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PRESIDENT CLAUDINE GAY: “Harvard will never tolerate threats towards Jewish students.”
Stephanie Mitchell_Harvard Staff Photographer
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How the Clean Energy win in Michigan provides a roadmap for other states By Ben Jealous Chicago Defender
Claudine Gay
Harvard president Claudine Gay retains position amidst controversy By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Harvard President Claudine Gay will continue in her position despite increasing criticism and demands for her removal, considering her recent testimony on antisemitism; the university’s highest governing board unanimously endorsed her on Tuesday. Harvard University’s Board of Overseers released a statement expressing their support for President Gay amidst the challenging situation. “We fully support
President Gay, standing together in unity and agreement.” The controversy ensued after the hearing before a House subcommittee on December 5. During the session, Gay and two other university presidents were criticized for not clarifying if supporting the genocide of Jews would go against their universities’ code of conduct. As the situation escalated, opponents intensified their demands for Gay to be fired. However, support for Harvard’s independence and opposition to political meddling came together in the form of letters signed by faculty members and alumni in her honor. Concurrently, a
petition was disseminated to support her removal, reflecting the divergent viewpoints in the Harvard community. Liz Magill, the President of the University of Pennsylvania, resigned this week because of criticism about her testimony. Magill, like Gay, abstained from specifically determining whether endorsing the genocide of Jews contravened campus speech regulations, instead stating that the matter was “context dependent.” Because of the controversy, Gay subsequently stated remorse and provided further clarification regarding her stance, emphasizing that threats of violence “are
abhorrent, they have no place at Harvard, and those who threaten our Jewish students will be held accountable.” Despite Gay’s apology, which called for her resignation, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce investigated the Harvard learning environment. Gay expressed her commitment to the university community in an interview with the Harvard Crimson by stating that Harvard will never tolerate threats towards Jewish students. Gay, who graduated from Harvard in 2006, was the dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences before becoming president in July. She is the first Black person to hold this position.
If you live in Detroit or another part of Michigan where there’s a looming threat of bodily harm from fossil fuel pollution, it just got a little easier to breathe a sigh of relief … and to maintain your ability to breathe in general. The historic Clean Energy Future Package and Clean Energy and Jobs Act, just recently signed into law by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, will greatly accelerate the state’s transition to the exclusive use of clean power sources like wind and solar. That’s a victory for Michiganders and for the country’s goals of slashing the pollution that fuels climate change and harms our health. It’s also a major win for environmental justice, hard-hit communities in a state, and workers. Michigan’s codified commitment to fighting the pollution driving climate change is inherently good news for the communities of color that bear a disproportionate burden of the effects of the crisis, and the benefits go even further. New incentives in the bills to make buildings energy efficient will have an outsized positive impact for these communities, where a higher number of the homes are old, drafty, and not energy efficient. Finally, air pollution from many of the power and industrial plants, which are also disproportionately located in these communities,
Ben Jealous will be reduced by the state’s mandates for clean energy. This is huge for all Michiganders, and especially for those communities where public health is suffering from pollution. The Detroit tricities area – encompassing Detroit, River Rouge, and Ecorse – and other parts of Michigan experiencing the worst air pollution are predominantly Black or Black and Latino. The Harvard Medical School Primary Care Review has pointed out that within the two zip codes that make up Southwest Detroit alone, “there are more than 150 facilities that emit toxic fumes, gasses, chemicals, and particulate matter.” Black residents make up 80% of one of those zip codes, 48217, a statistic noted at an October gathering of activists, near the Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s refinery in Southwest Detroit, by Ember McCoy, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan’s
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US touts new era of collaboration with Native American tribes to manage public lands and water By Susan Montoya Bryan Associated Press The U.S. government is entering a new era of collaboration with Native American and Alaska Native leaders in managing public lands and other resources, with top federal officials saying that incorporating more Indigenous knowledge into decision-making can help spur conservation and combat climate change. Federal emergency managers on Thursday also announced updates to recovery policies to aid tribal communities in the repair or rebuilding of traditional homes or ceremonial buildings after a series of wildfires, floods and other disasters around the country. Wth hundreds of tribal leaders gathering in Washington this week for an annual summit, the Biden administration is celebrating nearly 200 new agreements that are designed to boost federal cooperation with tribes nationwide. The agreements cover everything from fishery restoration projects in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest to management of new national monuments in the Southwestern
Andre Braugher
Emmy-Winning Actor Andre Braugher Dies at 61 By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden shakes hands with Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Bryan Newland, Department of the Interior, as he arrives to speak at the White House Tribal Nations Summit at the Department of the Interior, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Washington. U.S., seed collection work in Montana and plant restoration in the Great Smoky Mountains. “The United States manages hundreds of millions of acres of what we call federal public lands. Why wouldn’t we want added capacity, added expertise, millennia of knowledge and understanding of how to manage those lands?”
U.S. Interior Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland said during a panel discussion. The new comanagement and costewardship agreements announced this week mark a tenfold increase over what had been inked just a year earlier, and officials said more are in the pipeline.
Newland, a citizen of the Bay Mills Indian Community in northern Michigan, said each agreement is unique. He said each arrangement is tailored to a tribe’s needs and capacity for helping to manage public lands — and at the very least assures
Afrodescendientes
AFROCOLOMBIANS 30 YEARS FIGHTING FOR THEIR LANDS
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Renowned actor Andre Braugher, celebrated for his compelling performances in iconic television series such as “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Homicide: Life on the Street,” has died at 61 after a brief illness. His publicist, Jennifer Allen, first confirmed the news to Variety. A twotime Emmy winner, Braugher gained widespread acclaim for portraying Captain Raymond Holt in the police procedural comedy “Brooklyn NineNine” from 2013 to 2021. Braugher’s character, an officer who appeared tough but
displayed his care for all, was paired with Andy Samberg’s Detective Jack Peralta, the polar opposite of Holt. Many may recall Braugher’s role as Detective Frank Pembleton on NBC’s “Homicide: Life on the Street,” which earned him the title of lead actor Emmy in 1998 when he departed from the series. In the critically acclaimed police drama that Barry Levinson, Tom Fontana, and David Simon created, Braugher stood out due to his intense performances. In addition to his Emmy successes, Braugher received acclaim for his role as a master criminal in the FX series “Thief,” for which he earned another Emmy in 2006. His
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The holidays and your brain – a neuroscientist explains how to identify and manage your emotions
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Business Congressional Black caucus members representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) and Summer Lee (PA-12) receive second annual Climate Change-Maker Award
Blunt Rochester and Lee recognized by climate and public health advocates for tireless efforts to address climate change Climate Action Campaign (CAC) announced that Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) and Summer Lee (PA-12) are among the five recipients of the second annual Climate Change-Maker award, granted to Members of Congress for their leadership on climate and clean energy over the past year, including championing efforts to advance federal action to cut climate pollution and defending climate progress in the face of persistent opposition in Congress. Representative Blunt Rochester is recognized as a leader among her colleagues, calling for bold federal action to slash harmful climate pollution and advance environmental justice. She led her colleagues in calling on the EPA and the administration to set strong, science-based standards to safeguard against dangerous soot pollution, improve air quality, and protect public health, and she is a key voice on the House Energy & Commerce Committee. “I’m humbled and honored to receive the Climate Change-Maker award from the Climate Action Campaign. One of my top priorities since
arriving in Congress has been ensuring that my constituents have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and a planet preserved for generations to come,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “Delawareans don’t need to be told about the climate crisis – as the lowest-lying state in the country, we live it every day. That’s why I’ll continue my work to fight the climate crisis, create the clean energy jobs of the future, and preserve the planet for generations to come.” Representative Summer Lee, whose district encompasses Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, is recognized for being a powerful voice in Congress urging for federal action that cuts climate pollution and advances environmental justice. She has championed investments in improving air quality, energy efficiency, and weatherization benefits for her constituents made available through the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. Rep. Lee has also consistently defended critical investments for climate and clean energy against repeated attacks from the fossil fuel industry. “I ran for office fighting for environmental
justice to ensure that communities like where I grew up in Mon Valley had access to clean air and clean water. These historic federal climate investments are reaching local communities and families and will make a better future for all of us,” said Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12). “I’m committed to building on these investments to ensure we tackle the climate crisis, reduce harmful emissions, and pass down a clean, climate-resilient Pennsylvania for future generations.” CAC presented the awards on behalf of its coalition of major national environment, environmental justice, and public health groups, and dozens of state partners across the country. National organizations sitting on CAC’s steering committee include: Center for American Progress, Earthjustice, Environment America, Environmental Defense Fund, League of Conservation Voters, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Union of Concerned Scientists, U.S. Climate Action Network, and WE ACT
U.S. Congress official photos
Climate Action Campaign (CAC) announced that Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) (pictured at left) and Summer Lee (PA-12) are among the five recipients of the second annual Climate Change-Maker award. for
Environmental Justice. “We’re thrilled to recognize Representatives Blunt Rochester and Lee and all of the second annual Climate Change-Maker Award winners for their impressive leadership and effective work in Congress to cut pollution fueling the climate crisis and expand clean energy investments,” said Margie Alt, Campaign
Director of Climate Action Campaign. “We look forward to continuing to work with them to defend and build on the climate progress we’ve made.” The prestigious Climate Change-Maker awards program was established by the Climate Action Campaign (CAC), a coalition of major national environment, environmental
justice, and public health groups with state and local chapters across the country. The other three recipients of the 2023 Climate Change-Maker Award include Senator Jacky Rosen (NV), Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI), and Representative Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07).
