People love to talk about change. It is a natural occurrence for people that are enduring a similar situation to agree on the necessity of change and for them to agree on the things that need to change. However, people typically have conflicting ideas of how the change that is envisioned can actually be realized and what that change would look like. It is at the intersection of these two occurrences that is the ever present ingredient which threatens to halt any movement by a community of people who have deemed it necessary to affect a change in their accepted way of life.

This concept can be applied to even the simplest conflict. Let’s say two kids plop down on the couch at the exact same time and the TV is on a channel that neither of them wants to watch. They each have the same desire; a pleasurable viewing experience. However, each of them has a different perception of what a pleasurable viewing experience might be. What the two kids have is a conflict of interest although they have a similar objective. Although they agree on the necessity of change, they disagree on what that change should look like.

So now let’s say that these are two really bratty kids. Let’s say they are really stubborn and cannot agree on a single channel to watch. How can each of them get what they are in search of at the same time? How did they come to the conclusion that they cannot each have what they want at the same time? And furthermore, how did they become so dependent on the TV for stimulation….

When we translate the kid issues into adult conflicts, we will see how the only difference is the device…..sometimes. Within the concept of television is the underlying idea of information being readily accessible to the masses through a controlled medium. But even though everyone seems to have their own favorite channel, all of the programs have the same agenda; keep people watching.

The idea of revolution is one that has existed in the minds of the oppressed for as long as there has been oppression. As a community organizer, the idea of revolution continues to take on new definitions. The more I consider myself, and my roll in community reparation, the more I realize that my personal growth is instrumental in affecting any collective growth. It is not possible to affect true change unless I acknowledge aspects of myself that are perpetuating my oppression. In other words, the revolution is something that must happen within me; within you, and inside all of us as individuals.

This is one of those things that’s just like. . .”Oh, god . . .really? No. Stop that. You can’t mean that”.

A big rally is being planned to protest the construction of a Mosque and Islamic Community Center near the site of Ground Zero.

One of the opponents is quoted as saying “‘If the Japanese decided to open a cultural centre across from Pearl Harbour, that would be insensitive. If the Germans opened a Bach choral society across from Auschwitz, even after all these years, that would be an insensitive setting.”

Considering that Bach died in 1750, I have a feeling that few Polish Jews are holding him personally responsible for World War II. But even that’s not the point.

Obviously, building a mosque near ground zero, as stated by the leader of the project, “sends the opposite statement to what happened on 9/11″. It shows that American Muslims are working as hard as they can to disprove the crazy stereotypes about Islam that have become rampant since 9/11. This protest is a depressing sign that they have a pretty big mountain to climb if that’s going to happen.

The unemployment rates you hear on the news are misleading. The overall unemployment rate is currently at a shocking high of 9.6%–but the ethnic breakdown of this figure is still more disturbing.

According to a study released July 15 by The Economic Policy Institute, minorities are significantly more likely to be jobless than their white counterparts. Part of this can be attributed to the recession, which has taken its toll on non-white communities the worst.

Yet even this cannot account for the shocking unemployment gap that exists. African-Americans typically suffer unemployment rates that are twice as high as their white peers, while Hispanics come in at 1.5% more than Whites. For example, currently in Alabama there is a 5.8% unemployment rate for whites while for African-Americans it jumps to 15.1%! In Louisiana, African-Americans were three times more likely to be jobless. And the same is true for Hispanics, who’s unemployment rates are suspected to be higher than reported (it is thought that many illegal aliens would have feared taking part in this study).

The bad news is that the unemployment gap between whites and minorities is increasing. The good news, however, is that there are tentative plans to improve the situation by imposing a small tax on stocks to create extra resources for job creation in these hard hit communities.

Find out more about the inequalities of unemployment rates, and how you can GET INVOLVED at http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE56E83L20090716.

It’s unthinkable that a kid is killed in a drive-by while at an Anti-Violence Rally. Yet that’s precisely what happened to 13 year old Tamrah Leonard in Trenton, New Jersey last Sunday! Abomination! How is society not outraged at this heinous act?

