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Mark Mwandoro
Marketing Director “I am the Earth, and the Earth is me. Each blade of grass, Each honey tree, each bit of mud, And stick and stone is blood and muscle, skin and bone” – Jane Yolen (Poetry Foundation, 1995). Every year on the 22nd of April, the world comes together to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. Up to 1970, as America was growing its industries, belching out smoke and sludge was a sign of prosperity. Air pollution was common and Americans were oblivious of the consequences of pollution to the environment and their health (EarthDay, 2022). Our earth is a very wonderful place, but it needs our help to thrive. Senator Gaylord Nelson started Earth Day to enforce legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment. The first earth day led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, which still exists today, and some of our most important environmental laws being passed such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Earth Day is all about educating people about conservation, protesting against climate change and global warming, and encouraging volunteering for the good of the planet (Wurzburger, 2021). The Earth Day 2022 Theme is Invest In Our Planet. What Will You Do? It is time to choose both a prosperous and sustainable future and time to restore nature and build a healthy planet for our children and their children. Unless we start acting now, climate change will deeply damage economies, increase scarcity, drain profits and job prospects, and impact us all (EarthDay, 2022). “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates Through regulations, incentives, and public/private partnerships, governments hold the keys to transforming and building the green economy. Governments must also incentivize their citizens, businesses, and institutions to build a resilient future. What each of us does, and how we do it, has a huge ripple effect on our ecosystems. We have the power to lobby for and support businesses that take active steps to protect our environment through their practices and climate-friendly investments and to bring those who aren’t back to the earth that sustains their very being. References EarthDay. (2022). THE HISTORY OF EARTH DAY. Retrieved from Earth Day: https://www.earthday.org/history/ Poetry Foundation. (1995). Earth Day. Retrieved from Poetry Foundation: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/54673/earth-day Wurzburger, A. (2021, April 22). What Is Earth Day and Why Do We Celebrate? Retrieved from People: https://people.com/human-interest/what-is-earth-day-and-why-do-we-celebrate/
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Mark Mwandoro
Marketing Director As the days brighten and spring kicks into full swing, Jews all over the world are celebrating one of their most important observances, Passover. Passover is celebrated annually commemorating the anniversary of the Jews’ miraculous Exodus from Egyptian slavery, as told in the Bible (Chabad, 2022). The story of Passover can be found in the book of Exodus in the Hebrew Bible. Found in the Torah, the Passover story tells of the Israelites’ slavery, deliverance, and escape (“the Exodus”) from Egypt. The story begins with Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and arrived in Egypt as a poor, powerless servant. Joseph was favored by God, was very wise, and could interpret dreams. This made him rise to be a trusted advisor to the Egyptian kings. He rose in power and fame and his family eventually joined him in Egypt as well as many other Israelites. There they prospered and multiplied for many generations. A new King ‘Pharaoh’ came into power in Egypt. He did not remember how helpful Joseph had been and was threatened by the number of Israelites who had now occupied Egypt. He was afraid that they would one day rise against him so he treated them harshly, forcing them to work as slaves in terrible conditions. The Israelites persevered and continued to multiply regardless. Pharaoh was still dismayed by the fortitude of the Israelites and passed an even harsher decree that all sons born to Israelite women should be killed at birth. When an Israelite woman, Yocheved, had a baby boy, she feared for his life and placed the baby in a wicker basket and placed him floating on the River Nile. Pharaos’ daughter who was at the river, came across the baby and took him home. All this was witnessed by Miriam, Yocheved’s daughter. The baby was named Moses, ‘drawn from the water’, and he grew up in the palace. As he grew up, he learned of the plight of his people and once killed a taskmaster who was beating an Israelite slave. On realizing what he had done, he fled to the land of Midian, where he married a Midianite woman, Tzipporah, and became a shepherd (REFORM JUDAISM, 2022). One day as Moses was tending to his flock, he came upon a burning bush that was not being consumed by the fire. God spoke to Moses and told him that with the help of his brother Aaron, they would free the Israelites from the shackles of slavery in Egypt. Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and demanded that he “Let my people go,”. Pharaoh refused and instead made the Israelites work even harder. God then told Moses that, as proof of God’s power, the Egyptians would suffer a series of plagues until Pharaoh agreed to let the Jews go. During the last plague, God killed the firstborn of each Egyptian family, but “passed over” the houses of the Israelites who had marked their doors with lamb’s blood, leaving their children unharmed. Following this last plague, Pharaoh relented and let the Jews go. The Israelites hastily left Egypt and did not have time to let their bread rise, leading to the holiday’s tradition of eating unleavened bread, matzah. After the Jews left, Pharaoh regretted his decision and his army chased the Israelites to the Red Sea. God told Moses to stretch his staff over the sea, and, in perhaps the greatest miracle in all of the Jewish tradition, the waters parted, allowing the Jews to cross on dry land (REFORM JUDAISM, 2022). Modern Passover celebrations try to commemorate the Biblical events. The seder, which is the ritual meal that is the centerpiece of Passover celebrations, incorporates foods that represent elements of the story. Bitter herbs represent the bitterness of slavery, roasted shank bone represents the sacrificial lamb, and an egg represents new life. Vegetables are dipped into saltwater representing the tears of the enslaved Israelites. During a traditional seder, participants eat unleavened bread, or matzoh, three times, and drink wine four times. They read from a Haggadah, a guide to the rite, hear the story of Passover, and answer four questions about the purpose of their meal. Children get involved, too, and search for an afikomen, a piece of broken matzoh, that has been hidden in the home (BLAKEMORE, 2020). Passover celebrations last one week in Israel and 8 days in other parts of the world. Passover celebration is important as it advocates for strength, hope, and triumph over adversity and anti-Semitism. References BLAKEMORE, E. (2020, April 7). A brief history of Passover, which honors resilience amid adversity. Retrieved from National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/history-passover-honors-resilience-amid-adversity#:~:text=The%20story%20of%20Passover%20can,newly%20born%20Jewish%20son%20murdered. Chabad. (2022). Passover. Retrieved from CHABAD.ORG: https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/default_cdo/jewish/Passover.htm REFORM JUDAISM. (2022). Passover: History. Retrieved from REFORM JUDAISM: https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/passover/passover-history Mark Mwandoro
