Nebraska Lifespan Respite Network’s Post

Office of the Provost: Afrodescendant Institute of Human Rights This is one of the main reasons we must assert our “Afrodescendant Status” as proscribed by the Organization of American States and its court, the Inter-American Court. The international laws says that we have a right to self-determination over the land that we have perennially lived on that includes all decision making over all of our property and institutions. Civil rights is not enough and can never be enough because all of the court, legal, and administrative decisions are made by an entrenched customary racial system. In order to have excellent schools, housing, banks, and employment systems and services we must govern them as “indigenous Afrodescendant people”. We now have the laws in place and an unbiased court called the Inter-American Court which will rule in our favor concerning our human rights underlying the indigenous status.

This made me smile from ear to ear! Although this post focuses on Eurocentric education system and the lack of diversity of teachers. FACTS! I am reflective of what I/we do have. As my son sits his last GCSE exam tomorrow, I am reflective of how important it is to celebrate 🥳 the big and small wins in our children. Reflecting on how important it is, to see representation, that demonstrates anything is possible. for my son, he has an army of Black Excellence in his parents, Aunty,Uncles, cousins and close friends. Putting aside the lack of diversity in teachers for a moment. What if a child or young people wasn’t celebrated for their wins, for their achievements, for being an awesome human being. What if there wasn’t a trusted adult to speak life into a young person, to demonstrate anything is possible? Well we know the answer (I’m making an assumption you know the answer!) Unless you live under a rock 🪨, the rise in MH amongst children and young people, the lack of vital youth provision. This isn’t just about funding. This is also about community. African proverb “a person is a person because of other people” Which means I am, because you are. Anything and everything is possible.

excellence in action...

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲! Tragically, it became reality for several families in London yesterday during an attack at a Taylor Swift dance summer camp with 25 young children. 𝟯 (𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱), 𝟴 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱!! My heart goes out to the families grappling with this unimaginable pain, and I can’t help but feel a profound sadness for the state of our world. When something this horrific happens, especially involving someone as young as 17, it serves as a wake-up call for all of us. It compels us to ask: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆? Despite the availability of many mental health resources, we must question whether we are doing enough. 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱? Schools focus so much on academics, but in today’s highly evolving world, education can no longer be just about mainstream subjects. We need to 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 of this modern world. This responsibility extends beyond parents and schools—it is a duty shared by all, whether you’re an educator, administrator, healthcare worker, politician or corporate professional. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲. We need to stand together as a society to: • 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 and bridge the gaps created by our growing technological world that often distances us from one another. • 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 to remove stigma and create more support in schools. • 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 to teach our youth coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety and to navigate social dynamics in a more constructive fashion. • 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 to protect children from the use of social media and the consequences that arise from using it. Together, we can build a resilient community that upholds safety, support, and well-being for all.

So looking forward to this conversation with Mark tomorrow! PPT is now offering a live streaming option, if you are interested in tuning in!

Honoring Strength and Resilience on International Widows Day 🌸 Today is International Widows Day! Let's come together to support and empower widows around the world. Why This Day Matters Awareness: International Widows Day raises awareness about the challenges and injustices faced by widows globally. Empowerment: It is a day to advocate for the rights, dignity, and well-being of widows. Support: Highlight the importance of social and economic support systems for widows to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Solidarity: Stand in solidarity with widows and acknowledge their strength, resilience, and contributions to society.

Check out this very interesting series. #ipph #civilwar #history #dchistory

🎶 MUSIC OF THE WEEK: Childish Gambino – "This Is America" What do guns, viral dances, and chaos have in common? In Childish Gambino's "This Is America," they all make a powerful statement about systemic racism, gun violence, and the complexities of modern entertainment. Released in 2018, the song sparked not only praise for its genre-blending sound but also controversy for its bold social commentary. With an addictive rhythm that grabs your attention, the shocking visuals force us to confront the harsh realities often hidden behind entertainment.  🎧 The Meaning Behind the Music:  In the video, guns are handled with care, wrapped gently in cloth, while human lives are discarded without thought. This reflects America’s obsession with guns over people’s lives and references the mass shootings and violence that have become disturbingly normalised. Gambino suddenly shoots a Black man and guns down a gospel choir, reflecting the senseless and persistent violence inflicted on Black communities. This scene evokes real-life tragedies, such as the Charleston church shooting. Amid the chaos, Gambino and schoolchildren dance with joy, symbolising how viral trends and pop culture distract from deeper societal issues. The upbeat vibe masks the suffering, much like how the media diverts attention from real problems with entertainment. Gambino’s erratic dance movements (read: Jim Crow) reflect the emotional complexity of Black identity; a balancing act between joy and fear in a world that celebrates Black culture while failing to protect Black lives. In the final scene, Gambino is chased down a dark hallway, symbolising the never-ending struggle for survival in America, especially for those living in marginalised communities  🎯 Why This Matters:  "This Is America" holds a mirror to society, asking uncomfortable questions: Are we so distracted by entertainment that we no longer see the chaos around us? This message applies not only to art but also to business and life. Much like propaganda, distractions often conceal uncomfortable truths. True success; whether in media, leadership, or campaigns, requires looking beyond surface-level narratives to confront reality. 🎬 Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/dbP8WiSW and let me know your thoughts. 👉 What other songs have made you stop and reflect recently? Share your recommendations in the comments, I’d love to hear them! credit: Youtube

Attn: Dance Colleagues - I need your help to get this K-12 Federal Funds Survey to the right people in your state / school district who are knowledgeable about districtwide K–12 arts instruction (dance, media arts, theatre, and visual arts). It is part of the work of the Arts Education Alliance of which NDEO is a participant. This Federal Funds Survey for 2023-2024 will highlight how Federal Funding was used support the arts in school districts across the country in 2023-2024 timeperiod. This includes Title I, Title II, Title IV-A, ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief), and Assistance for Arts Education funds. We need Dance represented in this Survey! The deadline to complete the survey is 11-15-24. Survey Link here: https://lnkd.in/eGqy32Vs Help DANCE be represented as the RESULTS which will be included in future advocacy materials to be shared with shared with the U.S. Department of Education and Congress.