ST. LOUIS -- More than a year after the police killing of George Floyd that sparked nationwide protests, a professor in St. Louis is taking on a project to figure out what support systems Black parents have to talk with their kids about racial violence.
Missouri has been a central point of the movement against police brutality, after Michael Brown was killed by a police officer in Ferguson in 2014.
Sheretta Butler-Barnes, associate professor in the School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, received a National Science Foundation grant to lead the study. She said it can be really challenging to have conversations about the racial violence that still happens today.
"When we have a huge movement in terms of racial injustice, parents are still sort of left picking up these pieces and trying to understand what is the best way that I can have this conversation with my child?" Butler-Barnes explained. "Because, believe it or not, some parents have some anxiety talking about it."
The study is going to follow 1,000 Black families in Missouri and Virginia over three years to see how racism, from racial violence in the media to racist incidences in their daily lives, shapes their children's academic achievement and well-being, as well as their desire to be civically engaged.
Butler-Barnes added while the study is following Black families in particular, she hopes the outcomes can serve as a resource for other marginalized communities as well, especially with anti-Asian violence increasing during the pandemic, and other injustices against Latinx, immigrant and Indigenous communities.
"When your teenager turns 15, when they want to eventually get a car, you're sort of having conversations about how he or she may or may not be pulled over," Butler-Barnes recounted. "Being a person of color in the U.S., we have these conversations with our children about survival and how the world may perceive them."
Butler-Barnes added white parents as well as parents of color need to engage their kids in conversations about race and how they may be perceived. She hopes her study will promote support systems, tips and coping mechanisms for families.
get more stories like this via email
As the nation observes National Medal of Honor Day, facilities in Florida and Texas are under construction to serve as perpetual memorials commemorating the heroic actions of recipients for their valor and sacrifice.
In Sebring, Florida, a memorial honoring the 24 recipients of the Medal of Honor from the Sunshine State is underway, with plans to celebrate 18 of them posthumously.
Mike Borders, chairman of the Florida Medal of Honor Memorial, anticipates the completion next year, featuring a botanical garden showcasing 90% native Florida plants, aiming to offer a memorable and inspiring experience for visitors.
"The second thing we want to do is educate our citizenry, primarily our youth, about the high cost of freedom," Borders explained. "Freedom is not free. Lots of men and women throughout our nation's history have died to preserve the freedoms that we hold dear."
Florida schools now mandate teaching about Medal of Honor Day. There are only 63 living recipients out of the more than 3,500.
In March 2025, Arlington, Texas will witness the opening of the National Medal of Honor Museum, paying homage to all the nation's heroes and their sacrifices.
Chris Cassidy, president and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, is a retired Navy SEAL and former lead astronaut for NASA. Beyond getting people to visit and check out the memorabilia on display, he hopes learning will take place way beyond the museum's walls.
"Our goal is to really inspire the nation through stories of courage and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients," Cassidy stressed. "To do that, we've created a leadership institute largely focused on character development in K-12."
Cassidy underscores the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute's collaboration with the NFL, which sponsors the Character Playbook , a digital platform that integrated Medal of Honor-focused modules. The aim is to empower students to embody the values of courage, commitment and integrity. Cassidy says he witnessed the impact firsthand during a visit to Westglades Middle School, where Miami Dolphins players and Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter left a lasting impression on students.
Cassidy added he witnessed the effect firsthand during a visit to Westglades Middle School, where Miami Dolphins players and Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter left a lasting impression on students.
get more stories like this via email
Minnesota's legislative session kicked off this week. A bill for construction projects is possible, and those serving Latino communities hope to get support for a centralized facility they say is much needed to connect with clients.
The new session isn't expected to see as many ambitious policy moves as last year, but a bonding bill for things such as transportation and water systems is on the list.
The organization COPAL is asking for $7 million in state funding so it can open a Latino Center for Community Engagement in Minneapolis.
Francisco Segovia, COPAL executive director, said they need to upgrade their operations in anticipation of population trends.
"Latinos, we are positioned to be almost 10% of the population by 2030 in Minnesota, and we want to build the infrastructure to support our community members to thrive," Segovia said.
COPAL provides services such as health and wellness and workers' rights, with a presence in the Twin Cities, Mankato and Rochester. But officials say there are limitations with their current offices, such as individual rooms for one-on-one meetings.
It's unclear if the funding request will be approved amid other bonding bill priorities. And while Democrats hold majorities this session, GOP votes are needed for such a bill.
Lourdes Menjívar, regional director for COPAL's Mankato office, said transportation is a barrier for the local Latino community, and added the centralized location could enhance infrastructure for online events, potentially allowing more people to access their programs and information.
"We're working with nine counties in the Mankato area office," Menjivar explained. "So, they can connect everywhere in Minnesota if people have a specific base to make any activities."
COPAL has already secured property for the proposed facility. Organizers say owning this building space would allow them to lease community and meeting rooms to other racial and ethnic populations lacking a hub. So far, the campaign has raised $2 million. The state contribution would make up the majority of the project costs, if the full amount is awarded.
Disclosure: COPAL MN contributes to our fund for reporting on Civic Engagement, Environmental Justice, Immigrant Issues, Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email
Today marks the beginning of a holiday celebration with African roots.
The annual nonreligious observance of Kwanzaa means "first fruits of the harvest."
Maulana "Ron" Karenga, professor of Africana Studies at California State University-Long Beach and an activist, created Kwanzaa to address economic and racial unrest in America in the 1960s, and groups in Indiana have held community-focused Kwanzaa events for almost 45 years.
Nichelle Hayes, committee member for Indianapolis Kwanzaa, explained the observance is a chance to think about the entire year, not a year-end summary.
"It's not so much about commercial gifts as coming together, reflection, learning, understanding and community," Hayes outlined.
The seven days include readings, artistic performances and food, both to honor children with gifts and show respect and gratitude to ancestors. One candle is lit daily on a candleholder called the kinara, to represent each of the seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective works and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
Kwanzaa gatherings often include discussions on the principle of cooperative economics, investing and building generational wealth. In a National Retail Federation consumer spending report, nearly 92% of U.S. adults said they plan to spend money this year for December holidays, including Kwanzaa.
Hayes believes there are many ways to build economic stability. She also pointed out people of all faiths and races can observe the principles of Kwanzaa.
"It might be that you only celebrate at your home with your nuclear family," Hayes noted. "It might be that you come together with the people in your neighborhood or your broader community."
Estimates of how many people observe Kwanzaa range from 12-18 million worldwide. Hayes insists everyone is welcome to join the celebration.
The Indianapolis Kwanzaa organization holds an Umoja Village Celebration today at 16 Tech in Indianapolis, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
get more stories like this via email