Art of the Week
Artwork by Jesse Cruze entitled “I’m Giving you One More Chance”.
Something a little different for our Art of the Week! To celebrate Slow Art Day 2022, a day designed to help more people discover for themselves the joy of looking at and loving art, consider joining the Justice Arts Coalition‘s online event to learn about 3 artists who create art in and around the criminal legal system.
Calendar
Take Action: Confirm Judge Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court
Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is supremely qualified. Her confirmation would bring a perspective to the court that has been largely excluded from American society, and especially in the legal realm.
While it appears she will be confirmed, Politico’s just-released poll shows a disappointing level of public backing for Judge Brown Jackson with only a 47% overall plurality of support (with 27% surprisingly undecided) and only 39% support from independents.
It’s sobering that opposition among independents and Republicans went up the week of the hearings.
A confirmation vote is set to occur as early as next week. Please join the Alliance and Daily Kos and let your Senators know that you support Judge Brown Jackson’s confirmation for the Supreme Court.
Sustainability Fact: Rich countries must end oil and gas production by 2034
A new study powerfully presents a “no exceptions” 2034 deadline for us to stop using fossil fuels: “To comply with the carbon budget for a 50:50 chance of not exceeding 1.5°C of warming requires immediate and deep cuts to the production of all fossil fuels. There are no exceptions—all nations need to begin a rapid and just phaseout of existing production.
“The report makes absolutely clear that there is no capacity in the carbon budget for opening up new production facilities of any kind, whether coal mines, oil wells or gas terminals. A transition based on principles of equity requires wealthy, high-emitting nations to phase out all oil and gas production by 2034 while the poorest nations have until 2050 to end production.”
Bad News: From Election Conspiracy Theories to Actual Tampering and Misconduct
There was election tampering and misconduct. But it was done by one of many right-wing zealous Trump Republicans running for Secretary of State to take over elections across the US.
A grand jury has indicted Mesa, Colorado county clerk Tina Peters and her deputy on seven felony charges.
According to MPR: “The pair is accused of helping an unauthorized person make copies of sensitive voting-machine hard drives and attend an annual software update. Information from the machines and secure passwords were later shared with election conspiracy theorists online.
“The charges against Peters come as election workers around the U.S. face death threats amid a national disinformation campaign that has falsely alleged wide-scale election tampering in 2020.”
Weekly e-Newsletter
March 30, 2022
Editors: Amy Durr, Rae’Jean Alford
& Terry Gips
At the Alliance
If you’re an educator who might be interested in reviewing our SHE Kindness School Program materials or helping in any way, please contact us.
Do you know a middle or high school (especially in an under-served community) anywhere in the US that would welcome a SHE Kindness presentation? Email us at info@afors.org.
Inspiration: Sen. Cory Booker’s poignant message to Judge Brown Jackson and Black women, "You're my star. You are my harbinger of hope."
Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson had to endure two days of numerous irrelevant and disturbing assaults by Republicans during her Senate Judiciary Hearing. However, the immense pain of those attacks was countered by the powerful, poignant words of Senator Cory Booker (D, NJ):
“Nobody’s going to steal the joy of that woman in the street, or the calls that I’m getting, or the texts. Nobody’s going to steal that joy. You have earned this spot. You are worthy. You are a great American.
“Today, you’re my star. You are my harbinger of hope. This country is getting better and better and better. When that final vote happens and you ascend onto the highest court in the land, I’m gonna rejoice. And I’m gonna tell you right now–the greatest country in the world, the United States of America, will be better because of you.”
Commentary: To the Black woman in the workplace: "You have earned this spot. You are worthy."
by Rae’Jean Alford, Alliance Communications & Administrative Coordinator
During last week’s confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, many were appalled at the actions of certain Republican senators. For many Black women across America, however, this was not the case. Watching the confirmation hearings did not invoke a sense of surprise or anger; instead, it served as a mirror and reminder of the everyday struggle of having to constantly prove one’s qualifications in the workplace.
As an intentional act of resistance, I gathered on Zoom each night with several of my college friends to watch the confirmation hearings. It allowed us the intimate space needed to fully process the historic moment unfolding before our eyes. There were many times where the actions of certain senators left us in tears as we watched Judge Brown Jackson have to navigate such treatment.
When Senator Cory Booker spoke, however, he gave us all the push we needed. Instead of further questioning, he used his time to publicly affirm, celebrate and honor Judge Brown Jackson.
It served as a public display of both the power and necessity of community. When many publicly belittled and attacked her, he chose to publicly remind the world of her brilliance, strength and service to this country.
That encouragement, that love and support was something that so many women across this country needed to see.
As we continue to face similar workplace challenges, may we all remember: “You have earned this spot. You are worthy.”
Women’s History Month Spotlight: Cornell student Karina Popovich makes a global impact on COVID using 3D printers
You’re never too young to make a huge impact—take Karina Popovich. An undergraduate at Cornell University, during the pandemic Popovich founded award-winning Makers for COVID-19, “a coalition of 3D-printer owners from around the world who 3D-printed and donated 82,000 units of PPE to medical workers in the United States,” according to Cornell. More…