Category Archives: Intentional Communities

It was impossible to watch Tuesdays election fiasco in Georgia the equipment failures, the dramatic reduction in the number of polling precincts, the voting centers that failed to open on time, the insufficient number of paper ballots, the nearly seven-hour lines in many minority communities contrasted with the breeze in whiter, wealthier suburbs without thinking, ruefully, of US supreme court chief justice John Roberts 2013 decision in Shelby County v Holder that ripped the heart from the Voting Rights Act.

Those interminable lines wrapped across Atlanta and many other minority counties? The waits almost as long as a workday, making a mockery of any notion of a free and fair election? Well, more than 200 precincts across Georgia, disproportionately in minority counties, have been ordered closed since Roberts and the US supreme court cast aside protections that had prevented states and localities with a history of racial prejudice in voting laws from remaking their electoral rules without federal oversight.

But it wasnt just in-person voting that malfunctioned on Tuesday. It was also impossible to watch Georgias expanded vote-by-mail system meltdown forcing tens of thousands of voters who requested, but never received, absentee ballots to either join these long lines at the remaining, understaffed precincts, during an ongoing pandemic, or forfeit their civic voice entirely without envisioning a train wreck this fall. Not just in Georgia, but in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and many other crucial states where any repeat of the chaos we have already seen this spring could precipitate a constitutional crisis unlike any other in our history.

We are in deep, deep trouble and seemingly completely unprepared for this Novembers elections. The alarm bells keep ringing first in Ohio and Wisconsin, then in Pennsylvania and now Georgia. Yet we hurtle heedlessly toward chaos.

Many of the problems we face involve intentional voter suppression, such as the surgically focused voter ID bills, precinct closures and voter roll purges (all of which disproportionately target minority voters), which Roberts ruling turbocharged across conservative states nationwide. Other issues relate to the coronavirus pandemic, which has slashed the number of willing poll workersand forced even deeper reductions in the number of in-person voting precincts. During Wisconsins April elections, only five of 180 precincts could be opened in Milwaukee. Add to all of this the usual underfunding, poor planning and ineptitude.

All of it points to danger. All of it was on display in Georgia. And all of it was predictable.

Those new voting machines that didnt function? Six rural counties used them in December, found them confusing and experienced widespread delays.

The lack of training, poll workers and sufficient paper ballots to compensate during an emergency? The Republican secretary of state and county election officials refused responsibility and deflected blame on to each other.

While some of these issues are unique to Georgia, this isnt the first time this spring that similar problems with mail-in voting have been on display. In Wisconsin, an unprecedented increase in absentee ballot requests flooded underfunded election boards. Undelivered ballots stacked up in post offices statewide. Voters in Washington DC also complained that they asked for absentee ballots that never arrived, pushing them into long lines during a pandemic and civil unrest. In Pennsylvania, officials are still counting ballots from last weeks primary in which 70% of voters opted to vote by mail, folded ballots snarled some optical scanners, and state law prohibits election officials from tallying results before election day.

In Georgia, while the secretary of state did take the proactive step of sending registered voters a vote-by-mail absentee application, tens of thousands of ballots did not land in mailboxes on time. Just as bad, the former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams said she received a return envelope that was already sealed. Situations like these forced voters to don masks, find an open precinct, then brave the long lines.

Thinking about November, its hard to be optimistic. Its easy to see how the system might fall apart. Its not one thing, its many. State laws requiring too many lengthy steps before voters receive an absentee ballot. Underfunded and overwhelmed election boards. A postal service on the brink of bankruptcy. A dire shortage of poll workers due to the pandemic. A shortage of in-person precincts because, due to Covid-19, senior citizen centers and schools are unsafe gathering spots for voting. A crush of absentee ballots arriving after election day, leading to disputed vote counts and lawsuits. Swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, where officials cant start counting before election day, delaying results for a week. A mistrustful nation already on edge after a decade of advanced Republican voter-suppression techniques, and a president willing to amplify false claims about voter fraud on Twitter. And a still-raging coronavirus pandemic that could force voters to choose between the health of themselves and loved ones, and their right to vote. A disputed election that lands before a 5-4 US supreme court that looks increasingly political and unfriendly to voting rights.

Whats intentional and whats incompetence? It doesnt matter. It all suppresses the vote, it all makes our elections less fair and less free. None of this is easy. But time is running out. How many alarm bells do we need?

Read more here:

Georgia's voting fiasco is a warning. The November election could be chaos - The Guardian

The word "intentionality" was used a few times during the televised roundtable on race hosted recently by Gov. Kevin Stitt and first lady Sarah Stitt.

It was in the context of deliberately meeting people who don't look like you. But there are other ways to view "intentionality."

State leaders must be more purposeful in their appointments and consideration of bills coming from marginalized communities. Business leaders must be more deliberate in hiring and promotion practices, and the same for nonprofits in board recruitment.

Making sure all people are represented in the rooms where important things happen takes intentionality.

An aspect missing from that roundtable was diversity. I posed the Stitts' questions to some Tulsa-area activists and leaders.

