Local History
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Center for Safety and Change
Mission Statement: Center for Safety & Change provides critical services and support to women and all victims and survivors of gender-based violence and other crimes while working toward justice by creating social change.
Select "more" below for a information on regular Zoom meetings. -
Nii ndushiinzi Nzukeew Maqua. Naawalootamun Wundakw Atoh Ramapo Munsee Lunaape.You may have often seen it spelled as *Ramapough, or, *Ramapoo and regardless of the spelling it is pronounced Raa-maa-poe. It translates as Sweet Water, which was mistakenly interpreted as sloping rock.
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No Longer Eager to ForgetEduardo Cuevas | March 23, 2023
Researchers learned that an enslaved African burial ground was once located on what is now the Barney Park section of Irvington. The village has planned a memorial garden across a small brook from Barney Park. -
What Happened to Jackson Avenue: A Story of Urban RenewalA Documentary Film by Hakima Alem and Rudi Gohl
In the summer of 2019 Clara Francesca, Elise Stone, and Craig Smith from Phoenix Theatre Ensemble were meeting with Bill Batson, Nyack community leader, historian, and activist, outside in the Nyack parking lot next to Main Street planning the Nyack performing arts festival. At one point Bill standing in some empty parking spaces said, "This was Jackson Avenue, our family home stood here" - thus began a 2-year journey leading to this powerful documentary film about the urban renewal program in 1960's Nyack.
“What Happened to Jackson Avenue, a story of urban renewal” covers an urban renewal program that removed 125 families (79% Black) . These families lost their homes, families, and community and the lost generational wealth. The film includes personal and emotional stories from individuals who were present and saw the destruction of their community, some of who are now in their 80s and 90s & want to be heard. -
The Black LibraryThe Black Library’s mission is to celebrate Black culture and history, as well as create a collaborative, creative, and educational atmosphere for the residents of Sullivan County, New York. The Black Library will carry a diverse collection of books by Black authors, exhibit visual art by Black artists, offer educational workshops for children and adults, and host talks and community discussions. Welcoming local residents and visitors of all backgrounds, the project will promote greater understanding of Black history and culture, advocate for racial justice in Sullivan County and beyond, and act as an incubator for the next generation of local artists.
Features
Organizations
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American Indian Library Association
An affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), the American Indian Library Association is a membership action group that addresses the library-related needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Members are individuals and institutions interested in the development of programs to improve Indian library, cultural, and informational services in school, public, and research libraries on reservations. AILA is also committed to disseminating information about Indian cultures, languages, values, and information needs to the library community. AILA cosponsors an annual conference and holds a yearly business meeting in conjunction with the American Library Association annual meeting. It publishes the American Indian Libraries Newsletter twice a year. -
EmbraceRace
EmbraceRace was founded in early 2016 by two parents who set out to create the community and gather the resources they needed (need!) to meet the challenges faced by those raising children in a world where race matters. -
King and Breaking the Silence
KingAndBreakingSilence.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his fight against social injustice. Our mission is to raise awareness, educate, and take action to address various social injustices that continue to persist in our society. Through a range of programs and initiatives, we aim to foster an environment of understanding, empathy, and change, inspired by Dr. King’s principles of non-violent resistance. -
Pulitzer Center
The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting raises awareness of underreported global issues through direct support for quality journalism across all media platforms and a unique program of education and public outreach.
Select "more" below for a lesson plan on reproductive help & video introduction to their history and mission. -
Slavery's DescendantsA REUTERS SERIES | The ancestral ties to slaveholding of today’s political elite
At a time of renewed debate over slavery and its legacy, many of today’s U.S. leaders have staked key positions on policies related to race. Reuters sought to determine how many of those political elites descend from slaveholders, and what it means for them to learn – in personal, specific and sometimes graphic ways – the facts behind their own family’s part in slavery. -
Swapna KrishnaFreshly astounded by a recent solar eclipse, who isn't a space nerd right now?! Take a look at Swapna Krishna's enthusiastic, easy-to-understand space information and news, and see if you can keep up that pace of spacey excitement. Start with her website to link to to her on YouTube, TikTok, and all the sites. --Caroline
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Maya Millett"Personal storytelling is my niche—whether in print or audio. I am particularly interested in documenting stories by and about women of color that investigate identity, shake up the historical record, and celebrate the rich narratives we don’t often get to tell."
