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< Back Celebrating Black Art in America Written By: Kaitlin Nguyen Publishing Date: February 7, 2022 The impact of visual arts should not be underestimated - art is a powerful medium to convey expressions, communications, and emotions, helping to shape culture, discourse, and representations in ways that can be both influential and accessible. From its roots, its movements, its artists, and its stories, Black art in America is engaging and provoking. With Black History Month as our backdrop, this article highlights only a small portion of the many works and perspectives in Black art. There are many examples of Black artists throughout American history who have and will continue to make their mark on art and culture as we experience it, through their strengths of expression and fights against adversity. Names such as Moses Williams, famous for his cut-paper profiles, and David Drake, known for his inscribed storage pottery, were artists that were born into slavery (Mitchell, et al., n.d., pp. 8-11). Landscape painter Robert S. Duncan, recognized as the first internationally known African-American artist, was self-taught without formal training (Robinson, 2018). Henry Osawa Tanner, the first internationally acclaimed African-American painter, grew up in hardship, and is widely known for his depictions of African Americans in realist tradition (“African American Art,” n.d.; Robinson, 2018). He immortalized his mother, Sarah, who escaped slavery and helped found one of the first black women societies in the U.S., in his work Portrait of the Artist’s Mother (Mitchell, et al., n.d., pp. 12-13). The links between race and visual culture are continually established, developed, and reworked. And art has always provided a space to amplify expression and commentary. The Harlem Renaissance (1918-1937) is widely considered the most significant explosion of Black art in American history, featuring waves of new Black artists, notable works, and varieties of Black expression that would have a powerful impact on black aesthetics, the artistic expression of racial identity, and the African American experience for decades to come (Mitchell, et al., n.d., pp. 14; Robinson, 2018). Influential artists from this period included Aaron Douglas, a leading figure in Harlem and in inspiration for geometrical modern art and design, William Henry Johnson, a blind artist who mastered a colorful, rhythmic, and strikingly simple style, Hale Woodruff, acclaimed for his poignant and stirring murals, etc., artists whom both made themselves in and made Harlem a cultural center of art (Mitchell, et al., n.d., pp. 14-16; Robinson, 2018; Hale Woodruff, n.d.). The Harlem Renaissance would go on to drive the art of following Black artists such Horace Pippin, a former soldier that used art as a statement about racial injustice, Jacob Lawrence, a painter and storyteller whose depictions of everyday life, both the fun and the ugly, such as in his Harlem Series, struck a cord with African American communities and the working class, Gordon Parks, a photojournalist that overcame poverty and discrimination and used photography to fight social and economic injustice, and Romare Bearden, Charles Alston, and James Wells, notable practitioners of Abstract Expressionism and realism (“African American Art,” n.d.; Mitchell, et al., n.d., pp. 18-23; Robinson, 2018). Early African American movements, especially in the 1950s and 1960s, led to the proliferation of museums dedicated to the preservation and celebration of African American art and culture, such as the currently named African American Museum in Cleveland, African American Museum and Library in Oakland, and DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago (Robinson, 2018). From the Black Arts Movement of the late 1960s to 1970s, a symbol of black revitalization and liberation that pervaded and fueled the Black Power Movement and Civil Rights Movement of the time, rose artists such as Charles White, Jeff Donaldson, and Elizabeth Catlett, whose works highlighted African-Americans as individuals, workers, and liberators, producing powerful displays of Black pride and empowerment (Foster, 2014; Mitchell, et al., n.d., pp. 24-25; Robinson, 2018; Robinson, 2020). The Black Expressionism style that rose to prominence during this time in response to the post-war era, was popularized by abstract artists such as Sam Gilliam and Martin Puryear (“African American Art,” n.d.). The exploration of race, ethnicity, and identity has, and continues to be, a prominent force that shakes the art world, and Black art has and continues to shine in both the conceptual and figurative. It is through the effort, talent, and consciousness of every one of these artists and many others, that have inspired and paved the way for contemporary Black artists. African American visual art has historically developed in parallel, often in isolation, to the white-dominated, mainstream culture in the U.S. Despite its enduring presence and rich history since the country’s conception, and the consistent creation of stylistically impressive and thought-provoking works, Black art has only recently found attention and recognition with America’s mainstream art scene, as demonstrated by the recent upticks in Black-centric exhibitions, shows, sales, and attention from critics (Cotter, 2021; LaRocca, n.d.; Robinson, 2018). The 1990s postmodern art era saw the notable emergence and establishment of marginalized artists in the mainstream, including black female artists such as Faith Ringgold, well-known for her story quilts whose protagonists have provided role models for young girls of color, Carrie Mae Weems, a photographer that explores the individual, family, and power dynamics, as seen in her Kitchen Table Series, and Lorna Simpson, whose works prominently feature African American woman and challenged perceptions of gender, identity, and history (Mitchell, et al., n.d., pp. 30-35; Robinson, 2018). For example, the unveiling of the National Portrait Gallery portraits of the Obamas, painted by artists Sherald and Kehinde Wiley, achieved record-breaking attendance at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (LaRocca, n.d.). Black Art: In the Absence of Light, an HBO documentary directed by Sam Pollard, spotlights the contributions of Black artists in the contemporary art world, and discusses the long history of the “shutting out” of Black art from the mainstream art scene (Pollard, 2021). The documentary features the voices of painter and teacher David Driskell, Spelman College president Mary Schmidt, art historian and curator Maurice Berger, and other contemporary artists, dealers, and curators, that in the documentary, share their perspectives on the history of neglect and gatekeeping of Black art, and of the recent ongoing corrections in the art world (Cotter, 2021; Pollard, 2021). Today’s contemporary artists, such as Kara Walker, Fred Wilson, Radcliffe Bailey, Jordan Casteel, Kerry James Marshall, Kehinde Wiley, Amy Sherland, Paul Rucker, and Theaster Gates, and many, many others, including various youth artists, continue the tradition of their predecessors in pushing the frontiers of art, of capturing distinctly African-American experiences, and of exploring social, cultural, economic, and identity issues through visual art, rising quickly in the art world from the groundwork that has been laid by a couple centuries of struggles and successes of African-American artists, gallerists, dealers, and scholars (LaRocca, n.d.; Pollard, 2021; “African American Art,” n.d.). Although the mainstream art world is now finally now digging through the treasure trove that is Black art, Black artists and the art world in general, continue to deal with issues of representation, cultural marginalization, and financial inequities, among many other things, as Black artists continue to fight for control over their art and how they are seen and represented. (Cotter, 2021; Pollard, 2021). Even with its growing