The online version of this column has their complete answers, and the print version has edited and limited the responses for length. Those providing comments were:

Jose Vega, deputy director at Oklahomans for Equality and chairman of Greater Tulsa Area Hispanic Affairs Commission

Tulsa Police Lt. Marcus Harper, president of the Tulsa Black Officers Coalition

Amanda Clinton, Cherokee Nation citizen and co-organizer of the 2018 Tulsa Women's March

D'Marria Monday, founder of Block Builderz

Tulsa Police Officer Jesse Guardiola, recipient of the U.S. Attorney General's Medal for Distinguished Service in Policing last year for developing an outreach model for police and Hispanic communities

Cammilia Holmes, co-organizer of this year's Tulsa Women's March

Can you share with us your perspective of what you have seen unfold in our state and across the nation for the last week with these demonstrations?

Vega: "I have seen people who are tired of waiting for change that never comes. People want more than just diversity and inclusion. They want to change the systemic racism and oppression that continues to support white privilege and has plagued the black community for hundreds of years. the Latinx community is also tired of police brutality, children in cages, separation of families and violent abuse to immigrants."

Holmes: "There are are number of things I've seen. I've seen extreme hatred and ignorance as well as bullying and harassment from people who don't and are not willing to understand the Black Lives Matter movement.

'I've seen people take advantage of the protests for their own gain by looting and causing property damage. I've seen police officers engage in violent behavior, gassing, pepper balls, brute force, etc. toward people just being peaceful because they don't like the message. I've seen our elected officials make excuses for all of it.

"On a more positive note, I have seen some changes be implemented, such as the officer who killed George Floyd and those who contributed being arrested. I have seen our message get across to the media and the world in a way it hasn't previously. I've seen tons of people come together and unite in hope for change. There is a sense of hope and prosperity that wasn't there before.

"I know there are plans in the works to change some laws so that police are held more accountable for their actions. These are all good things, but until they are implemented, it is all performative so that the protectors 'go away or be silent."

Clinton: "I dont view these protests as a sign of anger as much as I view them as a sign of patience. African Americans have been marginalized through institutional and systematic racism in this country for 400 years, since the first slave ships arrived in the colony of Virginia.

"Im not African American, so I cannot begin to fathom what that feels like. But I imagine its taken an inordinate amount of patience to not protest in the streets every day when you dont have something as simple as equal rights and opportunities."

What do you think has kept us from hearing this message and what can elected officials do to build stronger bridges?

Vega:"The community leaders who represent these communities are not being heard or engaged with by the elected officials with the power to make changes to policies and the system that they represent. Additionally, these marginalized communities are never asked what they need to make their lives better; instead, they are told what they need.

"Experiences people have had with elected officials lead them to think those in power are self-serving. Elected officials are not for the community but for their need to advance and represent their funders."

Clinton: "Nothing is keeping anyone from hearing the message of inequality. People of color have been shouting from the rooftops for hundreds of years. People hear what they want to hear, so for starters, accept personal responsibility for that fact.

"Lets look at this 'bridge' metaphor practically. When Oklahoma consistently had the most structurally deficient bridges in the nation, we didnt say 'Hey, lets make those weak bridges stronger.' No, we knocked them down and built new ones. Stronger bridges will be built by breaking down your current bridges and building new ones.

"Its going to take a complete deconstruction of the current mindset for many people. Just like deficient bridges, systems that reinforce racism may not be fixable. Any good businessperson knows if you have a junk product that has become obsolete, it may be better and more cost efficient to simply toss it out and buy a new one."

Monday: "The refusal to acknowledge racism and white privilege creates a barrier that excludes the voices of those most impacted. It creates a comfort zone that does not include different voices and opinions.

"How can someone who has not lived through the problem truly understand it enough to create a solution? One can have empathy about the situation, however there must be an intentional effort to include diverse voices of those often unheard.

"For example, there was not a black woman on the governors roundtable panel. An intentional effort to create a space that includes the voices of black women can help to build stronger bridges in our community."

How have recent events affected you, your work and our law enforcement community?

Harper:"The murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd has me trying to grasp how these incidents continue to happen over and over again. As I watched the video that captured the death of George Floyd, I kept saying to myself, 'He cant breathe, roll him to his side and put him in the car.' I repeated that phrase over and over again, the entire length of the video just waiting for the officer to do something.

"I watched a senseless act that should not have happened, and three officers that did nothing to stop it. Some in the law enforcement community are just as shocked and angered as I am. Some will remain silent, and some will continue to demonize the victims in these incidents.

"Officers who are vocal on these incidents and dont 'toe the line' face scrutiny from within the law enforcement community. This scrutiny has caused a certain amount of internal division."

Guardioloa: "Now more than ever, I see the value in our focus to hire diverse officers. In fact, it is paramount. We need to continue to strive toward mirroring our citys minority population. It is imperative to see people wearing the uniform that represent the numerous cultures of community.

"As a minority recruiter, I observe regularly the success of this effort; particularly with the Hispanic community. I cant stress it enough how necessary it is to have a responding officer understand personally the impact of race, social economic disparity and nuances of culture and gender. This supports real effective community policing.

"Relationships and trust are built faster. The outcomes are significant crimes are solved quicker, misunderstanding can be navigated and the behaviors (both from the community member and the police) evolve toward positive interactions."

What can we do to support our law enforcement as well as our African American community so what happened in Minnesota never happens in the state of Oklahoma?

Harper: "We need to acknowledge that what happened in Minnesota has happened in Oklahoma. The law enforcement community needs to understand that the people we are sworn to protect and serve have every right to be critical of the job we do.

"The community will always support good police officers. The African American community is just like any other community in this city. It deserves the same support and respect as any other community in this city.

"There was a time when the African American community in Tulsa was one of the most vibrant communities in the entire country. That community was destroyed, and, nearly 100 years later, we are still trying to rebuild our community."

Guardiola: "Chief Wendell Franklin in his first few weeks of office restructured the department. One focus point was to identify talent within to run the Community Engagement Unit. Community support from both a policy perspective and from a funding perspective will allow the unit to truly engage with the community in a positive and meaningful way.

"One offshoot of this unit is the Tulsa Police Activities League. Its outreach is focused on relationship building with youth and is exactly what the city needs. It partners with programs around the city. One such partnership is with the Skyway Leadership Institute located at the HelmZar Challenge Course. The Police Activities League participates in Skyways trust building program called Community Trust Champions. It is data driven and shows statistically significant increases in hope and social trust from both the youth and the officer. This program has received national recognition for its success.

"To sustain this and many other community partnerships the Engagement Unit needs additional funding. We cant expect change and not support the mechanism that can accomplish it."

Clinton: "This is a disappointing question, because what happened in Minnesota has already happened in Oklahoma. It happened to Terence Crutcher in Tulsa. It happened to Luis Rodriquez in Moore. Its happened to other people. We need to stop acting like the problems of the rest of the country are not the problems of Oklahoma."

Monday: "The question should be how do we support our African American community during this time of crisis? There are numerous deaths of unarmed black men killed by law enforcement right here in the state of Oklahoma.

"Eric Harris and Derrick Scott were heard saying, I can't breathe" before taking their last breaths. Their pleas were disregarded as the life faded and escaped from their bodies. Terence Crutcher, Joshua Barre and Jeremy Lake are a few other names of black men whose blood was spilled on the pavement at the hands of law enforcement.

"White fragility refuses to acknowledge the disease called racism because it is too uncomfortable for white people to speak about it. The horrors that black people experience as a result of racism is reflected in the history of our city.

"The 1921 racial massacre was hidden in history because of the atrocity of what racism can do. Racism is a disease that grows and festers when it is left undiagnosed. How can one expect to heal?"

Is there anything we can do legislatively diversity training, professional development de-escalation anything from elected officials to help promote that culture besides conversations?

Harper: "Every officer in this department has gone through diversity training, de-escalation training, etc. There has been conversation after conversation, but the attitudes remain the same, especially in the law enforcement community. It has taken the death of George Floyd to awaken the moral conscious of this nation.

"When a police union has the political clout to have legislation changed on the national and state levels, elected officials and community leaders are fighting with one hand tied behind their backs.

"We need more elected officials and community leaders who have the courage to address the culture of policing."

Guardiola: "Yes, put into action and policy a pathway for minority groups to apply and enter the police department. I am very proud to call the Tulsa Police Department one of the most educated departments in America. With the unique requirement of a bachelors degree, we certainly have a plethora of critical thinkers.

"However this requirement can be a significant barrier for many from traditionally disenfranchised communities. This is particularly poignant from the perspective of the financial burden it places on the family and navigating a degree as a first-generation college attendee.

"A viable option is currently being developed by our recruitment team. Its called the Oklahoma Guardian Producer program. This program is intended to help low income, minority, high school seniors (considering public service) access higher education, provide a clear pathway and a funded police mentorship program; culminating in hiring diverse highly qualified officers.

"Like all good leaders, our legislators can remove barriers and cut through red tape. This program is so many things. Its workforce development centered, its helping socioeconomically challenged families go from poverty to middle-class, its providing a real pathway to grow a diverse police department and it allows the people of our community to give back as a public servant and make changes from within.

"This works if our legislators, city leaders and higher education regents move to make this a reality."

Clinton: "There has been a lot of talk about 'defunding the police' lately. When I first heard that, I thought 'Thats crazy! Someone still needs to catch murderers and rapists, right?' But as I read more about what this actually means, Im not sure 'defund the police' is as accurate as 'help the police just be police.' Just like teachers were never meant to be social workers, crisis counselors, nutritionists, nurses, janitors, etc., police were never intended to be mental health professionals, DHS workers, etc.

"Lets be honest our legislators have already defunded core services to the point that public servants are asked to wear a dozen different hats for less pay than ever. So maybe some of those things the police are called for now mental health crises in particular shouldnt be police calls. If you or a loved one had a mental health crisis, wouldnt you rather a trained mental health professional like a psychiatrist or a therapist show up, rather than a police officer wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying gun? Im sure both individuals have the same intention of a peaceful resolution, but one of them is more likely to achieve it.

"Let police be police, mental health professionals provide mental health services and so on. If I were a police officer, I would welcome that kind of practical division of resources."

Holmes: "There's no excuse for brutality. We should implement non-violent de-escalation techniques, especially in the case of people who are unarmed. I can understand the frustration felt by officers in situations where tensions are high, and a suspect may not be doing what they think (either running their mouth or being belligerent. But if the first instinct is to grab, choke or physically hurt that person, it's the officer causing the problem.

"Take the time to explain to the suspect why they are being questioned. Listen first. Look first. Observe first. A lot of tragic situations were caused by cops either not listening to what they've been asked by a suspect, such as Please stop that; it hurts or I can't breathe. Police have made assumptions mixing up who is responsible for a crime or whether someone has a weapon. Violence shouldnt be the automatic go-to, especially when the suspect is unarmed.