Biden announces preliminary agreement on CHIPS and Science Act By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia President Joe Biden on Monday, Dec. 11, announced the first preliminary agreement under the CHIPS and Science Act to bolster America’s semiconductor industry and strengthen national security. The groundbreaking deal, aimed at revitalizing U.S. leadership in semiconductors, already has spurred over $230 billion in planned investments in the sector since its inception. The United States, credited with inventing semiconductors—the tiny chips that power an array of devices from smartphones to sophisticated weapons systems—has seen its global market share dwindle from nearly 40% to just over 10%. The Biden administration warned that the decline poses
a significant threat to national security and leaves the nation vulnerable to disruptions in the global supply chain. “My CHIPS and Science Act aimed to change that, and already, we are revitalizing America’s leadership in semiconductors, strengthening our supply chains, protecting national security, and advancing American competitiveness as a result of the law and our ‘Investing in America; agenda,” Biden stated. “Since I took office, companies have announced over $230 billion in planned investments in semiconductors and electronics,” he said. Under the CHIPS and Science Act, the Department of Commerce’s latest move involves a preliminary agreement with BAE Systems, Inc., for a CHIPS incentive award totaling approximately $35 million. Once finalized, the White House said the award will facilitate the modernization
Biden signs proclamation of an aging facility in Nashua, New Hampshire, quadrupling
its production capacity for crucial chips vital to national
security, including those utilized in F-35 fighter jets.
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School for Environment and Sustainability, in discussing the disproportionate impact of air pollution on the city’s residents. According to 2019 figures from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, adult residents of Detroit were 46% more likely to have asthma than the statewide average. And within Detroit, Black residents were hospitalized for asthma three times as often as white residents. And that’s just asthma. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says this type of pollution is also known to increase rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological and immune disorders, and other health concerns. And, as McCoy also noted at that Detroit panel discussion, “certain pollutants, when combined, as they are in the air, are worse together than they are alone individually … but we still measure them and regulate them as if they’re acting separately.” So, yes, a lot still needs to be done. Especially in terms of how these chemical and particulate pollutants are regulated at the federal level. Still, we shouldn’t lose sight of the positive action that states like Michigan are taking right now and the
“Today marks a key milestone for our implementation of this historic law,” the President remarked, emphasizing this initiative’s critical role in protecting national security and advancing American competitiveness. The White House anticipates the BAE Systems, Inc. award to have a twofold impact, advancing national security goals and stimulating local investment and job creation. The modernization of the Nashua facility is expected to enhance its production capabilities, supporting the growing demand for semiconductor technology in various applications, Biden asserted. “Over the coming year, the Department of Commerce will award billions more to make more semiconductors in America, invest in research and development capabilities to keep America at the forefront of new technologies, strengthen our national security, and create good-paying jobs,” he insisted.
example it sets for other states. There’s a lot to be hopeful about in the clean energy bills’ impact on public health. The bills also set a powerful example for how to help ensure a just transition away from fossil fuels with strong protections for labor. Part of the clean energy package is the creation of the Community and Worker Economic Transition Office. The office will develop a plan and coordinate efforts to address the impact on workers in the shift from fossil fuels to renewables, helping to ensure that no worker is left behind. By delivering historic federal action in the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden administration has already given states a powerful way to capitalize on massive federal investments in their economies and a green future for us all. That’s exactly what Michigan is doing, and doing it right. In addition to the billions that Michigan has already secured in federal investment dollars, a recent report by the Michigan-based 5 Lakes Energy shows that passing the 100% clean energy legislation could mean over 160,000 additional quality jobs over the next decade and $7.8 billion more in investments by 2050, which is more than twice what Michigan would expect to receive without enacting these policies. Thanks to the IRA, states now have an unprecedented opportunity
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Biden From 3 their presence at the table when decisions are made. The federal government is not looking to dictate to tribal leaders what a partnership should look like, he said. The U.S. government controls more than a quarter of the land in the United States, with much of that encompassing the ancestral homelands of federally recognized tribes. While the idea of costewardship dates back decades and has spanned multiple presidential administrations,
Braugher From 3 multifaceted career prompted
Insight News • December 18, 2023 - December 24, 2023 • Page 5 to address the harm done by climate change while also jumpstarting economic development, creating jobs,
moving towards energy independence, improving the health and lives of their residents, and leading
on
environmental justice. Ben Jealous is executive director of the Sierra Club, professor of practice at
the University of Pennsylvania and author of “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free.” The post How the
Clean Energy Win in Michigan Provides a Roadmap for Other States appeared first on Chicago Defender.
many tribes have advocated in recent years for a more formal role in managing federal lands to which they have a connection. Tribes and advocacy groups have been pushing for arrangements that go beyond the consultation requirements mandated by federal law. Researchers at the University of Washington and legal experts with the Native American Rights Fund have put together a new clearinghouse on the topic. They point out that public lands now central to the country’s national heritage originated from the dispossession and displacement of Indigenous people and that co-management could present on opportunity for the U.S. to reckon with that complicated legacy.