successes in the mainstream, black galleries, dealers, and artists - the black communities - have yet to reap their fair share of financial benefits from their art. For the most part, the art world is still disproportionately dominated by white galleries (LaRocca, n.d.). For Black History Month and all throughout the year, youth can show support for Black artists and the communities and places that provide spaces for Black artists to be heard. Check out some more contemporary Black artists: https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-influential-living-african-american-arThe Aesthetics of the Black Arts Movementtists https://www.marylynnbuchanan.com/blog/contemporary-black-artists-you-need-to-know-2020 Discover the history and tradition of Black art: https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/black-art-in-the-absence-of-light “Some of the most important work being made right now—abstract and figurative—is by black Americans… Great art is bred where the artist is closest to their core humanity, and I think sometimes adversity breeds that” - Christopher Bedford. “This is Black art. And it matters. And it’s been going on for two hundred years. Deal with it” - Maurice Berger in Black Art: In the Absence of Light. Sources African American Art. (n.d.) Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://www.oxfordartonline.com/page/african-american-art Cotter, Holland. (2021). ‘Black Art: In the Absence of Light’ Reveals a History of Neglect and Triumph. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/08/arts/design/black-art-hbo-review.html LaRocca, Lauren. (n.d.) The Color Line. Baltimore Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/artsentertainment/black-artists-finally-receiving-recognition-in-mainstream-art-world/ Foster, Hannah. (2014). The Black Arts Movement (1965-1975). BlackPast. Retrieved from https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/black-arts-movement-1965-1975/ Hale Woodruff. (n.d.). Smithsonian. Retrieved from https://americanart.si.edu/artist/hale-woodruff-5477 Mitchell, Rebecca, et al. (n.d.) Represent: 200 Years of African American Art - A Resource for Students and Teachers. Philadelphia Museum of Art. https://philamuseum.org/doc_downloads/education/ex_resources/Represent.pdf Pollard, Sam. (Director). (2021). Black Art: In the Absence of Light [Documentary]. HBO. Robinson, Shantay. (2018). A Very Abbreviated Version of Black Art History. BLACK ART IN AMERICA™. Retrieved from https://www.blackartinamerica.com/index.php/2018/11/20/a-very-abbreviated-version-of-black-art-history/#:~:text=While%20the%2019th%20century,obtain%20degrees%20in%20the%20arts Robinson, Shantay. (2020). The Aesthetics of the Black Arts Movement. BLACK ART IN AMERICA™. Retrieved from https://www.blackartinamerica.com/index.php/2020/08/24/the-aesthetics-of-the-black-arts-movement/ Previous Next

World Teen Mental Wellness Day - Let’s Break Down Stigmatization Written By: Jessica Dearing Publishing Date: March 16, 2022 No matter how often mental health is being discussed today, there are still many signs that the conversation should not slow down. About 20% of youth struggle with mental illness, and many do not seek treatment or support due to stigma. Inaccurate representation through media and lack of understanding or fear from the general public contributes to this issue. Stigma and discrimination can come from others, or an internalized stigma surrounding their own condition. Self-stigma can also lead to lower self-esteem and difficulties maintaining relationships and reaching out to support systems. Reluctance to seek professional help or stay in treatment can lead to worsening symptoms. One way to fight stigma is to fight misinformation. Some of the most common mental health disorders that affect teens include anxiety disorders, mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder), posttraumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders. By name alone, some of these disorders can be met with stigma from others. “You don’t have depression, you aren’t sad all the time!” or “Just don’t worry or be sad so much!” are things people with anxiety and depression may unfortunately hear. This general lack of understanding from friends and family is very discouraging and may contribute to self-stigma. People who suffer from anxiety and/or depression may think their case is not bad enough to seek help or support, or they may try to hide it out of embarrassment. In actuality, depression and anxiety are some of the highest diagnosed mental disorders, with the prevalence in U.S. adults being 21 million and 48 million respectively. Someone with depression is also highly likely to have anxiety as well. Not all instances of depression or anxiety lead to sadness or panic. Cases vary heavily, so it is always beneficial to speak to a professional even if minimal signs of either disorder (or both) are present. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is often diagnosed in adolescence and affects about 7 million U.S. adults . Bipolar disorder can easily be confused with depression. The biggest difference is that someone with bipolar disorder also has periods of high energy and happiness , called mania. There are several types of bipolar disorder, and even those of the same type may look very different from one another. Apart from extreme high and low moods, someone living with bipolar disorder can also struggle with focusing, irritability, compulsive activities like binge shopping, or either trouble sleeping or sleeping too much. The term “bipolar” is often used inappropriately to describe someone who is “overly emotional” or “crazy”. The media representation of this disorder often plays into that stereotype as well, showing people with this condition to be dangerous. Stigma like this can easily cause fear and discrimination despite these representations being extremely inaccurate. For posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , many people are unaware that many types of traumatic events can cause it. PTSD is mostly associated with military combat, but events like natural disasters and major injuries or assault are other common causes. Public perception has also produced awful stereotypes, including labels like “crazy”, “weak”, or “dramatic” becoming associated with this disorder. Some who suffer from this disorder may not realize they suffer from it due to these factors, or realize their symptoms are more than nervousness. Some may be afraid of considering themselves to be among the stereotypes, and refuse to consider that they may be suffering from a disorder that can be managed or treated by a professional. Eating disorders are another group of commonly diagnosed disorders among teenagers, affecting about 28.8 million people worldwide . While eating disorders are one of the most stigmatized and misunderstood mental disorders, they are also one of the deadliest. People often assume only teenaged women get eating disorders, but every age, race, size, gender, and background can be affected. Many groups including adolescents, blacks, gay men, transgender people and nonbinary people, autistic people, people with disabilities, athletes, and veterans are massively affected by eating disorders and the stigma that surrounds them. As for the “skinny teen girl” stereotype, less than 6% of people diagnosed with eating disorders are also medically underweight. Just like disorders, specific symptoms have their own stigma. Many disorders can cause people to have trouble functioning day-to-day in different ways, many are affected by the thought that they are just “lazy”. Even people who are familiar with depression but not familiar with the struggle may not understand that poor hygiene or house maintenance, and compulsive phone use can also be a huge issue for someone with depression. This specific symptom is a major cause of self-shame and public stigma with mental illness, unfortunately amplified by the prioritization of productivity in our society . So even while the public is understanding disorders like depression a lot more recently, it is important that these symptoms are also destigmatized. The good news is that the vast majority of mental illness cases are treatable , either with medicine or therapy. There are many types of clinical help and assistance, each can depend on the symptoms one is experiencing. It is important to know that anyone who is experiencing symptoms that are affecting them negatively, it is worthy of speaking about to a professional. Mental illness is very complex, cases of the same disorder can look vastly different from one another. This is why it is best to sort out symptoms with a qualified professional, so the best treatment can be found. Along with knowledge and education, compassion regarding mental health can go a very long way in the battle against stigma. Discussing mental illness like it is a physical illness should be the norm, as well as seeking treatment. There should be no shame or blame. Sources Previous Next

