Daily Archives: August 11, 2021

The violent death of George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, sparked protests across the U.S. that soon after spilled over into Europe and other regions of the world. Under the slogan Black Lives Matter (BLM), a worldwide protest movement formed after Floyds death to demonstrate against racism and police violence. How did the protests form in Europe? Who were the organizers in the countries, and what remains of the movement especially after the conviction of Floyds murderer?

An international research team with participation from Chemnitz University of Technology has studied and compared the scope, form, and resonance of BLM protests in Germany, Italy, Denmark, and Poland. Part of the team wasDr. Piotr Kocyba, research assistant at theProfessorship for Central and Eastern European Studies(Head: Prof. Dr. Stefan Garsztecki) at Chemnitz University of Technology. Kocyba conducted research in Poland for this study.

The researchers show different characteristics and emphases of the protests in the countries studied. In addition, they conclude that the BLM protest wave mobilized new activists and gave rise to new organizations. In addition, they say, the issues of racism and police violence have become more prominent in the publics mind. Still, BLM in Europe is still at the beginning, he said.

The results of the study have been published in theDeZIM Research Noteseries with the title Black Lives Matter in Europe Transnational Diffusion, Local Translation, and Resonance of Anti-Racist Protest in Germany, Italy, Denmark, and Poland. The study was conducted for the German Center for Integration and Migration Research DeZIM e. V., which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth (BMFSFJ).

The data collected was based on newspaper reports and interviews with organizers of the protests. This revealed similarities in the form of the protests, which were often organized by young Black and People of Color (PoC) activists. It was also noticeable that they rarely had protest experience or connections to established social movements. However, there were also striking differences in the size and geographic distribution as well as the orientation of the protests.

Accordingly, the rallies have been particularly large in Germany, with a focus on Berlin and Munich, but also in Denmark. In Italy, there have been the most protests. Thus, about 200,000 people in Germany had participated in more than 80 rallies between the end of May and the end of July 2020.

Moreover, the protests were driven by solidarity with the movement in the United States. However, the basic themes were each translated into a specific local context.

For example, the BLM protests represented a turning point for the racism debate in Germany. The protests have raised awareness here that racism is about more than individual prejudices or even right-wing extremist ideologies but that it is also a structural problem. In addition, there has been a positive response to the protests, in part because PoC activists were able to speak out publicly for the first time.

Basically, in the course of the BLM protests, Germany also dealt extensively with racism in its own country. In Germany, however, there was little or no discussion of the situation of refugees, who were one of the main focuses of the protests in Italy and Denmark.

Dr. Piotr Kocyba experienced a different situation in Poland, which was the focus of his research. According to him, there were clear differences in the composition of the protesters here in comparison. While in Germany more young black women became active, in Poland it was mainly white activists who took to the streets.

In general, the BLM protest wave in Poland was overshadowed by internal political disputes, which also explain the comparatively low level of mobilization. For example, there were only 17 BLM protests in Poland, in which a total of only about 7,000 people participated.

Another specific feature in Poland was the presidential elections, which took place during the international BLM protest wave. In the course of these, the re-elected president Andrzej Duda increasingly put forward homophobic content. Because of this, the focus of protests in Poland has increasingly shifted. This has led progressive activists to advocate primarily for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community during theBLM Summer 2020 in Poland.

The BLM Summer 2020 protest wave mobilized new activists, gave rise to new organizations, and made the issues of racism and police violence the focus of public debates. Also, in Germany, for example, with theCabinet Committee to Combat Right-Wing Extremism and Racism, the first concrete political successes can be recorded. Nevertheless, the BLM movement is at its very beginning, says Piotr Kocyba. Under the difficult conditions of the pandemic, people have managed to network and draw public attention to their own concerns. But whether it will have a lasting effect, in other words, whether individual BLM movements will be able to establish and develop in the various European societies, remains to be seen. This exciting question will be pursued in a follow-up project that will allow for a more intensive as well as longer-term investigation of European BLM movements. A consortium to this end is currently being established.

Read more from the original source:

Black Lives Matter In Europe: What Remains Of The Movement? - Eurasia Review

When students in Newberg Public Schools show up for the first day of school next month, they may not see pride flags, or flags reading Black Lives Matter.

The school board voted Tuesday evening, four to three, to enact a ban on those flags, and any broadly political signs, clothing, and other items, with the boards three-member policy committee set to outline what constitutes political.

This action goes against recent state efforts to highlight support for students, including the Oregon Department of Educations Black Lives Matter October 2020 resolution and recent efforts to help LGBTQ+ students. Supporters of the flags said they made students feel seen, help students being bullied, while supporters of the boards vote said the signs were divisive, and that signs dont make people feel safe.

Discussion and votes on two other related topics, drafting replacement language on the districts new anti-racism policy and rescinding the districts Every Student Belongs policy, was pushed to the districts next board meeting - likely a special meeting later this month. If the board votes to roll back Every Student Belongs, the district would be in violation of state standards.

According to board secretary Jenn Nelson, there were over 90 public comments. The school board only heard 31 before ending the public comment portion of the evening.

Board chair Dave Brown said the board received over 500 emails ahead of the meeting. In his report, he said he was not racist, and that the district needs to support all students.

It still goes back to the fact that we have a lot of kids that are impacted by this positively or negatively, Brown said. As a school board, its our job to make decisions that are going to be there for every single kid at Newberg High School, not just the kids that are represented in just one group - it has to be all kids.

Board members, including Ines Pena, asked for more student input before moving forward with the motion.

The quality of some of the stories that we heard should count more than just the number of emails that we received, Pena said. And I feel like thats not being heard, the students are not being heard.

The Newberg school board meets via Zoom on August 10, 2021. The board voted to ban Black Lives Matter and pride flags districtwide.

Screengrab / OPB

In the weeks since the boards last meeting, state legislators have come out asking members of the school board to rethink the focus on banning flags and rolling back policies.

So have staff. Joshua Reid, a Newberg schools counselor, said the districts 16 counselors signed a letter asking the board to vote no on Tuesdays agenda items. During Tuesdays board meeting, Reid shared stories he heard from students, including students who had been rejected by their families and a Black student who was verbally and physically harassed and followed home.

When these students enter our schools, and see the symbols that we mean to communicate love and support and affirmation, they dont see propaganda or indoctrination or any ideology, Reid said. They see a glimmer of hope that there can still be safe places and safe people in their schools.

Another school staff member, teacher Stacey Dalton, said the LGBTQ+ pride and Black Lives Matter flags help students see themselves in school when they may not otherwise.

They are messages of love and support, Dalton said. White and or heteronormative students, the majority, see their own validation consistently in the curriculum Newberg School districts have adopted and therefore do not need extra messages of support.

The school board includes newly elected school board members Trevor DeHart and Renee Powell, both of whom supported the ban on flags and policy changes. Newberg parent Brandon Casey said Tuesdays agenda items were a direct result of the May 2021 election results.

We voted for this school board to make sure BLM signs are not in classrooms, Casey said, before pledging to unenroll his two students from the district if masks are required in schools. Under a state rule, they are required, though board chair Brown said the mask discussion will continue at the next board meeting.

Thursday, the Oregon School Board Members of Color Caucus Executive Team sent a letter addressed to four of the seven board members, including DeHart and Powell, sharing growing concern with the districts planned actions.

The letter asked the board members to avoid actions contrary to state and federal law and consider the impact of the boards actions on its community, including its students.

The actions you are considering are sending a message of division and marginalization of students and educators who are part of your community, according to the letter.

There were more public comments presented in support of the flags and policies, and in favor of postponing decisions on them, than comments in support of the boards agenda items.

Those comments included one from Newberg student Melody.

Banning these flags make me feel like I would not feel welcome, or safe, and I do not believe this is the right thing to do, she said. As a kid, I think its unfair to say kids should not be in this environment.

Her comment was the only one from a current student shared at Tuesdays meeting.

A motion to postpone the action item to allow for more feedback from staff and students failed.

It being summer, we havent heard that much from our student population, and from our staff, said board member Rebecca Piros. It doesnt hurt to keep it in place a little bit longer.

Late into the boards discussion, vice chair Brian Shannon created a new amendment to expand the motion to include forthcoming policy language prohibiting the display of political apparel, buttons, placards and all modes of display, with exemptions to the policy decided on by the policy committee. After facing questions of who the motion applies to and whether the motion will restrict free speech, Shannon added that this only applies to district staff and faculty while theyre performing their duties.