Sadly, it was not an isolated incident.The economic recession has had an adverse affect on homicide rates, which are skyrocketing. Homicide is now the leading cause of death among young African American youth, and the number two cause of death for all other youth aged 10-24. Dire straits mean that desperate youth are becoming increasingly likely to resort to violence. At the same time, decreased funding means that many after-school programs–which have been proven to get youth off the streets and lower crime rates–are at risk of being reduced or eradicated entirely.

Thankfully, outreach programs provide hope that change is on the horizon. Find out more about these matters of life-or-death, and WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP, at http://www.campusprogress.org/fieldreport/4284/killing-the-programs-we-need-most.

We’ve all heard about the “childhood obesity epidemic,” but the truth is it’s not about kids who are too lazy to exercise or parents who are too lazy to cook healthy food. It’s about the ways that we’ve built our communities and designed our food system over the last fifty years. Why don’t our schools stay open after hours so that families have a safe place to hang out and play? Why don’t local stores offer anything besides liquor, cigarettes, and junk food? The 40 youth leaders who run werefedup.com get that obesity is a lot more complicated than people making bad choices, and they’re doing something about it.

Let’s tip the scales after the jump!

Imagine this: you’re a teenager in South L.A. It’s a beautiful summer day and you and your friends decide to put the video games down and head outside to play soccer. There’s a park a few blocks away, but in order to get there you’ll have to cross three busy streets with no crosswalks. If you make it safely to the park, you’ll probably have to clean up the broken glass and used condoms before you can get that game of soccer started. Since you’re planning on exercising, you want to grab a healthy snack on the way to the park. Problem is, the only options in your neighborhood are fast food and liquor stores. Maybe you make it to the park, maybe you decide to stay inside. Either way, this story points out a lot of the problems that have led to obesity rates as high as 40% among youth in some low income communities of color.

The crew at werefedup.com knows that these stories need to be told in order for people to understand the real reasons so many of us are overweight and obese. So they’ve created a social networking site where youth can share stories, photos, and videos exposing things like the food industry’s lies and nasty secret ingredients, and the ways that not having safe places to be active hurts our health. There’s a “rehab” group for kids trying to quit drinking soda, and there’s lots of information about ways for youth to stand up and fight for policies that can improve the choices we have in our schools and neighborhoods. Go check out werefedup.com, make a profile, tell your friends, and get started fighting for change in your community. You could save a lot of lives in the process.

Clowning is no laughing matter for Tommy the Clown (born Thomas Johnson). Instead, it’s a way to combat deeper issues like gang involvement, boredom, hopelessness, violence, and inactivity.

Born in Detroit, T.J. moved to LA as a teenager, where he soon found himself in trouble with the law. He had plenty of time to reconsider his life’s direction while spending 5 years in jail, where he decided to turn his life around. He’s done that and more–he’s changed the lives of youth around the world.

How? By clowning. It started out as a favor for a friend’s kid’s birthday party, but soon evolved into a way to help at-risk youth, youth who were in danger of falling through the cracks the same way that T.J. had been. Young people were allowed to join his clown/krump/hip hop crew on the condition that they did well in school, stayed out of gangs, didn’t do drugs, and acted as positive role models. In 15 years, this has grown to become a world-wide phenomenon, with 60+ dance crews in LA, performances across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and motivational lectures in schools across the country. It has also spawned a new form of street dancing (y’all know it as “krumping”) and even a 2005 movie by Dave Chapelle, called “Rize”.

Tommy is more than just a red-nosed, smiling face–he’s entertained millions, inspired thousands to get off the couch and off the streets, trained, guided, and helped countless urban youth, and spread a message of peace to us all: “You got problems? Don’t fight no more. Bring it to the dance floor.”

Who says we can only farm in rural areas? Despite the obvious challenges of urban farming, community gardens are popping up in parks, vacant lots, and even on rooftops across the nation.

And with good reason. While it may be difficult to find space, fertile soil, and even people interested in the cause, the benefits are endless. Researchers have found that urban farming can foster good health and community involvement, while being easier on the wallet. In fact, every $1 invested in community garden results in $6 of vegetables.

