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12/22/2017 0 Comments

The teens resist playlist

Happy Holidays all! If you follow us on Instagram, you know we recently released the official Teens Resist playlist on Spotify. It's our holiday present to you and features beautiful, empowering and topical songs.
Since we know that some don't have Spotify, we're releasing the list of songs in the playlist. Keep in mind that they're in a specific order.
Here they are:

Star Spangled Banner- LIve at Woodstock by Jimi Hendrix
America by Logic
We the People... by A Tribe Called Quest
Fat Fingers (30 Days 30 Songs) by clipping
Klown Wit da Nuclear Code by Stew and the Negro Problem
All American Made by Margo Price
Cranes in the Sky by Solange
When the World Was at War We Kept Dancing by Lana del Ray
Talkin' Bout a Revolution by Tracy Chapman
Woke Up This Morning by John Legend
Dis Generation by A Tribe Called Quest
Hold the Line by Pete Seeger
Rebel Rebel by David Bowie
No Man is Big Enough for My Arms by Ibeyi
Dear Hate by Maren Morris
Rise Up by Andra Day
Praying by Kesha
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil Scott-Heron
Black SpiderMan by Logic
Almost Like Praying by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Artists for Puerto Rico
A Wall by Downtown Boys
Immigrants (We Get the Job Done) by K'NAAN, Snow Tha Product, Riz MC and Residente
We Shall Overcome by Mahalia Jackson
***Flawless by Beyonce & Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko
Lgbt by cupcakKe
God Bless America (And All the Beautiful Women in It) by Lana del Ray
S.L.U.T by Bea Miller
LAND OF THE FREE by Joey Bada$$
A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
America by Simon & Garfunkel
POWER by Kanye West
Fight the Power by Public Enemy
Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock) by Bob Marley and the Wailers
Born This Way by Lady Gaga
Coming in From the Cold by Bob Marley and the Wailers
Feeling Good by Nina Simone
Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder
Don’t Touch My Hair by Solange
Can’t Get Enough of Myself by Santigold
Doc Wop (That Thing) by Ms. Lauryn Hill
Purple Rain by Prince
Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen
Imagine by John Lennon
Memory of… (US) by De La Soul
Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday
Only a Pawn in Their Game by Bob Dylan
Alright by Kendrick Lamar
Pray by Sam Smith
All These Governors by The Evens
Revolution by The Beatles
This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie
The Times They Are A-Changin’ by Bob Dylan
Freedom by Anthony Ramos
Still by Seinabo Sey
This Little Light of Mine by Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Enjoy!
Peace, love & power,
Teens Resist
ps: There will not be a list this week, as we are taking a break for the holidays. We hope you all have time to breathe, spend time with loved ones and maybe even a break from the news.
We hope you have a rejuvenating week!

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12/13/2017 0 Comments

NEt neutrality: the comprehensive guide to understanding it and taking action

Image courtesy of the ACLU

Hello Teen Resisters! This week got off to a great start, with Doug Jones' victory in Alabama. However, some bad news followed. Yesterday, the FCC voted to repeal Net Neutrality. You've probably been seeing things all over social media, so we're here for the rundown and the action to take. Don't get it twisted: we still have time to turn it around. The bill may have been passed, but there's a lot to do to stop it from being implemented.
NOTE: We'd love to reiterate: calling your senators DOES make a difference. Their staff listen to every message and read every fax and report back to their bosses.

What even is net neutrality?

83% of Americans support Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality is the principle that internet and cable companies should not be able to control or see the content that you look at online. At its core, it's our right to communicate freely online. As Free Press reports, "It ensures that internet service providers (ISP) like Verizon, AT&T, etc. provide us with open networks — and that they do not block or discriminate against any applications or content that ride over those networks. Just as your phone company cannot and should not decide who you call and what you say on that call, your ISP cannot and should not interfere with the content you view or post online." Without Net Neutrality, the internet could be divided into fast and slow lanes, with anyone who cannot afford the fast part being forced to have crappy internet access. Companies could also block opinions they disagree with (Prime example: Before Net Neutrality, Verizon blocked NARAL Pro-Choice America from sending text updates because they are "controversial").

