Daily Archives: September 29, 2021

In what can be termed as a Black Lives Matter movement effect, two earliest portraits of men of African descent in the history of European art are being exhibited together.

This has happened for the first time in the 500-year-old history, the Rijksmuseums curators have said.

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Over 100 portraits by Renaissance artists are being showcased by the museum in Amsterdam from Tuesday.

The Remember Me exhibition is running until January 16. It features works made between 1470 and 1570. It also examines the reasons that lie behind portraiture, an art form that flourished in the 1500s.

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In it, Albrecht Drers 1508 sketch, which was discovered in the German painters workshop at the time of his death, and Jan Jansz Mostaerts portrait, which dates back to 1525, are being also displayed.

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On asking why it wasnt done before, Friso Lammertse, curator of 17th century Dutch paintings at the Rijksmuseum, suggested, a relative lack of interest about the pieces seems to have been the reason of their exclusion from such exhibitions.

Things have changed only really recently, with the Black Lives Matter movement, Lammertse said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Black Lives Matter effect: African men portraits by Europeans find space in exhibition for first time - WION

It is very easy to get caught in this frame of mind, because you can look at the millions of people of color, who are a success in one generation. Instead of challenging and fighting racism, they put the blame on the person.

On many different levels people of color are advancing, and there is much to be proud of. There are now more children of color being born, than White children each year, and White people are concerned with their existence.

White supremacy or White supremacism is the belief that White people are superior to those of other races and thus should dominate them. The belief favors the maintenance and defense of White power and privilege. White supremacy has roots in the now discredited doctrine of scientific racism, and was a key justification for colonialism, states Wikipedia.

The Democrats would want Americans to think that in 2021, only Republicans are the only party that is racist, but racism is systemic and institutionalized. When White folks get together, there are always the Black jokes, and the jokes about how fast Black men can run.

Many would think that Black jokes are harmless, and they would never say them in front of their Black friends, but sometimes other words slip out. There is something fundamentally different about being born White, and more doors are opened, from the start.

Some call it White privilege and it is a benefit that is enjoyed by all White folks, and it does not matter if you are a Democrat or Republican. There is a cultural thread that runs through the society, and Whites take advantage of all these benefits. White privilege is an aspect of White power, and all White people have the ability to pull out their White power card.

History in America has demonstrated that White citizens will make war, and justifying horrific atrocities against Black people, including lynching. Even after slavery was abolished, there was still lynching, and many today believe police brutality is still connected to the history of lynching. There were 3436 people lynched from 1889 to 1932, and the majority was Black people, according to publisher Ida Wells.

As Black Americans look to the past for answers, Ida Wells was always very vocal in her campaigns to stop lynching and racial violence against her community. When her newspaper was published, she risked being lynched, and her office was burned to the ground.

She was determined to make a change, and in 2021, Black Americans must agree on a Black Agenda to make significant change. When White supremacy and racism shows its ugly face, it is important that the community is prepared to fight.

In 16 states, White supremacy is fighting to disenfranchise Blacks and people of color. Everyone and it does not matter your color, should be fighting to uphold voting rights. All these organizations should take a page from Ida Wells, and become the loudest voice in the room. We must be more vocal, and racial justice and change must be a part of every conversation.

Intimidation never stopped Ida Wells from getting up in the morning, to do what is right, and it cannot stop us from winning in 2021. Our ancestors have shown us the way, and it is time to come together and start a Black, people of color movement for change.

The color of your skin makes you Black, and All Black Lives Matter, and we must change America, and next the world.

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Black Lives Matter and The Color of Your Skin Free Press of Jacksonville - Jacksonville Free Press

Photo: Scott Olson (Getty Images)

Black Lives Matter signs have been drawing unwanted attention to businesses and family homes, making many supporters of the movement very viable targets.

At his sentencing this past summer, a Michigan man admitted to targeting a Black familys home in 2019 because of the BLM sign in a front window. Michael Frederick Jr. fired bullets into the familys home, threw rocks through their front windows and graffitied their cars over several days.