Yet saving money is just the beginning. Urban farming increases the sustainability of our cities, promotes concern for the environment, and fosters community involvement. Considering that most urbanites hardly even know their next-door neighbors, we certainly can’t expect to always know who produces our food. Urban farming, however, can alleviate both problems simultaneously.

In addition to the social and environmental benefits, growing our own food has positive effects on our health. And I don’t just mean physical health. Research has also shown that horticulture can lead to better mental health. Working with plants has even been proven to reduce stress, blood pressure, and muscle tension.

Urban Peak, a non-profit organization, is using such benefits to help the homeless youth of Denver. The organization provides young adults with food, shelter, and now, the advantages of urban gardening. “I think there’s a sense of accomplishment in the garden…This will be a sense of accomplishment that they can translate into other areas of their life like school or looking for a job,” states Anne Harris, member of Urban Peak. Though the long term benefits have yet to be determined, one thing is clear…Such feelings of accomplishment and involvement cannot be obtained at a McDonald’s or Burger King.

Don’t get me wrong; of course it’s nice to have access to fast food and delivery at any hour of the night. However, who’s to say that our favorite cities can’t offer both convenience and sustainability? There may be a certain satisfaction in consuming that pizza slice at 4am. Yet, maybe it’s time to experience the pride that comes along with consuming something we’ve cultivated ourselves.

If you’re not a millionaire or living with family, chances are you’re currently sharing a dorm or an apartment with roommates. Bets are you chose them (or they were selected for you) based on living compatibility: likes, dislikes, level of cleanliness, habits etc. But have you ever really analyzed them based on race?

New studies by several universities have, with several surprising results. Living with a roommate of a different race will decrease your prejudice levels. If you’re a white student (who statistically enters college with the least diverse friendship group), you’ll become the most likely to develop cross-racial relationships, whereas the opposite occurs with black students (they enter with diverse friendship then experience a decline as they seek out people from a similar background). Hispanic and Asian students maintain the same levels as they had before entering freshman year.

On the other hand, cross-racial relationships are more stressful than homogenous ones—they spent less time together and shared fewer friends. However, if they managed to tough it out for 10 weeks, they would both experience an “improvement in racial attitudes.”

Which is all very interesting. Come to think of it, I suppose I had a cross-racial roommate experience in freshman year, as I lived with a girl who had an Indian heritage. Honestly though, I never thought of our cohabitation in racial terms. I don’t remember her as “that-Indian-girl-who-improved-my-racial-attitude,” but rather as an annihilator of fire alarms, a lover of jumping on streetside couches, and an all-around amazing person to be around. In other words, I see her as a friend, not as a member of any particular race. And isn’t that the way the world should be?

Aren’t you glad summer’s finally here? The recent reemergence of the sun makes me crave days at the beach and nights spent camping. But the recession means that for many (hell, most of us) a vacation simply isn’t that feasible this year.

We should consider ourselves lucky if that’s the worst recession can do. It’s hit a lot of people a lot harder. Every year, the number of families who are homeless skyrocket at the beginning of summer. This year has been particularly bad. People from 10 000 families will become homeless in New York alone this summer, an increase of more than 28% from last year. At last count, that number had already hit 9420—9420 moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and children on the street in one city. That’s A LOT of people—so many, that if you wanted to meet them all, one a day, it would take you more than 27 years.

But numbers are just statistics. They don’t tell the whole story. People do. Like 11 year old Arielle Figueras, who completed fifth grade one day and was in a shelter with her family the next. Or the Dixon family, who were evicted in April, have been separated in various homes since then, and are now reunited on the streets. Families who had found short-term solutions—like staying with relatives or asking the landlord to temporarily take pity on them—are booted out now that the weather is warmer and the kids are out of school and underfoot.

Across the nation, families are becoming homeless faster than any other demographic. PBS estimates that roughly a third of the homeless are families. Families who approach shelters are subjected to intense questioning, metal detectors, long waits, and overcrowding in addition to the stress of displacement and an uncertain future. Many of them are not allowed in the shelter during the day, left to wander the streets. 1 in 2 families are split up and put in different shelters. They are the lucky ones—one third of families are turned away from shelters entirely because of a lack of resources.

