Social Justice
Read about the newest efforts to overthrow systemic inequalities and address injustices in terms of wealth, opportunities, and privileges to make the world a better place.
This map shows what Indigenous land you live on
If you’ve attended a virtual lecture or presentation lately you may have noticed that the speakers initiated the event with an acknowledgment of which Indigenous lands they were presenting from. Land acknowledgments are a respectful way to recognize which Indigenous lands we live, work, and Read More...
Plywood that once boarded up Minneapolis finds new life as historical art
In the midst of racial justice protests last summer in response to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of the police, many businesses in Minneapolis boarded up their windows with plywood. Now, nearly a year later, the plywood that once boarded up the city has found new life as artwork honoring Read More...
12 Mental health organizations working to support Asian American communities
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have experienced a dramatic rise in hate crimes since the beginning of the pandemic. This harassment and violence against the Asian American community is alarming and has many allies looking for ways to contribute towards justice and safety for AAPI Read More...
Black history courses are now mandatory in Welsh schools
Wales has recently announced that all school children in the country will have to take mandatory courses about racism and the contributions of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) communities to Welsh society. According to the government, the curriculum change aims to help young people Read More...
BIPOC hiking groups work to make the outdoors a more diverse space
A long history of oppression against people of color has kept members of diverse communities from feeling safe in many public environments, even the great outdoors. This is a huge shame because the United States is a vast country with a wealth of beautiful landscapes that all adventurers from all Read More...
FEMA aims to make disaster response more equitable
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) manages the federal response to large-scale emergencies, but the agency has received criticism in the past for discriminatory aid programs as well as instituting disaster recovery initiatives that unfairly burden low-income and minority populations. Read More...
Japan comes one step closer to recognizing same-sex marriage
Japan is the only country in the G7 that doesn’t allow same-sex couples the right to marriage, but this past Wednesday in Sapporo, the district court ruled that the government’s failure to recognize same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. The case is part of a series of lawsuits filed by Read More...
NASA uses Navajo language to name rocks and soil on Mars
After successfully landing on the neighboring planet last month, NASA’s Perseverance rover is now ready to explore its ground. Its first scientific focus is a rock named “Máaz” — the Navajo word for “Mars.” That’s just one nickname among many others that have been given to landmarks Read More...
Virginia restores voting rights for the previously incarcerated
Last year, we wrote about a proposed bill in Washington DC that would end felony disenfranchisement in the district. Fortunately, that bill passed and now the state of Virginia is eying a similar policy. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced an executive action this week that would restore Read More...
Indulge guilt-free with these 5 ethical and eco-friendly chocolate brands
We are big fans of chocolate here at The Optimist Daily and have written extensively in the past about its many health benefits, from keeping you mentally sharp to lowering your risk of heart failure. But if we are going to indulge in this delicious treat, it’s important to be aware of how Read More...