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Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Youth in These Past Few Years Written By: Nidhi Rawell Publishing Date: August 6, 2023 The few past years have been tough for many people in this country concerning the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, recent politics, and mass shooting events. These effects have been especially felt within marginalized communities, such as the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, according to the “National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2021,” published by The Trevor Project, “More than 80% of LGBTQ youth stated that COVID-19 made their living situation more stressful - and only 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth found their home to be LGBTQ-affirming” [ 4 ]. While LGBTQ+ youths and heterosexual youths face similar challenges, LGBTQ+ youths are often faced with unique challenges dealing with acceptance, the disintegration of identity, prejudice, isolation, and access to healthcare. There is a lot of diversity and intersectionality in the LGBTQ+ community, ranging from race, expressions of gender, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic class. This complexity is important to acknowledge when having a discussion about mental health within this community [ 3 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many problems and stress for the overall global community. In this global health crisis, many marginalized communities have been affected disproportionately because of the intersectional barriers they face in mental health, social, and cultural areas [ 1 ]. However, in this pandemic, LGBTQ+ youth have seen increased stress due to a lack of access to resources, mental and sexual health disparities, and familial and peer rejection [ 1 ]. Some LGBTQ+ youth may have needed to quarantine in difficult environments, such as self-isolating and tough family situations where they may have been a victim of abuse because of their sexual and gender minority identities [ 1 ]. Suicidal thoughts and attempts are also 3 times higher among LGBTQ+ youths and are highly vulnerable to self-harm [ 5 ]. Therefore, young people who identify as LGBTQ+ need mental health services. The lack of equality in mental health services contributes to disparities in mental health betweenLGBTQ+ and cisgender heterosexual youth [ 2 ]. “Recent evidence suggests that although there is a greater mental health burden in this population, LGBTQ+ youth underutilize mental health services, do not access them until crisis point, and often find them unhelpful” [ 2 ]. There has been limited research done on why LGBTQ+ youth are hesitant to explore help for their mental health problems. An article by Elizabeth McDermott and Rachael Eastham suggests that “The reluctance to access mental health services is because of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, difficulties disclosing sexual and gender identity, and fears of being misunderstood” [ 2 ]. Moreover, studies have suggested that LGBTQ+ youth have experienced unhelpful and poor school-based support and mental health services [ 2 ]. COVID-19 has left a global impact these past few years. The marginalized communities, specifically the LGBTQ+ community have felt the impact more than the cisgender heterosexual community. Many LGBTQ+ already face many mental health-related issues, but many are hesitant to reach out for support due to the barriers they face. Improvement in mental health support for this community is needed. Sources [1] Iacono, Gio, et al. “Critical Reflections and Reflexivity on Responding to the Needs of LGBTQ+ Youth in a Global Pandemic.” Qualitative Social Work , vol. 20, no. 1-2, 4 Mar. 2021, pp. 479–486., https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325020981080 . https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1473325020981080 [2] McDermott, Elizabeth, et al. “Explaining Effective Mental Health Support for LGBTQ+ Youth: A Meta-Narrative Review.” SSM - Mental Health , vol. 1, Dec. 2021, p. 100004., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2021.100004 . https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560321000049 [3] National Alliance on Mental Illness. “LGBTQI.” NAMI , NAMI, 2022, https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/LGBTQI . [4] TWO-N. “The Trevor Project National Survey.” The Trevor Project , The Trevor Project, 2021, https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2021/?section=Introduction . https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2021/?section=Introduction [5] Williams, A. Jess, et al. “A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Victimisation and Mental Health Prevalence among LGBTQ+ Young People with Experiences of Self-Harm and Suicide.” PLOS ONE , vol. 16, no. 1, 22 Jan. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245268 . https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0245268 Previous Next

Restrictions on Disability Aid (And The Case For Removing Them) Written By: Joseph Sweeney Publishing Date: January 20, 2022 Being a disabled individual in the United States presents many challenges and barriers to live out a healthy and independent life. This is because the restrictions placed on which individuals do and do not qualify for supplemental security income, or SSI, are both excessively strict and overly enforced. This results in disabled persons being forced to tie all of their finances and living conditions to their disability in a way that prevents them from enjoying many freedoms available to non-disabled individuals. Typically it is the regulations on disabled people’s aid that prevents them in participating in these ways, rather than their disability itself. [1] Too much of disability aid in the United States is based on entirely wrong at best [2] or outdated and insensitive ideas about the kinds of lives a disabled person can lead and far too prescriptive on the kind of life they should lead. For disabled persons, keeping their benefits is a matter of life-or-death. The most obvious way this manifests is in the restrictions of a disabled person to get married. At least, not without also losing all of their SSI payments. If a disabled person marries, they are required to update the federal government and SSI office about their change in marital status. This by itself might appear an unreasonable [3] requirement, but the Social Security office will then cut the SSI payments to the disabled person if the financial assets and the assets of their spouse exceed the Social Security Office's financial ceiling. From this, any disabled person whose assets exceed a certain amount determined by the office are made no longer eligible for social security. This is horribly unfair for disabled people for more than one reason. Firstly, it suggests a false assumption that the spouse of the disabled will be both willing and able to compensate for the disabled person's disability with just the funds