"Setting aside race issues for a moment, there are a lot of problems with how the police function on a day-to-day basis. Often when we call on them for a problem, they either show up hours later, don't show at all or get there and don't resolve the issue.

"I've heard several abuse victims state they were dismissed when they showed up to report their abusers. These are the kinds of things that lead to distrust and a lack of wanting to call on law enforcement. It makes people feel helpless and leads to resentment which can lead to other things. Let's start here. Let's do better in this regard."

(From first lady Stitt) As weve all watched this unfold across our nation over the last several weeks, as a mother, what is relevant in my mind is how can we bring change through the next generation? What conversations should we be having, what should we be teaching them and exposing them to, or not exposing them to?

Monday:"I am a black woman loving and raising young black men. I can teach them how to love and fight for change. The youth are our future! It is my hope that my children grow to reach their full potential.

"It is a gnawing fear that systemic racism will take that opportunity away from them. Love and hate are emotions that we teach our children. I can only ask that white people teach their children to love black children.

"Teach your children that we are equal. Teach your children not to hate. Teach them that it is not OK to disregard black lives. Then, I can truly have hope that your children will not kill my children. A hope that believes that love can win! Love for humanity and dignity for all!

How do we develop these relationships and friendships? Do you have suggestions? How do we keep developing those relationships?

Vega: "Reach out to these communities and listen to what they have to say, and they will tell you. Partner with organizations seeking equality. Being open to uncomfortable conversations and changes that cant wait for the general public to be OK with will help develop these relationships over time."

Holmes: "Friendship is a difficult thing to achieve with tensions so high. There has been years of discrimination, resentment, pain, loss, grief and anger. I would first say we try for civility and then possibly move into friendship later.

"I don't think friendship is a necessity if we can reach civility. The best way again to develop a good civil relationship is to show rather than tell at this point.

"First, outline a plan to bridge the gap. Then stick to that plan. Make the plan accessible for everyone to see it. Let your people know what they are doing so that we can hold you accountable."

Clinton: "This is not rocket science. Robert Fulghum wrote a book called 'All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten' 35 years ago. Ironically, I was barely out of kindergarten at the time.

"Here are some of the things he wrote: Share everything. Play fair. Dont hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Dont take things that arent yours. Say youre sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat.

"Thats pretty much it. The last one seems especially pertinent today."

Is there anything practical that all the Oklahomans watching this can do besides getting out of our own bubbles to have conversations? Or, is that the biggest thing we can do as Oklahomans? What can we do?

Vega:"All Oklahomans need to research the black organizations in Oklahoma, LGBTQ organizations in the state and Latinx coalition in their county. I encourage that everyone support local Black, LGBTQ, Latinx, immigrant businesses in their communities."

Holmes: "There do need to be more conversations. Beyond that, I need to see police accountability. When the police break the law, I need to know they are going to pay for it via arrest, a court date and a proper sentence that fits the crime. Not have it covered up by their fellow cops or superiors.

"We need to know they will be held to the same standards as everyone else. I need to feel justice is served. If the police are breaking a societal contract with us, why are we required to maintain one with them? Elected officials should also stop making excuses for whats happening. They are part of the problem.

"Implement laws. Create change. Meet with groups that specialize in racial justice. Make a unified front. Come up with a plan together. Listen first. I cannot stress that enough."

Clinton:"'Having conversations' about racism is a very 2019 solution to a very 2020 problem. The days of just talking are over. A lot less talking, and a lot more action is needed when it comes to acknowledging the amount of institutionalized racism that exists in our country and actually doing something about it."

View original post here:

Ginnie Graham: Other answers to the governor's questions about race - Tulsa World

The Massachusetts State Senate will engage in a listening session hosted by Senate President Karen E. Spilka, Senator Eric P. Lesser, Senator Patricia D. Jehlen, and Senator Adam G. Hinds on Massachusetts economic recovery, reinvestment and workforce on Friday, June 12 beginning at 11AM.

As we reopen the states economy, the Senate remains focused on the actions we need to take to support residents, businesses and communities, stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). This listening session, the first in a series, will serve as an important tool to address the many challenges we will face as a result of COVID-19. I want to thank my colleagues Senators Lesser, Jehlen, Hinds, and their committee members for their collaboration in gathering this session. I am equally thankful to those in the Administration, and our businesses and labor sectors for their participation in this important effort.

It is vital that we hear from the people in the community that are experiencing the economic impacts of the Coronavirus outbreak as well as other members of the administration who may provide valuable insight, said Senator Eric P. Lesser (D-Longmeadow). We are facing an unprecedented time with nearly 1 million individuals out of work across the Commonwealth, and these conversations will help inform how we can work together on recovery efforts as a Legislature and as a state.

The listening session will be a chance for the Senate to hear from the administration, labor, the business community, and other important stakeholders as we continue the discussion on the future of the Commonwealth's economy and workforce. This listening session will aim to help inform the Senates work on an economic development and jobs bill and what is needed to put people back to work and stimulate Massachusetts economy.

"As we begin to re-open Massachusetts, my constituents, my colleagues, and I have many questions about what recovery will look like, said Senator Patricia D. Jehlen (D-Somerville). The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 shutdown were felt deeply across many industries from restaurants to healthcare and we need to be very intentional about supporting people more than ever."

