Knoxville Moms for Social Justice

Do you have a breastfeeding story to share? Hi there! The Knox County Health Department is offering an exciting opportunity for local moms! KCHD is partnering with Story Center to help parents tell their breastfeeding story in their own words by creating a short (2-3 minute) video. KCHD will compensate participants for their time and willingness to share their stories. The project begins April 3, and applications are accepted through Sunday, March 26. Any mom who received breastfeeding care in Knox County in the past 5 years and has a story to share is encouraged to apply! Apply online through the QR code on the flyer below.

https://www.wate.com/news/85000-raised-by-knoxville-comic-shop-to-give-away-free-copies-of-maus/

$85,000 raised by Knoxville comic shop to give away free copies of Maus After a Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel about the Holocaust was banned in McMinn County, Nirvana Comics in Knoxville wanted to make sure students across East Tennessee had access to the book.

Your vote is your voice. Please use it.

Early voting is happening NOW in the city of Knoxville for 5 City Council seats. Residents of Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 can vote in the Primary. The top 2 vote getters in each district go to a runoff in the General, open to all city residents . GoVoteKnoxville.com.

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Today, June 18, 2021, we celebrate the first federally recognized , or Freedom Day. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made in 1863, many enslaved people were still not free. On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger stood on the balcony of the Ashton Villa in Galveston, Texas and said, in part, "In accordance with a proclamation, all slaves are free."

Today, June 19, 2021, is recognized as a federal holiday, a day when every American was finally free. However, 156 years later, the fight for freedom continues every day. Many black and brown people are still enslaved by a criminal injustice system and generational poverty. Institutionalized racism is still alive and well. There is still work to do, folks.

Juneteenth is a day to be celebrated, surely. But it is also a day for us, especially those of us who are white, to reflect on our nation’s history and the responsibility we hold moving forward to insure that history is accurately taught and make reparations when possible. Today, and every day, when it comes to Black history and Black culture, we want to amplify and support black voices, black businesses, black activists and community leaders.

At Moms for Social Justice, we are committed to radical racial and social justice. We are committed to protecting everyone's kids as fiercely as our own. Today and every day, .

https://calendar.eji.org/racial-injustice/jun/19?fbclid=IwAR2QQwC8ttC6FIT_XIiCW4HkpdZAjaI9oERaxI06Pg8GiUU3c3k1S71lG_s

Jun. 19, 1865 | Juneteenth To overcome racial inequality, we must understand our history.

When George Floyd cried out to his Mama, as Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, George Floyd cried out to every Mama. His finals words, "I can't breath," took on a life of their own, embodying the suffocating weight of the systemic problems that continue to plague black and brown people, families, and communities today.

There will never be justice for George Floyd, whose life was stolen from him. There will never be justice for his daughter Gianna, whose father was stolen from her. His murderer was held accountable, but accountability won't bring George back. Accountability won't give Gianna her father back.

Moms for Social Justice condemns institutionalized racism and systemic oppression in all forms, including qualified immunity. MSJ is committed to standing with the black and brown community, elevating black and brown voices, and fighting to protect and defend every Mama's baby as fiercely as we would our own.

Today and every day, .

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https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2021/04/21/austin-east-shooting-video-anthony-j-thompson-jr/7253027002/?fbclid=IwAR3AvqTbukKLV0qaaQHE7TY7SijloTPDvlghgei2uaHLdUX_w9RM4Ny9UxA

DA: We will not charge police officer who shot 17-year-old Anthony J. Thompson Jr. Body camera video shows what happened when Anthony J. Thompson Jr. was shot by police at Austin-East High School in Knoxville.

From Congresswoman Cori Bush:

"Our hope is that this verdict will be a small step toward accountability. But that's just about accountability, not justice.

For us, justice would be George Floyd alive today."

Let us continue to fight for justice with accountability. ✊

On the heels of Bill Lee shamefully signing the permit-less carry bill into law, another tragedy has occurred in our Austin-East community.

