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Jungle Flower
A Beacon of Inspiration and Healing In 2012, I had the incredible fortune of crossing paths with a remarkable soul – Jungle Flower. A former photographer, poet, speaker, writer, workshop and sound bath facilitator, Jungle is a mosaic of talents and a beacon of inspiration. Our first meeting was at a social gathering with R.I.S.E. Edutainment members, where she played the violin with such grace,…
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#abuse recovery#BIPOC support#community activism#emotional healing#holistic wellness#improved sleep quality#increased emotional stability#inspirational speaker#Jungle Flower#Jungle Flower Dragon Heart#Kundalini Yoga#live instruments therapy#Mayor’s Community Safety Award#meditation#memoirs through art#one-woman show#Personal Transformation#Reclaim Your Voice#Roger Fisher Scholarship#Solfeggio frequencies#sound bath facilitator#sound baths Toronto#Spiritual Growth#storytelling and spoken word#stress relief#Toronto community service#Volunteer Toronto Legacy Award#Write Your Self Scholarship#Yinnergy program
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Bad End: Heroic Collection
New Haven wasn't a major metropolis. Some big city like Delhi or Tokyo, Jakarta and the like. It was big for the area. A major hub for commerce and crime on a local scale. But Nationally? INTERNATIONALLY? Not even close. No matter WHAT the great ambitions that haunted the Mayor, late at night, may tell you.
So, really, there was NO fucking reason for any A Listers to be here.
NONE.
Our biggest exports were fancy fucking jams and that one fashion line I couldn't pronounce. We had honest to God Jam festivals in the fall. It was a circuit, Mayor gave out awards. There were pies. Firestrike always ate himself sick. Agent always laughed at him. I... Fuck, my head was ringing. I'd hit that last building HARD. Was pretty sure I tasted blood. Not... not sure if that was because I busted something in my mouth or...
Over my comms, I could hear my teammates fighting. Trying to hail the Alliance. If we could... could just hold on...
Long enough for the major players to GET here?
Then what? I had to wonder. Staring at a burning bus in front of me. It was half way lodged through Mrs. Brahimi's shop. Please, God, let her and the workers have got out all right. I'd been there just this morning. She made me those stuffed flatbread things. Said I was still too skinny. Should rest more.
I use the twist remains of a book return to lever myself to my feet. Book..? Oh. I'm by the library. Which..? Fuck. Main one. That's city hall.
Smoke rises around the city I've lived in all my life. Fires everywhere. I'm supposed... supposed to be a hero. But I can barely stand. Feel sick as the world sways. My body is one big bruise. Gotta... gotta keep fighting. Helping. Save people.
In the distance, I can hear screams.
I'm coming. I promise. I'm coming!
I make my screaming body move. Stumble. Catch myself. Then keep going. The hiss and spit in my ear tells me that my communicator is probably half broken. I don't try it, in case that breaks it the rest of the way. Wrench doors from half crushed cars to free trapped civilians. Lever wreckage, hold it with trembling limbs, so people can crawl to safety. Run. Please, god, RUN!
We aren't strong enough.
He's here, The Collective.
A hivemind super threat. Alien supposedly. So far above my team's pay grade we know basically nothing. The kind of thing we were expected to never realistically see. We're nobody's. Fuck it, we're HAPPY being nobody's. It meant we got to go home each night. Didn't face The Horrors. Like him.
He CONSUMES.
Hungry. Trying to fill some void that's never going to fill. Supposedly a planet eater. Gutting worlds for resources, materials, to continue his own expansion. Now fixated on Earth for it's continued refusal to die. For its defiance. Some A+ sort of monster, to our high C rank. At best.
Fuck... we dealt with HUMANS. Fought gimmicks and tech. Little fish in our little pond. Now this tsunami was bringing the ocean to US and it was all we could do, to swim and survive.
I leaned against a half smashed car. Braced myself against it, more then anything, then started pulling pot shots. I... I was gonna black out soon. With a concussion like this? Probably wasn't gonna be waking up. Especially if those THINGS found me before a friendly did.
All across the city I called home, The Collective had Drones tearing the place apart.
They'd almost be pretty. Tall, elegant, androgynous lookin, supermodel twinks in battle armor. Drones apparently covered their lower face. I'd know the "commander" by their uncovered face and "use of adornments". Useful! Except they could fucking SWITCH on command, so you have to take out ALL of them.
Because they weren't a collection of different soldiers.
THEY weren't a THEY. That? Was a fucking HE. Singular.
You don't consider each of your individual cell as people. Each follicle of hair. Why would HE? God damn it. It was like fighting a giant. Against Gods. They just kept coming. And my ammo? Was not endless.
Worse. The drones had stopped looking. I don't know WHAT they had been searching for. But now? They started to converge on me. On city hall. Fuck. I... I couldn't even really stand anymore. My vision was blurring. I knew for a FACT my shots were shit. But dense as they were crowding? It seemed enough. Kept them back.
Three cartridges left.
Two.
Only one more...
The Alliance was coming. Half my team had gone silent. I could hear tears in the voice of Tech, back in the office. They had our life signs. Built into our armor. I could only imagine what mine looked like. Prayed, like I hadn't since I was a kid, that the others were just unconscious. Safe somewhere.
Someplace this nightmare couldn't reach them.
I doubted I was that lucky.
Tech was begging me to hold on. Giving me ETAs. And... And I was out of bullets. The block half full of Drones. I had escrima sticks. A fucking tazer. It would have to do. Sticks came out, as I swayed to my feet. No longer letting the car behind me hold my weight. What's a little... let's say, hundred or so, on one? Eh?
Bring your friends. Let's make it a fair fight.
I'll go easy on you.
Bravado until the end. Remember, never know who's watching. You are a symbol. Before you are a man, you are their HERO. Don't you DARE let them down. Even if you die. Especially when you die. B.. Bravado until the end. Plaste on a smirk and say a one-liner, we got hope to shoulder.
I took down about three Drones... I think... before the rest swarm me.
Feel hands pinning my arms. My torso. Everything. A weak point between the panels is ripped open. High grade military fabrics doing jack shit against their impossible strength. The distinct pinch tug of a needle in my skin. Cold spreading. The sudden exhaustion of a powerful sedative. I... am gone.
Time... is blurry.
Now and Then running together in my senses. My brain. The concussion doesn't help. Or... or didn't? It feels... gone? Gone-ing? Oh... look, sky. Clouds. Pretty. Wasn't I standing? I am standing. No... no being dragged. Chair? Not chair. Stairs? Carried. Pretty window..... where am I? Fuzzy. Bluzzy fuzzy purple beans~ he he he~ oh! Those are the... watch'ma call it! Gucci chairs! That rich lady had! Neat. Plurble.
Ouch! Why'd you pi...?
My mouth is dry as sand. But suddenly? I am hyper aware. The floating drift of my mind VIOLENTLY gone, replaced by alerted and focus. Drones surround me in a vaguely familiar hallway. Shit. I think it's that rich designer's place. My helmet is off, but my mask is still in place, thank god. The Drones stand far to close for my liking. Their many eyes, amused.
So glad to entertain, you Fuck.
I am frog marched down the hall. Damn near dragged. They were too smart to restrain me with my own cuffs, unfortunately. So my hands are bound behind my back with something tight I can't get a good feel off. Bastard secured it to my belt, too. Great.
The Collective's "Face" is surrounded by what must be every jewel in the city. Piled high in some vague sorting pattern I refuse to even try and comprehend. He's trying on rings. One on every finger, to see what matches his skin tone. Looks good. Already, he has a pearl stud and some earrings he's decided he likes. He looks up as I'm dragged in, and I realize immediately what one of "a few other differences" between him and the Drones are...
It's the EYES,
They GLOWED.
Metallic almost. Nearly neon. They reflected the light in a way the Drones simply did not. It made their face... horrificly predatory. Made for WATCHING, somehow. Unnerving and haughty. Beautiful still, but uncomfortable to be near.
Sitting up on a table that basicly swallows the room, dead center like a show piece on display, with one long leg tossed over the other and no fucking shirt on? The Face looks almost carefully, artfully, staged. To maximize some "haughty yet coy, alien prince who maybe wants to fuck you" shtick.
Does... Does he not realize I'm NOT one of the usual opponents? I mean. Flattered at the "join me! The Darkside has sex and cookies!" set up. Always fun. Classic, really. But, like? I would be... at BEST... a solidly MID goon.
Also "NO".
Gonna preemptively throw that out there. Maybe some expletives for flavor. Suggest someplace sunless to shove it. SOLID "No". Good try, though.
Around me, the Drones are shaking with silent laughter. Staring down at me, their pale eyes dancing with amusement. It's creepy as hell. Unnerving to be the center of attention like this. For this many eyes, utterly in synch, to surround and watch my every twitch. Act fascinated and amused, like I'm some little animal performing tricks.
The Face hasn't dropped his Seduction to the Darkside routine. If anything, he seems delighted by the defiance. Which... yeah, that tracks. It's why he's harrasing out planet to begin with. That one's definitely on me. So, better question? Not that I'm not glad and all? Why the FUCK am I not dead.
"And lose my HERO? Perish the thought~" drawles The Collective, the posture light and lazy, even as something dangerous threaded itself through their tone. It sounded... possessive. But that couldn't be right. "I would NEVER do such a thing! In fact, we are going to have to be far more careful with that little processor of yours. Far too fragile. Just the one, too. Horrifying, really."
Thanks. Just what every guy loves to really make 'im feels special. Insults.
