Civil Rights Archives | Patriot NOT Partisan

The Contraction of LGBT Rights in the Face of COVID-19

September 8, 2020 Civil Rights

The American lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community is in a medical and political crisis. Prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, politics and widespread discrimination lead to significant disparities in LGBT medical rights and healthcare outcomes. These pre-existing LGBT healthcare disparities have since become exacerbated by the pandemic. Often overlooked in larger discussions about LGBT people and the pandemic

Racism in the United States, patriotism, and the United States Military

June 24, 2020 Civil Rights, General Commentary

For most of my life I grew up on an Air Force Base. I wanted to work on aircraft more than anything and I joined the USAF right after graduating from high school. I continued to serve for 23 years and retired from active duty in July, 2010. Many people join for many different reasons, but one thing is the

Tri-Caucus Amicus Brief on Public Charge Rule

September 11, 2019 Civil Rights, General Commentary

Trump's #PublicCharge rule is motivated by racism & intended to deny healthcare to vulnerable families. That's what Rep. Chu & leaders of the The Black Caucus, Hispanic Caucus, & CAPAC have told courts in a brief filed this week to stop the rule from going into effect. Below is the amicus brief that was submitted on behalf of the tri-caucus yesterday

Who is My Neighbor in the Era of Caged Children?

July 19, 2019 Civil Rights, Immigration

I periodically get asked if I have a favorite verse in Scripture. A few do come to mind, including: Micah 6:8, II Corinthians 12:9, John 14:27, Hosea 6:6, Romans 12:21, and Romans 15:13. The reality, though, is that “favorite verses” are like favorite movie quotes. They’re great lines, but they don’t express why I love the work as a whole.

Why Gen Z Believes Representation on American Currency Matters

June 21, 2019 Civil Rights, Economic Issues, Women in the Age of Trump

Last month, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced that the Treasury Department will not unveil a redesigned twenty-dollar bill replacing Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman on it while Trump still resides in the White House. Then, on June 14th, Alan Rappeport reported in The New York Times that “extensive work was well underway on a new $20 bill bearing the image

Why I Might Have to Kill You

November 26, 2018 Civil Rights, Gun Violence

I imagine myself behind the eyes of a young boy, walking out of a store with my dad. Mom and my two siblings are out in the car waiting. There's a man by the car, yelling at Mom. Dad sees it, and stops it, shoving the bad man to the ground. I remember thinking he's just like the heroes I

Alyssa Milano speaks at the ERA Congressional Meeting

July 7, 2018 #MeToo, Civil Rights, Women in the Age of Trump

WHY DO YOU NEED THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT? Share Your Story Today! #INeedERA “The #MeToo movement was such a powerful phenomenon because for far too long, women have not felt heard. It’s hard to empower women when they are not recognized as part of our Constitution. Now is the time for that to change and for the ERA to become part

The Military and NFL Can Finally Meet on the National Pitch

June 11, 2018 Civil Rights, General Commentary

For the few of us who have had the honor of being part of the U.S. military, we swear an oath to obey the orders of the officers above us and, ultimately, the President of the United States. We are citizen soldiers who serve those who elect the Leader of the Free World. During my time in the Army, from

DC Activists: Metro Police Department’s Violence, Recklessness, and Lack of Accountability Requires Immediate, Substantive Action from Elected Officials

May 15, 2018 Civil Rights, General Commentary, Gun Violence

WASHINGTON - On Wednesday, May 9th, an off-duty officer with the Metropolitan Police Department opened fire in northeast DC, killing 24-year-old D’Quan Young. Witnesses report that the officer “shot wildly, as children ran for their lives,” and that the officer reloaded his weapon and continued shooting after D’Quan Young was on the ground. This follows the May 4th killing of

Forced Into Activism

April 5, 2018 Civil Rights

I became an activist advocating for common sense gun legislation four years ago, at only 13 years of age, when Mike Brown was brutally murdered by a police officer in Ferguson, MO. He laid in the street for 4 hours until an ambulance picked up his body. That day opened my eyes to the true value of blacks in America