We are disgusted, we are exhausted, we are angry, and we are heartbroken. 💔



https://www.wbir.com/article/news/crime/what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-high-school-shooting-that-killed-17-year-old/51-05ca2dc8-d655-427d-a5b5-3a38a27da04d

What we know — and don't know — about high school shooting that killed 17-year-old The TBI identified the victim of Monday's shooting at Austin East as Anthony Thompson Jr.

Please support our sister friends with a donation!

The National Bail Out Collective is a formation of black lawyers and organizers who are committed to building a community-based movement to end pretrial detention and ultimately, mass incarceration.

The Chattanooga Black Mama’s Bail Out Campaign seeks to build awareness around the negative impacts of cash bail & incarceration in our city. We aim to free at least 15 Black mamas by Mother’s Day (May 9th).

There are several ways for you to be involved locally in our efforts!

❤️ Help the Chattanooga Moms for Social Justice put together "Welcome Home, Mama" packages for each Black Mama by donating items or money! Email us at [email protected] if you have an item or service you'd like to donate OR Venmo us so we can be sure these Mamas are showered with love and support at -for-Social-Justice

💜 Donate to the bail fund and the fund for a post-bailout celebration via Cash App: $BlackMamasChatt

❤️ Volunteer to greet the Mamas when they are released. More info on this to come, so stay tuned!

As parents, we must work every day to make sure that our children know that visibility and tolerance are low-hanging fruit. We can't forget that our children are smart and capable of so much more. Let us promise, on this to respect, care for, love, and fight for Trans folks in our community.

Looking for some great children's books to start the conversation with your children about gender identity? Check these out (and add your own in the comments!):

They She He Me: Free to Be! by Maya Christina Gonzalez and Matthew Sg
https://buff.ly/2QKq1r5

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
https://buff.ly/2QWduB9

Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall
https://buff.ly/3fvXobG

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff
https://buff.ly/3w9xGPY

The Gender Wheel: a story about bodies and gender for every body by Maya Christina Gonzalez
https://buff.ly/3fvSvzh

I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
https://buff.ly/3cClXBS

TL;DR- Georgia Republicans proved there are two Americas and we're big mad about it.

🖤 In November 2020, something happened in Georgia that hadn't happened in nearly 30 years: Georgia went blue.

🖤 It didn't happen by chance. It happened because of the tireless efforts of voting rights advocates and volunteers. It happened because Georgians who have been taught that their vote doesn't matter decided to prove that it does. Georgians who haven't had accessible polling places found a way and went anyway. Then they waited. Many electors waited more than 10 hours to cast their ballot and make their voice heard. Meanwhile, some people gave food and water to those waiting in line, because, if they got out of line, they might not be able to vote.

🖤 Obviously, this proved the immense need for sweeping changes to the voting rights laws. Georgia Republicans agree, but for vastly different reasons.

🖤 On March 25, 2021, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed into law , passed strictly by Party line, with sweeping changes to voting rights laws. This new law allows for the Georgia State Election Board to remove county election officials and replace them with appointees. This new law requires that absentee ballots have driver's license or state ID number or include a photocopy of an accepted form of identification. This new law makes it a FELONY (which, it's worth noting, also results in a permanent loss of voting and other civil rights) to distribute food or beverage to electors in line to vote.

🖤 While Governor Brian Kemp was signing this oppressive bill into law, State House Representative Park Cannon knocked on Kemp's office door. After being told to stop knocking on the door, she was arrested at the Georgia State Capitol and charged with TWO FELONIES: felony obstruction and preventing or disrupting general assembly session.

🖤 A Black elected leader advocating for her constituents was charged with two felonies for knocking on a door. Meanwhile, white people who participated in insurrection, a failed coup, and destruction and desecration of the United States Capitol (costing American tax payers over half a BILLION dollars in damages and National Guard deployment) have been charged with... wait for it... Curfew Violation. (https://buff.ly/3tX76rs...)

🖤 If you do not see that there are two Americas, you are not looking.

🖤 In November, Georgia stood up for America. Now, America must stand up for Georgia. Please join MSJ in writing, emailing, and calling Georgia's elected officials who promoted this assault on black and brown Georgia voters to denounce their openly racist crimes. We will also be reaching out to our elected officials to make sure they don't get any bright ideas.

🖤 Moms for Social Justice expressly condemns and denounces racism in all forms and is committed to helping to dismantle systems of oppression. We are committed to elevating Black voices and stand with Georgia State Rep. Park Cannon.

It’s hard to know what to say when we feel like we have said it all before. 💔

We have searched for the right words to make a public statement about a mass shooting multiple times, every year that our organization has been in existence. We find ourselves feeling numb and complacent, accepting of the violence that is woven into the fabric of our country.

How can we move forward as a nation when we continue to behave as though “rights” are more important than lives?

As moms, we can only hope that we are raising our children with more empathy and imagination than seems to be the norm, that they have the ability to look outside themselves and imagine what it might feel like to hear gunshots ring out in a grocery store and have their first thought not be for the gun itself, but for the people falling victim to its use.

We know you've been fighting, but unfortunately, we have to keep at it. We have to let our lawmakers know that this is NOT ok.

Leaders of peer nations don’t tolerate people being shot in grocery stores, spas, places of worship, anywhere. Our leaders owe us more than thoughts and prayers to prevent gun violence.

Send your senators a message and tell them to take action NOW: bit.ly/SenateBGC_FB

This week eight people, six of whom were Asian American women, were massacred in two Asian-owned spas in Atlanta, Georgia, in what many news outlets refuse to call a hate crime. From March 2020 to February 2021, there have been over 3,700 reported anti-Asian hate incidents. Those are just the ones that have been reported.

At Moms for Social Justice, we are filled with love for ALL of the vibrant Asian-American communities that help make Our country rich with diversity. We do not stand for this campaign against culture, for this anger towards fellow Americans who did absolutely nothing wrong. We stand in solidarity with our Asian American friends, family, and neighbors. Please see below for some resources for education, support and more.

Education:
Free Bystander Intervention Trainings from Hollaback! and AAJC: www.ihollaback.org/bystanderintervention��
Asian American Non Profits:
Advancing Justice LA -
Advancing Justice OC -
National Asian Pacific Women’s Forum -

Mental Health Support for Affected Communities:
(offering free 1:1 supportive listening sessions)

(has a comment thread of therapist willing to provide reduced/free sessions to the Asian American community.)
(Offering Asian Pacific American pay-as-you-wish group therapy)

Hollaback! Free Bystander Intervention Training Free Bystander Intervention training to stop anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment in the wake of the coronavirus.

In honor of , we'll be highlighting books that we love that feature the stories of women throughout history who changed history - for all ages! We love Malala's Magic Pencil by Nobel Peace Prize winner and Girls’ education advocate, Malala Yousafzai. ⠀
"Malala's first picture book will inspire young readers everywhere to find the magic all around them. As a child in Pakistan, Malala made a wish for a magic pencil. She would use it to make everyone happy, to erase the smell of garbage from her city, to sleep an extra hour in the morning. But as she grew older, Malala saw that there were more important things to wish for. She saw a world that needed fixing. And even if she never found a magic pencil, Malala realized that she could still work hard every day to make her wishes come true. This beautifully illustrated volume tells Malala's story for a younger audience and shows them the worldview that allowed Malala to hold on to hope even in the most difficult of times."⠀⠀⠀

📣 If you are a KCS parent, retired KCS teacher, or ex-KCS teacher who is willing to speak on behalf of current teachers for this event on March 27, please message National Safe Return to Campus via their page or contact local organizers.

🤓 You can find out more about the National Day of Action at https://www.wearedrawingtheline.org/ to help inform your interest.

HB 786 (previously HB 0018) / SB 765 is headed to the Criminal Justice subcommittee on March 10. Contact your representative AND subcommittee members.

TIPS FOR EMAILING SUBCOMMITTEE:
- Title your email simply: "HB 786/SB 765 concerns (March 10)."

- State clearly at the start that you are writing to this specific representative in their capacity as a Criminal Justice Subcommittee member regarding discussion of HB 786/SB 765, scheduled for March 10. Then state your name and address.

