sexual orientation, disability, religion, and other parts of our identity also influence our perception of race.
The current financial system is inherently inequitable, causing marginalized communities to flock to unregulated alternatives like crypto.
Amplifying the work of Just Detention International, an organization committed to those that experience sexual abuse while incarcerated.
Recent discussions of ethnocentrism often fall short of interpreting the relationship between ethnocentrism and racism.
Initiatives like land rematriation aren't just reparations but a clear way to dismantle white supremacy and center Indigenous communities.
The adultification bias of Black youth, specifically girls, robs them of their childhood and contributes to their trauma.
The Supreme Court reviews a case that, if upheld, will reverse strides in rectifying the cultural genocide and displacement of Native families.
Like the MOVE bombing victims, museums hold the remains of marginalized communities, often without community support or consent.
Halloween is culturally a time when many people wear costumes that include blackface or cultural appropriation, in addition to other oppressive or racially charged attire.
A pair of vintage Levi's jeans sold in an auction had the brand's old slogan, "the only kind made by white labor," printed on its pockets.
How social spaces and tech profit off the exploitative use of Blackness and racial stereotypes in a repackaged and digitized version of blackface.
There are many domestic and global issues calling for our attention, and it might be hard to know where to start. But when we can identify how we can help, the path towards change might become easier.
The backlash following the Netflix series, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story highlights how the genre re-harms victims and their families
The racist backlash of "The Rings of Power" diverse casting follows a trend of excluding marginalized identities from fantastical realms.
Teachers are fundraising to get air conditioning into their classrooms due to record heat waves and inadequate educational infrastructure.
The school-to-prison pipeline introduces students to the criminal legal system, affecting their mental health, academic potential, and livelihoods.
Is it appropriate to check in with a friend or colleague to show support in the aftermath of a major attack against a marginalized community?
In an unjust criminal legal system, the exclusion of marginalized people on juries enables an inequitable system to prosper.
The use of the phrase "woke" has strayed far from its roots and has been co-opted by conservatives and mainstream culture to discredit calls for accountability and justice.
The controversy surrounding Brittney Griner's case reflects the discrimination that women and LGBTQ+ athletes experience at all levels of success.
The story of Jayland Walker, who was shot over 60 times after a routine traffic stop, underscores how inequitable policing is and how over-policing harms marginalized communities.
“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” is a scathing critique of the failed promises of the Declaration of Independence to Black enslaved people.
In overturning abortion rights, Justice Thomas urged the court to reconsider other decisions that used "substantive due process precedents."
Forty years after the racially motivated hate crime against Vincent Chin, Asian communities are still experiencing rampant hate crimes.
Juneteenth commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States, yet more than 150 years later, Black people continue to fight for their rights and freedom.
The introduction of the Puerto Rico Status Act acknowledges the history of colonization against the island and sets a path for radically shifting the island's relationship with the U.S.
More than 60 years later, the Loving v. Virginia case continues to be “one of the most significant legal decisions of the civil rights era.”
The Cops Off Campus Coalition is a network of students, educators, and community members working to abolish policing in the education system.
Since the protests in summer 2020, over 100 pieces of anti-protest legislation have been introduced or implemented across the U.S.
Many corporations capitalize on Pride Month by rainbow-washing while actively causing harm to the LGBTQIA+ community.
The fight against Roe v. Wade underscores how digital surveillance can be used to incriminate people seeking abortion care.
The latest on abortion rights has led to comparisons between current events and “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a dystopian novel and show.
"Criminal justice system” is used in the U.S to reference the broad, complex system that addresses criminal activity, but rarely are marginalized people afforded justice.
Cinco de Mayo is meant to be a day of solidarity and respecting Mexican and Latine culture, but the Americanization of the holiday has obscured its true historical significance.
A leaked draft from the Supreme Court details the reversal of Roe v. Wade, eradicating federal constitutional protections of abortion rights.
