Communication and Social Justice

 

988 is number to be used for mental health assistance as opposed to using 911.

Thank You to those from whom I have gotten information for the following, I take no credit. Also for those with mental health concerns that may be overwhelmed by the following, the Allyship guide below is a simple way to begin learning and your desire to do justice is a start and makes for authentic allyship.

Allyship Guide 

Rights

When protesting for human rights make sure that you do so on public property unless you have consent to use private property and make sure to be aware of size limits and if you need a permit for sound amplifying devices. If you feel your rights are being infringed make sure to get badge number, patrol car number and the agency name. Get any witness information and necessary photographs especially any injuries. Further Know Your Rights

Domestic Abuse Hand Signal 

1. Don’t take anything personally, stand up for justice as God would.
2. Treat everyone equally, if you wouldn’t say it to one person, don’t to someone else including change of voice.
3. Remind yourself with the words love and “understanding”
4. Listen without being quick to answer or tone policing.
5. See the bigger picture and the other person's shoes.
6. It’s not your responsibility to make people agree .
7. Give all the facts.
8. Avoid fallacies,biases and dishonest resources.

Racist actions all boil down to using Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) for their skin/culture without appreciating or respecting them as they are or putting them into boxes based on stereotypes even if they’re “nice” stereotypes, fetishizing, comparing BIPOC to inanimate objects or food, hair petting are means of treating people as pets or experiments and is not appropriate, these are called microagressions. This can also be tokenizing to check on someone in the wake of tragedy that you usually dont check onand is unauthentic activism as well as cosplaying Handmaid's Tale during Reproductive rights protests, because what's happening happened to the BIPOC community by forced sterlization.

Advancing Equity 

1. Focus on seeing people as individuals not stereotypes and negative examples (including costumes, digital blackface) and assumptions.
2. Increase your exposure. Spend more time with people of different racial and religious backgrounds. Learn about their culture by attending community events or exhibits and support media representation.
3. Use person first language (like “enslaved persons” not “slaves” and “historically excluded” not underrepresented. But make sure you address people how they prefer). If you’re unsure of a phrase, ask before using it. 
4. Advocate for accessibility and representationand amplify voices, we can't respond only when it effects us or it's too late because our privelage kept us from listening.
   
5. Think before sharing traumatic videos or using certain symbols (ie coat hangers)  nor claim to be shocked by it, this is an everyday experience of POC. Also asking for permission to do something or if you handled something right can be traumatizing, you have to let your own moral compass be your guide.Expecting people in minority groups to have an outlook on something such as asking an activist opinion and expecting them to have to be informed and educate on every issue.
6. To “not see color” is not to see the beauty of God’s richly diverse human creation AND also to ignore the real impact of racism that affects People of Color every moment of their lives.

Gender/Sexuality Equality 

Women who are the predominant victims of sexism are victimized by sexualization and comments about appearance as well as catcalling, depreciation and rigid roles. The latter also is rooted in toxic masculinity. There are many rights violations where women aren’t allowed to make their own decisions and are treated as inferior in ability to make their own choices, the wage gap and the glass ceiling, these are the issues that we must tackle towards equality. 

Reclaiming Mary as Feminist Icon

Virgin Martyrs and the Myths of Purity Culture

Religious Respect  

Respecting other religions is to have open and honest discussions about customs, beliefs and holidays without using words that refer to people as lesser than or lost due to their beliefs or the way they dress. To assume age, gender etc affects faith, that religion affects kindness or that “strength of faith” affects suffering isn’t factual. 

