Brianna McNeal Disqualified from 2020 Tokyo Olympics

By: Phoenix Mintus, Summer 2021 Collaborator at Power in Place

It recently made headline news that Brianna McNeal was disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics because of a missed drug test and errors in documentation. She was forced to confess to having an abortion two days before the drug test, which was a life decision she wished to remain private, and she was incorrectly given an antidoping violation regardless of the official rules of antidoping violations. With the recent disqualification of Sha’Carri Richardson from the Tokyo Olympics, why has there been recent attacks on Black athletes and their cultural practices in the Olympics?

Brianna McNeal is an athlete that participates in track and field events all around the world. She was set to take part in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics until she missed a drug test because she had an abortion. On January 12, 2020, Brianna McNeal was in bed recovering her abortion two days earlier when anti-doping officials knocked on her door. She didn’t answer the door because she did not hear them arrive, and she missed their phone call that they left.

Eighteen days later, the Athletics Integrity Unit, an organization that investigates antidoping in track and field events, asked her to explain. McNeal explained that she received an abortion the day before her drug test, and she wished to keep the abortion private and confidential. She was requested to provide documentation of her abortion, and after reviewing her doctor’s notes, she incorrectly believed they put down the wrong date for the abortion, so she changed the dates on the forms from January 10th to January 11th. Because of this, she received an antidoping violation.

McNeal was distraught after receiving the results of the hearing. She found that World Athletics did not believe that she was traumatized by the abortion because she continued to post on social media and attend track events after the abortion. This assumption is not only biased, but dangerous considering that abortions impact women and families in different ways. The decision to get an abortion is a heavy one, and it does not impact women lightly. It can take weeks, months, and even years for women to recover. McNeal may have chosen to continue posting and attending athletic events as a manner of coping and getting her life back on track, and she should not be punished or judged for that decision she made. Speaking on the judgment of World Athletics, McNeal stated, “they say that they are protecting athletes that are clean, but I don’t feel protected at all. I just feel like I’m being judged for this very big decision I made that really affected my life.”

The reasoning behind this antidoping violation has become more difficult to understand considering the rules for issuing a violation. According to the rules of the Athletics Integrity Unit, an antidoping violation is issued when three or more drug tests have been missed within a certain period of time. In McNeal’s situation, she only missed one test, and was still issued a violation. In its defense, World Athletics stated the violation was justified because McNeal falsified the doctor’s notes to deceive anti-doping officials so she wouldn’t be penalized for missing the test. However, they failed to consider that this time in her life was very emotional, and it’s very possible that she did truly make an honest mistake in her paperwork. McNeal was facing depression after the procedure, and was under high stress to keep the procedure private due to the stigma of abortions in the United States. Depression is a serious mental health condition that can cause those suffering to perform actions they would not normally do under normal circumstances, and it’s reasonable to conclude that McNeal was struggling and acted outside of the ordinary to cope with the stress and depression she experienced after her abortion The fact that she was given a violation outside of the rules and guidelines, and her depression was not considered, is concerning and unfair.

Investigators not only judged her for her decision and reaction to getting an abortion, but they also insulted her choice to see a spiritual advisor rather than a psychiatrist for her depression after the abortion. In the Black Christian community, the practice of seeing a spiritual advisor when struggling is very common, and it has become a normalized part of the religion. As part of her cultural practice, it should be respected just like any other religious belief and practice. 

The judgment of her decision is not only racist, but insinuates that her cultural practice is unhelpful and that Black pastors are incapable of offering support and guidance to their church members. This attack on McNeal is entirely disrespectful to Black culture, and is entirely insensitive to her religion as well. This disrespect is rooted in racism against Black culture and a lack of respect for the Black Christian community, and should not be tolerated under any level, but especially under a professional organization aimed at protecting athletes and promoting equality and fairness for all athletes.

In McNeal’s case, we’ve realized that World Athletics and the Athletics Integrity Unit acted unfairly and discriminatory in considering Brianna McNeal’s situation and religious and cultural practices. Moving forward, it’s important that organizations protect all athletes and respect their beliefs so that fairness and equality is truly promoted. We must remember that we cannot always understand what’s occurring in someone else’s life, but we should remain respectful, compassionate, and supportive.

References:

[1] Macur, Juliet. “An Abortion, a Missed Drug Test and Altered Records Add Up to Trouble.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 2 July 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/07/01/sports/olympics/abortion-doping-olympics-mcneal.html.

[2] Schad, Tom. “Five-Year Ban against Brianna McNeal Upheld by Court of Arbitration for Sport.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 2 July 2021, www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2021/07/02/brianna-mcneal-out-tokyo-olympics-five-year-ban-upheld-cas/7837419002/.

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Phoenix Mintus is an incoming sophomore student at Denison University. He is majoring in Communications and Public Affairs. He is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights. He enjoys reading, writing, and learning new things everyday. On campus, he plans to volunteer and join the student newspaper.

Dare to Run's 2021 Summer Social

BY: VANESSA CRESPO, SUMMER 2021 COLLABORATOR AT POWER IN PLACE

I think it is no surprise to find out about the disproportionate sex ratio of elected officials at the local, state, and national level. The organization I was introduced to this summer seeks to rectify this problem. Dare to Run is committed to increasing the number of elected female officials at all levels thus increasing representation for women and successfully implementing public policy that positively affects their communities. Dare to Run is a nonprofit organization founded by Rachelle Suissa, a female leader dedicated to empowering and inspiring women through education. Dare to Run’s mission is to educate and prepare women with the necessary set of skills for public office as well as women of all backgrounds to join the mission of increasing women’s representation in government and politics.

Image from Dare to Run

I had the awesome opportunity to attend Dare to Run’s summer social in New York City at a lovely place located by the financial district near the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and I was utterly impressed with the interesting personalities of every board member and attendee at the event. I would consider myself a shy person wherever I go, but even though I didn’t know anyone, I managed to feel completely comfortable. They were so easy to talk to and their commitment to the organization was inspirational. Of course I had to ask Rachelle what her inspiration to start the organization was, and I’m paraphrasing this, but in simple words: “We (women) are tired of men making decisions for us”. She couldn’t have said it better. If we really think about it, women make up 26.7% of the US Congress as of 2021 and 30.6% of statewide executives. In other words, female politicians are still a minority compared to their male counterparts, and this number decreases if we break it up into women of color in public office. 

One consequence of this deficit I’d like to highlight is the recent bill signed by Texas Governor Gregg Abbott that bans abortion at six weeks, which is before many women could possibly be aware of a pregnancy. If this is signed into law, it will restrict and limit the possibilities of women getting an abortion in the safest way possible given that women are running on a short timeframe to make the decision, find a clinic, schedule and appointment, and in some cases, save up enough money for the procedure. 

