Teens resist.
  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • Lists
    • Basics
    • Index By Issue
    • Past Articles
    • The Must-Have List
    • Teens Elect 2020! (Archive) >
      • Getting Started
      • The Why
      • The Candidates
      • The Toolkit
      • Log Calls
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Get Involved
  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • Lists
    • Basics
    • Index By Issue
    • Past Articles
    • The Must-Have List
    • Teens Elect 2020! (Archive) >
      • Getting Started
      • The Why
      • The Candidates
      • The Toolkit
      • Log Calls
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Get Involved
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

LISTS

Our biweekly lists lay out notable issues in the news and tell you what you can do about them.
SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL UPDATES:
Subscribe

2/27/2018 1 Comment

Black History Month Action

Picture
A protester raises the Black Power fist
Written by Tirzah Thomas, this special edition list examines how action against racism can be taken through being conscious of your social behavior.
As Black History Month is coming to an end, it is vital to recognize the struggles of African Americans. Black people obviously go through political and economic discrimination, but what could help strengthen or help break an African American is the experience of social discrimination and ignorance. It is not necessarily anyone’s fault if they are ignorant but they are to blame if they decide to reject being educated in Black issues and therefore choosing to be ignorant. Nevertheless, here are two examples of social situations in which African Americans are discriminated against. 

The Use of the N- word 

Black people do have the right to freely use the N- word. That is a fact. It shows how African Americans were able to reclaim the word that was used to wrongfully describe their ancestors. But on the other hand, non-black people do not have the right to use the N- word. Before, the N- word was used to call slaves instead of using their names. In this day and age Black people are not slaves to call. So the N- word should not be used by the same people whose ancestors terrorized African Americans. It's also not enough to just not say the N-word. If you do hear someone who is not black using the N- word, you should attempt to educate them and explain to them why they are wrong for using the N- word. Tell them they need to stop using the word and if they continue you should report them to someone with more authority. 
Picture
Yara Shahidi
Dealing with Black Hair 

Many Black peoples do not have straight hair that people are so used to seeing. Instead they have kinky, curly, coily hair. There are different processes that go into taking care of Black hair and they may be processes that some are not used to experiencing. Although you may not be familiar with the way African Americans style or care for their hair, you should be aware of the fact that Black hair is not a zoo animal where you get up close and inspect. In addition to the fact that Black people have to deal with people nonconsensually touching their hair, they are often pressured to chemically damage their hair in a professional setting to maintain a “professional” look. Black people are often told or have had people “suggest” that they should straighten their hair. Black hair is extremely sensitive towards heat and it is not healthy for an African American to straighten their hair constantly. A hair texture is not unprofessional. What is actually unprofessional is suggesting for others to harm their health in order to receive an education or their paycheck. This does not only happen in workplaces, but also in schools. Black students have been told that they can not come into school or school events with protective styling such as braids or afros. This is an issue because close minded people can not accept others who embrace their self. All types of hair are beautiful. When you witness an African American being discriminated for their hair, you should once again, educate the one that is discriminating and then you should report them if they choose to be ignorant. 
                                                                                                             •••
These are only a few issues that Black people may have to deal with on a daily basis. But they are situations that stand as a life changing moment. That moment is often when African Americans understand the differences between races. They begin to understand the different treatment, different behavior, different features and, many more differences. This moment usually happens at a young age but does not stop developing at that age. You can not really do anything when that moment occurs. But while it is developing, do not try to tell them that their noticings are all in their head. Those are the moments when Black people can understand the reason for different treatment, which all boils down to how much melanin African Americans carry in their skin. Once they notice the problem, they can try to make a change and figure out a solution. That is why it is essential for Black people to understand the inequalities they will experience. 

Black History Month is the month of recognition. Recognition of the struggles, recognition of the victories and, most importantly recognition of the unity that causes empowerment. Although Black History Month is unfortunately coming to an end it does not mean that the recognition and acknowledgement should come to an end as well, instead it should only be the beginning. Happy Black History Month!​​​
Taking action in your daily life:
  1. Following this guide, make sure that in your daily practice, you aren't just not being racist, but you're being actively anti-racist. Call people out when they're being ignorant.
  2. Read, listen to, and watch Black art and literature. Educate yourself and listen to people's experiences. Check your privilege.
  3. Go to protests and participate in the Black Lives Matter movement. Use Teens Resist's police brutality script.
  4. Participate in movements like Close Rikers and other pushes to end mass incarceration and bail.
  5. Be aware and check yourself! MICROAGGRESSIONS MATTER.
​
1 Comment

2/25/2018 1 Comment

1 Week Till DACA Vote: A Countdown and Guide

Hello Teen Resisters! Here at Teens Resist we enjoy the number 7. It's a prime number; the number of Von Trapp children; the number of years post-2000 that Ratatouille came out; number of chakras; number of colors on the ROYGBIV rainbow; and, of course, the number of days in a week.
Which means, the number of days we have until President Trump's deadline for an agreement on DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) in Congress.
Picture
Image from CNN

What is DACA?