COVID has created incredible challenges for the Commonwealth, but it has also revealed many shortcomings in our society, said Senator Adam G. Hinds (D-Pittsfield). We must prepare for the new normal and these sessions are central to that process.

Below is the full agenda:11AM-12PM Retail and restaurantsJon Hurst, Massachusetts Retailers AssociationBob Luz, Massachusetts Restaurants Association

12PM-1PM Administration and Reopening Advisory BoardSecretary Kennealy, Executive Office of Housing and Economic DevelopmentSecretary Acosta, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

1-2PM LaborTim Foley, SEIU 1199Carlos Aramayo, Unite HereYamila Ruiz, One Fair Wage

2PM-3PM BusinessJohn Regan, Associated Industries of MassachusettsSegun Idowu, Black Economic Council of MassachusettsJim Rooney, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

3-4PM Unemployment InsuranceMonica Halas, Greater Boston Legal Services

Fridays listening session will be broadcast on the malegislature.gov website.

Read the rest here:

Senate to Host Listening Session on Economic Recovery, Reinvestment, and Workforce - hcam.tv

Uncertainty, complexity and precipitous disruptions are defining features of our reality. The Covid-19 global health disaster magnifies this, and highlights challenges of decision-making and action, in rapidly changing, dynamic circumstances and contexts of crises.

There are valuable lessons and insights that may be gained alongside the grief and difficulties from the coronavirus pandemic. The crisis presents opportunities to reorder decision, policy and action priorities, and to re-imagine better futures in the recovery of affected systems.

For these opportunities to positively yield, however, intentional and purposeful alignment by governments, business and society, at community and individual levels, is required.

As a region, Africa is particularly vulnerable to disasters and situated in a precarious position when faced with crises. African countries generally have poor performance on human development index rankings, with high poverty rates, the lowest per capita incomes in the world, ravaging disease burdens, as well as multiple governance tribulations.

On the one hand, despite these hardships, the African region has demonstrated capacity to endure. On the other hand, it is vital that African countries improve their preparedness and resilience to withstand disaster shocks.

Strategic foresight

The value of strategic foresight to inform forward planning, relevant decision-making, and actions to circumvent as well as manage disasters, is a key learning point emerging from Covid19, with particular relevance for the African region. Strategic foresight applies various methods, tools and techniques to:

The purpose of strategic foresight is to offer a sense-making lens in complex, volatile and ambiguous contexts to assist in:

As a cross-cutting, high impact and rapidly shifting crisis, Covid-19 is underscoring the importance of understanding systemic complexities, navigating uncertainties and swiftly adapting to change. Further, as characteristic to disasters, fallout from the corona virus pandemic has devastating systemic and severe impacts for the short to long term. The crisis is therefore also underscoring the importance of mapping multiple possible eventualities to anticipate a range of outcomes in present to future timeframes.

Long-term investment

Although during disasters critical issues demand committed attention immediately, attention to and investment for the long term is required to sustainably address and alleviate causal issues and trigger points of crises. As such, there is critical need to address the immediate risks presented by Covid-19 to mitigate against loss of life and destruction of livelihoods. Yet, it is also imperative to address the endemic issues that heighten risks and compound vulnerabilities, particularly within Africa.

Intentionally combining and complementing the urgency of emergency responses required for the pandemic, with a long term strategic focus, can add sustainable value to the efforts demanded. Strategic foresight can facilitate necessary tactical responses in the short term, underpinned by visionary intentions for the long-term.

A strategic foresight viewpoint offers on the one hand, insights to guide decisions and actions to prepare for, and respond to events, disruptions and disasters in the short to long term. On the other hand, beyond exigencies of current risks and crises, a futures orientation promotes implementation of sustainable solutions, and enables innovative and creative thinking that can broaden mindsets, motivate shifts in behaviour, and facilitate reconfiguration of outmoded and defective approaches and models.

Covid-19 is here to stay

In addressing the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa, an immediate disaster response is required that protects against infections and mortality, as well as sustains livelihoods. Simultaneously, long term responses are needed that translates the continents capacity to endure, to a capacity to excel.

Covid-19 infections will continue until a vaccine is found and sufficiently distributed globally. Post-Covid-19 global recovery is projected to require a minimum of two years; predictably longer, compounded by other crisis issues, particularly a sharp global recession. The situation remains volatile with a lack of accurate data on infection spread combined with a lack of information on regional and contextual variations of how the virus will impact different geographical zones.

Uncertainty persists and may heighten as decision and policy makers, diverse actors and multiple interest groups consider the devastation of the global pandemic. The African continent remains extremely vulnerable. To respond effectively in the short term, and to build preparedness and resilience to disasters for the long term, addressing the miasma of multiple challenges facing Africa is critical.

As governments, businesses, communities, individuals mobilise to respond, recover and rebuild in a Covid-19 world, how can concerted efforts critically engage with long-term possibilities?

From a strategic foresight lens, building more disaster-proof futures requires navigating current uncertainties and complexities by applying long-term thinking, agile and forward planning, and functionally and strategically adapting. This may require re-evaluating and redirecting priorities, investments and value allocation, to cope and respond to disasters immediately, while simultaneously building better futures.

Carefully considering available options, implications and trade-offs for the short to long term is key and must underpin necessary decisions and actions to safeguard against exposure to critical vulnerabilities, while protecting, securing and building better futures for the continent and globally.