Marketing Director Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.” S.D. Gordon (Rissel, 2015). Easter has always been a joyous season where the earth is reborn in a swell of new life awash with the vibrant colors of nature and renewed spiritual energy. Easter is originally a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Most major holidays have some connection to the changing of seasons. Spring is marked by the coming back to life of plants and trees that have been dormant for winter, as well as the birth of new life in the animal world. Given this symbolism of new life and rebirth, it was only natural to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at this time of the year (Landau, 2017). The holiday begins with Lent, a forty-day period marked by fasting, sacrifice and prayer, and ends with the holy week. The Holy Week includes Maundy Thursday which is the celebration of the last supper of Jesus with his disciples, Good Friday when Jesus was crucified, and Easter Sunday when Jesus rose from the dead (HISTORY, 2022). Easter typically falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox. The spring equinox is a day where the amount of dark and the amount of daylight is exactly identical, so you can tell that you're emerging from winter because the daylight and the dark have come back into balance. Easter gets its name from a pagan goddess, Eostre, from Anglo-Saxon England who was described by St. Bede the Venerable (Travers, 2017). Other historians maintain that Easter is derived from in albis, a Latin phrase that's plural for ‘alba’, or “dawn," that became eostarum in Old High German, a precursor to the English language of today (HISTORY, 2022). Christians celebrate Easter because they believe that Jesus Christ was resurrected three days after his crucifixion on Good Friday. They celebrate the victory of life over death with the resurrection of Jesus. “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him” (Romans 6:9) (Lifestyle, 2021). Easter represents a "historical" Christian festival, which the Bible also reports about in detail. During the Middle Ages, people would decorate eggs and eat them as a treat following mass on Easter Sunday after fasting through Lent. The custom of decorating hard-boiled eggs or blown eggs is still a very popular folk custom. Rabbits and hares are also associated with fertility and were symbols linked to the goddess Eostre. The Easter bunny is the Easter symbol for excellence. The egg has always been a symbol of fertility and rebirth in many cultures. Easter egg hunts and egg rolling are two popular egg-related traditions. Children look for hidden decorated eggs and when the hunt is over, prizes may be given for the largest number of eggs collected, for the largest or smallest egg, and for the most eggs of a specific colour. Easter is a time of renewed faith and new beginnings. "Whoever knows Easter cannot despair," Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said in dark times (Lignoma, 2021). ReferencesHISTORY. (2022, April 7). Easter 2022. Retrieved from HISTORY: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/history-of-easter Landau, B. (2017, April 12). Why Easter is called Easter, and other little-known facts about the holiday. Retrieved from THE CONVERSATION: https://theconversation.com/why-easter-is-called-easter-and-other-little-known-facts-about-the-holiday-75025#:~:text=The%20naming%20of%20the%20celebration,seventh%20and%20early%20eighth%20century. Lifestyle. (2021, April 3). Easter 2021: Date, history, importance and significance. Retrieved from The Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/date-history-importance-significance7255299/ Lignoma. (2021). Why do we celebrate Easter - the meaning and traditions of Easter simply explained. Retrieved from Lignoma: https://www.lignoma.com/en/magazine/why-do-we-celebrate-easter-the-meaning-and-traditions-of-easter/ Rissel, B. (2015, April 4). One Writers Way. Retrieved from Wordpress: https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/2015/04/04/easter-spells-out-beauty-the-rare-beauty-of-new-life-s-d-gordon/ Travers, P. (2017, April 15). Origin of Easter: From pagan festivals and Christianity to bunnies and chocolate eggs. Retrieved from ABC: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-15/the-origins-of-easter-from-pagan-roots-to-chocolate-eggs/8440134 Mark Mwandoro
Marketing Director “Together we can help both men and women [all sexes too] stand up for their rights and support them to become the best version of themselves for tomorrow.” Seemal Saeed, Human Rights Activist, Pakistan (MENCARE, 2015). Prevention surely is better than cure. Prevention plays a central role in the efforts to eradicate the root causes of gender-based violence in society. Ending Gender-Based Violence is everyone's business. Nothing good ever comes out of volence; if we desire a society of peace, then we cannot achieve that through violence, and if we desire a society without discrimination, then we must not discriminate against anyone. There are several ways where we can make a difference, safely and impactfully. Listen to and believe survivorsThe first step in breaking the cycle of abuse is when the person who has been violated shares their story. It takes a lot for people who have gone through violence to speak out, and when they do, they need a safe space to let it all out. When discussing cases of sexual violence, a person’s sobriety, clothes, and sexuality are irrelevant. Change attitudes and stereotypesGender stereotypes are the beliefs that people have about the characteristics of what it means to be male, female, intersex, agender or transgender (C.L. Martin, 2001). Stereotypes change and vary with cultures over time. These expectations are often related to the roles that people with any of these sexes fulfill in the culture. For example, in binary cultures, gender stereotypes cast men as more agentic and women as more communal (supportive, caring, warm, and emotional). These binaries can limit our personal expressions of our genders. It is possible to shift gender norms in a more equitable direction. Promoting community-based interventions and training encourages society to reflect on and shift their perceptions of inequality. Changing the attitudes that make gender-based violence possible means empowering people through education, health, and livelihood opportunities. Sexual violence against people who identify as men is treated differently than that committed against people who identify as women in most societies and is largely unrecognized by international law. We need to call out GBV for what it is regardless of the gender involved. Know the data and demand more of itGender-based violence is