Last month, Proud Boys leader Henry Tarriowas sentenced to more than five months in prison for burning a Black Lives Matter banner from Asbury United Methodist Church, a historically Black church in Washington D.C.

In another case, a white man was caught on video tearing a BLM sign out of a Chicago familys front lawn.

Now, federal investigators and fire officials are looking into a possible arson fire at a century-old church in Portland, Maine, which had a Black Lives Matter sign hanging out front. According to the Portland Press Herald, Portland New Church members believe it may have been racially motivated.

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From Press Herald:

It appeared to be set in an area where a Black Lives Matter sign had been posted, according to Lorraine Kardash, the church pastor and building manager. The sign, which had been displayed outside the church for at least a year, was later found by investigators in bushes near the church.

Neighbors who spotted the fire called for help and rushed across the street with buckets of water to try to put it out, Kardash said. They did not see any suspects at or near the scene, she said.

Members of the fire department were able to put the flames out in just a few minutes. The fire damaged the front wall, but both the inside entryway and structure of the church remain intact. No one was injured, Press Herald reports. The Portland police and fire departments and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating. It is standard procedure for the ATF to be involved with church fire cases.

President of the church council, Rev. Anne Gresinger, told the Press Herald that a diversity banner used to hang in the church. However, in the past several months, it was removed. She is unsure if the banners removal is connected to the fire, but she believes someone is trying to make a statement.

It certainly seems like someone is making a statement about not being OK with those things, she said to the Press Herald. Hopefully, the investigation will clarify things. They are asking a whole lot of questions and talking to neighbors. Were told they do have some leads, so we may learn something soon.

According to the Boston Globe, Portland New Churchs pastor, Lorraine Kardash, said the Black Lives Matter sign will be going back up. She also told the Globe that she believes someone started the fire.

A peace picnic, meant to showcase support for diversity, is planned for Oct. 10 in the churchs front yard.

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Investigators Looking Into Suspected Arson Fire at Portland, Maine Church With Black Lives Matter Sign - The Root

SEATTLE, Sept. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --More corporations than ever before are including race in their pay equity analyses after the murder of George Floyd, according to a new report from Syndio, a leading EquityTech analytics platform. Syndio today released its 2021 Pay Equity Trends, a guide to help inform corporations' fair pay analysis as pressure mounts from investors, employees, and legislation to improve pay equity practices.

Based on survey responses from more than 50 leading companies and patterns observed from customers' pay equity analyses, Syndio identified five trends among corporations leading in pay equity strategy:

Before the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, only 50 percent of companies analyzed race in their pay equity analysis in Syndio's software. Today, 98 percent analyze both gender and race. Companies are also expanding their analyses to include additional comparator groups based on demographics like age, sexual orientation, and veteran status. While 18 percent of respondents currently analyze age, 26 percent plan to do so in their next cycle.

Respondents also indicated a broader analysis of compensation types beyond base pay. Of those companies that have equity or stock as part of their compensation plan, 25 percent are reviewing equity or stock in their current analysis, with 44 percent planning to do so in a future analysis. As pay equity analysis becomes standard across organizations, companies are increasing budgets to deal with the issue on a long term basis. In 2021, 61 percent of respondents are budgeting for pay equity, up from just 46 percent the prior year.

Additionally, pay equity leaders are moving towards more proactive approaches to fixing and preventing pay disparities, and more transparency. While 70 percent of companies analyze pay equity once a year or less, nearly 30 percent have started to analyze quarterly or every six months with 65 percent wanting to conduct pay equity analysis more frequently than they currently are.

"This report highlights our core belief that companies who start addressing pay disparities transition to tackling equity across the entire workplace," said Syndio CEO Maria Colacurcio."As the pressure grows to close the persistent gaps underlined in this report, these companies should be applauded for expanding their analyses and leading the way in showing how to create enduring success by placing equity front and center."

Syndio CEO Maria Colacurcio will host a webinar and panel discussion on September 29th, 2021 at 9am PT/12pm ET where she will discuss with several outside experts ways companies can prevent, measure, and resolve persistent equity gaps. To register for Syndio's Fairness at Work webinar click here.