Sharing graphic videos of police brutality may raise awareness, but also cause harm and obfuscate the real effort needed to create change.
Book bans are escalating across the country. But banned books do little to foster a better learning environment for students.
Unlike the unjust trials of the Scottsboro Boys, white vigilantism often ended in lynchings, one of which inspired the song "Strange Fruit."
After 200 years, the government will finally implement anti-lynching legislation which will make lynchings in America a hate crime.
The trans community across the U.S. faces an onslaught of violent state legislation. Here's a state-by-state guide on anti-trans bills in the U.S. and how you can help those fighting for trans rights.
Defunding the police allows communities to reinvest in other forms of community support while dismantling a system rooted in racism and white supremacy.
The White House symbolizes this country’s unique commitment to liberty and justice for all. Yet, the forced labor of enslaved people literally laid the foundation for American democracy.
No-Knock warrants allow police to legally break into people's homes unannounced, often resulting in fatal outcomes like the deaths of Amir Locke and Breonna Taylor.
Black poetry in the U.S. has been a revolutionary space throughout history, acting as a reminder of American cruelty and strife.
Podcast host Joe Rogan has received backlash for helping spread COVID-19 conspiracies and his repeated use of the N-word. Yet, Spotify refuses to deplatform him.
Whoopi Goldberg’s Holocaust comments on The View inaccurately claimed that the genocide of millions of Jews was not about race. During the Holocaust, Jewish people were labeled as an “inferior race” by the Nazis, echoing similar eugenicist beliefs held in the U.S. during that time.
Black History Month is more than reading about the Black achievements, stories, people, and movements that shaped the U.S. It's essential to take these readings and teachings and put them into action.
Upon the announcement of Justice Stephen Breyer's retirement, discussions on who will be his successor highlight a need for more Supreme Court representation.
Representation in media helps shape how marginalized groups are viewed by society and how they view themselves. While far from perfection, Encanto signals a positive shift in authentic storytelling in the media.
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has been whitewashed and gentrified. To honor him, we must remember him in his entirety and not just what's been deemed "appropriate."
Multigenerational living remerges due to the health and economic disparities, a rapidly aging population, and unaffordable housing.
Food is a cornerstone of culture, and our ability to access healthy food and decide what we consume is rooted in the same inequities that other industries face.
Whether it’s a question of sovereignty, preservation, or spirituality, there’s much to unpack with the U.S.'s legacy of land ownership.
Each school year presents an opportunity to reimagine the education system in ways proven to work and ways we know will benefit the students.
This year, allyship had its moment and was even named word of the year by Dictionary.com. But what does it mean to be an ally?
Allyship is word of the year. As our country grapples with racial and social inequity, we reflect on whether we lived up to its definition.
“Equity v. Equality” illustration breaks down the difference between the two terms and how the distinction impacts the necessary work for social change.
Medical illustrations are often only cisgender, able-bodied, white, thin men. Inclusive depictions are essential for healthcare treatment.
If you're heading into the holidays expecting some tough conversations, here are some resources to help you through.
A reflection on the day Ruby Bridges walked to school and role of white protestors to prevent racial integration in education.
Apologies are more than just saying sorry, but taking accountability for harm.
Pay equity can only happen with pay transparency. Talking about your salary at the office is a powerful way to contribute to change.
Columbus Day represents the history of colonization and the erasure of Indigenous communities. Learn about the movement to change it.
When will Facebook hold itself accountable for the harm it causes, and how can we rally our voices?
Despite AAVE being popularized in pop culture, Black people are still ridiculed in workplaces, classrooms, and other parts of society for using it.
The case of Gabby Petito highlights the need to amplify stories of all missing – particularly those most marginalized.
How does "The Activist" address the threats and skepticism that community leaders face IRL?
Two trending videos on TikTok reignite conversations about the horrors inflicted due to white women's tears.