rarely discussed, and data at a local or regional level is often not available or is incomplete. Many people who have experienced GBV choose not to report incidents, and certain forms of violence may not be punishable by law. To effectively combat gender-based violence, we need to understand the problem. Relevant data collection is key to implementing successful prevention measures and providing survivors with the right support (UNWOMEN, 2022). Data on GBV enables organizations and countries to make informed decisions on where and how to target funding and other support. Perpetrator data and information on the times and locations of incidents of violence can inform prevention efforts and enable more specific advocacy for policy change (UNFPA, 2013). Proper use of this data can have a positive impact on the survivors; it will show them that they are not alone and give them the courage to speak out so that they can get help. Train the next generation and learn from themGender stereotypes start from a very young age. Start conversations about the imposition of gender roles early on, and challenge the traditional features and characteristics assigned to people based on their genders (male, female, transgender, agender, etc) even on matters of sexuality (UNWOMEN, 2022). Point out and call out the stereotypes that children encounter and let them know that it is okay to be different. Encourage a culture of acceptance; let them know that it is okay to chart our paths in the roles that one takes up in society, in the choice of a partner, and one's sexuality. Train the upcoming generation about consent, bodily autonomy, and personal accountability and also listen to what they have to say about their experiences of the world. By empowering young people with information and education and room to be themselves we can greatly improve our future. References C.L. Martin, L. D. (2001). Gender related development. From International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/gender-stereotypes MENCARE. (2015, November 20). During 16 Days, MenCare shares 16 ways fathers can act against gender-based violence. From MENCARE: https://men-care.org/2015/11/20/join-mencare-during-the-16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence/ UNFPA. (2013, February 21). The role of data in addressing violence against women. From UNFPA : https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdf/finalUNFPA_CSW_Book_20130221_Data.pdf UNHCR. (2021). Gender-based violence. From UNHCR: https://www.unhcr.org/gender-based-violence.html UNWOMEN. (2022, November 17). ake action: 10 ways you can help end violence against women, even during a pandemic. From UNWOMEN: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/11/compilation-take-action-to-help-end-violence-against-women Gender-Based Violence is any act done on or to a person against their will as a result of gender norms, and unequal power relationships. It includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse, threats, coercion, and economic or educational deprivation, whether occurring in public or private life (Ott, 2021). Women are disproportionately affected by GBV. That’s why there’s a lot of focus on ending the vice.
“Men who kill women do not suddenly kill women, they work up to killing women.” Caroline Criado Perez (Gupta, 2021) GBV can manifest in many different forms, whether it is early and forced marriages, rape, trafficking of persons, sexual violence, femicide, and honor killings. Victims of violence, especially women of color face many barriers to accessing resources and safety. These barriers range from: fear of criminal justice systems; the lack of a financial safety net; religious and cultural barriers; fear of deportation; lack of awareness or knowledge of the legal system; lack of adequate childcare services; lack of low-cost housing options, and skepticism of social service institutions (YWCA, 2017). Sexism and MisogynyKerwin Kofi Charles, professor at the Harris School of Public Policy, and his colleagues find that sexism affects women through two channels: one is their preferences that are shaped by where they grow up, and the other is the sexism they experience in the place they choose to live as adults (Charles, 2018). Sexism prevails in a society where its people believe women’s capacities are inferior to men or where people think that families are hurt when women work, and men and women should adhere to strict roles in society. These unfortunate norms exist within women themselves and are largely influenced by where and how a woman was raised. An example of such a background norm is a girl who grows up within a culture that prizes men as leaders and women as playing only supportive roles to male leaders. Misogyny is defined as the hatred of women. Fifty years after Ruth Bader Ginsberg worked to secure constitutional equality for women, misogyny is still alive and well in the American system. If we are taught to hate or devalue an entire group of people, we’ll make incorrect assumptions and unfair judgments about the group and the individuals in it. During the Vice Presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence, Kamala Harris was often talked over and rudely interrupted repeatedly by her male counterparts. While men also rudely interrupted one another, norms for females often require female candidates to embrace service towards others over themselves. Thus, to redirect the flow of conversation, Harris has to find a way to do so while also maintaining likeability to men. Some of the societal expecations for women result in women being more election- and risk-averse than men. Women can be discouraged by barriers that men do not face, including constant positioning to serve men, sexist media coverage, intrusive questions about their life choices, overt sexual harassment, online misogynist abuse, or accusations of lying (Poloni-Staudinger, 2020). StalkingStalking is when someone repeatedly harasses or threatens someone else, causing fear or safety concerns. It is a crime that can touch anyone regardless of gender, age, race, or sexual orientation. About 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men have experienced stalking in their lifetimes, and nearly 54% of female victims and 41% of male victims experienced stalking before the age of 25 (CDC, 2021). Stalking tactics include: unwanted phone calls, watching, following, or tracking a victim, sneaking into the victim’s home or car, doing things to scare the victim or let them know the perpetrator had been there, and leaving strange or potentially threatening items for the victim to find. It is a very scary and uncomfortable situation to find yourself in. Stalking is a crime in all the states in the USA but less than one-third of the fifty states classify stalking as a felony if it’s a first offense. This leaves stalking victims without protections afforded to victims of other violent crimes (NCADV, 2017). Stalking is often an indicator of other forms of violence and is linked to femicide. The most prevalent form of stalking involves previous personal or romantic relationships between the stalker and the victim. The stalker may try to renew the relationship and when the victim spurns these unwelcome