Syndio's 2021 Pay Equity Trends report can be downloaded here.

About SyndioSyndio's mission is to empower employers to eradicate unlawful pay disparities due to gender, race, and ethnicity and make ongoing compensation decisions that are consistent and equitable. Syndio customers drastically reduce legal risk, save millions in ongoing remediation, and create a positive brand reputation, which helps attract and retain top talent at every level of the business. Over time, we help companies close their pay gap. Syndio is proud to partner with brands including Salesforce, Nordstrom, General Mills, Nerdwallet, Match Group and many more who are leading the way in equity and setting the standard for workplace fairness.

SOURCE Syndio

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New Report: In Wake of Black Lives Matter Protests, 98% of Syndio Companies That Analyze Pay Equity Practices Now Include Race - PRNewswire

FedEx delivery worker sanitizes package with 'true kindness'

A FedEx worker's "act of true kindness" was captured on camera.

Storyful, Wochit

A FedEx employee is out of a job after he made an expletive-filled TikTok video claiming he would not deliver packages to homes if there were Black Lives Matter, President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris flags.

"What's up TikTok. Just wanted to come on here and let all you know if you have a Joe Biden, Kamala [expletive] camel toe [flag] posted up in front of your house Black Lives Matter [flag], I will not deliver your [expletive],"VincentPaterno, the employee, said.

"I will bring that back to the station and I will keep doing that [expletive]. Have a good day."

Paterno posted the 36 second clip onTikTok on Sept. 16 while wearing a FedEx uniform and appearing to be in a delivery truck. The clip has been viewed over 80,000 times with many users commenting he was about to lose his job.

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From Trayvon Martin to George Floyd: How Black Lives Matter went from a hashtag to the largest movement in US history

The users had a good hunch because FedEx told USA TODAYin an emailed statement that Paterno was no longer an employee.

We are appalled by the behavior depicted in this video, which does not reflect the views of FedEx. This individual is no longer providing service on behalf of the company, the statement said.

Paterno posted a follow-up TikTokon Sundaysaying he decided to quit and was not fired after multiple news sites reported the latter.

"I didn't know I could get fired when I didn't work there anymore," he said.

Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha.Email: agilbert@usatoday.com.

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A FedEx driver claimed he would not deliver to homes with BLM flags. Now he's out of a job - USA TODAY

A letter from Waukesha School District officials banning Black Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter, Thin Blue Line, anti-racist and other posters and materials is still causing controversy in the Waukesha community a month after it was first published.

The Aug. 20letterto staff members, from Waukesha School District Superintendent James Sebert and Deputy Superintendent Joe Koch, asked teachers to remove such materials from their classrooms.

"Our advocacy for curricular resources and supports for learning are never ending, but our personal beliefs and convictions must stay out of the classroom," said Sebert and Koch in theirletter.

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The two said the practice is consistent with the Waukesha School Board's policy on controversial issues inclassrooms "and past practice related to other controversial issues, relating to political stances, religious issues and other non-curricular content."

The letter's messagewas a subject of contention at the Sept. 15 school board meeting and has since drawn support and condemnation from local politicians. Most of the 34 residentswho spokeduring the board meetingaddressed Sebert and Koch's letter; the majority appeared to oppose the district's decision.

A district parent, Jenny Franke, who wrote a response to Sebert, Koch and the board obtained by Now News Group, said she was concerned, frustrated and disgusted by the district's decision.

"I understand the desire to remove politics from the classroom but what exactly is considered 'too political'?" she wrote.

"Is immigration, race, ethnicity and nationalities possibly too political because immigration reform is a political topic?" Franke wrote. "What about socio-economic background because social programs and tax reform are alsopolitical topics?It sounds ridiculous right?But so does removing a sign that says 'We welcome Students who are LGBT."

The Waukesha signage ban also is the latestexample of controversial artwork being taken down in area school districts, and yet another example of how school board meetings nationwide have increasingly turned into political battlegrounds.

