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< Back COVID 19: Impact on K12 and Postsecondary Students Written By: Amanuel Bahru Publishing Date: December 30, 2021 Even prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, young people already struggled with economic and social integration (Hares & Mundy, 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on general wellbeing, the economy, and the social lives of many, with an arguably disproportionate impact on young people, especially youth in lower income nations that struggled especially with the pandemic (International Labor Organization, 2020). The pandemic has had a significant impact on young people’s education. Data from the U.S. Department of Educations shows that the pandemic has worsened pre-existing educational gaps and has limited academic growth. Social distancing requirements led schools to transition to online education and this has led to educational gaps because of that technological barriers that exist in accessing online education (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). Most students experiencing these barriers tend to be students of color, students with disabilities, and those from a lower socioeconomic backgrounds (U.S. Department of Education). It is estimated that approximately 1.57 billion or 91.3% of students globally were out of school as a result of COVID-19-related school closures (Hares & Mundy, 2021). Loss of learning resulting from the pandemic is a real concern and the consequences will be felt in the years to come (Human Rights Watch, 2021). In addition, school environments commonly provide youths a sense of community. Many students have an opportunity to join school-based organizations, however, that was no longer possible due to remote learning and social distancing. Therefore, some students have missed that sense of community by not being able to interact with their peers in-person. For example, studies suggest that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) students are at a higher risk of developing anxiety and stress due to not being able to be in school in-person and participating in various activities that provide them with a sense of community and support from their fellow peers (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). Learning from home has also presented extra challenges for students that are at risk of violence, sexual harassment, and abuse from intimate partners or household members, due to being confined to close quarters with abusers (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). Overall, almost all K-12 and postsecondary students have faced mental health challenges related to the pandemic and its effects (U.S. Department of Education, n.d.). Unlike sectors such as healthcare and economic sectors, educational sectors don’t provide data on how they’ve been impacted from COVID-19 as frequently. However, one Netherlands based study, focusing on primary school students, provides some data on the impact of the pandemic on student performance. This particular study highlights that there is a decrease in the number of courses completed by students and increased variability in student test scores (Engzell et al., 2021). In addition, a survey conducted for this particular study suggests that students spent less time studying during lockdown (Engzell et al., 2021). Regarding the impact of the pandemic on student performance, the study finds that students scored three percentile points lower in reading, spelling and math post-pandemic than those pre-pandemic. In comparison, there was no significant change in test scores between the years 2017-2019 for similar tests (Engzell et al., 2021). Since disadvantaged students are most likely to have a drop in academic performance as a result of COVID-19-related school closures, addressing COVID-19-related learning loss should start by targeting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. One way to do this is by implementing accelerated learning programs (ALPs) which would help students learn more efficiently and allow them to retain information more quickly (Longden, 2013). ALPs are designed to be complementary, rather than an alternative form of education. These programs cover the same amount of information covered in a regular school curriculum, but end quicker. Meaning, ALPs have the same start point as regular school curriculum but take less time to reach the curriculum end point. Evidence suggests that “ALPs have demonstrated considerable success in meeting the needs of these underserved populations, not only in terms of access and equity but also in completion and return to schooling and, most importantly in learning outcomes” (Longden, 2013, p.5). Overall, COVID-19 has affected youth education, and disproportionately. Since all students don’t have equal access and opportunity to learn from home, some students (i.e., economically disadvantaged) were affected by COVID-19 related school closure the most. Therefore, it is important to provide more educational support (i.e., by integrating ALPs into the regular school curriculum) for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds since they experience learning loss the most. Doing so will help young people catch up with the rest of their peers when it comes to academic performance. Sources Engzell, P., Frey, A., & Verhagen, M. D. (2021). Learning loss due to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(17). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2022376118 Hares, S., Mundy, K. (2021, May 19). Equity-focused approaches to learning loss during COVID-19. Center For Global Development. Retrieved October 14, 2021, from https://www.cgdev.org/blog/equity-focused-approaches-learning-loss-during-covid-19. Human Rights Watch. (2021). Pandemic's dire global impact on education. Retrieved October 14, 2021, from https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/05/17/pandemics-dire-global-impact-education# International Labor Organization. (2020). Youth & Covid-19: Impacts on jobs, education, rights and mental well-being. Retrieved October 14, 2021, from https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/youth-employment/publications/WCMS_753026/lang--en/index.htm. Longden, K. (2013). Accelerated Learning Programmes: What can we learn from them about curriculum reform? UNESCO. Retrieved October 14, 2021, from https://www.eccnetwork.net/sites/default/files/media/file/225950eng.pdf U.S Department of Education. (n.d.). Education in a Pandemic: The Disparate Impacts of COVID-19 on America’s Students. Retrieved October 14, 2021, from https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/20210608-impacts-of-covid19.pdf Previous Next

