The Amp

January is Poverty Awareness Month, when the Catholic community urges Americans to “take up Pope Francis' challenge to live in solidarity with the poor.” Use this month to discuss poverty with your audiences and cite the values of Community and Economic Opportunity.

• Messaging tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Shifting the Narrative: Six Case Studies, episode 2 of our podcast, "On Poverty: The Power of The Camera," Power of Pop: What TV Gets Wrong About Getting By, Talking about Economic Justice, Talking About Poverty & Economic Opportunity Today: Three Core Pillars and Shifting the Narrative on Poverty and A Window of Opportunity II: Analysis Public Opinion on Poverty; Poor People's Campaign's The Souls of Poor Folk Audit; Poverty USA’s interactive quiz
• Hashtag: #PovertyAwarenessMonth

On this day in 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation took effect. The Zinn Education Project notes that few textbooks credit the real anti-slavery heroes in this story: the enslaved themselves, along with their Black and white abolitionist allies. You can also make the connection to attacks on Critical Race Theory and the importance of being honest about our nation's history. Cite the values of Voice, Equality, and Economic Security.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking About the Attacks on Critical Race Theory, Critical Race Theory on TikTok, a Student Perspective, and Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice; Zinn Education Project’s Rethinkin' Lincoln
• Hashtag: #EmancipationProclamation

On Jan. 1, 2009, Oscar Grant III was fatally shot by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police in Oakland, California. On the 13-year anniversary of Grant’s death, ending police brutality and re-defining community safety continue to ground advocacy to move beyond policing. Cite the values of Community, Voice, and Equality when recognizing this anniversary.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s  Beyond Policing, Shifting the Narrative: Six Case Studies, 10 Key Facts About Perception of Fear, Safety & Criminal Justice in CA and Create Fair and Effective Policing Practices; Improving Media Coverage and Public Perceptions of African-American Men and Boys.
• Hashtags: #BlackLivesMatter; #OscarGrant

The struggle for desegregated schools is often seen as an East Coast issue. On Jan. 5, 1931, however, the principal of the Lemon Grove Grammar School refused to admit Mexican-American and migrant children. The resulting legal case, Roberto Alvarez vs. the Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School District, became the first successful school desegregation court decision in the history of the United States. Cite the values of Voice, Equality, and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking About the Attacks on Critical Race Theory, Critical Race Theory on TikTok, a Student Perspective, and Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice; PBS/Explore San Diego’s Lemon Grove Incident documentary; R.J. Phillips Band’s Lemon Grove ballad; San Diego History Journal’s The Lemon Grove Incident: The Nation’s First Successful Desegregation Court Case; Zinn Education Project’s Lemon Grove Incident; Integrate NYC’s Resources
• Hashtag: #LemonGroveIncident

On this day last year, a violent mob agitated by disinformation — including the words of the president and some congressional members — descended upon the U.S. Capitol building to undermine a democratic election. As we look back at the deadly events of this date, it’s important to remind audiences of our long-term vision moving forward. Uplift the voices of BIPOC leaders and celebrate the resilience of communities who turned out to vote in an election year threatened by voter suppression, White Supremacist violence, and COVID-19. Emphasize the values of Voice, Safety, and Dignity. 

• Messaging and communications tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Moving Forward: Three Ideas for Talking About the Moment and Our Democracy’s Ideals Depend on Our Actions Today; and Black Voters Matter Action Center. 
• Hashtags: #FreedomToVoteAct; #HungerStrike4Democracy

On this day in 1891, folklorist, anthropologist, and author Zora Neale Hurston was born. Hurston is best known for her 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. In her work for the Works Project Administration (WPA), she also documented songs and life histories of interesting, everyday people, including labor conditions. Discuss Hurston’s birthday by citing the values of Voice, Equality, and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice; The Florida Memory Project’s Zora Neale Hurston, the WPA in Florida and the Cross City Turpentine Camps; NCTE High School Literature series’ Zora Neale Hurston in the Classroom
• Hashtag: #ZoraNealeHurston

On this day in 1964, President Lyndon Johnson announced his "The War on Poverty" during his State of the Union address. The legislation that he introduced would create Food Stamps, Medicaid and Medicare, and other anti-poverty programs. Use this anniversary to talk about the successes of these programs and why they are even more urgent today. Cite the values of Economic Security and Community. 

