ffirmative ction ruling will adversely affect

You might be surprised to learn that there are still students who do not have a computer in the home, or dedicated Internet access. In 1996, I had neither.

That was the year I finished high school, and I remember thinking about how much more I could have learned if only I d had those things. Even now, I am embarrassed to admit that I handwrote the last English paper of my high-school career. For three months, I worked diligently to produce a well-written research paper. It would surely get me an A. But imagine my heartache when my paper was returned to me with a D.

The teacher wrote, “This is a well-researched and thoroughly thoughtout paper. It’s a perfect “A”, only you’ve consistently spelled “which” without the first h .

Such a minor oversight, but it cost me big-time. Each time I misspelled the word, she deducted two points. I misspelled it 15 times. It was a mistake that spellcheck would’ve easily caught. Only, I didn’t have a computer; I did not have Internet in my home, and my paper was hand-written.

This is just one example of how being a first generation student from a disadvantaged background further disadvantaged me.

Last week’s ruling on Affirmative Action will adversely affect generations of children. It punches down on children who are the most disadvantaged.

As a queer woman of color who grew up in Camden, N.J., I had so many strikes against me. When evil works so hard, altruism isn’t enough. It’s the kind of evil that is aided by the ignorance of good, well-meaning Americans. This kind of evil works hard each and every day in our country. Those who believe in a just and equitable society, must work all the harder.

Affirmative Action demanded that we see possibilities as opposed to insuperable challenges. Without it, all we will see is why others can’t achieve as much as those who are privileged.

Are regulation, or any other right of any person or entity. Advertiser agrees to idemnify brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) and to hold brown naff pitts omnimedia llc (dba the washington blade) harmless from any and all liability, loss, damages, claims, or causes of action, including reasonable legal fees and expenses that may be incurred by brown naff pitts omnimedia llc, arising out of or related to advertiser’s breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties. is president of the American Psychiatric Association.

Warmth, Respect, Curiosity, Humanity: Keys to understanding LGBTQ communities

Anyone who is willing to learn is a potential ally their pronouns as a declaration and affirmation of their identity to the world. equality and understanding, let’s remem- standing between groups connect with and ter even for psychiatrists, who interact with patients from

Over the years, I have seen Pride month evolve from tolerance, to acceptance, to a celebration of the accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ people and our place in history. What an empowering and joyous affirmation of our community his year is no different, and yet I cannot help but have mixed feelings in light of what I view as a palpable regression into the hate, bigotry, and ignorance of the past. This regression in our national discourse has been a driving force in a recent crop of discriminatory laws that are being passed across the country.

All of us have a responsibility to educate ourselves the best we can about gender and sexuality and about how to address people around us in a respectful way. We must do all we can to learn and grow in this area. At the same time, we cannot allow ourselves to become paralyzed by a fear of making a mistake. I have seen some of my medical students only minimally engaging with transgender patients to avoid the risk of addressing someone with a wrong pronoun. This in itself is isolating and the very worst way to treat someone who may be struggling. Making mistakes is okay if you come from a place of warmth, respect, curiosity, and humanity.

Discrimination is harmful to the health and mental health of our nation and people of all communities, whether they are members of the LGBTQ+ community and our allies, or not. As we continue to march down the long and winding road to true equality and understanding, let’s remember that despite our differences, we are all human beings deserving of respect, love, and belonging.

Connection and understanding between groups does not come easily these days. As we strive to connect with and educate those who do not necessarily share our views, we are mindful that concepts we take for granted, such as sharing one’s preferred pronouns, may be confusing and even scary for some. Just making the effort to learn someone’s pronouns or list your own, even if you may think they are obvious, can make a transgender, non-binary, or intersex person feel validated and be a big boost to their mental health. As a cisgender person, the least I can do is use my pronouns (he, him, his) in solidarity with friends and colleagues who may use

Just his can be a difficult concept to master even for psychiatrists, who interact with patients from many different genders and sexual identities daily. We constantly learn, we make mistakes, we learn some more, and, I hope, we make fewer mistakes next time. We cannot expect everyone we meet to immediately jump into a full- edged allyship with our community. Anyone who is willing to learn about the LGBTQ+ community in good faith is a potential ally, and we should welcome them with all the warmth and respect we expect from others. learn, we make mistakes, we learn some more, and, I hope, we make fewer mistakes next time. We can- diately jump into a full- edged allyship with our community. LGBTQ+ community in tial ally, and we should the warmth and respect let’s make a commitment to emphasize compaswe strive to celebrate our

As we come to the end of Pride Month this year, let’s make a commitment to emphasize compassion and education as we strive to celebrate and grow our community and our allies throughout the year.

State Of Pride

In LGBTQ+-Friendly New Jersey, love is love all year-round – not just during Pride Month. Discover dazzling destinations to visit and fabulous places to stay, eat and play. From neon-lit Atlantic City to art-muraled Asbury Park. Laid-back Lambertville to edgy Jersey City. Preppy Princeton to happening Hoboken (plus Montclair with its must-try food scene!) Everyone is welcome here, all of the time.

Plan your getaway at VisitNJ.org/LGBTQ.

Featured

Elliot Page

Douglas Brinkley

Amor Towles

Mary Louise Kelly

R.J. Palacio

Ada Limón

George Saunders

David Grann

Elizabeth Acevedo

Meg Medina

Jesmyn Ward

Rev. KARMEN MICHAEL SMITH

is the Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary.