Monthly Archives: July 2021

By Rep. Jerry Carl

For the past few weeks, the world has watched as thousands of Cuban citizens have taken to the streets to protest a Communist system that has oppressed its citizens for more than 60 years. These sudden demonstrations are not the result of new frustrations, but rather a critical turning point for a people that have had their basic rights and freedoms limited by the Cuban government for the past 6 decades. Now, more than ever, it is critical for Americans to stand with the Cuban people as they fight diligently for freedom.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Cuba with a handful of elected officials. Many folks do not realize Mobile, Alabama, and Havana, Cuba, are sister cities, and we actually ship large amounts of chickens to Cuba through the Port of Mobile. My trip to Cuba taught me so much about the Cuban government and the Cuban people. Its a beautiful country with wonderful people, but the oppressive regime has limited freedom, squashed innovation, and prohibited progress for more than 60 years.

While AOC and her squad are saying Cubans are simply protesting vaccine shortages, the Cuban people are protesting a lack of fundamental freedom. Its critically important that we recognize these efforts as a fight for freedom, rather than frustrations over vaccine shortages. This is why I was proud to join more than 100 of my GOP colleagues last week on a resolution supporting the Cuban people in their efforts against the oppressive government rule.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy has also created a 16-member Cuba advisory group which is exploring bipartisan options to work with President Biden to increase pressure on the Cuban government while ensuring the safety of Cuban citizens as they protest the brutal oppression from Cuban officials. This bicameral group will also work to keep America, and the rest of the world, informed about the ongoing atrocities being committed by the Communist regime in Havana.

President Biden needs to take firm action by keeping the embargo (which does not include food or medicine) in place and bringing internet access to Cuba information can freely flow in and out. As the protests in Cuba continue, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and the Biden Administration, to remain tough on the Cuban government and support the Cuban people in their fight for freedom against government oppression.

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Standing with Cuban people in fight for freedom - The Atmore Advance | The Atmore Advance - Atmore Advance

Walk into a classroom anywhere around the United States; you are not likely to see a teacher say, The United States is fundamentally or irredeemably racist or sexist. If anything, you are likely to see the opposite. Conversations critical of the United States do not happen often within history classes. We learn of our glorious past and tend to glance over our less pristine moments. Recently, due to the Black Lives Matter Movement and the national reckoning that came with it, many people have had to come to terms with our past and its systemic impacts on communities of color. These conversations have found their way into every facet of our society, including our schools. Many conservative groups believed that these discussions took a radical turn and began to pinpoint Critical Race Theory as the culprit. However, the theory isnt even taught within our education system. In fact, just years ago, CRT was a niche legal framework utilized by academics in higher education. How and why, then, has it become a subject of such intense scrutiny by conservative media?

Critical race theory explains how racism is systemic, addressing how it is a significant part of the United Statess laws and institutions. Created by Derrick Bell, Kimberl Crenshaw, and other legal scholars, CRT stands on five tenets. First, race is a social construct, one that was created to oppress those of darker complexions. Second, individual racist actions are not unique events conducted by bad apples; they are the result of a system designed to oppress. Third, historical context is of the utmost importance: previous actions conducted by a racist government have led to racist institutions. The fourth tenet focuses on people of color and their experiences within this system, acknowledging that critical race theory is not only focused on race but also analyzes the world through interdisciplinary traditions such as feminism and Marxism. Finally, the fifth tenet encapsulates their goal that fighting racial oppression is only the first step towards ending oppression of all types.

Backlash against CRT began on Fox News when conservative activist Christopher Rufo stated that he would be declaring a one-man war against critical race theory in the federal government. He was energized by his personal vendetta against CRT, a legal theory he believed was rooted in Marxism. A couple of days after the segment was aired, former President Trump disallowed implicit bias and diversity training by government agencies. Since then, the issue has only been escalated by conservative media and Trump. The most dangerous aspect of this new culture war is that what was once a niche legal theory has become demonized and conflated with any measure of liberal reform that attempts to address systemic racism. This can be seen evidently through bills in state legislatures trying to outlaw critical race theory education in schools across the country.

After a summer of protests and confrontation with the results of centuries of oppression, many teachers sought to address the social realities unfolding across the country in their classrooms. However, the vast majority of these teachers did not expressly refer to nor completely follow the framework of critical race theory they were just trying to have an honest conversation about race. Even still, the dangerous rhetoric identifying any type of racial education as a version of CRT led to legislation attempting to outlaw it. Taken to an extreme, CRT has been equated with racism against white people. Fox News has mentioned CRT in a negative light over 1000 times since March, and a segment from Newsmax warned that teaching critical race theory leads to white students being attacked and treated like Jewish people in Nazi Germany. In many states where bills have been proposed, like Kansas and Missouri, critical race theory is not even taught in school classrooms, as the framework itself was created and utilized by those in higher education and legal fields.