Neighborhoods of color affected by redlining, historic bank and government-sponsored housing discrimination, are five degrees hotter than non-redlined neighborhoods since they have dramatically less tree cover. In Portland, OR, they’re a shocking 13 degrees warmer (NPR). Communities of color are where state and business elites dump toxic chemicals, coal-fired power plants, and chemical factories across the country. “The climate emergency will have a disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities” (Guardian) since “the lack of equitable investment in low-income communities leaves people even more at risk for climate change impacts” (NRDC).
Black social media creators are on strike from creating new choreography. Here's why.
Anti-trans legislation adds to the violence and discrimination that affect the trans community, particularly people of color and Black trans lives.
$50B was pledged by corporations to racial equity initiatives. But where's the money?
Black homeowners are routinely experiencing low appraisal values, preventing them from building generational wealth.
According to the ACLU, 11% of U.S. citizens – or more than 21 million Americans – do not have government-issued photo identification (ACLU). Much of the conversation around the need for IDs revolves around voting, driven by the rise of legislation that states across the country are implementing that include stricter identification requirements (NPR). Marginalized groups, including those disabled, the elderly population, and people of color, are less likely to have identification than the general population, which means their voices are minimized in elections. But beyond that, the identification gap causes many issues for people across the country, particularly during COVID-19.
The push to ban critical race theory in schools is a part of a broader campaign to discredit the concept of racism and its effect in the U.S.
If you’ve participated or watched protests unfold in cities across the country this past year, you may have noticed that law enforcement looked more like members of our military than neighborhood police. And that’s intentional, as, over the past decades, the U.S. has made it easier for law enforcement to access surplus military equipment for everyday use.
Anti-fatness bias comprises the systemic and interpersonal oppression that fat people experience in the workplace, the healthcare system, the criminal justice system, and other aspects of everyday life.
For the past month, Derek Chauvin has been on trial for the murder of George Floyd. Finally, the verdict is out. Chauvin faced three charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. To convict Chauvin, the prosecution needed to show each charge beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution did not need to prove that Chauvin intended to kill George Floyd to convict him of the charges.
This Thursday, April 22, is the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, one of the most significant secular movements observed worldwide. Modeled after the anti-war and civil rights movements that preceded it, the first Earth Day, held on April 19, 1970, was a massive demonstration where millions of people took to the streets to rally for environmental justice. The event supported the advancement of a series of legislation in the years to come: an amended Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Endangered Species Act; the Marine Mammal Protection Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (Time).
Last week, actor Ray Fisher shared the racism and inappropriate conduct he experienced while working onset for several superhero movies (The Hollywood Reporter). One of his allegations references discrimination that he heard happened on the set Krypton, a Syfy series that focuses on Seg-El, Superman’s grandfather. Actor Regé-Jean Page, the star of Netflix phenomenon Bridgerton, had auditioned for the role. But the producer rescinded, stating that Superman could not have a Black grandfather.
The death has been referred to as an “accidental discharge.” But there is nothing accidental about the death of an unarmed Black man by law enforcement. Our system is designed to maximize interactions between Black and brown people and police officers, which all but ensures that harm will happen. This is enforced through the practice of over-policing, initiatives that have justified increased levels of policing for the sake of the greater good, but often with adverse consequences (Scientific American).
The death has been referred to as an “accidental discharge.” But there is nothing accidental about the death of an unarmed Black man by law enforcement. Our system is designed to maximize interactions between Black and brown people and police officers, which all but ensures that harm will happen. This is enforced through the practice of over-policing, initiatives that have justified increased levels of policing for the sake of the greater good, but often with adverse consequences (Scientific American).
Unpaid internships are inaccessible and further the economic inequities in education and the workplace by relying on exploitative practices.
COINTELPRO, a series of covert and illegal initiatives by the FBI, and its impact on Black activism in the 1960s.
Last week, author and motivational speaker Rachel Hollis posted a video where she fought back against being called “privileged” because she has a housekeeper. In it, she defends her need for support for being a hard-working, successful woman and compares herself to her idols, which she lists in the caption: “Harriet Tubman, RBG, Marie Curie, Oprah Winfrey, Amelia Earhart, Frida Khalo, Malala Yousafzai, Wu Zetian... all Unrelatable AF.”