This is one of the many examples of how decisions made by men will affect the lives of many women by restricting their freedom and right to privacy. When I think about these issues, I cannot thank Dare to Run enough for their initiative to inspire and educate women from all backgrounds to run for public office in order to avoid harmful policy decisions. One of the organization’s values is equality, and it tells us that women should have an equal say in the development of the public policy agenda at all levels of government. I think it is fair to say that we need stronger voices protecting us from future damage done by politicians who do not even understand the complications of being a woman, and more specifically, being a woman of color (in my case at least). Since Dare to Run is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, they are nonpartisan by law which opens the door to women from all different sides of the political spectrum to speak for and represent various groups. I respect this given that intersectionality takes into account more factors than only sex and race, but also ethnicity, ideology, and culture. Intersectionality demands more diversity in public office to represent these sub-groups. So I believe that we should support more organizations like Dare to Run. We should have the goal of increasing representation for those who might not identify with one politician or party, but may relate to someone who’s willing to speak up for them.

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Vanessa Crespo is an upcoming senior at the University of Texas at Austin double majoring in Political Science and Philosophy. She is interested in women’s rights, feminist theory, and Latin American politics. In the future, she is aiming at a career in Law but also sees herself as an advocate of women’s rights and human rights in Latin American.

Transgender Women in Office: Names We All Need to Know

By: Sophia Walker, Summer 2021 Collaborator at Power in Place

During the 2020 elections, more transgender women than ever were elected to public office. Along with these women in office, there were also the first transgender women to be Senate confirmed. Dr. Levine's senate confirmation is an astounding accomplishment on its own but shows it is achievable for more of the LGBTQ+ community. These are names we all need to be familiar with as they pave the way for LGBTQ+ people in public office. 

Sarah McBride

Photo Courtesy of Vox

One of the most profound wins for transgender women was from Sarah McBride in Deleware. She won her State Senate race, becoming the first openly transgender state senator [3]. It also put her as the highest-ranking transgender official in America. Previously interning for President Barack Obama and being the first transgender person to speak at the national convention, Sarah McBride is a force to be reckoned with in politics. 

Dr. Rachel Levine

Photo Courtesy of NPR

While Dr. Rachel Levine did not get elected to office, she is the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the Senate [7]. Hailing from Pennsylvania, Dr. Levine amplified support for LGBTQ+ health care. Quoted saying, “My heart is full with a burning desire to help people,” Dr. Levine will continue to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health [1]. 

Taylor Small

Photo Courtesy of Burlington Free Press

At only 26 years old, Taylor Small became the first openly transgender member of the Vermont State Legislature. Small uses her drag persona, Nikki Champagne, to illustrate her passion for helping marginalized people, especially in healthcare [4]. The work she has dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community comes from her grassroots support in community centers. She continues to help younger generations and is sure to continue to make a change in Vermont.

Stephanie Byers

Photo Courtesy of Them.

Another first comes from Stephanie Byers in Kansas. As the first openly transgender legislator in Kansas and the entire Midwest, Byers made history this fall. As an educator for 29 years, Byers helped to increase teaching students about gender identity [5]. Byers also runs a consulting company with her wife that works to educate communities about the importance of understanding gender identity.

Brianna Titone

Photo Courtesy of http://briannaforco.com/

Holding office since 2019, Brianna Titone was the first transgender state legislator elected in Colorado. Originally a geologist, Titone is a devoted volunteer at the Denver Botanic Gardens [6]. In her work as a legislator, Titone has focused on bringing people together. As a human being, she sees working together as a way to make communities better. Rep. Titone has also pushed for the passed bill on Coloradans receiving annual mental wellness checks at cost [2].

While all these women have their identity as trans women in common, they also share a desire to advocate for marginalized people. Continuing their work to increase representation, both in-office and regular life, these women need to be recognized. These women must receive appreciation as we continue to diversify who represents us. 

1. Belle, Elly. “Rachel Levine Will Be The First Openly Trans Woman To Hold National Office.” How Rachel Levine Nomination Impacts Trans Politicians, Refinery29, 19 Jan. 2021, www.refinery29.com/en-us/2021/01/10267286/rachel-levine-biden-assistant-health-secretary-trans-impact. 

2. Boyd, Shaun. “Under First-In-The-Nation Law, Coloradans To Receive Annual Mental Wellness Exams At No Cost .” CBS Denver, CBS Denver, 6 July 2021, denver.cbslocal.com/2021/07/06/colorado-mental-health-wellness-law/. 

3. Brandman, Mariana. “Sarah McBride.” National Women’s History Museum, 2020. Date accessed.

4. Hallenbeck, Brent. “Taylor Small Wins House Seat to Become First Openly Transgender Member of Vermont Legislature.” The Burlington Free Press, Burlington Free Press, 4 Nov. 2020, www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2020/11/04/taylor-small-first-transgender-vermont-legislator-2020-election-results/6087418002/. 

5. Neil, Denise, and Jaime Green. “Kansas Makes History, Elects Retired Wichita Teacher as Its First Transgender Legislator.” The Wichita Eagle, 3 Nov. 2020, www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/election/article246927272.html. 

6. Representative Brianna Titone: HD27, www.briannaforco.com/about. 

7. Wamsley, Laurel. “Rachel Levine Makes History As 1st Openly Trans Federal Official Confirmed By Senate.” NPR, NPR, 24 Mar. 2021, www.npr.org/2021/03/24/980788146/senate-confirms-rachel-levine-a-transgender-woman-as-assistant-health-secretary. 

Sophia Walker is a rising senior at Drake University. She is a double major in Law, Politics and Society and Sociology with a minor in Marketing. Sophia has a passion for social justice and women’s rights. On campus, Sophia is part of the Drake Dems and the Roosevelt Institute. She is also a CASA volunteer in her free time.

Why aren’t there more women in politics? It’s not about lack of ambition

BY: Kate murray, summer 2021 student collaborator at power in place

It is widely recognized and accepted that there is a severe deficit of female political leadership in the United States. Despite comprising over half of the American population, the most recent figures put women’s representation in state and local governments at roughly 25 percent, on average. The statistics sink even lower at the federal level, as only 20 percent of Congressional seats are occupied by women. Lack of female representation in politics has always existed, but despite significant advances towards gender equality, women still struggle to enter the political arena. This cannot be attributed simply to women’s lack of ambition or interest in politics, but rather to the multitude of systemic barriers women continue to face in American society.