Ada Montague Stepleton, a staff attorney with the Native American Rights Fund, said the significant uptick in the number of agreements signed just in the past year show there’s a willingness in Indian Country to find a path forward that is mutually beneficial to tribes and the federal government — and ultimately taxpayers. “We’ve been compiling information to try to understand these agreements better,” she said. “There is a sort of a double-edged sword. We want to make sure that sovereignty isn’t eroded while at the same time creating places where co-management can, in fact, occur.” Montague Stepleton said one of the challenges is that
tribes often have few resources, with much of their attention going toward maintaining their cultures and ensuring their communities have access to food, water and health care. In an attempt to address complaints about chronic underfunding across Indian Country, President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order on the first day of the summit that will make it easier for tribes to find and access grants. Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, told tribal leaders Thursday that her agency began work this year to upgrade its disaster guidance particularly in response to tribal needs. The Indigenous
people of Hawaii have increasingly been under siege from disasters, most recently a devastating fire that killed dozens of people and leveled an entire town. Just last month, another blaze scorched a stretch of irreplaceable rainforest on Oahu. Tribes in California and Oregon also were forced to seek disaster declarations earlier this year after severe storms resulted in flooding and mudslides. Nancy James, first chief of the Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in Tribal Council in Alaska, said the effects of climate change on tribal communities can’t be ignored. “Reality check,” she said, after ticking off details about warmer temperatures,
bears not hibernating as they should and the inability of her people to fish due to changing water conditions. “Global warming has affected every one of us.” Criswell said the new guidance includes a pathway for Native American, Alaska Native and Hawaiian communities to request presidential disaster declarations, providing them with access to emergency federal relief funding. The agency also is now accepting tribal selfcertified damage assessments and cost estimates for restoring ceremonial buildings or traditional homes, while not requiring site inspections, maps or other details that might compromise culturally sensitive data.
reflection on the complex portrayal of police officers in the media, as discussed in a 2020 Variety cover story where he emphasized the need to address the depiction of law enforcement on television collectively.
Born in Chicago, Braugher graduated from Stanford University before pursuing drama at the Juilliard School. His career began with a notable role as a Union soldier in the film “Glory,” portraying
Thomas Searles, a free Black man who joined the first Black regiment. From there, he seamlessly transitioned to television, notably appearing in “Kojak,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “Hack,” and
“House, M.D.” Braugher’s versatility extended to the big screen, where he left an indelible mark with roles in films such as “City of Angels,” “Frequency,” “Poseidon,” “Primal Fear,” “Duets,” “The
Mist,” “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” “Salt,” and “The Gambler.” His wife, Ami Brabson, who also starred in “Homicide: Life on the Street,” and their three children survive him.
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AFROCOLOMBIANOS 30 AÑOS LUCHANDO POR SUS TIERRAS Por Jesus Chucho Garcia (especial) Translation By Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Traduzido del original en ingles por Yoji Senna
Spanish Text
Hace treinta años, como resultado de las luchas del pueblo afrocolombiano fue decretada La Ley 70 de las comunidades negras, el 27 de agosto de 1993. Han transcurrido tres décadas y la lucha por el derecho jurídico a la tierra continua.La tierra para los seres humanos constituye la fuente vital de la vida. La tierra nos provee alimentos, agua, espiritualidad e identidad. Miles de africanos y africanas secuestradas durante tres siglos fueron trasladados a Colombia para ser explota-
dos por los colonialistas españoles. Durante esos cuatro siglos de historias, las y los africanos y sus descendientes se transformaron en cimarrones para construir espacios libertarios llamado Palenques donde reconstruyeron sus vidas. Unos de los Palenques o territorio liberado en la Colonia fueron los Palenques de Matuna y Montes de Maria, dirigido por el líder africano Benkos Biho. Benkos logró esos espacios libertarios desde comienzos del siglo XVII y fue asesinado en 1621 en Cartagenas de Indias por el sistema colonial español.
El asesinato de Benkos de la guerrilla y paramilitares. se entiende, en dicha ley, el de grandes extensiones de Biho, lejos de ser un antídoto Es en medio de ese gran con- asentamiento histórico, cul- tierras ancestrales afroclompara congelar las luchas de las ÀLFWR TXH YD D VXUJLU OD /H\ tural y ancestral de las co- bianos tanto en el lado del y los africanos y sus descen- 70 de comunidades Negras, munidades negras en tierras SDFL¿FR FRORPELDQR FRPR dientes en Colombia, mas aprobada por el Congreso de de uso colectivo, sus habitas en el Valle del Cauca, donde bien fue un estimulo para que Colombia en agosto de 1993. y reivindican sus practicas ahora esta operando el cartel nuestros ancestros y ancestras En su articulo 1 de esta ley tradicionales ancestrales.¨ mexicano de Sinaloa. Según siguieran luchando desde la deja claro que ¨La presente la lideresa afrocolombiana esclavitud a la Guerra de In- Ley tiene por objeto reconocLA LUCHA CONTI- Rudy Amanda Garces ¨La dependencia como lo hizo er a las comunidades negras NUA ley 70 de 1993 es una forma el líder afrodescendientes que han venido ocupando de redistribución y reconocolombiano almirante Pru- tierras baldías en las zonas Al cumplir treinta años La cimiento formal de las tierdencio Padilla quien dirigió con sus practicas tradiciona- Ley de Comunidades Negras ras ancestrales ocupadas por la Batalla del Lago de Ma- les produccion, el derecho Colombianas, la lucha sigue las comunidades negras, iniracaibo (1823) que selló la a la propiedad colectiva, de por reglamentar seis millones cialmente en el territorio del LQGHSHQGHQFLD GH¿QLWLYD GH conformidad con lo dispues- de hectáreas, así como las lu- 3DFL¿FR HV XQD LQWHUSHODFLyQ Colombia y Venezuela. to en esta Ley. En esta ley chas contra los desplazamien- al orden neoliberal racial¨. En el siglo XX las luchas se concretan los mecanismo tos internos provocados por Hoy la ley necesita reglamdel pueblo afrocolombiano se de protección de la identidad ORV FRQÀLFWRV DUPDGRV /D entación, evitar masacres y debatió y se sigue debatend- cultural afrocolombiana. En lucha continua contra los cul- desplazamientos internos. La LA MEMORIA EN EL iendo entre los latifundista, la ley se habla de ocupación tivos ilícitos de cocaina y los Lucha continua. TIEMPO: TIERRAS AN- HO QDUFRWUi¿FR HO HMHUFLWR colectiva, no individualiza- carteles que tienen el control colombiano, algunos sectores da. ¨Por ocupación colectiva CESTRALES
