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< Back Youth Perspectives on Social Justice: History, Impact, and Advocacy Written By: Brianna Vanderstelt Publishing Date: November 14, 2022 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. By raising awareness and providing an 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. Although a complex notion, at its most basic and concise, social justice can be described 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 an idea. 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 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 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 today. 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. To be a social justice advocate is to openly support and actively work toward the goal of social justice. 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 major 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. You’ll begin to see how societal issues connect to one another and help you become a stronger critical thinker. Taking action. With education comes awareness. Once you start 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. Taking action means speaking up in these critical moments. It can also mean something as simple as connecting with your minority co-workers who seem ostracized or are left out of team meetings. If you’re in a leadership position, this could mean more encouragement and affirmation to those workers. By taking action, you’re not only showcasing your advocacy, but you’re also cultivating a more inclusive and safe environment. 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. 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 House Bill 1285: Implicit Bias in Healthcare Written By: Carson Watkins Publishing Date: August 9, 2023 The amazing miracle of modern medicine has saved countless lives. However, below the surface is a silent epidemic of healthcare in America. Minorities in America are left behind in a system that often fails them. In Indiana, Rep. Vanessa Summers Introduced House Bill 1285 Implicit Bias in Medicine. In this bill, Summers wants the Indiana State Board of Medicine to establish educational programs for first-year medical students to learn about biases based on understanding implicit discrimination against minorities and skills to counteract these practices in healthcare. Medical Racism has a deep-rooted history that has led to mistrust with minority communities and medical professionals often seeing minorities not taking the recommended care. In 20th century America usually, African Americans were constantly being misdiagnosed. In February 1999, the New England Journal of Medicine released a bombshell report that forced Doctors to reckon with their own implicit bias. In her book Under the Skin (2022), Linda Villarosa recounts the study conducted by Dr. Kevin Schulman where Dr. Schulman had eight individuals, two men and women of white and black descent, wearing the same hospital robe and reading the same script. The study found that “Bias may represent overt prejudice on the part of physicians.” (Villarosa, 2022, p. 55). Dr. Schulman wished to clarify that he was not calling Doctors prejudiced, but stereotypes can play a role in treatment. A 2003 study in the Institute of Medicine, Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care (2003), Found glaring problems in the treatment of minorities in medicine. In particular, the Institute found common ground with Dr. Schulman saying bias can negatively affect treatment saying, “However, because their origins arise from virtually universal social categorization processes, they may also exist, often unconsciously, among people who strongly endorse egalitarian principles and truly believe that they are not prejudiced.” (Institute of Medicine, 2003, P.7). A person’s medical decisions are complex and personal. As multiple reports have said, accusing Doctors of prejudice is unjust. However, the bill that Rep. Summers proposes can teach a new generation of doctors to treat patients regardless of Race or socio-economic circumstances and restore the trust of Medical Professionals in minority communities. Sources HOBERMAN, J. (2012). Black and Blue: The Origins and Consequences of Medical Racism (1st ed.). University of California Press. Metzl, J (2019): “ Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment is Killing American’s Heartland” Basic Books Smedley, B. D., Stith, A. Y., & Nelson, A. R. (2003). Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care. Washington, D.C. The National Academies Press. Villarosa, L (2022): “ Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and the Health of our Nation” Random House Previous Next

< Back History Written By: Cameron Thomson Publishing Date: June 2, 2023 The history of the Filibuster—or at least using the tactic of speech to delay legislation—appeared in the very first session of the Senate. "Talking a bill to death" was shared amongst the American legislation, so common that the tactic earned its derogatory name. The term " Filibuster " combines a Dutch and Spanish word. In Dutch, the derivative means "pirate" or "freebooter," while the Spanish "Filibusteros" harkens to the pirates that were then raiding the Caribbean islands. The usage and word became popular in the United States during the 1850s and were used to describe people who made efforts to hold the Senate floor to prevent action on a bill. The tactic brought many complaints but was still seen as a way to protect political minorities and their stances. Despite the act being a historical part of Senate debate since the inception of American law-making, the earliest Filibuster—after being named—occurred in 1841 when the Democratic minority attempted to run