advances, the stalker often turns to intimidation. Stalking takes its toll emotionally, psychologically, and even financially. The victims suffer higher rates of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and social dysfunction compared to the general population. Breaking the Cycle of Gender-Based Violence People who are being stalked may fear talking to others. It is extremely important to keep dialogue open with your friends, families, colleagues, and children and to help them talk about any subtle discomforts they are experiencing with members of different genders. It is important to listen closely to the people in your lives and their body signals and places where they are not talking. It is important to engage in dialogue that helps you learn what messaging and ideas they are internalizing about themselves and their gender so you can begin to process those messages with them and interrupt unhealthy messaging. If you struggle with healthy beliefs about your own gender, it is so important to see a therapist who can help you understand where you have experienced past or present gender-based violation. The more you can identify where others did not protect you and where they should have protected you, the better you will be able to protect your children and others in your communities. Smaller discomforts are especially important to keep tabs on. Getting really honest about what is happening by asking direct questions is essential. Knowing and sharing with anyone experiencing any kind of violation what is appropriate behavior is essential. Making sure they know they can tell you anything is also important. If they or someone they know is being sexually harassed and/or stalked, showing them how to be an advocate for themselves or that person by going to the authorities is essential. Works Cited CDC. (2021, January 8). Stalking: Know it. Name it. Stop it. From Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/prevent-stalking/index.html Charles, K. K. (2018, August 1). The Effects of Sexism on American Women: The Role of Norms vs. Discrimination. From Becker Friedman Institute: https://bfi.uchicago.edu/insight/research-summary/the-effects-of-sexism-on-american-women-the-role-of-norms-vs-discrimination/ Gupta, A. H. (2021, March 25). Misogyny Fuels Violence Against Women. Should It Be a Hate Crime? From The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/25/us/misogyny-violence-against-women-hate-crime.html NCADV. (2017, January 30). Quick Guide to Stalking: 16 Important Statistics, and What You Can Do About It. From NCADV: https://ncadv.org/blog/posts/quick-guide-to-stalking-16-important-statistics-and-what-you-can-do-about-it Ott, M. (2021, June 4). Gender-based Violence. From WOMEN FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL: https://www.womenforwomen.org/blogs/series-what-does-mean-gender-based-violence?src=%20GGGS202https://www.womenforwomen.org/blogs/series-what-does-mean-gender-based-violence?src=GGEV224A&ms=cpc_google_awarness&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign Paquette, D. (2016, August 25). More than half of US men think sexism is over. From WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/08/more-than-half-of-men-in-the-us-think-sexism-is-over/ Poloni-Staudinger, L. M. (2020, October 20). Because misogyny is still alive. From WHY SOCIAL SCIENCE: https://www.whysocialscience.com/blog/2020/10/20/because-misogyny-is-still-alive-and-well-and-women-still-dont-rule-equally-to-men YWCA. (2017, September). GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE FACTS. From YWCA: https://www.ywca.org/wp-content/uploads/WWV-GBV-Fact-Sheet-Final.pdf “Gender-based violence anywhere is a threat to peace and security everywhere.” John F. Kerry (quotefancy, n.d.). Gender-based violence (GBV) is an act of aggression towards an individual against their will as a result of societal gender norms and unequal power relationships.
GBV is a serious violation of human rights and a life-threatening health and protection issue (UNHCR, 2020). The perpetrators are predominantly male, and the victims are most often women. Women are most often asked for sexual favors or treated with inappropriate jokes, sexual insinuations, comments, and unwanted physical contact that can amount to an assault. One out of every three women will experience sexual violence or physical assault at least once in their lives. The cases escalate especially in times of crises such as during conflict or pandemics. GBV is often divided into two categories, interpersonal and structural/institutional violence. Interpersonal violence is the act of economic, sexual, psychological, or other violence performed by an individual against another person, regardless of gender (Ann Kangas, 2015). It is a pattern of behavior used to establish dominance and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. The perpetrator often displays the following warning signs, among many others; puts you down, cuts off your access to money or resources, threatens to disclose private or sensitive information about you, and forces you to have sex with them. Interpersonal violence is a leading cause of death among young adults in many parts of the world. Structural/institutional violence refers to any form of institutional discrimination that delegates a person to a sustained subordinate position. The means of this delegation can be physical or ideological and is intended as a way of life for families, households, or communities (Ann Kangas, 2015). Violence Against Women Violence against women is defined as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life (WHO, 2021). One in three women, globally, experience sexual or physical violence, mostly by an intimate partner. Women everywhere have their rights trampled on and are forced to engage in unwilful sexual relations. Nations across the world have passed legislation that protects women and girls from domestic violence, and sexual harassment at their place of work, but they are still plagued by these atrocities. Passing legislation alone is still not enough. The perpetrators often go unpunished and are likely to strike again. So, when will our women and girls ever be safe? Violence against women and girls is a global crisis that knows no social status, race, tribe, or culture. Marginalized women or those in conflict zones are at a higher risk of violence because of the shaky protection from institutions in place. In some cultures, this violence is acceptable and is approved by society. The perpetrators feel like the violence against women is appropriate and acceptable behavior, and they often go unpunished. Violence against women is deeply rooted in gender inequality that women and girls are faced with from childhood to adulthood, throughout their lives. It takes many forms such as stalking, harassment, early and forced marriage, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and domestic violence. The statistics below shows the prevalence of violence against women: AGE GROUP IN YEARS PREVALENCE (%) 15 - 19 29.4 20 - 24 31.6 25 - 29 32.3 30 - 34 31.1 35 - 39 36.6 40 - 44 37.8 45 - 49 29.2 50 - 54 25.5 55 - 59 15.1 60 - 64 19.6 65 - 69 22.2 Source: (UNFPA, 2017) The data above shows the disturbing figures that