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How Soil Acts as a Living Witness to Racial Violence

Leanna First-Arai

February 27, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Montgomery, Alabama

Soil collection ceremonies offer a meaningful way to help cope with and create institutional memory of racial violence across the United States. The Equal Justice Initiative is working to keep the victims of lynching and racial violence alive in America’s collective memory by promoting a practice common across cultures—the collection of soil. Communities collect soil from sites of racially motivated killings into jars, which are then displayed at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.

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Collaborative Starting to Fill in the ‘Friends and Family' Capital Gap in Oakland

Zoe Sullivan

February 27, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

A collaborative funding organization called the Runway Project gives loans to primarily Black entrepreneurs in the Oakland area. The initiative aims to address racial disparities in startup capital by reducing the financial risk of starting a business. The program also includes personalized support as a "wrap around" approach to the lending process.

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The Crime of Parenting While Poor

Kathryn Joyce

February 25, 2019 |

The New Republic |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

New York City's child welfare agency is trying once again to combat its "reputation for unjustly targeting low-income families of color" by piloting child care centers that are set up to help families feel respected and prepared to succeed. Although the impact of these programs is not yet clear, the approach is informed by past failures to deal with the systemic oppression that the agency has perpetuated.

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In Detroit, one organization is schooling Muslims on racial justice

Aysha Khan

February 20, 2019 |

Religion News Service |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

In a movement that started from a trending hashtag on Twitter - #BeingBlackandMuslim - scholars and activists around the country are working to reduce stereotypes about Black Muslims. Organizations that arose from the movement now compile toolkits, syllabi, and other educational materials about being Black and Muslim in America, and how stereotypes and racism is perpetuated both within and outside religious communities.

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Scrubbing The Past To Give Those With A Criminal Record A Second Chance

Eric Westervelt Barbara Brosher

February 19, 2019 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Indiana

Indiana's Second Chance law was passed in 2013 and allows people to petition to remove their misdemeanor convictions and arrests from public view. In Marion County alone, more than 11,500 people have visited the full-time paralegal processing all requests since legislators implemented the law. Many of those visitors speak with relief about the newfound opportunities that have come their way since the dismantling of that barrier. This is part of a growing movement in the US to reimagine the existing criminal justice system that creates far more problems than it solves.

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Finding Reparations in an Unlikely Industry

Maureen O'Hagan

February 15, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland

In Portland, legislation to legalize marijuana also includes a provision to provide funds specifically to marijuana businesses run by those disproportionately impacted by the "war on drugs." Now, Portland offers competitive grants to small cannabis companies so that entrepreneurs can thrive.

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The case for hiring more police officers

Matthew Yglesias

February 13, 2019 |

Vox |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Much of the backlash against the police is based on assumptions that more police means more incarceration and more police violence, but evidence actually points to the opposite outcomes. When more police are put on the streets, and when they’re doing the right preventive tasks, that can deter crime from happening in the first place; hence, fewer arrests and less incarceration. Plus, inadequate staffing levels can lead to tired, stressed officers committing wrongdoing. Of course, if more police do more of the wrong tactics, then that can cause a deeper breach of community trust, which means more crime.

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Confronting Generations of Racial Economic Injustice in Charlotte

Oscar Perry Abello

February 13, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

In an initiative to level the playing field for businesses led by women and people of color, cities and businesses work together to evaluate and address racial and gender disparities in the private sector. By performing studies and creating programs that partner these business with franchises like the NBA, these programs offer opportunities to work past stereotypes and discrimination.

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People with disabilities can save for college, life expenses with new Washington state savings plan

Katherine Long

February 12, 2019 |

The Seattle Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle

Washington State is pioneering savings accounts for people with disabilities that won't penalize them for saving for financial stability by barring them from essential federal aid programs. The accounts are tax-free and allow participants to save at least $15,000 a year, which can be withdrawn at any time or saved until retirement, with some limitations to who is eligible for the account. As word of the ABLE Savings Plan spreads, the self-supporting program is helping ensure that people with disabilities are not relegated to living in destitution to qualify for federal benefits.

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The Battle Over Teaching Chicago's Schools About Police Torture and Reparations

Peter C. Baker

February 07, 2019 |

Longreads |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

In response to the discovery that Chicago police officer Jon Burge led a "Midnight Crew" torturing mostly Black men to coerce criminal confessions, the city council's agreement to make cash reparations to the victims included a mandated curriculum in public schools to teach high school students the truth of what happened. Critics called the curriculum, "Reparations Won," anti-police propaganda. But a rare and lengthy observation of one class' experience showed its effects on youth. Not only did they learn the history, but they also learned the possibility of change in the face of systemic injustice.

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