out the clock on a bill that would have created a national bank. It was controversial at the time with some senators finding the tactic frustrating and questionable. In contrast, others remained staunch supporters of the right of unlimited debate, a feature unique to the U.S. Senate. Although the traditions and rules were respected, they were not seen as perfect. During the late 19th and 20th centuries, the Filibuster was becoming more and more frequent, causing gridlock in the Senate. An honest debate on its implementation was soon held, discussing whether the Filibuster stopped a tyrannical majority or just created an unproductive Senate. The senate body under President Woodrow Wilson grew great frustration, which urged for change. As a result, Senate Rule 22, the cloture , was adopted by this senate group. The Cloture Rule was implemented to overrule and end the Filibuster if a two-thirds majority rule is reached (this, however, changed to only require a three-fifths vote in 1975). In addition, once a supermajority is reached, the debate is ended, and each member is allowed to speak for an additional hour before final voting. A common question to follow is how often the cloture rule is used. Over the next 45 years since its creation, the Senate invoked the cloture on only five occasions. However, when the cloture vote changed from two-thirds to three-fifths in 1975, the number of cloture motions increased dramatically to tens of hundreds of motions. Given the history and formation of the U.S. Senate, the Filibuster has always, in some form or another, been a unique feature, despite not being named until 65 years after the founding of the United States. Like many aspects of the American governmental system, the greatest strength was its evolution and adaptation. At its core, the Filibuster has always been used to ensure cooperation between political parties and keep the majority's powers in check. The history of the Filibuster and the changes it underwent are symbolic of the American law-making process, ensuring equality and offering a series of checks and balances, despite the gridlock it may cause on some bills. Sources Cloture Rule. (n.d) . United States Senate. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/filibusters-cloture/senate-adopts-cloture-rule.htm Filibuster . (n.d.) . United States Senate. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.senate.gov/reference/Index/Filibuster.htm#:~:text=The%20term%20filibuster%2C%20from%20a,prevent%20action%20on%20a%20bill . Reynolds, M. E. (2019, October 15). What is the Senate filibuster, and what would it take to eliminate it? https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/votervital/what-is-the-senate-filibuster-and-what-would-it-take-to-eliminate-it/ Previous Next

Career Advancement & Financial Stability Written By: Laura Ruzicka Publishing Date: October 25, 2021 The struggles of trying to advance your career and financial stability in the workforce. Sometimes it feels as if sexism has existed since the dawn of civilization, having been woven into our societal culture. One could even argue that the values and beliefs that were instilled in us when we were children could negatively impact and shape a woman’s future, affecting her career in the process. In Jim Tankersley’s article, How Sexism Follows Women from the Cradle to the Workplace , it is noted that economists say that “women appear to internalize social norms when they are young on issues like when to have children, what tasks are appropriate for women in the workforce, etc. Those traits could, in turn, affect a woman’s willingness to bargain for higher wages.” For a long time now, we have been slowly putting into play (directly and indirectly) rules and regulations to combat these sexist behaviors that are embedded in our society. When industries are dominated by men, it makes it more difficult for women to get better pay, as well as advance their careers in the ways that men are able to. I have a good friend who works in the restaurant industry. There are many times that I see her looking worn down and defeated after a particularly hard day at work. I have asked her why she does not just quit her job if it is so mentally and emotionally draining. She tells me there is no point. She adds, even if I leave this job, I will likely end up with another job that will probably be just as bad or worse. She was subjected to routine gender-based harassment by her managers, coworkers, and even some of the customers. In the end, the Restaurant Industry is just one of many that has a long history of sexual discrimination in the workplace that women must endure. According to a Pew Research Center Survey, about four in ten working women said they had experienced gender discrimination at work. For most, working in a sexist environment is not the ideal place to work; it's just something that happens a lot more than it should. Over time, the perception society has on men and women in a workforce environment has been altered based on the belief that they have complimentary characteristics. Specifically, men were assumed to be more individualistic and dominant, whereas women were seen as caring and more collaborative. These stereotypes began to be applied more frequently through the social role theory where certain social traits and behaviors were used to categorize individuals as either male or female. After some time, these assumptions and stereotypical classifications began to lay the foundation for what is now known as sexism. Many people believe they have a clear understanding of what sexism is and the severity of its impact. It’s the belief that someone can’t do something or act a certain way on the basis of their sex. It is this normalization of these behaviors