< Back Civic Engagement: How to Register to Vote and Then Vote Written By: Emily Eames Publishing Date: October 14, 2022 America has worked hard to get where we are today with voting rights. Originally, only white male citizens over 21 could vote. Today, citizens cannot be denied the right to vote on the basis of race, religion, sex, disability, or sexual orientation. Voting is not only your right but an important civic duty, it is the backbone of our country's democracy. This article serves as a resource guide on how to vote, where to vote, and what to bring when you vote. How to Register to Vote *Before we begin, if you are voting in North Dakota you do not need to register to vote. North Dakota is currently the only state that does not require its residents to register to vote. You can find where you can vote by visiting North Dakota's official website . Then all you need to vote is an ID with your full name, residential address, and date of birth The easiest way to find the voting information you need is by looking online. You can find most of, if not all, the information you need on your state or credible organization’s website. Below are some resources to help you register to vote. The first place you can check for information on how to register to vote is your state’s voting and elections page. You can either look up your state's official page through a trusted web browser or you can use one of the websites listed below to find your state's election and voting page. Most states offer online registration. If you live in a state that does not offer online voter registration, you can still use one of the resources below to register online. Other ways to register to vote are by mail or in person. Register Online If your state offers online voter registration you can find the registration form on your state's election and voting website. If you want to bypass your state’s election and voting websites you can use any of the four trusted organizations listed below to officially register quickly and safely. On your state's election and the voting page you can also find emails and phone numbers on your state's website for any additional information or assistance you may need. Mail-In Similar to registering online, you can find your voter registration application through your state's official elections page. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission can help you find your state's registration form. Once you have filled out the application you will address your form to the county's Election Administrative Office. A list of addresses will be attached to your registration form. In Person If you prefer to register to vote in person, you can check your state's official website for qualifying registration locations. These locations usually include any public higher education institution, the local department of health, the local board of elections, the local department of motor vehicles, or even public libraries. Early Voting Not all states offer early voting options. If your state offers pre-Election day voting you can find information through NCSL or by contacting the Early Voting Information Cente r to see your state's specific steps. What Do You Need to Register? When you register to vote, you will need your driver's license or state identification card, your social security number (usually just the last 4 digits), and your address. Some states may require additional documents. A good way to check if you need any extra documents is by looking at your state's election page. The National Conference of State Legislature also offers a list of Voter ID requirements for each state. Where Do I Go To Vote? Once you’ve registered to vote, you are given the location of your polling place. However, it’s easy to forget that location, especially if it is your first time going to vote. One great resource to use when you are looking up your polling location is to use your state's citizen portal or voter information website. Just like when going to register to vote, The National Association of Secretaries of State has a website that will take you directly to your state's official voting and election page. All you need to do is select which state you live in. You also have the option of bypassing your state's website by using vote.org . This website offers a quick and easy way to locate your polling place, no matter where you are. Just type the same address you used for your voter registration into the search box. You can come to this website at least 2-4 weeks before an election to find where your polling place is. If for some reason they are unable to find your specific location, they will direct you to your local resources. What Do I Need to Vote? The next step is to make sure you have the proper documents on hand when you are ready to go vote. Most states will require a photo ID (i.e driver's license or Identification card) while others do not. You can check your state's voter and election websites to find out what the voter ID requirements are for your state. You can also check what you need for your state by checking the Nation Conference of State Legislators website. You can also find out what the voter ID laws are in your states so you can be prepared for election day. Below is an example of the NCSL’s interactive voter ID map. The voting ID requirements for Oregon are shown on the right. Voting With a Disability The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 along with the ADA requires all states to ensure that all aspects of voter registration are accessible to persons with disabilities. Polling places are also required of all public entities to ensure persons with disabilities are able to access their polling places and voting facilities. If a public entity is unable to meet ADA requirements then, they must provide an alternative method of voting at the polling place. Voting is your right there are several federal laws in place to protect your right to a fair voting experience. Go Vote! I hope you feel more confident, preparing to register to vote and finding your polling place. Now all you need to do is decide which candidate you would like to vote for and head over to your polling place on November 8th or send in a ballot! Sources Everything you need to vote . Everything You Need to Vote - Vote.org . (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.vote.org/ October 28, 2021 · by E. V. I. C. T. · in E., August 31, 2021 · by abbydurrant@reed.edu · in C., August 4, 2021 · by E. V. I. C. T. · in E., April 29, 2021 · by P. G. · in C., March 30, 2021 · by P. G. · in C., March 16, 2021 · by P. G. · in C., November 3, 2020 · by E. V. I. C. T. · in C., & November 3, 2020 · by P. G. · in C. (n.d.). Early Voting Information Center . Elections & voting information center. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://evic.reed.edu/ Official Guide to Government Information and services: Usagov . Official Guide to Government Information and Services | USAGov. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.usa.gov/ Register to vote, find election info, and more! Rock the Vote. (2022, September 12). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.rockthevote.org/ States with online voter registration . American Civil Liberties Union. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.aclu.org/issues/voting-rights/promoting-access-ballot/states-online-voter-registration Underhill, W. (n.d.). Early In-Person Voting . Early in-person voting. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/early-voting-in-state-elections.aspx The United States Government. (2022, July 12). Elections and voting . The White House. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/our-government/elections-and-voting/ VOTE411. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.vote411.org/ Wendy Underhill, B. W. (n.d.). Voter ID Laws . Voter ID laws. Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id.aspx#Laws%20in%20Effect Your ballot explained . Vote Informed on the Entire Ballot. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.ballotready.org/ Your ballot explained . Vote Informed on the Entire Ballot. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2022, from https://www.ballotready.org/ec Previous Next

Organizations to Support During Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month Written By: Tatiana Pagan Publishing Date: September 8, 2022 With Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month taking place from September 15th to October 15th, it is important to acknowledge the ongoing work of the community. The Latinx community’s contributions towards societal, and political, change in the U.S. are significant. Its influence spans from climate change, reproductive rights, voting rights, and more. Here are just a few of the many organizations you can learn about this month: Voto Latino : Voto Latino is a political organization focused on educating young, Latinx, voters. The group has been involved in challenging several threats to voter rights which include Arizona’s Proof of Citizen Law in 2022 and Texas’ Congressional Maps in 2021. Voto Latino assisted in getting 601,000 voters registered to vote in November 2020. You can find out more about hosting virtual events and volunteering on their website . Unidos US : This organization is notable for being the largest Latino civil right organization in the US. Unidos US uses a combination of affiliate organizations, advocacy, and research to overcome issues that affect Latinos across the country. Some key issues include: education, health, housing, and workforce empowerment. You can use their website to stay up-to-date on news , campaigns and research. United We Dream : This organization, also known as UWD, is the largest youth-led organization dedicated to immigration rights regardless of one’s current immigration status. The group provides resources in both English and Spanish, which helps the Latinx community with things like DACA form renewals, COVID-19 guides, and deportation defense. You can support their current campaign called the Undeniable Campaign . Amplify Latinx : The goal of Amplify Latinx is to organize a network of collaboration and mentorship. The intention of this network is to improve civic engagement, economic opportunities, and leadership representation. There are various ways to get involved such as volunteering, contributing content, and checking their job board for new opportunities. You can also learn more by reading some reports by Amplify Latinx. National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice : Commonly known as the Latina Institute, this organization has built a strong community of Latina/x people dedicated to fighting for the right to reproductive health. While headquartered in NYC, there are members all over the U.S. working in partnership with other organizations led by people of color. You can access the latest on their campaigns via Twitter and Facebook . TransLatin@ Coalition : TransLatin@ Coalition (TLC), which began as a grassroots organization, is now a nationally recognized organization. The group advocates for specific needs of Trans Latin@s in the U.S. TLC approaches issues through local representation in several states, a drop-in center in Los Angeles, and an online human resources training course . You can learn their current goals through their #InvestInTransLives Coalition Manifesto. GreenLatinos : This organization of Latino/a/x leaders is committed to creating equity and dismantling racism through conservation, climate justice, and environmental liberation. Such efforts benefit local, regional, and national areas. Their policy priorities include clean air, public land and ocean, and water equity. Further details can be found 2021-2024 Strategic Plan . Techqueria : Techqueria is a nonprofit community of Latinx professionals in tech. Their mission is to provide resources and support Latinx professionals as they further their careers in the tech industry. The organization has over 12,000 members and chapters in nine cities. They also have a job board filled with available internships, freelance, and full-time job opportunities. While it is good to acknowledge these organizations during Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month, equal effort should be given throughout the entire year. We can celebrate their accomplishments and collaborate on campaigns. Supporting Latinx voices will strengthen their individual causes and working with the community will help advocate more