Surprisingly, the shortage of female political leaders has little to do with the general public not considering them electable. A large majority of the public — 75 percent — think men and women would be equally effective leaders, and this opinion is consistent across party affiliation. In fact, a report from the CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance states women and men tend to win elections at roughly the same rate. The issue, then, is not that women are not seen as capable leaders by the American electorate, but rather that they don’t run in the first place.

Put simply, the social cost of pursuing a political career is much higher for women compared to men. 

Women are subject to a higher level of scrutiny than their male counterparts: They must constantly engage in a balancing act of being assertive, but not to such a degree that the men in the room feel threatened. Their clothing often receives more public attention than their policy actions, and details of their personal lives, such as how they parent their children, are openly ridiculed. The appearance and behavior of women politicians must be impeccable in order to be taken seriously and accepted by their constituents and colleagues, especially those who are male. Women of color have an even more difficult time winning this game, as they are required to prove themselves capable leaders on account of their race as well as their gender. Considering how society treats powerful women, it is no surprise that many of them are hesitant to pursue political careers.

Molly Bangs, a contributor at the Century Foundation, echoes this sentiment. “Women are often discouraged early on from entering politics because they have a vague idea that running for office would be harder for them based on their gender,” she wrote, in a piece for the website in 2017.

Another significant reason women are underrepresented in politics is the lack of encouragement they receive from people in their personal lives, educational institutions and political actors. Whether implicitly or explicitly, family members, coworkers and teachers tend to push women away from largely male-dominated careers, especially if those careers would delay the process of getting married and starting a family. The political establishment also tends to shy away from women politicians, especially women of color. In a 2017 article for the Center for American Progress, senior fellow Judith Warner wrote about these political “gatekeepers” and how they often discriminate against racial and gender minorities, saying,. “Favored candidates tend to be familiar faces who will predictably uphold party interests and — above all — have easy access to money and the ability to devote considerable personal resources, including time, to their campaigns.”

In addition to the profuse amount of social stigma women face in political careers, they also have more systemic barriers to contend with. 

The median wealth for women is significantly lower than that of their male counterparts, but this inequality is especially consequential for women in political careers. Warner speaks to this point in her article, writing, “Many local and state-level elected offices pay so poorly that it’s very difficult for people without deep pockets — or a high-earning spouse — to consider a career in politics.”

In other words, if they’re not wealthy or benefiting financially from a partner, having a political career is not sustainable for many women. Of course, these effects are compounded for women of color, for whom the wealth gap with white men is even more severe. Not only do women find careers in politics to be laden with sexism, the payoff may not even be substantial enough to have a decent standard of living. 

It is clear women have the cards stacked against them when it comes to pursuing political careers. While challenging the systemic roots of sexism is a long uphill battle, individuals and institutions can take action to encourage young, budding political leaders. Colleges and universities can make targeted efforts to recruit women into political science, public policy and law programs. Family members and friends can be more intentional about encouraging and supporting young women who want to pursue political careers, even if doing so puts marriage and child-rearing on hold. This is where more diverse political leadership starts, as once women make the decision to run, the American electorate will propel them to victory. 

Pull quote choices: 

Women are subject to a higher level of scrutiny than their male counterparts: They must constantly engage in a balancing act of being assertive, but not to such a degree that the men in the room feel threatened. 

Lack of female representation in politics has always existed, but despite significant advances towards gender equality, women still struggle to enter the political arena. 

Not only do women find careers in politics to be laden with sexism, the pay off may not even be substantial enough for them to have a decent standard of living. 

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Kate Murray (she/her) is a rising senior at Mount Holyoke College double-majoring in Politics and Sociology. She is an opinion writer for the college’s newspaper and is involved in social justice activism, with a particular focus on gender inclusion and voting rights. As a summer intern for Power in Place, she co-facilitates the newsletter team and contributes to the blog.

COVID's Impact On Women in the Workforce

Image source: blog.vantagecircle.com

BY: EMMA LEV AND PHOENIX MINTUS, SUMMER 2021 COLLABORATORS AT POWER IN PLACE

The pandemic has caused disruption for families all over the world. It left people out of work, and as a result, many people, and those supporting others, struggled financially. One aspect of this disruption that should be more widely known is its increased impact on women in the workforce.

Data recorded in February 2021 found that the female labor force in the United States was now 3.1% smaller than February 2020, in comparison to the male labor force becoming 2.2% smaller, a gap between the two of 493,000 people leaving the workforce since the beginning of the pandemic. Why did this disparity occur?

A recent study from the US Bureau of Labor suggests that unlike past recessions and disruptions to the workforce, women have been impacted more than men by the coronavirus pandemic. More women than men initially lost their jobs because female-dominated industries such as restaurants and other retail businesses, healthcare, childcare, and education were hit the hardest in the shutdowns initiated by many different states. Prior to the pandemic, progress was slow but steady for women joining the workforce, participation standing at 58%, though they were still typically underrepresented. Additionally, male-dominated industries like manufacturing were hit harder during recessions than female-dominated areas. Now progress has shifted backwards for working women, and certain industries being hard-hit is far from the only reason.

Data also suggests that women fear contracting the coronavirus more than men, which is why there is a greater chance they choose to work from home or not return to the workforce compared to men. And this fear may be justified: Women were 78 percent of workers in all healthcare jobs in 2019, meaning at least 17 million people are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19.4 In 2020, one in four women, compared to one in five men, considered leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers.5 Once a woman chooses to leave work, she is more likely to not return, as well: While there was a notable increase in men and women retiring in early 2021 compared to 2020, implying the pandemic encouraged many people to retire, there is a gender gap evident here as well.

Disruptions to working women’s lives have not just been caused by losing or quitting their jobs. The pandemic has also forced daycares and schools to close, often leading to at least one parent staying home for childcare purposes. More often than not, women take on this role. The US Bureau of Labor estimated 15 million single mothers were the most affected, and their possibilities are more scarce than other demographics for continuing to work or receiving childcare in another way. Brookings surveyed men and women in May and June 2020 that lost their jobs during the pandemic. One in four women cited the cause as a lack of childcare, twice as many as men. For those that stayed in the workforce, they often had to cut back on hours to balance the increased effort at home. If they could still access needed childcare, the cost proves to be an additional obstacle: A study conducted in 2018 shows the “average childcare costs in every state exceed the federal definition of affordability - 7% of annual household income,” so a caretaker, usually the mother, may have to stay home if they do not have the money to spare.

For women that are able to stay within the workforce, many experience mental difficulties with their new working conditions. Burnout, exhaustion, and increased pressure are more common feelings for women than for men, reported by the 2020 Women in the Workplace study. But women with flexible hours and remote jobs may still have an easier time than other demographics. Those who have in-person or low-income jobs or are single mothers have extra concerns due to covid exposure or childcare. Additionally, from a 2018 American Community Survey, almost half of all working women had low-income jobs, and larger percentages of those people were Black (54%) or Hispanic (64%) compared to white (40%). These groups are some of the hardest-hit by the financial and mental challenges of being a woman with a job during a pandemic.