and attitudes that have the ability to affect a woman’s financial stability and future career advancements. According to a 2017 Pew Research Center Survey, one in four employed women said they had earned less than a man who was doing the same job; just 5% of men said they had earned less than a woman doing the same job. There are two main types of sexism that women encounter in the workplace. Hostile sexism is a much more direct and misogynistic approach involving a lot of manipulative behavior, jokes, and outright meanness, while benevolent sexism is a normalized behavior that has been woven into our societal standards. It is the idea that women should be the caretakers and men should be the breadwinners. It is a behavior that can sometimes crawl in from our subconscious and appear in our conscious mind without even realizing it. Even before the pandemic, women have been behind the eight ball when trying to advance in a career that is male dominated. Even though women represent about half of our labor force, women are overrepresented in lower paying jobs and underrepresented in the higher-ranking ones. Mercer’s Let’s get real about equality: When Women Thrive 2020 global report of over 1000 organizations found a significant lack of female leadership within these roles. Globally they found 23% of executives, 29% of senior management, 37% of managers, 42% of professionals, and 47% senior staff were women. To this day, it remains a struggle for females to obtain leadership positions within our society when they have proven time and again their capability and competency to get the job done. Ellemers emphasizes this in her article , saying that “gender-mixed management teams display more creativity and innovation and can engage in more effective problem solving.” If women were incorporated more in leadership positions society would be one step closer to achieving equality in the workforce at all levels of the corporate ladder, but that cannot happen as long as the above statistics remain unchanged. In the corporate world change has to start from the top down, and as long as there is a lack of diversity at the top that change will be slower and more limited. Having more women in higher ranking positions would establish higher standards for the democratic nature and diversity of organizations. It would also expand to larger markets, increasing those organizations’ revenues. The pandemic left millions of Americans suffering from an unprecedented amount of job losses across the globe. In fact, “From February 2020 to February 2021, a net of 2.4 million women and 1.8 million men left the labor force” ( Kochhar and Bennett , 2021). Specifically, women accounted for a majority of the decrease in the labor force at the height of the pandemic. Since then, a majority of men and women have set their sights on working remotely. However, working remotely is not as beneficial as we may have anticipated. Although it allows you to have a better work-life balance with the added benefit of some extended freedom, women have been in a fight to achieve gender equality in the workplace while also in pursuit of a career from the safety of a computer screen. Unfortunately, studies have shown that the gender inequality that is still present within our society is likely to increase for females who continue to work remotely. Hickok emphasizes this further, implying that “working from home also comes with a price tag that’s especially steep for women, who already lag behind men in key career metrics like salary and leadership representation—a discrepancy that’s likely to grow if men outnumber women in the office.” (2021). Many women find that they need to be physically present at work in order to be recognized for their contributions, as the association of their face and voice have an impact on their effectiveness. In Hickok’s article it is mentioned by assistant professor Seulki “Rachel” Jang that “men who return to the office are likely to show higher job performance and recognition, more favourable HR decisions like promotions and raises, more social interactions, more influence and power than women who are working from home.” Working remotely has the potential of stalling future prospects for any career advancements. This discrepancy is similar to an occurrence known as the ‘ fatherhood boost and motherhood penalty ’. This phenomena originally began when men became fathers, their salaries increased, and their employer would view them as more dependable due to their working overtime. Women, on the other hand, got a decrease in their salaries and were viewed as the less dependable of the two because they needed to stay at home more often, forfeiting work time to have family time. One might not think being physically present in their work environment would be so important, but nowadays, especially for women, it is important to be acknowledged for their contributions. It is also necessary to gain a social presence in their work environment that will establish your reputation in the industry, helping them advance in their career and gain financial stability. There is no one-size-fits all, perfect solution to the discrimination and sexist behaviors that women have been subjected to over the years and it’s not like it’s just going to disappear either. As I’ve said, working remotely would provide women with a more flexible schedule with the advantage of some extended freedom. However, without physically being present and recognized for their contribution’s women run the risk of losing traction while in pursuit of any career advancements. For decades now, women have been fighting to achieve gender equality in the workplace as they strive to advance their careers in the process. It is important to note that the integration