Dr is the senior futurist: Africa at the Institute for Futures Research (IFR) at the University of Stellenbosch Business School

The rest is here:

OPINION | Africa has a track record of endurance - it should not be beaten by Covid-19 - News24

While there are many larger organizations doing great work right now, the Record compiled a list of smaller grassroots and decentralized organizations that would benefit most from donations at this time.

DONATIONS:

Journalism:

National Association of Black Journalists the largest organization of journalists of color, providing programs, services, grants, events, mentorship, and advocacy

Unicorn Riot A decentralized media organization that has been live-streaming uprisings and leading the coverage of protests

Futuro Media Group creates diverse multimedia content in the service of empowering people to understand and navigate the complexities and misinformation in modern news

Ida B. Wells Society increasing and retaining reporters and editors of color in the field of investigative reporting

The Marshall Project a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization that seeks to create and sustain a sense of national urgency about the U.S. criminal justice system

Nationwide:

Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective a collective of advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists and activists committed to the emotional/mental health and healing of Black communities

National Black Disability Coalition the nations organization for all Black disabled people. Membership and partners include Black disabled organizations, disabled people, parents, family members, faith-based, non-profits, and academic and policy leaders

United Negro College Fund increases the total annual number of African American college graduates by focusing on activities that ensure more students are college-ready, enroll in college and persist to graduation

Showing Up For Racial Justice a national network of groups and individuals working to undermine white supremacy and to work toward racial justice through community organizing, mobilizing, and education

Sisters Unchained a prison abolitionist organization dedicated to building community and power with young women affected by parental incarceration through radical education, healing, art, sisterhood and activism

Black & Pink abolition to dismantle the criminal punishment system and to liberate LGBTQIA2S+ people/people living with HIV/AIDS who are affected by that system, through advocacy, support, and organizing

Marsha P Johnson Institute an organization that protects and defends the human rights of Black transgender people by organizing, advocating, creating an intentional community to heal, developing transformative leadership and promoting collective power

Black Feminist Project funding radical programming that restores agency to the most marginalized of us, centers our narratives, promotes safety, empowers us to put ourselves FIRST, and enriches the lives of our children in our community with compassion, integrity, and joy!

Know Your Rights Camp, an initiative founded by Colin Kaepernick to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders

The Bail Project, a critical tool to prevent incarceration and combat racial and economic disparities in the bail system

Bail Funds/Legal Help by City

Resistance Funds by State

Minnesota:

Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha CTUL is a worker-led organization where workers organize, educate and empower each other to fight for a voice in their workplaces and in their communities.

Women for Political Change Holistically investing in the leadership and political power of young women and trans & non-binary individuals throughout Minnesota.

Northside business support support businesses on Minneapoliss Northside that have been impacted by recent demonstrations.

Pimento Relief Fund Were partnering with Pimento to provide black business without insurance relief after white supremacists set them on fire during the protests.

PETITIONS/RESOURCES:

Defund 12 Contact info for government officials and council members by location to reallocate egregious police budgets towards education, social services, and dismantling racial inequality

Master list of petitions/events/etc

Resources to support Black communities

Text FLOYD to 55156 or go here to demand all officers involved in Floyds death are charged with his murder

Text ENOUGH to 55156 or go here to demand justice for Breonna Taylor

Text JUSTICE to 55156 and 668366 to demand justice for Ahmaud Arbery

Text RESIST to 50409 to write to local officials demanding change

Sign this petition to demand a ban on law enforcement officials who have committed racially motivated acts of violence

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS:

Anti-racism resources for white people

75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

What to Do Instead of Calling the Cops

Reading recommendations by Williams staff

125 Black-Owned Business to Support

Read the original:

The Record's suggested action items supporting Black Lives Matter - The Williams record

AMANDA BANCROFTMaking Ripples

Some U.S. residents on the west and east coasts are eyeing the Midwest and Arkansas with keen interest these days. Who can blame them? While there are great reasons to live almost anywhere, places with lower covid-19 cases are understandably appealing to folks right now. But its not only disease thats driving relocation; for some, its about living sustainably in community.

Anyone can live in an eco village, except Elvis Presley (despite what witnesses may say). But that doesnt mean everyone wants to. There are benefits and drawbacks to living in an eco village, and its good to see both the pros and cons before making a life-altering decision. Depending on the community, eco villages offer far more rewards than downsides and are a critical component in the fight against climate change.

Eco villages also known as intentional communities, communes, or sustainable communities are places in both rural and urban areas where a large or small group of people have chosen to live in proximity to one another while sharing resources, responsibilities and a common goal. That definition is based on my personal experience and research, but many people have their own definitions ranging from a place where crazies worship the devil to heaven on earth! One reason why eco villages get reputations along such a broad spectrum is because each individual eco village creates its own definition based on the needs of residents, while non-residents perceive each community very differently.

Some communities are completely dedicated to sustainability and preserving the environment. Other communities focus on Christianity or another religion or spiritual practice, with daily life revolving around worship and ceremony. Intentional communities are not necessarily created with religion or environmental concerns in mind, choosing instead to share services like child care and cooking. Many of them are open and tolerant to a diversity of people, with few rules sometimes life is highly individual, with residents having separate jobs, families and privately owned resources. But some can have quite a few rules ranging from income sharing to restrictions on who can become a member.