So as businesses reopen and the American economy starts to recover, what can they do to help working women get back on their feet?

Businesses should offer equal parenting leave for men and women to encourage men to take on a bigger role in childcare. This will help ease pressure on working mothers and provide a stable environment for children at home. Another method of solving the childcare issue is that businesses can offer on-site childcare, not only in white-collared jobs but other industries as well. There is an evident gender gap in higher-paying jobs, so employers should consider hiring more women in these roles to close the gap. 

A big issue throughout the pandemic was that women faced many issues impacting their mental health, such as feelings of burnout and exhaustion. To help their employees, businesses can offer more flexible hours and flexible workspaces, and monitor their employee’s mental health to ensure the working environment is positive and healthy. Jobs may be slowly returning to their pre-pandemic methods, but learning from that time and implementing workplace changes will cause many long-term benefits and help women feel like they belong in the workforce.

References:

[1] Bateman, Nicole, and Martha Ross. “Why Has COVID-19 Been Especially Harmful for Working Women?” Brookings, Brookings, 6 Jan. 2021, www.brookings.edu/essay/why-has-covid-19-been-especially-harmful-for-working-women.

[2] Hammer, Bonnie. “Women Have Lost a Disproportionate Number of Jobs Due to COVID-19.” Time, Time, 25 Jan. 2021, https://time.com/5932620/women-covid-19-jobs/.

[3] Karageorge, Eleni X. “COVID-19 Recession Is Tougher on Women: Monthly Labor Review.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sept. 2020, www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2020/beyond-bls/covid-19-recession-is-tougher-on-women.htm.

[4] Rothwell, Jonathan, and Lydia Saad. “How Have U.S. Working Women Fared During the Pandemic?” Gallup, Gallup, 8 Mar. 2021, https://news.gallup.com/poll/330533/working-women-fared-during-pandemic.aspx.

[5] “Seven Charts That Show COVID-19's Impact on Women's Employment.” McKinsey & Company, McKinsey & Company, 20 Apr. 2021, www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/seven-charts-that-show-covid-19s-impact-on-womens-employment.

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Emma Lev is a rising sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in English with a certificate in Creative Writing. She enjoys writing short stories, reading books, and drawing in her free time, but her career aspirations lie in editing. She is passionate about feminism, social issues and justice, and journalism.

Phoenix Mintus is an incoming sophomore student at Denison University. He is majoring in Communications and Public Affairs. He is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights. He enjoys reading, writing, and learning new things everyday. On campus, he plans to volunteer and join the student newspaper.

Looking Back At Pride Month: Corporate Rainbow-Washing

By Olivia Hom and Kiersten Hoff

Over the past few years the topic of “rainbow-washing” has become more and more prominent during Pride Month. It’s likely that you’ve noticed rainbow-washing, the near-instant switch at the beginning of June when companies like Amazon or Forever 21 roll out their recolored Twitter and Instagram profile pictures and pride-based merchandise, sporting the rainbow colors of pride in an attempt to show solidarity with the movement. Even ten years ago the thought of major brands promoting LGBTQ+ representation was largely unheard of, and in 2021 we are pretty fortunate that the narrative of love and acceptance towards the LGBTQ+ community has become more popular in many places. ­­­Though rainbow profile pictures and pride themed Vans sneakers seem like a thoughtful decision on the part of major companies in fighting homophobia and transphobia, the underlying foul taste of rainbow-washing has become increasingly obvious. Companies and organizations use the image of pride for their own profit, infiltrate LGBTQ+ spaces for financial gain, and cover up their own immoral practices by appearing to support an underrepresented community. Following Pride 2021, let us take a look back at some of the notable offenders, and their lackluster contributions to the image of Pride this year.

Raytheon

Possibly the most outlandish use of the pride flag this June came at the hands of Raytheon, one of the largest military defense contractors in America. Their rebranded logo sported the color of the progress flag, a more recent pride flag meant to highlight intersectionality in the pride movement. This show of “solidarity,” followed Raytheon’s history of LGBTQ+ inclusivity, as Raytheon boasts a perfect 100 equality index score from the Human Rights Campaign and has been designated by the HRC as a “Best Place to Work.” Given Raytheon’s inclusive image, perhaps this is why the company thought to co-opt the colors of pride in their June marketing. Considering the very nature of Raytheon’s involvement in the military-industrial complex, however, the thought of its participation in Pride is indeed harmful. Responding to the roll-out of the rainbow-washed Raytheon logo, many took to Twitter to call out this absurdity:

Raytheon is a major part of the American military-industrial complex. The company supplies militaries with missiles, drones, planes, and other tech. Profiting from its close ties to the Saudi-led coalition, Raytheon has actively fueled the bombings in Yemen since 2015, and has only been halted under the Biden administration. The defense contractor has been a willing participant in mass civilian killings and crimes against humanity, and has worked behind the scenes to push legislation allowing their weapons sales to the Saudi-led coalition to continue. When thinking of the image of Pride Month, should a war-profiteering company be involved? How could this company and its leaders preach love and acceptance on Twitter while profiting from the deaths of hundreds of thousands in reality?

At its core, the pride movement is anti-capitalist, anti-military, and anti-imperialist. Pride is a community driven endeavor which stands against violence at the hands of the hegemony and rejects power structures of oppression. It is insulting that a military defense contractor like Raytheon thinks that it could use the colors of pride to better its own image– because that’s what this was, an attempt to humanize and moralize an immoral company with performative activism in order to best ensure its continuing profits. Raytheon may claim to care about its LGBTQ+ employees, but it is still the duty of the company’s employees and the public to critically think about whether it even deserves to sport the colors of pride given the inherent conflict between the missions of Raytheon and Pride.

Big Oil

Of course, the only thing that could be on the same level of absurdity as a defense contractor for the great American oil company (military) using rainbow-washing this June is in fact a literal oil company also rainbow-washing its social media platforms for Pride Month. That’s right, the American Petroleum Institute, among others, threw up a rainbow-colored logo, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community while also destroying ecosystems, rallying against sustainable energy, and threatening the health and safety of millions. Major oil companies like this are anti-environmentalist and participate in environmental racism, frequently infringing on Native lands and poisoning disenfranchised communities. Why would an oil company think that their money and presence is welcome at Pride? Like Raytheon, the API is antithetical to goals of the LGBTQ+ community.