of women in leadership positions and other high-ranking roles will set up a state of equilibrium amongst both men and women in the workforce where we’d all be on an even level playing field. Sources Kochhar, Rakesh & Bennett, Jesse. (2021, April 14th) “U.S. labor market inches back from the COVID-19 shock, but recovery is far from complete” https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/04/14/u-s-labor-market-inches-back-from-the-covid-19-shock-but-recovery-is-far-from-complete/ https://www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-the-workforce-global/ Barroso, Amanda and Brown Anna. “Gender pay gap in U.S. held steady in 2020” https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/05/25/gender-pay-gap-facts/ https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/sexism-in-the-workplace/ https://eige.europa.eu/publications/sexism-at-work-handbook/part-1-understand/where-does-sexism-come Tankersley, Jim. (2018, August 19th) “How Sexism Follows Women from the Cradle to the Workplace.” https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/19/business/sexism-women-birthplace-workplace.html Ellemers, Noami. (2014) “Women at Work: How Organizational Features Impact Career Development.” https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2372732214549327 Hickok, Hannah. (2021, May 6th)“Are Men-dominated offices the future of the workplace?”. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210503-are-men-dominated-offices-the-future-of-the-workplace Tabassum, Naznin & Nayak Shankar Bhabani. “Gender Stereotypes and their Impact on Women’s Career Progressions from a Managerial Perspective.” https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2277975220975513 Previous Next

USYF Action Day Program Become a USYF Member today and be the first to get updates and access to USYF events and campaign initiatives. Join with youth all across the United States for a day of action! Hear from a guest speaker. Learn more about important social topics, and have a chance to have your voice heard during a group discussion round. Take part in a concrete activity and learn more about easy actions you can take to become better connected to your community! We look forward to seeing you at our next Action Day. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest updates on USYF content, events, and campaign initiatives! Join now

< Back Civic Engagement: How and Why to Attend Your Local School Board Meetings Written By: Bella Cesairo Publishing Date: November 13, 2022 How and Why to Attend Your Local School Board Meetings Having a functional understanding of how your local community sets educational standards for public schools is extremely important if you desire to be an informed community member and voter. According to the National School Boards Association (NSBA), school boards are important to the community because they “ establish the vision and goals for the public schools in their district, and they set standards for the performance of schools and superintendents.” Despite the campaigning and election process, school board members are still community members and, as such, need to be trusted by the community and must possess the trust of their constituents to keep the educational values of the community in mind. The NSBA outlines six reasons why voting in school board elections is essential: (1) school board budgets are entirely dedicated to local education; (2) these public officials represent their community in the public education system and have the closest ties to the students in schools they govern; (3) school boards create and outline requirements and goals for students; (4) community members have direct access to school boards, making it an accessible forum; (5) school board members are elected directly by the people they serve, so they must commit to the service and goals they’ve promised; and (6) school boards ensure that the community’s money is being used properly and to its full potential. These public officials have direct control over the education of the youth, which has a direct effect on the future of the youth in the community. According to Edutopia, the “decisions [school boards] make often have a greater long-term impact on our communities than those of any other elected body at any other level of government.” Griffin and Ward outline several responsibilities school boards must fulfill to be effective: (1) school boards must be focused on ensuring student achievement; (2) school boards must actively assess and evaluate the needs of their students across the district to provide the proper resources; (3) school boards must evaluate their spending and determine if certain expenses are worth it; (4) school boards must evaluate the data measured from the schools in their governance; and (5) school boards must be accessible to and interact with their community. Student success is not entirely determined by the quality of education that instructors provide through their teaching, but it is reliant upon the environment created within the school and district. According to The Holdsworth Center, school boards contribute to student success by “...creating the right conditions for excellence to flourish and setting high expectations of success.” Regularly attending school board meetings is important to being an active member in your community and provides an opportunity to communicate feedback on the direction of education in your district.Each school district must have accessible school board meetings, so check your school district’s website or contact schools in your community directly for information on upcoming meetings. Additionally, be sure to vote in school board elections to ensure that your school board reflects your beliefs. School board