Fucker.
More laughter from all around me. I grit my teeth. Come oooon, Alliance. Where the hell ARE you guys!? Could REALLY use a rescue! The hands holding me still are drifting. Fucking handsy. Damn near stroking even as they hold me immobile. They're looking for the clasps and buckles on my armor. Have already found the obvious ones. Fingers oh so casually drifting over, to grip, flex, and tear them apart.
I do NOT like how loose my armor is starting to feel. Barely able to hold on. Protect me. Limited as that protection may be. I think I'm developing a horrifying empathy for clams. Crustaceans in general. Anything that gets slowly pried from the safety of it's shell, too certain doom.
The Face casually tosses the rings he was playing with aside. Tens of thousands of dollars bouncing off to God only knows where. He slides from the table to stand. Shit. He's huge.
The androgynous twink supermodel thing he has going on? Fucking LIES. Twists your perception of how, EXACTLY, strong the Face body IS. He clears seven feet easily, is muscled in that distinctly "never see me coming until it's too late" sort of way all the ninja types are.
The tattoos. It's the FUCKING tattoos! They give the illusion that he's slimmer then he actually is.
It HIDES MUSCLE MASS.
I can't tell if that's vanity or strategy and I hate it. Glare as he sashays towards me. Hips rolling in that elegant catwalk strut. I'm forced to my knees. Because of course I am. How ELSE will the bastard loom and gloat? Though really, weak as I currently feel, it's more that the Drones holding me up? Stop doing that. My knees more or less just give up on their own.
"Like what you see? You're staring so intently~" He mocks. If he were being genuine, I'd call it teasing. Flirtatious. But I know better. "It IS a pretty body, isn't it? I worked hard on it, you know. All sort of fun little details~ Might honestly be one of my favorites. If you're good for me, I'll let you explore it~"
THERE it is.
Darkside. Sex and cookies. Sign up today. Fuck you and not in the fun way. Keep your hands to yourself, Collective. You're not convincing me. You could tell me the sky was blue, and I'd make three presentations with a PowerPoint, on why you were a liar. No, still No, and a hefty fuck off No for spice.
Three steps away. Two steps. One.
A man that tall and dangerous? Frankly did NOT need heels. Figures he'd wear them anyway. Sharp enough to kill a man. Right infront of my folded knees. I refuse to look up. No more fucking games. Did have to wonder, though, if those pants... if they even WERE pants? Were painted on or not. Very tight. Looked vaguely metal yet leather.
Shit.
Fingers, splayed wide as they run themselves through my sweaty and probably bloodstained hair. Couldn't have been nice to touch. Wrong angle and just a touch too big to be a Drone. Light as a lover, sweet almost, soothing. Before it inevitably tightens, gripping the strands. Honestly not as hard as I expected, didn't even hurt.
Still, my head is forced back.
Back and back and back, forced to arch my spine, hang awkwardly at some forty-five degree angle. My thighs and abs already screaming. A Drone grabs the back of my armor and, with an almost casual yank, my chest plate is violently snapped free. Both tossed to the floor away from us.
"There we are~" the Face hums down at me, eyes nearly hypnotic in how the light moved from within, grin full of sharp and deadly teeth. "No more of that ugly thing in the way. I much prefer this~"
"Tell me, Little Hero, do you remember? Becoming mine."
No, I certainly do fucking not. What the HELL is he-!? From behind the Face a Drone steps. Dressed differently to the others. Casual clothes. Like... actual street clothes. If they weren't GREEN I never would been able too-...
In horror, I watch as the pigment of the Drones skin melts away to a middling average. So utterly nondescript a blend of ethnicities that it's genuinely hard to place, but won't stand out no matter where he goes in the city.
I... I had seen that face.
SAVED that man.
Thought he was CUTE! T..Thought WE were having some sort of MEET CUTE! Oh God. That was at the festival. I was out of costume. Saved him from getting crushed. Then my teammates handled everything before I could slip away. So I just... stayed. Showed the cute tourist the festivities.
We ate FANCY JAMS, YOU FUCK!
I pined our that cute tourist for WEEKS. Was UNBEARABLE. Tech threatened to shove me off a roof! Oh my god.
Laughter.
Dozens of mouths, laughing in perfect sync. The noise layered and bouncing strangely around the room. Deeper then it should be, higher as it swings. Like a radio or voice modulator that someone is messing with. A momentary loss of control. My anger fizzles out to fear. Oh... oh yeah...
I forgot I was fucked.
At.. at least I know why?
A step forward. Past too close and now basically in my lap. A foot on either side of my knees. I try not to think exactly where my face would be pressed if I wasn't dragged back, to hang near painfully arched, so he could lean down and I could be forced to make eye contact. That way lay madness.
He moved his other hand to my face, cupping it. Dragging his thumb possessively across my mouth. He hummed, pleased.
He pressed closer, sliding down my front to his knees, straddling my lap. REALLY hoped that WAS, in fact, a weapon in your pocket there, buddy. Because I am not liking the handsy direction this is going, nor have I come to terms with my meet cute being a monstrous planet killing warlord. Not feeling sexy, my guy.
....okay, a LITTLE sexy, but that is hormones and we ignore those.
Fuuuuuck, wandering haaaaands! Now would be a GOOD TIME for door kicking rescues! I do NOT want to learn anything new about myself today! I want to go HOME. Sleep forever, maybe! Have a burrito the size of my head! Oh god. Think unsexy thoughts. Math. Sad puppies! Sad puppies doing MATH!
The Collective had dragged me upright. Pressed my face right up against their Face's bare skin. All I could smell was expensive cologne and man. Warm skin. Oh god, I am so gay. This is hell and I am very, VERY gay. If evil, why sexy hot hot hot? Hormones are making very convincing arguments. Horny brain says let's make terrible life choices.
No! Nooooo. Stop it, Me! We are fucking better then this! God damn it, you trainwreck, you are a ROLE MODEL! Act like one! (But horny...) (NO!!!)
God I was never going to mock the fuckers who hesitates at the "sex n cookies" speech again. Persuasive mother FUCKER!
"Aah~" he sighed contentedly, far too close to a moan for my sanity's liking. Hands having finally found the hidden zippers of my undersuit. Slowly dragging it open. "You are FAR too cute~♡"
"I can't wait to get you off this worthless little rock. Back to ME. I'll have so many WAYS to take care of you~ Backups and rudimentary supports we can set up, at least until I get you something proper."
Horrifying. Deeply Horrifying. REALLY never wanted to know what terrified and horny felt like, but here we are. Distantly, I hear thunder. There's no clouds. A flash of red through the skies. Green followed by metallic purple. Oh thank fuck. Keep his attention. Just... just keep his attention.
"We'll use me as a base. Keep you in stasis. Away from all these ugly, dangerous things~! Just you and me. Perfect. BETTER. Infinite and beautiful. I'll make all sort of bodies just for you to play with. Even let you keep this one! If you want. It'll be a precious memory for us, of where you began. How we met."
A mouth on mine. I can't breathe. Can't escape the arms wrapped around me. My protests do little more then waste oxygen. I feel light headed. Come one, team Alliance! He's here! HE'S HERE!!!
"You're going to be MINE, little Hero. I finally figured it out. What I was missing. It was YOU~♡! My beloved, delicate, little thing~. I'm going to take SUCH good care of you."
"Forever~"
#threepandas#yandere#yandere x reader#yanblr#reader insert#yanderecore#unreliable narrator at first#male reader#superhero reader#bad end heroic collection#bad end heroic collection au#tw sa#the Collective is completely ignoring readers boundaries#do not be like the Collective#gay reader#long post#long read#yandere villain#yandere hivemind#tw death#teammates might be dead#we dont know
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Homelessness is a problem across American cities right now because the systems of society and governance currently in place are striking downward at homeless people.
Here is an example of a small project to extend some basic sanitation services to the homeless people of Seattle, WA (a historically left-leaning major city in the USA): installing some public hand-washing stations.
Here is an article from the Seattle Times trying to identify why a $100,000 community project to install less than 50 public sinks, started in 2020 to help combat the pandemic, yielded only 5 installed sinks as of early 2023.
"It was with urgency that council members approved the $100,000 for the street sinks, based on a cheap and easy-to-install prototype by the Clean Hands Collective — a group formed in 2020 of architects, University of Washington professors and students, and a then-middle-school-age student who teamed up with Real Change, Seattle’s street newspaper. The design uses plants and soil to filter gray water.
An original pitch by the Clean Hands Collective estimated $100,000 could pay for 63 sinks.
Later, after the money was awarded between Clean Hands’ and a more high-tech design, the two groups estimated closer to 43 sinks."
This is a slam dunk project for the city! It's cheap, it's feel-good, and it helps vulnerable people during a time of crisis. Remember that most public places with washrooms and restrooms closed their doors during the Pandemic. These public sinks are intended to provide a temporary solution for homeless people unable to access previously-available sanitation services. In November of 2020 this was an easy political win, so of course the City signed on.
What happened? Well, the City abandoned the public sinks project, letting it slam directly into the wall of bureaucracy that currently impeeds an untold number of other grassroots public works infrastructure projects.
Firstly, the City took six months to actually provide any of the allotted $100,000. Seattle Public Utilities (under then-Mayor Jenny Durkan) "wanted to open up bidding to more people, expand the scope of the project to include things like food waste disposal, and address concerns such as ADA compliance, greywater disposal, and tripping hazards, among a long list of other issues," according to this article published in the South Seattle Emerald. All of these stumbling blocks are common in US politics: feature/scope creep, opening the project to additional bidders, and safety concerns & ADA compliance. The last thing in that list is the most reasonable, IMO.
