#diversity advocacy

[uncanny-tranny]

Frankly, in disability spaces, you will be bound to meet people who have very different needs than your own. Maybe these needs even clash! However, both of you/all of you deserve to be accommodated. This isn't a matter of "who deserves it more," because that is fundamentally unjust, and you will never be liberated through proving you deserve basic human treatment more than other disabled people.

Neither of you will be Fundamentally Bad because you have conflicting needs. We can (and should) accommodate as many people as possible. We can live in a world that doesn't wave off certain people because of their needs. We need to make that a reality.

[innermost-memoirs]

Minorities getting representation in media, or even just being, whether that be in public or online, is not "woke" or "catering".

These people exist. It's a basic fact of reality. Step into a busy city centre and you will be surrounded by people of all different races, sexes, genders, religions, nationalities, appearances, and statuses.

The human race is incredibly diverse. Homogeny is non-existent. Trans people, gay people, people of color, and disabled people have always existed and aren't going to disappear just to preserve your fragile comfort.

I find it incredibly ironic that right wingers constantly accuse us of being sensitive, delusional, or attention seeking when they can't even handle the existence of a woman with brown skin, let alone blue hair or pronouns.

[elloellenoh]

The Dangers of Current Book Bans and Censorship in the US

This movement to ban and soft censor (quietly pull or not purchase) books is extremely dangerous. They are deliberately targeting diverse books, in particular - LGBTQ+ and BIPOC, because this is a movement to silence historically marginalized voices.

The people leading the book banning effort don't want these books in schools, libraries, even bookstores! They are not content to police their own children, but have taken grave overreaching steps to police what ALL youth have access to. But the worst part is the deceptive campaign of lies and misinformation that is used to control a very specific narrative. Books are accused of being porn, grooming, race baiting, fearmongering. But that’s not what it is really about. At the heart of this book banning movement is a desire to take away our youth’s ability to read and empathize with people who are not white, not cis, not straight, not able bodied. It is the most egregious form of othering. It is hammering home to those who do not fall within those labels that they are not part of the American story. Because when they ban LGBTQ+ and BIPOC books as they scream “think of our children!” what they are really saying is they are only interested in protecting a very specific type of child.

These book bans are driven by the larger movement to restrict classroom conversations and lessons about race and LGBTQ+ issues that has been led by certain groups driven by fear and hate in response to the progress made by marginalized voices. It’s not new. There have always been people in power who are afraid of what “losing their power” would look like. They thrive on fear mongering. Fear of the poor, of immigrants, of Black and Indigenous people of color, of those with mental and physical disabilities, of LGBTQ+ people, of all who are not like them. And these days anyone speaking up become the targets of harassment, hate and threats, especially teachers and librarians.

But know that they are targeting schools, and children, because controlling education and our youth is a long game strategy for them. If the impact of racism and bigotry are not taught in the classroom, if books about marginalized kids are censored and unavailable, we risk creating a generation of kids who never learn the value of empathy. And when marginalized kids don’t see themselves in the literature they read, we teach them that they are not valued, not wanted. That they are not equal. And there is no greater devastation to a child than to feel like there is no place for them in the world.

Right now we all need to be aware of what is happening and do whatever we can to speak up, make noise, fight back! There are so many ways you can help. Read articles. Pen America and Book Riot has been following the bans across the country. Take a look at all the books being banned. Support the authors and the books however you can. Go to the library and borrow them. If they are not there, ask them why. Attend local government meetings and make yourself heard! Form banned book clubs. Write to your local school boards, assemblymen, congressmen, let everyone know that banning and censoring these books is wrong! There are both small and big things that everyone can do!

Remember, there is a young person out there who needs one of these books so that they can feel seen and loved and know that they are not alone. That book just might save their life.

[ivygorgon]

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Out with Incest Laws: Reconsider Blood Quantum Laws in Native Reparations

An open letter to State Governors & Legislatures

1 so far! Help us get to 5 signers!

I am writing to express profound concerns about the continued reliance on Blood Quantum Laws, or Indian Blood Laws, in Native Reparations Programs. These laws, established by federal and state governments as far back as 1705, define Native American status based on fractions of Native American ancestry, perpetuating harmful consequences for tribal communities and some, alarmingly, terminating before just 5 generations.