elections typically have low voter turnout, according to the NSBA, “...often just 5 percent or 10 percent.” The timing of school board elections varies by state, so researching your local school governance is important. Brookings argues that participating in school board elections more important now than ever, “...with boards tackling complex questions about public health, education, and budgeting amid a great deal of uncertainty.” Participating in these elections is a simple way to get involved in your community while providing your input. Sources Cohen, Jake. “The School Board Effect: How Trustees Can Impact Student Success.” The Holdsworth Center , The Holdsworth Center, 27 Nov. 2018, https://holdsworthcenter.org/blog/school-board-effect-how-trustees-can-impact-student-su ccess/ . Griffin Jr., Arthur, and Carter D. Ward. “Five Characteristics of an Effective School Board: A Multifaceted Role, Defined.” Edutopia , George Lucas Educational Foundation, 21 Mar. 2006, https://www.edutopia.org/five-characteristics-effective-school-board . National School Boards Association. “About School Board and Local Governance.” National School Boards Association , National School Boards Association, 2019, https://www.nsba.org/About/About-School-Board-and-Local-Governance . National School Boards Association Jinghong Cai Senior Rese. “The Public's Voice.” National School Boards Association , National School Boards Association, 1 May 2020, https://www.nsba.org/ASBJ/2020/April/the-publics-voice . Valant, Jon. “It's Time to Start Voting in Your Local School Board Elections.” Brookings , Brookings, 9 Mar. 2022, https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2021/11/01/its-time-to-start-voting-in-your-local-school-board-elections/ . Previous Next

OUR MISSION At the United States Youth Forum, our mission is to empower underserved youth by normalizing youth-led civic engagement as an essential part of community and societal change. We strive to create accessible, inclusive opportunities for young people to develop leadership, advocacy, and community organizing skills. Through volunteer opportunities that align with their talents and passions, we enable youth to actively shape change, build movements, and make informed decisions, fostering a healthy, ongoing relationship with the process of creating positive change in their communities. Contact Us WHAT WE DO Securing a better future for America's youth Education We raise awareness of issues to educate youth with the knowledge to make informed decision. 1 Initiative We encourage youth-led campaigns that empower them to become involved in civic engagement. 2 Youth Empowerment We provide youth with the resources and opportunities to create change and self-growth. 3 Inclusivity We strive to remain inclusive and accessible to youth of all backgrounds. 4 The United States Youth Forum is an organization where youth voices come together to form a collective, regardless of sex, religion, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, or partisan identity. USYF’s focus is not only on raising awareness of issues that impact youth in America, while advocating for consequential change. OUR VALUES Youth in Dialogue with Each Other No Bigotry, No Hate Forward Thinking Civic Engagement Community Collaboration Youth-Driven Youth-Led Non Partisan and Inclusive Abundance Mindset Long-term Impact Inclusive Equity

< Back A Law that Prevents Overdosing; Are Safe Injection Sites the New Solution? Written By: Kenzie Shelstad Publishing Date: August 6, 2023 As the United States struggles with the increasing amount of opioid addictions and fentanyl deaths, lawmakers are searching for a way to decrease fatality rates among addicts. Safe injection sites are one of the solutions that have been sought out by numerous states, including but not limited to California, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. These safe injection sites allow addicts to legally use drugs in a safe location that provides sterile supplies as well as crash kits to immediately respond to potential overdoses. These sites also provide information on resources for treatment, as well as testing for STDs and pregnancy. While these states, and others, have attempted to open safe injection sites, there are currently none operating in the United States at this time. On June 9th, 2022, Vermont governor, Phil Scott, and his Opioid Coordination Council, vetoed a potential law seeking to open a safe injection site in Vermont. Scott cited a lack of research on the success of safe injection sites, stating, “ They are illegal under federal law and highly controversial.” Yet, opioid addiction is at an all time high, and it’s reported that there is a greater risk of dying from an opioid overdose than from a car crash in the United States. Safe injection sites have been approved in other parts of the world, such as in Canada and Australia. As the United States government continues to fight the ongoing opioid battle, lawmakers are desperate for a new way to combat overdoses. Are safe injection sites the new solution? Sources Associated Press. “Vermont Governor Vetoes Safe Injection Sites for Drug Users,” Boston.com . 8 June 2022. Accessed 12 June 2022. https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2022/06/08/vermont-governor-vetoes-safe-injection-sites-for-drug-users/ Nursing@USC Blog. “Supervised Injection Sites Are Coming to the United States: Here’s What You Should Know,” USC Department of Nursing . 2 May 2019. Accessed 12 June 2022. https://nursing.usc.edu/blog/supervised-injection-sites/ Previous Next