girls as young as 15 years, and some even younger are not spared from this violence. The effects of this abuse not only affect the victims but also their families and child sexual assault leads to a myriad of problems such as sexually transmitted infections, stress, unwanted pregnancies, and mental health problems. To cope with the effects of violence and abuse, most women resort to misuse of alcohol or drugs or engage in risky behaviors, such as having unprotected sex. For some, their perception of their body changes; this often leads to unhealthy eating habits or eating disorders. Violence against women interferes with the women's ability to productively work. They may be forced to leave their homes for fear of violence, and those who were in schools may opt to drop out. Gender-based violence takes a toll on the contributions of women to international development, peace, and progress. It is an infringement of basic human rights and the perpetrators should be brought to justice. Women organizations and governments are doing extensive work to ensure that victims have access to help and support and a safe place to run to. Works Cited (n.d.). From quotefancy: https://quotefancy.com/quote/1270905/John-F-Kerry-Gender-based-violence-anywhere-is-a-threat-to-peace-and-security-everywhere Ann Kangas, H. H. (2015, July). Gender-based violence. From GSDRC: https://gsdrc.org/topic-guides/gender/gender-based-violence/ UNFPA. (2017, September 18). Gender-based violence. From UNFPA: https://www.unfpa.org/gender-based-violence#readmore-expand UNHCR. (2020). Gender-based Violence. From UNHCR: https://www.unhcr.org/gender-based-violence.html WHO. (2021, March 9). Violence against women. From WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women Mark Mwandoro
Marketing Director Women, people who speak up, are always on the frontline of change. They challenge expectations and are always breaking down barriers. March is Women's History Month where we celebrate and remind ourselves of the accomplishments and sacrifices of women, to our great nation. Women overcame the legal and cultural barriers to actively engage in building the great nation of the United States. Did you know that Women's History Month evolved from a one-day event to one week then eventually to one month? The holiday began as International Women's Day in Manhattan in 1909 commemorated on the 28th of Feb. On 8th March 1910. Clara Zetkin, a German activist suggested they recognize the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. There were 17 countries in attendance (Wurzburger, 2021). The first International Women's Day was celebrated in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark on the 8th of March, 1911. The holiday wasn’t widely celebrated in the United States until 1975 when the United Nations officially endorsed it. The theme for 2022’s Women's History Month is "Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope". This is a tribute to the endless effort that caregivers and frontline workers have given during the pandemic and also a recognition of the work that women have given throughout the years. Notable women in the history of St LouisSusan Blow Susan Elizabeth Blow, also known as the ‘Mother of Kindergarten’, is an ardent reformer who founded the first public kindergarten and ran it for eleven years without any pay. In September 1873, Susan Blow opened the first public kindergarten at the Des Peres School in Carondelet (Carlynn Trout, n.d.). Her classrooms were brightly colored and cheerful, and the furniture was low, just the perfect size for kindergarten-going children. She served as the director of the school and trained several teachers including African American women who became active in the kindergarten movement (MARY RUTH MOORE, 2018). The classrooms contained many plants, books, and toys to always keep the children engaged and entertained. The kids were also taught cleanliness and good feeding habits. Public schools in St Louis copied this model of education from Susan Blow. By 1879, there were 53 kindergarten rooms in the St. Louis school system thanks to her (Carlynn Trout, n.d.). She toured the country giving talks on her progressive ideas about education until three weeks before her death on March 26, 1916. Annie Turnbo Malone She is among the first black women to reach millionaire status through her hair care products. She was born to formerly enslaved parents in 1869. She was fascinated by hair and chemistry, and with guidance from her herbalist aunt, she began to make hair products catered to black women. Madam C.J. Walker was one of her famous clients whom she helped treat hair loss due to dandruff and psoriasis of the scalp (Nittle, 2019). In 1902, Malone moved her business to St. Louis, Missouri, where she hired and trained three assistants who sold the hair products door to door. She built the Poro College in 1918, where black people in the city could gather for entertainment and other hospitality activities. Despite her growing wealth, Malone lived humbly and gave away much of her fortune to help other African Americans. She donated large amounts of money to charities and helped build the St. Louis Colored YWCA. She also contributed to several orphanages and donated the site for the St. Louis Colored Orphans' Home. She was president of the Colored Women's Federated Clubs of St. Louis, an executive committee member of the National Negro Business League and the Commission on Interracial Cooperation, an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and a lifelong Republican (Annie Turnbo, n.d.). Harriet Woods Harriett Woods was the first female lieutenant governor of Missouri, a Democratic politician, and an advocate for women’s rights. She is a trailblazer for women in state and national politics, and an inspiration to the new generation of female politicians in America (Harper, n.d.). Woods used her position as a state legislator to help the most vulnerable of her people; the homeless, the elderly, and all who were experiencing discrimination. “Your best chance to move forward is to seize opportunities as they come along. Success is never guaranteed, but if you do your best, there is no absolute failure.” Said Woods (Harper, n.d.). Maya Angelou Maya Angelou is a world-renowned author, poet, and activist. Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson in St. Louis in 1928, but in the 1950s came up with “Maya Angelou,” which is a portmanteau of sorts (Warxman, 2018). She is best known for her unique and pioneering writing style. She has been recognized by many organizations both nationally and internationally for her contributions to literature. She has given many commencement speeches and was awarded more than 30 honorary degrees in her lifetime. She is a remarkable figure in the world of literary arts. Works Cited Annie Turnbo. (n.d.). From The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: http://www.histarch.illinois.edu/Brooklyn/HSOBI/AnnieMalone.htm Carlynn Trout. (n.d.). Susan Blow. From Historic Missourians: https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org/susan-blow Harper, K. (n.d.). Harriett Woods. From Historic Missourians : https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org/harriett-woods MARY RUTH MOORE, C. S.-R. (2018, November). Our Proud Heritage. Sowing the Seeds of Hope for Today: Remembering the Life and Work of Susan Blow. From NAEYC: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/nov2018/remembering-life-work-susan-blow Nittle, N. (2019, February 15). Meet Annie Turnbo Malone, the hair care entrepreneur Trump shouted out in his Black History Month proclamation. From Vox: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/2/15/18226396/annie-turnbo-malone-hair-entrepreneur-trump-black-history Warxman, O. (2018, April 4). 5 Things to Know About Maya Angelou's Complicated, Meaningful Life. From Time: https://time.com/5226045/dr-maya-angelous-90th-birthday/ Wurzburger, A. (2021, March 8). Women's History Month: How It Started, Why We Celebrate in March and More Questions Answered. From People: https://people.com/human-interest/womens-history-month-facts-explainer/ Mark Mwandoro
