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Black Lives Matter

Muslims of all backgrounds pray during the 2019 Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

Islam’s anti-racist message from the 7th century still resonates today

By Commentaries/Opinions

The Quran recognizes ‘no superiority of a white person over a black person.’ That notion, radical in 7th-century Arab society of slavery and tribal divides – remains unrealized 1,400 years later. By Asma Afsaruddin — One day, in Mecca, the Prophet Muhammad dropped a bombshell on his followers: He told them that all people are created equal. “All humans are descended from Adam and Eve,” said Muhammad in his last known…

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Protesters cross the Brooklyn Bridge on June 19, 2020 – Juneteenth – in the United States’ third straight week of protest.

George Floyd protests aren’t just anti-racist – they are anti-authoritarian

By Commentaries/Opinions

By Lilian Bobea — The massive protests that erupted across the United States – and beyond – after the police killing of George Floyd are billed as anti-racist mobilizations, and that they are. Demonstrators are denouncing police violence in minority communities and demanding that officers who abuse their power be held accountable. But I see something more in this wave of American protests, too. As a sociologist specializing in Latin America’s human rights movements and…

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A new George Floyd mural in Kenya.

Africa’s literary community is lending its voice to calls for justice for George Floyd

By News & Current Affairs

While not at the same scale as in other countries, some street protests against police brutality in the US have also emerged across Africa. By Yomi Kazeem, Quartz Africa — In Africa, the protests of George Floyd’s murder have gone beyond US embassies and the African Union. For its part, Africa’s literary community is lending its voice to amplify the calls for justice after Floyd’s killing in the hands of a…

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A California bill proposes a reparations committee to redress the nation's past on slavery. Protesters march on East Santa Clara Street in San Jose on May 29, 2020, after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

What happens after George Floyd? California looks to reparations

By Reparations

By Adria Watson, CalMatters — The anger and frustration that flooded more than 20 cities in recent days will likely put pressure on the state to conduct a thorough examination of historic and continued discrimination of African Americans — even as civil unrest continues. Although racism — both institutional and cultural — is a national stain that bleeds hundreds of years deep, some suggest California should account for its share of mistreatment….

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Anti-racist white student at protest against hate speech at the University of a Southern California.

20 Actions White people & non-Black POCs in Corporate (and otherwise) can take to show up for Black People right now

By Commentaries/Opinions

By Michael J.A. Davis — “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time. ” – James Baldwin I had trouble getting out of bed this morning. I abashedly moved my 9 o’clock meeting with my boss to give myself time to rise. I almost did what many Black folks joke about in private, yet often need…

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