But the first two are classic American Political Bungles. There's a pandemic, and homeless people in the city are also dying of various other preventable diseases. So instead of moving forward on a cheap and good enough sanitation solution, the City wastes time by: looking their gift horse in the mouth by asking for an additional solution to another unrelated problem, and also by asking around for other organizations to propose a competing solution. And the City did find another competitor: the City directly asked a makerspace in South Lake Union, Seattle Makers, to propose a design. Seattle Makers proposed a more expensive sink design, which successfully won the bid and got 40% of the total $100,000 project money.
OK, so it's now May of 2021. This $100,000 quick-fix public sink project now has two separate volunteer-driven feel-good organizations making two separate sink emplacements (one of which is signifigantly more expensive), and no sinks on the ground after six months. At least the sinks are ADA compliant? Sure, but the cheap portable restrooms that the city has also been deploying during the pandemic (aka "portapotties" or "sanicans") are not ADA compliant. The City is imposing restrictions on this lightly-funded volunteer project that the City won't hold itself to! Rules for thee, not for me.
Now it comes time to deploy the sinks. Except there are rules on where the sinks can and can't be. As the South Seattle Emerald reports: "The Clean Hands Collective hired a contractor to work with the seven district-based councilmembers to identify appropriate sites for 63 sinks — nine in each council district — but the City now requires the sinks to be near a storm drain and a fire hydrant, which knocks many sites off the list. “If we’d known these specifications [from the beginning], we could have saved a lot of work and money,” McCoy said." If the City truly wanted these sinks deployed ASAP, they would have presented these restrictions to the organizations building and deploying the sinks at the start of the project, ideally during the bidding process they demanded occur, so that the organizations signing on have the clearest possible idea of what they are signing up for.
And you had better believe it doesn't stop there, because according to the earlier Seattle Times article: "organizers have not installed one sink on city land due to strict permitting requirements and “outright anti-homeless sentiments.”" That's right, the City refused to allow the sinks on any City-owned land as of early 2023! The same government that paid for these public-access sinks to be installed won't permit them to be installed on public land!
As a result of this, all of the deployed sinks are on private land. And both sink-making organizations are having trouble finding additional landowners who are willing to host the public sinks (shocking, I know).
There have been other hurdles as well. Real Change claims that the City required: "every site had to receive an individual permit, versus receiving a blanket permit that could work across sites." This follows the trend of the City obstructing its own project. Seattle Makers ran into an issue with insurance: "Jeremy Hanson, director of Seattle Makers... spent the first several months getting appropriate insurance so he could haul the sinks and large amounts of water. He also had to get the sink design approved by Seattle Public Utilities." Note that these "first several months" occured after the City's six-month post-approval rigamarole. And why couldn't the city send insured tow trucks or City-owned maintenance vehicles to move these sinks? Surely that would be a better use of time and money, both of which are at a premium as people are dying.
What does the City of Seattle have to say about all this? A lot, and very little. Firstly, the City as an organization clearly understands the need for such facilities. According to the Seattle Times: "[the City] stood up six sinks around the city, separate from the street sink program. And today, the city currently manages three shower trailers and eight hygiene stations." So the City was deploying it's own hygiene project in parallel.
This begs the question of why the City invested in this community-driven public sink project in the first place, if they planned to deploy their own facilities? In the same Seattle Times article as above, the paper reports:
"Jamie Housen, spokesperson for [now-Mayor] Harrell, said he sees this delay as evidence that city-led implementation would have worked better than community-based implementation.
“The city’s staff are equipped to site and install this kind of facility,” Housen said, “as they did when they used their ongoing experience with hygiene programs to quickly deploy portable toilets, sinks, showers and laundry facilities for flood victims in South Park earlier this year.”"
Fuckers! If the City has the best ability to install these public sinks, why isn't it doing anything to help install them??? This was supposed to be a cheap and fast-deploying temporary relief measure! The City is the one holding up the process for years via red tape and denying use of public land!
As of early 2023, Seattle Makers "have four sinks that are built and looking for a home," and Real Change said "a few sinks are built and sitting in storage, waiting to be installed." But it's doubtful the city will ever allow them to be installed. It appears as though Seattle spent $100,000 on optics, then got cold feet and strangled the project. Gallingly, the City also went so far as to deploy 6 of its own sinks, despite the fact that the community project had built sinks available to deploy! In theory and practice this is a good thing, but the City imposed onerous restrictions in order to subdue it's own homeless aid response, from more than 40 sinks down to just 11. And this is just sinks!
Seattle is commonly touted as one of the most progressive cities in America, and its citizen community might embody that, but the City itself certainly does not. It refuses to help homeless people, and it refuses in the most Neoliberal way possible. If it truly cared, it would lift the bureaucratic barriers to helping them. It could clearly deploy all kinds of emergency sanitation services to the South Park flood victims; but those people were homeowners.
Governments should enable the community to help the community. The people of Seattle want to help the homeless, but the City won't let them. I can only imagine what cities with less progressive reputations are doing to their homeless people.
#housing#humanism#bureaucracy#news media#my posts#the opposite of#solarpunk#pacific northwest#long post#healthcare#planning and organization#neoliberalism
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Congressman Kwanza Hall (born May 1, 1971) recognized for his leadership as a civil servant and business executive, was elected in 2020 to complete the term of Congressman John R. Lewis. A large portion of his career has been dedicated to social justice and economic opportunity, in which he combines his various professional experiences including a fellowship with the German Marshall Fund and appointments on the Board of Directors for many nonprofits, including the World Affairs Council and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
He was born in Atlanta to Leon W. Hall, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s youngest lieutenant. His mother, Evelyn Cloyd Hall, was a civil rights activist and community organizer. He graduated from Benjamin E. Mays High School and attended MIT until 1995.
He became the IT Senior Project Manager for the Fulton County. He worked as the Vice President of Technology for GoodWorks International. He served as Director of Business Development at MACTEC Engineering and Consulting. He started his 15-year combined stint on the Atlanta City Council and Atlanta School Board. After serving three years as a member of the Board of Education, he was elected to the City Council for District 2 in 2005 where he stayed for 12 years.
He supported key legislation including expanding the beltline overlay and allocating funding for streetscape projects to improve pedestrian safety. He was honored for his advocacy for parks and greenspaces by Park Pride. The Atlanta chapter of the American Institute of Architects created the annual Kwanza Hall Award for civic leadership in architectural design. Georgia State University awarded him the Pioneer Award. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation recognized him. He was a candidate for mayor of Atlanta in 2017.
He served 33 days as the Democratic Representative for Georgia’s 5th district. He was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. He became the Managing Partner at Homz Global and the CEO and Managing Partner at Chattahoochee Trails Park and Water Hub. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence
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Digital Citizenship and the #LoveWins Movement: Creating a Safe, Educated, and Politically Engaged Community
The #LoveWins movement, sparked by the 2015 US Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage, showcased the transformative power of digital activism (Shorty Awards 2023). It became a powerful symbol of social progress, celebrated across the world. This movement harnessed the potential of digital platforms, fostering a safe online space for education, solidarity, and community building. By leveraging the power of social media, the #LoveWins movement demonstrated the potential for the digital public sphere– a concept that went far beyond its beginning.
Using Digital Platforms for Social Change
This movement was not just about celebrating a legal victory, but also leveraging digital tools to raise marginalized voices and advocate for further social progress. The term ‘platform’ can mean computational: something to build upon and innovate from; political: a place to speak and be heard (Gillespie 2010). Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram became crucial tools for disseminating information, fostering dialogue, and mobilizing communities.
youtube
However, these digital platforms also pose some challenges. While the #LoveWins movement created a largely positive and supportive online community, online harassment and misinformation did emerge (Tengco 2015). For example, Listiorini, Asteria, and Sarwono (2019) revealed that while many people are aware of the term "LGBT," their understanding often remains superficial, leading to fear and prejudice. This lack of deeper understanding translated into fear and prejudice, with 40% of respondents perceiving the LGBT community as a "serious threat." Furthermore, the survey exposed a significant degree of social exclusion, with 79.1% of respondents expressing discomfort with having an LGBT neighbor and 89% objecting to LGBT individuals becoming public officials such as Regent/Mayor, Governor, and President. Therefore, these promote the importance of digital literacy, critical thinking, and online safety practices within social activism.
Empowering Political Engagement
Platformed interactions offer an effective channel for voter activation, discussions with constituents, sharing of information, and political views. Social media platforms can provide fund-raising opportunities and thereby increase campaigning’s efficiency, an effect that can be directly reflected in election results (Nelimarkka et al, 2020). Political leaders like President Obama and Hillary Clinton publicly supported the #LoveWins movement on social media, highlighting the political power of digital platforms (Tengco 2015). Their engagement had key impacts, including voter activation by encouraging participation in the democratic process. Besides, social media provided a direct channel for political leaders to discuss issues with constituents, fostering dialogue and understanding. Leaders shared information and political views, helping to inform and educate the public about LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality. Moreover, these digital platforms also facilitated fundraising, increasing campaign efficiency and potentially influencing election outcomes. The massive online engagement, with the hashtag #LoveWins, used over 1.4 million times on Instagram and 7 million tweets, reflects the significant political impact and the role of social media in the election process in 2015 (Shorty Awards 2023).