Marketing Director “There is no such thing as race. There's just the human race, scientifically. Racism is a construct, a social construct,” stated Toni Morrison (Appelo, 2019). The plague of racism remains one of our nation's most traumatic topics. The American Society of Human Genetics expresses that the very idea of race is a lie, and has no biological basis. “The science of genetics demonstrates that humans cannot be divided into biologically distinct subcategories therefore, race itself is a social construct” (Prontzos, 2019). The human genome project confirms that the genomes found around the globe are 99.9 percent identical in every person. Hence, the very idea of different “races” is nonsense. Health disparities in the United States are the differences that exist among specific population groups in the attainment of full health potential that can be measured by differences in incidence, prevalence, mortality, the burden of disease, and other adverse health conditions (NCBI, 2017). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies health disparities as, “preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations.” (Nabi Ndugga, 2021). Disparities cut across dimensions such as race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability status, socioeconomic status, age, and geographic location. Racial and ethnic disparities Health disparities - that stem from unequal access to safety, to healthy and affordable food, housing, medical care, and transportation - in the racial and ethnic demographics are arguably the most obstinate iniquities in health throughout the history of our country. Health disparities among black and brown populations of America take many forms such as increased rates of chronic disease and premature death compared to the rates among whites. Conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, play, and worship affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reports that among the five racial and ethnic groups measured in the National Vital Statistics Survey (NVSS) in 2014, African American women had the highest percentage of preterm singleton births at 11.1 percent, while Asian or Pacific Islander women had the lowest at 6.8 percent (NCHS, 2016). For indigenous populations, infant mortality rates are staggering. Native Americans and Alaska Natives have an infant mortality rate that is 60 percent higher than the rate for their white counterparts (HHS, 2014). Obesity also affects racial and ethnic populations disproportionately; From 2011 to 2014, Latinx children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 had the highest prevalence of obesity in the United States (21.9%), and Asians had the lowest (8.6%) (NCHS, 2016). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 44 percent of African American men and 48 percent of African American women have some form of cardiovascular disease and African American and American Indian/Alaska Native females have higher rates of stroke-related death than Latinx and white women (Blackwell DL, 2014). Mortality rates for Native Americans are almost 50% higher than that of their white counterparts with an infant mortality rate that is 1.5 times higher than for whites (Mathews TJ, 2015). The rate of diabetes as an underlying cause of death and a multiple cause of death has remained 2.5 to 3.5 times higher for Native Americans than for whites of all ages 20 and older. Gender disparities Gender disparities in health are not based on biological mechanisms, rather on socioeconomic conditions that can shape gender differences in health outcomes such as mortality rates, alcohol, and substance abuse, mental health disorders, and violence victimization (NCBI, 2017). Within health care systems, unconscious gender biases –based on gender stereotypes and sexism affect patient care. In 2014 life expectancy at birth was 81.2 years for women and 76.4 years for men, and from 2004 to 2014, the gap in life expectancy between men and women decreased from 5.1 years to 4.8 years (NCHS, 2015). The narrowing of the age gap between men and women might be mistaken for a positive event; while in fact, it is troubling because it stems from a rise in mortality rates among women. The gender pay gap, men earning more than women, has serious implications on health iniquities because income is closely tied to health. The number of men not insured in the country is higher than that of women because historically, men have not qualified for Medicaid. Living in low-income neighborhoods is linked to an increased risk of gender-based violence for African American and white women. Women are at a higher risk of sustaining injuries compared to men, and the effects of the violence continue having lasting effects on the health of women. The women who experience violence are at a higher risk of arthritis, asthma, heart disease, gynecological problems, and risk factors for HIV or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) than those who do not experience violence (Campbell JC, 2000). For men, community violence is likely to affect their health, and this is particularly true for men of color, who experience disproportionate amounts of violence. Men also have higher suicide rates than women regardless of age, race, or ethnicity, with overall rates at almost four times those of women. Sexual orientation(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, Intersex, Asexual) health disparities The acronym LGBTIA is an umbrella term for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, Intersex, Asexual even though there exist within this population more forms of sexual and gender expression. The LGBTQIA population has been the subject of hate crimes and were excluded from many of the rights and social advantages of our society. Despite there being laws that protect the rights of the LGBTQIA community, they still face disturbing rates of healthcare discrimination from humiliation, harassment, and outright being turned away by medical practitioners and hospitals. Center of American Progress, CAP, survey data shows that 8% of LGBTQIA were denied access to a health practitioner because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, 6% said that the doctor refused to give them healthcare related to their actual or perceived sexual orientation, 9% said that a doctor used