Parents were upset this summer after the Cedarburg School District removed a LGBTQ+ mural on display at Webster Middle School. The district said the art was removed"due to the failure to follow the proper process for approval."

A local online store, Cedarburg Threads, decided to print the mural on the products sold there. The mural is also featured in Grafton-based Arts Mill's program "Inclusion,"which runs through Oct. 10.

The Waukesha School Boardon Sept. 15 briefly discussed its policy on controversial issues in the classroom, but it took no action on the letter since it wasn't listed as an action item on the agenda.

Community membersalso commented on the sign ban during the board's Sept. 21 policy committee meeting; because the item was not on the agenda, the committee did not address the issue.

Controversy surrounding the letter has swelled enough to prompt reactions from state politicians.

State Rep. Scott Allen, a Republican whose district covers Waukesha, said in a statement released before the board's Sept. 15 meeting that he supportsthe district's policy.

"Divisive symbols serve as barriers to students' learning, and therefore, must be prohibited," Allen's statement said. "Students must not feel discouraged and deterred from engaging in both a positive learning experience and environment. Students in the classroom should not be directly influenced by a teacher's personal and seemingly private political or moral positions."

In an email, Waukesha County Democratic Party Chairman Matt Mareno criticized Allen's remarks.

"Only a radical, like Representative Allen, would see a pride flag, anti-racist signs, or inclusive language as divisive.It shouldn't be lost on any of us that his focus isn't on funding schools or providing a safe environment for kids during a pandemic, but rather scoring MAGA points," said Mareno.

Sebert and Kochsaid in their letterthey have worked with the board to understand that staff can share professional opinions to enrich classroom discussion in a way that doesn't bring inindividual political positions.

"In order to be successful in teaching students critically, we must work with our students to entertain multiple perspectives while not being influenced by an adult to believe that any one perspective is right or wrong," the letter said."Our role is educator/teacher, not activist/advocate in the classroom."

ContactAlec Johnson at(262) 875-9469 oralec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.

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The Waukesha School District has banned teachers from displaying signs on 'controversial issues,' like Black Lives Matter and Thin Blue Line -...

Black Lives Matter |

Black Lives Matter condemns the racist, anti-Black treatment of Haitians and all Black people seeking asylum in the United States. Rather than reversing Trumps policies targeting Haitians for deportation, the Biden Administration continues to support and reinforce long-standing oppressive policies against Black immigrants and asylees.

Over the weekend, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents on horseback whipped and brutalized Haitian asylum-seekers, forcing them away from crossing into the United States. CBP is rooted in the same history of slave catching as other policing agencies. This despicable origin is starkly illustrated in the video and photo images of this weekends brutality. Once again, we are reminded that policing and immigration are inextricably linked and that migration is rife with anti-Blackness.

The U.S. and Haiti

The United States is directly responsible for creating conditions in Haiti that have forced people to flee their homes. From the time of the Haitian Revolution, won in 1804, up until today, U.S. activities in Haitiincluding the coup it orchestrated with Canada and France in 2004have destabilized the island nation.

The resulting poverty, devastation and infrastructure crisis set the stage for intolerable conditions following environmental disaster. The United States has offered asylum to tens of thousands of Afghans after destabilizing Afghanistan for decades. The difference in treatment of Black migrants is loathsome.

The United States has created tumultuous conditions in Haiti, continues to refuse to offer refuge, and is now treating these people as though they are enslaved property, violating their bodies and their personhood. This chapter of violations against Haitians is among the most shameful expressions of anti-Blackness against migrants advanced by the United States government.

Disparate treatment of Haitain immigrants

Violent attacks against Haitians and other Black asylum-seekers have been ongoing for years as thousands of migrants are forced to wait in refugee camps at the U.S./Mexico border, largely because of the extraneous process of migration to the US. We understand that the attacks on our Haitian family at the border are not separate from a larger problem in the imperial core; the West will continue to punish Haitians for being the only people to liberate themselves from the shackles of enslavement.

Black Lives Matter joins Black Alliance for Just Immigration and other Black migrant-led social justice groups in calling on the Biden Administration to grant humanitarian parole to Black asylum-seekers at the U.S./Mexico border and stop all expulsions,deportations and physical attacks.