What will it affect?

As you very well know, the internet is a huge component of our world. It is the way we get news, it helps small businesses, it spreads ideas, it helps people get resources and organize movements. The removal of Net Neutrality will also affect marginalized communities. The internet has served as an incredible resource for people of color, religious minorities and LGBTQ+ people often depend on the internet for resources, connections, organization and to fight against oppression. Not only that, but social media itself transcends social groups and has helped people from so many different places and cultures learn about each other. It is an emblem of free speech, and while it obviously has its faults, it should not be classed. That will change everything.

Why should i care?

Firstly, you might have to pay extra for your internet and social media. Your content will load slower, it will be blocked (like on school wifi, but all the time!) and your social media experience will change and so will the people you interact with. In the words of Highly Indy's Betty Kubovy-Weiss, "Without the FCC maintaining Internet traffic equality, the service companies will be able to regulate the speeds and prices of specific content, giving them the ability to censor whatever material gives them financial and political gain." It's ironic that conservatives talk about a divided America but pass a bill that will make your social media experience even more of a bubble. If people can't afford social media, it will be a very privileged place to be. Also- America is a democracy. So it seems like BS that if 83% of us support Net Neutrality, 3 Republicans in the FCC can repeal it.

What happened to net neutrality?

Trump's FCC chairman, Ajit Pai, used to be a Verizon lawyer. Including him, three of the five members of the FCC voted to repeal Net Neutrality. Note, once again, that 83% of Americans disagree with this.

What you can do:

The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to reverse this act. We have 60 days.

Share this list on your social media to spread the word! We are looking to spread truthful, comprehensive news and ways to speak out and that starts with student support.

Most important websites:
battleforthenet.com
savetheinternet.com
Highly Indy Article

Petitions: Super Quick and Easy (Less than 1 minute)! ACLU Petition to tell Congress to pressure the reversing of this policy; Free Press Petition

Tweet undecided reps: Less than 1 minute. On battleforthenet.com, they have a way to tweet any undecided reps.

Writing Letters w/ Battle for the Net: 2 minutes. battleforthenet.com. At the top.

RESIST Bot: About 3-5 minutes. You've undoubtedly seen posts telling you to text RESIST to 50409 or message RESIST Bot on Facebook. Do it! It's a really easy way to reach your representatives about any topic. Once you're done entering your info, copy and paste this script at their prompting:
Script (please edit and add to this as you see fit!)
I am a student who depends on free internet to function and succeed in and outside of my school, and with the repeal of net neutrality, my personal freedoms as a student and individual on the internet are being taken away.
So yes -- net neutrality has been repealed, but we can still fight back with your platform and support. Please use your office and voice to speak out and demand a congressional review of the repeal. This is what the CRA was made for. I strongly urge you to exercise that right.
Thank you in advance for protecting your constituents' rights and helping save the internet!

Calling Congress: About 5-7 minutes. Text BATTLE to 384-387 to be connected to your reps OR call 202-224-3121. Read BFTN's script or the one above. BONUS POINTS: Call Republican or Conservative congresspeople to let them know.

Email or call the FCC: The FCC is what is behind this and calling/emailing them will help a lot. Visit https://www.fcc.gov/about/contact to write or call leadership or leave a comment.

DOG VID OF WEEK: In honor of this week's list, a dog using the internet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAmSbvNELLg

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12/4/2017 0 Comments

bit of a week: nov. 28th-Dec. 5th

A lot has happened in the past week. Firstly, even more accusations of sexual assault surfaced, with Matt Lauer being fired from Today and Donald Trump claiming that it "wasn't his voice" on the Access Hollywood pussy tapes of last year. Then, DT was at it again with his endorsement of child molester Roy Moore yesterday. We don't want to overwhelm you, so we've created a shortlist of ways to quickly help with the numerous issues of the week, as well as a few briefings, as always. And you are totally allowed to pick and choose! Go forth and fire back.

immediate action:

Net Neutrality: Feel like keeping your internet private is something you wanna have? Us too. Cable companies are trying to be able to control what we see and do on the internet and that is some BS if we've ever seen it. Not only that, but if it's passed, it's highly unlikely it will be repealed. www.battleforthenet.com/ has some incredible and easy resources to do: tweeting, calling, petition and writing- all accessible via the site. (TIME: 2-5 MINUTES)

DREAM Act: If we don't act now, hopes of a new DREAM Act will be done for. PLEASE call your reps and tell them to support it! Here's an easy resource. Also, visit weareheretostay.org. Confused about what we're talking about? Check out our other lists for description.

National Parks: Back at it again, Trump announced he would be reducing federal national parks in Utah by 85% of their land mass. America has some of the most beautiful land in the world and it deserves to be protected. Patagonia has been leading an effort to demand he doesn't go through with this. patagonia.com.

You on the phone with your reps

What went down

Slave Trade in Libya: It's likely that you've seen tons of posts about the slave trade in Libya in your social media feeds. It's absolutely horrible. In an investigative series, CNN revealed earlier this month that there have been auctions going on around Libya where mostly African male migrants are being sold as slaves for hundreds of dollars. According to Bustle, "Libya has a substantial migrant population, as tens of thousands of people fleeing poverty and violence in their home countries cross into Libya every year as they try to immigrate to Europe. But often these migrants never make it there, instead finding themselves 'indebted' to smugglers who initially agreed to help them secure passage to Europe, CNN reported. They potentially face slave auctions as smugglers seek to recoup money." What's going on there is absolutely despicable.
What you can do: Because this is taking place internationally, it's been hard to find ways to speak out. One very important thing to do is educate yourself with real news and raise awareness. Bustle published a great piece that details ways you can help: click here.

New Muslim Ban: This past Monday, the Supreme Court decided to allow Trump’s third version of his travel ban to go into action while it is still being debated in lower courts. For those of you who aren’t completely sure what the travel ban entails and what differs between the versions, here are the basics: the first version of the ban barred citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries (Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen) from entering the United States for 90 days and all refugees (from Syria) for 120 days. This ban was blocked by numerous courts, including a by a federal judge from Hawaii in March. By this time, the second version of the travel ban had been introduced – Iraq was taken off of the list of countries. The third version of the ban added Chad, North Korea and Venezuela to the list.
As many of you probably have noticed, the ban very specifically is directed at Muslims – as BBC reported, 90%-99% of most of the targeted countries’ populations are Muslim. The ban is overtly and obnoxiously unconstitutional, especially considering that it is Trump’s way of following up on one of his many make-you-want-to-throw-something campaign promises (“a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.”) Also, it would put a huge damper on efforts to make sure refugees have a place here. This decision on the part of the Supreme Court allows the Trump administration to enforce the ban completely, limiting the ability of citizens from the specified countries to work, study, or vacation in the U.S. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg said that they would have said no to the administration’s request to allow the ban to go into effect.
What you can do: Call your reps!
Script: Hi, my name is ______ and I'm calling to ask you to oppose the new travel ban at all costs. It is inherently unconstitutional and puts our democracy in jeopardy. Please vote conscience over party and stop this from happening. Thank you.
Number: 202-224-3121; Republican senators

Tax Plan: In a crazy middle-of-the-night rigmarole, Republicans in Congress passed a new tax plan. We've talked about it before, and it's still totally terrible. As The 65 reports, "It adds $1.4 trillion to the deficit in the next ten years... It creates a large new tax deduction for private school education. And there are no exceptions to the types of schooling eligible for the tax break, meaning that the tax code is now almost certain to subsidize private religious education; Will allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), largely as a concession to Sen. Lisa Murkowski. and the bill also introduces new tax burdens for higher ed institutions. College leaders believe that this will adversely affect both charitable giving and state budgets that support public colleges and universities. Learn more here." It's an attack on the poor, on women's rights and on so much else our country depends on.
What you can do: Call Republican senators!! thesixtyfive.org will help you directly.