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MLK Day – How will you strengthen your community?

MLK QuoteToday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service. This holiday has become one day each year when people across the country step up to make communities more equitable and take action to help fulfill Dr. King’s dream.

Together, we can strengthen ties to our communities and to one other while we address critical issues that divide us. 

How will you strengthen your community?

    • Engage with your community and create constructive action
      • Host a discussion on Dr. King’s life and teachings or his principles of nonviolence. 
      • Attend or organize a local event – see a list of possible events below!
    • Act on Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equity
    • Recommit by volunteering to serve others. You can clean up a public space, mentor a young person, or help those who are food insecure. 
      • Serve meals at a homeless shelter.
      • Remove graffiti and litter from a park or neighborhood.
      • Organize a coat drive or a blood drive.

Join one of the many events across the state to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr:

28th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Rally (Lincoln) – January 16th

    • The Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Rally and March is proud to announce the 2023 theme MLK to Me • “Walk Together.” This experience will be live-streamed Monday, January 16, 2023, with the “Pre-Rally Program” beginning at 9:30 am (CST), followed by the 28th Annual “Call to Action Program” beginning at 10:00 am.
    • All “live” components will take place at 14th and “R” Street • Centennial Room • Student Union • The University of Nebraska Lincoln.

MLK Week UNL (Lincoln) – January 16th-24th

    • The Office of Diversity and Inclusion presents a week-long celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Events are designed to facilitate both reflection and action toward a better appreciation of and respect for the dignity of every person. While each of us has the power to make a difference ourselves, we can make the biggest impact when we work together. Find a complete list of activities in the link above.

UNK MLK Day of Service Luncheon (Kearney) – January 25th

    • Join UNK Student Diversity & Inclusion in celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a featured keynote Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Jr., followed by the 3rd Annual MLK Day of Service Project from 2-5pm.
    • Dr. Lafayette co-founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee [SNCC] in 1960 with his college roommate, Rep. John Lewis. He was a leader of the Nashville Movement Lunch Counter Sit-ins in 1960, and the 1961 Freedom Rides, and directed the Selma, Alabama Voter Registration Project (as depicted in the 2014 Academy Award-Winning motion picture “SELMA”)

Creighton University MLK Week (Omaha) – January 13th and 18th

    • Guest speakers Latasha Morrison, author and certified trainer in cultural intelligence and unconscious bias and Jonathan C. Augustine, reconciliation scholar, ordained minister and professor.

Doane University MLK Week (Crete) – January 16th-20th

    • A week’s worth of programming including a march, lunch and learns and service projects and movies under the theme “UNITY, commUNITY, opportUNITY.”
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It Starts With Us: Addressing Racism in Commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This is a guest blog post by Nebraska Appleseed Immigrants & Communities Program Intern, Nile Debebe.

Honest dialogue about racism and its impact is a vital step in building inclusive communities and until or unless we are intentional, we will not achieve communities where everyone feels like they belong. On this Martin Luther King Day, intern Nile Debebe shares his personal story that we might continue our learning. – Christa Yoakum, Senior Welcoming Coordinator.

As a child who attended Eastridge Elementary School in Lincoln, Nebraska, I found myself for the first time going through an identity crisis.

Nile DebebeThough I was too young to understand the systematic racism that existed in our country, I understood that ‘white’ was good, and ‘black’ was bad. I hated the texture and color of my hair, my own name, my ambiguous skin color, all for the fact that I believed the physical characteristics of white kids were better than my own. I wanted to dye my hair blond, change my name to Luke, and lighten my own skin. I wanted to be like the popular white kids more than anything in my class; and I identified my own race as troublemakers, criminals, and generally poor people. I realized that these beliefs were being instilled in me as a product of my environment, and it wasn’t until years later that I realized how much race had a part to play in my educational development.

This is how I learned that tackling racial problems in America starts with education, starts with empathy, and starts with an ability to understand problems that may not directly impact yourself.