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Shifting the Narrative: Six Case Studies, episode 2 of our podcast, "On Poverty: The Power of The Camera," Power of Pop: What TV Gets Wrong About Getting By, Talking About Poverty & Economic Opportunity Today: Three Core Pillars; Shifting the Narrative on Poverty and A Window of Opportunity II: Analysis Public Opinion on Poverty; Poor People's Campaign's The Souls of Poor Folk Audit
• Hashtag: #WarOnPoverty; #poorpeoplescampaign

On this day in 1811, 500 enslaved Africans, representing 50 different nations with 50 different languages, revolted and fought against U.S. troops and militias not just for their own emancipation, but to end slavery. The ultimate goal of the “German Coast Uprising” (as it came to be known) was to create an independent Black republic with New Orleans as its capital. Artist Dread Scott organized a Slave Rebellion Reenactment as a profound “what if?” story for freedom.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking About the Attacks on Critical Race Theory and Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice; Slave Rebellion Reenactment’s Resources
• Hashtags: #GermanCoastUprising; #SlaveRebellionReenactment

Human Trafficking Awareness Day is an opportunity to draw more attention to forced labor, debt bondage, involuntary servitude, and sex trafficking affecting thousands of men, women, and children in the U.S. and around the world. This year's commemoration comes roughly a month after VICE News reported on one of the largest investigations of "modern-day slavery" impacting migrant laborers in South Georgia. Refer to the values of Voice, Economic Security, and Equality when discussing human trafficking.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Sex Workers Rights, Workers Rights, & Human Trafficking; Freedom Network USA’s Rights-Based Approach to Combating Human Trafficking; Ethical Journalism Network’s Media and Trafficking in Human Beings Guidelines; Catholic Relief Services’ Turn on the Light
• Hashtags: #HumanTraffickingAwarenessDay; #HumanTrafficking

On this day in 1919, Prohibition was legalized with the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. Today, we view this period as a wasteful, punitive and ill-conceived intrusion on the lives of Americans. This era is often noted in conversations about the need for criminal justice reform and more humane drug policies that center equity and emphasize harm reduction. Use this anniversary to discuss how far our nation has come in upholding the values of Redemption and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Beyond Policing and Americans Support Prevention, Rehabilitation and Reintegration and Eliminate the Criminalization of Public Health Issues; The Drug Policy Alliance’s About the Drug War; Center for American Progress’ Ending the War on Drugs; PBS and Ken Burns’ Prohibition documentary
• Hashtags: #18thAmendment; #harmreduction; #nomoredrugwar

On this day in 1893, U.S. Marines overthrew the independent indigenous kingdom of Hawai`i and subsequently arrested Queen Lili`uokalani. American business leaders and the children of missionaries wanted the islands to be annexed by the United States. Pres. William McKinley authorized the annexation five years later. It’s important to discuss this anniversary as part of the United States' larger history of violating Indigenous peoples’ rights. Cite the values of Voice, Economic Security, and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: Na Maka o ka `Aina’s Act of War: The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Nation; The Opportunity Agenda’s Standing Rock, Ferguson or Mexican Border, ‘We Are All Related; IllumiNative’s Reclaiming Native Truths and Change the Story toolkit;
• Hashtag: #QueenLiliuokalani

Today we also celebrate the birthday and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This federal holiday is a great opportunity to talk about the ongoing struggle for racial justice in the United States by citing the values of Equality, Community, and Economic Security.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Lessons for Talking About Race; Talking About Race and The First Step Act, and What He Means to Me: Dr. King’s Legacy; International Documentary Association's Documentaries to Watch: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Hashtags: #MLKDay

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Today is the National Day of Racial Healing, an opportunity for people, organizations and communities across the United States to “forge deep, meaningful relationships, lay the groundwork to transform broken systems” and create change. Visit W.K. Kellogg Foundation's dedicated event website for conversation guides and toolkits tailored to students, philanthropy, business leaders and more. Cite the values of Community, Equality, and Economic Security on this day.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism, and Racial Justice.
• Events and Resources: In light of the pandemic, there are many activities, events, tools, and resources offered for virtual participation.
• Hashtag: #HowWeHeal

Today the Sundance Film Festival begins (virtually and through select in-person locations throughout the country), where many new documentaries and films focused on social justice issues will premiere. These films can have remarkable influence on social narratives about immigration, poverty, and criminal justice. Amidst all the buzz, be sure to refer to the values of Voice, Community, and Economic Security. 

