I want to wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season. Honestly, this year has been an abomination for so many and I know this will be a difficult time to celebrate. I’m blessed to have family and friends who are supportive of my endeavors. During the holidays, let’s take time to reflect and think of New Year’s resolutions – we must still remain cognizant of injustices happening all over the country towards marginalized groups. Unfortunately, this causes individuals to feel excluded and have no sense of belonging. We are stronger when diversity is celebrated, inclusion is embraced, and equity is valued.
Here are some resources to be aware of and learn from:
For those who are in NJ and are involved in or witness harassment, discrimination and bias incidents in my home state of NJ: New Jersey, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal, the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced the launch of a new internet portal – the NJ Bias Investigation Access System (NJBIAS) — through which residents can file discrimination complaints and report possible bias offenses online.
The Teaching Tolerance mission is to help teachers and schools educate children and youth to be active participants in a diverse democracy. Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators—teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners—who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use their materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.
A conversation with Emmanuel Acho about race that many white people have never been able to have is highlighted. Countless lives have been impacted by his work focusing on uncomfortable conversations with a black man that went viral around the world. Check out this link for details - - > https://uncomfortableconvos.com, Also, view his book by clicking here. I have just started
it and already highly recommend reading it.
The challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. Participants are presented with challenges such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, reflecting on a personal experience and more. Participation in an activity like this helps us to discover how racial injustice and social injustice impact our community. We learn to connect with one another, and to identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination. This is an exciting opportunity to dive deep into racial equity and social justice.
Additionally, a personal favorite is a student competition, which encourages students to submit creative hashtags, artwork, or videos that stand up against hate, bias, stereotyping and prejudice. The Youth Bias Task Force Student Competition is a way to stand up against hate, bias, stereotyping, and prejudice in your school, your community, and your state. Submit a creative hashtag, artwork, or video that will inspire other students and young people to stand up to hate. #NJCivilRights
This has been a year that although we may want to, will not be able to forget. I want to thank everyone for their ongoing support. Feel free to check out my most recent blogs, as well as any other blogs that you may have missed. Please subscribe to my site: click here and scroll to the bottom.
In the words of David Kyuman Kim, a professor of religious studies, and a philosopher and scholar of radical love and inclusive democracy, “Open your mind, and then listen. When you give genuine attention to other people, they find the courage to talk about their lives. The simplicity masks the power.” Kim says we have a responsibility to draw our attention to co-workers, to community members, and to ask a simple question, “How are you doing? And then listen, really listen, as if you don’t already know the answer.”
Thank You & Happy Holidays and looking forward to 2021.