The main goal of this is to get political symbols, and divisive symbols out of our schools so we can focus on the already difficult task of educating our students in the core subjects, Shannon said.

At least one school board member, Pena, was wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt and a rainbow-colored headband. Pena is the only person of color on the board.

Shannons late addition led to more comments and questions from a few board members, including what falls - and doesnt fall - under the motion.

Im not wearing a flag, but I do have a rainbow headband, Pena asked. What does that mean?

Shannon said the headband was OK, but not the shirt, under the amendment he created.

Families, staff, and community members marched in support of the LGBTQ+ community and Black Lives Matter ahead of a Newberg school board meeting August 10, 2021. The school board voted to ban Black Lives Matter and pride flags.

Joel Bock / OPB

Newberg superintendent Joe Morelock said he will check with the districts lawyers before putting this motion into place.

I wont be able to enforce it as it is until weve gone through a bunch of legal review, Morelock said.

Nationally and locally, conversations about equity in education have been ramping up for several months, becoming divisive as conservatives have challenged the movement.

Richard Arnold, a Newberg parent, asked how the conversation started in his district, where he said his daughter, who is transgender, was mostly accepted by peers and friends.

Was there a multitude of students that were talking about being threatened by identifications inside the classroom? Was there a teacher that was pushing their agenda on so many students, that parents were getting complained to? Arnold asked.

I mean, where did this all start?

Read the rest here:

Despite calls to hear from students and staff, Newberg school board approves ban on pride and Black Lives Matter flags - OPB News

Princeton University is offering a "Black Lives Matter" class to students that includes readings from a former communist party leader who once made the FBI's Most Wanted List.

The course, which promises to explore the "historical roots and growth of the Black Lives Matter social movement," will be offered to students starting this Fall semester. The course features readings from former Black Panther member Angela Davis, a two-time vice-presidential candidate of the Communist Party.

The course description describes the Black Lives Matter movement and the course as "committed to resisting, unveiling, and undoing histories of state sanctioned violence against Black and Brown bodies."

"The course seeks to document the forms of dispossession that Black Americans face, and offers a critical examination of the prison industrial complex, police brutality, urban poverty, and white supremacy in the US," the description reads.

BEN SHAPIRO TO MSNBC CONTRIB CLAIMING SYSTEM IS RACIST: 'YOU'VE SUCCEEDED' IN THAT SYSTEM

The course, first flagged by The College Fix, is set to be taught by professor Hanna Garth, who describes herself on her website as someone who is "broadly interested in the ways in which people struggle to overcome structural violence."

"All of my research, teaching, and mentoring is designed around my commitment to feminist methodologies and critical race theory," Garth explains on the site.

Some of Garth's previous course offerings include "Race and Racisms," "Postcolonial and Decolonial Theory," and "Theories of Social Justice."

The teaching of critical race theory has received increased criticism in recent months, with more than two dozen states introducing some sort of effort to ban its introduction in public schools.

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Critical race theory critics have argued that teaching it would be divisive, encouraging students to see people through the lens of race instead of judging them as individuals.

"Some of this stuff is, I think, really toxic," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose state was one of those to ban teaching the theory, said of the ideology in June. "I think its going to cause a lot of divisions. I think itll cause people to think of themselves more as a member of particular race based on skin color, rather than based on the content of their character and based on their hard work and what theyre trying to accomplish in life."

Original post:

Princeton offering 'Black Lives Matter' course taught by professor with 'commitment' to 'critical race theory' - Fox News

Last summer, on the heels of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many took to the streets to protest the ongoing police brutality that disproportionately affects Black and brown communities. And then organizations jumped to proclaim Black Lives Matter in a show of solidarity.

Thats what it was, though: a show. It was a trivial, free, performative way to support the movement without actually changing anything.

Some orgs stopped right there; they proclaimed that Black Lives Matter and then moved on with their lives. Some took it a step further and hired a DEI consultant to teach their staff how to do diversity? I dont know, Im still kind of confused about the blanket statement DEI training because how do you teach diversity, equity, and inclusion?

So yeah, some orgs had some DEI training. Some hired in-house DEI staff in what I truly hope is not a performative gesture but an actual commitment to increasing diversity in their workplace.