AFROCOLOMBIANS 30 YEARS FIGHTING FOR THEIR LANDS us with food, water, spirituality, and identity. Thousands of Africans kidnapped for Special three centuries were brought for to Colombia to be exploitInsight ed by Spanish colonialists. News During those four centuries of history, Africans and their descendants became maroons By Jesus Chucho Garcia to build libertarian spaces called Palenques, where they reconstructed their lives. One Translated from Spanish by Yoji Senna of the Palenques or liberated territories in the Colony were Thirty years ago, as a result the Palenques of Matuna and of the struggles of the Afro- Montes de Maria, led by the colombian people, Law 70 of African leader Benkos Biho. the black communities was Benkos achieved these liberdecreed on August 27, 1993. tarian spaces since the early Three decades have passed 17th century and was assassiDQG WKH ¿JKW IRU WKH OHJDO nated in 1621 in Cartagena de right to land continues. Land Indias by the Spanish colonial is the vital source of life for system. human beings. Land provides
MEMORY THROUGH TIME: ANCESTRAL LANDS The assassination of Benkos Biho, far from being an antidote to freeze the struggles of Africans and their descendants in Colombia, rather served as a stimulus for RXU DQFHVWRUV WR NHHS ¿JKWing from slavery to the War of Independence, as did the Colombian Afro-descendant leader Admiral Prudencio Padilla, who led the Battle of Lake Maracaibo (1823), ZKLFK VHDOHG WKH GH¿QLWLYH LQdependence of Colombia and Venezuela. In the 20th century, the struggles of the Afrocolombian people were debated and continue to be debated
among the landowners, drug occupation in said law, the &RORPELDQ 3DFL¿F VLGH DQG WUD൶FNHUV WKH &RORPELDQ historical, cultural, and ances- in the Valle del Cauca, where army, some guerrilla sectors, tral settlement of black com- the Mexican Sinaloa cartel is and paramilitaries. It is in the munities in lands of collective now operating. According to PLGVW RI WKLV JUHDW FRQÀLFW WKDW use is understood, where they Afrocolombian leader Rudy the Law 70 of Black Commu- inhabit and reclaim their an- Amanda Garces, “Law 70 of nities will emerge, approved cestral traditional practices.” 1993 is a form of redistribuby the Congress of Colomtion and formal recognition of bia in August 1993. Article 1 THE FIGHT CONTIN- ancestral lands occupied by of this law clears states that UES black communities, initially “The purpose of this Law is to LQ WKH 3DFL¿F WHUULWRU\ LW LV recognize black communities After thirty years of the an interrogation of the neothat have been occupying va- Law of Colombian Black liberal racial order.” Today, cant lands with their tradition- Communities, the struggle the law needs regulation to al production practices, the continues to regulate six prevent massacres and interright to collective property, million hectares, as well as QDO GLVSODFHPHQWV 7KH ¿JKW in accordance with this Law. WKH ¿JKW DJDLQVW LQWHUQDO GLV- continues. This law establishes mech- placements caused by armed anisms for the protection of FRQÀLFWV 7KH ¿JKW FRQWLQXHV the Afrocolombian cultural against illicit cocaine crops identity. The law speaks of and the cartels that control collective occupation, not in- large areas of Afrocolombian dividualized. “By collective ancestral lands, both on the
AFROCOLOMBIANOS 30 ANOS LUTANDO POR SUAS TERRAS Por Jesus Chucho Garcia (especial) Translation By Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Traduzido do original em ingles por Yoji Senna
Portugues Text
Há trinta anos, como resultado das lutas do povo afrocolombiano, foi decretada a Lei 70 das comunidades negras em 27 de agosto de 1993. Três décadas se passaram e a luta pelo direito legal à terra continua. A terra para os seres humanos é a fonte vital da vida. A terra nos fornece alimentos, água, espiritualidade e identidade. Milhares de africanos e africanas sequestrados durante três séculos foram levados para a Colômbia para serem ex-
TRAIS setores da guerrilha e paramil- lei, o assentamento histórico, colombiano quanto no Valle O assassinato de Benkos itares. É no meio desse grande cultural e ancestral das comu- del Cauca, onde agora opera Biho, longe de ser um antído- FRQÀLWR TXH VXUJH D /HL nidades negras em terras de o cartel mexicano de Sinaloa. to para congelar as lutas dos das comunidades negras, uso coletivo, onde habitam e De acordo com a líder afroafricanos e seus descendentes aprovada pelo Congresso da reivindicam suas práticas an- colombiana Rudy Amanda Garces, “a Lei 70 de 1993 é na Colômbia, foi um estímu- Colômbia em agosto de 1993. cestrais tradicionais”. uma forma de redistribuição lo para que nossos ancestrais Em seu artigo 1, esta lei deixa e reconhecimento formal das continuassem lutando desde claro que “a presente lei tem A LUTA CONTINUA terras ancestrais ocupadas a escravidão até a Guerra de como objetivo reconhecer as Independência, assim como comunidades negras que têm Ao completar trinta anos, a pelas comunidades negras, fez o líder afrodescendente ocupado terras devolutas em Lei das Comunidades Negras inicialmente no território do colombiano, o almirante Pru- suas zonas com suas práticas Colombianas, a luta continua 3DFt¿FR p XP TXHVWLRQDPHQdencio Padilla, que liderou tradicionais de produção, o para regulamentar seis mil- to à ordem neoliberal racial”. a Batalha do Lago de Ma- direito à propriedade coleti- hões de hectares, bem como Hoje, a lei precisa de regulamracaibo (1823), que selou a va, de acordo com o disposto a luta contra o deslocamento entação, para evitar massacres LQGHSHQGrQFLD GH¿QLWLYD GD nesta lei”. Esta lei concretiza LQWHUQR FDXVDGR SHORV FRQÀL- e deslocamentos internos. A Colômbia e Venezuela. No os mecanismos de proteção tos armados. A luta continua luta continua. século XX, as lutas do povo da identidade cultural afro- contra os cultivos ilícitos de afrocolombiano se debateram colombiana. Na lei, fala-se cocaína e os cartéis que cone ainda se debatem entre os de ocupação coletiva, não in- trolam grandes extensões de A MEMÓRIA NO TEM- ODWLIXQGLiULRV R QDUFRWUi¿FR dividualizada. “Por ocupação terras ancestrais afrocolombiPO: TERRAS ANCES- o exército colombiano, alguns coletiva, entende-se, nesta DQDV WDQWR QR ODGR GR 3DFt¿FR plorados pelos colonizadores espanhóis. Durante esses quatro séculos de história, os africanos e seus descendentes se tornaram cimarrones para construir espaços libertários chamados Palenques, onde reconstruíram suas vidas. Um dos Palenques ou territórios libertados na Colônia foram os Palenques de Matuna e Montes de Maria, liderados pelo líder africano Benkos Biho. Benkos conquistou esses espaços libertários desde o início do século XVII e foi assassinado em 1621 em Cartagena de Índias pelo sistema colonial espanhol.
AFROCOLOMBIENS 30 ANS DE COMBAT POUR LEURS TERRES Par Jesus Chucho Garcia (spécial) Translation By Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Traduit de l’espagnol par Yoji Senna
French Text
Il y a trente ans, suite aux luttes du peuple afrocolombien, la loi 70 des communautés noires a été promulguée le 27 août 1993. Trois décennies se sont écoulées et la lutte pour le droit légal à la terre continue. La terre est la source
vitale de la vie des êtres humains. La terre nous fournit de la nourriture, de l’eau, de la spiritualité et de l’identité. Des milliers d’Africains kidnappés pendant trois siècles ont été amenés en Colombie pour être exploités par les colonialistes espagnols. Durant ces quatre siècles d’histoire, les Africains et leurs descendants se sont rendus marrons pour construire des espaces libertaires appelés Palenques, où ils ont reconstruit leur
vie. L’un des Palenques ou territoires libérés de la colonie étaient les Palenques de Matuna et Montes de Maria, dirigés par le leader africain Benkos Biho. Benkos a conquis ces espaces libertaires dès le début du XVIIe siècle et a été assassiné en 1621 à Carthagène des Indes par le système colonial espagnol.