- If you are a gun owner, have a family/personal history with guns, have a TN carry permit, and/or have been through formal training courses, mention this briefly.

- Briefly and clearly state your concerns.

- End with a clear position: "I am asking that you oppose HB 786.”

- Proofread.

- Copy/paste and edit for each specific member you email. Do not CC.

(Send an edited and personalized version of this same email to your rep (e.g., Jason Zachary).)

HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE
▪︎Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville), Chair*
[email protected]
▪︎Mike Carter (R-Ooltewah)**
[email protected]
▪︎John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville)**
[email protected]
▪︎Michael G. Curcio (R-Dickson)
[email protected]
▪︎Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville)
[email protected]
▪︎Bruce Griffey (R-Paris)
[email protected]
▪︎Brandon Ogles (R-Franklin)**
[email protected]
▪︎Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis)**
[email protected]
▪︎Bob Ramsey (R-Maryville)*
[email protected]

*local
**metro

March is . Women have contributed incredible things throughout human history, but many have not been recognized due to the power of the patriarchy and white supremacy working hand-in-hand. Moms for Social Justice fights those systems of oppression so that future generations of women can claim their victories and be recognized.

We'll be highlighting children's books this month that we feel are great resources for Women's History Month.

Feel free to comment below with books that you've read about amazing women in history or those who are making history now!

In honor of , we'll be highlighting books that we love that feature different Black characters from history - for all ages! Today, we're highlighting two beautifully-illustrated books that we've included in many of our classroom libraries through the Classroom Library Project. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History and Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History were both written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison and give readers a look into historical figures from history in digestible, bite-sized pieces.

"Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History features 18 trailblazing black women in American history. Among these women, you'll find heroes, role models, and everyday women who did extraordinary things - bold women whose actions and beliefs contributed to making the world better for generations of girls and women to come. Whether they were putting pen to paper, soaring through the air or speaking up for the rights of others, the women profiled in these pages were all taking a stand against a world that didn't always accept them.”

“The legends in Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History span centuries and continents, but each one has blazed a trail for generations to come. An important book for readers of all ages, this beautifully illustrated and engagingly written volume brings to life true stories of black men in history. Among these biographies, readers will find aviators and artists, politicians and pop stars, athletes and activists. The exceptional men featured include writer James Baldwin, artist Aaron Douglas, filmmaker Oscar Devereaux Micheaux, lawman Bass Reeves, civil rights leader John Lewis, dancer Alvin Ailey, and musician Prince.”

Click here to purchase Little Leaders: https://buff.ly/2MsxTvC
And here to purchase Little Legends: https://buff.ly/3bXYwl5

This is a great resource to check status and availability of Covid-19 vaccines.

How Do I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment? : Shots - Health News - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/02/18/967448680/how-to-sign-up-for-a-covid-19-vaccine-in-your-state

How To Sign Up For A COVID-19 Vaccine In Your State Use NPR's tool to find out where to start when it's your turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Plus, helpful advice about how to navigate the system.

Scapegoating is a tactic historically employed by powerful regimes to place the onus of suffering or struggle on a marginalized group. By directing fear, frustration, and anger at a particular group rather than channeling energy into proactive solutions, not only is that group in increased danger of violence and discrimination, but the entire population continues to suffer from lack of unified action. Asian Americans are feeling the effects of scapegoating due to the dangerous rhetoric blaming China for Covid’s existence and global spread, with acts of violence against them at an all-time high. We denounce all acts of hate, racial profiling, and scapegoating, and stand in solidarity with all Asian Americans.

We recommend listening to this story to learn more: https://buff.ly/375rbCQ

Please take a moment to sign!

All students should be given the opportunity to play school sports and be themselves. This bill is an attempt to use the law to target and exclude transgender students.

The "whereas" clauses in the bill try to pit transgender students against women's opportunities in sports. But nothing could be further from the truth.