Recommendation
In Vietnam, with its growing internet penetration and social media usage (Statista 2023), the young are utilizing social media for communication, entertainment, and even activism. However, progress on LGBTQ+ rights is still not updated. Traditional social norms and limited public discourse create an environment where many LGBTQ+ individuals face discrimination and exclusion. The #LoveWins movement, with its global reach and message of inclusivity, holds the potential to spark vital conversations and empower Vietnamese citizens to advocate for positive change. This movement becomes a driving force for a future where everyone feels safe and empowered to contribute to Vietnam's development.
References:
Gillespie, T 2010, ‘The politics of “platforms”’, New Media & Society, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 347–364.
Listiorini, D, Asteria, D & Sarwono, B 2019, ‘Moral panics on lgbt issues: evidence from indonesian tv programme’, Jurnal Studi Komunikasi (Indonesian Journal of Communications Studies), vol. 3, no. 3, p. 355.
Nelimarkka, M, Laaksonen, S-M, Tuokko, M & Valkonen, T 2020, ‘Platformed Interactions: How Social Media Platforms Relate to Candidate–Constituent Interaction During Finnish 2015 Election Campaigning’, Social Media + Society, vol. 6, no. 2, p. 205630512090385.
Pampapura Madali, N, Alsaid, M & Hawamdeh, S 2022, ‘The impact of social noise on social media and the original intended message: BLM as a case study’, Journal of Information Science, vol. 50, no. 1, p. 016555152210773.
Shorty Awards 2023, HRC’s #LoveWins Hashtag Goes Viral; Celebrates Marriage Equality Victory - The Shorty Awards, shortyawards.com, viewed 3 June 2024, <https://shortyawards.com/8th/hrcs-lovewins-hashtag-goes-viral-celebrates-marriage-equality-victory>.
Statista 2023, Topic: Social media in Vietnam, Statista, viewed 4 June 2024, <https://www.statista.com/topics/8182/social-media-in-vietnam/>.
Tengco, J 2015, #LoveWins: A Historic Moment for LGBT Rights, whitehouse.gov.
#DigitalCitizenship#Community#social media#lgbtq rights#love wins#mariage equality#political engagement
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A right-wing extremist called a “Drag Race” star a “pedo.” Now he’s paying the price
Laurence Fox, a prominent right-wing activist and former actor in the United Kingdom, has been told to pay £180,000 ($225,242) to two LGBTQ+ men, former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Crystal, following comments Fox made on X (formerly Twitter) falsely referring to them as pedophiles. Fox had previously lost a libel battle involving the two men back in January, when high court judge Justice Collins Rice ruled that he had defamed them. He has been ordered to pay each of them £90,000 ($112,621). This defamation occurred when Fox had decried the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, calling for a boycott after they made a social post celebrating Black History Month. Blake and Crystal, whose legal name is Colin Seymour, had called him a racist for his post, after which he replied with an accusation that the two men are pedophiles. “By calling Mr. Blake and Mr. Seymour pedophiles, Mr. Fox subjected them to a wholly undeserved public ordeal,” said Rice. “It was a gross, groundless and indefensible libel, with distressing and harmful real-world consequences for them.” Fox had previously attempted to countersue both of the men in response to them calling him a racist. He alleged that being called a racist was “reputation-destroying” and “career-ending,” and that he had lost work as a result of it. The claim was dismissed following the January ruling. Rice called the libel against the two men “distinctly homophobic.” She added, “They are entitled by law to an award of money, to compensate them for those damaging effects, and to ensure that they can put this matter behind them, vindicated and confident that no one can sensibly doubt their blamelessness of that disgusting slur and that they were seriously wronged by it.” The judge ruled that if Fox repeated these allegations, he could be held in contempt of court. Fox is the founder of the U.K. Reform Party, and had made his career starring in television programs like ITV’s Lewis. He has previously ran for mayor of London unsuccessfully. He is also a former pundit for the right-wing news network GB News. In the last, Fox has posted pictures of the Pride flag as a swastika, burned the flag on video, engaged in blackface, mocked Black Lives Matter, and opposed national COVID safety guidelines such as lockdowns and social distancing. Crystal alleged following the January ruling that after Fox’s statements on Twitter, he received a great deal of abuse. “It’s horrible,” he said to PinkNews. “It’s been three years of a pretty-non-stop barrage of abuse, especially whenever I put myself in a public sphere where I’m going to be encountering people who aren’t part of the drag community or drag fans or the queer community.” The judge expressed sympathy for Blake and Crystal, saying that “They had been forced to fight a libel claim all the way through to trial with every conceivable point being taken against them. They have done so under the sustained hailstorm of Mr Fox’s exercise of his rights to amplified free speech.” Fox referred to the ruling as a “bullies charter” and expressed his grievances with it on Twitter, saying, “You get the same wonga if you lose a leg at work. So surreal it’s almost funny.” The concept of referring to LGBTQ+ people as “pedophiles” or “groomers” has been going on for years and encourages violence against the LGBTQ+ community. The slur has especially been used against drag performers who have been vilified internationally for allegedly “sexualizing children” through “adult” performances. http://dlvr.it/T61Q6m
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Egg Harbor City awarded $1 million tree maintenance grant
EGG HARBOR CITY – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Sept. 14 that the USDA Agriculture Service has awarded more than $1 billion in grants from the Inflation Reduction Act to plant and maintain trees to combat extreme heat, climate change and to improve access to nature in cities, towns, and suburbs across the United States.
Egg Harbor City was awarded $1 million for its plan to hire a certified tree expert to provide maintenance for its aging street trees, monitor two city parks, plant trees on streets undergoing reconstruction, and develop a plan to remove invasive species from public and private lands. “We are beyond grateful for this grant award. The funding will provide a small city like ours the ability to properly maintain, restore, enhance and preserve our trees and forests for future generations to enjoy,” Mayor Lisa Jiampetti said. The U.S. Community Forestry Service awarded 385 grants from 842 applications requesting $6.4 billion in funding, an indication of the urgent need to plant and maintain urban trees across the nation. “The city’s urban tree canopy is in jeopardy because our trees are nearing the end of their lifespan, many have been removed during street reconstruction projects, and felled in major storm events,” said Councilwoman Nanette LoBiondo Galloway, who also chairs SustainableEHC, the city’s green team and who advocated to apply for the grant. “This grant will provide the city with the funding needed to hire a certified tree expert to properly trim our street trees for health, safety and beauty, extending the lifespan of still-healthy trees that were planted in the rights-of-way of our avenues more than 80 years ago.” The grant comes after the green team conducted two major tree planting projects funded by the NJ Community Forestry Service that replaced 102 trees lost in the freak derecho storm of July 2012, and a recent project that planted 67 new street trees. The grant will also fund a plan to tackle invasive tree species on public and private property, such as the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), the host tree for the dreaded spotted lanternfly. Community education and involvement is a key component of the city’s forestry management plan. The benefits of street trees are many, Galloway said, including providing wind breaks in winter, shade for pedestrians in summer and reduced home energy costs. They also provide shelter for wildlife, reduce crime, and increase property values. “Today’s landmark funding from the U.S. Forest Service will increase urban access to nature, improve air quality, keep city streets cool during sweltering summers, tackle the climate crisis, and create safer, healthier communities in every corner of America,” Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation John Podesta said. “That makes a big difference for the grandmother who doesn’t have air conditioning, or the kid who has asthma, or the parent who works outside for 10 hours a day.” The announcement is part of the Biden administration’s effort to advance environmental justice and job creation. Egg Harbor City’s allotment of funding came through the Biden administration’s Justice 40 Initiative, which reserves 40% of funding opportunities for overburdened communities.
SustainableEHC is Egg Harbor City’s green team, working to preserve the environment, adopt sustainable practices in the home and support local business, industry and farming.
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Federal Relief Dollars Distributed to Local Agencies
Projects totaling $1,007,901 at 18 non-profit agencies have been selected for funding through the City of Wheeling’s ARPA allocation to the Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley (CFOV)/United Way Grants process. While the Community Foundation’s designation was $1 million, the overage of $7,901 will be covered by additional funds from the City’s ARPA allotment. “A committee of volunteers representative of the Community Foundation and United Way worked together to review grant applications and make funding decisions,” said CFOV Executive Director Susie Nelson. “Thirty-five grant applications were received totaling more than $2.4 million in requests. The review process was challenging, but that was expected with the knowledge of the many great nonprofit organizations in our City.” During an August 2022 meeting of City Council, the board approved a $1 million allocation of ARPA funds to the Community Foundation for distribution to local non-profit agencies. “The City of Wheeling very much appreciates the partnership with the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley to help distribute $1 million of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act funds to local nonprofit organizations,” said Mayor Glenn Elliott. “With such a surplus of worthy funding requests, we felt that the Community Foundation would be best positioned to assess the needs of the local agencies. And we very much appreciate their assistance in making these important distributions of pandemic relief funds within the City.” Nelson explained the selection process began with the development of an application that was reflective of Treasury regulations for ARPA funds. Then, a review committee representative of the Community Foundation and the United Way was selected. Once applications were received, they were scored based upon their relation to COVID, community impact, including the number of people served and how relative the project is to community needs, sustainability of the project, expectations for success and being transformative for the City of Wheeling. After scoring, the committee met to make final grant recommendations. “The Community Foundation put together a systematic and professional process to provide a fair opportunity for City non-profits to apply for ARPA funds,” said City Manager Robert Herron. “Their efforts have produced an excellent group of worthwhile programs and projects that will benefit our community for years to come.” The grant recipients, their project names and the amounts awarded are as follows: - $73,370 - Augusta Levy Learning Center - Growth, Education, Services, Partnership - $80,000 – CASA - CASA for Children Family Support - $30,000 - Catholic Charities WV - Emergency Rental Assistance - $100,000 - Children’s Home of Wheeling - Kitchen Install & Building Safety Upgrades at Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital for Children & Adolescents - $50,000 - Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center - Improve Access to Healthcare for Children Disproportionately Impacted by COVID - $15,000 - Faith in Action Caregivers - Volunteer Match Program - $31,076 - Harmony House - Child Advocacy Center Model - $45,000 - HoH Share - Center for Resilient Community - $100,000 - Holy Family Childcare Center - Childcare Center Stabilization - $40,000 - House of the Carpenter - Post-Pandemic Food Security for At-Risk Populations - $56,700 - Laughlin Community Center - HVAC Healthy Air - $46,100 - NAMI Greater Wheeling - COVID-19 Mental Health - $33,655 - Ohio County FRN - Food Security Team Support - $70,000 - Salvation Army Wheeling - Salvation Army Renovation Project - $100,000 - Wheeling Health Right - Pandemic Recovery and Protection Plan - $52,000 - YMCA Wheeling - Clean Air Upgrades - $45,000 - Youth Services System - Employee Retention Initiative - $40,000 - YWCA Wheeling - Low-Income Rental Assistance Read the full article
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End of operation of two joint incense burners in Incheon
The city of Incheon has suspended operations of a communal incense burner installed to commemorate the victims of the Itaewon Halloween disaster.