While appreciating the differences that make us unique, we should pay close attention to the interpretation of society that we pass on to our children; specifically, those that demean and devalue the characteristics of Black and Brown people across the world. Racial trauma is unlike any other type of trauma, it is something that keeps you awake at night: Wondering about the life that you will give to your own children, and the thought that at any time you all could be judged, rejected, arrested, or even killed, for the color of your own skin.

As somebody who comes from a biracial background, I realize that it starts with all of us when it comes to dismantling the racial inequities that exist and are deeply ingrained within our nation. Every one of us has a part to play in pressuring local lawmakers to dismantle policies that create racial disparities, such as criminal justice reform, education, immigration, healthcare, and social services at large.

To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work and legacy, we are encouraged to make it a day of service, volunteering in our local communities. It’s up to us. On this MLK Day and every day you can serve, learn more, and do more.

Martin Luther King Jr

Here’s how to get started:

January 17 at 9:30 am CT:

January 18 is the sixth annual National Day of Racial Healing and there are several events in Nebraska and across the nation to participate in. 

This session explores how to recognize and leverage interest convergence for longer-lasting change through awareness, healing, and advocacy hosted by the Omaha Community Council for Racial Justice and Reconciliation.

Join Chris Cox and Gladys Godinez from United By Culture Media in a conversation on racial healing live streaming from Lexington, NE.

    • Watch and share this message by Dr. Gail Christopher. Dr. Christopher, one of the nation’s leading advocates for racial healing, believes the National Day of Racial Healing is an important component in dismantling the belief in a hierarchy of human value that fuels racism.

January 19 at 5:30 pm CT: ‘Real Talk on Racism’  virtual author talk. 

All are welcome to join Nebraska Authors Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar to discuss the book You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories about Racism. This is part of a statewide book club and discussion series

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Hopeless: Civil War in Ethiopia & Impact on Neighbors

In meeting new neighbors and working toward creating inclusive communities, we cannot fully understand what another person is dealing with, and we are also often unaware of stories that don’t get big news headlines or scroll across our screens. Political unrest, violence, and war affect our neighbors in ways that most of us have never experienced. Our neighbors are not only navigating the new and complex society we share but they may be experiencing family separation, witnessing current political unrest or violence streamed from their home country, and fearing for family members who are left behind. Or they may have lost contact with those family members due to violence and lack of resources. We invited Nile to share his family’s story and how the civil war in Ethiopia affects his family living in Nebraska. – Christa Yoakum, Senior Welcoming Coordinator.

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This is a guest blog post by Nebraska Appleseed’s Welcoming Intern, Nile Debebe. 

Hopeless

This is the one word I could use to describe how I am feeling about the safety of my family in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.

Continue reading “Hopeless: Civil War in Ethiopia & Impact on Neighbors”

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…With Liberty and Justice for All

…With Liberty and Justice for All

Fireworks over Oak Lake in Lincoln at the Uncle Sam Jam.

This is a guest blog post by Zeke Rouse, Appleseed’s Immigrants and Communities Welcoming Intern.

Across America, thousands of communities celebrate today in big and small ways, with local and larger events, holiday fare, parades, music, and readings of the Declaration of Independence. Some of us may not get past the hot dogs and watermelon, but it is time to reflect, even for just a few minutes, about what it means to live in a country built on the principles of democracy, where the voice of the people matters. “We the people” were, for many years, defined as white, land-owning men, but this has changed over time, as laws have codified standards to make our society fairer and more just. That doesn’t make us perfect. In fact, the founding fathers aimed to create not a perfect union, but a more perfect union. It was the dream of that more perfect union that inspired leaders like Susan B. Anthony and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to fight for rights to be extended to all Americans, beyond those whom our founding fathers narrowly included.

Continue reading “…With Liberty and Justice for All”

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Celebrating Immigrants! June Is Immigrant Heritage Month

Celebrating Immigrants! June Is Immigrant Heritage Month

This is a guest blog post by Zeke Rouse, Appleseed’s Immigrants and Communities Welcoming Intern.

