On the heels of Inauguration Day in the United States, I decided to start a weekly (or at least somewhat regular) post that includes the most notable articles I’ve been reading as part of the nonpprofit / philanthropy world. As a grants manager for an anti-poverty agency, they often have an anti-racism / anti-poverty / philanthropic lens. I hope you find the topics as fascinating and thought-provoking as I do, whether you work in the sector or not. Please feel free to comment or contact me if you have any articles to add to the mix.
In 2020, women gained back less than half the jobs they lost at the worst of the pandemic by Chabeli Carrazana (The 19th, January 8, 2021)
December’s figures gave the final status check on what has become America’s first female recession. For the first time, jobs held by women disappeared at a faster clip than those held by men; women were far more likely to be in jobs affected by social distancing regulations brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The damage to the child care industry, which has lost thousands of jobs since the start of the year, also led hundreds of thousands of women to exit the labor force in order to care for their children.
Our Democracy Is Faltering, but We Can’t Rely on Philanthropy to Save It by Ellen Friedman (The Chronicle of Philanthropy, January 12, 2021) free account required to read
As philanthropic leaders, we must call for an increase in public investment in a fairer and more accessible election process for all citizens. While private philanthropy has a place in supporting civil society and advocacy organizations, public dollars must be invested in rebuilding and fortifying the foundations of a functioning democracy.
Why Local Leaders Are Declaring Racism A Public Health Crisis by Jordan Carter and Ian Snyder (National League of Cities, January 12, 2021)
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the underlying issue of racial health disparities due to environmental racism, food apartheid, and a lack of equitable healthcare and exposed racism as a public health crisis in its disproportionate impact on Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
Mind the use of “terrorism” by Shivani Persad (Anti-Racism Daily, January 15, 2021)
So, when we’re discussing the events at the Capitol, remember that the word terrorism holds a kind of power that goes beyond the dictionary definition. The word terrorism is attached to a framework that was created to criminalize Black and brown existence.
21 Signs You or Your Organization May Be the White Moderate Dr. King Warned About by Vu Le (Nonprofit AF, January 17, 2021)
Regrettably, nonprofit and philanthropy have in many ways become one giant white moderate sector. It is filled with good people who want to advance justice and help create an equitable society, yet we often get in our own way. We may have the same dreams as MLK, but so many of our good intentions serve to further the very injustice we claim to be fighting.
Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s full legacy by Nicole Cardoza (Anti-Racism Daily, January 18, 2021)
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has been whitewashed and gentrified to depict him as someone that only advocated for unity and peace (Essence). But during his life, many denounced him as an extremist (Time) and the FBI considered him a threat to democracy (Stanford). Neither narrative speaks to his radical views, nor his lasting commitment to racial equity. It’s our responsibility to honor his legacy beyond what’s been deemed “appropriate” by education and media.
Nonprofit Advocates See Hope for Legislation on Tax Deductions and More by Dan Parks and Michael Theis (The Chronicle of Philanthropy, January 19, 2021) free account required to read
Although the Biden stimulus plan is the immediate focus for nonprofits, lobbyists say legislative changes affecting nonprofits could be in play in as many as three tax and budget bills before Congress this year.
U.S. life expectancy reduced due to COVID-19, research finds (Philanthropy News Digest, January 20, 2021)
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced life expectancy in the United States, with Black and Latinx Americans disproportionally impacted, research conducted by the University of Southern California and Princeton University finds.
Finally, if you have not seen poet laureate Amanda Gorman recite her incredible poem at President Joe Biden’s inauguaration, please take a few moments to watch and listen. It is truly inspiring.
Read the full transcript of Amanda Gorman’s Inauguration Day poem, “The Hill we Climb”