Amazon

Let’s discuss Amazon and what they do for Pride Month and their LGBTQ+ employees. Amazon has highlighted LGBTQ+ TV shows, movies, authors, artists, and businesses on their website. That is a good start, but what other actions are they taking? While researching, I found out that Amazon has 13 affinity groups (employee resource groups). One is glamazon, a group that supports the LGBTQ+ community. On the Amazon website, glamazon is described as helping “...Amazon be a great place to work by educating and informing employees about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer (LGBTQ+) community and opportunities. The group mentors fellow employees (both LGBTQ+ and allies) and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Amazon also boasts that they are allies of the LGBTQ+ community because they sponsor Pride events around the world, and they have a transgender toolkit for employees who want to transition. Surprisingly, Amazon’s claim holds credibility because in 2021, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation lists Amazon as being one of the 767 best places to work for LGBTQ+ people. But having LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace isn’t really an achievement. Praising companies for doing the bare minimum is not very helpful. It should already be a given that LGBTQ+ workers are treated fairly. The fact that it is not is extremely disappointing. 

While it’s great that Amazon is making the effort to support its LGBTQ+ employees and to teach others, Amazon being a “great place to work” is debatable. Because Amazon cannot claim to support LGBTQ+ rights while continuing to exploit its workers and causing the demise of many small businesses. 

Amazon is notorious for its workplace controversies due to its anti-union stance. In fact, “there have been 301 federal investigations initiated against Amazon since 2012, resulting in 59 workplace violations” (Hayasaki). In addition, there have been complaints about how Amazon has reacted to the coronavirus pandemic. Some employees feel that the company has not been doing enough to protect them and to support those who don’t feel comfortable coming to work in person. Amazon, and other companies, like to brag about how inclusive they are while disregarding their unfair labor practices. 

Additionally, for small businesses, Amazon is a double edged sword. On one hand, Amazon gives them an opportunity to sell their products to a wider audience. Yet on the other hand, Amazon is seen as a threat by many small business owners. As a large corporation, Amazon wields a lot of power, making it difficult for small retailers who are not partnered with them to compete. There lies the disconnect between Amazon and the LGBTQ+ community. Grassroots activism, predominantly led by trans women of color, has always been a huge part of Pride. Activism has always emphasized sustainability and local businesses, not multinational corporations. 

Gap Inc.

Gap Inc., known for its brands such as Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta, is another example of a company that participated in rainbow-washing. Like Amazon, Gap Inc. is just doing the bare minimum to support the LGBTQ+ community. It would be too much to examine every brand that is part of Gap Inc., so I will focus on Gap. For Pride Month, Gap has collaborated with artists to create an exclusive line of t-shirts. Their website states “To support the LGBTQ community beyond Pride month, we're proud to donate $50,000 to GLAAD....” That sounds great, right? But $50,000 isn’t much, considering the net sales of Gap Inc. in 2020 totaled $13.8 billion (Gap Inc.). Surely Gap could afford to give more than a measly $50,000. It would’ve been better if Gap donates all the money they earn from these t-shirts to GLAAD. It seems very cheap because Gap’s profit will obviously be higher than $50,000. Overall, this collaboration feels like a cash grab. A lot of brands know of the buying power of the LGBTQ+ community, known as the “pink dollar,” so they pander to them by putting rainbows on everything. Pride is more than just a rainbow on a cute shirt or bag. 

Furthermore, according to the site Good On You, which assesses the sustainability of clothing brands, Gap received the “it’s a start” rating. That means the brand is taking some steps to be more environmentally friendly, but it’s not enough because Gap isn’t “taking adequate steps to ensure payment of a living wage for its workers” (Good On You). Also, Gap Inc.’s associates (members, employees, owners, or family members) have donated money to politicians that seek to undermine LGBTQ+ rights, such Donald Trump. 

The list of corporations who keep abusing the rainbow flag for their own profits could go on. The problem with rainbow-washing is how companies’ support of the LGBTQ+ community is insincere and performative. For one month a year it’s “happy sunshine pride, we love our LGBTQ+ people,” while the rest is funding PACs that directly support anti-LGBTQ+ policies, violence, discrimination, capitalism, anti-environmentalism, etc. What these companies don’t understand is that supporting the LGBTQ+ community is not just a one month event, it should be a lifetime commitment. They cannot support LGBTQ+ rights while also denying the rights of others. Now that Pride Month 2021 has come to an end, it is imperative that we remember to support sustainable, LGBTQ+ owned businesses, continue to raise awareness about issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, and donate to LGBTQ+ people in need of money or to organizations that will directly benefit the LGBTQ+ community.

Addendum

Revisiting these companies after June has ended, we see that many companies have switched back to their original, pre-Pride layouts across social media and on their websites. Many joke about the way companies drop the rainbow the second June is over:

It is clear that their support of the LGBTQ+ community was performative and a for-profit endeavor made to use the image of Pride for their own benefit. When companies take on the image of activism and progressivism it is important to take a step back and examine their motivations.

References

1. “Affinity groups.” Amazon, 2021, https://www.aboutamazon.com/affinity-groups. 

2. “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality 2021.” Human Rights Campaign Foundation, 2021, https://www.hrc.org/resources/best-places-to-work-for-lgbtq-equality-2021. 

3. “Gap.” Good On You, 2020, https://directory.goodonyou.eco/brand/gap. 

4. “Gap Inc.” OpenSecrets.org, 2020, https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/gap-inc/recipients?id=D000000547. 

5. “Gap Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2020 Results; Provides 2021 Outlook.” Gap Inc., 4 Mar 2021, https://www.gapinc.com/en-us/articles/2021/03/gap-inc-reports-fourth-quarter-and-fiscal-year-202. 

6. Hayasaki, Erika. “Amazon's Great Labor Awakening.” The New York Times, 18 Feb. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/magazine/amazon-workers-employees-covid-19.html. 

7. LaForgia, Michael and Walt Bognadich. “Why Bombs Made in America Have Been Killing Civilians in Yemen.” The New York Times, 6 May, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/16/us/arms-deals-raytheon-yemen.html.

8. “Raytheon Technologies awarded perfect score by Human Rights Campaign for corporate equality; company partners with HRC to enable program expansion.” Raytheon Technologies, 03 June 2021, https://www.rtx.com/news/news-center/2021/06/03/raytheon-technologies-awarded-perfect-score-by-human-rights-campaign-for-corporat.

9. Yoder, Kate. “Big Oil is awash in rainbows for Pride Month.” Grist, 4 June 2021,

   https://grist.org/accountability/big-oil-is-awash-in-rainbows-for-pride-month/?utm_campaign=sprout&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=1623262527.

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Olivia Hom is a rising sophomore at Mount Holyoke College. She is interested in feminism and intersectionality in today’s world. On campus, Olivia plans to join the student newspaper. She also enjoys writing, photography, listening to music, and playing video games.