Two Muslim women holding up prints of the “We the People” series.

June is an opportunity to share stories and recognize the impact that different immigrant Nebraskans have in shaping our communities. Storytelling gives us an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and people that call Nebraska home. 

Since June of 2014, Immigrant Heritage Month has given people across the United States an opportunity to annually explore their own heritage and celebrate the shared diversity that forms the unique story of America.

Continue reading “Celebrating Immigrants! June Is Immigrant Heritage Month”

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Celebrating Nebraska Immigrants: Meet Cassandra.

At Nebraska Is Home we know that vibrant communities are ones in which people from all different backgrounds respect and celebrate each other’s values and talents. In celebration of June Immigrant Heritage Month, we began sharing stories from some of the immigrants who bring vitality and passion to Nebraska. There are so many wonderful immigrants and refugees that call Nebraska home, that we’re continuing this series throughout 2020!

Meet Cassandra Leow, a proud immigrant from Malaysia who is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and providing mental health support to those impacted by COVID 19.

This blog is written by Nebraska Appleseed intern Abby Chan. Abby caught up with Cassandra for a fun interview and shares some of what she learned in this blog:

Cassandra Leow immigrated to the United States from Malaysia in August of 2016 to pursue higher education. At first, she was surprised and felt challenged by many things that were different from her hometown:

“Having a 13 to 14 hour time difference was a challenge; having previously spent all my time with family–even going to movies with them during the weekends– to being all by myself suddenly and not having much contact was incredibly difficult.”

But soon after starting school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), she began to find her second home. Cassandra felt welcomed by the community at UNL:

“Everyone was so thoughtful and welcoming. They were curious about my culture and did their best to understand it. During the holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, they would reach out to me and invite me to join them, so I would not feel alone. It was then that I knew that I was going to be just fine in the US.”

Many UNL professors and staff gave Cassandra a home away from home, and she could not be more thankful. She also keeps her hometown traditions alive by celebrating with new friends in the U.S. and sharing her culture with them through finding local places that provide food, decorations, and items that make her home in Nebraska feel like Malaysia.

Cassandra is proud to be an immigrant as it not only gives her a different perspective on issues in her community, but also allows her to connect with a lot of people. The resilience that she gained through experience has pulled her in ways she never thought was possible.

Cassandra reflects on her years in Nebraska so far as a great learning experience. She has not only learned a lot academically, but also culturally and spiritually. She feels that she’s grown as a person and as a professional:

“The last time I spoke to my family and friends, they pointed out how different I was — which is a testament to my growth. As challenging and stressful as it has been, I wouldn’t change a thing! I continue to be grateful for the things I have learned and seize every opportunity presented to me.”

When faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, Cassandra recognized the severe effects it has on the mental health of her fellow community members and saw an opportunity to help. She joined 30 other local health professionals to set up a free service for people to safely talk about their fears and concerns, and to receive tips on how to deal with excessive amounts of stress.

“I love being able to help people by offering emotional support. I feel energized when I’m able to empower people to challenge themselves to make better choices and lead more meaningful lives.”

We thank you Cassandra for your willingness to share your story!

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Immigrant Heritage Month: Nibras, a young global leader advocating for education

Nibras KhudaidaAt Nebraska Is Home we know that vibrant communities are ones in which people from all different backgrounds respect and celebrate each other’s values and talents. In celebration of June as Immigrant Heritage Month, we want to share a few stories from some of the immigrants who bring vitality and passion to Nebraska.

Meet Nibras, a young global leader who has dedicated her talents and time to making the world a better and more welcoming place. She is a Yazidi refugee from Iraq who is currently studying at Creighton University. She is passionate about education for girls and refugees, and has received local and international recognition for her advocacy efforts.

Recently, our Appleseed intern, Abby Chan, caught up with Nibras for a fun interview and shared with us what she learned:

Nibras Khudaida was born and raised in Sreshka, Iraq, and immigrated to the United States in April of 2015. Nebraska was the top choice for Nibras and her family, as her uncle had settled here months before and found that it felt like home. The Yazidi community in Nebraska is quite large, which made the transition of moving a little easier on Nibras and her family.