You've probably seen A TON of stuff about DACA in your social media feeds, and it's easy to assume a lot of things about it. Here's what it really is: there have been proposals for decades to make laws that would allow people (known as Dreamers) who were brought to the US before their 16th birthdays to have a path to citizenship and keep them safe from deportation.
For these kids, the United States is the only home they've ever known. They've grown up here, gone to school here, and know nothing of the countries they were born in. As far as immigration laws go, this is one that many can agree on. Even hard-line anti-immigration congresspeople can agree that these kids deserve an opportunity like this, and more liberal congresspeople see it as a first step in immigration reform that could also affect the children's deserving parents. 70% of Americans support it.
Specifically, the Obama-era DACA ruling allowed Dreamers to "come out of the shadows" (CNN) and obtain driver's licenses, get jobs and go to college. They also pay income tax. They didn't have to worry about deportation. This program lasted two years, and then people could apply for renewal. Unfortunately, the law did not really provide a path to citizenship; just deferral, an aspect that drew criticism from the left, arguing it left Dreamers "in limbo." 

What did Trump Do about it?

Starting in September, Trump phased out DACA, allowing applicants to apply one last time for renewal. He then proposed a bipartisan bill that allowed a number of DACA recipients to keep receiving benefits, but cut programs to allow family members to sponsor each other and demanded a budget for a border wall and other programs. Democrats in Congress rejected it and Trump set a March 5th deadline for them to come to an agreement. If they don't do so by the 5th, ALL OF THE BENEFITS DACA RECIPIENTS RECEIVE will no longer apply and they will be left in a state of fear of deportation back to countries they barely know. There is also concern that, since DACA recipients' info is in government files, ICE will have access to it and they will be even more at risk for deportation. 

FACT: each day that congress fails to pass a clean dream act, 122 dreamers lose their daca rights.

Is there hope?

Even before Trump announced the deadline, there was discussion of a bipartisan, clean Dream Act that would be a chance to take it from the beginning. As of TODAY (2/26), the Supreme Court has ruled to keep DACA alive for now while Congress works on the new decision. This is HUGE and means that Dreamers won't be immediately stripped of their rights. Dreamers can apply to renew their DACA, but new recipients cannot apply. But that doesn't mean that pressure isn't still direly needed on Congress to get a Dream Act NOW!

MORE INFO: Click here.

Picture
Image from United We Dream, a prominent immigrant youth org

WHAT CAN I DO?

CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSPEOPLE: You guys. This is the #1 thing to do for this issue. They need to hear that people are concerned. Tweet them, write letters (this one is particularly great) and call them. Call 478-488-8059. Just tell them that you're demanding a clean Dream Act now and want them to fight as hard as they can to make it happen. This helps with all congresspeople: Dem and Republican. 

TEXT HERETOSTAY TO 877877
​SIGN THIS PETITION HERE. (less than 1 min)

Check out organizations like United We Dream, Make the Road, National Immigrant Law Center, and more, to find resources and ways to help.
1 Comment

2/15/2018 0 Comments

WE Call BS: Feb. 11th-18th

Happy belated Valentine's Day Teen Resisters! We are ready to hop in this week with some super important issues.

What went down:

Shooting in Florida: On February 14th, a gunman opened fire on a high school near Miami, Florida. The gunman was a former student of the school. At least 17 people died, although the toll may rise. The shooter obtained his gun legally and had ties to a white supremacist group who says he trained with them. Since the shooting, we've seen amazing mobilization by youth across the country, particularly by the exceptional survivors of the shooting, many of whom have suffered from PTSD or panic attacks since the shooting. One thing is for sure: America NEEDS gun control now. Politicians continue to be bought out by the NRA and put an out-of-context amendment before American lives. It ends now. TEENS: This is our moment!! Seize the day and continue to fight. We need it. We must demand that assault weapons be banned in the US; that a 19 year old is not legally able to buy a gun; to put resources into protecting Americans; to make better background checks. Because our lives are worth it. We're sure you've seen a ton of things in your social media feeds about this. So act!
What you can do: Walk out of school on March 14th! On the 14th, Women's March is organizing a nationwide school walkout. From 10-10:17am across time zones, students and teachers will leave classrooms to demand that school shootings end. RSVP to your school's walkout, or create one, here.
- Attend the March for Lives: March 24th. DC and every major city. Teens will demand gun control now.
Call your Reps!! You guys. We say it a lot. But it rings true each and every time. Flood them with calls, emails and letters. Demand their biggest fight.
Number: 844-241-1141; Script: Hi, my name is ______ and I'm calling from _____. As a student/constituent, I want to demand action and voting on gun control in the wake of the recent shooting. Enough is enough. Please push for a ban on semiautomatic rifles, stricter background check laws and filling in loopholes that allow so many Americans to be killed by guns. I hope that you will value children's lives over a gun lobby and vote conscience over party. Thank you.
Sign this petition! (1 MINUTE): Click here.
Text RESIST to 504-09.
Support EVERYTOWN in their action efforts: 
Click here to see their voting campaign THROW THEM OUT; here for their action list.
And last but not least: Never be silent. You are the future, we are the future. xx
Picture
The victims of the Florida shooting
New HHS Religious Freedom Division:
On January 18th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created a new division called the Division of Conscience and Moral Freedom.  This division will protect the rights of health care workers to discriminate on the basis of moral, religious, or other personal objections.  Essentially, what this means is that healthcare workers will be able to refuse all services just because a patient has had an abortion, is transgender, or is part of the LGBTQ+ community.  
To put this into perspective, here are a few examples of what could happen (and probably has already happened) because of these new protections.  A fertility doctor could refuse help to a lesbian couple; a patient who has had an abortion could be refused treatment for a life-threatening disease; HIV patients could be refused help; any LGBTQ+ patients at all could be turned away at the door.
The creation of this new division rolls back Obama-era rules that prevented discrimination on the basis of being transgender or having had an abortion.  As always, the sheer ignorance and bias of all responsible for perpetuating the new rules is remarkable.  HHS Secretary Eric Hargan commented on the division’s creation: “For too long too many of these health care practitioners have been bullied and discriminated against because of their religious beliefs and moral conviction.”  
Well, we here at Teens Resist say to Secretary Hargan: What about the real responsibility of the Department of Health and Human Services, which is to ensure that everyone receives access to quality, life-saving healthcare?
What you can do to help:
Submit a comment here to HHS telling them to provide health care instead of encouraging discrimination.  ​
Picture
Eric Hargan
DACA: We know we've said a lot about this every week, but action is so necessary about this. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act): No matter how you've heard of this program, you've surely seen it popping up in your social media feeds in these recent weeks. It is an imperative program that protects undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children (under 16). Known as DREAMers, these people (some of whom are now in their 20s and have children) are able to get jobs and financial aid for college as well as live without fear of being deported. They have grown up here and have known no other home. All of the benefits DACA provides will be no more if, come March, DACA is repealed. While Trump's immigration proposal somewhat ensures these rights (despite corrupt requirements), there are many other flaws with the proposal put forth by the GOP last month, primarily extreme laws pertaining to deportation and family sponsorship. However, a clean Dream Act is in the works. A bipartisan bill, it will work to make sure that DACA recipients have an easy path to citizenship, and in the meantime, won't live in fear of deportation. We need to be pushing this bill right now-- time is running out. Call your reps- whether they be Democrat or Republican-- and tell them to back DACA with all their might.
What you can do: Sign this petition by clicking here (LESS THAN 1 MINUTE). Have more time? Call your reps (NY RESIDENTS: Please call or email Senator Chuck Schumer, who has been somewhat spineless about the act over these past few weeks):
Number: 202-224-3121
Script: Hi, my name is ______ and I'm a constituent. I'm calling to ask that Senator/Representative _______ back a clean DREAM Act with all their might and refuse to cave to President Trump's extremist anti-immigrant proposals. Young immigrants have a place here, and the focus should be on reforming our immigration process to include easier paths to citizenship rather than attacking people who benefit American society and economy. Please take my thoughts into consideration as you go forth into this new year of lawmaking. Thank you.
Picture
NOTE: Net Neutrality still needs defense! Click here. Very teen oriented issue!!
ALSO: Youth Progressive Policy Group 
is doing work to lower the voting age in New York and represent youth in the political process. Check out their website to attend events or receive updates on the immensely important work they do.

VINE COMPILATION OF THE WEEK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoJTZZBKOf4
All of our love, peace, power and confidence:
Teens Resist
0 Comments

    UPdates

    These lists include featured organizations, scripts, numbers, news updates and inspirational activists.

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

About

About Us
​

FAQ

Get Involved
​

Content

Resource Guide

Lists

Basics

Index by Issue

Archive

Must-Have List

Support

Contact


Picture
© COPYRIGHT TEENS RESIST 2020