Follow Maya on Instagram for her social media project that honors "our earliest Black feminist foremothers."
Also, listen to her on BBC Radio 4 as she speaks to archivists working to capture and amplify the stories of African-Americans.
Articles
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5 Ways to Be a More Inclusive Co-worker
Kat Boogaard | The Muse | Updated June 19. 2020 -
I Taught My 4th Grade Class About White Privilege And Their Response Was Eye-Opening
Justin Mazzola | Huffpost | Aug 20, 2022
"During our World War II unit, students questioned a U.S. propaganda video, then analyzed photos of Japanese Americans being forcibly removed from the West Coast and images from the camps where they were incarcerated. They asked how Japanese Americans could be imprisoned based on their ethnicity, and why German Americans were spared the same treatment. This is not critical race theory, but students certainly raised critical questions about race in American history." -
Meet The ASL Performer Who Hooked Audiences During Rihanna’s Halftime Show
Cassandra S | The Shade Room | February 15, 2023
Stealing some of Rihanna’s shine during a comeback show might seem impossible–unless you’re Justina Miles. The HBCU student has been the talk of social media since Sunday for her ASL interpretation during Rih Rih’s Super Bowl halftime performance. -
Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade Deliver Impassioned Speech Advocating for LGBTQ Rights at NAACP Image Awards
Angelique Jackson | Variety | February 26, 2023
Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade were honored with the President’s Awards at the 54th annual NAACP Image Awards for their philanthropic work and vocal support of the LGBTQIA community.
On the red carpet, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson told Variety that the Wades were selected specifically for the way they’ve privately and publicly supported their daughter Zaya Wade, who came out as transgender in 2020. -
New Orleans teens solve “impossible” mathematical equation
Deon Osborne | The Black Wall Street Times | March 28, 2023
"Two high school seniors from New Orleans are making major waves in the world of academia after solving a mathematical equation involving the Pythagorean Theorum that has stumped mathematicians for the last 2,000 years." -
The return of two expelled Tennessee Democrats is a powerful rebuke to Republicans
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Li Zhou | Vox | Updated Apr 12, 2023
"Jones and Pearson’s returns follow their stunning expulsions from the legislature last week, which quickly became flashpoints in ongoing national debates about democracy and race. Tennessee Republicans previously argued that the lawmakers’ behavior in a gun control protest warranted removal from office because it violated House decorum rules. Rep. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, a white woman who also participated in the protest, was not expelled, however, because Republicans claimed her role was less disruptive." -
Angel Reese led LSU to a championship, but all everyone can talk about is her gestures at Caitlin Clark
Kalhan Rosenblatt | NBC News | April 3, 2023
Angel Reese (Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship) led the LSU Tigers to a 101-85 victory over Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA Women’s basketball championship game. Throughout the season the media criticized Reese’ game with her stating in the post-game press conference “I don’t fit in a box that y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. But when other people do it, y’all say nothing. So this was for the girls that look like me, that’s going to speak up on what they believe in," she said. "It’s unapologetically you.” -
Supreme Court Upholds Native Adoption Law In Huge Win For Tribal Sovereignty
Paul Blumenthal, Sara Boboltz, and Jennifer Bendery | Huffpost | Jun 15, 2023
In a surprising 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act against challenges that could have gutted tribal sovereignty and led to the adoption of Native children into non-Native homes.
Listen to the podcast, This Land for an in-depth look at this particular case and the history of ICWA.
This other podcast may also be of interest: The Crimes of Native American Boarding Schools. -
A pride flag, an argument and gunfire: The senseless killing of Laura Ann Carleton
Noah Goldberg | Los Angeles Times | August 21, 2023
LAKE ARROWHEAD, Calif. — As a gay man, Bob Stuhr appreciated that Laura Ann Carleton flew a rainbow flag outside her clothing business in Lake Arrowhead.
But as a businessman who runs a shop in the same strip mall a few doors down, Stuhr warned Carleton that the flag might not be good for business in the mountain community 80 miles east of Los Angeles. -
Hawaii’s cherished notion of family, the ohana, endures in tragedy’s aftermath
Mike Householder, Bobby Caina Calvan, & Jae C. Hong | The Associated Press | August 26, 2023
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Families were torn asunder. A community is reeling with grief. More than 100 people have perished and dozens more remain missing after flames and smoke barreled from the hills and annihilated the historic town of Lahaina.