they earn individually, when this is not always the case. A person's disability may require care and aid in ways other than strictly financial, such as visits with specialists, access to specialized equipment (like wheelchairs and crutches), both mental and physical therapy, and changes in housing to accommodate the disability. While a [4] working spouse may be willing to pay for all of the financial costs of these things, there is no reason for the Social Security office to assume that the spouse will be able to pay for both their own needs and for the disabled partner's disability aid. Simply put, being married does not make a person less disabled. It [5] also fails to address any logistical challenges that may be posed by the disability. The nature of a disability may prevent one from driving, preventing them from going to necessary doctor's appointments without the aid of the spouse, who cannot guarantee always being available if they are also working to provide for them both. Because of this, many couples that involve a disabled person make the choice to avoid marriage to maintain their social security benefits. This however leaves the couple without the legal benefits marriage confers, namely, the right of hospital visitation and power of attorney to make decisions on the other's behalf. This not only places harsh limits on the ability for a disabled person to get a divorce, but actively encourages them to pursue divorce if they have to choose between maintaining their marriage or maintaining their disability benefits, or even qualifying for benefits in the first place, as Dominick Evans, writing for the Center for Disability Rights, demonstrates in this passage: "[...] Those that become disabled later in life, or those who are older Americans and have similar needs to those who have disabilities, have to consider getting divorced simply to get needed healthcare and financial services." Regarding the awkward dance that disabled persons have to do in order to maintain access to their benefits, Dominick Evans also writes: [6] "Those of us who qualify for these services are often caught in a catch-22. To pay the exorbitant cost of living with a disability, we need the programs that help us to pay the additional expenses. However, to remain on these programs we essentially have to remain living in poverty. For many, removing ourselves from these programs is a matter of life and death." This helps to clearly explain the challenges faced by those living with a disability and the difficult balance between their personal lives and their qualifications for benefits. Another issue that causes problems is that the Social Security office seems to take a strict view of people who apply for benefits and assumes malice and fraud first before error and mistakes, following a negative and ableist world-view that presupposes disabled persons are in some way lazy, incompetent, or otherwise lacking in moral character. [7] [8] From the same article quoted earlier, Evans has another paragraph about this problem: "Many arguments have been made stating that everyone loses access to programs like SSI, Food Stamps, and section 8 if they get married. With those arguments comes the idea that those of us with disabilities are just looking for a handout." Indeed, even the official FAQ page from the Social Security website seems more concerned with saving money than with ensuring the best outcomes for those living with disabilities. Take this passage: "Under the program, we investigate suspicious disability claims early, before making a decision to award benefits. In effect, we proactively stop fraud before it happens. In fiscal year 2018, with the help of state and local law enforcement, the program reported nearly $188.5 million in projected savings to the disability programs. This resulted in a return on investment of $17 for each $1 spent." The FAQ page goes further, including a call to action for others to help prevent fraud. This paragraph makes it out as though a fraudulent social security application is an extremely important problem requiring a great deal of action to catch and prevent, even up to the point of "proactively" preventing fraud before it happens [9] [10] . While this article is not meant to defend fraud, the quoted paragraphs taken from the Social Security site place more of an emphasis on ensuring that dollars are not wasted on giving too many disabled persons too much social security, rather than ensuring disabled persons are able to get the care and [11] assistance they need. It almost borders on scammish: Social Security is made out by its office to be a precious thing that needs to be handed out carefully ... [12] [13] and this only applies because it is difficult to acquire and easy to lose. Relaxing these restrictions would help minimize the impact of fraudulent SSI applications and claims (assuming such things even exist and are not a boogieman invented to justify restrictions) by making it easier for disabled persons to reapply and update their information without fear of losing their benefits because of the changes in their living status. An additional problem for disabled people is that the Social Security Office, before an individual qualifies for benefits, they must either not be working or their work must only pay so much, married or not. This prevents a disabled person from being able to achieve independence, as either they earn enough on their own salary to pay for all of their needs–groceries, housing, utilities, and then their disability care in addition to those–which can be a difficult amount to earn given the complexities posed by living with disabilities, or they do not make enough, either on their own or combined with a spouse's income to exceed the Social Security Office's fiscal ceiling, and have to rely on the finances of either solely their spouse or of their benefits, which may not always be enough to cover all of their needs. [14] [15] Removing these restrictions on how much a disabled person is allowed to earn would enable disabled individuals to lead fuller and more independent lives. By not tying their access to their disability benefits to their personal income, it frees up how a disabled person may choose to spend their money, such as utilizing a savings account, using it to help out their friends and family, and covering the difference between their benefits and the cost of their care where such differences may exist. A person living with disabilities should be allowed the luxury of being able to spend some of their finances on leisure activities once they no longer have to examine all of their finances [16] [17] as being in relation to their disability. Essentially, Social Security for disabled people in its current form allows a disabled person to live, but only if they comply with a certain way of living and acting prescribed to them by the government offices. The current system reduces disabled people to only their disability by tying their qualification for benefits so extremely tightly to their financial status. This leaves a disabled person unable to use their money the same way as able-bodied individuals, as every dollar, every cent, every financial decision, from seeing a doctor to getting married, to earning wages at work, or the decision whether or not to work at all, must be examined in terms of whether or not it disqualifies them from SSI benefits. Because of this, they lack the same financial freedoms as able bodied individuals enjoy regarding fiscal freedom, from leisure, such as going out for movies and food, to emergencies and providing aid to others, such as a family member or close friend suffering from a sudden health complication [18] . Removing these restrictions, and allowing disabled individuals to continue to receive SSI regardless of marital and financial status for the rest of their life, be they married, working, or otherwise, [19] would allow disabled individuals to lead more fruitful and fulfilling lives independent of their disability. Sources Evans, D. The Disability: Dialogue Marriage Equality." cdrnys.org. https://www.cdrnys.org/blog/disability-dialogue/the-disability-dialogue-marriage-equality Bischoff, B. "Will I Lose My SSI Income After I Get Married?" thenest.com. https://budgeting.thenest.com/lose-ssi-income-after-married-30034.html Social Security Office. "The Faces and Facts of Disability / Facts" https://www.ssa.gov/disabilityfacts/facts.html ssa.gov. Previous Next

The Simple Pride in Friendships Written By: Jessica Dearing Publishing Date: June 22, 2022 Pride month is a product of the long history of the LGBTQ+ community fighting to have the same rights as everyone else. While some states like California are passing laws that help protect LGBTQ+ rights and safety , many states are unfortunately doing the opposite by following Florida’s idea with trying to prohibit discussions of gender and sexual orientation in schools. Pride is a further reminder that the fight continues with not only the government but with society as a whole. Demanding to be recognized and fighting for basic human rights through state and federal laws is a heavy and emotional task on its own, so to add discrimination from family or friends is a lot on top of the stress. This discrimination ranges from loss of close relationships to physical harm and is sadly very common with about two-thirds of LGBTQ+ people experiencing at least one experience with prejudice. No matter what the discrimination looks like, it plays a massive role in why LGBTQ+ pride is a huge deal. As the health disparities prove, discrimination takes a toll on peoples' lives and well-being. For instance, LGBTQ+ people have a greater risk for conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety, substance abuse, and many other mental disorders. Additionally, many report that they avoid seeking help due to concerns of maltreatment due to intolerance . Many others have reported healthcare providers denying care or treating them poorly due to their sexuality or gender identity. So, in the face of government, family, and social prejudice, there is pride, community, and chosen family. This is important because l ack of social connection can be detrimental to overall health, especially for mental health. On the flip side, having strong relationships has a large impact on reducing anxiety and depression. As for research specifically regarding LGBTQ+ individuals, friend support contributes greatly to mental health and resilience. Friendships with others who provide a sense of belonging, known as chosen family , has become a well-known concept within the community. There is even a day in observance for the chosen family on February 22nd. These types of friendships are seen as moving forward with life, feeling at home, and finding support. Being a friend sounds like a simple and humanly natural thing to do, but along with advocating for equal rights and taking action, loving your LGBTQ+ friends and giving them your support is also a very important part of pride. Pride parades, protests, and voting only happen so many times per year, but just being around friends and sending love can just about be done everyday. If friendships with support and understanding aren’t readily available locally, online groups like TrevorSpace are around to make living just a lot more loving. Don’t hesitate, make a friend and be a friend. Sources Previous Next

An Introduction to Human Rights Written By: Juliana Weber Publishing Date: August 9, 2023 I n the U.S., people often talk about human rights, but not as many people actually know what they are. The following article offers a brief introduction to international human rights law. TIMELINE The modern human rights paradigm is often said to begin with the United Nations’ adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. Driven in large part by the mass deaths from World War II and especially by the Holocaust, the UDHR marked “the first time in human history” that an international document articulated the “basic civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights” that all human beings possess ( OHCHR ). In 1966, the UN General Assembly (GA) adopted the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The two International Covenants, alongside the UDHR, form what is known as the International Bill of Human Rights. MAJOR DOCUMENTS Alongside the UDHR and the two Covenants, there are seven other core human rights treaties: International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination Convention on the Elimination on All Forms of Discrimination Against Women Convention Against Torture, and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Convention on the Rights of the Child Convention for the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide is also crucial. It was one of the earliest treaties, entering into force in 1951. As is clear in the names of these conventions, the premier right in human rights law is not freedom of speech but rather, freedom from discrimination. PHILOSOPHY International human rights law represents a radical break in traditional statecraft. Since the 17 th century in Europe, Westphalian sovereignty—the idea that each state exerts complete control over its own territory—had reigned supreme. However, the creation of the League of Nations after WWI, followed by the United Nations after WWII, weakened that idea. Especially in the wake of the Holocaust, it was no longer justifiable to let a state exert absolute and unchecked power over its people. Instead, the philosophical underpinning of international human rights law draws from both Enlightenment thinking and Utilitarianism. The former philosophical movement argued for the existence of intrinsic, unalienable rights (said to be bestowed by God) that belong to every person—though in reality, the purview of these rights was then limited to white men. Utilitarianism is also based on the assumption that every person is equal to every other person; an action is good or justifiable when it does the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people. In this context, forgoing absolute Westphalian sovereignty was deemed necessary for the greater good of all humankind. Sources Previous Next

< Back Progress of Today and Tomorrow Written By: Jessica Dearing Publishing Date: February 20, 2022 Black History Month is important to celebrate; African-Americans have come a long way for their rights and for their history to be recognized. The term “history” and the black and white photos tend to make important moments in time, such as the civil rights movement in the 1950s, feel as if it happened further into the past than a few decades ago. It is important to realize this when taking a look at black history being made today. There are events in our history that affect today and there are black history legacies that have started very recently. One big event was in 2008, Barack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States and the first African-American president. More recently, Kamala Harris became the first black vice president, elected in 2020. This was not Harris’ only “first” , she was also the first vice president to graduate from a historically black university and the first black American to be California’s Attorney General. While these firsts continue to happen in leadership positions in government, there is even more happening in between. Many efforts have been made by the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve health equity and outcomes that disproportionately impact black Americans . Some of these efforts included lowering or eliminating health insurance premiums for millions of lower- and middle-income black families, funding support and COVID-19 vaccines for underserved communities, and introducing more postpartum policies to protect vulnerable mothers. It is big news that such a powerful part of the U.S. government is making strides in helping these major issues, but there is still a long way to go. Topics such as voting rights, racial injustice, and critical race theory have been in recent news a lot lately. These subjects are far from new, though. The death of Trayvon Martin in 2012 and the acquittal of George Zimmerman the following year lead to the use of “Black Lives Matter” for the first time. The use and movement against police brutality grew more over the years, most notably in 2014 when Micheal Brown was fatally shot and more recently, Geoge Floyd in 2020. While these subjects have gained support and more discussion, they have also been met with push-back. But this is where effort starts and blooms; from activism to action. Fortunately, today’s social media platforms have given black Americans an outlet to speak , making it easier for ideas and action to take place. Activism leads to future action and future figures in power to help make black history. Along with celebrating more firsts, we should celebrate the first steps in the future of black history taking place today. Sources Previous Next