A year later, though, its hard to gauge what has actually changed in most workplaces to create a more equitable and inclusive environment for staff of all ages, races, genders, religions, and marginalized identities. I do know that businesses are struggling to hire for all positions for profit, nonprofit, service industry, office workers, its all a challenge right now.

Why? Well, I bet I dont need to tell you why, honestly, because youre probably experiencing it too. A large number of folks have realized that they dont need to be in an office to get their work done. Others have realized that they arent paid a living wage for their work and have moved on to different careers that actually recognize their skills and expertise.

And then theres the less visible but still there stuff that can slowly exhaust you. These examples are in no way a comprehensive list of the kinds of things that staff have to deal with during the non-pandemic times. Add the fear, anxiety, and stress associated with a global pandemic that is rapidly approaching year two, and its a wonder any of us get up in the morning.

The inequity amongst pay for the same positions men with less experience inexplicably making more than women in the same role.

Office-wide staff holidays that adhere to Christian traditions and do not take into account the wide variety of religious and cultural celebrations that fall outside of those days off.

Inflexibility for working parents who cant always accommodate whats considered the norm due to a wide variety of kid-related things like child care, virtual school, illness, and genuine fear related to the ongoing pandemic.

Non-existent maternity leave policies as a friend reminds me frequently, the availability of short-term disability leave is not maternity leave.

The feeling that you cant be yourself at work. Worry that your hair, your accent, your style of dress, your cultural norms arent acceptable or will draw unwanted scrutiny.

Starting salaries that do not keep up with inflation or arent reviewed regularly what was considered a liveable starting salary six years ago would not at all be liveable today.

Im not just there to be negative, I swear. Ive also got some suggestions for those of you in positions of power at your organizations who really want to support your staff and dont want to stop at proclaiming Stop Asian Hate on social media.

Use your DEI consultant to do a comprehensive review of your organizations policies and procedures. Take a look at where you may be subconsciously discriminating based on race or gender. Is your dress code routinely enforced? Does it discriminate against certain races, genders, or religions? What do your hiring practices look like? How do you determine who is the best fit for a role, and how can you update that process to be more equitable? Are your staff holidays based on one religion? I personally think this is a much better use of your funds and your consultants time than having an agency-wide training to talk about why its important to value diversity.

Review your compensation and benefits packages regularly. Pathways to Housing PA did this recently, for the first time, and it turns out we were underpaying our staff in certain roles when compared to similar orgs/roles in our area. We invested $500,000 to raise starting salaries and establish parity across similar roles. Yes, you read that right: we invested over a half of a million dollars in raising staff salaries to ensure we were appropriately compensating our staff. We are also pursuing some changes to our benefits package to further do what we can to be equitable in our benefits. We want to pursue a more equitable compensation strategy and keep it up to date, especially since the majority of direct service providers are BIPOC folks from already marginalized communities.

Take a good hard look at your work from home policy. Sure, there are some jobs that absolutely cannot be done virtually, and that wont change. Restaurant workers cant take orders or cook food from home. But your accountants sure can. Creating or updating a policy that outlines where you can provide flexibility and where you cannot will help to be as direct as you can with staff about their options. And that policy shouldnt be based on the opinions of just one or two managers who tend to micro-manage they should be based in facts.

Build a culture that embraces authenticity. At the end of the day, building a space where staff feel free to show up as their authentic selves will benefit your organization. Fear of retaliation that keeps folks from feeling like they can be themselves means theyre not operating at their best. Id love to see more DEI training focus on this instead of the we need to be able to have hard conversations brand of DEI. BIPOC folks already know how to have difficult conversations and theyre not the ones who are on the hook when things go wrong; its the folks with the privilege who need to adjust their work styles to build trust.

This is just a small sampling Im not an expert, just someone who cares a lot who sees room for improvement. Im grateful that my organization is doing some of these things, especially making such a massive investment in equitable salaries, but I know were not the only ones.

What is your organization doing? What can they be doing better? What has worked and what hasnt? Send me your thoughts!

Read more:

A year after the declarations of 'Black Lives Matters', was it all a show? - Generocity

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) There is controversy at a popular butcher with locations in New York City and Connecticut. Workers walked off the job, after the company took down signs supporting Black Lives Matter and other causes.

Its a butcher shop typically bustling with business, but instead the doors are closed at Fleishers four locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Westport, Connecticut.

It doesnt feel good to be told that youre not of value, said Ajani Thompson, manager of the location in Park Slope.