Last week, a thriving houseless encampment in Echo Park, Los Angeles, was destroyed by city officials. The community released a statement asking not to be disturbed, and allies gathered to stand in solidarity in advance of the raid. Nevertheless, on March 24, over four hundred LAPD officers descended to remove the unhoused community forcibly. Over 182 people were arrested, including at least a dozen journalists. By early the following day, police erected fences around the perimeter so residents couldn’t leave or return (The Knock LA). Protestors have since reported violence and projectiles inflicted by law enforcement at the scene.
Last Thursday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a sweeping voter suppression bill into law that allows for more legislative oversight and control on election proceedings. The bill has a couple of positive provisions, like lengthening the time of early voting in general elections, but they fail to compensate for the negative.
Local journalism needs your support now more than ever. Resources for local publications have been dwindling for years, spurred nearly a decade ago when readers shifted from print to digital publications. Moving news consumption from online to offline enabled national outlets to attract more readers, siphoning readership – and advertising revenue – from local publications. Beyond that, local advertising revenue has moved towards tech behemoths like Facebook and Google, who offer more cost-effective, segmented opportunities to reach an audience (Washington Post). Over 2,000 local newspapers have shuttered since 2004. By the close of 2019, over 65 million Americans live in counties with only one local newspaper—or none at all (Brookings).
But, most urgently, it pushes the "lone wolf" narrative: that this individual acted alone for personal reasons and wasn't motivated by a larger narrative. This attempts to detach this specific instance from the larger role that white supremacy plays in acts of violence and terrorism in the U.S. As a result, it doesn't call for accountability for the system that nurtured and developed that hate in a white supremacist society. Although the individual should be held responsible for their actions, so should the government that fostered discrimination and bias against the Asian community since its start, from the Chinese Exclusion Act, to Imperialism in the Asia-Pacific, and platforming a president that persistently called coronavirus “Kung flu” and the “Asian virus” (Anti-Racism Daily).
Last Sunday, March 7, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a tell-all interview on stepping down as senior members of the royal family. In that interview, Meghan Markle named that the stress and anxiety from the defamatory press led her to suicidal ideation, but she received no mental health support from the palace. She also details the racism that she and her child, Archie, experienced directly, including that the Crown would not provide her son titles or protections and that someone in the family questioned how dark his skin would be (Vulture).
Today, March 8, marks the beginning of the murder trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, one of the four police officers responsible for the death of George Floyd in May of 2020. Chauvin is the officer depicted in cellphone and bodycam footage kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes.
Water is a necessary natural resource needed to live a sustainable life. Humans are made up of about sixty percent of water and, in addition to it being essential for the body, it is the most important substance for cleaning, bathing, washing, and many other things. When it comes to cities that are mostly comprised of Black and Brown citizens, proper maintenance and availability to the basic necessities—such as water, in this case—are sometimes overlooked or deemed as unimportant or not as urgent as those living in predominantly white neighborhoods. Blatant disregard for these Black and Brown populations shows up more often than not but mostly during some sort of environmental crisis or natural disaster.
Right now, there are over 50 pieces of anti-trans legislation under consideration in states across the U.S. All are designed to strip away the limited rights and protections that currently exist for transgender people (LGBTQ+ Nation). Seventeen states are all considering bills that would ban transgender girls and women from school sports this year, and some of the bills also ban transgender boys and men. These states are Arizona, Connecticut, Iowa, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.
Millions of people across the country are without power after a series of intense winter storms. From Nashville to Chicago, North Carolina to Oregon, states are grappling with power outages, car crashes, and destruction from wind, snow, tornadoes, or hail. The situation is especially dire in Texas, where over 2 million people are without power throughout the state. Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures have overwhelmed the state’s power grid, causing widespread outages that have left many communities without power for days on end.
