The American Atheists have existed since 1963.
This is how they define themselves:
Atheism is the lack of belief in a deity, which implies that nothing exists but natural phenomena (matter), that thought is a property or function of matter, and that death irreversibly and totally terminates individual organic units.
The identity they have created for themselves is someone who is anti-religious and scientific, this is something that is not as socially acceptable in the US as it is here in the UK. Just like the an atheist may find it hard to accept religion many religious people find it hard to accept atheism.
They believe that the government should be separate from the state.
The first amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
They believe that prayer should not take place in schools
They comment on recent issues such as Cee lo Greens performance of Imagine.
Like any other minority group they don't want to be penalised for their belief.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
The Latino 'Community'
Exploring the website, a href="http://www.minorityrights.org/575/about-us/about-us.html">, the Minority Group International identifies itself as a representive for all minorities to ensure that disadvantage minorities and indigenous peoples often 'the poorest of the poor can make their voices heard.' The organization provides training, education, legal cases, publications and the use of the media to support 'minority and indigenous people as they strive to maintain their rights to the land they live on, the languages they speak, to equal opportunities in education and employment, and to full participation in public life.' The organization recognises that discrimination 'based on age, class, gender and disability can have a multiple impact on disadvantaged minorities, and our campaigns target governments and communities to eradicate such attitudes.' Ergo this website is a competent advocate for the identity of all minorities, however on this occasion I will study the Latino minority (majority) due to the group being the most rapid growing in the USA increasing more than 60% since 1990 representing at least 15% of American population. It seems unimaginable that a quantity so diverse in American society faces discrimination and is often overlooked for more publicised causes such as African American.
On the site we can view the historical context of the Latino community exemplifying that discrimination has been present since 1800's for example the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to supposedly guarantee the safety of Mexican land grants, but 80 per cent of grant lands were lost to force, debt or legal manipulation. In the 1960's unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the lands guaranteed were established, furthermore The United Farm Workers union, led by Cesar Chávez, mounted innovative and effective campaigns against low wages, abuse and pesticide contamination of Mexican American workers in the fruit and vegetable farms of California. In 2000 the median earnings of Latino men ($25,400) and women ($21,634) were substantially lower than those of men and women in the general US population ($37,057 and $27,194, respectively). In 2004, 21.9 per cent of American Latinos lived below the poverty line, compared to 8.6 per cent of whites.
As immigrants to America, “Hispanics” or “Latinos” struggle not only to assimilate to a completely foreign culture but also to have others acknowledge them outside of the perceived notion of the “Latin Community” as a whole. Many Latino Americans celebrate their heritage by continuing to eat the traditional dishes of their homeland and listening to the music of their culture. These customs, which are entirely foreign to the average “American”, appear to be stereotypical. There too is the language barrier, Latino communities have debated the goals of bilingualism, but this debate has been eclipsed in recent years by an Anglo backlash. By 1995, 22 states had passed laws declaring English their official language - including California, which was 40 per cent Spanish-speaking thus suppressing individualism and difference in American society. Inwardly these traditions keep the Latino identity still relevant creating sense of unity through the ability to celebrate similar aspects of their respective cultures together.
Hurricane Katrina highlighted many problems facing Latino culture, a 2006 National Council of La Raza report documented how, following the hurricane, various agencies, assuming that Latino evacuees were illegal workers rather than survivors, hindered their access to necessary relief services, including housing assistance and other benefits. In at least two cases law enforcement officials have raided shelters erected by the Red Cross, rounded up Latinos and asked them to leave, assuming that they were illegal workers. For me this outlines the injustice that Latino's currently face, as what is America if not a land of immigrants.
On the site we can view the historical context of the Latino community exemplifying that discrimination has been present since 1800's for example the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to supposedly guarantee the safety of Mexican land grants, but 80 per cent of grant lands were lost to force, debt or legal manipulation. In the 1960's unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the lands guaranteed were established, furthermore The United Farm Workers union, led by Cesar Chávez, mounted innovative and effective campaigns against low wages, abuse and pesticide contamination of Mexican American workers in the fruit and vegetable farms of California. In 2000 the median earnings of Latino men ($25,400) and women ($21,634) were substantially lower than those of men and women in the general US population ($37,057 and $27,194, respectively). In 2004, 21.9 per cent of American Latinos lived below the poverty line, compared to 8.6 per cent of whites.
