Kettering Foundation’s Post

Last week, a historic resolution was introduced in Congress to recognize, protect, and invest in Black Towns and Freedmen Settlements in the U.S. The degradation of the environment, infrastructure, and economic neglect for these communities contrasts with the historical success of grassroots resistance, emancipation, and justice. In honor of Juneteenth last week, let us continue to remember the rich history of Freedmen’s Settlements in the U.S. Over 1,200 Freedmen’s Settlements and Black towns were established before and after emancipation as safe havens from racial violence and economic discrimination. History is made within our present actions. By acknowledging the challenges of our nation’s past, we can build a society where all people (especially those burdened by structural racism) can thrive in a flourishing, multiracial democracy and economy. Learn more about this resolution here: https://lnkd.in/gGbiXfhb #BlackTowns #FreedmenSettlements #HistoricCommunities #InvestInHistory

#OPINION Righting the wrongs of history takes an understanding of that history, along with structured conversations about where racial equity is blocked, and how to move past that. ✍: Keith Plessy & Phoebe Ferguson Click the link below to learn more! https://lnkd.in/e3MBuQVd

My colleague, friend and fellow HBCU STEM alumna Na'Taki Osborne Jelks, Ph.D., MPH does amazing work in environmental science, justice and education. Here is her latest article, it is great read

At Loyola, we use Juneteenth as an opportunity to reflect, to educate our community on a history of racial inequality, and to further commit to the work that remains towards justice and freedom. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3iILeO1

In this history lesson from Sari Beth Rosenberg, learn about Wilma Mankiller, the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. She championed Indigenous rights, education, and healthcare, transforming her community and inspiring future generations. Learn more on AFT's Share My Lesson: https://lnkd.in/g8CSPPRd

Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 As we celebrate, I want to share some thoughts on the state of our republic. Recent political shifts demand our attention - this isn't just another swing of the pendulum, but a wake-up call about challenges to our form of government. This issue transcends partisan politics. Our laws, checks and balances, and citizens' power are subtly eroding, potentially leading to authoritarianism if we're not vigilant. Signs of this transformation are becoming more apparent: -Supreme Court decisions based on ideology over precedent -Debates over presidential powers and immunities -Questions about the effectiveness of checks and balances It's crucial to remember that a republic isn't the same as a democracy, though people often use these terms interchangeably. The United States is a republic. This difference matters. It affects how quickly our governance can change. Key elements of a republic include: rule of law, elected representatives, separation of powers, protection of minority rights, and civic virtue. Citizen participation is crucial to maintain each of these foundations How can we create change through unity? -Confront fear: Recognize its presence, but find value in our experiences. Refuse to let hopelessness take you. Realize that we CAN turn our challenges into opportunities. You are so much stronger than you may think. -Build community: Strengthen bonds across divides. We must come together, find common ground and share resources. There are many organizations engaged in making a difference. When we come together and share what we have found helpful we are helping each other and the greater cause. -Cultivate curiosity: Seek to understand those with different perspectives. -Nurture love and honor humanity: Acknowledge the compassion we feel for one another. We don't need to fight. We need to educate ourselves and others about the risks to a republic and what is happening now. Remember: A vocal society, rooted in love, respect, and curiosity, is inhospitable to dictatorship. Our unity is our strength, our diversity our richness. Through engaged participation and critical thinking, we create a resilient community. Our collective voice, raised for justice and freedom, becomes an insurmountable barrier to tyranny. Join the conversation! My friend Lisa Merlo-Booth and I are hosting "Find Your Voice, Find Your Way" on Zoom, July 17th at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET. It's an uncompromisingly safe space to discuss these important issues. Comment "MY VOICE" below for an invite. We cannot afford to be silent. #Democracy #CivicEngagement #UnityInDiversity

Happy 4th of July! Allow this to be a fun celebratory day but please allow for it to be a contemplative day too. Perhaps you could watch documentaries or read to truly appreciate the details of the complexity for this outcome. There were a multitude of almost impossible, glaring perils that were overcome for us to celebrate this day of independence! Each time I delve deeper into the historical details of the years leading up to that outcome - OUR INDEPENDENCE, I am even more grateful for our DEMOCRACY and our FREEDOM. It was clearly -miraculous- upon reflection, regarding what I’ve learned about the history of OUR country. There was no assured outcome when our founding fathers, the women, the people, George Washington and allied France endeavored to create a FREE nation. We have what we have in our FREE country due to their courage, stamina, conviction, determination and principles. As a result, we could model this and help other nations create FREE countries and societies too. We endured and became the leader of the FREE world — a beacon on a hill and an active collaborator with other nations believing too in FREEDOM! We all have Freedoms due to the enormous, unselfish sacrifices of the courageous people before us who founded our country! These freedoms we have are not assured, if we do not uphold them! It is our collective responsibility to continue to preserve and defend the integrity of our Democracy, all while improving it in areas of equity and inclusion. For it is an imperative to offer access and empowerment for all people so they may reside within the safety of our flag so to speak. We must continue to improve upon it not denigrate it - moving away from the founding principless. We can’t burry our heads in the sand if we enjoy the FREEDOMS offered by our Democracy. We have responsibility too- to the other FREE countries in our world we support! I conclude with this belief and assertion. When we recognize -those seeking to lead in our nation- ARE NOT in alignment with the unselfish character necessary -to lead- a FREE country -this Democracy--- OUR VOICES need to be heard! For, it is of paramount importance that the LEADER of OUR DEMOCRACY and of the FREE world is undeniably— an unselfish, public servant. This is imperative for A US President - but any level of government as well! OUR voices need to be heard! Our VOICES are not assured if we allow our Democracy to be altered so they no longer are! Our VOTE needs to be heard. The offering of my voice includes the writing of this post and my declaration that for the reasons I detailed — others to become clear later, “I fully support President Joe Biden for President of our United States of America!” “With Gratitude for your exemplary four years of servant leadership!” Dr. Wendy Muhlhauser-Tingblad A.K.A SissyMarySue What does your voice call you to say or stand for at this time? VOTE your conscience. Sending Hope, Gratitude, Love and Empathy, Dr. Wendy

Opinion: The demonstrated staying power of Trump and the Republican party that he has remade along populist lines — despite billions in philanthropy devoted to opposing their agenda — suggests this is not a winning strategy, argues Daniel Stid in a guest essay for #TheCommons. Key points in his essay: ➕ The strategy that many philanthropists and grantees pursued during the rise, fall, and resurgence of Donald Trump’s political fortunes didn’t work. ➕It accelerates polarization by fomenting an apocalyptic, fear-based politics and provides MAGA enthusiasts with nearly perfect foils. ➕ Better approaches include building expansive and varied coalitions. Read Stid's essay: https://lnkd.in/e98Cj2hn Stid is executive director of Lyceum Labs, a start-up nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of political leadership and party politics in the United States. The former director of the U.S. democracy program at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, he writes the blog the Art of Association.

If you had any doubts about the political power and passion of Gen Z, check out the amazing work that IGNITE National is doing to support this generation of female political movers & shakers!

We want to live in a truly inclusive, multi-racial democracy. But to get there, we must repair the ongoing racial harms brought by slavery and its legacy. For too long, the dominant narrative around reparations has been controlled by white supremacists who aren’t interested in transformative institutional and cultural change. But despite their divisive and fear-based claims, the movement toward racial repair will benefit us all. Learn how philanthropists are using their funds to redefine the narrative on reparations: https://lnkd.in/gzjNe2Y7