universal issues. Sources Voto Latino. (n.d.). About. Retrieved August 25, 2022 from, https://votolatino.org/about/ Voto Latino. (n.d.). Get Involved. Retrieved August 25, 2022 from, https://votolatino.org/about/ Unidos. (n.d.). About. Retrieved August 22, 2022, from, https://www.unidosus.org/ Unidos. (n.d.). Media Center. Retrieved August 22, 2022 from, https://www.unidosus.org/media-center/ United We Dream. (n.d.). Our Work. Retrieved August 22, 2022 from, https://unitedwedream.org/our-work/ United We Dream. (n.d.). Resources for Immigrants. Retrieved August 22, 2022 from, https://unitedwedream.org/resources/ United We Dream. (n.d.). Undeniable. Retrieved August 22, 2022 from, https://unitedwedream.org/our-work/protect-immigrants-now/ Amplify Latinx. (n.d.). Retrieved August 25, 2022 from, https://amplifylatinx.co/ Amplify Latinx. (n.d.). Get Involved. Retrieved August 25, 2022 from, https://amplifylatinx.co/get-involved/ Amplify Latinx. (n.d.). Reports Retrieved August 25, 2022 from, https://amplifylatinx.co/reports/ National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. (n.d.). Retrieved August 19, 2022 from, https://www.latinainstitute.org/ National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. (n.d.). Retrieved August 19, 2022 from, https://twitter.com/LatinaInstitute National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. (n.d.). Retrieved August 19, 2022 from, https://www.facebook.com/NationalLatinaInstituteforReproductiveJustice TransLatin@ Coalition. (n.d.). About TLC. Retrieved August 20, 2022 from, https://www.translatinacoalition.org/about-tlc TransLatin@ Coalition. (n.d.). Human Resources Training Course. Retrieved August 20, 2022 from, https://www.translatinacoalition.org/hr-training TransLatin@ Coalition. (n.d.). #InvestInTransLives Coalition Manifesto. Retrieved August 20, 2022 from, https://www.translatinacoalition.org/investintranslives-manifesto GreenLatinos. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2022 from, https://www.greenlatinos.org/ GreenLatinos. (n.d.). The GreenLatinos 2021-2024 Plan Estrategico/Strategic Plan. Retrieved August 21, 2022 from, https://www.greenlatinos.org/21-24-strategic-plan Techqueria Latinx in Tech. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2022 from, https://techqueria.org/ Techqueria Latinx in Tech. (n.d.). Job. Board. Retrieved August 21, 2022 from, https://techqueria.org/jobs/ Previous Next

Confronting Laziness Written By: Jessica Dearing Publishing Date: February 9, 2023 Nobody said it was going to be easy, but they also left out how extremely difficult becoming an adult is. There’s pressure as a teenager to know what the next step is. What jobs sound interesting enough to do for a lifetime? What do we want to go to college for and where do we want to go? How on Earth are we going to pay for it? The overall thought many adolescents may be faced with, no matter what they want in life, is how unprepared they feel about entering adulthood. Afterall, if someone is expecting you to do something complex that you’ve never done before, shouldn’t they maybe help explain how to successfully complete it? Should everyone just somehow know what to do and just do it? All these changes at once, but there is a familiar face around! Unfortunately, it is the concept of laziness . It could come from the people around, like the school counselor insisting those college applications and preparations should have been done by now. It is dad’s ramblings on how he was working by this age and paid through college easily, kids these days need to get going! It’s the look from mom after realizing not that many job applications have been sent out. It can definitely manifest internally, when some classmates already know what they want to do and they have it all planned out. Perhaps all of this feels just so tiring, and nobody wants to be tired when they feel like no progress has been made. Afterall, to be lazy is a bad thing that will only lead to more bad things like not being successful in life and disappointment from everyone around you. But, that popular belief lacks context and critical thinking. The definition of laziness is the unwillingness to do something. The concept is vague at best for something that tends to have an exact meaning to many people; a lazy person can’t be bothered to just be productive when they really should be. Considering the definition, it’s too vague to truly pass much thought in what is known based off of that statement. That is reason enough to rethink laziness, but it doesn’t stop there. Human nature, social norms, and mental health are all major aspects in why the concept of laziness desperately needs to be confronted. According to evolutionary theories , the earliest humans survived by conserving energy and only expended energy in times of need, like searching for food or running from predators. Using energy needlessly could result in major consequences if it prevents them from carrying out these tasks. All these tasks are also short-term advantages with no long-term commitment to get to the gratification of resources or out-running certain doom. Now that life has become so different and complex, we are still driven to conserve energy and instant gratification like our ancestors. Many theories in the field of psychology suggest we are very driven towards gratification while we naturally avoid pain and displeasure. Long term goals might not come naturally for us and waiting for a reward after exerting so much energy is painful. If laziness is avoiding tasks that take a lot of effort and don’t offer a sudden reward, we may just be lazy by nature. This may explain why the self-help industry is worth billions today and it’s expected to continue to grow. If motivation is hard to come by within, people have to seek it through alternative means. Afterall, the social expectation is that laziness is bad and productivity is good. The standard expectation of productivity is the driving force for the stigma of being perceived as lazy. To be lazy is a shameful thing and the only way to avoid the shame is to keep pushing. We’re expected to be productive members of society and to be any less is not acceptable. The concept of “hustle culture” has risen in popularity due to this disdain for lack of productivity. Hustle culture is extreme in the sense that you either work as hard as you can or you aren’t doing enough. The disturbing part