Hot Topics Blog
Rethinking the Privilege Walk
Both the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent racial justice protests have highlighted gaping disparities in our country. By now, many of you have likely seen videos of Privilege Walks circulating around social media as a means of illustrating these gaps. The version I have most frequently seen shows a group of people lining up for
Reflections on COVID-19 and PRIDE 2020
Meet Ari. She is currently working 3 jobs to support herself and is grateful there is work available. Meet Miranda. She lost her job but is okay and likes that she has more time to volunteer on a farm. AMAZEworks interviewed two young adults, Ari and Miranda, to learn how they have
A Reflection on George Floyd’s Death: Where do we go from here? From helplessness to action
I am marveling at how much things can change in a week. Just over a week ago, I was preparing to write this note about celebrating PRIDE month in the midst of a pandemic and honoring fathers and father figures for Father’s Day. Both things are still featured in our newsletter this month and are
A Q&A with Neighborhood Forest Founder & Director Vikas Narula
In celebration of Earth Day 2020, AMAZEworks chatted with Vikas Narula, Founder and Director of Neighborhood Forest, a non-profit that provides free trees to elementary-aged children. Over the last 10+ years, Neighborhood Forest has reached over 150 schools and 60,000 families and has planted over 31,000 trees across the U.S. and Canada. In addition to
An Anti-Bias Education Lens on Environmental Justice
“Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. This goal will be achieved when everyone enjoys: the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and equal access
Leaning Into Empathy During COVID-19
As an Asian person from Malaysia, I’ve been following news updates in regards to COVID-19 in other countries outside of the United States for months. Since the outbreak began in the US, I have encountered microaggressions and vitriol on public transit and in other public places. Historically, marginalized groups have been associated with diseases and
Countering “Us. vs. Them” During a Pandemic
“How can you see if your eyes are so small? How can you breathe if your nose is so flat?” I distinctly remember being on the playground at recess when I was in third grade and hearing a few older boys tease me with those taunts as they pulled the corners of their outer eyelids
The Problem with Cultural Voyeurism
At AMAZEworks, we promote listening and dialogue as a means of improving cross-racial and cross-cultural understanding. We believe there is much to be gained from intentional, respectful discourse. However, it is important that we shine a critical lens on the give-and-take dynamics within these discussions and interactions. Too often, the experience and knowledge of marginalized
Let’s do more than just celebrate Black History Month
As we celebrate Black History Month this year, we reflect on the gains we have made towards racial justice, as well as the areas in which we continue to fall short. The equity gaps that remain in this country are deeply problematic and indicative of white Americans’ failure to internalize the difference between being non-racist