The use of Blood Quantum Laws has led to detrimental effects on Native American families and communities. It has incentivized harmful family planning practices, compelling individuals to marry within close kin networks to maintain "pure bloodlines." This practice not only violates individual autonomy but also jeopardizes genetic diversity and the long-term viability of tribal populations.

Of utmost concern is the declining population within many tribal communities, with some nearing critical thresholds of fewer than 1000 individuals. This situation is further exacerbated by the principles of population biology, particularly the 50/500 rule, which underscores the need for a minimum population of 500 individuals to reduce genetic drift and ensure sustained viability. It is troubling to note that these laws inadvertently encourage cousin marriages, posing additional risks to community health and resilience.

Moreover, Blood Quantum Laws impose an arbitrary expiration date on government-funded reparations and jeopardize the cultural continuity of these communities. By tethering Native American status to ancestry thresholds, these laws undermine the diversity and autonomy of tribal enrollment criteria.

I urge policymakers to urgently reconsider the use of Blood Quantum Laws in Native Reparations Programs and advocate for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to reparations. This approach should prioritize the cultural and social integrity of Native American communities, safeguarding their continued existence and resilience for future generations.

Our villages were razed by colonizers, our ancestors were genocide survivors, and, as ever, our children bear the enduring impacts of historical injustices.

Thank you for considering these critical issues and taking decisive action to address them.

Source:

📱 Text SIGN PBDXGL to 50409

🤯 Liked it? Text FOLLOW IVYPETITIONS to 50409

[missmickiescorner]

Chicano Librarianship

I discovered this article in the bibliography of another article called, “Diversity in the workplace,” that I was reading on the American Library Association’s website and the reason I chose to read it is because I realized that this was as close to “multiculturalism” as I was going to get. Unfortunately, due to the history of chattel slavery in the United States, issues of diversity can sometimes come down to Black and white (literally), which is why I wanted to ensure I included a text that showed a different perspective.

Though short in length, this article tackled issues of diversity, accessibility, and representation by speaking (from personal experience) about something called, “The Way Out Project,” wherein a federal grant was provided in order to create four Mexican American/Chicano libraries and seven African American libraries.

(Side note, after reading this article I could find little to no information about “The Way Out Project,” the closest I got was a book called Still Struggling for Equality: American Public Library Services with Minorities, published in 2004. This article was written in 2010 and Martinez ends by saying that she wished that more of the people involved had recorded their experiences with the project because it’s like it never existed to begin with. Which in my opinion is another whitewashing of library history.)

Being that it is about the author’s personal experiences, it is inherently less factual and data-driven in nature, however given how little information there seems to be about “The Way Out Project,” this testimony (I feel) is crucial to aspiring information professionals, looking to learn more about the history of public libraries as it pertains to people and communities of color. Martinez writes about how the grants enabled libraries to hire more Black and Chicano librarians as well as restock their collections with materials that these new librarians’ thought were beneficial to their patrons. She says that this was met with heavy opposition, disrespect, and outright disrespect which is unfortunately to be expected, however, what I’d like to call attention to is Martinez’s arguments and observations on how these librarians of color were using their newfound positions of power in order to transform their communities and change the perception of what librarians could and were allowed to be.

By Martinez’s account, these new librarians set out to be socially active—putting forth the idea of the library profession, building, and professionals not relegating themselves to being hoarders of information but agents of local culture and servers of their communities. Which isn’t to say that these librarians didn’t love books or intellectual endeavors; they just seemed to understand the underlying prejudices that were ingrained into the library as an organization and fought against it in order to be more accessible and inclusive. (Although as another side note, it is wild to me that even as they were attempting to make libraries more diverse and accessible to underrepresented communities, Mexican and Chicano librarians and patrons were forbidden from speaking Spanish within the library, which would make the library inaccessible to a number of patrons).

Some quotes to chew on:

“Our project consisted of a group of librarians from varied backgrounds, and we became advocates for the recruitment of Spanish-speaking, Mexican-American, and African-American librarians, as well as the addition of ethnic resources and collections, community-based programs, and ethnic library decor to establish presence and a welcoming environment for the community.”