Kiersten Hoff is in her fifth year at the University of Michigan, and will be receiving a B.A. in Classical Civilizations and Arts & Ideas in the Humanities come this Fall. She is passionate about social activism as well as the arts, and hopes to combine the two throughout her future career. Outside of her academic and artistic life, Kiersten loves video games, playing piano, and hanging out with her cat.

Meet Junie Joseph

Boulder City Councilwoman Junie Joseph. Source: Boulder City Council

BY JULIA BOCCABELLA, SUMMER 2021 COLLABORATOR

In the weeks before November 8th, 2019, the city of Boulder, Colorado was sprinkled with yard signs promoting candidates for Boulder’s upcoming city council election. Every day on my walk to and from campus, I’d give the signs a passing glance, remembering the names and faces on them as that daily walk became my daily routine. I’ll admit it – I didn’t know much about city council elections, and they didn’t come up in conversations with any of my peers. College life in Boulder is often hectic, and to many young people, taking the time to dive into local politics is something we don’t think about often. This was especially true in the fall of 2019. There was a collective anxiety in the air about the upcoming Democratic primaries and the looming cloud of the 2020 presidential election, dubbed “the most important election of our lifetimes”. The signs promoting Boulder’s city council elections seemed like background noise against the din of the upcoming presidential race. Still, though, amidst all that noise, I remembered the smiling face of a woman named Junie Joseph on those yard signs. And amidst that noise, Junie was working hard to make Boulder a better place.

Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Junie emigrated to the U.S. when she was 14 years old. She lived in Florida with her mother and five younger brothers, graduating from the University of Florida with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Anthropology. Later, she received her Master’s in Applied Human Rights from the University of York in England. This is only where the list of her accomplishments begins, and to say that Junie’s resume is impressive would certainly be an understatement. This year, Junie was appointed to the National League of Cities' 2021 Human Development Committee, where she guides the league’s policy positions and advocacy agendas on a variety of issues including poverty, social services, and education. She previously served on the Community Corrections’ Board and as the chair of the Boulder County Health and Human Services Citizen Panel Review. Prior to moving to  Boulder, Junie worked tirelessly for human and civil rights with organizations all over the globe. As an intern, Junie worked with the United Nation’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, and later went on to work with the UN’s Mission to the Central African Republic as a Human Rights Officer. There, she served those in the region of Bria who were displaced by the ongoing civil war. Junie also served as a global law and development fellow for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Côte D’Ivoire, advocating for the access rights of disabled persons in the Ivorian justice system.

In July of 2020, while attending CU Boulder’s law school, Junie Joseph decided to run for city council. She was motivated in part by her own experience with the socioeconomic divisions that ripple through Boulder: the skyrocketing cost of living, the housing crisis, and the lack of support and representation for working class residents, students, and residents of color. Junie herself worked as a volunteer with the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, seeing the effects of Boulder’s affordable housing crisis from the front lines. She launched a strong campaign that reached out to voters of all different backgrounds in Boulder, devoting significant attention to those most affected by inequality in the city. The need for affordable housing, improved programs for those experiencing homelessness, government efficiency, and environmental protection became key goals of Junie’s campaign. The race was not without challenges. Junie was a relative newcomer, a working-class student and woman of color – a candidate very different from the usual makeup of Boulder’s city council: older white homeowners and business owners who weren’t working-class. But that November, after a lot of hard work and a strong campaign, voters in Boulder elected Junie Joseph as one of the city’s new council members. She currently serves as Mayor Pro Tempore.

2020 was a year that radically changed the world and laid bare the inequalities and challenges that so many Americans face in their everyday lives. As a Boulder city council member, Junie and the council worked to address the needs of Boulder’s residents during a very difficult time. The council fought to protect and restore funding for social services and programs like the local fire department, library, and severe weather shelters which faced funding cuts during the pandemic. As a member of various committees, Junie supported initiatives promoting racial equality, better and safer infrastructure, and a greener, more sustainable Boulder. Junie continues to fight for the people of Boulder despite considerable pushback and challenges – proposing suggestions to reform the local police department, protect renters, preserve local open space, promote ethnic and gender diversity in city commissions, and expand affordable housing.

Fall of 2019 probably wasn’t a time that many people kept local politics at the forefront of their minds. The constant stream of information about the upcoming 2020 presidential race, for many, created an ever-present buzz of stress that often pitched towards an uncomfortable roar. World politics remained tense, constantly changing, and overwhelming. And of course, the stresses and responsibilities of everyday life never seem to cut anyone a break, especially those who face structural marginalization in society. It’s easy to get lost in the crazy world of big politics and the 24-hour news cycle. Junie’s story shows that not only is change possible in the seemingly smaller cities and towns many of us live in, but that it’s important. Local politics are worthy of our time and attention. Junie Joseph is proof of this: she has an impressive resume working on big issues with organizations as influential as the UN, but that doesn’t mean the city council of Boulder isn’t an impactful office where she can create change for the better. It’s worthy of her time because she thinks the people of Boulder deserve better. And it’s a reminder to all of us that local politics can make our communities better places for all of us to live in – including our friends, family, and neighbors - and that’s certainly worth our time.

Think about the walks you take to class, into town, to a friend’s house. What do you see?

I see a lot of things. The beautiful Flatirons in the background. Unhoused community members greeting students by name with a warm smile and a quick chat. City busses making their stops. My friends, many of whom are visibly exhausted after working long hours to pay for tuition and still make this month’s rent. Professors, groundskeepers, parents on walks with their children. And for many days, I saw Junie Joseph’s signs. I didn’t know it then, but it was a sign that there was one of us – a fellow CU Buff and Boulderite – who saw all the people and places that make up Boulder and felt that was something worth fighting for. Local politics matter, and your community will thank you for being an active and informed part of it. Your voice is needed, it’s valuable, and you matter.

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Julia Boccabella is a senior at the University of Colorado – Boulder majoring in Philosophy and Sociology. She is passionate about women’s rights, economic justice, and creating a more peaceful world.

LGBTQ+ Media Recommendations for Pride Month

By: Isabel Aragon & Britney Cheung, 2021 Summer Collaborators at Power in Place

In celebration of Pride Month, we wanted to highlight some LGBTQ+ media that we recommend!