Why Do Books Get Banned? Written By: Joseph Sweeney Publishing Date: August 15, 2022 Earlier this year, a Tennessee school board decided to ban Maus from its curriculum. Maus is a graphic novel depicting the experience of the Jewish Holocaust, using a family of anthropomorphic mice to demonstrate what it was like to live in Nazi Germany as a Jewish family. The ban was much reported and discussed and renewed conversation around the practice of banning books, a controversial yet longstanding topic. Let's start with some context. Zack Beauchamp, writing for Vox on the ban of Maus , and Nadia Ford writing for Duke University in a study on the subject of book bans in general, have both offered an extensive list of reasons why books are banned. The most common reasons, found in both articles are: ● Discussion of racial content ● Sexual content ● Depictions of abuse ● Hate speech ● Objection on religious grounds Religious objections often try to either advance their agenda or halt the advance of another religious group's agenda. An example is, advocating for the teaching of the Bible in all schools, regardless of the religiosity of the school in question. In rarer but not unheard of cases, a book may be called to be banned on account of the reputation of its author. Some argue that banning books is a good thing, or at least a necessary evil, in the belief that it should be possible for parents, school teachers, and librarians to have some way to censor “problematic” books. The intent behind these bans is to prevent access to literary content that some groups or organizations consider objectionable or inappropriate, such as graphic violence or criticisms of religion. Motivated by these beliefs, a parent, librarian, or schoolteacher can issue a challenge to a book, which is then noted by both watchdog organizations and the organizations with the authority to issue book bans. The challenge may be allowed to go from a challenge to a ban, wherein schools and libraries will remove the book from their curriculum and storage. In a vacuum, it may seem reasonable for parents and organizations to have this ability to challenge and by extension ban books, the idea runs into the same issues as any problem in which one group is allowed to decide what is and is not right or acceptable for another group. Bias, agendas, or misjudgment of the needs and wants of others, and presuming to better know the needs of outside groups to which ban advocates do not actually belong to can then create additional issues. The simplest illustration of this is that several books are challenged/banned because they contain themes and depictions of gay and trans-lived experiences. Parents and organizations may move to get these books banned to prevent their children, classmates, or even friends from reading these books and realizing that the same experience applies to their own lives. Preventing individuals from accessing these books and potentially discovering that they have similar feelings of gender expression in common with their LGBT protagonists. This perpetuates homophobia and transphobia; by keeping individuals from reading about the lives and experiences of LGBT persons and characters, it reinforces the idea of LGBT as an otherness, rather than an aspect of humanity. This is especially so when the books are challenged under the idea of their 'sexual content'. In doing this, a homophobic fallacy is furthered, claiming that gay and trans individuals are somehow inherently more sexual than their heterosexual or cisgender counterparts. A book may also be called to be banned if a book depicts acts of abuse, (usually of children being abused by their parents). An abusive caretaker may worry that their victims could read these works and begin to recognize that their caretaker is treating them poorly. The same applies to banning a book, such as The Hate U Give, for depicting racial content; parents and organizations wanting to keep their children from having uncomfortable (but always necessary) conversations around race, be it from motivations of overt racism to a mistaken belief that racism is an 'adult' topic that should only be discussed in adult contexts, in spite of how racism often affects young individuals. would object to anyone being given access to a book that depicts a sympathetic person of color and how racial violence affects their lived experiences, promoting empathy. Essentially, banning a book allows an actor to issue a stamp denying individual access to a certain book because of its themes. Doing this takes agency away from readers whether or not they would wish to engage with a book's contents and their ability to make that choice for themselves. While it may sound reasonable to give teachers some leeway in the classroom to avoid using certain books and not expose children to mature themes, a book ban takes this logic and applies it to a broad swath of the population, including adults. As Beauchamp writes in their article for Vox , while book bans have happened so often that there is now an entire week dedicated to celebrating banned books, according to Beauchamp, "Free speech experts say what’s happening now represents an escalation from that period: that there is a new wave of censorship sweeping America’s schools targeting literature relating to race, LGBTQ identity, and sex." While Nadia Ford's article points to the presence of the internet and smartphones, and the ability to digitally download and distribute text, seemingly undermining the effectiveness of book bannings. Despite this, banning a book still allows the creation of a sense of official prestige for some ideas over others, which can be used to mold and alter the educational curriculum to suit certain agendas. For example, banning books that discuss racial violence in a modern and contemporary setting, like The Hate U Give, while allowing books that treat racial violence as something that only occurred in the past and thus obscure the fact that racial violence is still a real and current problem for many people. While there may appear at first glance to be a good reason to ban some books over others, such as violence or hate speech, the act of book banning itself is inherently tied to censorship. To ban a book is to restrict and repress freedom of speech, stifle ideas, promote certain ideas over others, and enforce oppression of minorities. Banning a book is, above all else, a powerful tool to prevent certain groups and people from making their voices heard and sharing their authentic, lived experiences with others. Those interested in contributing against banned books may be interested in contacting the Banned Books Week website to see how they can contribute, or learn how to host their own local, smaller Banned Books Week, or donate to the American Library Association , an organization that advocates for literary and intellectual freedom. Sources Beauchamp, Zack. 2022 Feb. 10. "Why Book Banning Is Back." vox.com. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/22914767/book-banning-crt-school-boards-republicans Butler University Libraries. 2021. Apr. 17. "Banned Books: Reasons Books Are Challenged." libguides.butler.edu. https://libguides.butler.edu/bannedbooks?p=217686 Ford, Nadia. 2017. "Book Banning." Duke University. duke.edu. https://sites.duke.edu/unsuitable/book-banning/ McGreevey, Nora. 2022. Feb. 2. "Banned by Tennessee School Board, ‘Maus’ Soars to the Top of Bestseller Charts." smithsonianmag.com. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/maus-becomes-bestseller-after-tennessee-school-ban-180979499/ Pen America. "Banned in the USA: Rising School Book Bans Threaten Free Expression and Students’ First Amendment Rights". pen.org. https://pen.org/banned-in-the-usa/ Previous Next