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Power of Pop: What TV Gets Wrong About Getting By, The Case of the Cultural Influencers, Power of POP - Media Analysis of Representations of Immigrants in Popular TV Shows; and AndAction’s Pop Culture Works
• Hashtags: #Sundance

On this day in 1973, the Supreme Court upheld the “right to privacy” in the case of Roe v. Wade, protecting a pregnant woman's right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. Nearly 50 years later, reproductive justice faces significant threats, from Texas' SB8 to the pending Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. When talking about this anniversary, cite the values of Economic Security, Voice, and Equality.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Tips for Putting Intersectionality into Practice and our general advice for Talking About the Supreme Court; Sister Song’s What is Reproductive Justice?; NARAL’s Reproductive Rights are Human Rights; National Women’s Law Center’s NWLC Joins Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Case Challenging Texas SB 8 Abortion Ban; Center for American Progress’ State Abortion Legislation in 2021.
• Hashtags: #BansOffOurBodies; #LiberateAbortion; #AbortionIsEssential; #RoeVWade

Today is the birthday of Edward Verne Roberts, who was a pioneering advocate for people with disabilities. Many consider him the “father of independent living.”  Use the anniversary to discuss how public benefits help people with disabilities. Use the values of Equality and Economic Mobility.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Opportunity Impact Statement - Expanding the American Dream; 99% Invisible podcast’s Curb Cuts; The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' Medicaid Work Requirements Don’t Protect People With Disabilities
• Hashtags: #ADA; #SaveMedicaid

On this day in 2019, the Trump administration announced implementation of the “Migrant Protection Protocols” (better known as the "Remain in Mexico" policy) for asylum-seekers arriving at the U.S./Mexico border. In December, the Biden administration reached an agreement with Mexico to restart the program and has continued to employ the controversial Title 42 law to rapidly expel people seeking asylum at our border. Combined, these practices offend our legal and moral obligations to protect human rights through providing safe, effective processes for people to seek protection before immigration judges. Cite the values of Voice, Equality, and Community on this date.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda's 4 Tips to Keep the Border Conversation on What Really Matters; Latin America Working Group's Graphic: What is going on at the U.S.-Mexico Border?; The American Civil Liberty Union Border Humanity Project's Know Your Rights resources and Asylum and Detention FAQs; American Immigration Lawyers Association's America as a Welcoming Nation – The First 100 Days of the Biden Administration; and Hope Border Institute's Disorderly and Inhumane.
• Hashtags: #RestoreAsylumNow; #SaveAsylum; #EndMPP; #Faith4Asylum; and #WelcomeWithDignity

On this day in 1944, civil rights activist, writer, and professor Angela Davis was born. In 1970, the FBI added her to their Ten Most Wanted List based on false charges. After being jailed, she was eventually freed after a national campaign demanded her release. Davis is an outspoken critic of the racial injustice within the criminal court system.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda's Talking About the Attacks on Critical Race Theory and Transforming the System; Democracy Now's Angela Davis on the Prison Abolishment Movement; New York Public Library's video Toni Morrison and Angela Davis talking about Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
• Hashtag: #AngelaDavis 

Today is the anniversary of President Trump’s “Muslim Ban” executive order which barred the entry of nationals and refugees from 11 Muslim-majority nations. The Supreme Court later upheld a similar, updated ban. The Biden administration rescinded the policy as one of its first executive actions following the inauguration, but the date reminds us of our ongoing work to counter xenophobia and replace it with policies and narratives to welcome immigrants and refugees. When discussing this anniversary, cite the values of Voice, Community, and Economic Security.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Messaging Advice on The Supreme Court's Muslim Ban Decision, Power of POP - Media Analysis of Representations of Immigrants in Popular TV Shows, Quick Tips for Talking Immigration Issues, and Five Questions to ask when Crafting Messages about Refugees; Muslim Advocates' transition memo to the Biden Administration.
• Hashtags: #NoMuslimBanEver; #NoBanNoWall