Last week, the Biden administration deported 72 people, including a two-month-old baby and 22 other children, back to Haiti (The Guardian). Advocates for immigrants approximate that over 900 Haitians have been deported in the weeks prior (Washington Post). This, paired with other recent efforts that disproportionately impact Black immigrants, has spurred advocates to call for accountability on the racial disparities in an unjust system.
The lack of accessibility in the current vaccine rollout stems from broader systemic disparities evident in healthcare.
Over the past week, a series of attacks against the Asian community, particularly in the San Francisco Bay area, have led calls for justice. In SF, an 84-year-old man from Thailand, Vicha Ratanapakdee, was tackled to the ground. He ultimately died from his injuries (Yahoo). In Oakland, a 91-year-old man was senselessly knocked over. According to the Chinatown Chamber president, there have been 20+ robbery/assault incidents reported in the neighborhood over the past week (ABC7). These acts of violence match others that have sparked in cities across the country, as reported by @nguyen_amanda on Twitter. Despite the severity of these attacks, many major news sources have not yet reported on them.
On February 2, the School Library Journal, a publication for librarians and information specialists that reviews and recommends children’s books, released the cover of their February issue, which drew immediate criticism on social media.
5,805 workers at an Amazon facility in Alabama will decide whether they wish to be represented by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. If they vote yes, they would be the first Amazon warehouse in the United States to unionize.
Today marks the beginning of Black History Month in the U.S. Here's how to ensure your corporate acknowledgment is authentic.
Since his presidency began two weeks ago, President Biden has signed 26 executive orders to rewrite our political history and create a distinction between his and the previous administration. And in text, these statements are powerful. Four of them signed last Tuesday directly address racial equity, and cover topics you’ve seen in this newsletter: they stress the importance of land sovereignty for Indigenous communities, address anti-Asian sentiment due to COVID-19, reduce the use of private prisons, and acknowledge the role the federal government has played in discriminatory housing policy. The previous sentence links to previous newsletters. Read more about these orders on Politico.
"This Land is Your Land” performed during the 2021 Inauguration, a song that celebrates American without acknowledging the genocide, oppression, and forced removal of Indigenous communities.
The legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. has been whitewashed and gentrified to depict him as someone that only advocated for unity and peace (Essence). But during his life, many denounced him as an extremist (Time) and the FBI considered him a threat to democracy (Stanford). Neither narrative speaks to his radical views, nor his lasting commitment to racial equity. It's our responsibility to honor his legacy beyond what's been deemed "appropriate" by education and media.
The following are the BLM's list of demands in response to the Capitol coup shared via email. Action items in today's email reference the points made below. I've added contextual information in italics with an asterisk *.
But, in all of this, I am missing accountability. I am missing an acknowledgment of the accumulation of harm that we’ve experienced – not just last week, but over the past four years. It makes me angry. It makes me weary. And it does nothing to address the deep and profound grief I’ve been experiencing for the past year – one that I believe many of us are harboring.
Yesterday a group of pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, disrupting the certification of the Electoral College vote. Earlier in the day, President Trump spoke at the rally, citing that "we will never concede" after losing the election to President-elect Biden (NYTimes). From there, protestors overtook the Capitol, breaking windows and scaling walls before taking artifacts and rioting inside (more via The Atlantic). Although few media outlets go so far as to use the words, this can be considered an attempted coup, an unconstitutional seize of political power (The Atlantic).
Each new calendar year, many feel inspired to recommit to solving the causes and challenges we face. And for many, this year is no exception. 2021 may feel like a fresh start after a devastating year, and it’s important to channel those intentions into action. But I propose using the beginning of this year to gain awareness on how your investment can be most sustainable, because new year resolutions are more likely to be broken than executed. And movement work is no exception. My recommendation is to spend some time this week reflecting on your role in the work ahead.
Underserved communities are disproportionately becoming zoned as food deserts as access to grocery stores becomes limited.