But even in places overwhelmed by despair and devastation, the Hawaiian spirit known as ohana endures.
To support Relief and Recovery efforts in Lahaina, Maui, visit Lahaina Wildfire Relief and Recovery -
60th March on Washington event merges Black America's current concerns with history
Curtis Bunn | NBC News | August 26, 2023
Saturday's (August 26, 2023) event was smaller than the historic 1963 gathering, but marchers and speakers vowed to continue battling racism and inequities to fulfill Martin Luther King’s dream. -
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis booed at vigil as hundreds mourn more racist killings
Russ Bynum & Aaron Morrison | The Associated Press | August 27, 2023
Hundreds of people have gathered at prayer vigils and in church to mourn yet another racist attack in America. -
A federal appeals court blocks a grant program for Black female entrepreneursKristin Wright | npr | October 3, 2023
A legal battle between a program that awards grants to female entrepreneurs of color and a conservative nonprofit organization is expected to raise broader legal questions on the use of diversity programs in corporate America. -
Sex education classes often don't include LGBTQ students. New restrictions could make it worse.
Associated Press | October 9, 2023
Many LGBTQ students say they haven't felt represented in sex education classes and have had to look elsewhere for relevant information. -
Scholastic will drop policy that makes it easier for school fairs to exclude diverse booksAssociated Press | updated October 25. 2023
Scholastic Inc. will end a widely criticized policy that made it easier for school book fairs not to sell works with racial, disability and LGBTQ+ themes. -
This TikTok Creator Wants Us To Pick Up An Actual NewspaperVanessa Handy | Huffpost | December 6, 2023
Every day, Kelsey Russell wakes up, eats breakfast and scans the day’s top headlines — but not the way you and I do. She props up her phone camera, pulls out a print newspaper or magazine, and hits “record,” spending nearly an hour laying out the deets of an article for her followers.
I'm not much of a TikTok person but Kelsey's content is engaging and helps you analyze the news for tone and target audience. Watch this post on three newspapers and media literacy. --Caroline -
Documentary Film to Spotlight Black LibrarianshipKara Yorio | SLJ | February 19, 2024
Black librarianship—the history, impact, and present state of the profession—will get the documentary treatment with Are You a Librarian: The Untold Story of Black Librarians, a film in progress with plans for release in 2025. -
New money advice from Wyclef Jean just dropped – and it's a rapChris Taylor | Reuters | February 26, 2024
As any parent will tell you, teenagers and young adults do not really listen to what you have to say. Nor do they pay much attention to financial firms and their earnest charts and graphs about how much people should be saving for retirement. But here are folks they might listen to: Wyclef Jean, Pusha T, Lola Brooke, Capella Grey and Flau’jae. Those rappers have more cultural influence over younger generations than mom, dad or the local bank and brokerage. -
Beyoncé Makes History as First Black Woman Atop Hot Country Songs ChartJim Asker, Gary Trust | billboard | February 20, 2024
Pop and R&B/hip-hop superstar Beyoncé makes her debut on Billboard’s streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Country Songs chart (dated Feb. 24) with her first two entries on the survey: “Texas Hold ‘Em” at No. 1 and “16 Carriages” at No. 9. -
Shaquille O'Neal Says ‘It’s Up to the People to Support’ Caitlin Clark and WNBA in Salary UproarSkyler Caruso | People | April 18, 2024
Shaquille O'Neal agrees that Caitlin Clark and all WNBA players need to make higher salaries — but he's telling fans that they need to "support" the players by showing up to make that happen.
Book Clubs & Newsletters
Reading Diversely Monthly Newsletter
Sign up for Anya's newsletter and get reading, listening, and viewing suggestions sent right to your email! See the world and different cultures through books and digital media.
Click here to subscribe (select "Reading Diversely").
Click here for the Hispanic Heritage Month issue.
Click here for the Native American Month issue.
Noname Book Club
From their home page: "We’re an online/irl community dedicated to uplifting POC voices. We do this by highlighting two books each month written by authors of color. In addition to building community with folks across the country we also send our monthly book picks to incarcerated comrades through our Prison Program."
YES! Magazine
Through rigorous reporting on the positive ways communities are responding to social problems and insightful commentary that sparks constructive discourse, YES! Media inspires people to build a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world.
Docs to use and review
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Windows Alt CodesDo you ever have difficulty finding special characters for names or words that have accents? All sorts of other symbols and characters also included.