Broken promises

Biden previously promised to end Donald Trumps Remain in Mexico policy, stating that it goes against everything we stand for. Where is this commitment for Black Haitian migrants? The Biden Administration is directly responsible for Haitians being whipped and corralled like cattle. We call for the end of the racist Title 42 order and the metering system, both of which disproportionately impact Black asylum-seekers. Moreover, we call for an overarching immigration and foreign policy that affirms Black humanity, ends U.S. imperialism, and provides restitution to the people harmed by historic and current U.S. foreign policy.

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Opinion: Black Lives Matter Condemns the Treatment of Haitian Migrants at the U.S./Mexico Border - Black Voice News

The hard left anti-racism group says it wants cash invested in services that actually keep us safe like mental health and social care, education, jobs and housing. Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds pitched Labour as party of law and order at its Brighton conference.

He said: No Labour home secretary will ever defund the police.

Thats not our party, thats the Tory party, and they have spent 10 years defunding our police.

Mr Thomas-Symonds promised Labour would bring back neighbourhood policing to increase the eyes, ears and boots on the ground.

Neighbourhood crime prevention teams would be set up to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Video doorbells and WhatsApp groups would be used to create a next generation neighbourhood watch, he added.

In the first year of a Labour government, the party said it would double the number of special constable recruitment to 5,000.

Mr Thomas-Symonds appealed to voters who deserted Labour under Jeremy Corbyn to give them another chance.

He said: We are the party of working people and our first responsibility is to keep you safe. We want to reduce crime not for the sake of sounding tough, but because we know the damage it does to our communities. So I say this directly to people who turned away from us in recent elections look again.

Be in no doubt that Labour is committed to keeping you, your family and community safe.

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Labour backs away from Black Lives Matter with attack on Tories 'defunding police' - Daily Express

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM of Ireland (NMI) has said it wants to be a more inclusive museum and has cited the influence of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Representatives from NMI will address TDs and Senators at the Oireachtas Tourism and Culture Committee today about plans for the post-Covid recovery of the museum sector.

A briefing note about these plans says the NMI needs to focus on inclusivity and our local and domestic communities not just international tourists.

The National Museum of Ireland is made up of four separate museum sites, three in Dublin and the Museum ofCountry Life in Castlebar.

In her opening statement, NMI chair Catherine Heaney will say that political engagementin our dialogue on an inclusive museum will need to set targets that go far beyond visitor numbers, adding that museums play a role in maintaining the well-being of communities.

As we move out of the pandemic, we want to bring more rigour and discussion to the concept of the inclusive museum. We know that cultural institutions play a critical role in creative place-making and are important elements of our overall cultural ecosystem, and in turn the health and wellbeing of communities.

The statement adds: The Black Lives Matter movement, which became an active voice in the pandemic, has highlighted that museums across the globe have a distance to travel.

The Black Lives Matter movement and the reckoning for racism it has brought has led to some museums around the world reevaluating some of the artefacts they display.

In the UK, for example, the British Museum removed a bust of its founding father, the Irish-born physician Hans Sloane, due to his links with slavery in the 17th century.

At todays committee, the NMI will say that cultural institutions will play an important role in the rebuilding of our society but that this must reflect the multiple identities of our communities.

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Business model

The NMI will also outline that museums need to rethink business models to ensure they are are more sustainable by servicing their local communities better, stating:

Museums as collectors; as curators; as spaces of well-being, as places of discussion about our future, and as instruments of community cohesion and education are all ripe for new consideration.

The NMI chair will also say that an enhanced online offering was a feature of its work during the pandemic but that this cannot be discarded in the future.

And while the museum worked very hard to reach audiences online during the pandemic, we know that building a high-quality online offering to complement physical programming will, in post pandemic life, be just as important in driving interest and outreach in our collections and work. There is a digital capacity gap in the cultural sector that will need to be bridged.

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National Museum of Ireland cites Black Lives Matter and says it wants to be 'more inclusive' - TheJournal.ie