L’assassinat de Benkos Au XXe siècle, les luttes les communautés noires qui Biho, loin d’être un antidote du peuple afrocolombien ont ont occupent des terres vapour geler les luttes des Afr- été débattues et continuent de cantes avec leurs pratiques icains et de leurs descendants l’être entre les propriétaires de production traditionnelles, en Colombie, a plutôt servi WHUULHQV OHV WUD¿TXDQWV GH le droit à la propriété collecde stimulant à nos ancêtres drogue, l’armée colombienne, tive, conformément à cette pour continuer à lutter depuis certains secteurs de guéril- loi. Cette loi établit des mél’esclavage jusqu’à la guerre la et les paramilitaires. C’est canismes pour la protection d’indépendance, comme l’a DX PLOLHX GH FH JUDQG FRQÀLW de l’identité culturelle afrocofait le leader afro-colombien. que naîtra la Loi 70 des Com- lombienne. La loi parle d’ocL’amiral Prudencio Padilla, munautés noires, approuvée cupation collective et non inqui dirigea la bataille du lac par le Congrès de Colombie dividualisée. “Par occupation LA MÉMOIRE À Maracaibo (1823), qui scella en août 1993. L’article 1 de collective en Selon cette loi, historique, TRAVERS LE TEMPS : O¶LQGpSHQGDQFH Gp¿QLWLYH GH cette loi précise que « Le but l’établissement TERRES ANCESTRALES la Colombie et du Venezuela. de cette loi est de reconnaître culturel et ancestral des com-
July 31, 2023 - August 2023• Page 7 Insight News • December 18, 2023 - December 24,6,2023
insightnews.com munautés noires sur des terres d’usage collectif est compris, où elles habitent et se réapproprient leurs pratiques traditionnelles ancestrales. LE COMBAT CONTINUE
Après trente ans de loi des communautés noires colombiennes, la lutte continue pour réguler six millions d’hectares, ainsi que la lutte contre les déplacements in-
ternes provoqués par les F{Wp FRORPELHQ GX 3DFL¿TXH tribution et de reconnaissance ». Aujourd’hui, la loi a beFRQÀLWV DUPpV /D OXWWH VH que dans la Valle del Cauca, formelle des terres ancestral- soin d’être réglementée pour poursuit contre les cultures où opère désormais le cartel es occupées par les commu- prévenir les massacres et les illicites de cocaïne et les car- mexicain de Sinaloa. Selon nautés noires, initialement déplacements internes. Le tels qui contrôlent de vastes le leader afrocolombien Rudy VXU OH WHUULWRLUH GX 3DFL¿TXH combat continue. zones de terres ancestrales Amanda Garces, « la loi 70 de c’est une remise en question afrocolombiennes, tant du 1993 est une forme de redis- de l’ordre racial néolibéral
AFROCOLOMBIANS 30 SANO OO DHULKOODA U DAGAALAYAY By Ciise Chucho Garcia (gaar ah) Translation by Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes Waxaa laga soo turjumay Isbaanishka Yoji Senna
Somali Text
Soddon sano ka hor, natiijadii halganka dadka Afrocolombian, Sharciga 70 ee beelaha madow ayaa la soo saaray Agoosto 27, 1993. Soddon sano ayaa ka soo wareegay, halganka xaqa sharci ee dhulkuna wuu socdaa. Dhulku waa isha nolosha lagama maarmaanka u ah aadamaha. Dhulku wuxuu na siiyaa cunto, biyo, ruuxaan, iyo aqoonsi. Kumanaan Afrikaan ah oo la afduubay muddo saddex qarni ah ayaa la keenay Colombia si ay uga faa’iidaystaan gumaystayaas-
hii Isbaanishka. Inta lagu jiro afarta qarni ee taariikhda, Afrikaanka iyo faracooda waxay noqdeen maroons si ay u dhistaan meelo xor ah oo loo yaqaan Palenques, halkaas oo ay dib u dhiseen noloshooda. Mid ka mid ah Palenques ama dhulalkii la xoreeyay ee Gumeysiga waxa ay ahaayeen Palenques of Matuna iyo Montes de Maria, oo uu hogaaminayay hogaamiyihii Afrika Benkos Biho. Benkos waxa uu gaadhay goobahan xornimada ilaa horraantii qarnigii 17aad waxaana lagu dilay 1621 magaalada Cartagena de Indias ee nidaamka gumaysiga Isbaanishka.
Dilkii Benkos Biho, oo ka fog inuu noqdo dawo lagu qaboojinayo halganka Afrikaanka iyo faracooda Colombia, halkii ay u adeegi jirtay awoowayaasheen inay sii wadaan dagaalka ka dhanka ah addoonsiga ee Dagaalkii Xornimada, sida uu sameeyay hoggaamiyihii Afro-Colombia. Admiral Prudencio Padilla, oo hogaaminayey Dagaalkii Harada Maracaibo (1823), kaas oo xidhay madax-bannaanida saxda ah ee Colombia iyo Venezuela. Qarnigii 20-aad, halgankii dadka Afrocolombian ayaa laga dooday oo wali waxaa ka socday doodo ka dhex jiray XASUUSTA WAQ- mulkiilayaasha dhulka, ka gaTIGII: DHULKII nacsiga daroogada, ciidamaABWAAN da Colombia, qaybo ka mid
ah jabhadaha, iyo kuwa isbahaysiga. Waxay ku dhex jirtaa khilaafkan weyn in sharciga 70 ee beelaha madow uu soo bixi doono, oo uu ansixiyay of shirweynaha ee Colombia Ogosto 1993. Qodobka 1aad ee sharcigan ayaa caddaynaya “Ujeeddada sharcigan waa in la aqoonsado beelaha madow ee leh Waxay ku qabsanayeen dhul banaan oo leh hab-dhaqankooda wax-soo-saar ee soo jireenka ah, xaqa ay u leeyihiin hanti-guud, si waafaqsan sharcigan.Sharcigani waxa uu dejinayaa habab lagu ilaalinayo aqoonsiga dhaqameed ee Afrocolombian. Sharcigu waxa uu ka hadlayaa shaqo-wadareed, ee maaha mid shakhsi ahaaneed. Sharciga ayaa sheegay, dejinta taariikhiga ah, dhaqanka,
iyo awoowayaasha ee bulshooyinka madow ee dhulalka la wada isticmaalo waa la fahamsan yahay, halkaas oo ay ku nool yihiin oo ay dib u soo ceshadaan dhaqamada soo jireenka ah ee awoowayaashood.” DAGAALKU WAA SII SOCOTAA Ka dib soddon sano oo Sharciga Bulshooyinka Madow ee Colombia, halganku wuxuu sii wadaa inuu xakameeyo lix milyan oo hektar, iyo sidoo kale dagaalka ka dhanka ah barakaca gudaha ee ay sababeen iskahorimaadyada hubaysan. Dagaalku wuxuu sii socdaa ka dhanka ah dalagyada kookeynta ee sharci darrada ah iyo kartaalada
gacanta ku haya dhul ballaaran oo ka mid ah dhulalka awoowayaasha Afrocolombian, labadaba dhinaca BaasL¿JJD &RORPELD L\R 9DOOH GHO Cauca, halkaas oo ay hadda ka shaqeyso Mexico Sinaloa cartel. Sida laga soo xigtay hogaamiyaha Afrocolombian Rudy Amanda Garces, “Sharciga 70 ee 1993 waa nooc ka mid ah dib-u-qaybinta iyo aqoonsiga rasmiga ah ee dhulalka awoowayaasha ee ay degan yihiin bulshooyinka madow, markii hore ee dhulka 3DFL¿F ZDD VX¶DDOR ZH\GLLQta nidaamka jinsiyadeed ee neoliberal.” Maanta, sharcigu wuxuu u baahan yahay xeerar looga hortagayo xasuuqa iyo barakicinta gudaha. Dagaalku wuu sii socdaa.