“During the three years of ‘The Way Out Project,’ we consistently encountered opposition from library employees, were reprimanded for our decisions by administrators, or were ignored by colleagues for our activist librarian ways. The motivations for our decisions, the books we purchased, the programs we developed, and the meetings we attended were routinely scrutinized, questioned, and opposed by the majority of librarians.”

References

Martinez, E. (2010, November 1). Chicano librarianship. American Libraries Magazine, 41(November/December 2010), 40–43. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://web-p-ebscohost-com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=0&sid=bba370c6-536d-438a-a1d8-df92f8fa2d93%40redis.

[sachinkpal]

International Workers' Day.

May Day’s Call for Solidarity, Empowerment Advocacy and Global Impact May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day or Labour Day, is observed on May 1st in numerous countries, unifying a diverse tapestry of individuals under the banner of workers’ rights and social and economic achievements. It represents a day of remembrance for labor movement milestones, notably the fight for the…

[mxmorbidmidnight]

HI i saw your post and wanna ask!! im writing two disabled characters [one with chronic pain, and the other with chronic fatigue]im able-bodied myself, and i wanna be respectful with how i write them! so, do you have any do’s and donts?

Hello dear! first and foremost thou art on the right track! please do consult me with thine questions. Because I am rather new to understanding my own disability and therefore depicting it in my writings my knowledge is not entirely extensive. From the perspective of a disabled person, these are things I notice and see as important. 

1. Interact with the disabled community: to understand how a disability affects a person you must speak to the people themselves. Write characters with compassion that depict their lives in their true form. This means understanding and inquiry. Listen to disabled voices and take feedback as often as you can. Having a beta reader who experiences the disability your character does is incredibly helpful. This I am happy to do. 

2. Write from a disabled perspective: a frequent issue with depictions of disabled people is they are written from an abled perspective. There is more going on behind the wheelchair or the cane. It is about looking beyond what is typically seen, and into the characters mind. When it comes to disability often disabled peoples stories are told by abled people for abled people. Often resulting in descriptions such as “she was stuck in a wheelchair” or “they couldn’t go anywhere without that cane” “he was such an angel to marry her with everything she's got going on” Instead it is important to focus on the inner feelings of the person with a disability. How it affects them, how they feel about it. eg, 

“He felt nervous using his cane in public because of how people stared”

“it took so long to get the wheelchair, she was glad to have it so she could finally get around again.”

2. disability in its true nature: often people shy away from depicting aspects of disability that are considered undesirable or cannot be romanticised. My fatigue results in issues with maintaining hygiene such as frequent showers. These aspects are a part of life with a disability. Censoring such things further pushes the idea that disabled people are to be hidden away, never to be seen. 

3. Emotion: often disabled people are used in text only for inspiration. Many will be familiar with the idea of “the good disabled person” they’re inspirational, they give a speech about never giving up to the protagonist, they’re always kind and they can do anything. The reality is disabled people are people first and foremost, being faced with something that causes pain. This will come with sadness, anger, fear and isolation. 

4. Person first: Just as one would with any other character, a strong personality must be developed. Disability will obviously affect their interactions and how they live their life, however it is vital that a character is depicted as a person first. Without a disability is this characterisation still sound? what makes this character recognisable? if I didn’t write their name after their dialogue could people tell that its them speaking? Disabled characters can often become vessels for representation and nothing more. People with disabilities are people, therefore characters representing them must also be people. 

3. Research: this is very important. It is important to understand the sytoms of disability to correctly write a characters experience as well as to avoid operating of stereotypes. 

Good luck dear!! thank you for thine question. 

(if you are a disabled person reading this, I implore thee do add any other do’s and dont’s you have)

[livingwellnessblog]

How Can We Talk About Free Speech: Protecting Minorities and Preserving Freedom

Discover why free speech is crucial for the empowerment of minority voices, promoting equality, and preventing oppression. Learn how protecting this fundamental right benefits society as a whole.

