Hey News-Changers! We’re back from our lil’ break and ready to start up 2020 with The Breakdown. For those just joining us, The Breakdown is our current events newsletter with the latest headlines and actions you can take to impact them.
This month we’ll be sending The Breakdown weekly while our editor-in-chief is on sabbatical, but we’ll get back to twice-weekly broadcasts in February! Until then, expect to hear from me every Wednesday (and you can learn more about me here).
Keep scrolling to read about what’s happening between the US and Iran, how celebs are stepping up to help with Australian fire relief, and Illinois’ new LGBTQ-inclusive history curriculum (plus some adorable dog content).
Let’s Do This.
Here’s What’s Going on With Iran Right Now You’ve probably been hearing a lot about Iran lately (or maybe you’ve just been flooded with a bunch of World War III memes). Here’s what’s up:
What Happened?
What Was the Response?
What’s Next?
Take Action: Demand peace and diplomacy, not war. Call on Congress to prevent further attacks on Iran.
Celebs Step Up to Do Something About the Australian Bushfire Crisis The bushfires that have been blazing in Australia since September have intensified in the past week to “apocalyptic” levels, as more than 15.6 million acres have burned so far. (If you’re having trouble visualizing the scope of these fires, here’s a comparison using a map of the US.)
Folks worldwide have shown support for Australia amid this crisis, including several celebrities. The cause has personal ties for some, like Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who pledged $1 million to help fight the fires in his native country. Actress Nicole Kidman and country singer Keith Urban, who were both raised in Australia, also donated $500,000 to fire relief efforts.
The support also goes beyond the monetary, as the Irwin family, following in the legacy of “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, is helping to rescue and treat thousands of animals injured in the fires. The bushfires were also a big topic of discussion at Sunday’s Golden Globes, most notably with the absence of actor Russell Crowe, who was unable to accept his award because he was "at home in Australia, protecting his family from the devastating bushfires."
For more detailed background on what’s happening with the Australian bushfires (and more ways you can help), check out our write-up about it.
Take Action: Consider making a financial donation to the Australian Red Cross, or donating household items through GIVIT.
Illinois Schools Are Adding LGBTQ+ History to Their Curriculum in 2020 Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law a bill requiring public schools to include the contributions and roles of LGBTQ+ people in their history curriculum. Illinois is the fifth state to pass such legislation, joining California, New Jersey, Colorado, and Oregon.
Community organizers like Equality Illinois, the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance, and the Legacy Project supported the bill, citing the positive effect that LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum can have on students’ self-esteem and overall school culture.
A 2017 survey conducted by GLSEN found that LGBTQ+ students who were taught an LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum were less likely to feel unsafe at school due to their gender expression or sexual orientation. In fact, students who were taught positive representations of LGBTQ+ topics heard homphobic and transphobic remarks less frequently than those without an inclusive curriculum.
The fact is, LGBTQ+ people have played a huge role in creating and shaping this country. It’s about time we got closer to telling its full history.
Why aren’t more people talking about… how the captain of an ICE detention center frequented a neo-nazi website and wanted to start a white nationalist group?
Why aren’t more people *also* talking about… the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Puerto Rico, killed at least one person, and destroyed a cherished natural wonder.
Meanwhile, in India… Delhi police are being criticized for attacking university students, some of whom protested against a controversial new citizenship law that excludes Muslims.
My heroes today are… the Indigenous and quilombola girls fighting for education funding at the National Congress of Brazil.
Today in viral cuteness… this puppy learned how to swim, and this puppy hitched a ride on a Roomba.
I’m obsessed with… this new reality show on Netflix called The Circle. It’s so hard to explain the premise, but just know that it’s absolutely BONKERS, and I can’t recommend it enough.
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