Obama Foundation’s Post

The canary in the coal mine is dead; in fact, it’s rotting. And it needs straight, cisgender and white people in 🇺🇸 (and everywhere) to get out of denial and act. What will it take for the foul, urgent odor to wake us up? And what are we willing to do for the basic dignity of our neighbors? The facts: States are legislating transgender people’s rights away. Black queer people are (still) being murdered for just existing (Rest in Power, O’Shae Sibley). The legal landscape is shifting even further from Civil Rights laws enacted to protect Black people, women, immigrants, and other groups who’ve historically experienced injustice. Things you can do: - Support elected officials and campaigns who actually stand a chance of defeating these evils; bring the heat against officials and parties who cling to power and have no chance of winning, let alone making a change. - Reprioritize your giving to local grassroots groups who are organizing for change. Give up your sense of entitlement to dictate how the money is used and trust that the communities know better than you do. - Have patient, loving, and tough conversations with people close to you who might be wavering on a commitment to marginalized communities.

🌍 Advocating for minority voices: At the UN Human Rights Council, we highlighted the crucial role of the UN Forum on Minority Issues. Emphasizing its importance as a platform for minority representation, we urged for its preservation, expansion and extended duration. Let's stand together to support minority rights and condemn reprisals against minority representatives. #MinorityRights #UNForum #HumanRightsCouncil

🌟 Understanding Juneteenth: Honoring Its Historical Significance 🌟 Today’s article dives deep into the historical context of Juneteenth, a day that symbolizes the end of enslavement and celebrates freedom, resilience, and the enduring fight for racial justice. By educating ourselves about this pivotal moment in history, we can better appreciate its significance and continue the struggle for equality. Key Insights: Learn about the events leading up to June 19, 1865 Discover the contributions of Black queer advocates like Barbara Smith, Stormé DeLarverie, and Phill Wilson. Explore ways to honor Juneteenth and educate others through books, documentaries, and discussions. Quote of the Day: "Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It's a celebration of progress. It's an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do." – Barack Obama Join our Make Shi(f)t Happen online community to delve deeper into these themes and support each other in this journey. Plus, don't miss our "Resilient Advocacy: A 5-Day Challenge for Sustainable Mental Health in Activism." Let's honor Juneteenth by committing to ongoing education and advocacy! 🌈✊🏽 🔗 Join the Community 🔗 Grab your Juneteenth Resource Guide 🔗 Register for the 5-Day Challenge 🔗 Become a Paid Subscriber to support equity in education and keep this valuable content accessible to all. https://lnkd.in/eTTEcQnm Let's continue our shared journey toward liberation and make this month a powerful testament to our resilience and strength! 💬👇🏾 #Juneteenth #Pride #Intersectionality #BlackQueerAdvocacy #SocialJustice #HistoricalContext #CollectiveHealing #EquityInEducation #MentalHealthInActivism #Liberation

The fight for minority rights is an ongoing process. We must remain vigilant and continue to fight for equality and justice, even when challenges arise. It is important to celebrate the achievements and contributions of minorities. Their stories inspire us and remind us of the strength and resilience of the human spirit. We must strive to create a world where diversity is not just tolerated, but embraced. Each individual has unique gifts and talents to offer, and a truly inclusive society benefits from the contributions of all its members. #illyas #illyasthairich #humanity #humanrights #human #HumanityFirst #humaninterest #humanresources #entrepreneurlife #entrepreneur #community #service #journey #minority #minoritiesday

NOTEWORTHY. In March 2022, a member of Moms for Liberty left the organization to start BookLooks.info, which reviews and rates children’s and young adult books. Almost every book that deals with racism and LGBTQ+ issues gets a bad rating. A significant majority of the books being banned deal with these subjects. BookLooks has become the go-to resource for those wanting to ban books across the country. It is no coincidence that Moms for Liberty and BookLooks link to each other’s websites. The Washington Post investigated the new push to ban books and found that 11 individuals filed a majority of book challenges around the country in 2022. “In some cases, these serial filers relied on a network of volunteers gathered together under the aegis of conservative parents groups such as Moms for Liberty.” So this is not some massive movement of concerned parents but rather an orchestrated effort by a handful of like-minded hard-right activists who have found a flashy way to get the base riled up.

Today, we honor Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. 📜 On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring freedom for enslaved people in Confederate states. However, it took over two years for this monumental news to reach the last group of enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done. The Fund for Women and Girls recognizes the intersectionality of our work - while using a gender lens, we must also consider other identities, including race. Our lived experiences impact each and every one of us. 💜 🌟Let's honor this historic day by reflecting on our past and continuing the fight for equality and justice for all women, girls, and individuals with lived female experience of color. #juneteenth #advocacy #thefund #thefundforwomenandgirls #justice #womensrights

Think of a dystopian, polarized country, where Americans are not only divided based on political beliefs but also on where they live and shop, what beer they drink, what doctors they visit, whether they are vaccinated, where they go on vacation and attend professional conferences. This is what politicians who want to inject extremism (from the right or the left) into governing seem to want to accomplish: to reshape their communities so that only like-minded people feel comfortable co-existing. Gov. Ron DeSantis has made no secret that his approach to governing is “You’re either with me or get the heck out.” He has signed laws and used state power against: teachers; transgender people; African Americans; women’s bodies; teachers and unions; university professors and academic freedom; universities that want to diversify their student body; immigrants; LGBTQ people and drag queens.

Here's my most recent article on the struggle for queer liberation and the anti-war movement.

Today, we celebrate International Non-Binary People’s Day! Non-binary, often called “enby,” is an inclusive, valid, and beautifully unique identity. As we celebrate, it's essential to recognize the struggles and discrimination non-binary individuals face. In a society that often only acknowledges two genders, non-binary people may feel erased and invalidated, leading to isolation, anxiety, and depression. To combat this, we should educate ourselves on non-binary identities and strive for a more inclusive society. This includes using gender-neutral language, respecting stated pronouns, and advocating for equal rights for all genders. Did you know? Katje van Loon started International Non-Binary People’s Day in 2012, choosing a date midway between International Women’s Day (March 8) and International Men’s Day (November 19). In 2016, Elisa Rae Shupe became the first person in the US to have a non-binary gender legally recognized on official documents. Learn more: https://hubs.li/Q02G5vdy0

Today, we commemorate Juneteenth, a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865,enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally received news of their freedom, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is a day for reflection, education, and celebration. It's a reminder of the ongoing fight for racial equality and a call to action for all of us to continue working towards a more just and inclusive society. #Juneteenth #DiversityEquityInclusion #belltechlogix