Hey News-Changers.

I think we’re living in a pretty historic moment. In the news and on social media, we’re seeing countless people bravely speak out and take action to fight racism, end anti-Blackness, and create a more equitable society. It’s making us take a closer look at our relationships, communities, and familiar institutions, and strive to root out the white supremacy found in them on both the individual and structural level.

Dismantling racism is often hard, sometimes uncomfortable work, and its impact can be hard to recognize. But change is happening right now in the US and around the world. This week’s One Big Thing covers just a few successes that have come out of the global Black Lives Matter protests.

If you’re taking to the streets, contacting your representatives, or making your voice heard online, you’re helping make change like this happen in your community. Thank you.

Let’s Do This.

Jackie

Protester holding sign that says ''Justice Now''

Black Lives Matter Protests Are Driving Policy Changes Nationwide

The ongoing anti-racist protests happening around the world are already bringing about tangible policy and legislative reform, particularly on the local level.

Police killings of unarmed Black individuals like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor first sparked the demonstrations, and some changes have been made in direct response to them. For example, Breonna’s Law has been passed in Louisville, Kentucky, banning the kind of “no-knock” search warrant that led to Taylor’s death. In Minneapolis, where Floyd died, a veto-proof majority of city council members pledged to replace their police department with a “new, transformative model for cultivating safety in Minneapolis.”

(The idea of shifting funds from police departments towards social services and community resources is gaining traction, and it has the potential to seriously reframe how we see the issue of public safety.)

The impact of the protests is being felt by police forces and local governments from coast to coast. Some other examples include:

The Los Angeles Budget Committee approved reallocating $133 million from the LAPD budget to other areas (like protecting municipal jobs from coronavirus-related furloughs).
New York state legislature repealed 50-a, a former law that obscured police disciplinary records from the public.
Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix, and several other cities and states have banned the use of chokeholds by police.

There are still questions about how effective police reform efforts are in preventing brutality, and some are calling for more radical approaches -- like dismantling or abolishing them altogether. These conversations will continue, and if the changes above are any indication, it seems like those in power may finally be listening.

Take Action: Disrupt racism in your community by starting a conversation with family and friends about how to be actively anti-racist.

LeBron James is Fighting Voter Suppression to Make Sure Everyone’s Voice is Heard

Basketball pro LeBron James is forming a voting rights group called More Than a Vote to encourage Black Americans to register to vote and combat voter suppression.

James is teaming up with other prominent Black athletes to amplify the group’s work, including Super Bowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tennis star Sloane Stephens.

“Yes, we want you to go out and vote, but we’re also going to give you the tutorial,” James said in an interview with The New York Times. “We’re going to give you the background of how to vote and what they’re trying to do, the other side, to stop you from voting.”

James hopes to use his platform to channel the energy around ongoing Black Lives Matter protests and direct it towards the voting booths come election day.

Take Action: Answer 4 questions to find out how your vote could impact racial justice.

Person waving a Pride flag in front of the Supreme Court building

Supreme Court Decisions Protect DACA and LGBTQ Workers Rights

The Supreme Court handed down two decisions that marked victories for Dreamers and LGBTQ workers.

Early last week, the Supreme Court ruled 6-to-3 that it “defies the law” for an employer to fire an individual solely for being transgender or for being attracted to the same sex. Before this decision, it was legal in more than half of US states to fire employees on the basis of their sexuality or gender expression, making it a major win for the LGBTQ community.

Later in the week, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration cannot end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program as planned. DACA protects about 700,000 young people from deportation who were brought to the US as children (also known as Dreamers).

The court’s majority opinion stated that the administration’s decision lacked the proper procedure and failed to provide adequate reasoning for DACA’s termination. It’s almost certain that the Trump administration will try once again to end the program, but for now, Dreamers can breathe a sigh of relief.

Take Action: Make Pride-themed masks and signs to help LGBTQ youth fight isolation during COVID-19.

“This generation is going to make a difference. We all saw Trayvon [Martin], we all saw Mike Brown, and we all heard their stories. We were younger then and couldn’t do as much, but we are older now. It may not come fast, but it will come eventually.” “Miss Juneteenth” - Actress Alexis Chikaeze, reflecting on Black history, protest, and the holiday explored in her
debut film.

Why aren’t more people talking about… how COVID-19 has caused an alarming increase in food insecurity in the US?

Meanwhile, in Indonesia and Brazil… the coronavirus pandemic threatens efforts to control rainforest fires.

My hero today is… 20-year-old Nifa Kaniga, who spends hours each day standing on a street corner answering his neighbor’s questions about racism.

My *other* hero today is… 9-year-old Kamryn Johnson, who has raised nearly $100,000 for Black-owned businesses selling friendship bracelets.

Today in viral cuteness… Ms. Jennifer the tortoise celebrated her 53rd birthday and found a new home after her owner passed away from COVID-19.

I’m obsessed with… the video game Overwatch. I’ve been playing it pretty relentlessly for the past few days, and I think I’ve finally got a grasp on Baptiste. (The Overwatch League better watch out.)