Blog

Posted on

We’ll say it again. Black Lives Matter.

We must be actively non-racist.

It is not enough to be concerned. It is not enough to be tolerant. It is not enough to consider yourself not racist.

Again. Again we witness an unarmed Black man shot by police and the effects have rippled through the country.

This past Sunday, when Kenosha, Wisconsin police shot Jacob Blake multiple times in the back and that graphic video showed up in all of our social media accounts, we were reminded that little has changed since our communities rose up in protest following George Floyd’s murder by police in Minneapolis. Still reeling from that grief, we are concerned about the trauma experienced by Jacob Blake’s sons who witnessed the shooting, the trauma felt by the people who caught the incident on camera, and certainly the physical and emotional trauma Jacob Blake has and will continue to experience as he heals. And we are also concerned about continued trauma to our country.

At the beginning of the summer we saw protests across our nation and across our state. Not only in Omaha and Lincoln but also in McCook, South Sioux City, and in Harvard community members came out to say “Black Lives Matter” and to call for meaningful police oversight and investing in community supports.

The solidarity, the increased awareness of  inhumane systemic inequities, gave many of us hope. We are not naive to the amount of time and work it takes to achieve racial justice, but we cannot be the country we idealize as the “land of opportunity” when Black people fear for their lives everyday. We cannot consider ourselves Welcoming or inclusive while policies and laws continue to harm our Black and brown neighbors, generation after generation.

Yet, here we are again.

It is not enough to be concerned. It is not enough to be tolerant. It is not enough to consider yourself not racist. We must be actively non-racist. We must not only have the hard conversations, we must denounce racism and we all need to take responsibility for creating systemic change.

Here’s how you can learn more, engage with your co-workers, faith group, friends and neighbors.

    • Cracking the Codes Let us know if you’d like help facilitating a virtual conversation with this video series. No cost. We are glad to share this interactive resource and facilitate a training that works for your group. 
    • Race Forward is a convening that takes place every two years and this year is available to a broader audience as it goes virtual. There are varied levels of registration costs. 

Additional resources for your own learning and tools for talking with family, friends, and neighbors:

Support, donate, volunteer with local organizations:

What is going on in your community? Share your favorite tools and local organizations to combat racism and promote inclusion. We would like to hear from you. You can contact me at cyoakum@neappleseed.org or (402) 438-8853 ext 114.

Christa Yoakum
She/Her/Hers
Senior Welcoming Coordinator
Nebraska Is Home

Posted on

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!

Posted on

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

Posted on

Lincoln enacts hate-intimidation ordinance, affirms all Lincolnites belong

Lincoln, NE — On Monday, June 15, 2020, the Lincoln City Council unanimously enacted a city hate-crime ordinance, Ordinance 20-71, which creates a separate offense when a crime is committed with the intent to intimidate another person due in part or in whole to that person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, physical or mental disability, national origin, age, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Omaha passed a similar ordinance last week.

Nebraska is Home Welcoming Coordinator, Khenda Mustafa, issued the following response:

“I have been reflecting on what it means to be part of a community, and how hard it is for people to feel like they belong when fear and intimidation are present. After September 11, 2001, I remember how my family started receiving hate, intimidation, and sometimes violence, from others at school and in our neighborhood. I remember how sad and afraid it made me feel. Even though I didn’t know it at 11-years-old, the existence of intimidation fractured my sense of connection to my community.

That is why I am happy and proud to hear that the Lincoln City Council has passed Ordinance 20-71. This ordinance affirms that all Lincolnites belong here and that hate has no place in our city. We thank Mayor Gaylor Baird and the Lincoln City Council for their leadership in standing up against hate and intimidation. This makes our community stronger.”

Posted on

Black Lives Matter. Nebraska needs all of us to make change.

This is a momentous time in our country’s history and a powerful time for us to take a stand with our neighbors. As a community or as a society, we cannot be whole when Black Americans are repeatedly targeted because of the color of their skin.

By now we’ve all seen the inexcusable actions of law enforcement that ended George Floyd’s life and the protests across the country. It is no longer enough to be tolerant or to be a passive ally. It is time to act. It is time to dismantle the racism and oppression that has been so entrenched in our institutions and structures.

Together we can do more and together we can make change. Our communities are strongest when everyone in the community feels valued.

As Welcoming America stated in their response, Welcoming Cannot Thrive As Long As Racism Persists.

“We cannot be welcoming when African Americans are repeatedly targeted because of the color of their skin.

We cannot be welcoming when violence against our neighbors is minimized or ignored.

We cannot be welcoming if we are afraid to address the root causes of racism.”

