This largely virtual event offers a unique opportunity to confront systemic injustice, one engaging activity at a time. The goal is to create more space in participants’ daily lives to act on their values. Activities include reading an article or listening to a podcast,......More
This largely virtual event offers a unique opportunity to confront systemic injustice, one engaging activity at a time. The goal is to create more space in participants’ daily lives to act on their values. Activities include reading an article or listening to a podcast, and each activity follows a weekly theme. This year’s themes are: Bodily Autonomy: Bodily autonomy is one of the most fundamental rights we have as human beings. However, across the country, this fundamental right is being challenged. This week, we will have difficult conversations about some of the many ways marginalized bodies are restricted, policed, and violated. Laws have been proposed and passed that limit the rights of trans, gender nonconforming, and non-binary individuals, impacting their access to essential medical care and their ability to exist in public spaces. The fight for reproductive choice is also an ongoing struggle that has taken critical decisions out of the hands of individuals. Weight stigma, which disproportionately impacts women of color, is yet another way we police bodies that has a profoundly negative impact on people’s physical and mental health. People of color also face discrimination based on their hair texture and style. Each day this week, we will dive into a different aspect of the critical conversation of bodily autonomy.Financial Empowerment: Generations of women were denied control over their financial lives, and it wasn’t until 1974 that women were allowed to have credit cards in their own name. Today, more women are taking control of their finances and making important decisions about budgeting, saving, and investing. Despite this progress, inequities persist that hold women back from reaching their full economic potential. We’ll explore some of those inequities during Week 2 of the Racial Justice Challenge.Gun Violence: If you have been impacted by gun violence, please consider your well-being before engaging with this material. The United States has the highest number of civilian-owned firearms in the world, making gun violence a major threat to health and safety. We will explore the history of gun ownership in America and how it has impacted the lives of marginalized people.Transportation: Access to transportation impacts every aspect of our lives, from our ability to get to work, access healthcare, and educate our children. Reimagining the way we think about roads, buses, and sidewalks is essential for addressing the historical injustices such as segregation and present-day inequities that include access to safe transportation in marginalized communities, sexual harassment on public transportation, and roads that are unsafe for pedestrians. Together, we can create transportation systems that serve as catalysts for broader societal change, and foster inclusivity, justice, and empowerment for all.