< Back Youth Perspectives on Social Justice: Allyship and Advocacy Written By: Grace Brock Publishing Date: September 18, 2022 Allyship and advocacy are two words that are often used interchangeably but they have very different meanings. While both concepts refer to individuals becoming civically engaged by supporting initiatives that align with their values, they differ in terms of the type and amount of support they expect an individual to provide. It is therefore important that young people learn the difference between the two concepts so that they can identify the nature of their actions as well as those of others. In an article by the global non-profit Catalyst allyship is defined as the process of actively supporting people from marginalized groups. An example of an initiative that has many allies is the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. This is demonstrated by the fact that on June 2nd, 2020, following the brutal murders of black individuals such as George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor many people chose to post black squares on social media to demonstrate their support for the BLM movement. When distinguishing advocacy from allyship Catalyst discusses how the former involves proactively taking action and building relationships within and across groups to drive positive, structural change on a systemic issue. When looking for societal examples of advocacy, we can look to the BLM movement again. This is because, while millions of people were posting black squares on social media platforms, a smaller yet powerful force of individuals were taking to the streets and protesting in an attempt to change the ways that government and law enforcement treat black individuals. For example, an article from the New York Times discusses how the protests peaked on June 6th, 2020, when half a million people turned out at just short of 550 places across the U.S. While allyship is an excellent way to provide a basic level of support to marginalized groups, advocacy takes this support to a new level and facilitates the possibility for significant, positive change. Although being an advocate often requires more time and effort than being an ally, it is a rewarding experience and a great way for young people to ensure their voices are heard. I would therefore encourage every young person to find a cause they are truly passionate about and start taking steps toward becoming an advocate. Below are two of my top tips for doing so: Find a bill you support then call your congressional leaders Upon first glance, contacting the offices of your senators and representatives can seem daunting, but a phone call can take as little as two minutes and is extremely effective at prompting your leaders to support the bill you care about. This is because congressional offices keep track of how many people in their district support a bill, and senators and representatives are more likely to back it themselves if a number of their constituents do. You can explore legislation by going to the bills introduced section of Congress.gov and finding bills you support. From here, the next step is to find out who your leaders are. Each state has two senators, and, alongside this, you will have one representative for the congressional district in which you reside. You can then look for your leader's phone numbers, which can typically be found on their official websites. The final step is then to call your leaders and let them know that you would like them to support the bill you have chosen. Join a club or organization that will help support you in your journey to becoming an advocate Joining a club can be a great way to meet like-minded people as well as find opportunities to support an initiative you are passionate about. Many communities have organizations that allow members to become an advocate, though, if you are a high school or college student, you can also explore clubs at your school and see if any organizations will help you become an advocate for a cause you support. During my sophomore year of college, I joined the Amnesty International Club. This aided me on my journey to becoming an advocate for those facing human rights abuses across the globe. Before joining the club, I followed the work of Amnesty International on my social media platforms and occasionally shared their content. However, within a few months of joining the club, I found myself writing letters to national governments about human rights abuses within their borders, as well as organizing and participating in tabling events at my school. In this short space of time, I transformed myself from an ally to an advocate thanks to the support of those around me. With the help of a nurturing group that supports an initiative you believe in you could make this transition too! Sources "Allyship and Advocacy at Work: 5 Key Questions Answered (Blog Post)". (2021, October 14th). Catalyst. https://www.catalyst.org/2021/10/14/allyship-advocacy-questions-answered/ Buchanan, L., Qouctrung, B. & Patel, J. (2020, July 3rd). Black Lives Matter May Be the Largest movement in U.S. History. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/03/us/george-floyd-protests-crowd-size.html Legislation. (n.d.). Congess.gov. Retrieved September 2nd, 2022 from https://www.congress.gov/search?q={%22congress%22:%22117%22,%22source%22:%22legislation%22,%22search%22:%22congressId:117%20AND%20billStatus:\%22Introduced\%22%22}&pageSort=dateOfIntroduction:desc Previous Next