Here are resources for your own learning and tools for talking with family, friends, and neighbors:

Support, donate, volunteer with local organizations:

What is going on in your community? Share your favorite tools and local organizations to combat racism and promote inclusion. We would like to hear from you.

Posted on

Tea Time with Khenda

A quarterly newsletter celebrating Welcoming and Inclusive communities across the state of Nebraska

My name is Khenda Mustafa, Welcoming Coordinator with Nebraska Is Home. Even as the Coronavirus pandemic brings uncertainty for us all, we can come together to support one another in continuing to build a welcoming and inclusive culture across our state.

This is the first issue of a quarterly newsletter called Tea Time with Khenda, where we will share resources, stories, and events to celebrate and build welcoming communities together.

Why Tea Time?

Growing up, I was taught the importance – and joy – of welcoming others and making them feel comfortable, safe, and valued. With hospitality playing a major role in Kurdish culture, our family entertained guests quite a lot. I remember being younger and helping my mother brew a large pot of ceylon tea whenever we had company over. When the tea was ready, I would pour the piping hot liquid into glass cups and serve it along with sugar in its various forms — sometimes dates, sugar cubes, and even toffee. As the conversations flowed, so did the tea.

It seems that all around the world, people have great conversations over hot beverages, and it is in this spirit of hospitality and communion that Nebraska is Home brings you Tea Time

Grab a Cup of Your Favorite Brew and Have a Seat…

Turkish tea

We’re All In This Together… Separately

As we adapt to the new environment brought about by this pandemic, here are some questions that we can be asking ourselves in the process:

  1. How are we including the whole community in our efforts today?
  2. In what ways are we thinking about coming together as a community after collectively getting through this?

We might not have the answers right away, but we should keep asking ourselves these questions and discussing together what kind of community we want to be, coming out of this.

Resources

Now more than ever, it is important to remember to take care of ourselves. Have a look at these tools for self-care and community wellbeing:

  • Tired of only bad news? Check out this heartwarming news story from right here in the state
  • #StayAtHome. This is the single most effective thing we can do to stop the spread of Coronavirus. Here are activities for health, wellness, and connectedness that you can do to care for yourself and others from home
  • How is your breathing? Here is a helpful short talk and guided meditation for coping with fear in times of pandemic
  • What’s going on in your town? This is a Restaurant guide for delivery, curbside, and drive-through services in Lincoln. Send us other local business guides from your community!
  • You can find more useful tools for communities and inspiring stories of neighbors coming together to help each other – while staying apart – on Welcoming America
  • Check out Nebraska Appleseed’s blog for policy updates and actions you can take to promote inclusive solutions for the health and wellbeing of all community members

Upcoming (Virtual) Events

This year’s Statewide Welcoming Convening is going online! Over the next few months, we’ll be exploring new ways to hold local community conversations, particularly around race equity using the video series Cracking The Codes. – Stay tuned, we’ll be reaching out soon.

Have an event? Send us information on your virtual events and we’ll share them! We’ll be glad to share your in-person events too, once we are able to get together again, so keep us informed!

What Can I Do?

  • Find local COVID-19 response efforts and get involved. For example:
    • Support the work of schools, faith groups, and local organizations 
    • Check in on friends and neighbors – see ideas here!
  • Complete and share the Census – Every individual in our community counts! All you need is your address to help ensure Nebraska receives accurate representation and resources for our growing communities! Complete the Census TODAY and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to complete theirs too! You can complete the Census:

Send us your stories and events to share in a future issue of Tea Time!

Posted on

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.

Posted on

A Night At The Museum

Note:This piece was written by Katie Hile, U.S. Citizenship Instructor for the Asian Community and Cultural Center with quotes and contributions by Hieu-Bui, citizenship student and New Nebraskan.

 

As a part of Welcoming Week 2018, History Nebraska hosted a dynamic evening at the Nebraska History Museum for twenty-five students currently enrolled in citizenship preparation classes at the Asian Community and Cultural Center and El Centro de las Américas. The twelve-week program provided by the two community centers is funded by the office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In partnership with the Center for Legal Immigration Assistance, this collaborative initiative provides legal permanent residents (LPRs) with citizenship instruction and naturalization application services.

Together, students, interpreters, teachers, and docents explored exhibits of Nebraska’s state history together with thoughtful conversation about the students’ family histories that are helping to create this most recent chapter of Nebraska history and shared experience. In addition to being moved by many artifacts and Standing Bear’s powerful story, one student recounts his experience in interacting with exhibits at Nebraska’s History Museum:

“I saw many things about the history of Nebraska, including the Constitution of State and Certificate of 1865. I saw the motorcycle made by Kawasaki in Lincoln and I saw the picture that talked about Nebraska’s electrical system introduced by Senator Norris. …I thought my trip was rich for my knowledge. I discovered many things about my state.”