According to a letter recently released by the Women's Sports Foundation: "The false rhetoric taking hold is a distraction to the real threats to girls and women in sports, such as lack of Title IX understanding and compliance; inequity in compensation, resources, sponsorship and media attention; harassment and abuse of female athletes and women working in sports, the list goes on. These real threats are well known, well documented, yet they have become tolerated. Society pays them sporadic attention at best, with episodic spikes of outrage demanding change. These are issues that can and should be addressed to keep girls’ and women’s sports growing and thriving."

https://ujoin.co/campaigns/1136/actions/public

Vote NO on HB3 on February 9.. Take one minute to help out with Vote NO on HB3, speak up for tran... Tennessee's House Bill 3 is an attack on transgender students. It prevents transgender students from participating in school sports by tying student gender to original birth certificates. Everyone should be able to participate.

Fantastic news!

U.S. voting rights activist Stacey Abrams nominated for Nobel Peace Prize U.S. voting rights activist and Democratic Party politician Stacey Abrams has been nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize for her work to promote nonviolent change via the ballot box, a Norwegian lawmaker said on Monday.

In honor of , we'll be highlighting books that we love that feature different Black characters from history - for all ages! Up first is an excellent book for young children - Ron's Big Mission. We've included this title in many of our elementary school classroom libraries through the Classroom Libary Project. Here's the synopsis:

"Nine-year-old Ron loves going to the Lake City Public Library to look through all the books on airplanes and flight. Today, Ron is ready to take out books by himself. But in the segregated world of South Carolina in the 1950s, Ron's obtaining his own library card is not just a small rite of passage--it is a young man's first courageous mission. Here is an inspiring story, based on Ron McNair's life, of how a little boy, future scientist, and Challenger astronaut desegregated his library through peaceful resistance."

Click here to watch a read-aloud of this book: https://buff.ly/2YwjDo6

Click here to purchase: https://buff.ly/3tef5Ry

We’re so excited that another MSJ chapter has joined the family! Keep up with Mat-Su Moms for Social Justice by following along on their page.

https://www.facebook.com/msm4sj/

Mat-Su Moms for Social Justice Mat-Su Moms building a local movement of citizens to engage in, advocate for, and act in the service

On this day 76 years ago, the survivors at the N**i concentration camp Auschwitz were freed. It was then that the world learned the true extent of the horrors that Jewish people faced under the N**i regime. Today, we remember and honor the 6,000,000 Jewish lives that were lost in the Holocaust. We also remember the countless other discriminated-against people murdered under N**i rule, including Roma and Simti, Slavs, disabled persons, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. As we reflect on this enormous loss, we can not help but draw comparisons to some of the behaviors that led up to it.
After World War 1, Germany experienced many hardships. People wanted someone to blame for their troubles. Instead of holding themselves, their leaders, and one another accountable, the majority population found it much easier to blame Jewish people. In blaming the Jewish people, Germans allowed themselves to become so disassociated from their Jewish friends and neighbors and so disillusioned by white supremacy that they stood idly by while millions of innocent people were slaughtered.
In 2021, if you dare read the social media comments on breaking news, a similar lack of accountability is painfully evident. Between the cries that "immigrants are taking our jobs" and railing against the poor with demands that "they should get a job," we hear the same fear and hatred that led to the mass genocide of Jewish people and those seen as "less than." The problems that we face as a nation are insidious. The only ones to blame are ourselves, our peers, and our leaders.
As an organization, Moms for Social Justice is committed to fighting injustice in every form. As moms, we are committed to fighting as hard for everyone's kids as we would our own. We condemn white supremacy in every form and pledge to never stand idly by again.

Today, history will be made. And a nightmare will end. Many of us will be watching with our children with hope in our hearts. We know there is much to do and we will hold our leaders accountable.

But, for today, we will breathe. Let’s all take a collective breath together. Breathe in and count to 4. Breathe out and count to 8. Sending you love and peace today.

Once you’ve taken a moment (however long that moment needs to be), we’ll be here. Ready to work alongside you and heal so much of the damage caused by the Trump administration and from the harms caused by many like him from years past.

With love and solidarity,

The Moms for Social Justice