The city of Incheon announced on the 6th that it had suspended the operation of the common incense burner for the victims of the Itaewon disaster, which was installed on the second floor of the conference hall of the city hall. of Incheon and the outer plaza of the Culture and Arts Center at 10 p.m. on the 5th.
The city of Incheon said about 3,000 people, including organizations, organizations and citizens, made flowers and burned incense at the two common incense burners to commemorate the victims.
Incheon City will continue to support the psychological recovery of victims' families and citizens.
The city of Incheon operates a mental health hotline (1577-0199) for citizens who have experienced trauma to receive counseling related to the disaster.
Meanwhile, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok visited the site for safety inspections of important facilities such as the Incheon National Safety Experience Center, Line 2 of the Incheon and Namdong Gymnasium, where the 2022 Genie Music Awards will be held.
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CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Division of Police and other city authorities have completed an internal investigation into whether Officer Ismail Quran posted antisemitic messages on social media before he joined the department.
In a joint statement from Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Cleveland Chief of Police Wayne Drummond, the city found that Quran did commit "hateful offenses," but are unable to discipline him since it happened before he joined the department.
"We are frustrated and disappointed that no charges can be filed against Officer Ismail Quran, despite extensive internal investigations by the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP), the City Prosecutor, and the Law Department," said Bibb and Drummond in the joint statement. "Officer Quran’s hateful offenses were communicated years before he was hired, making it impossible to successfully enforce discipline. In addition, this officer was hired in July 2018, prior to the implementation of key pre-employment, onboarding and training policies."
In addition, the city says they are mandating cultural competency training for all employees in the Department of Public Safety, including Quran.
"Antisemitism and bigotry are reprehensible and have no place in our community or our police department. We have zero tolerance for hateful and dangerous rhetoric directed at our Jewish communities. This type of hate speech is a horrible example of explicit bias in our police force. We cannot emphasize strongly enough that discrimination of any kind, against anyone, simply will not be tolerated," Bibb and Drummond added.
Bibb and Drummond said city is also collaborating with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on a mandatory training program for all officers and leadership on inclusive policing, hate crimes, violent extremism, and hiring protocols. All employees in Public Safety will be required to successfully complete this training by the end of 2023.
In response to the update from Bibb and Drummond, the American Jewish Committee provided the following statement to 3News:
"The vicious antisemitic rhetoric used by the officer is unbecoming of any member of law enforcement. While he made those statements prior to joining the CDP, they are inexcusable for anyone who wears the uniform. We thank Mayor Bibb and Chief Drummond for their unequivocal condemnation of such language and for taking steps to ensure that hate and antisemitism have no place in Cleveland."
As 3News' Neil Fischer reported in June, Quran was reassigned in June amid an investigation as to whether he posted antisemitic messages on social media during a period between 2013 and 2015.
The social media posts were brought to light before Quran's account was deactivated. StopAntisemitism claims the department's former "Officer of the Year made several disparaging remarks about Jews and even praised Adolf Hitler."
PREVIOUSLY: Cleveland police officer accused of posting antisemitic tweets years ago
"We are asking that the Cleveland Police Department and again the mayor's office of Cleveland to not only terminate this officer, but rescind any and all awards that have been granted to him," StopAntisemitism executive director Liora Rez said in a statement.
Quran received the Cleveland Division of Police's Officer of the Year award in 2019.
A non-disciplinary letter of counseling to Quran will be placed in his personnel file.
The statement from Bibb and Drummond closed with the following message:
"Under the circumstances, these are the steps that we can take as a city to reinforce our values and expectations of all employees and help the community heal. We fully expect our police officers—and all who serve the public across the city—to provide the highest levels of professionalism and respect to all citizens.
While these actions cannot undo the hurt and anger this officer’s behavior has caused our Jewish community, we hope that they illustrate how seriously we take this situation.
This situation amplifies why police reform is necessary. The Cleveland Community Police Commission—designed to be one of the strongest citizen oversight commissions in the United States—was created to improve responsible policing. Members of the newly formed commission will be announced in the coming weeks."
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LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN
February 17, 2021
Heather Cox Richardson
The crisis in Texas continues, with almost 2 million people still without power in frigid temperatures. Pipes are bursting in homes, pulling down ceilings and flooding living spaces, while 7 million Texans are under a water boil advisory.
Tim Boyd, the mayor of Colorado City, Texas, put on Facebook: “The City and County, along with power providers or any other service owes you NOTHING! I’m sick and tired of people looking for a damn handout!... If you are sitting at home in the cold because you have no power and are sitting there waiting for someone to come rescue you because your lazy is direct result of your raising! [sic]…. This is sadly a product of a socialist government where they feed people to believe that the FEW will work and others will become dependent for handouts…. I’ll be damned if I’m going to provide for anyone that is capable of doing it themselves!... Bottom line quit crying and looking for a handout! Get off your ass and take care of your own family!” “Only the strong will survive and the weak will parish [sic],” he said.
After an outcry, Boyd resigned.
Boyd’s post was a fitting tribute to talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, who passed today from lung cancer at age 70. It was Limbaugh who popularized the idea that hardworking white men were under attack in America. According to him, minorities and feminists were too lazy to work, and instead expected a handout from the government, paid for by tax dollars levied from hardworking white men. This, he explained, was “socialism,” and it was destroying America.
Limbaugh didn’t invent this theory; it was the driving principle behind Movement Conservatism, which rose in the 1950s to combat the New Deal government that regulated business, provided a basic social safety net, and promoted infrastructure. But Movement Conservatives' efforts to get voters to reject the system that they credited for creating widespread prosperity had little success.
In 1971, Lewis Powell, an attorney for the tobacco industry, wrote a confidential memo for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce outlining how business interests could overturn the New Deal and retake control of America. Powell focused on putting like-minded scholars and speakers on college campuses, rewriting textbooks, stacking the courts, and pressuring politicians. He also called for “reaching the public generally” through television, newspapers, and radio. “[E]very available means should be employed to challenge and refute unfair attacks,” he wrote, “as well as to present the affirmative case through this media.”
Pressing the Movement Conservative case faced headwinds, however, since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforced a policy that, in the interests of serving the community, required any outlet that held a federal broadcast license to present issues honestly, equitably, and with balance. This “Fairness Doctrine” meant that Movement Conservatives had trouble gaining traction, since voters rejected their ideas when they were stacked up against the ideas of Democrats and traditional Republicans, who agreed that the government had a role to play in the economy (even though they squabbled about the extent of that role).
In 1985, under a chair appointed by President Ronald Reagan, the FCC stated that the Fairness Doctrine hurt the public interest. Two years later, under another Reagan-appointed chair, the FCC abolished the rule.
With the Fairness Doctrine gone, Rush Limbaugh stepped into the role of promoting the Movement Conservative narrative. He gave it the concrete examples, color, and passion it needed to jump from think tanks and businessmen to ordinary voters who could help make it the driving force behind national policy. While politicians talked with veiled language about “welfare queens” and same-sex bathrooms, and “makers” and “takers,” Limbaugh played “Barack the Magic Negro,” talked of “femiNazis,” and said “Liberals” were “socialists,” redistributing tax dollars from hardworking white men to the undeserving.
Constantly, he hammered on the idea that the federal government threatened the freedom of white men, and he did so in a style that his listeners found entertaining and liberating.
By the end of the 1980s, Limbaugh’s show was carried on more than 650 radio stations, and in 1992, he briefly branched out into television with a show produced by Roger Ailes, who had packaged Richard Nixon in 1968 and would go on to become the head of the Fox News Channel. Before the 1994 midterm elections, Limbaugh was so effective in pushing the Republicans’ “Contract With America” that when the party won control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 1952, the Republican revolutionaries made him an honorary member of their group.
Limbaugh told them that, under House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the Republicans must “begin an emergency dismantling of the welfare system, which is shredding the social fabric,” bankrupting the country, and “gutting the work ethic, educational performance, and moral discipline of the poor.” Next, Congress should cut capital gains taxes, which would drive economic growth, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, and generate billions in federal revenue.