As immigrants to America, “Hispanics” or “Latinos” struggle not only to assimilate to a completely foreign culture but also to have others acknowledge them outside of the perceived notion of the “Latin Community” as a whole. Many Latino Americans celebrate their heritage by continuing to eat the traditional dishes of their homeland and listening to the music of their culture. These customs, which are entirely foreign to the average “American”, appear to be stereotypical. There too is the language barrier, Latino communities have debated the goals of bilingualism, but this debate has been eclipsed in recent years by an Anglo backlash. By 1995, 22 states had passed laws declaring English their official language - including California, which was 40 per cent Spanish-speaking thus suppressing individualism and difference in American society. Inwardly these traditions keep the Latino identity still relevant creating sense of unity through the ability to celebrate similar aspects of their respective cultures together.
Hurricane Katrina highlighted many problems facing Latino culture, a 2006 National Council of La Raza report documented how, following the hurricane, various agencies, assuming that Latino evacuees were illegal workers rather than survivors, hindered their access to necessary relief services, including housing assistance and other benefits. In at least two cases law enforcement officials have raided shelters erected by the Red Cross, rounded up Latinos and asked them to leave, assuming that they were illegal workers. For me this outlines the injustice that Latino's currently face, as what is America if not a land of immigrants.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
LGBT Rights - GLAD: Equal Justice Under Law
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights in the United States and across the globe have been a hot topic for hundreds of years. It was considered that individuals who were gay or lesbian were mentally ill and imprisoned for such acts. Activists using public forums such as politics and the media have made it possible for members of the LGBT community to gain a voice and to have being gay as a facet of their identity. Advocates such as Harvey Milk made it possible for gay people to have rights and to be taken seriously in society. These efforts still continue today, by certain organisations and movements, to gain equal rights for members of the LGBT community.
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) is a gay rights group that was formed in 1978 in response to the treatment of members of the LGBT community. They are based in Boston, Massachusetts and serve the entire New England area, trying to raise awareness through education and litigation. On GLAD's site, they have a section entitled 'Legalisative Advocacy'. In this section, they talk about how they work and strive to protect same-sex couples and families, among other injustices that might occur whether it be in the work place or what can be considered an invasion of privacy.
It is apparant to me, that this site (and others in the same category) do not fight for people be able to have gay/lesbian/transgender as an attachment to their identity but otherwise fight for people in this community to have the freedom from the suppression of this part of their identity. This is an all-too-common occurance in work places across America (if you think back to the American Dream: A Dream Denied? documentary), where people in the LGBT would lie to employers about their sexual preferences due to the fear of being outcasted and fired from their jobs.
The importance of having an identity is very much asserted on this site. GLAD are very forward and open about their convictions. Their 'mission statement' or modus operandi is summed up by: "New England’s leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based onsexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression." The use of words such as 'Legal rights' and 'dedicated' makes it appear that this is a fight for rights and that this is an extremely important issue. Any issue or problem where legal action needs to be taken really does lend some idea to is prevalence.
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) is a gay rights group that was formed in 1978 in response to the treatment of members of the LGBT community. They are based in Boston, Massachusetts and serve the entire New England area, trying to raise awareness through education and litigation. On GLAD's site, they have a section entitled 'Legalisative Advocacy'. In this section, they talk about how they work and strive to protect same-sex couples and families, among other injustices that might occur whether it be in the work place or what can be considered an invasion of privacy.
It is apparant to me, that this site (and others in the same category) do not fight for people be able to have gay/lesbian/transgender as an attachment to their identity but otherwise fight for people in this community to have the freedom from the suppression of this part of their identity. This is an all-too-common occurance in work places across America (if you think back to the American Dream: A Dream Denied? documentary), where people in the LGBT would lie to employers about their sexual preferences due to the fear of being outcasted and fired from their jobs.
The importance of having an identity is very much asserted on this site. GLAD are very forward and open about their convictions. Their 'mission statement' or modus operandi is summed up by: "New England’s leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based onsexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression." The use of words such as 'Legal rights' and 'dedicated' makes it appear that this is a fight for rights and that this is an extremely important issue. Any issue or problem where legal action needs to be taken really does lend some idea to is prevalence.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Introduction
American Arab Discrimination Committee
It appears to be very important on this website for Arabs not to lose their own identity and to live the total American lifestyle. Their very strict lifestyle makes it even more important for them to be aware of their religion despite being surrounded by the beliefs and choices of the American people. It states that its aim is to educate those within America of the Arab ways and their beliefs, this then help people to understand what they really stand for. I think this is an important group especially due to the stereotypes created by the events of 9/11. They reiterate throughout their sites the importance of people remembering that American Arabs have become secondary victims of 9/11 due to the threats and hatred. I think this is difficult for people to remember and should be more widely recognised. Their actions include hosting conventions among many other events. It is also a site where you are able to join their group through their website however for a fee which for me questions the intentions of the website.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
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