CRT has become a catchall to outlaw the education of anything related to systemic racism, white privilege, and even basic concepts of equity. Some of the proposed state bills specifically mention critical race theory, while others do not. But they all have similar wording that works to be extremely vague. Could explaining basic American history with references to race fall under critical race theory education? Teachers afraid of backlash may refuse to even come close to any race-related conversation. In the state of Oklahoma an anti-CRT bill was signed into law earlier this year. Oklahoma City teacher Telannia Norfar stated that she feared intense backlash if she were to teach about George Floyds murder a chilling example of what is taking place around the country. Continuing to sign such bills into law could possbly even ensure widespread censorship of American struggles with racism, specifically conversations around slavery, Jim Crow, and other histories that include people of color and their oppression.

Conversations around the truth of our past are of the utmost importance. These do not seek to blame students and create division; rather, they intend to confront our national issues head on. Its impossible to better ourselves if we dont understand our previous mistakes and the impacts they have on our current national situation. As Fordham University professor Justin A. Coles has said, It is sort of this almost escapism its like, if we dont have to talk about race, then not only as individuals but as a country, we never have to atone for or reckon with this history.

All classroom conversations about race are not critical race theory, nor are they attempts to make students hate the United States they are usually honest, good-faith efforts to pave a better path for our future. CRT itself is not a tool of communist indoctrination and racism towards white people, nor is it an attempt to divide the students that are being taught it it is an important tool utilized in higher education to understand systemic racism. The conversation around critical race theory has been manufactured for the benefit of conservative activists and their ideals. It is a dangerous endeavor that will lead to censorship of true American history and further a narrative of American exceptionalism in classrooms and beyond. We must teach and educate students about our faults. These faults must be at the forefront of the conversation because we cannot ignore the entanglement between racism and American institutions if we are to fix its issues.

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Originally posted here:

The Conversation Around Critical Race Theory is a Manufactured Danger - Harvard Political Review

Congressman Jerry Carl

For the past few weeks, the world has watched as thousands of Cuban citizens have taken to the streets to protest a Communist system that has oppressed its citizens for more than 60 years. These sudden demonstrations are not the result of new frustrations, but rather a critical turning point for a people that have had their basic rights and freedoms limited by the Cuban government for the past 6 decades. Now, more than ever, it is critical for Americans to stand with the Cuban people as they fight diligently for freedom.Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Cuba with a handful of elected officials. Many folks do not realize Mobile, Alabama, and Havana, Cuba, are sister cities, and we actually ship large amounts of chickens to Cuba through the Port of Mobile. My trip to Cuba taught me so much about the Cuban government and the Cuban people. Its a beautiful country with wonderful people, but the oppressive regime has limited freedom, squashed innovation, and prohibited progress for more than 60 years.While AOC and her squad are saying Cubans are simply protesting vaccine shortages, the Cuban people are protesting a lack of fundamental freedom. Its critically important that we recognize these efforts as a fight for freedom, rather than frustrations over vaccine shortages. This is why I was proud to join more than 100 of my GOP colleagues last week on a resolution supporting the Cuban people in their efforts against the oppressive government rule.House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy has also created a 16-member Cuba advisory group which is exploring bipartisan options to work with President Biden to increase pressure on the Cuban government while ensuring the safety of Cuban citizens as they protest the brutal oppression from Cuban officials. This bicameral group will also work to keep America, and the rest of the world, informed about the ongoing atrocities being committed by the Communist regime in Havana.President Biden needs to take firm action by keeping the embargo (which does not include food or medicine) in place and bringing internet access to Cuba [so] information can freely flow in and out. As the protests in Cuba continue, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and the Biden Administration, to remain tough on the Cuban government and support the Cuban people in their fight for freedom against government oppression.

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Standing with the Cuban people in their fight for freedom Atmore News - Atmore News

Washington The political, economic and social crisis inNicaragua"is reaching a flashpoint" and "is more than likely to lead to more violence and destabilization in the country," Rafael Estrada said at a recenthearingon Capitol Hill in Washington.

The Central American country's "constant persecution of political opponents and independent journalists is unprecedented," said Estrada, who is president of the Nicaraguans for Security and Prosperity Foundation.

He was one of several witnesses at a July 21hearingsponsored by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on President Daniel Ortega's government and its political prisoners, which the committee described as "the human cost of repression inNicaragua."

Witness Victoria Crdenas testified that because her husband, Juan Sebastin Chamorro, dared to speak out against Ortega's oppression, "the regime has also persecuted and harassed me and my family."

