This month: back-to-school CRT talking points and a community mural unveiling in Flatbush
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Taking Action for Honest & Inclusive Education
As students across the nation head back to school, state and local advocacy to ban what teachers can say or teach continues, further exacerbating our ability to prepare young people for the future.
At its core, the cultural attack on critical race theory is an attack on our freedom. No matter our zip code, color, or background, we should all have an equal opportunity to learn from our shared history of slavery and segregation in order to challenge the status quo and make racial justice a defining feature of our democracy. Whether you’re a concerned parent, legal expert, or activist and artist, our Messaging Memo on Honest and Inclusive Education includes sample VPSA messaging to voice your support for race-conscious education.
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How to Be an Ally Against Anti-Asian Racism
Anti-Asian racism is not new. It often takes the form of quiet microaggressions. Recently, however, rising assaults and horrendous acts of violence have thrust the safety threats Asian Americans face into the spotlight. We can create a world of inclusivity and safety, where everyone’s rights are respected. And it starts with painting an affirmative vision of what our country should be. See our five strategies to center Asian American voices when responding to anti-Asian racism.
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Webinar: Messaging a Pro-Immigrant Future
On Friday, Sep. 16 at 2:00 pm ET, the monthly Narrative Research Lab (NRL) webinar series returns with a presentation of original research developed by our TOA team, in partnership with the Butterfly Lab for Immigrant Narrative Strategy and Worthy Strategies. What are the narrative pathways to guide audiences toward embracing a pro-immigrant future? And how do those pathways differ across ideological beliefs or geographic region? Join us for an update on current trends.
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Eight Lessons for a True Safety Narrative
Crime data dominating headlines is often framed in a misleading light. We can push back without falling into failed frames. By leading with people-centered language and amplifying the voices of Black and brown communities harmed by both over-policing and violence, we can redefine the idea of what true community safety looks like. Emphasize prevention and rehabilitation over punishment, and uplift alternatives without unintentionally reinforcing negative racial stereotypes.
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Visions of Abundance: Flatbush to Creative Change
In this month's culture corner, we're featuring a couple important updates from the 2022 Creative Change Retreat and Culture and Narrative Fellowship.
On August 7, Culture and Narrative Fellow Annie Del Hierro hosted a mural unveiling with community groups in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Her project, Flatbush Faces and Voices, is a stunning example of participatory public art that centers community voices. With 80 plus portraits of Flatbush residents printed on tiles, the 140-square-foot ceramic mosaic assumes the shape of the Flatbush neighborhood and includes QR codes to watch interviews with long-time residents.
Next time you're in Brooklyn, head over to the corner of Flatbush and Parkside Avenues (724 Flatbush Avenue). And for those outside NYC, you can see the celebration and community interviews on Instagram. Learn more about Annie's work and follow her on Instagram.
From July 25 - 29, we hosted the 10th Creative Change Retreat at Sundance in Utah. Under the We Can Thrive Together theme, the retreat brought together a dedicated and inspiring group of leading artists, entertainers, advocates, funders, and cultural strategists to envision creative interventions for economic justice at the junction of pop culture, narrative change, and movement building. You can see who joined us on our website and check out highlights on Facebook.
In addition to celebrating our 10th retreat, this year's gathering gave us a chance to thank and celebrate the leadership of Betsy Theobald Richards. Betsy helped bring Creative Change to Sundance in 2011, and over the past 11 years, she challenged us to think big about moving hearts and minds in new ways.
This month, our dear colleague Betsy moved on to a new, exciting journey. She will join the Abbe Museum to lead the Smithsonian affiliate as Executive Director and Senior Partner to Wabanaki Nations. We have been so incredibly fortunate to collaborate with and learn from Betsy, and we are deeply grateful and excited for her and the Abbe Museum!
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TOA's Editorial Calendar
In addition to Hunger Action and National Recovery Months, September marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Upcoming pop culture events include the Emmy Awards (season 2 of Abbott Elementary begins Sep. 21) and the kick-off of the National Football League. Visit our Editorial Calendar for hooks and messaging guidance to uplift racial justice, economic justice, labor and immigrant rights.
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Image credits: Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association (Creative Commons), @plann_images (Unsplash), The Opportunity Agenda, The Opportunity Agenda, Tim Mossholder (Unsplash), Elvert Barnes (Creative Commons), and Gregory Mensch
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Engage in Justice!
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