How Can We Talk About Free Speech: Protecting Minorities and Preserving Freedom Introduction: Free speech is a fundamental right that lies at the heart of any democratic society. It allows individuals to express their thoughts, ideas, and opinions without fear of censorship or retaliation. While free speech benefits everyone, it is particularly vital for protecting minorities. In this blog…

[funkieproto]

Our Right To Live.

Everyday we suffer from discrimination based on our gender identity and sexual orientation. They call us freaks and “unnatural” for being born this way. They act like being cisgender and/or hetrosexual makes them superior to us. They look down on us. They pass bills to try to restrict our rights and silence us, but we won't be silenced, we won’t stop until these illegal laws are removed and our rights are once again equal to our cisgender and/or hetrosexual counterparts. We will not stop until our country is brought from the shadows to the glorious light of justice. They treat us like criminals for being different but we are not criminals, They will keep restricting our rights unless every man and woman stand up for what is right, So if you believe all people are created equal then message your state governors and tell them you will not vote

for them if they continue on the path of hate and discrimination.

[disabilityandthearts]

Reactivating my account since Twitter is a hell hole. If you’re interested in disability rights activism, the arts, and the intersection of those things, feel free to follow 🙂

I am an Autistic and Physically Disabled Arts Administrator that has a passion for advocating for the disability community in arts spaces. I have hEDS, Reactive Hypoglycemia, Severe Eczema, OCD, Anxiety, POTS, MCAS, and Occipital Neuralgia amongst other diagnoses.

[leroygaming]

Mission, Values, and Oath

Our Values:

At LeRoy Gaming, we VALUE positivity, inclusivity, respect, and kindness. We BELIEVE gaming should be a fun and welcoming experience for everyone, REGARDLESS of background or identity.

We PRIORITIZE creating a safe and supportive environment where all gamers can connect and enjoy gaming WITHOUT fear of discrimination or harassment. We firmly believe in treating each other with RESPECT and KINDNESS and have ZERO TOLERANCE for any behavior against those values.

We also value diversity and each community member's unique perspectives and experiences. We celebrate our differences and recognize that they make our community more robust and vibrant.

Finally, we value the power of gaming to bring people together and create positive change in the world. We believe that standing up against hatred and discrimination can make the gaming world a better and more welcoming place for everyone.

If you share these values and seek a community prioritizing inclusivity, respect, and kindness, LeRoy Gaming is the perfect place. We welcome gamers of all backgrounds and identities and are committed to creating a positive and supportive space where everyone can thrive.

Our Mission:

At LeRoy Gaming, we are a community of gamers who STAND AGAINST hatred and BELIEVE in the power of inclusion, respect, and fair play. Our mission is to create a safe and welcoming space for all gamers, regardless of their background, beliefs, or identities.

We believe that gaming can bring people together and that our community can be a force for good in the world. We are committed to upholding the values of inclusion, respect, and fair play in all our interactions within our community and beyond.

As members of LeRoy Gaming, we PLEDGE to use our voices to ADOCATE for equality, justice, and fairness in gaming and society. We REJECT all FORMS of hate speech, harassment, and discrimination, and we work to create a culture of mutual respect and understanding.

We believe that gaming can be a platform for positive change, and we are dedicated to using our love of gaming to improve the world. We strive to create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community through collaboration, friendly competition, or simply sharing our passion for gaming.

Together, as a community of gamers who stand against hatred, we can make a difference in the world. Join us on this mission, and let's show the world that gaming can be a force for good.

Our Oath:

As a member of LeRoy Gaming, I pledge to uphold the values of inclusion, respect, and fair play within our community of gamers. I stand against all forms of hatred, discrimination, and bigotry, and I will do my part to ensure that our community remains a safe and welcoming space for all.

I promise to treat all community members with kindness, empathy, and compassion, regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or identities. I will listen to and learn from diverse perspectives and actively challenge and confront any instances of hate speech, harassment, or intolerance.

I understand that as a member of LeRoy Gaming, I am responsible for representing our community with integrity and using my voice to advocate for equality, justice, and fairness. I will work to create a world where everyone can enjoy gaming WITHOUT fear of discrimination or prejudice.