Living in community is the most common-sense approach to sustaining the human species. Were social creatures, after all, living on a planet with finite resources that are quickly being extinguished. In the current world population of over 7 billion people, do we really need over 7 billion personal vehicles, lawnmowers and televisions? It saves time and money to share resources, common spaces and responsibilities. There are also social benefits to living in a community where you know your family is supported and nurtured.

Not every community can fit every person, and not everyone wants to live in community anyway. But in these times of fear and uncertainty, people are strongly considering their options, and that includes how to live in such a way as to help one another and our planet.

Amanda Bancroft is a writer, artist, and naturalist living in an off-grid tiny house on Kessler Mountain. She and her husband Ryan blog about their adventures and offer tips to those wanting to make a difference at http://www.RipplesBlog.org. This column is reprinted with updates. Why Eco Villages first printed in The Free Weekly June 6, 2013.

Follow this link:

Come Together - The Free Weekly

The unrest we are seeing today is what happens when the road to justice is too long and drawn-out. These uprisings are a result of our communities feeling as though, once again, nothing is going to be done.

If the indefensible murder of George Floyd was not already enough, we have watched in horror the past few nights as our people were shot at, tear-gassed and beaten. This moment calls for us to unite around the outrage we feel and fight for the justice we demand. Now is the time to stand up and speak out as we guide our communities and our nation to the right side of justice. But let us be rational and move with care to make our voices heard with a lasting impact.

The following is a measured NAACP Response:

Between 1920 and 1938, the NAACP flew a flag outside its offices that read "A Man Was Lynched Yesterday" to mark the lynching of black people in the United States. It is a shame on our nation that almost a century later, black people continue to be brutalized and killed by racists.

The murder of George Floyd by police is an unspeakable tragedy. Sadly, police brutality against the black community has been an ever-present occurrence, dating back to its roots as a method used to preserve the system of slavery.

The arrest of ex-Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin is not enough. There are three other officers who are just as complicit in killing Mr. Floyd. We want them all charged for their role in this inexcusable death.

The uprisings taking place in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota, Kentucky, Los Angeles and many other locations across this country are a result of the anger, fear, sadness and distrust that have manifested for years throughout our community. Enough is enough. We. Are. Done. Dying.

These are NOT isolated incidents. They are directly related to the systemic racism that plagues our country at an even more alarming rate than the coronavirus. Our communities have been in a state of emergency long before the first COVID-19 case was brought to light.

We are calling for federal legislation similar to a hate crimes bill to be developed, which would provide detailed procedures and penalties in cases of blatant police brutality. The unrest we are seeing today is what happens when the road to justice is too long and drawn-out. These uprisings are a result of our communities feeling as though, once again, nothing is going to be done.

We watched as the President gave alt-right protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, the benefit of the doubt, even when videos showed them terrorizing innocent Americans. Yet in this moment of anger, sadness and fear at the continuous death of black lives at the hands of the police, this President chooses to characterize people who are mourning the loss of Philando Castille, Sandra Bland, Michael Brown, Jr., and now George Floyd as "thugs."

This Presidents actions are disgusting, yet not unexpected. He has proven to be incapable of displaying the competency and compassion necessary in this moment to lead this country through a turbulent time turbulence which has been largely orchestrated by his intentional marginalization of our communities.

Our recent national survey reported that 75% of Black people feel that Trump is the SINGLE greatest threat to the African American. That feeling was only amplified in one of his early morning tweets where he glorified violence against Americans stating that "When the looting starts, the shooting starts!"

Our communities are angry and saddened. But we must be strategic and measured as we battle this latest grave injustice. The NAACP will not rest until we see these officers charged and convicted for the murder of George Floyd. We must keep our focus on redressing the systemic racism against our community that led to this tragedy. We cannot afford to do so while losing more black sons and daughters.

While we protest peacefully, make persistent demands, and fight politically, let us remember that we are still under a pandemic with more cases of COVID-19 and deaths being reported in our communities. Let us not forget to practice safe distancing and wear masks to protect one another.

Most of all if we want to effect change, we MUST be determined to VOTE in November and encourage everyone in our circle of influence to VOTE. Please dont neglect participation in the 2020 Census.

Jimmy Buxton Jr. is president of the Fayetteville Branch of the NAACP.

See the article here:

NAACP chief: Our communities are angry and saddened. But we must be strategic and measured in battling injustice. - The Fayetteville Observer

Jamye Wooten isfounder of CLLCTIVLY, an organization thats building an ecosystem of grants and resources to nourish Black-led organizations that want to improve Baltimore.

CLLCTIVLY is currently offering microgrants of $500 to organizations as a part of the Baltimore Black-led solidarity Fund. The fund has already awarded over $30,000 to black led organizations and intends to contribute more. It is also currently raising money for its 2nd Annual Day of Giving. A drive to support and amplify black led organizations that will award over $10,000 in prizes. Like its 2019 event, this day of giving is aimed to combat stats that show only 2% of philanthropic Black-led orgs.

In an interview, the recent Johns Hopkins Social Innovation Lab alum gave his thoughts yesterday on the work hes doing, the George Floyd protests and his hopes for whats next. This interview has been edited lightly for length and clarity.

JW: We launched in 2019 and our first phase was an asset map directory, so mapping Black-led organizations based on the area of focus and neighborhood. So now there are currently 100 organizations on the platform. Wooten said. CLLCTIVLY wants to help amplify and increase access to funding for these organizations, Wooten said, which focus on areas like advocacy, mentorship, food sovereignty and mental health.

