5 Things Friday

Banned Books, Missing White Woman Syndrome, and Reproductive Justice In The Bay. Here are your antiracist action steps for September 24.

Artwork by Soni López-Chávez

By now you have likely seen the horrific images coming from our Southern border—guards on horseback whipping Hatian migrants attempting to find safety and seek refuge in our country. More pointedly: A white man in uniform atop a horse whipping terrified Black men. There is little that seems up for debate when looking at these pictures.

Yet the author Robert Jones Jr. astutely points out all the ways the headlines that accompany the images deftly adjust the focus. "The extreme pains media outlets took to find other, softer ways of saying 'White supremacists on horseback seen whipping Black people at the border like it's 1621 not 2021' is astonishing--and yet, not surprising. Game recognize game.

"'Trapped: Migrants collecting food try to evade law enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border.'

'White House says images of Border Patrol with apparent whip are 'obviously horrific' ('apparent whip')

'White House condemns border guard use of whip-like cord against Haitian migrants' ('whip-like cord')

Jones concludes:

"One of the most heartbreaking things about the United States of America, about this 'country,' is the way in which it refuses to see itself in the mirror, while at the same time refuses to look at anything other than itself in the mirror. A twin denial/vanity that cannot be reconciled, resulting in violence that cannot be quelled without shattering it first."

Here are your 5 Things.

CALL NOW. Today (9/24) join California domestic workers and their supporters in calling up Governor Newsom and asking him to sign SB321 into law. This bill would require Cal/OSHA to establish workplace safety guidelines for domestic workers, and would establish the first guidelines for health and safety in the domestic work industry in the state's history. It is the first step towards getting enforceable protections for nannies, house cleaners and homecare workers. This is a crucial step toward creating safety guarantees for the many people, most of them women of color, who work in people’s homes. Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year, so it is important we put on the pressure. Call 916-445-2824 now and ask him to sign SB321 into law.

KNOW THIS. Neary one year ago, The Central York School District in Pennsylvania implemented a book ban focused almost entirely on titles by or about people of color, with a lengthy list of works by acclaimed authors including Jacqueline Woodson, Ileoma Oluo and Ibram X Kendi all prohibited. Teachers were informed that titles including Malala Yousafzai’s autobiography and children’s books about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr were also banned, along with articles and videos, including a documentary about the writing of James Baldwin. Students, led by the Panther Anti-Racist Union, mobilized against the ban, protesting in front of the school. The school board voted unanimously on Monday night to reverse their previous decision to ban over 250 books, documentaries, and articles that focus on racial and ethnic diversity and inclusion and to reinstate the list of books immediately.

TUNE INTO THIS. While it may seem like we are miles from the heart of the fight over reproductive rights, there is plenty to advocate for right here at home. Learn more about how to support Reproductive Justice for youth TODAY, September 24 at 3 pm. Come hear Oakland Dream Youth Clinic’s founder, Dr. Aisha Mays, this Friday talk on the topic and offer ways you can get involved. "Postpartum Justice lies within the overarching framework of Reproductive Justice. We must uphold the right to have a child, the right not to have a child and the right to parent their children in safe and healthy communities. At this very hour when reproductive rights are being trampled on, it is important for us to unite under the banner of JUSTICE—especially in our understanding of the situation of the vulnerable youth of our community."

UNDERSTAND THIS. There really isn't a more glaring example of white supremacy in media than the contrast in coverage between missing white women, and missing women of color. (American news anchor Gwen Ifill dubbed the phenomenon “Missing White Woman Syndrome”) At least 710 Indigenous people, mostly girls, went missing in Wyoming—the same state that Gabby Petito disappeared—from 2011 to 2020, according to a January report published by the state's Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Task Force. The vast majority, 85%, were kids, while 57% were female. The report also looked at media coverage, finding only 30% of Indigenous homicide victims made the news, compared to 51% of white victims. What can we do about it? You can start with a donation to the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center.

GO TO THIS. You can also seek out news and information beyond the most click-thirsty headlines. Tomorrow, you can get to know the Bay Area's American Indian Cultural District by joining them to celebrate their One Year Anniversary and Cultural Hub Grand Opening Celebration. On Saturday, September 25th from 12 - 3 pm at Great Meadow Park (Bay St. San Francisco, Ca 94123) above Fort Mason the group will be celebrating with traditional song & dance, basket making demonstrations and food from Sweet Sonya’s Frybread. They'll recognize American Indian leadership and give updates from SF American Indian organizations.