Limbaugh kept staff in Washington to make sure Republican positions got through to voters. At the same time, every congressman knew that taking a stand against Limbaugh would earn instant condemnation on radio channels across the country, and they acted accordingly.
Limbaugh saw politics as entertainment that pays well for the people who can rile up their base with compelling stories—Limbaugh’s net worth when he died was estimated at $600 million—but he sold the Movement Conservative narrative well. He laid the groundwork for the political career of Donald Trump, who awarded Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a made-for-tv moment at Trump’s 2020 State of the Union address. His influence runs deep in the current party: former Mayor Boyd, an elected official, began his diatribe with: “Let me hurt some feelings while I have a minute!!”
Like Boyd, other Texas politicians are also falling back on the Movement Conservative narrative to explain the disaster in their state. The crisis was caused by a lack of maintenance on Texas’s unregulated energy grid, which meant that instruments at coal, natural gas, and nuclear plants froze, at the same time that supplies of natural gas fell short. Nonetheless, Governor Greg Abbott and his allies in the fossil fuel industry went after “liberal” ideas. They blamed the crisis on the frozen wind turbines and solar plants which account for about 13% of Texas’s winter power. Abbott told Fox News Channel personality Sean Hannity that “this shows how the Green New Deal would be a deadly deal for the United States of America.” Tucker Carlson told his viewers that Texas was “totally reliant on windmills.”
The former Texas governor and former Secretary of Energy under Trump, Rick Perry, wrote on House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s website to warn against regulation of Texas’s energy system: “Texans would be without electricity for longer than three days to keep the federal government out of their business,” he said. The website warned that “Those watching on the left may see the situation in Texas as an opportunity to expand their top-down, radical proposals. Two phrases come to mind: don’t mess with Texas, and don’t let a crisis go to waste.”
At Abbott’s request, President Biden has declared that Texas is in a state of emergency, freeing up federal money and supplies for the state. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has sent 60 generators to state hospitals, water plants, and other critical facilities, along with blankets, food, and bottled water. It is also delivering diesel fuel for backup power.
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LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN
HEATHER COX RICHARDSON
#political#newsletters#Heather Cox Richardson#Letters From An American#deregulation#Texas#corrupt GOP#criminal GOP#climate#climate change#conservative narrative#political malpractice#Rush Limbaugh#right wing propaganda
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Stronger Together
Hi Brooklyn. We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. The times are difficult and it is valid if you may not feel your best. It is okay to feel your feelings, and take your time to heal during these moments. As you navigate these difficult times, remember that you are a part of the community that is here to support you. The Brooklyn, and New York community at large, is one of the most vibrant and resilient there is!
If you have questions, or have more you wish to see or to spotlight, reach out. We want to hear from you. Please email [email protected].
Also, text 'COVID' to 692-692 to get important COVID-19 related updates sent straight to your phone. You can text 'COVIDESP' to get updates in Spanish.
Local Business Highlights of the Week:
Oxalis is temporarily closed for service, but will offer pick up and delivery on Friday, Saturday and Sundays from 4pm-8pm of fresh and prepared foods, cocktails and wine. Place your order, or pre order at www.boxalis.com , by phone at (347) 627-8298 or by email at [email protected]
No-frills Korean flavors are still being served at the famed Kimchi Taco. Take out and no-contact delivery available from 12-10pm daily.
Census
A reminder to complete the 2020 Census today at my2020census.gov.
In this webinar, you will learn about the guiding principles the Census Bureau is implementing for the use of administrative records and research findings for the housing and demographic questions on the survey.
On May 12th, United Way is launching United We Count, United We Vote – a civic engagement campaign to mobilize people in civic participation and collective action during this time of uncertainty and social distancing. Register for the event here.
For literature on the 2020 Census and how it may affect your community, check out the reading below:
How Changes to the 2020 Census Timeline Will Impact Redistricting
Census in a Time of COVID-19: What can we do as individuals?
Resources for children and families
COVID-19 has dramatically changed our lives. All New Yorkers deserve to celebrate, honor, and memorialize their loved ones. Get funeral & burial guidance from the City of New York.
If your work schedule was reduced as a result of the coronavirus and you are unable to pay your rent, you can apply for a Cash Assistance special grant request to get benefits for emergencies.
The City of New York's COVID-19 Hotel Program provides free hotel stays to eligible New Yorkers who cannot isolate where they live and frontline workers in the healthcare industry who wish to reduce the risk of transmission at home. This will help New York City stop the spread of COVID-19.
Scholastic Learn At Home allows open access to daily learning journeys divided into four grade spans—Pre-K–K, Grades 1–2, Grades 3–5, and Grades 6–9+, covering ELA, STEM, Science, Social Studies, and Social-Emotional Learning.
CORE: CHILDREN OF RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES is dedicated to serving food and beverage service employees with children, who are faced with a health crisis or a natural disaster and are in need of support and in need of our help. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you can apply here.
Resources for artists, freelancers, and gig workers
Rauschenberg Emergency Grant Program provides one-time grants to artists of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical emergencies.
Max’s Emergency Relief & Resource Fund is a one-time grant award of between $500-$1000 ($1,000 when funds are available) to assist artists in all art disciplines who have a steady work history, but who are experiencing a temporary financial set back. Visit their application here.
In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the artist community, on March 18 Foundation for Contemporary Arts launched the FCA Emergency Grants COVID-19 Fund. To find out your eligibility, click here.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of American have developed an Emergency Fund to help genre writers pay medical expenses not otherwise covered by insurance. Visit their website for more information.
Employment Resources
New York State is waiving the 7-day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines. Visit the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) website for more information.
The New York State Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires businesses to give early warning of closing and layoffs. More information for business is available from the New York State Department of Labor.
Find Employment through Virtual Workforce Career Center online. The Virtual Workforce1 Career Center system connects New Yorkers, via web or phone, to one-on-one help from professionals who can help.
NY Job Listings during Quarantine organized by Davide Chen.
PTFB is offering assistance in finding employment at Northwell Health for FOH/BOH foodservice and housekeeping positions. Find out how to apply here.
Resources for the Undocumented Community
List of Resources for Undocumented People in NYC may be located here. Document is translated in three languages, English, Spanish and Portuguese.
For more information regarding DACA, check out Informed Immigrants.
CUNY Citizenship will be live, May 13th at 12:00PM on Facebook with Shawn Rahman, Managing Attorney for Training and Capacity Building with the latest immigration updates.
Contact Jesus Perez if you are an undocumented student at Brooklyn College who needs support via email: [email protected] or phone: 718.951.5023
Funding Opportunities
The Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant Fund was created to provide eligible students facing short-term, nonrecurring emergencies with a one-time grant to alleviate the situation. To find if you are eligible, visit the Brooklyn College’s Website.
Volunteer or Participation Resources
The NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives has joined the national #ShareMyCheck campaign to encourage those in a relatively stable position to donate all or a portion of their check to people who are not eligible for these checks - those that are historically and contemporarily most impacted by economic and health crises.
LGBTQ+ Resources
Ohher Publishing angels is offering $50 relief funds for trans/non-binary/two spirt people of color who are in need of community support right now. To learn more, visit Leste Magazine.
Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. If you are in need of mental health assistance, visit their website here.
Upcoming Webinars
Tuesday, May 12: 2:00PM-3:30 PM: Brookings’ Reopening the Coronavirus-Closed Economy
Wednesday, May 13, 6:00PM-7:00PM: Make The Road New York will host a Seminario Web De Estudio Comunitario (community study webinar) on Facebook live.
Thursday, May 14, 2020 4:00pm-7:00pm: New York City Network of Worker Cooperatives is hosting a COVID-19 Health Awareness Training. The goal of this program is to Increase health and safety awareness for workers in industries with potential exposure to COVID-19.
Remember to Follow Our Elected Officials For Up To Date News:
Stay up to date with information provided by Governor Cuomo. Follow our New York State governor on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for up to date information regarding new health guidelines closures, and executive orders.
The Mayor has a new Daily Message available on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube every morning. If your constituents have questions, comments or concerns, they want him to respond to, they can send them using the hashtag #AskMyMayor
The Office of the Brooklyn Borough President provides the most up-to-date information and resources to Brooklynites. Follow these pages regularly and follow Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams on social media for real-time updates.
Congresswoman for the 9th District, Yvette D. Clark is working hard in Congress to support our local communities. Follow the Congresswoman on her Twitter to receive updates on what is going on in Washington DC and resources available in your ‘hood!
Follow updates and news from Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo on Facebook and Twitter. Cumbo serves as the Council Majority leader for Brooklyn’s 35th District- Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Prospect Heights and Bed-Stuy.
Follow New York City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, representing Brooklyn 36th District- Bedford Stuyvesant and Northern Crown Heights on Twitter , Facebook, and Instagram for important updates regarding COVID-19 updates.
Check out New York City Council Member Brad Lander’s resource page aimed to help NYC-based freelancers and artists navigate these uncertain times. Have your voice heard, fill out the survey and explore what benefits might be available to you. Follow him on Twitter for important updates.
Follow updates from the NYC City Immigrant Affairs office on Twitter interested in renewing your DACA application form. Call ActionNYC at 1-800-354-0365.
Roxanne Swentzell (Kah'p'oo Owinge (Santa Clara Pueblo), born 1962). Making Babies for Indian Market, 2004. Clay, pigment. Brooklyn Museum, Gift in memory of Helen Thomas Kennedy, 2004.80. © artist or artist's estate
#covid#brooklynstrong#brooklyn#resources#communityresources#coronavirusresources#strongertogether#nyc#brooklyn museum#covid-19#community#coronavirus
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Books I Read Throughout 2020-Part One
For many of us this year has been incredibly stressful and difficult. There were times throughout this year that my mental health had suffered, but there were also times where I couldn't have been happier. If I were to make any comparison to what the year was like, I would say that it was like the scariest and exciting roller coaster that anyone has ever been on. During the year, while the world seemed to burn around us and everything terrible happened, I managed to surpass my reading goal for the year. Something I did not expect to do, especially since I had months where it seemed that I couldn't finish anything. In times like this, I think it's important to take a step back and look to the positive things, even if they are small.
Here I am going to give a brief description of the first 10 books that I read, with a small snippet of what I thought of the books at the time.
Book One - The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Finished Reading on January 4, 2020
"It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.
By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.
But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up, and closed down.
In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time."
For years I have heard good things about this book and for many, this is an all time favorite. I was excited to pick this one up, especially since I had read
I am the messenger
by this author and loved it. While I do not view this book as an all time favorite for myself, I do think it was beautifully written. I just personally wished that it was a bit shorter at times as it seemed to drag on. Despite feeling that it was a little long, my favorite part of this book was the role in which Death plays. I won't mention anything more in case some of you are still contemplating picking this one up.
Book Two - All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) By Martha Wells
Finished Reading on January 5, 2020
"In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.
But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn't a primary concern.
On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied 'droid—a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as "Murderbot." Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.
But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth."
This was a novella that I greatly enjoyed, but unfortunately I have not kept up with the series. I believe my library did not have the rest of the books and at the time I didn't want to purchase them. As my library continues to get the rest of the series, I will gladly continue to read them. I thought the story was unique, and at times funny. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who wants a science fiction book that is quick and easy read.
Book Three - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them By Newt Scamander
Finished listening to an Audiobook on January 7,2020
"An approved textbook at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since publication, Newt Scamander's masterpiece has entertained wizarding families through the generations. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an indispensable introduction to the magical beasts of the Wizarding World. Scamander's years of travel and research have created a tome of unparalleled importance. Some of the beasts will be familiar to readers of the Harry Potter books - the Hippogriff, the Basilisk, the Hungarian Horntail ... Others will surprise even the most ardent amateur Magizoologist. This is an essential companion to the Harry Potter stories, and includes a new foreword from J.K. Rowling (writing as Newt Scamander) and six new beasts!"
I am not one who will usually listen to audio books. I have an incredibly difficult time listening to anything that is over 3 hours because it's hard for me to really concentrate on the storyline. On occasion, though I will listen to them, depending on the length of the title and if the general consensus is that the audiobook is better. Fantastic Beast was a great audio book to listen to when I took my daily walks. I was able to delve a bit deeper into the wizarding world and learn more about the creatures briefly mentioned in Harry Potter.
Now, I do want to briefly bring into attention that I will no longer purchase anything written by JK Rowling. I have always distanced myself from creators as I use books and music to escape, but it has come to my attention that JK Rowling has repeatedly done harm to the trans community. That's not something I agree with or can support in any way shape or form. For those who do continue to purchase and read JK Rowlings work, that is your choice and I will not say anything about it (unless it is actively causing harm here). This is my own personal choice and opinions on JK Rowling.
Book Four - The Near Witch
Finished Reading on January 9, 2020f
"The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.And there are no strangers in the town of Near.These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger-a boy who seems to fade like smoke-appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi's need to know-about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab's debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won't soon forget."
I am going to be perfectly honest. I will pick up everything that V.E Schwab writes eventually. Including this book, I have read 10 of her books and I have enjoyed every single one of them. The Near Witch is one of V.E Schwab's earlier works that had previously gone out print. Recently, the book has gone back into print and received a cover change. The story takes you to another world with superstitions, magic, and adventures. While it is apparent that this is an early work of V.E Schwab that does not mean that it's not a great book to pick up. This book brought me back to the type of books that I read when I was younger and it was an overall great experience.
Book Five - How's Moving Castle By Diana Wynne Jones
Finished Reading on January 12, 2020
"Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl's castle.
To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there's far more to Howl—and herself—than first meets the eye."
Howl's Moving Castle is probably one of my favorite stories of all time. I first watched the animated film by Studio Ghibli. In all honesty, I have a hard time determining which version is my favorite. The movie and novel do have some differences, but I think both can be enjoyed. Howl's Moving Castle shows how the pressures placed upon us and how we view ourselves can have a negative impact on ourselves, but only if we let it. Sophie struggles with being eldest daughter, and struggles with seeing her worth, but as the story progresses, we see how resilient and strong she is.
Book Six - Bird Box By Josh Malerman
Finished Reading on January 21, 2020
"Something is out there, something terrifying that must not be seen. One glimpse of it, and a person is driven to deadly violence. No one knows what it is or where it came from.
Five years after it began, a handful of scattered survivors remains, including Malorie and her two young children. Living in an abandoned house near the river, she has dreamed of fleeing to a place where they might be safe. Now that the boy and girl are four, it's time to go, but the journey ahead will be terrifying: twenty miles downriver in a rowboat—blindfolded—with nothing to rely on but her wits and the children's trained ears. One wrong choice and they will die. Something is following them all the while, but is it man, animal, or monster?"
I had originally watched the Netflix movie before listening to the audio book. I was curious about the book as I noticed a lot of people was divided on whether or not the movie was better than the book. Although I thought the audio book was great, I definitely enjoyed the movie more. Normally this is never the case, but I thought the book was adapted well onto the screen. What are your thoughts on it? Was the movie better than the book?
Book Seven - Skyward By Brandon Sanderson
Finished Reading on January 25, 2020
"Defeated, crushed, and driven almost to extinction, the remnants of the human race are trapped on a planet that is constantly attacked by mysterious alien starfighters. Spensa, a teenage girl living among them, longs to be a pilot. When she discovers the wreckage of an ancient ship, she realizes this dream might be possible—assuming she can repair the ship, navigate flight school, and (perhaps most importantly) persuade the strange machine to help her. Because this ship, uniquely, appears to have a soul."
Skyward was the first Bandon Sanderson book that I've ever picked up, shocking I know. I was not disappointed at all. Skyward brought me out this world and I found myself rooting for the girl who fought for everything that she's ever had. If you haven't picked this ne up yet, what are you waiting for?
Book Eight - The Name of the Wind By Patrick Rothfuss
Finished Reading on January 30, 2020
"My name is Kvothe.I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me.
So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature--the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man's search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend."
I first read this book in 2015 and picked it up again earlier in the year. I personally feel like I enjoyed the book more the second time around. It's a lengthy and often slow story of a man telling the story of his life. I have often described this book as having a similar ambiance to The Lord of The Rings and Harry Potter. Don't get me wrong though, this is a completely different story of those two series, but I couldn't help but draw a comparison.
Book Nine - Red, White, and Blue By Casey McQuiston
Finished Reading on February 15, 2020
"First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.
The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.
As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?"
I needed something lighter and easy to read after The Name of the Wind. Red, White, and Blue did not disappoint, and I was whisked into the life of Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry. This LGBTQ+ book is full of entertainment, self-discovery, drama, and love.
Book Ten - Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)
Finished Reading on February 17, 2020
"In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.
Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has."
The Lunar Chronicals is a guilty pleasure of mine. Each book in the series is a re-telling of famous fairy tales. Cress, the third book of the Lunar Chronicals, is a sci-fi/ fantasy re-telling of Rapunzel. While each book follows a different fairy tale, the whole series comes together and forms an epic story. As we follow a shy young girl, who spent her life locked away from everyone suddenly get swept into the resistance, we learn that hope is always possible even in hopeless situations.
#book blog#bookaddict#bookblr#reading#reading blog#bookstagram#book community#wriiting#book review#book related#book reviewer#jk rowling#v.e. schwab#victoria schwab#brandon sanderson#marissa meyer#bird box#ya books#fiction#fantasy books#science fiction books
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Maynard Jackson
Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr. (March 23, 1938 – June 23, 2003) was an American politician and attorney from Georgia. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected in 1973 at the age of 35 as the first black mayor of Atlanta, Georgia and of any major city in the South. He served three terms (1974–1982, 1990–1994), making him the second longest-serving mayor of Atlanta, after six-term mayor (1937–1941, 1942–1962) William B. Hartsfield.
He is notable also for public works projects, primarily the new Maynard H. Jackson International terminal at the Atlanta airport, and for greatly increasing minority business participation in the city. After his death, the William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport was re-named Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to honor his service to the expansion of the airport, the city and its people.
Family history, background and personal life
Jackson was born into a family that valued education and political activism. His maternal grandfather was civil rights leader John Wesley Dobbs, who worked to successfully overturn the white primary in Georgia. He also gained the hiring of black police officers in Atlanta and lighting of Auburn Street, the main retail street of the black community. Maynard's mother Irene (Dobbs) Jackson was one of his six daughters; all graduated from Spelman College, encouraged by their parents. Irene earned a doctorate in France and became a Professor of French at the college.
His father Maynard Holbrook Jackson was a Baptist minister from New Orleans. He became active in civil rights in Dallas, Texas, where he had grown up after his family moved. His grandfather Alexander Stephens Jackson had been a Baptist minister and educator in Louisiana and Texas. The young Jackson's father died when he was fifteen; his grandfather Dobbs became even more influential in his life.