Those Who Wait by Haley Cass

Those Who Wait is a lesbian adult romance novel independently written and published by Haley Cass. The story follows Sutton Spencer, a literature graduate student and newly-out bisexual in her mid-twenties, and her relationship with twenty-eight-year-old Charlotte Thompson, a lesbian, who has aspirations of following her grandmother (who in this alternate U.S., was the first female president) into politics. Throughout the story, Charlotte is running for a vacant seat in the US House of Representatives against an older, female conservative candidate and feels she has to keep her sexuality hidden in order to win the election. Charlotte struggles with her growing romantic feelings towards Sutton against her need to keep her private life a secret and guard her heart. This book does an excellent job portraying some of the behind-the-scenes in politics and the fear LGBTQ+ politicians may feel when deciding whether or not to come out publicly. I recommend Those Who Wait to anyone interested in lesbian romance and in reading about how a queer politician’s relationship decisions can affect both their career and their own well-being. Those Who Wait is available online as an ebook, or it can be purchased from Amazon as a physical book. Please be advised that there are scenes with sexual content and this book is for 18+ only.

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Isabel Aragon is a rising junior at Smith College. She is majoring in Women & Gender Studies and minoring in Film & Media Studies and hopes to pursue an Archives Concentration as well. Isabel is from Santa Barbara, CA, and is passionate about LGBTQ+ representation in media and reproductive justice. On campus, she is part of Groove A Cappella.

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Portrait of A Lady on Fire by Céline Sciamma

Céline Sciamma’s fourth feature film, Portrait of A Lady on Fire, presents a cinematic masterpiece, bringing life to the power, freedom, and passion that is represented by fire – the diegetic crackling and mild luminescence of fire brings warmth to the cold, bleak spaces of the seaside manor; it illuminates solidarity and strength onto those discriminated by oppressive social forces; it burns in declaration of an anguished love, setting the two women free, for a fleeting while, to come to a fearful revelation of their deep affection for each other.  

Bathed in soft pastel colors, the movie is set in the late 18th century in the French countryside of Brittany. It first introduces us to Marianne, an artist tasked to paint a portrait of the unwitting Hélöise, which is to be sent to a noble Frenchman in Milan as a pre-marital tradition. Yet in Hélöise’s stubborn refusal to marry a stranger, her mother hires Marianne under the disguise of a “walking partner” and instructs her to observe Hélöise’s features during their strolls along the beach. The camera follows the pace of the characters and replicates their point of view as we see close-up shots of Marianne observing, with a fierce sense of intensity and determination, at the complexions and silhouettes of Heloise’s ears, neck, fingers. At first, she does so out of obligation, but as Hélöise begins to reciprocate an interest in their relationship, her stares shift from ones characterized by objective studies to impassioned gazes. Through their sparse exchanges of words, the two come to a profound understanding of each other – this is not a love story saturated with flowery expressions of romance; rather, it is in the mutual knowledge of their subtle changes in expression and intimate details in their thoughts that cements this forbidden love affair.

While the film strays far away from the traditional narrative arc, the story reaches its climax in a scene where fire becomes prominent. Marianne and Hélöise attend a gathering with about a dozen women at a bonfire, where they seek advice to deal with the unwanted child of Heloise’s young maid Sophie. This subplot bravely confronts the taboo subject of abortion as a representation of female power and camaraderie – in the face of cultural standards and expectations that constrain their autonomy, they arrive at the bonfire to support each other, to lift their spirits through rhythm and harmony as the motion of slow chanting erupts into a joyous celebration of the women who have come to fly[1]. The scene is largely similar to one from Sciamma’s previous movie Girlhood, where the four main characters, in an instant of pure joy and friendship, put aside their troubles in the real world as they sing and dance along to Rihanna’s “Diamonds”. In Girlhood, the lush blue hue of the hotel room slips the girls into an almost transcendental experience of empowerment; in Portrait of A Lady on Fire, the gentle glow of the bonfire emits an incandescent passion – the fire liberates the women, albeit momentarily, and allows them to soar above the earthly boundaries set forth by men. At the same time, Marianne and Hélöise look at each other, smiling for the first time, but with a pang of despair in the knowledge that their love will remain illegitimate.  There is a gothic-esque quality to the sequence when Hélöise’s dress lights on fire. In the moment she is set free, but the fire is almost immediately put out, and the audience is reminded of the reality of their love. Despite these unfavorable circumstances, Portrait of A Lady on Fire is nonetheless a mesmerizing ballad of an unfeigned, exquisite romance, one that paints grand gestures of love with every delicate brushstroke on the portrait canvas.

[1] The lyrics to the song were written by Sciamma in Latin. “Fugere non possum” translates to “they come fly”, which was taken from a sentence in Fredrich Neitzche’s novel Thus Spoke Zarathustra, “the higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly”.

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Britney Cheung is a rising third-year at the University of Virginia majoring in Political and Social Thought. She is interested in human rights, particularly those of women, racial minorities, and immigrants. On campus, Britney is involved in various classical music groups and volunteering organizations. 

Roadblocks: Barriers Deterring Women from Running

Photo Courtesy of Brit + Co

By: Sophia Walker, Summer 2021 Collaborator at Power in Place

A question often raised regarding women in politics is: why don’t more women run for office? Or, they can run, so why don't they? While these questions are fundamental to ask, they don’t capture the whole picture of politics and women. Women are continuing to increase their representation in politics, but there are still barriers that work against them. The obstacles they face are societal in some cases and physical in others. 

The most prominent societal barrier is patriarchy. In essence, the patriarchy labels men as better even if they have the same qualifications as a woman. Women are seen as less experienced or of lesser quality because of this view. On a day-to-day basis, that perception gets highlighted in different realms. When it comes to politics, it will deter women from running [5]. While men might receive articles on their policy, women are likely to be subject to scrutiny. That may come in the form of questioning policy choices or decisions but is more likely focused on fashion choices or a new haircut. The trivial things women get placed under a microscope for are never brought up concerning men [4]. A man does not have to worry about being labeled too emotional or rude based on tone. The barrier of patriarchy continues to make women think twice about running. They have to consider if they want to be perceived that way in the media—hindrance men do not have to consider. 

In addition, women still don’t receive the same educational opportunities. It may seem that when girls and boys go to school, they are in the same classes. While they might physically be in the same room, teachers often undervalue the abilities of female students compared to male students. That occurrence gets heightened further when it comes to mathematics or other STEM subjects [3]. Education inequality is apparent in younger children but also in higher education. Women often are told which majors they will or will not succeed at based on their gender [1]. The unequal opportunity of education affects women in politics by making them feel that they do not belong in that educational realm.

Another factor affecting women when deciding to run is the lack of respect for caregiving in our society. Women often take care of children, a family member, or a spouse while having another job. Caregiving often takes the same amount of energy and time as a job, doubling the workload [5]. While a man does not typically have the same quantity of responsibilities, women are instantly a step behind a man. In politics, women can receive shame for taking time off to stay at home or taking care of a parent. Those factors combine to make a woman less likely to run because of these additional responsibilities.

