Category Archives: equity

Kate’s Flag

Posted on September 26, 2020 by jyourist

This is my grandmother’s American flag. It has 48 stars, before Alaska and Hawaii became states. I remember my father telling me that this flag was the very first thing she purchased when she came to the United States over … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, democracy, equity, father | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

My Aunt and the Black Lawn Jockey

Posted on August 5, 2020 by jyourist

My aunt, my mother’s twin, had a black lawn jockey on her front lawn. It appeared some time in the 60s in the midst of the Civil Rights movement. My cousin, my aunt’s daughter, told me that actually her mother … Continue reading →

Posted in African-Americans, civil rights, equity, family, twins, white privilege | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

Posted on July 6, 2020 by jyourist

Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it has been faced. History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history. If we pretend … Continue reading →

Posted in anti-racism, civil rights, equity, history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“The Star-Spangled Banner” in a Minor Key

Posted on July 5, 2020 by jyourist

Chase Holfelder, the creator of the video above, captions the video above with: This past month has been heavy… but incomparable to the struggles that Black Americans have faced relentlessly for so many years. The movement has brought renewed light … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, African-Americans, anti-racism, civil rights, equity, freedom, racism | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

“A Riot is the Language of the Unheard”

Posted on May 30, 2020 by jyourist

…Certain conditions continue to exist in our society, which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, equity, justice, politics, social justice | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Government of the people, by the people, for the people

Posted on July 24, 2016 by jyourist

I couldn’t really watch any of the Republican Convention. The whole affair made me sick to my stomach. I read postings and articles about it in social media including newspapers and listened to some coverage as well. I have to … Continue reading →

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Memorial Day created by former slaves

Posted on May 30, 2016 by jyourist

Though Memorial Day was first formally declared in 1868 by General Logan, in charge of the GAR—an organization of Civil War vets, in order to decorate the graves of those who died in the Civil War, there are many cities … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War, democracy, equity, Holidays, justice, race | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Lift every voice

Posted on January 15, 2016 by jyourist

Today started with an assembly celebrating Martin Luther King. The assembly was totally kid-centered, an authentic middle school experience. There were excerpts from a play the students had put on earlier this year, Brown Girl Dreaming. There were vocalists and … Continue reading →

Posted in equity, LGBTQ, race, school, students, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Memorial Day created by former slaves

Posted on May 25, 2015 by jyourist

Though Memorial Day was first formally declared in 1868 by General Logan, in charge of the GAR—an organization of Civil War vets, in order to decorate the graves of those who died in the Civil War, there are many cities … Continue reading →

Posted in equity, Holidays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Posted on December 5, 2014 by jyourist

59 years ago today the Montgomery Bus boycott began and lasted 381 days. Between 30,000 to 40,000 African Americans boycotted the metropolitan bus company in response to the arrest of Rosa Parks because she refused to give up her seat to … Continue reading →

Posted in equity, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments