Youth Advocacy
Youth Advocacy
Year 3, Week 09 (199 total reports)
21.02.2023-27.02.2024
REVIEW and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advocating for young people in the face of narcissists and theocrats threatening global democracy.
NEW: Special Adolescent Care Link of the Week
The Art of Calm Conversations With Reactive Adult Children
Many of us have heard the flight attendant say, “If you’re sitting by a child—or someone acting like one—put your own mask on first.” This is a similar proposition, but for adult communications. If you are with an adult (or older teen) that simply refuses to communicate like an adult, this article will help you share thoughts without being overcome by emotions.
Best Links of The Week
27.02.2024
Putin, Trump, Netanyahu: When Pure Narcissism Triggers Global Catastrophe
https://worldcrunch.com/world-affairs/putin-trump-netanyahu-narcissist
Putin, Trump, Netanyahu, are but three of the narcissists asserting their damaging, self-aggrandizing, manifestations of leadership today. But they did not come to power in a vacuum. We must face the demons within ourselves that either seek easy answers to the chaos these people promote or the self-centeredness within us that is attracted to their coercive power. The question of why these people wield so much sway over the world is an internal question with which we all must grapple.
26.02.2024
Teachers are tired of the culture wars — and many support LGBTQ+ curricula, Pew survey finds
https://www.advocate.com/news/teachers-lgbtq-race-education-legislation
Most practical people would agree that teaching is a difficult job with the potential for high intrinsic rewards. But remarkable people with years of training for these positions are being driven from the field by culture wars—ideologies only tied to education in ways that restrict the promotion of knowledge; knowledge about history, knowledge about race, and knowledge about sexuality. As the far right seeks to undermine education across the US (see article in 25.02.2024), there is a growing discontent among educators. The far right would like to set the agenda taught in the classroom, but just like in other areas where they want to sow chaos and Christian, White Nationalism, they have no plan—or desire—to lead beyond policy-making. You’ll find them making grand statements in front of their peers, then disappearing when it comes time to implement (or fund) their lunacy.
25.02.2024
Alabama Halts IVF as State Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Fear and Confusion
One of the worst States, when it comes to the treatment of children, wants to expand its definition of children. In this decision, made upon religious grounds by a self-proclaimed Christian, zealot, judge, those seeking assistance procuring in vitro fertilization will now have to flee to other States—and women everywhere must face the continuing dilemma that in a White Christian Theocracy, women’s rights are being undermined.
24.02.2024
Societies that treat women badly are poorer and less stable
This is a landmark study that only makes common sense. As the Far Right seeks to outdo Sharia Law in their fear-mongering policies, we all lose stability, all of us are having our rights undermined. Our one recourse is to vote these White Christian Radicals out of office on all levels of government. Please remember this in ROE-vember!
23.02.2024
‘20 Days in Mariupol’ can win an Oscar. Will it make the world care about Russian war crimes in Ukraine?
https://kyivindependent.com/20-days-in-mariupol-oscar-nomination/
The Far Right, under the tutelage of their idol, Donald Trump (love-stricken and under the tutelage of Vladimir Putin) has completely lost its rudder and drifts in whatever direction the global despot commands. They have completely given up their own minds and wills. Perhaps documentaries such as this one about the horrors of Mariupol, can remind us of just what an unchecked tyrant is capable of doing—as if Alexei Navalny wasn’t enough! Please share this documentary link with others and help the world reawaken to the Hitler-esque world that Putin seeks to advance.
22.02.2024
We endorse Joe Biden for President of the United States in the Democratic Primary (Opinion)
From deep in the heart of the Lone Star State comes this critical endorsement of Joe Biden. The opinion had to be well-researched and deeply crafted to be able to pass muster in Greg Abbott’s backyard. Please read and share with others who might not understand that the 2024 election is a choice between Biden and autocracy. Biden is NOT the perfect candidate, but he is the only candidate that can win at this time against a Trump-Dictatorship.
21.02.2024
Sam Alito Launches Broadside Against Marriage Equality in Homophobic Juror Case
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/02/sam-alito-marriage-equality-homophobic-juror-scotus.html
SCOTUS is dominated by Trump-Appointed sycophants and white Christian Nationalists who do not have the Constitution, Democracy, or Women’s Rights at heart. The dismantling of Roe vs. Wade was but a “shot across the bow” of where this radical body wants to take the country. Alito, who who laid out the methodical strategy undermining Roe v. Wade is not done—and won’t be—until the US has become his version of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
This Week’s Links
27.02.2024
Putin, Trump, Netanyahu: When Pure Narcissism Triggers Global Catastrophe
https://worldcrunch.com/world-affairs/putin-trump-netanyahu-narcissist
The Right’s Long Game to End Public Education
Jared Polis has a simple message for making America inclusive for everyone: Go vote
The Alabama IVF Ruling Weaponizes Faith to Harm Families
https://msmagazine.com/2024/02/26/alabama-ivf-fertility-religion-supreme-court-republicans-faith/
Nazis at CPAC is a frog-in-boiling-water moment for the right
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/nazis-cpac-2024-response-rcna140521
Nex Benedict honored by friends at vigil: 'He made everything easier'
https://www.advocate.com/news/nex-benedict-transgender-vigil-friends
What's life like for Russia's political prisoners? Isolation, poor food and arbitrary punishment
Texas Gov. gives curt 6-word reply to proposed U.N. investigation of state’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws
30 Documentaries To Watch During Black History Month
https://wealthofgeeks.com/black-history-month-documentaries/
Knowing how to talk to your kid about feelings isn’t always easy - try these 7 child-therapist-approved ways to get them talking
https://www.goodto.com/family/how-to-talk-to-your-kid-about-feelings
Why You Should Stop Complaining Today, Backed by Neuroscience
https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/why-you-should-stop-complaining-today-backed-by-neuroscience.html
26.02.2024
Teachers are tired of the culture wars — and many support LGBTQ+ curricula, Pew survey finds
https://www.advocate.com/news/teachers-lgbtq-race-education-legislation
Opinion | What Is Christian Nationalism, Exactly?
