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 name pronunciation makes you a better colleague and ally
“Would you mind telling me how your name is pronounced?” It’s a simple question, but one that is skirted around by many people in both personal and professional settings. As awkward as it may seem to you, asking someone how their name is pronounced and learning the proper pronunciation Read More...
The power of cartography for advocacy in Panama's indigenous communities
26-year-old Carlos Doviaza is a self-taught cartographer, but his maps are making a real impact among indigenous communities in Panama. An indigenous person himself, Doviaza feared that these communities, which make up 12 percent of Panama’s population, would be disproportionately affected by the Read More...
Meet Samantha Flores: The activist fighting loneliness among LGBTQ seniors
Many elderly people face loneliness and isolation, an issue that people of all ages will understand better having now experienced the social restrictions of the pandemic. For the elderly who identify with the LGBTQ community and came of age in a different era, the isolation can be even worse. Many Read More...
New York’s cannabis legalization puts social justice front and center
The latest state to join the growing list of states that have legalized recreational cannabis use is New York. Signed into law this week, the bill makes recreational cannabis available for purchase and legal possession in 18 months when the state draws up regulations surrounding its Read More...
These organizations are empowering communities with bike education
Many cities have embraced expanded bike infrastructure as a green transportation solution which also allows people to safely get outside during the pandemic. Bike popularity has skyrocketed over the last year and for many communities, bicycles are also a vehicle for empowerment and Read More...
UCLA Archive of Healing promotes and protects indigenous folk medicine
As western medicine expands, we've lost sight of some of the natural healing methods that indigenous communities have used for thousands of years. This ancient medicinal wisdom which humanity relied on for thousands of years before the institutionalization of medicine is often overlooked, Read More...
This app helps young professionals maintain their hair and their health
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Thanks to Michael DeVore, financially strapped college kids won’t have to go to a job interview with their hair in disarray. Back in 2017, DeVore, an alum of the historically Black Claflin University in South Carolina, was struck with the ingenious idea of Read More...
How dialysis centers could help promote vaccine equity
Although many states have now expanded vaccine access to include nearly all demographics, there is still valid concern over how to get shots to marginalized populations, which are vulnerable to Covid-19 but don’t have ready access to vaccination services. One proposed solution for improving Read More...
DC Chefs unite to stop hate against AAPI community
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have experienced a surge in violence and hate crimes committed against them. Social justice organization Stop AAPI Hate reported 3795 incidents of harassment against AAPIs last year alone. Their Read More...
Riley the chatbot trains volunteers to respond to LGBTQ youth in crisis
The pandemic has exacerbated mental health struggles for many and for vulnerable communities, such as LGBTQ youth, lockdown has taken away valuable social connections such as time with friends and supportive adults. The Trevor Project, the largest LGBTQ crisis intervention nonprofit in the Read More...