Immigrants Are the New Negros

April 4, 2018 Civil Rights, General Commentary, Immigration

Immigrants are the backbone of our country. This country was literally built on the backs of African slaves. Slaves built railroads, presidential estates, Wall Street, the White House, and everything in between. I will make a distinction early on in this article, though: slaves were not immigrants. I am merely mentioning the work that the “Negro” did in America right

Crack, Voting Rights, and Black Lives Matter: A Primer For White People

March 27, 2018 Civil Rights, General Commentary, Gun Violence

Black Lives Matter didn't happen in a vacuum, and it didn't happen solely because Michael Brown was shot and killed. Or Trayvon. Or Philando. Or Stephon. Or when they killed Sandra. Or broke Freddy’s neck. Or solely because of any of the unarmed, untried black Americans who have been killed by law enforcement since the genesis of Black Lives Matter

TPS Holders and Their Children File Lawsuit Against Trump Administration

March 12, 2018 Civil Rights, General Commentary, Immigration

200,000 People Could Be Forced Out of the Country by Trump Action SAN FRANCISCO - Nine people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and five United States citizen children of TPS holders today filed a lawsuit against the federal government to stop the unlawful termination of TPS for more than 200,000 people living in the U.S. and to protect the tens

A CONVERSATION WITH STEVEN SALAITA

March 8, 2018 Civil Rights

Today, PatriotNotPartisan welcomes Steven Salaita for a conversation with contributing Editor Dr. Keith Pochick. Steven Salaita was born in Bluefield, a town which straddles the Virginia-West Virginia border in the middle of Appalachia. A former professor of English and American Studies, he is now a full-time writer, contributing essays and opinion pieces to various publications. He is the author of

STOP POLICE TERROR PROJECT DC, BLACK LIVES MATTER DC, #KEEPDC4ME AND 51 SEPARATE ORGANIZATIONS DEMAND THE D.C. COUNCIL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TAKING TESTIMONY ON ISSUES OF RACISM AND VIOLENCE WITHIN THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

March 1, 2018 Civil Rights, Gun Violence

We, the undersigned, are writing to express that there can be no real accountability for the Metropolitan Police Department within the existing structures. While the March 1, 2018 departmental oversight hearing for MPD offers an opportunity to address some of our concerns it is not an adequate venue for their full consideration. We are demanding that the D.C. Council hold a

Suffering in Silence: Sexual Abuse in Immigrant Detention Centers – Support Laura Monterrosa

February 21, 2018 #MeToo, Civil Rights, Immigration

#LauraMonterrosa spoke out about sexual abuse and ICE put her in solitary confinement to cover up what happened. Take action right now by signing the petition and making a call! #EndDetention #MeToo #EllaHabla SIGN THE PETITION NOW On Wednesday, Feb. 14, a group of about 50 people gathered outside the T. Don Hutto Residential Center in Taylor, Texas, to protest

When I Grow Up

February 15, 2018 Civil Rights, General Commentary

What do you want to be when you grow up? This question was asked several times when you were a child. So many kids wanted to be an astronaut, a firefighter, basketball player, singer. I myself wanted to be a doctor dancer, yes, I was an overachiever trying to tackle two professions in one. When we finally did grow up

Foul Language

February 11, 2018 Civil Rights, Elections, General Commentary, Immigration, Russia

"The New York Times recently released a list of all people, places, and things that President Donald Trump insulted in the last year over Twitter. The list consists of 425 people, places, and things. The lists includes names like Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, and Steven Bannon. Even most mainstream news networks, such as ABC, CNN, and the New York Times - all

Mississippi Woman Criminally Charged for Pregnancy Outcome After Home Birth

February 7, 2018 #MeToo, Civil Rights, General Commentary, Women in the Age of Trump

“What's happening to Mrs. Fisher and her family is the latest in a line of women of color having their pregnancies and specifically pregnancy loss criminalized." The details of the allegations against Fisher have not been made public. However, the case hearkens back to similar instances when women have been criminally charged for pregnancy outcomes. A Mississippi woman is facing

IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU

February 5, 2018 Civil Rights

In December, I had the opportunity to see one of my musical idols, Jay-Z, at the United Center in Chicago. I am astounded by what he has done for the community and for music in general. With the assistance of one of my best friends, I lucked out and landed 10th row seats. It was an amazing night that I

AN OPEN LETTER TO CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS

February 2, 2018 Civil Rights, General Commentary

Below is a letter I sent this week to both of my Republican Senators. I have yet to receive a reply. I welcome everyone who wishes to use any or all of my words to fashion a letter of their own. The branches of government were designed to be separate and equal. They are currently neither. Our Founding Fathers would

It Is Not the Pink Pussy Hats. It is the Sexism.

February 1, 2018 #MeToo, Civil Rights, General Commentary

On January 20, 2017 millions of people (mostly women) marched in protest. There were hundreds of peaceful, organized marches across the globe. By the numbers, it was the largest day of protest ever. EVER! Bigger than civil rights marches, bigger than anti-war marches, bigger than anything that came before. By January 22, the media had moved on. On January 20,

Unconscionable

January 26, 2018 Civil Rights, General Commentary, Healthcare

On January 18, 2018, the Trump administration announced the formation of a new division of the Department of Health and Human Services, entitled the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division. The new Division, which will be part of the Office of Civil Rights, is designed to protect healthcare professionals who refuse to offer birth control or abortion based on their religious

Alyssa Milano Speaks at Power to the Polls – Atlanta, Georgia

January 21, 2018 #MeToo, Civil Rights, Economic Issues, Elections, General Commentary, Women in the Age of Trump

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Missing the Point: The Argument for Police Reform

January 18, 2018 Civil Rights, General Commentary, Gun Violence

Every time I see a police vehicle, my heart drops and I immediately fear for my life because I have been the victim of unwarranted physical assault by police officers (as detailed in my article “Ungrateful is the new Uppity”). Many men and women with darker skin can relate to this feeling. There have been many articles on both sides

What you need to know about the partial DACA reinstatement:

January 16, 2018 Civil Rights, General Commentary, Immigration

DACA was shut down on September 5, 2017, and USCIS has not accepted any renewal applications since October 5, 2017. On January 9, 2018 a federal judge ordered USCIS to resume accepting DACA renewal applications. WHO CAN FILE Any person who meets all the DACA requirements, and has held DACA at some point in the past may now prepare a

Alt-Reich: The Reemergence of an Old Enemy

January 11, 2018 Civil Rights, Elections, General Commentary, Immigration

It did not begin in Charlottesville, but did not end there, either. In August, 2017, self-described White nationalists marched in Charlottesville, Virginia, carrying Tiki torches and swastikas, chanting “Jews will not replace us”, and “blood and soil”. Any student of history knows from whence these phrases came. Our country fought a war to defeat this very ideology, and here it

PopPolitics: Alyssa Milano on the Dream Act

January 9, 2018 Civil Rights

Alyssa Milano talks about her political activism, including her recent participation in a rally to urge passage of the Dream Act.

Women are equal. Period.

December 22, 2017 #MeToo, Civil Rights, Economic Issues, General Commentary

You’ve heard the statistics: 40% of women are the primary breadwinners of their home, if women got paid equally as men the US economy would double, etc. These statistics are irrelevant. Women don’t deserve equal opportunity because “it’s good for our economy” or “good for their children” or “good for their family.” A woman’s value isn’t dependent on her relationship

Make America Hate Again

December 21, 2017 Civil Rights, General Commentary, Healthcare, Immigration

Jonathan Swift famously said, “We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.” I am Jewish, as are both my parents, and as were my four grandparents. They instilled in me the concepts of Tzedukah, (charity) and Mitzvot (good deeds). As with Christianity, I was taught the Golden Rules: do unto

ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY LEADERS UNANIMOUSLY FORM AND FUND COMMISSION FOR ELIMINATING SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ADVANCING EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE

December 18, 2017 #MeToo, Civil Rights, General Commentary

Anita Hill named Commission Chair LOS ANGELES – December 15, 2017 – Following widespread revelations of pervasive sexual harassment and assault in the media and entertainment industries, executives, independent experts and advisors have come together in a unanimous effort to tackle the broad culture of abuse and power disparity by forming and funding the Commission on Sexual Harassment and

Libya’s New Age Slavery

December 1, 2017 Civil Rights, General Commentary, international

The abhorrent and beyond reprehensible slavery that is taking place in Libya speaks to the current times. While America has outlawed the deed almost 200 years ago, African American men in America inadvertently pose as a cultural threat and yet are the most perpetrated against. A black man anywhere is less than an inch away from discrimination, incarceration, and even

Wooden, Weinstein, Women & Washington: WTF? Where Are We? Where Do We Go From Here?

October 27, 2017 #MeToo, Civil Rights, General Commentary

When Dave Roberts (the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers) and I played baseball at Ucla, one of the many amazing experiences we had was to have Coach Wooden come speak to us and share his incredible philosophy of life with the team. Coach Wooden, for those of you who don't know, was the winningest coach in college basketball history

When Men Talk to Men About #MeToo

October 24, 2017 #MeToo, Civil Rights, General Commentary

My wife and I used to swap cars a lot. We had two, but only one was big enough to cart the kids around, so the other became the “work car” and whoever had a shift that day would use it. This meant putting up with a lot of adjustments before getting on the road – seats, three mirrors, the

#MuslimBan3 Blocked: FAQ

October 24, 2017 Civil Rights, General Commentary, Immigration

What does this mean? On 24 Sept Trump announced the third version of his travel ban, EO-3, affecting nationals of 8 countries. Part of it went into effect that day, but was to be fully effective on 18 Oct. This ban was swiftly challenged in court, both in Hawai'i and Maryland, and both courts agreed that an injunction (an order

“UNGRATEFUL” IS THE NEW “UPPITY”

October 19, 2017 Civil Rights, General Commentary

“Uppity” was used primarily in the south during the civil rights movement as a derogatory term towards black Americans who “did not know their place.” In America, many believe there is a certain manner of behavior that black people should follow. Where should black people live? Dilapidated communities, with houses run by single mothers, with a high per capita of

A Woman’s Burden

October 18, 2017 #MeToo, Civil Rights, General Commentary

Women are sponges. Women are dynamic beings. Frankly, we're all dynamic beings. Most of us are, anyway. I believe complexity and the ability to love is what wedges us from the animals. Women, though, are exceptional. Equipped with caution and foreboding, they are usually in sync with any and everything around them. Vigilant of the late-night straggler coming out of

That Son of a B****

October 13, 2017 Civil Rights, General Commentary

Contributing Editor: Jamie Domnick Twitter: @JNick9456 Instagram:JNick9456 Currently a student at the University of Wisconsin--Green Bay; double majoring in Democracy & Justice Studies, and History. At the beginning of my college career, I intended to major in Art and then perhaps teach the subject. However, as I continued to take various classes, I soon discovered my passion for equality and

Why this veteran is taking a knee

October 12, 2017 Civil Rights, General Commentary

Recently, I tweeted this: I was a Military Police K-9 handler. I reject police brutality & support peaceful protest.#TakeTheKnee #VeteransForKaepernick pic.twitter.com/ILB3YRkGi0 - Jon@ScratchPolitics (@ScratchPolitics) September 25, 2017 I have more to say about it than a tweet will allow. Here goes. I served in the Army from the ages of 18 to 22, but, despite being on active duty during

Why Donald Trump’s Presidency Requires Vigilance

October 9, 2017 Civil Rights, General Commentary

President Donald J. Trump stands interpreted by many individuals as the culprit responsible for the upsurge in recent racist and bigoted views and marches against minorities. His failure to properly demonize white supremacists, pardoning Joe Arpaio, and banning trans people certainly adds ammo to the machine gun. Whether through Trump's rowdy tweets or statements or controversial policies, the reality stands