of holding productivity to such a high regard is practically glorifying workaholism”. The inclusion of social media has unfortunately made hustle culture a much bigger issue. It’s well-known that people tend to show only their best on their online profiles, and it’s easy to hide the exhaustion of overexertion. Being exposed to many people who make working themselves constantly look so doable can manifest feelings of shame. Being sucked into this constant enablement of overworking and never resting often leads to burnout. Burnout results from prolonged excessive stress, leading to being emotionally and physically drained, feelings of being overwhelmed, and can often lead to an emotional breakdown. Constant overindulgent stress like this can lead to health consequences, which can add to the concerns about the long term mental health effects of hustle culture. Looking at laziness with the mental health lens also brings up something very important to consider: mental illness as “laziness”. Disorders such as depression, ADHD, and bipolar disorder have symptoms such as low energy, lack of motivation, and trouble carrying out tasks. Keeping the standard of full productivity and avoidance of being unproductive not only increases the risk of mental health problems, but the stress is counterproductive in dealing with those disorders. The stigma of laziness feeds into the stigma of mental health and continuing to deny the need to rethink laziness only makes it harder for people who are struggling. Everyone needs rest, boundaries, and sometimes more self care than others. Laziness will always be a part of us, biologically and sometimes as a sign that one should seek support. Instead of trying to reject, hate, and feel shame over it, we’re better off understanding it while we carry on with the stresses of life in a healthier way. There’s so much more to life than productivity, so we shouldn’t see it as the gold standard of our value. Sources Previous Next

< Back Civic Engagement: How to Volunteer at the Polls Written By: Mecedes Lindsay Publishing Date: September 8, 2022 Poll workers play a significant role in ensuring elections are successful. The majority of poll workers are people at or beyond the age of retirement who are greatly involved in their communities and religious institutions. Due to a rise in Covid-19 cases, many of them run the risk of falling ill which could lead to a shortage in poll workers. Although voters can vote by mail, many still elect to vote in person due to personal reasons such as disabilities and unreliable mail services. Due to the critical role poll workers play, having enough staff before and on Election Day can allow for the process to run smoothly and provide voters with proper assistance. So if you are young, healthy and willing to volunteer, here are a few steps on how you can volunteer at the polls. Disclaimer: Each state has its own requirements to be an election worker. Most common requirements: Be at least 16 years of age. Have proof of residency in the state you plan to volunteer in. Have proof of registration to vote if 18 years of age (or 17 but will be turning 18 by the election date). Confirm party affiliation (particularly in primary elections). Required to attend a training session and work full Election Day. You can find more information at https://workelections.org and https://866ourvote.org . These are two great websites for more details regarding the requirements in your state. Being a poll worker isn’t easy work but if you are dedicated to helping your community and willing to take on the challenges then here are the basic duties: Checking in voters Distributing ballots Instructing voters on voting machine use Answering questions Keeping the location organized and clean Help setting up polls Explain voting procedures Assisting voters with machines (does not include filling out the ballot for the voter) Registering individuals to vote (if located in a same-day registration state) Verifying registrants and using the precinct at the end of the day For more information, call: 866-OUR-VOTE: Lawyers committee (English) 866-VE-Y-VOTA: Spanish, English 866-API- vote: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog 844-YALLA-US: Arabic, English Sources National Poll Worker Recruitment Day: U.S. Election Assistance Commission. National Poll Worker Recruitment Day | U.S. Election Assistance Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://www.eac.gov/help-america-vote Previous Next

< Back Arizona's Book Banning Bill Written By: Kaitlin Nguyen Publishing Date: July 16, 2023 Amid the recent rising trend of school book bans and the growing discussion around transgender issues, comes another such piece of legislation presented to the 56th legislature in the State of Arizona - SB 1700 introduced by Senator Wadsack and Representatives Jones and McGarr. This bill proposes a system to allow parents to remove books they deem inappropriate. Senate Bill 1700 passed the Arizona Senate on March 20, 2023 and was introduced to the House on March 21, 2023 for reading. The Arizona Revised Statutes allows parents to withdraw their children from school assignments or activities for educational materials objectionable to the parent. SB 1700 takes it a step further by amending sections 15-102, 15-113, 15-189.07, Title 15 Ch. 2, Art. 2 to add 15-249.01, 15-341, 15-362, 15-721 and 15-722 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. Many of these proposed amendments concern and facilitate the ability of parents to review and request the removal of books that they deem “lewd or sexual in nature, that promote gender fluidity or gender pronouns or that groom children into normalizing pedophilia” from libaries available to students and from classroom instruction. Section 2, Section 15-113, Section 3, 15-189.07, and Section 4, 15-249.01 is amended so that parents requesting the removal of a book found “to be lewd or sexual in nature, to promote gender fluidity or gender pronouns or to groom children into normalizing pedophilia” shall submit the book and their basis for objection to the Department of Education, where the Department of Education will establish, maintain, and add on to, a list of books prohibited from use and availability to students in Arizona. Supporters of the bill believe that SB 1700 will expand and strengthen parental rights, and protect children from inappropriate material and