It’s a summer ritual that makes you understand why not everyone welcomes summer. . .

Education as we know it is changing. Remember sitting in class and having your teacher yell at you for listening to music? No longer! If Run-DMC has their way, teachers will not only be encouraging music in the classroom but will be bringing in rap and hip hop of their own.

Darryl McDaniels, a member of the pioneering rap group Run-DMC, was invited by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to attend a conference at the Summer Teacher Institute last week. While there, he spoke to teachers that had gathered from across the country about the importance of using rap as a way in which teachers could better connect with their students, saying that rap made school more interesting, relevant, and personal for students. All I can say is, why wasn’t Run-DMC saying this to my teachers when I was in school?

But seriously, he’s got a point. While he admitted that rap can be “raw,” he also pointed out that it is a form of social commentary and as such has the potential to become an educational tool and a medium of expression for kids who might not have another outlet. In his own words, “real hip-hop is information, education, communication and motivation, whether you’re rich, poor, black, white, Puerto Rican. Hip-hop is the total expression of the existence of what it’s like to be alive on the face of the earth.”

So look out students. This September, it could be your teacher that busts into the classroom with a few Run-DMC lyrics of their own:

One thing I know is that life is short

So listen up homeboy, give this a thought

The next time someone’s teaching why don’t you get taught?

( From Run-DMC:  “It’s Like That”)

Every year, June 19th – Juneteenth, as it is called – is considered a holiday commemorating the end of slavery.

Why June 19th? According to popular renditions of the story, it has “come to be understood as the date Union Gen. Gordon Granger, arriving in Galveston on June 19, 1865, brought the news of emancipation and set Texas slaves free“.

This Juneteenth is a particularly interesting one, for several reasons. Last night, the Senate voted unanimously to “apologize for slavery and segregation“, in a symbolic measure that is set to pass on this Juneteenth 2009. Moreover, a man who 50 years prior would not be allowed to sit at the same lunch counter as his fellow white patrons is now the President of the United States.

However, judging by some of the new and persisting wounds that exist in America – such as the shooting at the DC Holocaust Museum, the murder of abortion doctor George Tiller, and the fact that the victims of Katrina are are virtually broke, basically homeless and are receiving no help from the higher powers in our country, we certainly have some more work to do truly show that Americans are united in a desire for change and healing.

Regardless of your race, religious beliefs or personal attitudes, the words that Johnathan McCoy says are mindblowing and are so wise…and he is only ten years old! You’ll be amazed.

Don’t take my word for it, watch for yourself:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMyp8y8SkUM

What do you think?

Yesterday, President Obama gave a speech in Cairo that has been regarded as both balanced and fair-handed as well as “discursive and uninspired”. Ultimately, the reaction was mixed. However, there’s one part of the speech that just about everyone seems to be talking about:

Essentially, Obama attempted to extend an olive branch to the Muslim world during a key moment of his speech, calling for civil discourse and an end to threats of violence and terror.

The real question is: what is hindering the relations with the Islamic world and the US? The issues are liable to make one’s head spin. But have no fear! Here at 99Problems, we’re gonna go over a few factors, AFTER THE JUMP!

Much of the hatred lobbed towards America abroad has to do with our former tendency to “militarize without discussion” or “force democracy”. President Obama had this to say:

“I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years,” the president began, referring to the recent unpleasantness, “and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.”

To say that former president George W. Bush was hated in the middle east is an understatement. According to political analyst Robert Creamer, much of the hatred that had been brewed in recent years had to do with the topic of cultural respect:

What the Bush policy on terrorism ignored was that more than anything else people want a sense of meaning and identity – and their corollary: respect. The polling shows that Muslims feel that their culture and the religious traditions, that in many ways define their sense of personal identity, have been disrespected by Americans and former American leadership.