Learning to Give < Back Community Resources: Civic Responsibility Written By: Savitha Sithartha Publishing Date: July 12, 2021 Today's youth bear a heightened burden of civic responsibility. As they face a myriad of complex issues, including climate change, unemployment, wealth disparities, student loan debt, and high healthcare costs, it is understandable that trying to choose the right resources to support the causes and interests they value most is a tremendous challenge. Civic responsibility may not seem like the first priority for youth who have recently graduated and are in the early stages of adulthood. But starting and continuing acts civic responsibility can help youth advocate for themselves and their future. In fact, one single act of advocacy from just one individual has the capability to empower many others. While there are various different ways to do this, one of the most significant ways to make an impact in your community is by supporting political candidates and charitable organizations through financial contributions. Below are a few tactics to help youth effectively navigate our complex and digitized world to play an active part in their community. If you are interested in volunteering for a non-profit, a private or city volunteering page is a great place to search. This is the best way to choose reliable, transparent organizations and avoid common scams that take advantage of individuals’ giving tendencies. Do research before donating. You will want to know where your money is heading. Make sure to find out as much as you can about the organization to ensure that your money is going towards a worthy cause. Start by checking that the advocacy group is real and verifying the name belongs to an organization licensed with your state's attorney general. A real organization should be listed on the attorney general's web page, which will also have a list of any complaints others might have lodged against those organizations. Some seedier organizations may employ “high pressure tactics” to get you to do something you're not comfortable with, such as spending a larger amount of money than you're prepared to give, or promising returns on your donation. One way to protect yourself from exploitation is by paying with either checks or credit card, rather than with cash, as this leaves evidence to use in case of fraud. The Better Business Bureau is an invaluable resource to see how large charities use their funds and identify if their values align with yours and if those organizations have any questionable business practices. If you want to consider taking a more direct approach to supporting your favorite causes, you can donate to political groups and candidates to influence public policy. Your financial contributions have the potential to aid both political campaigns and reduce the financial burden of setting up voting areas, which increases youth accessibility to voting. An individual donor can make a financial contribution through the following means: a candidate committee, a separated segregated fund (SSF), a kind of political action committee (PAC) sponsored by an organization or a labor union, and nonconnected political action committees, and Super PACs. While long-term commitment to an advocacy group is usually recommended by these groups, it can also be beneficial to reevaluate your interests to make sure that an organization or political group is still a good match for you. Look through an organization’s causes, goals, and history to make sure that they fit your priorities. Unfortunately, we as youth often hear fellow peers waiting for the right age and time to start giving. Luckily, donating does not require a large income, financial stability, or even a large time commitment. According to multi-millionaire and personal finance guru Dave Ramsey, giving means “donating to charities, supporting worthy causes—even if you’re in debt. It may sound illogical, but it’s actually legit”. (Ramsey Solutions, 2021). Youth do not have to delay the feeling of personal satisfaction and pride of having donated to their favorite causes simply because of their young age. The feeling of personal pride that follows is just one incentive to donate; giving to 501(c)3 charitable organizations also qualifies you for federal tax deductions. It can be useful for future recollection to keep track of your donations by saving bank records and other written communications. This is why using either credit or check is ideal, as it creates something for your tax records, even if you don't have to submit those documents with your regular tax returns. (2021). The Internal Revenue Service is a great place to look to learn further information regarding “ tax tips for donors ”. There is no better time to get started being active and engaged in your community. Take a second to look at your budget. It’s okay to start small. Take a second to review these tips on charity donations . Then, choose from your favorite interests and causes, and give. That’s all there is to it! Sources Federal Election Commission. (n.d.). Understanding ways to support federal candidates. FEC.gov. https://www.fec.gov/introduction-campaign-finance/understanding-ways-support-federal-candidates/ . IRS. (2021, March 19). Charitable Contributions. Internal Revenue Service. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-contributions . Maldonado, C. (2018, July 10). Charity Donating Tips. CharityWatch. https://www.charitywatch.org/charity-donating-tips . Ramsey Solutions. (2021, March 1). Budget Percentages. Ramsey Solutions. https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/budget-percentages . USA.gov. (2021, March 23). Donating to Charity. USAGov. https://www.usa.gov/donate-to-charity . Previous Next

Social Justice: History, Impact, and Advocacy Written By: Brianna Vanderstelt Publishing Date: April 23, 2023 The internet and social media have played an instrumental role in the fight against systemic issues in society such as racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and so on. With an easily accessible place for discussion , concepts that were once only known within the world of academia and politics have spilled into our news articles, headlines, and public forums. One such concept is social justice. [1] Social justice is a notion with several layers. [2] At its most basic and concise, social justice can be thought of as equitable access to wealth, opportunities, and privilege within society (The Pachamama Alliance, n.d.). To add to this, five main principles can be associated with the concept: access to resources, equity, participation, diversity, and human rights (CFI Team, 2022). An even simpler way to think of social justice is similar to the idea of fairness. Rather than blanket equality, social justice calls for making society fairer for all by taking into consideration systematic barriers certain groups may face. It is this way of thinking that is perhaps the most historically accurate when considering the timeline of social justice as a concept. The Rise of Social Justice First coined in 1840 by Luigi Taparalli D’Azgelio, an Italian Catholic priest, social justice was introduced in response to the overwhelming strain being put on American families during the industrial revolution. While this period is best known for its innovation and growth, families were