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< Back COVID 19: Impact on Youth's Mental Health Written By: Fatima Javed Publishing Date: December 31, 2021 Even before the pandemic started, mental health has been a concerning topic, greatly affecting teens and adolescents in the United States. According to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated “13.3% of US adolescents aged 12-17 experienced at least 1 episode of major depressive disorder in 2017” (Rodriguez 2021). Yet, roughly 60% of the individuals did not receive treatment for their mental health. As the CDC notes, the closure of many schools and businesses due to the pandemic has demonstrated “increasing rates of US high school students experiencing persistent sadness or hopelessness” (Rodriguez 2021). The closure of schools as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic created a significant impact on adolescents' mental health. School counselors and staff were the only mental health services many students had access to, especially students from low-income backgrounds and minorities. Without these services, many students lost healthy outlet options. School closures also affected adolescents and their home environments. The pandemic has affected their caregivers as much as it has affected the students. With high rates of unemployment, financial/emotional stress and widespread COVID-19-related misinformation, these individuals have been feeding off of each other's stress while living under the same roof. The adolescents who may have been depressed from their own personal lives may face extra challenges from issues with their familial life. Families spending more time together, while a positive consequence for most, it was quite the opposite for some. For example, adolescents who were forced to spend time in abusive and dysfunctional homes due to the quarantine. Hospitals around the United States have reported increasing rates of attempted or completed suicides among youth. In Las Vegas, a school district reportedly had 19 students commit suicide since the pandemic started. Hospitals have also reported seeing “worsening mental states” in patients during the pandemic when compared to those seen before the pandemic. The pandemic and quarantine has also made youth increasingly dependent on the internet. With loss of physical human contact, many of the youth have turned to apps like Instagram and Tiktok as an escape. Although it has helped to connect people virtually, it has also decreased the mental health of many. Now that youth are spending more time on social media, they begin to see more idealized figures on their feeds. This results in many feeling depressed and self conscious. For example, many of the comments seen under videos online are from girls saying they will stop eating or they want to die because they do not look like the societal “perfect girl,” which social media pushes to the forefront. Even if the pandemic is ongoing, it does not mean we stop looking out for our peers. At these times especially, it is crucial for professionals, such as counselors, to reach out to patients to maintain continuity of care. Since in- person visits are still limited, virtual visits should be available to all youth and families. School counselors since the pandemic have lost touch with their students; however, there needs to be a way to accommodate virtual sessions for their students, like holding private 30 minutes discussions on platforms like Zoom. In the long run, youth need to be able to connect with peers who might be going through similar situations to overcome hardships together. Returning of youth to school is important for the preservation of their social network. (Rodriguez 2021). Uptakes in mental health declines is concerning and needs to be addressed. Youth participation is necessary since this affects youth directly–we need to build platforms for their voices to be heard, and to increase the quality and access to mental health services around the region. Organizations like the United States Youth Forum (USYF) are geared towards youth and built so young people can voice their concerns in different aspects of life, including mental health. USYF not only spreads awareness on these topics but advocates for changes within local and federal governments. If you want your voice to be heard, reach out to USYF: https://www.unitedstatesyouthforum.org/ and other similar organizations as a step forward in seeking help and for the betterment. Sources Hertz MF, Barrios LC. Adolescent mental health, COVID-19, and the value of school-community partnerships. Inj Prev. 2021;27(1):85-86. doi:10.1136/injuryprev-2020-044050 Major depression. National Institute of Mental Health. Updated February 2019. Accessed online February 7, 2021. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml Ma Z, Zhao J, Li Y, et al. Mental health problems and correlates among 746 217 college students during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak in China. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2020;29:e181. doi:10.1017/S2045796020000931 Rodriguez, T. (2021, April 30). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Adolescent Mental Health. Psychiatry Advisor. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/home/topics/child-adolescent-psychiatry/adolescent-mental-health-issues-are-further-exacerbated-by-the-covid-19-pandemic/. Rogers AA, Ha T, Ockey S. Adolescents’ perceived socio-emotional impact of COVID-19 and implications for mental health: results from a U.S.-based mixed-methods study. J Adolesc Health. 2021;68(1):43-52. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.09.039 Previous Next

Check out the USYF Store Interested in some USYF swag? Check out our USYF store below! By doing so you support the United States Youth Forum in its vision of empowering youth voices and strengthening youth networks. With your purchase, you contribute to and represent a more secure, safer, and healthier future for the young people of America! All proceeds will be given to USYF for the purposes of fulfilling its mission and comply with the requirements as outlined in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS tax code. To the USF Store