Jackson attended David T. Howard High School in Atlanta and Morehouse College, a historically black college for men in Atlanta, graduating in 1956 at the age of eighteen. He sang in the Morehouse College Glee Club. After attending the Boston University Law School for a short time, Jackson held several jobs, including selling encyclopedias. He returned to graduate studies, attending the North Carolina Central University Law School. He graduated with a law degree in 1964. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Jackson married Burnella "Bunnie" Hayes, in 1965. The couple had three children: Elizabeth, Brooke, and Maynard III. Bunnie Jackson founded First Class, Inc., a public relations and marketing firm in Atlanta, prior to their divorce.
Jackson married Valerie Richardson in 1977, to whom he was married for 25 years until his death. They have two daughters, Valerie and Alexandra. Valerie Jackson hosts Between the Lines each weekend on the WABE-FM radio station, the Atlanta Public Broadcasting station.
Early career
Jackson worked as a lawyer for the National Labor Relations Board and a legal services firm. He joined the Democratic Party.
Political career
In 1968, Jackson at 30, decided to run for the US Senate against incumbent Herman Talmadge. His campaign was underfunded, and he lost, but Jackson won in Atlanta, gaining prominence in the city, which had a substantial black minority. The following year, he built on his strength, gaining election as vice mayor, who was presiding officer of the board of aldermen. At that time, Atlanta modified its city charter, strengthening the position of mayor and renaming the vice mayor as president of the city council (aldermen were now city council members).
In 1970, Jackson became Atlanta's first Black Vice-Mayor, his first elected position which he held for four years.
In 1973, Jackson was elected with 60 percent of the vote, as the first African-American mayor of Atlanta and any major southern city; he was supported by a coalition of white liberals/moderates and African Americans. At the age of 35, he had unseated incumbent Sam Massell.
During his first term, Jackson worked to improve race relations in and around Atlanta after the polarization caused by the election campaign. As mayor, he led the beginnings and much of the progress on several huge public-works projects for the city and region. Affirmative action programs helped minority and women-owned businesses to participate. He helped arrange for the upgrade of the then-William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport's huge terminal (now Domestic Terminal) to modern standards. Jackson strongly opposed the construction of freeways through in-town neighborhoods, knowing that such actions destroyed thriving communities.
Jackson was mayor through the period when the separate Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) obtained a large amount of Federal funding for a rapid-transit rail-line system, when construction began, and when MARTA began its first rail transit service in Atlanta and in DeKalb County in 1979 and during its continual expansion thereafter. As mayor, he celebrated in September 1990 when Atlanta was selected as the host city for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. As mayor, he accepted the Olympic flag at the 1992 closing ceremonies in Barcelona, Spain. He oversaw the completion of many planned public works projects, such as improvements to freeways and parks, and the completion of Freedom Parkway, which were expedited from 1990 to 1996 in preparation for the Olympic Games that began in August 1996.
During Jackson's second term as mayor, the Atlanta Child Murders were ongoing between 1979 and 1981. He supported the Atlanta Police and other police forces in the area but also worked to calm public tensions aroused by the serial killings of black children. The accused killer, Wayne Williams, was caught in 1981. Williams was convicted to serve two consecutive life sentences for the murder of two adult males, but never charged with or tried for the murder of any of the child victims. He is currently being held in Telfair State Prison.
In 1974, Jackson received the Samuel S. Beard Award for Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under, an award given out annually by Jefferson Awards.
Controversy
Maynard Jackson provoked a major racial crisis in May 1974 when he attempted to fire the incumbent white police chief, John Inman. Jackson believed the change was needed to grapple with Atlanta's growing crime problem and charges by the black community of police racial insensitivity toward African Americans. Whites opposed the firing and racial tensions rose, detracting from Atlanta's proud motto: "too busy to hate."
In August 1974 Mayor Jackson appointed A. Reginald Eaves, a college friend and fellow activist, as Public Safety Commissioner. Eaves was criticized for lacking police experience. He generated controversy by appointing an ex-convict as his personal secretary but was criticized more for what was considered as a system of quota promotions and hiring in the police department, which many decried as "reverse discrimination."
Jackson fired Eaves after revelation of a police exam cheating scandal. Eaves was later convicted by a federal jury of extortion in 1988 after selling his vote on two rezonings.
Atlanta's crime
In addition to the 1979–1981 Atlanta Child Murders mentioned above, residents were concerned about a rising crime rate during Mayor Jackson's tenure, which was consistent with national trends. In 1979, with a soaring murder rate and nationwide publicity about crime there, Georgia Governor George Busbee, acting on a request from Mayor Maynard Jackson, called in Georgia State Patrol troopers to help patrol the downtown. The business community accused Mayor Jackson and Police Chief George Napper of dismissing public concerns about crime. Atlanta had the highest murder rate and the highest overall crime rate of any city, and the numbers were rapidly climbing higher, with a 69% increase in homicides between 1978 and 1979 alone. Much of it was considered driven by drug wars.
Service to the Democratic National Committee
After leaving office as mayor, Jackson continued to be active with the Democratic Party. In 2001 he unsuccessfully sought the post as the Democratic National Committee chairman, losing to the fund-raiser Terry McAuliffe, who had the backing of former president Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. Jackson was backed by presidential candidate Bill Bradley, among others.
Jackson was appointed as the National Development Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and was the first Chairman of the DNC Voting Rights Institute. In 2002, he founded the American Voters League, a non-profit and non-partisan effort to increase national voter participation. He appeared briefly in the 2001 documentary Startup.com.
Legacy and honors
In 2008 the Southside Comprehensive High School was renamed the Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School.
In 2003, Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport had Jackson's name added to it, and in 2012 the airport's new international terminal was named for him.
In 2015 a documentary film about his life and work, entitled Maynard, was in preparation, directed by Samuel D. Pollard. It is expected to be released in 2016.
The Maynard Documentary was officially selected by DOC NYC to premiere at their film festival on November 16, 2017.
Death
Jackson died in 2003 at the age of 65, of a cardiac arrest at a hospital in Arlington, Virginia after suffering a heart attack at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. His remains are buried at the Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta.
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The SustainableEHC green team Oct. 4 was awarded a $5,000 Atlantic City Electric Sustainable Communities grant. From left, AC Electric Director of External Affairs Kristin McEvoy, Egg Harbor City Mayor Lisa Jiampetti, Sustainable Jersey Executive Director Randall Solomon, EHC Chief Financial Officer and green team member Jodi Kahn, SustainableEHC Chairwoman Nanette LoBiondo Galloway, and SustainableEHC volunteers Michael Sheridan, Hazel Mueller and Rick Dovey.
Egg Harbor City awarded $5,000 Sustainable Communities grant
EGG HARBOR CITY – SustainableEHC, the city’s green team, Oct. 4 was awarded a $5,000 Atlantic City Electric Sustainable Communities grant.
The grant was offered to green teams in the Atlantic City Electric coverage area to support the development of environmental, open space and resiliency projects across South Jersey.
One-time grants of up to $5,000 each, were awarded to 10 municipalities to support nature preservation, safer parks, and enhanced resiliency for local communities. This funding was made available through the Sustainable Jersey program and awarded at a breakfast meeting for grant recipients hosted at the Teamsters 331 Union Hall in Egg Harbor City.
“We are so pleased to help our local communities bring these projects to fruition and to support in ways that will have lasting impacts on not only the community, but the environment as well,” Atlantic City Electric Director of External Affairs Kristin McEvoy said. “We remain steadfast in our climate goals and recognize supporting our communities through these grants will foster a cleaner and safer environment.”
SustainableEHC will use the grant to continue upgrades to City Lake Park by cleaning up the north shore area of the park, restoring the historic Sibbel Shaler gravesite and providing interpretive signage about the cultural and historical significance of the Shaler family.
“In our work to help communities thrive in the face of a changing climate, these funded projects will build local resilience and preserve natural resources,” Sustainable Jersey Executive Director Randall Solomon said. “We're excited to partner with the Atlantic City Electric to produce actionable steps that address the state’s climate challenges and support a sustainable New Jersey.”
This year, Atlantic City Electric and Sustainable Jersey also awarded grants to the following municipalities:
Atlantic City ($5,000) – The grant will be used to support the development of the open space and recreation element of the City’s master plan.
Somers Point City ($5,000) – The grant will be used to update the landscaping and playground at local senior citizen center, including a temperature moderation project.
Commercial Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used to purchase an osprey nature sign at the local park.
Maurice River Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used to construct and install two large shade structures for the Delmont and Port Elizabeth Recreation areas.
Deptford Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used to restore and rehabilitate the Fasola Park steps.
East Greenwich Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used to redevelop Mickleton Park by removing invasive plants and develop a native plant nursey.
Upper Pittsgrove Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used to enhance signage along Elephant Swamp Trail to improve safety and cleanliness of the trail and guide residents to connecting trails and parks.
Medford Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used to develop a weather station and begin the second phase of a lightening detection system in the township to prepare residents for severe weather, save lives and reduce storm damage.
Long Beach Township ($5,000) – The grant will be used to build a resilience and restoration demonstration display.
The Sustainable Communities Grant program is part of Atlantic City Electric’s Climate Commitment, a multi-faceted, action-oriented effort to help the state of New Jersey achieve its clean energy and climate goals. To date, Atlantic City Electric has provided $275,000 in grants supporting environmental, open space and resiliency efforts in the communities it serves.
More information on the Sustainable Communities Grant Program is available at atlanticcityelectric.com/SustainableCommunities.
To learn more about Atlantic City Electric, visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric’s online newsroom.
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