also abandoning their rural lifestyles for the opportunities in the city, leading to them becoming wage-dependent and exploited. Ultimately, the industrial period led to the abuse of marginalized groups, a highly stratified class system, and the misuse of human labor (CFI Team, 2022; Novak, 2009; Pachamama Alliance, n.d.). This combination of factors led to the rise of social justice. Early advocates focused largely on issues relating to capitalism, property, wealth, and workers’ rights. The net of social justice continued to expand as issues of other social spheres were acknowledged. Specifically, during the 20th century, we see the definition broaden from a focus on resources and wealth to equity and privilege as the civil rights movement took the stage (Pachamama Alliance, n.d.). From this point forward, social justice was molded into the social justice we know now. Being an Advocate in Everyday Life From a fight to reduce extreme class stratification to shining a light on major systemic issues to being a model society strives for, the impact of social justice is and continues to be far-reaching. However, we are nowhere near finished and advocacy continues to be crucial. There are several ways you can be a social justice advocate, with Kansas University (2021) compiling an informative and practical list for us. However, some often-cited options may not be entirely accessible (e.g., voting) or realistic (e.g., donating) for everyone. With this in mind, the following list will describe a few ways you can be an advocate in your everyday life. Educate yourself and others. While cliche, educating yourself on social justice issues and listening to other social justice activists will give you a solid foundational understanding of the concept. This will allow you to see connections and become a strong critical thinker. Identify and speak up against social injustices. With education comes awareness. Once you start and continue to educate yourself, you may find it easier to identify moments of unfairness, whether it’s at work, in the news, or out with friends. By speaking up in these moments, you’re not only showcasing your advocacy but you’re also creating a safer environment for all individuals. Self-reflection. Uncomfortable but important, self-reflection means examining your thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Just as it’s important to point out the injustices others may contribute to, it’s equally important, if not more, to be aware of the ways you may be contributing to social injustice. Understanding your own privilege and how your beliefs and behaviors may be harmful will allow you to rectify those thoughts and actions. Be actively inclusive. Too often, inclusivity becomes a label plastered over every mission and value statement. However, because of systemic discrimination and bias, to truly be inclusive requires action . This can be something as simple as making connections with minority co-workers who keep to themselves or don’t speak up at team meetings. If you’re in a leadership position, this could mean more encouragement and affirmation to those workers. [3] Just suggested removing some phrases here that felt unnecessary for conciseness. I suggested removing the rest of the sentence because one of the ways social justice is layered is through definition, which you go into and already state with what's there. Just thought it might make a little more concise. I think all of this can go in the "Identify and Speak Up Against Social Injustices" section because it's all about taking action. It relates to that strongly so just taking your key points from this section, such as the ways you can take action here by helping coworkers and affirming them and moving that there, then getting rid of the rest of this section would cut down the article while keeping the main ideas together. I hope my explanation makes sense. Sources CFI Team. (2022, May 8). Social justice . Corporate Finance Institute. Retrieved October 14, 2022, from https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/social-justice/ Indivisible Project. (n.d.). How to be inclusive: An introduction . Indivisible. Retrieved October 15, 2022, from https://indivisible.org/resource/how-be-inclusive-introduction Kansas University. (2021, June 28). 15 ways to advance social justice in your community . KU SOE. Retrieved October 15, 2022, from https://educationonline.ku.edu/community/15-ways-to-advance-social-justice Novak, M. (2009, December 29). Social Justice: Not what you think it is . The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved October 14, 2022, from https://www.heritage.org/poverty-and-inequality/report/social-justice-not-what-you-think-it The Pachamama Alliance. (n.d.). What is social justice? The Pachamama Alliance. Retrieved October 14, 2022, from https://pachamama.org/social-justice/what-is-social-justice#:~:text=Social%20Justice%20as%20a%20concept,capitalistic%20exploitation%20of%20human%20labor Previous Next

< Back After Hours Childcare Act Written By: Carson Watkins Publishing Date: October 13, 2023 In recent years, working families have struggled to find high-quality, affordable childcare in the United States. Difficulty finding these services has forced mothers out of the workforce and has hurt the education of American Children. Families have reported spending the majority of their income on childcare, leaving our nation's leadership searching for solutions. In 2019, the Center for American Progress (CAP) reported on the crisis. According to their research, fifty percent of parents reported difficulty obtaining childcare. Parents often have to excuse themselves from work due to the lack of childcare. Parents leaving the office to care for their children has cost businesses billions of dollars (Center for American Progress, 2019). The childcare crisis escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the schools closed their doors parents lost their primary childcare resource. According to Harvard Business School (2021), twenty-nine percent of women became unemployed during the pandemic due to a lack of childcare. In a Bipartisan effort, Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana, and Maggie Hassan, a Democrat from New Hampshire, introduced the After-Hours Childcare Act to give flexibility to all parents, especially those who work non-traditional hours. The Legislation would grant 980 million dollars in Childcare and Development Block Grants, expanding access to childcare and assisting sections of the country where childcare services are increasingly difficult to obtain ( Center for American Progress, 2022). The legislation also addresses one of the forgotten members of this debate: the workers. Since 2019, an estimated 100,000 childcare workers have left the industry, citing low pay, poor working conditions, and licensing issues, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to the New York Times, childcare workers often struggle to make ends meet, making minimum wage, and often facing food insecurity. The legislation aims to use grants to set a base wage comparable to the salaries of elementary educators and can be adjusted based on cost-of-living expenses. The After-Hours Childcare Act would be a monumental step in caring for our children and investing in their success by giving them early education opportunities while also investing in the American economy, allowing parents to continue in their employment with the safety of their children in their mind. Sources “5 Things To Know About the Child Care for Working Families Act” The Center for American Progress May 1, 2023 “Childcare Is a Business Issue” Harvard Business Review April 29, 2021 “The Childcare Crisis Is Keeping Women Out of the Workforce” The Center for American Progress “The After-Hours Childcare Act” KIN23100 KG7 2023 “Why You Can't Find Childcare: 100000 Workers Are Missing” New York Times, October 13, 2022 “Young, Hassan Introduce Bill to Support ChildCare Affordability for Working Families” March, 28, 2023 Previous Next