The LGBTQ+ Community  

With the abhorrent attack on women's rights there are some concerns, although some are trying to qualm them, that gay rights are next. It is wise to just be prepared and have any legal documents in order such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, your child's birth certificates, both parents of the child need to have legally adopted the child, if a sperm donor is involved have the paperwork where they sign away their rights. Have all legal accounts settled like land contracts, any joint accounts, life insurance and Power of Attorney needs to be your spouse. LGBTQ+ Activism 

 For those with Disabilities and Mental Health Concerns 

When someone talks to you about anxiety: Don’t try to force techniques, brush it aside, treat it as simple worry or the need to relax or assume you understand. Instead, ask how you can help, there isn’t always a cause of anxiety. When someone is grieving there is so much you shouldn’t say that it’s easier to focus on what should be said. You can share a memory for example. I can’t imagine how you’re feeling but I’m here, I’m so sorry, I know how much you loved them are ways to be comforting and if you didn’t know the person you could say I didn’t know them but based on who you are they must have been…

When you are with anyone with a disability use a natural conversational volume and an ordinary tone of voice, speak at a moderate rate and be patient for their responses, repeat and ask for clarification when necessary.. If talking to someone using an aid, speak personally to the individual, their aid isn’t a fill in. How disabilities are portrayed in film especially is an area in much need of correction. Disabilities are often used as a way to show evilness or less than human. Disability shouldn’t be erased nor “made up for” with a device or power. Address real obstacles people with disabilities face and don’t treat them as helpless or models of pity or inspiration as if their lives are terrible. 

The Disability Pride Flag

A person who is blind, eaf-blind, or has vision loss:

1. Identify yourself when approaching the person and say where you are standing in relation to that person.
2. Never hold the arm of the person while walking. Let the person hold your arm (bend your arm and let the person hold your elbow). Offer verbal cues as to what is ahead when you approach steps, curbs, escalators, or doors, and don’t touch a person w/ vision loss w/o asking unless to provide a clear and calm warning.
3. During a conversation, give verbal feedback to let the person know you are listening.
4. Ask if the person wants you to describe who is where and what is happening nearby.
5. It really is okay to say things like “See you soon.” Feel comfortable using everyday words relating to vision, like “look,” “see,” or “read.”
6. When you leave, say you are leaving. Ask where he or she would like to go, such as the side of the room, to a chair, or to some other landmark, and lead the person there.

A person who is Deaf or hard of hearing:

1. Be certain you have the person’s attention before speaking. If the person is facing you, gently tap him or her on the arm or elbow and make sure the person is looking at you before you speak. If the person is not facing you, use a gentle tap on the shoulder.
2. Wait your turn. When the person turns to you, begin speaking.
3. Don’t cover your mouth with anything or turn your head away.
4. Avoid creating a shadow on your face by standing with your back or side to a bright light or window.
5. It is not rude to ask “Are you deaf?” But do not use the terms “hearing impaired,” or “deaf and dumb.”

A person who has a mobility impairment or other physical disability:

1. If possible, be at eye level with the person.
2. Don’t move crutches, walkers, canes or wheelchairs out of reach without permission. If moved with permission, do not leave until you return them to the person or arrange for their return.
3. When helping to guide a wheelchair user down an incline, grasp the push handles tightly so that the chair does not go too fast.
4. If assisting someone in a wheelchair to go up or down a curb, ask how you can best help.
5. When assisting a wheelchair user to go up or down more than one step, tilt the wheelchair back at all times while descending or ascending the stairs. (If the incline is steep, you may need to turn the chair around and back the person down.)
6. Respect everyone’s personal space. Do not lean on someone’s wheelchair.

A person who has a speech or language disorder:

1. Ask questions that can be answered by “yes” or “no.”
2. Encourage the use of an electronic communication device, alphabet board, or other communication tool if the person uses one.
3. Use tone tags. 

A person who has an intellectual disability:

1. Use simple words and short sentences.
2. Talk with the person even though he or she may not be verbal enough to respond.
3. Introduce yourself and say that you are pleased to meet the person. Shake hands if that seems appropriate.
4. Give one piece of information at a time, and repeat if needed.
5. Use age appropriate topics and conversation. Find commonalities for your conversation
6. Be generous, but appropriate, with compliments when the person has accomplished a task, or taken initiative.