The overwhelming narrative of the years after 9/11 seemed to address that terrorism, the hotbutton issue of the day, was a product of “hatred of freedom”, or quite simply was “a product of the radical extremism of the Muslim World”. That sense of political rhetoric seemed to damn an entire section of the globe, condemning an entire group of countries for being way too ‘batshit-wacko-koo-koo-for-Cocoa-Puffs’. Luckily, this political condemnation has seemed to all but disappear during the Obama administration’s foreign policy relations.

Even in and of itself, the statement ‘Muslim World’ is itself a fairly ironic phrase – colloquially, it means those groups of countries that mandate Islam as a state religion or are predominantly populated by followers of Islam, but in truth, Islam is one of the world’s most prevalent religions, second only behind Christianity.

So, in a few words, what is Obama trying to do? When it is boiled down to its essence, it’s simple. He’s pushing for the same things that all people desire, that is considered an inalienable right all over the world. Mutual respect of religious views, human rights, and a life free from the fear of attack.

By working together and engaging in vibrant, open-minded dialogue with countries worldwide, Prez O has the opportunity to undo years of deep seated mistrust, anger and violence and push forward to further peace in the global community. In manifesting a sense of communication, the extremism that breeds will cease to have such a strong foothold. Discussion can do much better work than bombs can.

What do you think? Have the threat of wars and drastic extremism killed any semblance of peace or is Obama doing a great job? Say your piece in the comments.

A few moments ago, in California, the decision to overturn Prop 8 was struck down. For gay rights activists, a sense of anger was in the air outside the California State Supreme Court today, as the CA State Supreme Court upheld a controversial ban on gay marriages that was voted in on November 4th. However, the court stated that those marriages that were enacted during the six month period of legalization before Prop 8 will remain legal, in a somewhat awkward state of limbo.

This does not mean the fight is over. This only means that those who fight must keep going. Take League/99Problems ally Kip Williams of One Struggle, One Fight for instance. Before the decision, Kip was quoted by the Associated Press about his passion for the cause: “We believe it’s time to put our bodies on the line to show that separate is not equal.”

At times like this, we must remember that individual anger about injustices must be manifested into a passion to change the state of the country. Take this statement by Robert F Kennedy, for instance.

“Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

By working together, we can bring down these walls of resistance.
Expect more voices, passion and attitude in the near future about this decision at 99Problems.org.

Inclusion is more than creating access. It means providing access solutions that are suitable for everyone and that disabled people are considered automatically rather than treated as separate or different. Equal, not better than. In this time of economic downturn, aging baby boomers, and an increasingly global community, it is essential that we continue to build stronger and more empowered communities that are fully inclusive. We are our weakest link.

Come out and show your support on Wednesday, April 29th: Community Choice Act Day: Disability and Labor Advocate Unite. www.adapt.org

FREE OUR PEOPLE

-Marcia Lee

Happy Earth Day 2009, everyone.

We here at the League of Young Voters Education Fund and 99problems.org have covered so many issues affecting our communities over the last three months. Education is one that we always return to. The root of many problems, great and small, is ignorance and fear.

We’ve all seen the wonder of a child’s innocent mind without judgment, without prejudice. When does prejudice take hold? How do we teach our children to never judge without reason, and to fear no person because of his or her race, gender, or social background?

The fact is, we don’t know. But it must begin with awareness. Teach compassion, teach bravery and understanding, and we will open up the possibility of discussion, of cross-cultural conversation, as we begin to work together across the world to fix the problems we have caused and face the challenges of tomorrow.

Obama needs to hear from us if our issues are going to reach the top of his platform.

Get involved, make your voice heard- check out the League of Young Voters Education Fund: www.youngvoter.org

Violence is a sickness….

and it goes both ways.  No matter who ends up in the ground, it is a tragedy, and it is a social illness for which the only cure is unconditional love.  It is naive to believe that trust can exist without communication.

We have to open up, believe in each other’s humanity! Honor the memory of Dr. King, honor the memory of Oscar Grant, Sean Bell, and the policemen who lost their lives needlessly.

Violence is real.  Our communities rise and fall because of the love we have for each other.

The most powerful thing that you have is your voice: be loud!