The Amp

We cannot let the president’s state of emergency declaration and promotion of fear, hate, and division distract us from talking about what really matters and demanding actions that support communities. The best way to do this is to focus on uplifting a positive, values-based vision of the southern border and its vibrant communities, and to call for actions that promote immigration policies that reflect our values as a nation, such as Community and Voice.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s 4 Tips to Keep the Border Conversation on What Really Matters
• Hashtags: #WeAreNotFooled #PresidentNotKing #YouWork4Us

750,000 people could lose food assistance if the Trump administration gets its way and approves reporting requirements on SNAP recipients. April 2 is the deadline for leaving a comment to challenge the proposal. Cite the values of Economic Security and Community when discussing this proposal.

• Take action: Join the tweet storms on Thursday, Feb. 21 and Feb. 28 plus the tweet chat on Feb. 26 (more below). Also encourage your networks to submit comments via Center for American Progress’ Hands Off SNAP and Feeding America’s platform.
• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking about Economic Justice; The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Trump SNAP Proposal Would Cost Many of Nation’s Poorest Their Food Aid; Center for American Progress’ #HandsOffSNAP: Don’t Let Trump Take Food Away from Struggling Workers and Families
• Hashtag: #HandsOffSNAP

Black History/Futures Month provides the opportunity to tell an affirmative story about racial justice in the United States. Cite the values of Voice and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice and Improving Opportunity for Black Men and Boys - Messaging Guidance; Color of Change's A Dangerous Distortion: Representations of Our Familes, By Race, in News and Opinion Media
• Hashtags: #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackFuturesMonth

World Day for Social Justice was established by the Union Nations to remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability. As an example of this work, the International Labor Organization (ILO) recently issued a declaration to “guarantee fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights at work.” The theme for this year is If You Want Peace & Development, Work for Social Justice. Cite the values of Community and Economic Security when talking about this day.

• Take Action: Watch and share the ILO’s event webcast at 1:15pm EST on UN Web TV.
• Messaging and communication tools: United Nation’s World Day for Social Justice and flyer; The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking about the Importance of Unions and Economic Security and Talking About Economic Justice
• Hashtags: #SocialJustice #ILO100 #DecentWork #socialjusticeday

From 1-2pm EST, the Center for American Progress will hold a #HandsOffSNAP tweet storm about how the administration’s proposed SNAP rule of work requirements will affect communities of color. 

• Messaging and communication tools: Center for American Progress' Twitter toolkit; The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking about Economic Justice; The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Trump SNAP Proposal Would Cost Many of Nation’s Poorest Their Food Aid
• Hashtag: #HandsOffSNAP

On this day in 1933, singer, songwriter, pianist, and activist Nina Simone was born. Throughout her career, Simone fearlessly spoke out against injustice. Use the anniversary of Simone’s birth as the opportunity to talk about the example she provided for artists to be activists and cultural influencers. Cite the values of Voice and Equality.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s The Case of the Cultural Influencers and AndAction’s Pop Culture Works
• Hashtag: #NinaSimone

On this day in 1868, W. E. B. Du Bois was born. He was a sociologist, historian, Pan-Africanist, author, and editor, was one of the co-founders of the NAACP in 1909 and the leader of the Niagara Movement. Discuss his birthday as another example of working for racial justice. Cite the values of Equality and Voice.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism, and Racial Justice and Zinn Education Project’s Teach Reconstruction Campaign
• Hashtags: #RacialJustice #TeachReconstruction

Also on this day, HBO premieres “The Real O.G.” about a maximum-security prison inmate whose impending release is upended when he takes a new arrival under his wing. It was filmed at an actual prison, with many of the men incarcerated there cast in acting roles. If you’re in New York City, you can visit The O.G. Experience gallery show with art by formerly incarcerated artists. When discussing this film, cite the values of Redemption and Voice.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Require Equitable Parole and Probation and Foster Successful Reintegration
• Hashtag: #OGHBO

At 8pm EST, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences begins its ceremony to give  Oscars for 2018 films. Several films on social justice issues have been nominated, including “Black Panther,” “Roma,” “RBG,” “Hale County, This Morning, This Evening” and “BlacKKKlansman.” Yalitza Aparicio (“Roma”) is the first Indigenous person nominated for an Oscar. Use these films to discuss a range of values from Community and Voice to Equality.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s The Case of the Cultural Influencers and Audio: Afrofuturism over Fear - A Celebration and Discussion of Black Panther; National Domestic Workers Alliance’s Domestic Work in the Film Roma and AndAction’s Pop Culture Works
• Hashtags: #oscars #oscars2019

On this day in 1870, Hiram Revels was sworn in as senator from Mississippi, becoming the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate. Revels is one of only 10 African Americans ever to have served in the United States Senate. Discuss this anniversary with the values of Equality and Voice.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice and Zinn Education Project’s Teach Reconstruction Campaign
• Hashtags: #RacialJustice #TeachReconstruction

On this day, seven years ago, Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in Florida by a neighborhood watch volunteer. Discuss this anniversary citing the values of Community and Equality.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda's Create Fair and Effective Policing Practices; Opportunity for Black Men and Boys, and Trayvon Martin Story viewing guides; Paramount and BET’s Trayvon Martin Story online video series; Black Lives Matter's #TalkAboutTrayvon - A Toolkit for White People
• Hashtags: #TalkAboutTrayvon #TrayvonMartinStory

• Messaging and communication tools: Center for American Progress' Twitter toolkit; The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking about Economic Justice; The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Trump SNAP Proposal Would Cost Many of Nation’s Poorest Their Food Aid
• Hashtag: #HandsOffSNAP

On Feb. 27, 1973, members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) began their occupation of Wounded Knee, site of the 1890 massacre, in South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation. The occupation lasted 71 days and called attention to living conditions and mistreatment from federal and local agencies. Use this anniversary to talk about the values of Economic Security and Voice for Native American communities.

• Messaging and communication tools: Native America Today’s AIM Occupation of Wounded Knee Begins; National Congress of American Indians’ Tribal Nations and the United States: An Introduction; U.S. Department of Arts and Culture's #HonorNativeLand: A Guide and Call for Acknowledgement; Reclaiming Native Truths’ Changing the Narrative about Native Americans
• Hashtag: #WoundedKnee73

From 1-2pm EST, the Center for American Progress will hold a #HandsOffSNAP tweet storm on food banks and hunger in relation to the administration’s proposed SNAP rule on work requirements.

• Messaging and communication tools: Center for American Progress' Twitter toolkit; The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking about Economic Justice; The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Trump SNAP Proposal Would Cost Many of Nation’s Poorest Their Food Aid
• Hashtag: #HandsOffSNAP