WAAFROCOLOMBIA MIAKA 30 WAKIPIGANIA ARDHI YAO Na Yesu Chucho Garcia (maalum) na wakoloni wa Uhispania. Wakati wa karne hizo nne Translation by Yoji za historia, Waafrika na viSenna, Managing Editor, zazi vyao wakawa maroon Afrodescendientes Ilitafsiriwa kutoka Kihispania na Yoji Senna
Swahili Text
kujenga nafasi za uhuru zinazoitwa Palenques, ambapo walijenga upya maisha yao. Moja ya Palenques au maeneo yaliyokombolewa katika Ukoloni yalikuwa Palenques ya Matuna na Montes de Maria, iliyoongozwa na kiongozi wa Kiafrika Benkos Biho. Benkos alipata nafasi hizi za uhuru tangu mwanzoni mwa karne ya 17 na aliuawa mnamo 1621 huko Cartagena de Indias na mfumo wa kikoloni wa Uhispania.
Miaka thelathini iliyopita, kutokana na mapambano ya watu wa Afrokolombia, Sheria ya 70 ya jumuiya za watu weusi ilitolewa Agosti 27, 1993. Miongo mitatu imepita na mapambano ya haki ya kisheria ya kumiliki ardhi yanaendelea. Ardhi ni chanzo muhimu cha maisha kwa wanadamu. Ardhi hutupatia chakula, maji, hali ya kiroho, na utambulisho. Maelfu ya Waafrika waliotekwa KUMBUKUMBU nyara kwa karne tatu wali- KUPITIA WAKATI: ARDletwa Colombia kunyonywa HI ZA BABU
Mauaji ya Benkos Biho, mbali na kuwa dawa ya kusimamisha mapambano ya Waafrika na vizazi vyao huko Colombia, yalitumika kama kichocheo kwa mababu zetu kuendelea kupigana kutoka utumwa wa Vita vya Uhuru, kama vile kiongozi wa Afro wa Colombia. Admirali Prudencio Padilla, ambaye aliongoza Vita vya Ziwa Maracaibo (1823), ambavyo vilitia muhuri uhuru wa uhakika wa Kolombia na Venezuela. Katika karne ya 20, mapambano ya watu wa Afrocolombian yalijadiliwa na yanaendelea kujadiliwa kati ya wamiliki wa ardhi, walanguzi wa dawa za kulevya, jeshi la Colombia, baadhi ya sekta za msituni, na wana-
mgambo. Ni katikati ya mzozo huu mkubwa ambapo Sheria ya 70 ya Jumuiya za Watu Weusi itatokea, iliyoidhinishwa na Bunge la Kolombia mnamo Agosti 1993. Kifungu cha 1 cha sheria hii kinasema kwamba “Madhumuni ya Sheria hii ni kutambua jumuiya nyeusi ambazo wamekuwa wakimiliki ardhi zilizo wazi kwa desturi zao za jadi za uzalishaji, haki ya kumiliki mali ya pamoja, kwa mujibu wa Sheria hii. Sheria hii inaweka utaratibu wa kulinda utambulisho wa kitamaduni wa Afrocolombia. Sheria inazungumzia umiliki wa pamoja, sio mtu mmoja mmoja. “Kwa kazi ya pamoja Alisema sheria, makazi ya kihistoria, kitamaduni na
mababu ya jamii za watu weusi katika nchi za matumizi ya pamoja yanaeleweka, ambapo wanaishi na kurudisha mila zao za jadi.” M A P A M B A N O YANAENDELEA Baada ya miaka thelathini ya Sheria ya Jumuiya za Weusi za Kolombia, mapambano yanaendelea kudhibiti hekta milioni sita, pamoja na mapambano dhidi ya wakimbizi wa ndani unaosababishwa na migogoro ya silaha. Mapambano yanaendelea dhidi ya mazao haramu ya kokeini na vikundi vinavyodhibiti maeneo makubwa ya ardhi ya mababu wa Afro-
colombia, katika upande wa 3DVL¿NL \D &RORPELD QD 9DOle del Cauca, ambapo shirika la Sinaloa la Mexican sasa linafanya kazi. Kulingana na kiongozi wa Afrocolombian Rudy Amanda Garces, “Sheria ya 70 ya 1993 ni aina ya ugawaji upya na utambuzi rasmi wa ardhi ya mababu zilizokaliwa na jamii za watu weusi, mwanzoni katika eneo OD 3DVL¿NL QL XFKXQJX]L ZD utaratibu wa rangi ya uliberali mamboleo.” Leo, sheria inahitaji udhibiti ili kuzuia mauaji na uhamishaji wa ndani. Mapambano yanaendelea.
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Translation by Yoji Senna, Managing Editor, Afrodescendientes
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CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD While Sipping Your Tea By Dr. Alecia Mobley December is here, and with it comes the observances of Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Faith and belief in a Higher Power are embraced, renewed, rediscovered, increased. Above all, everyone’s spiritual journey is unique to the individual, as unique as the way God (or Allah, Yahweh, Buddha, etc.) speaks to us. Equally important is our spiritual communication, being in relationship. Such is Dr. Alecia Mobley’s journey in her book Conversations With God (While Sipping Your Tea). In Mobley’s book, we witness her use of journaling as one of her ways of having conversations with God; the excerpts from her journal entries speak volumes. We witness facets of her relationships with
her daughters, her ex-husband, and her family and friends. Starting with a Compass Point, her journal entries illustrate the themes/conversations introduced in each chapter: obedience, healing, love, joy, patience, uncertainty, deliverance, pain, blessings, growth, forgiveness, and new beginnings. From past to present, Mobley’s journals show her ongoing spiritual growth, through prayer, her life experiences, and talking to God on a regular basis. One bit of advice I have received over the years is demonstrated in her work: when talking or praying to God, you must have the
patience to wait for His answer. He may not answer in the way we expect, or when we want Him to, but He always does, and right on time. In addition, her Reflections at the end of each chapter invite us as readers to look within ourselves. I loved the way Mobley set up her chapters, which start with a scriptural text and a Compass Point, representing where she was at a given time. As we are all at different stages of our journey, It gave me pause to reflect that where I was in my 20s is quite different from where I am now in my 70s. Through reading her work, I am reminded once again that God reveals things to us according to our being in the space to receive them. Our knowledge is limited, yet we can tap into His infinite wisdom at any time. Conversations With God is available through Tall Pine Books, Amazon, and the Minnesota Black Authors Expo website (www. mnblackauthorsexpo.com). It was a pleasure to meet you at the Minnesota Black Authors Expo, Dr. Mobley. Thank you so much for sharing your story, the blessing of your book, and the importance of being in relationship with God, not only for this season, but as a daily walk.