material discussing gender fluidity and sexuality. According to Wadsack , “This puts the power back into the hands of the parent, it’s not a book banning bill. We’re not setting books on fire, but what it does is it gives the parents some recourse, some ability to say, hey, I don’t approve of this book.. Then take it to the Department of Education and say, what do you guys plan to do about this and start the process of determining whether or not it is a book that is legitimately appropriate, especially for the age groups that they’re being introduced to.” However, critics of the bill include LGBTQ+ advocates that say that such bills are anti-LGBTQ+, with book bans being used to hide and shame LGBTQ+ youth , and that the bill falsely equates discussion on gender fluidity and pronouns with grooming and pedophilia. Librarians, educators, and other advocates likewise have challenged such book bans as censorship that undermines acceptance of and serves to isolate LGBTQ+ students and students of color. SB 1700 follows a alarming trend of book bans and challenges from states including Florida, Texas, and North Dakota, that have introduced bills to restrict material in textbooks and school curriculums that discuss LGBTQ+ issues and Black history. SB 1700 will limit school curriculums in Arizona and Arizona youth’s access to books and materials, particularly by providing the mechanism for which parents can remove access to material they see as lewd or mentioning of gender sexuality. This bill is part of a growing and concerning trend to prohibit LGBTQ+ material in libraries and classrooms in the U.S. Young people can get involved in this discussion through participation at their local school board, by contacting legislators, or by organizing through their communities. Sources https://19thnews.org/2023/02/book-bans-lgbtq-reading/ Arizona SB1700: 2023: Fifty-sixth legislature 1st regular. LegiScan. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://legiscan.com/AZ/bill/SB1700/2023 Miranda, E. (2023, March 11). Arizona Senate bill aims to prohibit certain books and material in schools. 13 News. Retrieved from https://www.kold.com/2023/03/11/arizona-senate-bill-aims-prohibit-certain-books-material-schools/ Rummler, O. (2023, February 23). Book bans internalize 'shame' for young LGBTQ+ people, advocates say. here's how they're pushing back. The 19th. Retrieved from https://19thnews.org/2023/02/book-bans-lgbtq-reading/ SB 1700. SB1700 - 561R - I ver. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/56leg/1R/bills/SB1700P.htm Previous Next

AB-257: The FAST Recovery Act Written By: Tatiana Pagan Publishing Date: November 13, 2022 With the continuing struggles for Starbucks union workers, and food service workers picketing in front of Mayo Clinic , many in the industry are left wondering: Will work conditions ever improve? Recent California legislation says yes. First introduced in January of 2021, AB-257 –better known as the Fast Food Accountability and Standard Act (FAST Recovery Act)–will establish a Fast Food Council until January 1st of 2029. The council will work with the Department of Industrial Relations to do the following: “[...] to establish sectorwide minimum standards on wages, working hours, and other working conditions related to the health, safety, and welfare of, and supplying the necessary cost of proper living to, fast food restaurant workers, as well as effecting interagency coordination and prompt agency responses in this regard.” The reasons cited for the creation of this law include low pay with few benefits, lack of proper protection for workers, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and discrimination, among other things. Lorena Gonzalez , the original author of the bill, says “We’re looking to give workers a voice on the job, and for workers in the fast-food industry” and that “traditional organizing hasn’t worked.” While that may be true, it is worth noting that unions and labor allies have been organizing strikes and lobby trips to both Sacramento and Washington D.C. Some of the largest unions even sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom asking that he “ support and champion ” the bill. These efforts, combined, succeeded in their goal; the FAST Recovery Act was signed into law on August 29, 2022. This victory wasn’t without its challenges. Numerous amendments have been made since the bill was first introduced in 2021. An earlier version of the FAST Recovery Act called for fast-food franchisors to “be jointly and severally liable for wage and labor violations at franchisee locations.” This would make both the individual location and the franchise itself responsible. The current bill has no such provision. Though this is a step in the right direction, there are several concerns that have been raised by opponents of the bill. Some [BHV1] , like Jot Condie —president of the California Restaurant Association—are worried that the creation of the Fast Food Council will ultimately bypass the Legislator via their own rule-making authority. Sean Redmond , known for his role as the vice president of labor policy at the US Chamber of Commerce, has stated that the bill will “micromanage the fast-food industry” and that “consumers will bear the consequences” due to a raise in prices. The hope is that, by passing the FAST Recovery Act, workers can take another step towards sectoral bargaining , where unions negotiate for workers’ rights across an entire industry. The practice, while common in Europe, is not as common in the United States. This is because current law focuses on what is known as enterprise-based bargaining , where unions negotiate for individual worksites. The FAST Recovery Act adds to the ongoing discussion of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act ( PRO .) First introduced to Congress in 2019, the bill will–if passed–expand coverage under the National Labor Protections Act (NLRA) and include more workers. It will also help in safeguarding the right to strike, improving purchasing power to workers, and streamlining procedures of the NLR Board. Although progress has been slow, the accomplishments of workers cannot be ignored. They provide a renewed inspiration for expanding the rights of workers across all sectors and across the country. [BHV1] This isn’t super necessary if it disrupts the word count or flow, but it might be helpful to include Jot Condie and Sean Redmond’s title, so readers know why their opinions are relevant to the discussion. I’ll leave it up to your discretion though since it is hyperlinked, and readers could go find out for themselves relatively easily. Sources California Legislative Information. (30 August 2022). AB-257 Food facilities and employment . https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB257 Cohen, R. (15 August 2022). California could change how fast food workers are treated. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/8/15/23296481/fast-food-ab257-california-sectoral-labor-unions Ding, J. and Hussain, S. (29 August, 2022). California Legislature passes bill to protect fast-food-workers. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-08-29/california-senate-pass-bill-fast-food-workers Gurley, L. (25 August 2022). Starbucks illegally withheld raises from union workers, labor board says. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/08/24/starbucks-raises-nlrb-complaint/ Kiger, J. (25 August 2022). Food service workers picket in front of Mayo Clinic. https://www.postbulletin.com/business/food-service-workers-picket-in-front-of-mayo-clinic Madland, D. and Walker, M. (March 2020). What Is Sectoral Bargaining? https://www.americanprogressaction.org/article/what-is-sectoral-bargaining/ Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, & Stewart P.C. (1 September 2022). California Bill Aimed at Providing Increased Rights to Fast-food Workers Sent to Governor for Signature. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/california-bill-aimed-at-providing-3774331/ Previous Next

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Stay current on LGBTQI+ rights in the United States while learning to become an impactful youth activist. < Back LGBTQI+ Rights Everyone should be entitled to love who they want and embrace their identity, and yet 83% of LGBT people hide their sexual orientation, 350 transgender murders occurred in 2020, and LGBT youth are four times more likely to seriously consider suicide, plan suicide, and attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Despite advancements for the LGBT community, a few being the legalization of same-sex marriage in all fifty states and The Equality Act, there is still a lot of work to be done. While rights are important and protect LGBT people legally, they do not eliminate discrimination, and that is the root of the problem. For instance, The Equality Act is meant to protect LGBT people from discrimination in employment, housing, jury duty, and federally funded programs, such as those for health and education. Yet, due to bias and stigma, LGBT youth are more likely to experience bullying and violence in schools, which can lead to substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behaviors, mood disorders, and feeling it is unsafe to come out. These alarming facts make it clear that eliminating discrimination and LGBT stigma is the key to creating an inclusive space for all. That's no easy task but a worthwhile one all the same. OTHER TOPICS Medical Autonomy Mental Health Racial Justice Social Class Discrimination Voting Rights Climate Change Environmentalism Gender Equality Healthcare Inequality What can I do about this? 1. To support LGBT people and curb discrimination, it is important to educate oneself to recognize any potential biases. Being aware of them is the first step to changing them. Additionally, educating oneself should also extend to terminology so that proper language is being used in regards to the LGBT community and when addressing an individual's identity. This promotes inclusivity. 2. Another way to help is by supporting LGBT activists and organizations. Helping these organizations makes the voices of the LGBT community louder and allows them to be heard, promoting their rights and bringing awareness to important issues. Some organizations also look for volunteers. One group to consider helping is The Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBT youth. USYF CONTENT Equality Act — What It Is And The Current Status by Tatiana Pagan External Resources Previous Next

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Because They Hate: Hate Speech, Hate Crimes, and Antisemitism Written By: Ozi Ojukwu Publishing Date: August 9, 2023 Just over three years ago, on May 25, 2020, police officer Derek Chauvin killed African American George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for around nine minutes. In addition to state charges of murder and manslaughter, Chauvin was federally charged in 2021 with violations of Floyd’s civil rights. According to a copy of the indictment, Chauvin was charged with violating Floyd’s right to be free from an unreasonable seizure, which includes the right to be free from the use of excessive force by a police officer. Furthermore, the Department of Justice also charged Chauvin of violating the right not to be deprived of liberty without due process. This occurred when Chauvin was deliberately indifferent to Floyd’s medical needs. While Chauvin was not charged with a hate crime, the case raises interesting questions concerning the nature of hate crimes. One can easily ask why Chauvin was not charged with a hate crime, being that he is considered white by American society, and Floyd was considered Black by American society. While both hate crimes and hate speech are considered interchangeable, they are different. In this article, we’ll take a look at both. And see how both are directed towards the Jewish community, including youth perspectives, in antisemitism. It has been said that antisemitism is a canary in the coal mine for hate generally, so paying attention to hate in the Jewish communities is important for everyone, especially racial, ethnic, and other minorities. Hate Speech While hate speech is an expansive concept with several definitions, concisely, it can be defined as “expression that seeks to malign an individual for their immutable characteristics” (Ring, 2021, p. 18). This careful definition includes not only verbal statements but degrading symbols and images (18). Immutable characteristics include such types as race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and disability. Hate speech can be understood at both the individual and structural levels. At the structural level, “hate speech represents a structural phenomenon in which those in power use verbal assaults and offensive imagery to maintain their preferred position in the existing social order.” An example of this would be so-called white people using the N-word to demean African Americans and thus reinforce white supremacy. However, the goal of hate speech must be kept in mind in separating it out from other types of offensive speech. Merely saying that you hate someone’s shirt or you don’t like their personality is not hate speech. Hate speech is designed to malign a person for an immutable identity characteristic they hold. Furthermore, hate crimes also differ from hate speech. Let’s take a look at the distinction below. Hate Crimes Hate crimes are prejudicial criminal acts; such prejudice is motivated by the victim’s immutable characteristics, like the ones described above. Here, the importance of motivation is key. One reason Chauvin may not have been charged with a hate crime is because the motivation for his act was not based on George Floyd’s status as an African American. Indeed, according to an article from the Central Broadcasting Service (CBS), Chauvin seemed more motivated to exert his authority, based on video from onlookers during that day. However, hate crimes have been tracked throughout the United States. On March 13 of this year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released the 2021 Hate Crime Statistics supplement, the most recent data on hate crimes throughout the United States. Most of the incidents by bias type occurred due to the offender’s race, ethnicity, or ancestry bias (64.5%). Crimes against persons (intimidation, simple assault, aggravated assault) formed the majority of crimes reported in the supplement (8,327 compared to 3,817 crimes against property and 267 crimes against society). But even more compelling than the admittedly important statistics are the stories of hate crime victims. On May 15, 2022, 10 African American New Yorkers were killed by 18-year-old white supremacist Payton Gendron. Gendron planned the shooting, traveling around 200 miles from Conklin, NY, to Buffalo, NY. He had traveled to the city the day prior to the shooting for reconaissance at the Tops Friendly Market Store, located in a predominantly African American neighborhood in Buffalo. He told the authorities that he was targeting the Black community , according to a story from CNN. On June 15, 2022, the Justice Department charged Gendron with 26 counts of hate crimes and weapons violations. While shootings seem likely to be the most memorable type of hate crime, there exists a wide variety in the backgrounds of hate crime offenders and their offenses, as described above. The University of Maryland’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism (START) released a report in 2021 showcasing the results of the Bias Indicators and Actors Study (BIAS). This study showed motivations in hate crimes from 1990-2018. Reflecting the 2021 Hate Crimes Statistics Supplement, the report identified race, ethnicity, and nationality bias as the most prevalent across the years covered. In addition, the report also uncovered biases against religion and sexual orientation/gender identity. For example, 38.1% of the sampled individuals planned or committed mass casualty attacks against Jews, demonstrating an anti-Semitic bias. Anti-Semitism Antisemitism, according to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, is a “certain perception of Jews which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews.” Anti-semitism can be expressed both rhetorically (e.g., Holocaust denial) and physically. One example of this latter expression of antisemitism is the Tree of Life shooting that happened around five years ago on October 27, 2018. Robert Bowers killed eleven people in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania synagogue, which hosted three congregations of different branches of Judaism. Xenophobic and antisemitic , Bowers was charged with 63 crimes, including 11 counts of hate crimes resulting in death and 11 counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death. His trial began May 31 of this year and is ongoing as of this writing. Anti-semitism has a long history. By the fifth century, Christianity had become the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. Arising out of Judaism, its first followers were Jews who observed Jewish customs. However, differing beliefs on the nature of the Messiah led to conflict. The Church believed that Jews had killed Jesus Christ, and they also believed the devil was blinding the eyes of the Jews. This latter belief metamorphosed into the charge that Jews were agents of the devil. Church and state laws forbade Jews from owning land, joining public office, and pursuing certain occupations. In the Middle Ages, one sees the antecedents to antisemtic beliefs that are popular today: Jews were portrayed as usurers, finding a counterpart today in the antisemitic belief that Jews control the banks and are greedy; Jews were said to poison the wells of Europe and cause the Black Plague. This finds an analog today in beliefs about the Jewish people weakening American culture by supporting immigrant migration to the United States. This latter belief implicates the connection between antisemitism and other forms of hate. Antisemitism can often lead to other forms of hate; for example, in the Holocaust, Hitler also killed homosexual individuals even though his identified purpose for the concentration camps was to eliminate Jewish people. Upwards of 100,000 men identified as homosexual were arrested , and many sent to the following concentration camps: Buchenwald, Dachau, Sachsenhuasen, Mauthausen, and Auschwitz. 55% of those sent to concentration camps died. Identified by a pink triangular badge, this group was treated worse than other groups arrested (except Jews), including Poles, Soviets, disabled people, and others. Antisemitism, thus, is something everyone has an interest in eradicating. According to My Jewish Learning, steps on this road include involving oneself with local anti-hate groups, forming coalitions between Jewish and non-Jewish racial, cultural, and ethnic groups to oppose hate, and increasing contact between Jewish and non-Jewish individuals for a meaningful purpose. While hate speech and hate crimes are disturbing in American society today, we know it is possible to take a stand against both. Will you? Sources Previous Next