Stepping off of the plane at the Lincoln Airport, many people showed up to welcome the  Khudaidas to their new home. Some local organizations that were instrumental in helping the family acclimate to America were Lutheran Family Services, Catholic Social Services, and the Center for People in Need. They helped Nibras and her family rent their first home, helped them strengthen their English language skills, and educated them on the laws, rules, and culture of their new home.

Nibras was welcomed from all aspects of the community. She recalls, “People visited us often to check on us or if we needed anything. They showed they cared about us. After I started high school, my teachers and my classmates made me feel very welcome by helping me out by doing small acts. I felt welcome in school because teachers treated everyone the same.”

Although Nibras has gotten the hang of life in America, she wishes she’d known more about the education system. While she was preparing to take the ACT and applying to college, she had to resort to using Google as well as her teachers for advice. The college search did end up well for Nibras, as she is currently a Creighton University student.  

While juggling school and family time, Nibras also makes trips to speak at the United Nations and conferences all around the country. She advocates for girls’ education, creates projects and programs to help refugees in Nebraska to access higher education, and also helps refugee students in conflict zones. Nibras uses her voice to advocate for a change in the treatment and education for refugees. She aspires to help out the next generation.

Nibras has given speeches at the United Nations, and has been featured on the social media accounts of the Malala Fund and Representative Jeff Fortenberry.

You can keep up with this brilliant young global leader by following Nibras on Twitter at @NibrasKhudaida

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Keeping our communities inclusive, safe, and healthy

Caring for one another in this moment will take urgent and deliberate action

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads across our state and country, it is important to keep our communities inclusive, safe, and healthy.

Welcoming communities can and will play an important role, modeling how our values drive the decisions we make going forward, and we applaud the leadership already being demonstrated by so many on the local level in this moment.

The health and safety of all our neighbors is our top priority. Caring for one another in this moment will take urgent and deliberate action. Health and safety are rooted in working together, ensuring all of us are seen part of the solution, rather than stigmatized as the source of the problem.

Local Health Departments will have the most current information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and they will know what is happening in your community. 

Please share information from your health department or other trusted sources with the whole community. When certain groups are prevented from fully participating in the solution, communities risk the health and safety of all people. The uncertainties of Coronavirus, our susceptibility to bias, and the impact of isolation will make it all the more important that we use our voice and power to maintain norms of cohesion and cooperation, especially across lines of difference.

All of us have the power to make choices now that will not only reduce the impact of Coronavirus but make ourselves more resilient against deliberate efforts to spread disinformation and fear of one another.

We urge you to: 

  • As we practice social distancing, double down on virtual interaction and solidarity.
  • Engage with local partners on a whole-of-community response to stem the spread of the virus.
  • Call out discrimination where you see it.
  • Focus on education and on elevating positive, values-based messages.

Together, we can ensure that we act with resilience and strength.

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“I Learn America” film comes to television

Don’t miss the world television premiere of “I Learn America” this Sunday!  “I Learn America” is a powerful film that will take you into the lives of four immigrant teens, and asks the question, “What can a welcoming school community look like?”

Immigrant students lives can be confusing, lonely, and discouraging, but with courage, love, and humor, they persevere. In many ways, they are teenagers forging a complex new identity as ordinary people coming of age and becoming Americans in extraordinary circumstances.

Lincoln Time Warner Cable

Sunday, January 19th, 8:00 PM-9:00 PM
Channel 376 (AJAM) or 1376 (AJAMHD)

or

Tuesday, January 21, 2:00 PM- 3:00 PM
Channel 376 (AJAM) or 1376 (AJAMHD)

Nebraska Is Home was able to show a special screening with audiences in Nebraska before this public viewing, and students and adults found it compelling and moving. One educator said the candid manner in which the students in the film helped her to know more about what students experience beyond the classroom.

To find a viewing in your area: Al Jazeera America