The holidays can be both magical and fraught with interpersonal tension. And, with the compounded impact of all things 2020, these relationships may be even more strained. If you're heading into the holidays expecting some tough conversations, here are some resources to help you through. Remember, all of these are only suggestions; relationships are unique and complex, and these best practices might not be best for you. Share your thoughts on today's conversation in our digital community.
To the average American, Hawaii elicits a fantasy. Palm trees swaying in the light wind. Hot white sands reflect a radiant sun and kiss a crystal clear ocean. Hula dancers wait at the doorsteps to a hotel overlooking the vast Pacific. But this fantasy is just that, and to many Native Hawaiians, their reality is quite the opposite. This continued exploitation of Hawaiian lands and culture to visitors, many of whom fail to appreciate its deep culture and culture, contributes to the systemic colonization of the Hawaiian islands.
This past June, William Marcus (Marc) Wilson, a 21-year-old Black student from Sharpsburg, Georgia, was driving with his girlfriend when a truckload of angry white people accosted them, calling them racial slurs and attempting to run them off the road. Terrified, Wilson fired warning shots from a gun he legally carried, one of which struck the car and killed a 17-year-old white woman sitting inside (Washington Post). Wilson fully cooperated with law enforcement and told them he fired his gun, fearing for his life, and surveillance footage demonstrated aggression from the driver. But the next day, Wilson was arrested and charged with one count of felony murder and one count of aggravated assault. He was denied bond in a hearing in August and is scheduled for a bond reconsideration hearing today, Tuesday, December 15, 2020 (Wilson’s lawyers’ website).
Dr. Timnit Gebru is a well-respected leader in the field of ethical A.I., an industry that’s committed to making artificial intelligence more inclusive and representative of our diverse population. She co-authored a groundbreaking paper that showed facial recognition to be less accurate at identifying women and people of color. She co-founded the Black in AI affinity group. And she was the co-leader of Google’s Ethical A.I. team – that is, until they abruptly forced her out of the company (Dr. Timnit Gebru’s Twitter).
Opioid overdoses are rising during the COVID-19 pandemic and have disproportionately impacted Black people. Harm reduction programs can help mitigate the overdose epidemic.
On September 22, the Trump administration signed an executive order prohibiting “divisive concepts" in diversity training programs such as systemic race and sex discrimination and implicit race and sex biases.
Middle Eastern representation in Hollywood reinforces racists stereotypes that a group of people should be seen as a threat.
Like members of Gen Z, younger generations' racist beliefs and actions are often seen as youthful mistakes. But white supremacy doesn't end with age.
Each Friday for the rest of the year, we’ll be featuring Black-owned businesses to support this holiday season. Today, we’re centering books written by people of color that you can order from Black-owned bookstores from across the U.S. We always recommend supporting a local business near you before using this list, so these are just suggestions! Read why supporting Black-owned businesses is so critical, especially with the economic challenges we're experiencing. Key takeaways in today's newsletter reference some of these stats.
Native women are facing a crisis of violence. Homicide is the third leading cause of death among Native girls and women aged 10 to 24, and the fifth leading cause of death for Native women aged 25 to 34. In the United States today, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women are nearly 2.5x more likely to be sexually assaulted than women in the general population. 70% of these violent victimizations are committed by persons of a different race (Department of Justice).
A new report found that one in five people in the U.S. have turned to a food pantry, food bank, or community food distribution at some point since the pandemic began, a 50% increase than before (Consumer Report). And Household Pulse survey found that nearly 11 % of American adults “sometimes or often” did not have enough to eat in the previous seven days, according to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau from Oct. 14 to 26, a stark increase from 3.7% increase in 2019 (Washington Post). And the people most likely to need support are people of color. Over a third of Black Americans have used a food pantry, food bank, or community food distribution during the pandemic, and 22% of Hispanics (Consumer Report).
