Social Justice
Read about the newest efforts to overthrow systemic inequalities and address injustices in terms of wealth, opportunities, and privileges to make the world a better place.
How donating expiring food boosts supermarket profits while tackling food insecurity
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Millions of people in the United States suffer from food insecurity, with more than 40 percent of food lost throughout the production chain. Major merchants such as Kroger, Walmart, and Costco are stepping up to address this issue by donating expired food, Read More...
Hundreds of veterans obtain honorable discharges following 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' review
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The United States Department of Defense announced that over 800 veterans who were previously removed under the now-repealed "don't ask, don't tell" policy have had their discharge statuses upgraded to honorable, in a historic action that finally begins to Read More...
Transforming climate anxiety into positive action
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine dedicating your studies to the natural beauty of coral reefs, only to witness their rapid decline firsthand. That is precisely what occurred to Jada Alexander, a student at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The vivid life of the coral reefs Read More...
Changemakers of the week: Coalition for Compassion and Justice and Fish Reef Project
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every day on the Optimist Daily, we report on solutions from around the world. Though we love solutions big and small, it is often the ones right in our communities that make the largest impact. Today we are thrilled to present to you the second round of Read More...
Better jobs and higher wages for Goodwill's unique high school for dropouts
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana realized that many of the people in its job-training programs lacked a high school diploma, it recognized a chance to make a lasting difference in its community. Rather than focusing simply on job training, Read More...
Hispanic Heritage Month: ‘Latinx' must go if we really want to be inclusive
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The term 'Latinx' has sparked intense disputes, particularly in the United States, where it originally became popular. However, while 'Latinx' has gained popularity in academic circles and activist communities, it has not been broadly accepted by the people Read More...
California's first national marine sanctuary in 30 years to protect 116 miles of coastline
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The proposal for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary marks a big step in protecting California's coastline. This sanctuary, which spans more than 116 miles of the state's central coast, will become the third largest of its kind in the United Read More...
Learning how to identify and defend against medical gaslighting
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine you're in pain and know something's wrong, but every doctor you see dismisses it as "nothing serious." Unfortunately, this scenario is far too prevalent and even has a name: medical gaslighting. It occurs when healthcare workers minimize or disregard Read More...
Alaska Judge overturns law allowing only physicians to perform abortions
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A state Superior Court judge overturned an Alaska statute that required only licensed physicians to provide abortions, declaring that the limitation violated constitutional protections of equal protection and privacy. Superior Court Judge Josie Garton's Read More...
NHS 111 expands to provide 24-hour mental health crisis support
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a big step forward for mental health care, England has become one of the first countries to provide 24-hour help for people in crisis via a single phone line. Anyone experiencing a mental health emergency can now contact a trained expert by dialing NHS 111 Read More...