Dozens of workers, including three that spoke to CBS2s Andrea Grymes, walked off the job last month in protest. They say Fleishers investor Rob Rosania demanded that signs in the shops supporting gay pride and Black Lives Matter be taken down.

The injustice that was incurred by many employees of this company, this disrespect is so deep, I cant help but stand by all of the people who left and be one of those people, myself, added Christopher Edmunds, the assistant manager in Westport.

(Photo: CBS2)

CBS2 reached out to Fleishers for comment. A spokesperson referred Grymes to a letter Rosania later sent employees, which said, in part, I realize removing the signs that express support for the basic human rights of our Black and LGBTQ employees and customers was not in that spirit of supporting your feelings for this, please accept my heartfelt apologies.

In Park Slope, a gay pride sign has returned to the window.

Most shoppers Grymes spoke with said they stand with the workers who walked.

I am completely in support of that. All of those things that were up reflect how everyone feels here and I do believe they should be allowed to express it, patron Ophira Eisenberg said.

I support the employees 100%, another person said.

I dont think they shouldve walked out, but I dont think they shouldve taken the signs out, either. Both sides overreacted, added Charlie Norwalk of the Upper East Side.

Signs on the door say Fleishers will be temporarily closed through the end of August. Workers said Rosanias apology is not enough to make them come back.

The letter also said the company will be having meetings with staffers as it rededicates the business to being a welcoming place for everyone.

Read more from the original source:

Butcher Fleishers Dealing With Controversy After Removal Of Black Lives Matter, LGTBQ Signs Prompt Workers To Walk Off Job - CBS New York

Last summer, as protesters marched through the streets of Cincinnati and many other U.S. cities, Alandes Powell had an idea: paint a large-scale Black Lives Matter mural on the street in front of Cincinnati City Hall in time for Juneteenth.

Just days later, the mural was a reality, helped along by 17 lead artists and their assistants who make up the collective called Black Art Speaks. This year, the mural got a renovation and a special sealant to protect it long into the future.

Powell says Black Art Speaks is just getting started. The group is hosting a celebration Aug. 14 at the mural themed around economic empowerment and financial health.

Joining Cincinnati Edition to talk about how the mural came about so quickly, why it needed updating and what's next for Black Art Speaks is the group's founder Alandes Powell.

Listen to Cincinnati Edition live at noon M-F. Audio for this segment will be uploaded after 4 p.m. ET.

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Cincinnati's Black Lives Matter Mural Gets A Restoration As The Artist Collective That Painted It Plans What's Next - WVXU

An Illinois man has been sentenced to almost 9 years in federal prison for his involvement in a Black Lives Matter riot in Minneapolis last year.

Twenty-nine-year-old Matthew Rupert of Galesburg, Illinois will serve 105 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for setting fire to a cell phone store during the riots that followed the death of George Floyd, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office in Minnesota released on Tuesday.

EVERY BLACK LIFE MATTERS PRESIDENT KNOCKS BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT AS 'TOO NARROW' IN SCOPE

"Matthew Rupert chose to drive more than 400 miles from his home in Illinois to Minnesota to engage in violence and destruction, all while broadcasting it for the world to see. Peaceful protest was not on his agenda," said Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk. "Arson, looting, property damage, and the glorification of it, will not be tolerated. Today, justice has caught up with Mr. Rupert as he must now account for his crimes."

Court documents show that Rupert entered a boarded-up Sprint store and ordered others to pile boxes on the ground before dousing them with lighter fluid and setting them on fire, causing extensive damage.

"I lit it on fire!" Rupert yelled as he ran away.

PRINCETON OFFERING 'BLACK LIVES MATTER' COURSE TAUGHT BY PROFESSOR WITH 'COMMITMENT' TO 'CRITICAL RACE THEORY'

Rupert livestreamed many of his violent acts on social media and at one point yelled, "We come to riot, boy!"

"Ive got some bombs if some of you all want to throw them back," Rupert could be heard saying in the social media posts.

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Officials say at the time of his arrest Rupert was in possession of a hammer and a heavy-duty flashlight.

It has been estimated that rioting across the nation following Floyds death destroyed over $1 billion worth of property.

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BLM rioter who set Minneapolis store on fire sentenced to almost 9 years in prison - Fox News