Happy Saturday! Welcome to our weekly Study Hall. Each week I answer questions and share insights from each of you in our community. I hope this week's content illuminates more on the topics we unpacked this week.
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual observance on November 20 that honors transgender people. The observance was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman who was killed in 1998 (GLAAD). The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester's death, sparking an important tradition that especially resonates in 2020, when COVID-19, police brutality, and discrimination politically has all exacerbated the violence and oppression this community experiences. To this day, Rita Hester’s murder hasn’t been solved. Read more in NBC News.
Conversations on student loan forgiveness sparked again Monday when President-elect Joe Biden mentioned he has plans to cancel student debt when he takes office (NYTimes). During a Q&A post-speech, Biden acknowledged how many people struggle with student loans’ burden but didn’t give specifics on his political agenda. Hopeful citizens are referencing an interview where Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader, stated that Biden could cancel $50,000 in student loan debt in his first 100 days (The Ink).
As we mentioned back in June, the term “defund the police” became a critical part of this election season. Moderate Democrats argue that it discouraged people from supporting candidates (Time). Progressive Democrats disagree, noting that efforts to change policing were passed in several states (Vox). While reading these conversations, remember that this work needs to persevere far beyond the phrase’s sentiment. Here’s an updated FAQ on the work at hand.
Last week, the latest software update on iOS included over 100 new emoji, many of which aimed to make this form of digital communication more inclusive. The collection includes a slew of gender-inclusive symbols, like a male emoji holding babies, the Transgender Pride Flag, and genderfluid wedding emoji (Mashable). It also has a range of "disability-themed" emojis, including a new guide dog, an ear with a hearing aid, wheelchairs, a prosthetic arm, and a prosthetic leg. And, it allows users more options to apply skin color, particularly in emoji that show two or more people and the holding hands emoji 🤝 (Paper Magazine).
COVID-19 is exacerbating medical bias and making people in the disability community fearful of finding adequate medical care.
There are two Senate seats up for a runoff election in January. If Democrats win both, we will have a 50/50 Senate split and a Democratic VP making tie-breaking decisions (NPR). This political power could make both a lasting and immediate impact. Some key issues have been stalled in the Senate, like the second round of coronavirus relief (Vox), that could pass more swiftly. To do this, we need to win both seats in the run-off election in Georgia.
Happy Saturday! Welcome to our weekly Study Hall. Each week I answer questions and share insights from each of you in our community. This week we're diving into some FAQs from the content this week, mainly the election.
Most people don’t realize that the popular vote doesn’t choose the President of the U.S. That’s only the first step. States first vote in favor of a presidential candidate, which validates the states’ electoral college. Then, these "electors" from each of the 50 states gather in December and vote for the President (and Vice President). The person who receives a majority of votes from the "Electoral College" – at least 270 out of 538 total potential votes – becomes President (National Archives).
I need you to show up today. Our nation is at a crossroads. And the most urgent action we can take right now (if we have been granted the right) to transform this nation is to vote in the U.S. Presidential election.
Happy Halloween! Welcome to our weekly Study Hall. Each week I answer questions and share insights from each of you in our community. This week we unpack the futility of marginal change, Halloween, and the Supreme Court.
Pervis Payne, a Black man who was convicted for murder 33 years ago, will be executed in December, despite DNA evidence that could prove his innocence (CNN). While the execution of an intellectually disabled person is unconstitutional, the court didn’t recognize Payne’s disability at the time of his trial (Tennessean). The Innocence Project, a legal organization that works to exonerate the wrongfully convicted, is trying to stop Payne’s execution. As of today, “375 people in the United States have been exonerated by DNA testing, including 21 who served time on death row” (The Innocence Project).
It happened. Justice Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court Monday evening (NPR). Judge Barrett, who is 48 years old, is likely to serve on the court for decades, solidifying a 6-3 conservative majority. It also gives her immediate power in several upcoming hearings this November that disproportionately impacts the livelihood of communities of color. This is the first time a Supreme Court nominee has been confirmed without a single vote from a major minority party since December 1869 (WSJ). Now that it’s official, inquiries on whether or not Biden, if confirmed, could expand the court, have snowballed into comprehensive calls for action.
Over the past couple of years, major studios have rushed to create renditions of popular stories from generations past, a way to incite millennials with renditions of their favorites and, hopefully, bring their children along for the ride. As they do, efforts to add more diversity have been applauded and criticized alike. Representation in all movies and particularly animated movies – isn’t just a marketing ploy; it’s critical to rewriting a history of whiteness in animated films and contributing to a conscious conversation about where society can grow.
Many professional sports teams, such as the Kansas City Chiefs, have names or mascots that revere genocide and racial violence.
Citizens in Nigeria have been protesting since early October against police brutality, gaining international attention. More people have died from police brutality than COVID-19 since the nation’s lockdown (BBC), and decades of abuse have prompted youth organizers to take to the streets and social media to demand change. Demonstrations in solidarity have been organized in cities around the world, including Atlanta, Berlin, New York, and London (NYTimes). As protests escalate in Abuja, the nation’s capital, so does the violence against the protestors in a series of organized attacks (BBC). But the movement shows no sign of slowing down.
Welcome to our weekly Study Hall. Each week I answer questions and share insights from each of you in our community. This week I dove deeper on some pressing topics from our community.
This week, the Senate holds confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who was nominated as the next Supreme Court justice appointment. As you watch, be sure to listen for how her confirmation may impact how the U.S. responds to this racial reckoning for decades to come.
As misinformation and conspiracy theories reach a peak over the past week, there’s been heightened scrutiny on the role that QAnon plays in the conversations we see dominate social media. In response, on Tuesday, Facebook announced a blanket ban on any pages, groups, and Instagram accounts representing QAnon from its platforms (The Verge).
There are endless reports on the senior staffers who have contracted COVID-19 from the September 26 Rose Garden event. But there’s a lot less about the staff – particularly the residence staff – that have potentially been exposed to the virus. These essential workers, nearly all identifying as people of color, deserve to be represented in this narrative and protected at all costs. Unfortunately, stories of communities of color in the White House are often overlooked and forgotten – a practice consistent with its dark history.
As misinformation and conspiracy theories reach a peak over the past week, there’s been heightened scrutiny on the role that QAnon plays in the conversations we see dominate social media. In response, on Tuesday, Facebook announced a blanket ban on any pages, groups, and Instagram accounts representing QAnon from its platforms (The Verge).
With over 208,000 people lost and 7.5M reported cases, yesterday the President told the American people not to “be afraid of COVID-19”. This tweet was sent after the President was rushed to the hospital after contracting COVID-19 last week, likely at a White House event where most participants did not wear masks or properly social distance.
The best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is for individuals to stay home when they’re feeling sick. However, this isn’t a luxury for many workers without access to paid sick leave.
Police face criticism for their use of ketamine in the arrest of individuals they mislabel as "aggressive" following the death of Elijah McClain.
The impact of the “war on drugs” campaign in the ’70s and ’80s continues to the mass incarceration of Black and Brown people today.
The "bystander effect" often de-incentivizes individuals in groups from being active bystanders and taking action during a crisis.
Donate to the family’s GoFundMe and contact officials in Kenosha to ensure accountability.
The memeification of Breonna Taylor aims to keep Taylor's name in the media but is often perpetuating the same systems that harm Black women.
We need to look at our eco-conscious efforts, like reducing plastic consumption, as both environmentally-friendly and an act of anti-racism.
We must leverage our privilege to dismantle racial microaggressions in the workplace and other social spaces.
Facial recognition software is increasingly becoming integrated into society and policing despite coded racial bias.
Systemic racism is pervasive. It's just as present in our criminal justice system as it is in our healthcare and education system.
Breonna Taylor's name, like most Black women, is missing in the fight for justice against police brutality and anti-Black violence due to a lack of intersectionality.