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Insight News • December 18, 2023 - December 24, 2023 • Page 9
Insight 2 Health Drinking during holidays and special occasions could affect how you parent your kids By Bridget Freisthler Professor of Social Work, The Ohio State University How much alcohol do you typically drink in a week? A month? A year? Did your answer take into account how much you drink on New Year’s Eve? On Christmas? During the Super Bowl or World Cup? When researchers compare how much alcohol is sold to how much people say they drink, alcohol consumption is underestimated by anywhere from 30% in the U.S. to 80% in Australia. Special occasions such as holidays, weddings or major sporting events make up much of that difference. How much a person drinks at a special event can vary quite a bit, adding an extra four drinks per week for men and three drinks per week for women, and people usually don’t include these splurges in their tallies. My research team studies alcohol use and its effects on parenting, with an ultimate goal to identify strategies that support positive parenting. Particularly in the festive holiday season – filled with gatherings where drinking is commonplace – understanding how special-occasion drinking affects how parents treat their children could help people change their routines in ways that make these occasions more enjoyable for everyone. It’s not news that alcohol is related to many social problems: violence, traffic crashes, child abuse and neglect. Alcohol can enable bad behavior during special occasions. Incidents of drunken driving are highest after New
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Whether to be harsher or more lax, drinking can affect parenting. Year’s
Eve, for instance. Alcohol use by men on days of major sporting events is related to more violence toward their families. However, because this relationship has been primarily studied among men, we don’t know if it is the same for women. Women’s drinking has increased over the past several decades, making this an important topic to understand. Drinking while parenting can cause lax supervision of children or more harsh parenting practices. In our recent study, my colleagues and I wanted to see if a parent’s alcohol use on two special occasions was related to the use of aggressive discipline – whether physical punishment like spanking, or psychological aggression like yelling and name-calling. As part of a larger study, we focused on two special occasions where drinking might differ from a typical day: Super
Bowl Sunday and Valentine’s Day. What we found surprised us. Drinking more on special days In February 2021, we asked 307 parents to take three brief daily surveys for 14 days. We pushed a text message to parents’ phones at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. that asked questions about whether they had used specific discipline strategies since the last survey. On the seventh and 14th day, the survey included questions about whether parents drank alcohol during the past week. If they did, we asked them to tell us on which days, and during what time frames. We matched the days and times they drank with parenting behaviors they’d previously reported. Importantly, 93% of parents in our study were mothers. A higher percentage of parents drank at some point on Valentine’s Day (23.7%) and Super Bowl Sunday (16.9%) than on non-special occasion
days during the study (14.7%). Drinking alcohol during the Super Bowl was related to a 2.5 times higher odds of using aggressive discipline. However, drinking on Valentine’s Day was related to lower odds of using aggressive discipline. So special-event drinking did affect parenting behavior – but in different ways depending on the event. When drinking while watching a fairly violent sport, such as football, parents could be “copycatting” aggressive behavior they see on the screen. Researchers have suggested this link for men’s behavior toward their families. With women now making up 46% of the Super Bowl audience, my colleagues and I suggest there might be a similar relationship for them. When children appear disruptive or are playing in the same room, dads and moms may be quicker to yell instead of redirecting the behavior
without resorting to aggression. Valentine’s Day is different. Although more parents reported drinking on Valentine’s Day than on Super Bowl Sunday, we didn’t see the same increase in aggressive parenting. Valentine’s Day celebrates romance and love. Its norms are markedly different from the Super Bowl, leading to a more relaxed parenting style. Drinking may be more likely to occur at a restaurant with a nice dinner that may or may not include children. For couples who leave their children at home, the holiday provides respite from parenting and focuses attention on other activities. Celebrating while still parenting with care Our results suggest parents may want to remember that drinking at special events like holiday parties or family gatherings may not only be different than their regular pattern of alcohol
consumption, but also may influence how they interact with their children both during the event and even the next day. What can moms and dads do to reduce harsh parenting during special occasions when they choose to drink? Parents can plan ahead and choose a “designated parent” who does not drink and takes the lead on supervising the children. This could be one or multiple people. Drinking nonalcoholic mocktails or light beers to reduce the alcohol content can bring drinking more in line with a regular day. Hiring a babysitter during the event, planning a playdate or bringing alternative activities to keep children engaged might lessen everyone’s stress. For an event like the Super Bowl, having activities supervised in another room, such as watching a childfriendly movie, might reduce problems. Even special occasions as simple as a summer barbecue with friends or family could change how you parent, especially for those who drink infrequently. With so many adults around, it’s easy to assume another adult is watching the kids when no one actually is. Putting a plan in place around special events where parents will be drinking may reduce possible harm to your children. Bridget Freisthler receives funding from National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
The holidays and your brain – a neuroscientist explains how to identify and manage your emotions By Seena Mathew Assistant Professor of Biology, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Just as the shift to shorter days and colder weather can bring with it mood swings and other emotional challenges, the holiday season can also bring about somewhat predictable changes in mood and behavior. Around this time of year, many of us experience more stress, anxiety and frustration than usual. These stressors have been linked to higher levels of heart failure and alcohol poisoning and an increase in deaths from stroke. Learning how to recognize what brings about stress and what parts of the brain are actively involved can help with managing the stress response. As a neuroscientist, I am often curious about the dynamic connection between behavior and the brain. I’ve learned that, biologically speaking, there are ways to manage your responses to holiday stressors through awareness of why they happen. Harnessing the hypothalamus Delays in itineraries, crowded airports and congested highways can easily lead to frustrations for those traveling to spend time with family or friends. One region of the brain involved in your response to these types of stresses is the hypothalamus, a structure deep in the brain that is involved in trying to keep the body in a stable state, known as homeostasis. The hypothalamus works to regulate the autonomic nervous system, a system that coordinates involuntary responses such as heart rate, blood pressure and respiration. It is the key component of the fight-or-flight response to real or perceived threats. When you are under stress, such as when you learn that your flight has been delayed or even canceled, your hypothalamus stimulates the release of stress
hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine. These hormones in turn trigger physiological responses like increased heart rate, perspiration and feelings of irritation and frustration. When you experience these stressors, deep breathing exercises can help stimulate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. This is known as the “rest and digest” system because it is responsible for helping your body relax and recover from stress. By taking slow, deep breaths, you can engage the parasympathetic nervous system, which can in turn calm your nerves and reduce frustrations. Family dynamics and interactions Getting together with family during the holidays can bring about complicated emotions when there are conflicting personalities, unresolved issues or awkward family dynamics. Frustrating or aggravating conversations with relatives often trigger a region of the brain known as the anterior cingulate cortex. The anterior cingulate cortex has a unique position in the brain, establishing connections with both the “emotional” limbic system and the “cognitive” prefrontal cortex. This brain region is involved in monitoring and regulating cognitive processes, conflict resolution and error detection. It plays a role in processing frustration by signaling when there is a conflict between expectations and outcomes. The anterior cingulate cortex is also involved in what’s known as actionoutcome learning, where you evaluate the consequence of an action and adjust your behavior based on feedback. When you are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, taking short breaks to step away from the situation can provide a fresh perspective and allow you to return with a clearer mindset. This break will allow you to reinforce this action-outcome learning, helping you learn to associate an action – a short
break – with the outcome of the action, which is more relaxed breathing and a clearer mind. Financial worries The holiday season can put an unnecessary burden on those who are experiencing economic or financial hardship. The cost of hosting a holiday meal, buying gifts or traveling can contribute additional financial strain during an already stressful time. The brain region primarily associated with memory and learning is the hippocampus. When you recall past experiences, such as how much you spent last year during the holidays or remember that the credit card bill is coming soon, you activate your hippocampus. The hippocampus is critical in the interplay of memory formation and recall and retrieval of individual episodic memories. Some ways to reduce stress may be to make gifts for friends and family instead of purchasing them. To help cut down on travel costs, perhaps take a virtual holiday visit now, followed by an in-person visit later when it is less expensive or when financial strains have eased. When reminded of stressful experiences, the hippocampus sends signals to the hypothalamus and other brain regions to help restore balance in your mind. The hippocampus also aids in your adaptation to these stressors by helping you learn how to adjust your expectations. In the end, you have to remind yourself that it truly is the thought that counts most. Loneliness and isolation Feelings of isolation and loneliness can arise for those of us who may not have family or friends to celebrate with, or perhaps are unable to travel to see those we love. This is where the “default network” of the brain plays a role. This network, made up of brain regions including the amygdala, is involved in thoughts of future planning, reminiscing and imagining. The amygdala is a part of the