Chamorro is a candidate for president. The elections are scheduled for Nov. 7.

"They have brought a civil case against me, my sister and my mother, which would take away all my mothers assets," Crdenas said. "They have brought a criminal case against me, and there is an open warrant for my arrest."

"It is clear that Ortega is using every part ofNicaragua's institutions, including its judicial system," she said, "to not only persecute those who challenge the government, but also their family members."

Berta Valles spoke about what her husband, Flix Maradiaga, has faced as a presidential candidate.

"For years, Felix has been a target of attacks by the Ortega regime because he speaks truth to power. He has been beaten, confined tohousearrest and threatened," she said. "For months, he endured 24/7 surveillance by the police. They have tried again and again to silence him, but he never stands down."

The issues raised by witnesses echoed the grave concerns aboutNicaraguaexpressed six weeks earlier by the country's Catholic bishops about a wave of politically motivated arrests that have sidelined opposition figures, media members and government critics ahead of the fall elections.

"We must avoid the institutionalization in our homeland of arbitrary and illegal restrictions of citizens' freedoms and the persecution of the opposition and media outlets," the bishops said in a June 10 letter.

"We prefer and want a democratic system forNicaragua," in which there is a "division of powers of the state" because "it is the principle of the rule of law ... the principle in which legislation is sovereign and not the arbitrary will of men," the bishops said.

"It is necessary to build aNicaraguabased in peace, justice and respect for human rights, rejecting all that is contrary to these principles and working together, conscious of the pillars of peace, justice and forgiveness," they said.

After the bishops' letter was released, police arrested at least five high-profile critics of Ortega by using recently approved laws that criminalize information the government considers false and that outlaw receiving foreign funds to carry out political activities.

In April 2018, the Ortega regime cracked down on widespread protests by the people ofNicaragua, leading to the emergence of an opposition movement calling for a wide range of democratic reforms, including Ortega's resignation.

"Despite the protests, Ortega remains in office as hundreds of Nicaraguans have been killed, imprisoned or have fled the country," according to the Lantos commission.

Also speaking at the Lantos commissionhearingwas Bianca Jagger, a Nicaraguan social and human rights advocate and a former actress. Jagger currently serves as a Council of Europe goodwill ambassador and is chair of the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation.

She noted Ortega's longtime disregard for human rights, saying: "Through his years in power, he has dismantled all legal and democratic institutions inNicaragua. His objective is to perpetuate his power at any cost by establishing a new tyrannical dynasty."

"The cruelty of the Ortega regime is a consistent cruelty political prisoners span the gamut of activists on the political Left, often dissident Sandinistas themselves, to those on the political right," said Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who co-chairs the Lantos commission with Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Mass.

Smith praised the witnesses for their courage and their "commitment to democratic principles and a resistance to tyranny."

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Nicaragua's crisis 'is reaching flashpoint,' says witness at Hill hearing - National Catholic Reporter

Since 2017, multiple reports have been issued describing the brutal treatment of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, China. As of summer 2018, the United Nations reported than at least one million Uighurs have been detained, with approximately two million having been forced into re-education camps.

Amnesty International described life in those camps as a dystopian hellscape. Uighur Muslims have been subjected to physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse in those government-controlled institutions. International organizations and various human rights groups deem the vicious treatment of the minority group as genocide as well as a crime against humanity. Yet the Chinese government refuses to acknowledge their wrongdoings. Chinese officials rebut claims of that nature by justifying their regime as necessary procedure in warding off extremism. However, several authentic sources prove that the regime is a deliberate strategy to oppress the Uighur Muslims and erase their culture.

For more context, the Uighurs are a minority group who resided mostly in Xinjiang, China, and represented approximately half the population of the region. The Uighurs argued that their religion, language, and cultural practices are different from the rest of China and the group struggled for years in claiming independence. In 1933, they declared themselves as an independent state known as East Turkestan, however the nationalist Chinese army defeated them. Again in 1944, the Uighurs declared the formation of the East Turkestan Republic, and yet again the Chinese annexed the region. Since 1949, thousands of Uighur Muslims have escaped to neighboring countries to avoid political and religious oppression, which led to a significant decline in their population.

In 2017, leaders of the Xinjiang Communist Party asserted they intend on using their powerful fist, promising that all separatist activities and all terrorists shall be smashed to pieces. Additionally, President Xi Jinping demanded all regions of China to follow the policy of sinicization, a process which demands that all Chinese communities comply with the norms of Han Chinese society. The policys main purpose is to spread Chinese culture and allow the Chinese government to ensure the complete dominance of the communist party. All of this went directly against the views of the Uighurs who simply wish to express their identity. Tensions continued to rise after 9/11 when Beijing officially declared its own campaign to fight extremism and used it as an excuse to target Uighurs. Uighur activists and Muslim scholars were called terrorists and put in jail or sentenced to death.

