ATTENTION, NEW YORK READERS!

Back in August I posted a story about calling your elected officials to get the NY Domestic Worker’s Bill of Rights on the agenda for a vote in the State Senate. Well, things have been moving forward, but an extra push is needed.

To help get the attention of the State Senate, an emergency rally is being organized to take place on the steps of City Hall in NYC. The event is being planned for tomorrow, November 4th at 11am.

The issue of putting together an official code of work place enforcement is desperately needed for the thousands of domestic workers who are employed with little workplace regulation in the state of New York. Domestic workers include nannies, care-takers, house-keepers, and the like. Sadly, these folks are at many times subject to unfair labor practices that would simply not be tolerated in other working environments. Domestic employees are not State mandated to be granted such amenities as over-time after eight hours, a guaranteed single day of rest a week, nor are they protected under New York’s workplace discrimination laws. A copy of the proposed legislation can be found here. Read the rest of this entry >>

I never really had a desire to go to Harvard but news that they are now offering a class solely on David Simon’s The Wire means that might have to change. The class, according to African American studies chair Professor Evelyn B. Higginbotham, will use the show to illustrate poverty in America.

From the Harvard Crimson:

“‘The Wire’ has done more to enhance our understanding of the systemic urban inequality that constrains the lives of the poor than any published study” Sociology Professor William J. Wilson said.”

I couldn’t agree more.  The Wire was more than smart, entertaining television, it shed light on a world too often kept in the dark, too often ignored by most people.  Watching, in detail, the inner workings of city life in Baltimore, from the dealers on the street to the Mayoral candidates,  it isn’t hard to see that we have of work to do on all levels to stop violence, support education and make sure we have politicians that are working for us and not for money and lobbyists.

The Wire made sure everyone knew that everything was connected, that everyone is responsible for the world we live in. It also never let you escape from the reality of its characters. One of the most telling moments of the show [SPOILER ALERT] came in Season 5. Read the rest of this entry >>

USA Today published an article earlier this month about the reported rape rate reaching a 20-year low, with partial credit to the masses—they’re no longer blaming victims for being raped.

“You don’t see the nightmarish trials of the 1960s where a woman’s reputation would be brought into question and people would conclude she deserved it,” said Michael Males, a senior researcher at the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice in San Francisco.

But if courtrooms are immune—and they’re not—the Internet is teeming with mudslingers. Like most things in the 21st century, victim blaming has gone digital. Read the rest of this entry >>

It may be an election day in an off-year but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important! Just listen to Natalie Portman below to learn why. The video may be from 2008 but the point Natalie makes still rings true.

So give a watch and then VOTE!

My pal Piers ran the NY Marathon yesterday (a feat I’m greatly impressed by) to help raise money for the charity Faces of Kibera, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping orphans in Kibera, Kenya–Africa’s largest slum. Approximately 1 million people live in 1 square mile; 1 out of every 3 children is an orphan; and 1 out of every 6 is HIV positive. Their goal is to create and support a community-based facility outside Kibera. Funds raised will be spent on housing, food, psychological and medical care.

Check out this video about six girls who successfully got out of Kibera slums and then click the action link below to learn about how you can help.

respres' Flickr photostream/Creative Commons

Ever been tempted to get a mohawk or even a fauxhawk?  Well, by participating in Hawks for Homeless, a new campaign started in Los Angeles, you can try out the bold hairstyle and raise money for homeless service providers at the same time.

The volunteer based initiative is a fun way to increase awareness of homelessness and considering that November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, the youthful style seems particularly fitting to help those in need.  Read the rest of this entry >>