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When stress and tension are starting to mount, taking short breaks and deep breaths can help clear your mind. limbic system and is associated with processing of negative emotions to stimuli, such as the irritation from not being able to travel, and how you react. Studies have shown that you can help improve your mood and reduce feelings of frustration and irritation by having a regular exercise routine. Physical activity can be an effective outlet for releasing built-up tension and stress. Aerobic exercise can also modulate connections between and within the amygdala and help reduce feelings of depression. As an added bonus, if you work out in a gym or park, you have an opportunity to be around others, which can help you feel more connected with communities of people with similar interests. Political discussions Family gatherings can lead to discussions about current events or politics, which can result in heated debates and disagreements among family members. These conversations can be very frustrating and even upsetting, especially in today’s polarized world. The prefrontal cortex is an area of the
brain involved in impulse control, decision-making and emotional regulation. It plays a crucial role in assessing certain situations, such as supercharged conversations, and it helps you evaluate and consider your potential actions and temper your emotional responses. Understanding what triggers your frustration in these situations is crucial to developing proactive strategies to manage or avoid them. For instance, this might take the form of empathizing with the opposing side or perhaps stepping away from the table when voices start to rise or you feel your emotions building. The prefrontal cortex plays a dual role in regulating the relationship of your initial emotional reaction and the shift to your empathetic emotion. Your ability to build empathetic perspectives and increase cognitive control helps to further develop your prefrontal cortex, potentially making it easier to de-escalate the next time around. One step at a time Reducing frustration is a gradual process, and different strategies work
for
different people. It is important to identify the root cause of your stress and frustration so that you can develop your own targeted coping strategies. Some examples include engaging in a hobby, listening to music, going on a walk or run, or simply practicing relaxation techniques. It is essential to experiment with various techniques and not be afraid to move away from ones that don’t work and toward ones that do. The most important thing to remember is that retraining your brain is more of a marathon and not a sprint. It will include trial and error and open-mindedness, but if you focus on identifying your triggers and adapting your own coping strategies, it will almost certainly get better with time. Seena Mathew does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
Page 10 • December 18, 2023 - December 24, 2023 • Insight News
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Insight News • December 18, 2023 - December 24, 2023 • Page 11
Commentary Free speech is not so free for Harvard President Claudine Gay ugly—since the 17th Century. Anyone who can’t see this point is just as blind as those who wish to pretend as if Dr. Gay and her prestigious presidential colleagues—also women— were spewing vile Nazi-ish rhetoric last week; indeed, even the mere suggestion is absurd! But as we await to learn Dr. Gay’s fate, I do take solace in knowing that she has received broad support, including (per the NY Times) letters from noted “historian Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., Laurence Tribe, a constitutional law scholar; Randall Kennedy, a professor of law; Annette
Hobb servation Point
By Chuck Hobbs Dr. Claudine Gay, the first Black woman to serve as president of Harvard University, will learn later today whether she will remain in her position at the helm of one of the most prestigious centers for learning in America. Last week, Dr. Gay joined her presidential colleagues from the equally prestigious University of Pennsylvania and MIT at a Congressional Hearing that delved into charges of antiSemitism on college campuses. As the media, including this blog, have reported since the October 7th Hamas attack in Israel that’s led to two months of deadly fighting in the region— and two months of bitter rhetorical fighting in the halls of academia and on social media— the way these issues have been addressed are fraught with charges of religious, cultural, racial, and even gender bias. When asked last week whether calls for the genocide of Jewish people on campus amounted to bullying or harassment of Jewish students, Dr. Gay (and her colleagues) gave the answer that every first year law student learns on the VERY first day of orientation: “It depends!” While the specific language varied between the presidents, the crux of their responses was that “it depends on the context” of the offending statement. Now, just about every jurist, law professor, lawyer, and law student will tell you that theirs was a logical response to a critically challenging question based upon the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The very amendment, I remind, that was designed to prevent government actors from usurping an individual’s right to express themselves on any subject matter under the heavens. The very fact that such was the FIRST issue that the Founding Fathers regulated by law was due to their collective memories that while under the rule of Great Britain’s King George III, that each pamphlet, letter, or speech that they drafted or exclaimed in opposition to the British Crown made them outlaws. Thus, in the over two centuries since the Constitution was ratified, federal courts have litigated time and again what types of speech and, read this carefully, what type of conduct, can be regulated by government actors. Meaning, all sorts of hateful speech may be offensive
Gordon-Reed, a historian of early America; William Julius Wilson, a sociologist; and Jason Furman, an economist and a former adviser to former President Barack Obama.” The Times article added: “The group of professors supporting Dr. Gay was diverse. In addition to Black faculty, it included Jewish professors and Arab American and Muslim faculty members, and spanned a broad range of schools and disciplines. Many of her supporters have expressed dismay that the pressure building on her to resign was part of a coordinated effort — led mostly but not
exclusively by conservatives — to attack elite higher education institutions like Harvard.” Indeed! The Hobbservation Point’s prayers are with Dr. Gay as she learns her fate today—and always! Subscribe to Hobbservation Point By Chuck Hobbs · Hundreds of paid subscribers “Real Politics in Real Time Chuck Hobbs is a freelance journalist who won the 2010 Florida Bar Media Award and has been twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary.
Dr. Claudine Gay to some or others and yet, it still could be protected free speech—but that determination “depends” on the “context,” just as Dr. Gay and the other madame presidents testified last week! What “depends” often boils down to whether the hateful speech places other individuals, and in this matter Jewish students and their supporters, in danger of harm. To that end, I believe that the presidents pre-determined “it depends on the context” answers that very likely were drafted by the respective universities general counsels, should have added, “it depends on whether the statements place students, faculty, or staff in danger of physical or mental harm.” Such an answer would have further defined “context” and, moving forward, unequivocally provide the universities disciplinary committees remedies ranging from expulsion—to referrals to law enforcement—if the context leads to reasonable suspicion that bodily harm (physical or mental) or death could ensue. The problem for Dr. Gay et al., including the University of Pennsylvania’s now former President Liz McGill (who resigned in the wake of the controversy), is that far too many people in the court of public opinion immediately jumped to the conclusion that these distinguished women were anti-Semites who oppose Israel’s right to self defense. Such conclusions are utterly ridiculous as none of these women made ANY comments remotely akin to this train of thought, but the state of modern public discourse regrettably finds far too many people gathering the barest facts before running off at the keyboard with their factually limited opinions. The real truth is that we all must remember that hate speech is hate speech, and I pride myself in being intellectually honest enough to
condemn talk of genocide in ALL of its forms, even if the declarant has a constitutional right to his/her hateful views. Further, as I have stated many times in the past, while the creation of modern Israel after World War II was arguably the last act of Western colonialism and fraught with all sorts of racial and ethnic bigotry against Palestinians, I realize that the hands of time cannot be turned back, thus, my continuing push for a two state solution where Israel and Palestine exist as autonomous states with sovereign rights. I also realize that while the current Congressional hearings are focusing on hate speech that threatens genocide against Jews, that the same political leaders from both parties who are absolutely right to protect the safety of Jewish students and supporters, are eerily silent about acts of genocide currently being perpetrated by an American backed Israeli military that has been harshly criticized by the United Nations and humanitarian groups that are unafraid to call what’s happening in Gaza precisely what it is— genocide! That, and the fact that across America, Palestinian Americans and immigrants are at risk of harm from those who hate them based upon their ethnicities and religious beliefs—such renders the whole Congressional hearing on this subject one sided and suspect. As for Dr. Gay, it is not lost upon me that there are some who are using her lawyerly “it depends” answer as a way to oust her from Harvard’s presidency not so much due to her testimony, but due to the fact that there are many bigots across the political ideological divide who cannot stand the thought of a woman, let alone a Black woman, leading an institution that has been THE institution for white American leadership—good, bad, and
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