Civics 1/23

Tuesday, January 23, 2023

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News and information about politics, government, civic participation and engagement from the URL Media network.

Worthington High School science teacher José Morales Collazo, left, and a Pride flag, right, he put up in his classroom. The Worthington school board voted on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, that Puerto Rican and Pride flags in his classroom must be taken down. Credit: José Morales Collazo via Sahan Journal

All-white Minn. school board votes to remove LGBTQ, Puerto Rican flags from majority Latino school: One of the few Latino teachers at Worthington High School in Minnesota, where nearly two-thirds of students are Latino, resigned last week. This is because an all-white school board voted to remove LGBTQ and Puerto Rican flags from the science teacher's classroom. This decision followed months of controversy, public hearings and student protest. Sahan Journal has more >

In light of the suicide death of Antoinette Candia-Bailey, the late vice president of student affairs at Lincoln University of Missouri, a historically Black college, DEI practitioner and culture transformation consultant John Graham Jr., discussed how toxic workplace cultures can have devastating consequences on an individual's well-being on WURD Radio 🎧 >

More: Historically Black Missouri college in turmoil after suicide of administrator who alleged bullying (Black Girl Times via Associated Press >)

Fla. limits use of public funds for DEI programs at state colleges: In a new rule announced by Florida's Board of Education last week, 28 colleges in the state, including many that enroll Black and Latino students, are prohibited from using federal or state money to implement programs that "categorize individuals based on race or sex for the purpose of differential or preferential treatment." AsAmNews has more >

Plus: Leaked audio ignites debate about job discrimination at University of Washington (AsAmNews)

What to look for — and beware of — this upcoming election season: Felipe De La Hoz, Epicenter's civics reporter, discusses what's at stake in this year's presidential election, which is likely to see former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden facing off again this November. The outlet has more on the Independent Redistricting Commission redrawing New York State's congressional maps, which State Assembly races to watch and the "increasing chaos of information." Epicenter-NYC > 

More: With an expected rematch between the current and former presidents this November, La Noticia highlights the failures of the current administration to address immigration reform, which Biden promised when he became president. 

Plus: Making sense of America’s growing humanitarian crisis (URL Media)

Labor unions make unprecedented calls for a cease-fire in Gaza: Hundreds of labor organizers and activists gathered at the Port of Oakland on Jan. 14 to protest and prevent ships carrying weapons bound for Israel from leaving the docks. Later that afternoon, 200 workers refused to cross the picket line to help load the ships, highlighting the power of the labor movement and its ability to disrupt supply chains. However, some activists argue that unions could be doing more. Prism >

This nonprofit in Detroit is helping fathers be better parents: Detroit native Willie Bell overcame a cycle of absent fatherhood, depression and unemployment. To break the cycle of single-parent households in Detroit, which is double the national rate, he founded Family Assistance for Renaissance Men (FARM) in 2014, which offers mentorship, education and legal support to fathers in need. Outlier Media >

Sahan Journal spoke with the Superintendent of the Minnesota school board who voted to remove flags representing LGBTQ and Puerto Rican communities from a teacher’s classroom. The Superintendent justified this decision by stating that “schools are a neutral place” and “items that can be perceived as controversial are not necessarily neutral and don’t belong on school walls.” Do you agree or disagree with his statement? 

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