Specifically to children, women with a career get perceived as trying to have it all. Or, a woman who takes time off to be with a child will get designated as someone who doesn’t care about her job. In politics, a woman running may be shown as not giving her children enough attention. Whether on the campaign trail or while in office, women face the double standard of being a mom and having a career. The view on children and having a career makes women think again about if running is a good decision for them. 

The blocks described are common to all women but are detrimental to getting more women into politics. While the situation might seem bleak and the barriers insurmountable, current women representatives continue to show that the barriers are not a reason to stop fighting. One prime example comes from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. When her male counterparts commented on her, using derogatory terms and sexism, she took that moment to stand up for herself. She not only mentioned that incident but the roadblocks many women face [2]. While just one example, women representatives are continuing to make their voices heard more than ever before. With more women representative role models in place, I hope more women begin to run for office.

1. Boschma, Janie, and Ellen Weinstein. “Why Women Don't Run for Office.” POLITICO, Politico, 12 June 2017, www.politico.com/interactives/2017/women-rule-politics-graphic/. 

2. Broadwater, Luke, and Catie Edmondson. “A.O.C. Unleashes a Viral Condemnation of Sexism in Congress.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 July 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/07/23/us/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-sexism-congress.html. 

3. Cimpian, Joseph. “How Our Education System Undermines Gender Equity.” Brookings, Brookings Institute, 23 Apr. 2018, www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2018/04/23/how-our-education-system-undermines-gender-equity/. 

4. McGregor, Jena. “Why More Women Don't Run for Office.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 23 Apr. 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2014/05/21/why-more-women-dont-run-for-office/. 

5. White, Jeremy B., et al. “What Are the Biggest Problems Women Face Today?” POLITICO Magazine, Politico Magazine, 8 Mar. 2019, www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/03/08/women-biggest-problems-international-womens-day-225698/. 

Sophia Walker is a rising senior at Drake University. She is a double major in Law, Politics and Society and Sociology with a minor in Marketing. Sophia has a passion for social justice and women’s rights. On campus, Sophia is part of the Drake Dems and the Roosevelt Institute. She is also a CASA volunteer in her free time.

Muslim Women in Politics: Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar

Written by Phoenix Mintus

In 2018, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar made history as the first Muslim women to be elected to Congress. This was an important first step in United States history to more Muslim representation in politics. Since then, both women have made tremendous progress in promoting bills that advocate for better education systems, healthcare for all, and immigration reform.

Rashida Tlaib

Photo: tlaib.house.gov

Before Rashida Tlaib served in the House of Representatives, representing Michigan’s 13th district, she lived in Michigan and proudly stood up for her community. She was born and raised in Detroit by her Palestinian parents, and she was the first person in her family to attend college. She went on to law school and attended while simultaneously working for different nonprofits and social justice organizations. Before she was in office, Tlaib worked as an attorney at the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice, fighting racism and abusive state agencies in Michigan.

In 2008, Rashida Tlaib was the first Muslim woman elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. During her six years in office, she made important efforts to secure funding for free healthcare clinics and before and after school childcare. She also ensured there was funding for the Meals on Wheels programs for seniors.

Though Rashida Tlaib is well-known for her successes in sessions of Congress, she has also done campaign work in her own home district. She organized the We Have A Right to Breathe campaign when she realized that semi-trucks were causing pollution in her hometown. Before the campaign, the town had a problem with semi-trucks polluting the neighborhood, causing piles of black dust to fall in the rivers and homes, making it unsafe for Detroit residents. After the Michigan Department of Environmental Equality refused to take action, Rashida Tlaib collected samples of the black dust and got it tested. It turned out that the substance was petroleum coke, which is a chemical that causes cancer. After this discovery, environmental efforts were put in place to stop pollution, and Tlaib’s campaign work helped save the neighborhood.

Rashida Tlaib’s efforts in helping families out of poverty and providing environmental justice for residents living in manufacturing-heavy areas have improved many lives. She continues to make history and uplift people’s lives throughout her time in office through her hard work and successes.

Ilhan Omar

Photo: theguardian.com

Ilhan Omar was born in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1982, and fled the country in 1991 due to the Somali Civil War that was occurring at the time. Her family took sanctuary in a Kenyan refugee camp for four years. At age twelve, Ilhan Omar and her family moved to the United States, and she became a United States citizen in 2000. She grew a love for politics while she was an interpreter for her grandfather at the Democratic Party Caucuses. In 2011, Omar graduated from North Dakota State University with degrees in International Studies and Political Science.

In 2012, Ilhan Omar made impressive efforts by organizing the Vote No Twice campaign. This initiative was targeted towards defeating a voter suppression initiative and another bill that attempted to ban gay marriage throughout Minnesota. Thanks to her efforts, the campaign was successful, and voters do not need to present a photo ID to vote in Minnesota and gay marriage remains legal throughout the state.

In 2016, Ilhan Omar’s time in office began when she was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. During her time in office, she made important efforts and increased voter turnout in Minneapolis and throughout the state of Minnesota. In 2018, she was elected to the United States House of Representatives, and she made many firsts. She was the first Somali-American, first naturalized citizen from Africa, the first non-white woman elected from Minnesota, and one of the first Muslim women to serve in Congress. In her first year in office, she made many accomplishments, including cofounding the Black Maternal Health Caucus and the Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health. She was elected Vice President of the Medicare for All Caucus and led many discussions on the importance of the United States becoming a leader in peace and diplomacy in foreign policy. Throughout her time as a Congresswoman, Omar has stressed the importance of funding education for both K-12 and higher education programs, and creating a just immigration system by creating an attainable citizenship program for undocumented immigrants living in the United States.

Ilhan Omar’s work towards promoting voter rights and immigration reform have led to great successes for people in the United States. She continues to promote justice and equality throughout her time as a United States congresswoman. We can’t wait to see what she does next!

References:

1. About. (2021, March 01). Retrieved from https://tlaib.house.gov/about

2. Arts, U. (2012, October 22). Vote No Twice. Retrieved from https://www.upstreamarts.org/2012/10/22/vote-no-twice/

3. Classicalycourt. (2018, November 07). Meet Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/07/rashida-tlaib-ilhan-omar-are-the-1st-muslim-women-elected-to-congress.html

4. Meet Ilhan. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ilhanomar.com/about/

5. Meet Rashida. (2021, January 07). Retrieved from https://rashidaforcongress.com/meet-rashida/

Phoenix Mintus is an incoming sophomore student at Denison University. He is majoring in Communications and Public Affairs. He is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights. He enjoys reading, writing, and learning new things everyday. On campus, he plans to volunteer and join the student newspaper.