Advocacy groups for marginalized communities typically tackle culturally specific problems; they strive to bring programs into line with a group’s identity, language, history and context of historical oppression.
They are often the only organizations serving a community and can help it overcome racial, gender and economic obstacles. This is especially true for organizations working under difficult conditions with limited resources.
1. Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter is a decentralized social movement that was founded in the United States in 2013. The organization’s mission is to end racism and state violence, especially police brutality against African Americans. It also strives to create spaces for Black people to discuss issues of justice and dignity, and to make sure Black lives are valued and celebrated in a broader sense.
The movement started with a slogan, #BlackLivesMatter, after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the 2012 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The hashtag became popular and grew into an organizing tool that sparked a series of protests across the country. The founders, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi, wanted the name to be more than a slogan or social media trend; they wanted it to be a way for Black people to come together to build power.
They were right. The movement has become one of the most important and significant in the history of the United States, and its activists have revivified the civil rights movement that took place in the 1960s. It continues to play a large role in society today and its goals are to fight against racism and to ensure that African Americans get the rights they deserve.
Founded by three Black female organizers, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Calulls and Opal Tometi, the movement began as an online social media campaign in 2013, but quickly developed into a full-fledged global advocacy group with community chapters all over the country. The movement has a wide range of members, including Black and Brown youth, queer Black and transgender people, formerly incarcerated individuals, differently-abled Black people, immigrant black people, Black women and Black elderly.
The movement focuses on a number of Guiding Principles, including: working collectively, lovingly and courageously; making space for queer leadership; respecting diversity; practicing empathy; and working towards an intergenerational network. The movement’s founders believe that everyone is a part of this movement, and they want the faces of the organization to reflect that.
Black Lives Matter has grown to a global organization with more than 40 chapters, scattered around the world, and focusing on a variety of issues, from poverty elimination to prison reform. The movement has been described as one of the largest civil movements in the United States, and it is expected that it will continue to grow in the future. Its tactics continuously evolve, shifting from large to small scale and from periodic or time-limited events to long-term, sustained action.
2. Asian American Advancing Justice
Asian American Advancing Justice (AAJC) is one of the nation’s foremost expert organizations on civil rights matters affecting Asian Americans. Their activities range from public education and policy advocacy, to community organizing and litigation. Established in 1991, AAJC works to promote equality and fairness throughout society using both legal and non-legal techniques.
The Asian American Journalists Coalition is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that works to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans through public education, policy advocacy, and community organizing. With offices located in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, California, AAJC works to further these causes.
The AAJC is one of several racial justice advocacy groups actively fighting anti-Asian hate. These organizations have documented numerous hate incidents and shared the stories of affected individuals with policymakers and media outlets.
These advocacy groups have demonstrated that there are multiple ways individuals can prevent and intervene in anti-Asian hate incidents. For instance, employers and other businesses can partner with local AAPI-serving community organizations to educate employees on this issue as well as how to respond when such acts of prejudice take place.
However, it is essential to remember there are different forms of anti-Asian hate and those in positions to help prevent and intervene must be informed about this problem in order to provide comfort to victims of such incidents – this includes local governments, government services, and businesses.
For those in a position to provide resources, this could include training employees on the issue, offering culturally competent victim advocacy and mental health services, and having linguistically accessible staff available. This is especially critical for larger organizations or financial institutions since many of their customers may come from an Asian American background.
In addition to these strategies, it is essential for the federal government to continue its fight against anti-Asian hate. To achieve this goal, they should collaborate fully with national AAPI advocacy organizations and local community-based groups in order to develop an comprehensive and holistic strategy for combatting this phenomenon.
3. Asian American Women’s Network
Asian American women have been disproportionately targeted for misogyny, particularly in service industries. On March 16th 2021 in Atlanta, eight people – six Asian women included – were shot dead at a massage spa; however this is far from being an isolated incident of anti-Asian violence that has made headlines.
Diane Fujino, a professor of Asian American studies at UC Santa Barbara, points to examples of racism that have long been part of American life – such as the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 and Japanese incarceration during World War II – but which has only escalated in recent years. These attacks often originate with white men using their power and privilege to target Asian Americans.
Asian American women are particularly vulnerable to racialized and gendered violence, particularly if they are mothers or caregivers for children or the elderly. Such crimes include fetishization, infantilization and hypersexualization that can lead to abuse, physical assault and even death.
Thankfully, some groups are fighting against these injustices both locally and nationally. One such organization is the Asian American Women’s Network.
This group was started this quarter by graduate student Michelle Tan and Speech senior Peggy Yu to “discuss, dissect and eradicate Asian-American women’s stereotypes,” as stated in their mission statement.
They collaborate with campus organizations like the Panhellenic Association to create forums for students to discuss issues affecting Asian American communities. To this end, they plan to invite speakers and host events throughout the year.
The group will address issues facing Asian American women, such as racialized sexualization, domestic violence and the Model Minority Myth. Furthermore, they strive to foster a sense of community among all Asian-American women regardless of race.
Tan expressed that AAWO is open to everyone who is interested in joining. She hopes that many students will attend its meetings, held every other week.
The Asian Pacific Women’s Foundation (APCWF) also offers the Asian Women Leadership in Philanthropy Fund (AWLPF), which funds nonprofits that advocate for social and economic justice among Asian Americans. This member-driven initiative strives to develop API philanthropic leaders and create a sustainable network of philanthropy to sustain their community-based work.
4. The Cosmos
In 1980, Carl Sagan opened Cosmos with a poem he titled “Cosmos,” which means both “the universe” and “order.” It’s an enchanting phrase that sets the stage for one of science’s grandest explorations ever attempted. Additionally, this role cemented Sagan’s place as one of America’s leading science communicators – famous for his dry Brooklynese humor and quirky pronunciation of words like “billions.”
On September 28, 1980, Carl Sagan’s words revolutionized our understanding of the universe. It’s difficult to imagine our modern universe without his poetic opening remarks, and this episode serves as a prime example of how his unique style can inspire millions and transform their lives in the process.
In a world where there are an abundance of unfounded, often dehumanizing claims about the universe, Sagan’s inspiring words provided a sense of calm and made science beyond our solar system seem not just possible but believable. His introduction to Cosmos stated his purpose as “to make people aware of the beauty and wonders of astronomy and space.”
He stressed his desire for people not to consider astronomy a dry academic topic. To make the topic captivating, he used poetics and music, as well as examples from everyday life to illustrate scientific concepts.
Sagan’s captivating storytelling abilities and knack for metaphor-making helped him make science accessible to millions. Cosmos and the book that accompanied it are classic examples of how science can be an empowering force in human progress and development.
His commitment to women’s rights has been a driving force throughout his career, culminating in his creation of the Women’s March. His efforts toward gender equity and girl- and women-led leadership continue to be essential in cultivating our next generation of leaders and making our world a better place.