It will always take courage to make our communities, cities, and country a home for every American: to be a home for those seeking safety and a new life. Equally, too, it is a privilege to welcome those who have so much to share – dreams, talents, family, and a commitment to making our communities strong. As we embrace a new generation of Americans, let’s celebrate the tremendous gift we have that is to welcome the immigrant.

———-

For information on the USCIS-funded program in Lincoln, Nebraska, please contact Katie Hile at katie@lincolnasiancenter.org or Kelly Ross at El Centro de las Americas at kelly@elcentrone.org

Posted on

Nebraskans to celebrate National Welcoming Week Sept. 14-23

Mark your calendar for upcoming local events across Nebraska celebrating this year’s National Welcoming Week! This month, towns in Nebraska and nationwide celebrate how our communities are strongest when everyone feels welcome during the 7th annual National Welcoming Week September 14-23.

In 2017, there were more than 700 events around the country. Nebraska communities are excited to make this year the biggest one yet!

2018 Welcoming Week events

Columbus

 

Crete

 

Grand Island

  • September 30, 2:00 PM, The Stuhr Museum – 10th Anniversary Commemoration of the The Quilted Conscience Project

 

Kearney

 

Lexington

 

Lincoln

  • September 21- 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM – Half Way to St. Pat’s Hooley
    • An Irish “Hooley” with culture, music, and dance! Open to all ages and cultures.
  • September 21, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Lincoln Calling
    • Music, night market, and art.
  • September 23, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Harvest Moon Festival
    • Food, cultural activities, games, lantern lighting, and more!
  • September 29 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM – KZUM Arts and Culture Festival
    • Live music, art, vendors, workshops, and food trucks.

 

Omaha

 

South Sioux City  (Flyer of all events)

  • September 15 – Multicultural Independence Parade
  • September 15, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Street Party
    • Food, music, and celebration for Welcoming Week’s activities in South Sioux City.
  • September 17 – Citizenship Day Celebration at Mary J. Treglia Community House
    • Tours at 7:45 AM and 4:00 PM; open house all day. Citizenship trivia.
  • September 21 – Naturalization Clinic at Mary J. Treglia Community House.  
    • By appointment
  • September 21 – “Prepare to Naturalize” at Mary J. Treglia Community House
    • 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 3:00 PM presentations on the steps to become a citizen and changes in the process.
  • September 25, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM – Immigration Simulation at Mary J. Treglia Community House.
Posted on

Immigrant Heritage Month 2018 – World Refugee Day celebrates unity creating stronger Nebraska

June is Immigrant Heritage Month. Throughout the month, we’ll be celebrating both our diversity and our shared American heritage by telling the stories of individuals that, together, comprise a uniquely American narrative.

This is a guest post from intern Allie Christianson.

With June coming to a close, Immigrant Heritage Month has brought many stories and celebrations of our neighbors, including the recent celebration of World Refugee Day at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha. The event was full of not only kind and talented people and beautiful works of art in the galleries and booths, but also with the laughter and friendship among them. It was inspiring to hear speakers share their stories at the speaker series and heartwarming to see the warm welcome from everyone around.

At our welcoming booth, community members signed a canvas with words of welcome and appreciation for all of our neighbors and thought of ways that they would welcome someone new into their neighborhood. Kids drew pictures and wrote how they would welcome someone new at their school and how they would want someone to make friends with them. We had heartfelt messages on the canvas and wonderful conversations with folks who shared their stories with us.

While I was at the welcoming booth for the majority of the event, I was able to go to the speaker series and hear Feroz speak about his experience as a refugee and the situation in Afghanistan. In his speech, I was struck by two prominent experiences as a refugee, first as a child and then as a father.

He opened my eyes to the feelings and awareness that had been so different in each. Feroz brought a gritty sense of humanity to a subject that is often stripped of the real experiences that refugees have. His experiences detailed a life that we often do not associate with refugees but one that I think we should: before coming to the U.S., he and his wife led successful careers and were happy in Afghanistan.

Hearing stories from refugees like Feroz brings a light to the issue and reveals the human experiences behind it. Sharing these experiences is necessary to build understanding that will help foster more welcoming and inclusive communities.

World Refugee Day provided a space for the Omaha community to come together and celebrate refugees’ unique contributions to our shared history and culture and a space to forge a brighter, more welcoming and inclusive Nebraska. I look forward to next year’s World Refugee Day and to continue hearing more stories of those who truly make Nebraska home.