The three separate acts of violence over the past weekend are symptomatic of larger and deeper issues of anti-Blackness and anti-Asian sentiments in the United States. Harmful conspiracy theories have steadily gained visibility in mainstream rhetoric, media, and politics feeding hatred and promoting White Nationalism.

While we mourn the loss of life and pain inflicted on Buffalo, Laguna Beach, and Dallas, we are also angry that while motivation in each situation is not entirely clear, it is true that in each case the shooters left their home with the intent to do harm to people with a specific skin color or ethnic background.

Every person deserves to live without fear of harm or death because of the skin they exist in.

We are frustrated because we are here once again. We must make real our opposition to the political terror taking place around the country. It is not enough to grieve or to become angry. We must and can take action.

Humans need a sense of belonging and will seek that out if they don’t find it. Creating strong and inclusive communities, and knowing our neighbors can prepare us to provide support for communities of color and identify those drawn to White supremacy groups.

 WATCH: PBS Newshour “How America Can Respond to White Nationalist Violence”

This manual provides a guide for those who want to “do something” about hate, not only for the immediate aftermath of a hateful act, but for years to come to improve their community.
A Community Guide For Opposing Hate

Concerned about someone you know?
Confronting Conspiracy Theories And Organized Bigotry at Home: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers 

Hate crimes, an attempted crime, or a hate incident – threats, assault, and violence, or graffiti that is targeted because of race, religion, disability, gender, or sexual orientation – should be reported. Take photos if possible, write down details taking note of any words said or symbols. Even if these words or symbols don’t make sense to you, they may be helpful to the police.

Resources to learn more about hate groups:

• Southern Poverty Law Center, a non-profit organization monitoring the activities of domestic hate groups and other extremists.
• Anti Defamation League tracks hate crimes, lists know hate symbols on their website including learning materials on hate crimes, bullying, and discrimination.
• Decoding Hate Symbols Seen at the Capitol Insurrection. From Viking hammers to flags of fictional countries, National Geographic breaks down the origins and evolution of hate symbols.

Additional resources in multiple languages:

• Hate Crimes in my Community
• Bullying
• Crímenes de Odio en mi Comunidad (Spanish)
• Acoso (Spanish)
• Dambiga nacaybka ee ka dhex jira bulshadeyda (Somali)
• Faduusha (Somali)
• ف جرائم الكراهية ي مجتم ي ع (Arabic)
• المضايقة (Arabic)

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”

November is Native American Heritage Month and it’s a time to celebrate the cultures, accomplishments, and contributions of Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

Telling stories and sharing culture through dance, family traditions, art, and music, we can learn contemporary diversity and the long history of Indigenous peoples across the land we now call the United States. 

On our continuous journey to learn more and to honor and respect people, you are invited to celebrate the history, culture, and traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives. But perhaps the best way to honor Indigenous people this month and year-round is to rethink history and question our history books, to shine a light on truth, acknowledging our painful history and aspiring for a more just society that seeks to lift, not erase, the lives, traditions, and cultures of the people who were here first. 

Continue reading “Honor Native American Heritage Month”

We know that understanding our country’s racial history is a vital step toward ensuring our state is committed to building strong, inclusive communities for all Nebraskans. Which is why we sent a letter in opposition to resolution Addendum VII-1 to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

For years, we have worked closely with community partners and educators across the state to build inclusive communities, where everyone can feel safe, respected, and valued.

Continue reading “Advancing Racial Equity Benefits Us All”