The Uighur Muslims placed in the concentration camps have been completely stripped of the freedom to practice their religion. Men are not allowed to grow their beards, and women are not permitted to wear hijabs. Despite pork being prohibited in Islam, the Uighurs are forced to eat it. Detainees have been banned from fasting during Ramadan, the holy month for those following Islam. A pervasive surveillance system prevents the prisoners from speaking to journalists who can report what life inside the concentration camps is truly like.

The Chinese government has consistently rejected and dismissed reports which tell the truth about the concentration camps. For example, to reduce the Uighur population, many women were forced into receiving sterilization surgery and IUDs. Between 2017 and 2019, the birth rate in Xinjiang dropped by 48.7%, yet the government claims that the drop in birth rate is due to wider access to family planning services and the regions existing birth quota.

In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Minister said that the so-called genocide in Xinjiang is pure nonsense. They have denied accusations of genocide and all other abuses by reaffirming that their regime is dedicated to nothing but tackling extremism. To prevent further talks regarding the subject, the government contends that the programme against extremism follows the principles and spirit of a series of international counter terrorism resolutions, including the UN global counter terrorism strategy. In fact, they believe they are doing good by providing minorities with the skills they need to become more employable and contribute to the economy. They consider the re-education and training a necessary step to address their issue of poverty. Political analyst Einar Tangen said that the government cannot afford to have people with no future. It is not about terrorism. They really are anti-poverty.

Given that there is no proper way to deliver aid to the Uighurs, the most people can do is to be well informed about the topic and raise awareness through various platforms. The power of social media is evident since it has fostered the growth of many social justice movements. Apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter should continue to circulate all the articles detailing the treatment of the Uighurs in those camps. Spreading resources such as petitions and calls to international committees to boycott China will raise more awareness. Individuals should also go out of their way to support advocacy groups run by Uighurs residing outside of China such as the Uighur Human Rights Project.

See the rest here:

Genocide In China: The Inhumane Treatment Of Uighur Muslims - The Organization for World Peace

With the Olympic Games underway, weve already seen inspirational stories of lifelong dreams coming to fruition through sport. But some athletes never get the chance to reach their potential or attend the Olympic Games. Consider Navid Afkari, the Iranian wrestling champion. Navid will never get to compete in the Olympics, despite being a world class athlete, because he was murdered by the Iranian regime for opposing the government. Yet despite this appalling crime committed by Iran, as well as many others, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other sporting bodies continue to allow Iran to compete. Why?

The tragic story of Navid occurred after the 2018 Iran protests, in which thousands of Iranians rose up against the governments oppressive rule. Afkari, who was a critic of the regime, was accused of killing a security guard during the protests and was promptly arrested. He was charged with murder and convicted after a torture-induced confession and with highly questionable evidence. Despite calls from the IOC, US president Donald Trump, and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White not to execute Afkari, the regime moved forward with the execution in September 2020.

Irans alarming abuse of athletes is not new. Its been occurring since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. For example, in 1981, wrestler Hooshang Montazeralzohoor was executed for his anti-government stance. In 1988, the regime executed volleyball player Fouzan Abdi and football player Mahshid Razaghi both political dissidents. In 1984, they executed football player Habib Khabiri for the same reasons. In 2012, they executed kickboxer Majid Jamali-Fashi, accusing him of being an Israeli spy. In 2021, after the execution of Afkari, they executed a second champion wrestler, Mehdi Ali Hosseini as well as a champion boxer and prominent sports coach, Ali Mutairi.

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He is not alone. Dozens of Iranian athletes have fled the oppression of the regime which destroys their hard work and dreams. One Iranian ex-athlete who fled to the United States confessed to CNN that Iranian intelligence watches the teams 24/7 and they are punished if they do anything wrong while abroad. I want to ask [the] IOC, are you aware of this? You talk about gender equality and race equality. Are you aware that one of your members is violating the charter all the time? You have been silent about this... This is sport, it has to be about peace and friendship, but they teach you to hate, he said.

The IOC has no excuse. It is well known and documented by both international human rights organizations as well as refugee athletes who have fled Iran for their lives that the state of Iran violates every principle the Olympic Games represent. Iran has no place in the Olympics and the IOC cannot continue to allow these egregious violations of human rights to occur right in front of their faces. The IOC must ban Iran from the Olympic Games.

The writer is the CEO of Social Lite Creative LLC and a research fellow at the Tel Aviv Institute.

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Iran must be banned from Olympics - opinion - The Jerusalem Post