harsh or harmful language and 7% said that they experienced unwanted physical touch such as fondling and even rape from the care providers (CAP, 2018). In a case, a transgender teenager who was admitted to a hospital for suicidal ideation and self-inflicted injuries was repeatedly misgendered and then discharged early by hospital staff. Unfortunately, he ended up committing suicide. Infants have been turned away from pediatricians for having same-sex parents. Discrimination, or even the potential of discrimination, has the potential of keeping the LGBTQIA community away from hospitals. Geographical location disparities Rural counties have always had the highest premature death rates in the country. In comparison to urban areas, they have increased rates of preventable conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, and injury. Rural areas have historically been affected by poverty and lack of opportunities for achieving optimal health, including factors such as employment, education, housing, and access to transportation. Limited or no access to a health care provider, poor management of chronic disease, and limited subspecialty availability are very real concerns for rural communities (Wong ST, 2009). In urban areas, violence, and the resulting injuries and trauma, put them at higher risks of health complications than any other area. Approximately two-thirds of all U.S. firearm homicides occur in large urban areas, with inner cities as the most affected by firearm homicide (Prevention Institute, 2011). Youth violence is also higher in cities than in rural areas. Urban communities have been characterized by a high burden of asthma, especially for children living in crowded and polluted areas. United States citizens within lower-income or otherwise socially disadvantaged groups are confronted with a multilevel web of challenges that negatively impact their health and wellbeing. Discrimination exists in systems meant to protect the well-being or health of its people. Individuals who have experienced discrimination in the past may be more reluctant to seek health care, as they may perceive it as a setting of increased risk for discrimination. These disparities need to be addressed and a long-term solution reached to ensure equity in the healthcare system. References Appelo, T. (2019, August 6). Impact of celebrated author's work reverberates in nation's conscience. From AARP: https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/books/info-2019/toni-morrison-national-treasure.html Blackwell DL, L. J. (2014). Summary health statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2012. National Center for Health Statistics; Vital and Health Statistics. PubMed. Retrieved February 10, 2014 Campbell JC, B. D. (2000). Violence against women: Synthesis of research for health care professionals. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice. CAP. (2018, January 18). Discrimination Prevents LGBTQ People From Accessing Health Care. From CAP: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/discrimination-prevents-lgbtq-people-accessing-health-care/ HHS. (2014). Infant mortality disparities fact sheets. Retrieved October 21, 2016 from http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/content.aspx?ID=6907&lvl=3&lvlID=8 Mathews TJ, M. M. (2015). Infant mortality statistics from the 2013 period linked birth/infant death data set. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; National Vital Statistics Reports. Nabi Ndugga, S. A. (2021, May 11). Disparities in Health and Health Care: 5 Key Questions and Answers. From KFF: https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/disparities-in-health-and-health-care-5-key-question-and-answers/ NCBI. (2017). The state of health disparities in the United States. Bethesda MD: National Academy of Sciences. NCHS. (2015). Health, United States, 2015: With special feature on racial and ethnic health disparities. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. Retrieved 2016 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425844/# NCHS. (2016). Health, United States, 2015: With special feature on racial and ethnic health disparities. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. Hyattsville, MD:: PubMed. NCHS. (2016). Health, United States, 2015: With special feature on racial and ethnic health disparities. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. Prevention Institute. (2011). Fact sheet: Links between violence and health equity. Oakland, CA: Prevention Institute. Retrieved October 12, 2016 from https://www.preventioninstitute.org/sites/default/files/publications/Fact%20Sheet--Links%20Between%20Violence%20and%20Health%20Equity.pdf. Prontzos, P. G. (2019, May 14). The Concept of “Race” Is a Lie. From SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/the-concept-of-race-is-a-lie/ Wong ST, R. S. (2009). Patient perspectives on primary health care in rural communities: Effects of geography on access, continuity and efficiency. Rural and Remote Health. Mark Mwandoro
Marketing Director February! Here comes Black History Month! Black history month is an annual month-long observance that honors the contributions of African Americans to the history of the United States. This annual event has received official recognition from the United States government and Canada and most recently has received recognition from Ireland and the United Kingdom. Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs, and adversities that are an indelible part of our country's history. The month offers us a chance to look into the history of African Americans beyond the usual narrative of racism and slavery to straight-up black excellence. The theme was the brainchild of Carter G. Woodson who came up with the idea of Negro History Week in 1926. Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) to research and promote the achievements of Black Americans and other people of Black descent. The history month began to be officially celebrated in the United States in 1976. President Gerald Ford called upon the general public to honor the too-often overlooked accomplishments of Black Americans in the history of America. The theme for 2022 is Black Health and Wellness. It seeks to explore "the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birth workers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora. The 2022 theme considers activities, rituals, and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well (History, 2022). " The healthcare system is plagued with disparities that often see African Americans discriminated against. Black folks are now embarking on self-determination, mutual aid, and social support initiatives to build hospitals, medical and nursing schools. These institutions are set to counter the economic and health disparities and discrimination found in mainstream institutions. By educating more black folk, there will be diversity in the medical field, and the African American community will have representation from people who are like them, who understand them. The Black Health and Wellness theme also strongly focuses on the emotional and mental health of the African American community. Social media and podcasts, such as The Read, hosted by Crissle and Kid Fury have normalized talking about mental health issues and going to therapy as well as initiatives such as Therapy for Black Girls (ASALH, 2022). There is also more talk on holding down, supporting, and fiercely fighting for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community of African Americans. In this age and century, especially the Black Millenials, this month-long celebration offers them a chance to imagine the endless possibilities that lie ahead for them and the community in general. They come from greatness, and they can give rise to even more Black Excellence. As Lonnie G. Bunch III said (Tedeneke, 2022), “There is no more powerful force than a people steeped in their history. And there is no higher cause than honoring our struggle and ancestors by remembering". Works Cited ASALH. (2022). BLACK HISTORY THEMES. Retrieved from Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH®): https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/ History. (2022, January 31). Black History Month. Retrieved from History: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month Tedeneke, A. (2022, January 27). Black History Month: What is it and why do we need it? Retrieved from World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/01/black-history-month-what-is-it-and-why-do-we-need-it/ Mark Mwandoro
Marketing Director In 1903, W. E. B. Du Bois prophetically stated: “The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line (Jung, 2019).” We are well into the 21st century and we are still experiencing the problem of racial segregation in America. The lines of racial segregation in America were drawn in big bold lines. In St. Louis, racial segregation was institutionalized by intent, accident, or benign neglect throughout its history, affecting the nature of race relations in the city today (Louis, 2020). Racism corrupts the fabric of morality of the US healthcare system. Centuries of racism have a direct impact on the black community as these discriminatory practices barred black students from enrolling and studying medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry. The effects of this discrimination have bred mistrust in the black community as they are always on the receiving end of mediocre and substandard treatment. The infant mortality rate in the United States varies widely by state and county and on average is higher than in the rest of the world’s first world countries. The survival of infants is used as a benchmark for societal overall health because they are very vulnerable. Despite the government spending more money than any other country in the world on healthcare, more than 23,000 infants die before celebrating their first birthday (Carpenter, 2017). Across the country, black infants die at a rate that’s twice that of white infants. Black women, even those highly educated and in well-paying jobs are twice as likely to lose their infants than white women who haven’t even graduated high school (Flourish, 2020). More than 6,200 babies born in Missouri between 2002 and 2012 lost their lives before their first birthday. One-third of those deaths occurred in the Bootheel and St. Louis alone (Foundation, 2020). In St. Louis, black infants are three times likely to die as compared to white children. Pregnant black women have a 243% chance of succumbing to pregnancy-related issues in comparison to white women. According to Peristats, the infant mortality rate in St Louis city declined by more than 17% between 2008 and 2018. The leading causes of death are birth defects, sudden infant death syndrome, maternal complications of pregnancy, and respiratory distress syndrome. The high infant mortality rate in the Black community begs the question, what is killing America's Black children? For many years, researchers attributed the following as what black mothers were doing wrong; smoking or drinking during pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, lack of prenatal care, poor eating, underage pregnancies, and smothering newborns in their sleep (Carpenter, 2017). As a result of highlighting these problems, more women took better care of themselves and got better care but still, there was little improvement in birth outcomes. Black women who received prenatal care starting in their first trimester were still losing their infants at higher rates than white women who did not get antenatal treatment during their pregnancies. Another school of thought proposed that black women were genetically predisposed to poor birth outcomes, and began to hunt for “preterm birth genes.” Well, we know that the genetic variation in humans is too minuscule to be attributed to infant mortality in the black community. Others suggested that high poverty levels and lack of education in black women were the cause of the deaths. But, educated women in well-paying jobs were still losing their children more than uneducated white women, so where does the problem lie? Racial discrimination rather than race itself plays a major role in why black infants are dying in such big numbers. Black women complain of physicians being dismissive, impatient, and condescending when dealing with them. This systemic racism puts them in three times more chances of losing their children as compared to white mothers. Many black women express their desire to be attended to by a black medic, but that is not entirely possible. We need to reduce systemic racism for all patients to be comfortable getting treated by the doctors available. The golden rule says do unto others as you would have them do unto you so that the heart of a doctor needs to be that kind of heart where you are taking care of folks the way you would want to be treated or want your family treated (Zaragovia, 2021). References Carpenter, Z. (2017, March 6). What’s Killing America’s Black Infants? Retrieved from The Nation: https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/whats-killing-americas-black-infants/ Flourish. (2020). Racial Disparity in Health. Retrieved from Flourish: https://www.flourishstlouis.org/problem/equity/ Foundation. (2020). Reducing Infant Mortality. Retrieved from Missouri Foundation of Health: https://mffh.org/our-focus/infant-mortality/ Jung, S. (2019). The Endurance of the Color Line. Retrieved from Othering and Belonging: https://www.otheringandbelonging.org/endurance-color-line/ Louis, S. (2020). A Preservation Plan for St. Louis. Retrieved from St Louis-MO Government: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/planning/cultural-resources/preservation-plan/part-i-african-american-experience.cfm Zaragovia, V. (2021, May 28). Trying To Avoid Racist Health Care, Black Women Seek Out Black Obstetricians. Retrieved from NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/05/28/996603360/trying-to-avoid-racist-health-care-black-women-seek-out-black-obstetricians |
AuthorSarah Hobson, Ph.D. specializes in supporting teams, departments and schools, businesses, and government agencies in building inclusive innovative change-making communities who understand how to connect well with and join diverse populations in providing needed sustainable resources for all youth and families. Archives
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