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/25/opinion/christian-nationalism.html
Pollution Crisis in Mexico Shows Limits of Plastic Bag Bans in Global Capitalism
The Art of Calm Conversations With Reactive Adult Children
7 Ways To Teach Kids To Be Grateful, According To Experts
https://www.yourtango.com/family/how-teach-kids-to-be-grateful-experts
25.02.2024
Alabama Halts IVF as State Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Fear and Confusion
Okla. lawmaker describes LGBTQ people as ‘filth’
https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/02/24/okla-lawmaker-describes-lgbtq-people-as-filth/
Thousands Sign Christian Petition Rebuking Mike Johnson
https://www.newsweek.com/thousands-sign-christian-petition-rebuking-mike-johnson-1873076
Chief enforcer of US gun laws fears Americans may become numb to violence with each mass shooting
Shaping Empathy: Adult Brains Can Learn Compassion
https://neurosciencenews.com/empathy-learning-psychology-25657/
From the very beginning, Black women have fought for American democracy
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/fannie-lou-hamer-civil-rights-black-women-rcna139777
24.02.2024
Societies that treat women badly are poorer and less stable
Brooks and Capehart on U.S. aid for Ukraine wavering on partisan battle lines
Alexei Navalny’s Last Laugh
https://apple.news/AoULcSzWGRZiz1p_RXh9gAg
Oklahoma banned trans students from bathrooms. Now a bullied student is dead after a fight
https://apple.news/A1i18FQO5SVKgoiI2O4jeew
Alabama’s Assault on IVF Is Even Worse Than It Sounds
https://apple.news/AyfWz7xRmTJeTkq1cYqwkvQ
The Number-One Reason Conflicts Do Not Resolve
Why People Get Emotionally Triggered
The Return of the John Birch Society
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/02/john-birch-society-cpac-conservatism/677542/
23.02.2024
‘20 Days in Mariupol’ can win an Oscar. Will it make the world care about Russian war crimes in Ukraine?
https://kyivindependent.com/20-days-in-mariupol-oscar-nomination/
World leaders tell Biden they fear for their own democracies if Trump wins
Trump Has Finally Remade Republicans Into Putin’s Playthings
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/donald-trump-republicans-vladimir-putin-puppets.html
Alabama justice who ruled embryos are people says American law should be rooted in the Bible
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/alabama-justice-embryos-biblical-seven-mountains-rcna139969
Justice Who Ruled That Embryos Are ‘Children’ Appeared On QAnon Conspiracist's Show
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tom-parker-alabama-ivf-embryo_n_65d7ea34e4b0cc1f2f7b3e26
The Evolution of Oppression: America's Penal System in the Shadow of Historical Slavery
How Curious Are You?
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-personal-renaissance/202402/how-curious-are-you
Psychologists have discovered a surprisingly simple technique to reduce political polarization
Harriet Tubman and the Most Important, Understudied Battle of the Civil War
https://newrepublic.com/article/178157/harriet-tubman-important-understudied-battle-civil-war
22.02.2024
We endorse Joe Biden for President of the United States in the Democratic Primary (Opinion)
‘20 Days in Mariupol’ can win an Oscar. Will it make the world care about Russian war crimes in Ukraine?
https://kyivindependent.com/20-days-in-mariupol-oscar-nomination/
IVF in red states under threat as Alabama Supreme Court says embryos are children
Mike Johnson and His Delusions of Religious Grandeur are Making People Very Nervous
Opinion: I watched a Trump rally so you don’t have to. But you need to know what he’s saying
Trump reality check: 'Compare yourself to Putin, not Navalny' former Watergate prosecutor says
https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/trump-doubles-down-on-alexei-navalny-comparison-204680261990
We’re Running a Risky Cognitive Experiment on Our Own Kids
“Heed Their Rising Voices”: Annotated
https://daily.jstor.org/heed-their-rising-voices-annotated/
Four Ways to Quit Complaining
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/02/complaining-grievance-stoicism-happiness/677521/
The Vagus Nerve: Everything Everywhere All at Once
https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/health/a46699843/vagus-nerve-what-to-know/
Accepting Discomfort Could Help You Thrive
https://apple.news/AlvnF-hsFRb2P1z5rpMlMgA
The Complexity of Behavioral Change
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/keeping-it-real/202402/the-complexity-of-behavioral-change
West Virginia GOP wants to jail librarians who provide “obscene” books to minors
Illinois governor's proposed $53B budget includes funds for migrants, quantum computing and schools
https://apnews.com/article/budget-illinois-pritzker-migrants-9a407d280f1861fd666f9ecc2ca39eca
Preschoolers inside a dementia care home have changed the lives of elderly residents for the better
The Psychology of Replacing Religion with Spirituality
21.02.2024
Sam Alito Launches Broadside Against Marriage Equality in Homophobic Juror Case
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/02/sam-alito-marriage-equality-homophobic-juror-scotus.html
Nonbinary Teen Nex Benedict Dies After Being Attacked By Peers in a School Bathroom
https://www.them.us/story/nex-benedict-nonbinary-teen-oklahoma-died-attacked-at-school
There’s no need for conspiracy theories to explain Trump’s shameful Navalny statement
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/navalny-trump-russia-putin-pelosi-rcna139613
Texas has spent over $148 million busing migrants to other parts of the country