JW: Relationships move at the speed of trust and social movements move at the speed of relationships. You must first do the base build building work, must first do the relationship building work that fosters greater trust. Weve been very intentional about spending these first 18 months around building relationships and building trust. The base building component is the foundation of it.

CLLCTIVLY works to connect Black-led organizations.

Different in what way?

I think its a good sign. Im not aware enough to say that [the antagonism of the police] was not present but I will be going down today [Editors note: A youth-led march drew more than 1,000 people downtown to call for justice on June 1.] Ill talk to the people that I know that are on the front lines. We definitely know that there was a woman suffering from a mental health crisis that struck an officer and another officer knocked her out. I dont know what other incidents happened on the ground. So I wouldnt want to speak to what the response has been.

[The mass media often misses] the violence we often talk about that is systemic and structural violence. And I think certainly COVID has pulled the covers back on that, exposing the grave injustice of disinvestment and underdevelopment in the black communities. Its violence, and often we dont see that. So [the narrative] often [centers on] asking protesters to be nonviolent but were not talking about the system that has historically been violent towards black and brown people.

I hope that the greater community will learn is that we must shift resources. Fundamentally this is a question of power. I think real equity is [rooted in] how do we shift resources in a meaningful way to black communities so that theyre able to thrive. I hope that we begin to see a shift, between COVID-19 and the current protests, that resources are shifted in meaningful ways to black communities to build the capacity of our organizations and to be self determined.

Read the original post:

Supporting Black communities now and in the future: A Q&A with CLLCTIVLY Founder Jamye Wooten - Technical.ly

The company CEO wrote an open letter and the company shared a brief note on its website regarding recent protests.

ATLANTA Chick-fil-A is expressing its solidarity with black employees and communities, saying in a statement that "our hearts are breaking" for them.

Protests have flared nationwide in the last week in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, with demonstrators demanding an end to police brutality and institutional racism.

"Our hearts are breaking, for our black Team Members, Operators and Staff and all those in the Black community who are suffering and who have suffered for too long because of racism," a Chick-fil-A post on the company website said.

It adds that, "Racism should have no place in society. Not now, not ever. It cannot be tolerated" and promises, "At Chick-fil-A, we know we have a role in moving all of us forward. We will listen. We will be intentional. We will share."

It also included a recent LinkedIn post by CEO Dan Cathy explaining his views, which includes him writing he's heard his black friends and colleagues telling him repeatedly they are tired.

"They are tired, because no amount of kneeling or marching seems to truly address what has ailed our country for generations: A controverted view of race which is sometimes overt and sometimes subtle but always destructive," Cathy writes.

"There are countless academics and analysts who have written about how our democratic capitalism benefits only a few hundred incredibly wealthy families, individuals and corporations, so that the American dream is now reserved almost exclusively for them and their descendants.

"Because I am among that demographic, I am calling on them us to use our power and influence," he adds.

See the article here:

Chick-fil-A weighs in on recent injustices against black people - 11Alive.com WXIA

Jun. 6, 2020

To the Webster University Community,

We are writing again this weekend at a pivotal moment for our community and the nation, with a message of hope and change, along with a report of progress, as promised. As our letter to the community last week outlined, the killings of George Floyd and so many other Black Americans, such as Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Manuel Ellis, along with those of the recent past, such as Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Tamir Rice, are unacceptable and tragic losses. Such killings of unarmed members of the African American community, at the hands of police, must end. Webster University deplores violence of all types. The University condemned this racial violence in last weeks letter and those sentiments are reiterated today while unequivocally declaring, Black Lives Matter.

The Webster community believes in engagement to make progress for racial and social justice rather than a destructive path by using divisive rhetoric. Our community believes in respectful and constructive dialogue rather than sensational statements meant to grab attention but little else. The University community must work together for the University to continue being a catalyst for positive change and the builder of a hopeful future during this defining moment of our era. Our community must work together to end systemic racism, inequity, and injustice.

This past week, we have taken these measures:

University Engagement

Parental & New Student Engagement

Community Engagement

In the coming weeks, the University will communicate about more ways that community groups and others beyond our students, staff, faculty, and alumni can brainstorm and partner with us on additional initiatives.

Our University community is hopeful for the fall and the future. This is an example of how Webster moves conversations to action. The expectation is that there will be more initiatives as our community draws closer to a fall semester that presents more opportunities for embracing progress on social justice issues while also adjusting to a campus climate coping with the coronavirus pandemic. The University will invest wisely, initiate measures in intentional ways, and report progress. The University will provide tangible evidence of how our community is bettering the climate for social justice and racial equity.

Webster continues to stand with its Black students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The University will actively work to dismantle institutional racism at every level throughout society. There should be no doubt, our communities and our nation must do better.

We embrace these challenges with open minds, open hearts, and open arms. We embrace each other so we can build a better and more hopeful future together while strengthening our community.

Elizabeth (Beth) J. StrobleChancellor

Julian Z. SchusterPresident

Vincent C. FlewellenChief Diversity Officer

tags: alumni, employee news, faculty, students, global, home page, president, chancellor, diversity and inclusion, community engagement, webster today,

Here is the original post:

Message from the Chancellor, the President, and the Chief Diversity Officer - Webster University Newsroom