I will uphold this oath with pride, passion, and purpose and strive to influence our community and beyond positively. Together, we can make a real difference as a community of gamers who stand against hatred. Let us uphold this oath with honor and commitment and show the world that gaming can be a force for good.

[gendercensus]

The 2024 Gender Census is now open!

[ Link to survey ]

The 11th annual international gender census, collecting information about the language we use to refer to ourselves and each other, is now open until 13th June 2024.

It’s short and easy, about 5 minutes probably.

After the survey is closed I’ll process the results and publish a spreadsheet of the data and a report summarising the main findings. Then anyone can use them for academic or business purposes, self-advocacy, tracking the popularity of language over time, and just feeling like we’re part of a huge and diverse community.

If you think you might have friends and followers who’d be interested, please do reblog this blog post, and share the survey URL by email or at AFK social groups or on other social networks. Every share is extremely helpful - it’s what helped us get 40,000 responses last year.

Survey URL: https://survey.gendercensus.com

The 2024 survey is now closed!

The survey is open to anyone anywhere who speaks English and feels that the gender binary doesn’t fully describe their experience of themselves and their gender(s) or lack thereof.

For the curious, you can also spy on some graphs and demographic data for the incoming responses here.

Thank you so much!

[ Link to survey ]

Image credit: Malachite and rhodochrosite.

[delicatelysublimeforester]

Celebrating Gender Equality Week: Embracing Equality in Saskatoon’s Green Spaces

[colorism-project]

The Impact of Colorism on Women of Color: A Fireside Chat

Join scholars  Dr. Julie Jung (Moderator), Dr. Lena Sharda, Ms. Simran Anjari, Dr. Patrice Le Goy, and Dr. Donnamaria Culbreth, along with student guest, Ms. Ruchi Gali, for “The Impact of Colorism on Women of Color: A Fireside Chat” at the Ronald E. Hall Conference on Colorism on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. CST. Register today! Website: https://colorismconf.com

[noisycowboyglitter]

"Stylish Black Lives Matter Butterflies and Flowers Apparel for Every Occasion"

Black Lives Matter Butterflies and Flowers is a powerful artistic concept that blends symbols of social justice with natural beauty. This imagery combines the Black Lives Matter movement's message of equality and racial justice with the delicate grace of butterflies and the vibrant allure of flowers.

Buy now:19.95$

The concept likely features black butterflies, symbolizing transformation and resilience, alongside a variety of colorful flowers. These elements create a visual metaphor for the diversity, growth, and potential for positive change within the Black community and society at large.

The butterflies may be depicted in flight, representing freedom, progress, and the ongoing journey towards equality. Their wings could incorporate patterns or symbols associated with Black culture and heritage, further emphasizing the movement's roots and aspirations.

Buy now

Flowers in this context might include species native to Africa or those with historical significance to Black communities. These could be arranged in patterns reminiscent of African textiles or art, adding layers of cultural meaning to the overall design.

The juxtaposition of the stark "Black Lives Matter" slogan with the soft, organic forms of butterflies and flowers creates a striking visual contrast. This combination serves to soften the often confrontational nature of protest imagery while maintaining its core message of dignity, respect, and the sanctity of Black lives.

This artistic concept can be applied to various mediums, from digital art and murals to fabric designs and jewelry. It offers a way to express solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement through a more approachable, nature-inspired aesthetic that appeals to a wide audience.

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Butterfly Gifts for Women encompass a charming array of items inspired by these delicate, beautiful creatures. These gifts appeal to women who appreciate nature's elegance and symbolism. Options range from jewelry like necklaces, earrings, and bracelets adorned with butterfly motifs, to home decor items such as wall art, garden ornaments, and decorative pillows.

Practical gifts with butterfly themes include handbags, scarves, and stationery sets. For the fashion-conscious, butterfly-print dresses or tops make stylish choices. Gardening enthusiasts might enjoy butterfly-attracting plant kits or decorative butterfly houses.

Many of these gifts carry deeper meanings, as butterflies often symbolize transformation, hope, and new beginnings. This makes them particularly thoughtful for occasions like graduations, career changes, or personal milestones.

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Whether delicate and subtle or bold and colorful, butterfly gifts offer a wide range of choices to suit various tastes and preferences.