A recent UN probe has delivered a scathing indictment of Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusing the country of deliberately targeting healthcare facilities and personnel as part of a broader assault on the region. The report, released by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry, alleges that Israel is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, including extermination, through its relentless attacks on medical infrastructure and personnel.
The commission, established in 2021 to investigate alleged international law violations in the region, found that Israeli security forces have killed, detained, and tortured medical workers, while also restricting access to healthcare for Gazan civilians. These actions, the report argues, have caused “incalculable suffering” and are contributing to the “destruction of generations of Palestinian children.”
The report also highlights the abuse of Palestinian detainees in Israeli military camps and detention facilities, where thousands, including children, have been subjected to torture, sexual violence, and other forms of mistreatment. The commission found that these abuses were often carried out under direct orders from Israeli officials, and fueled by government statements inciting violence and retribution.
In addition to its findings on Israel’s actions, the report also accuses Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the torture and abuse of Israeli and other hostages held in Gaza. The commission called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
The Israeli government has rejected the findings of the report, accusing the commission of bias and “systematic anti-Israeli discrimination.” However, the report’s findings are likely to add to the growing international pressure on Israel to end its offensive in Gaza and address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The main findings of the UN probe into Israel’s actions in Gaza are:
Deliberate targeting of healthcare: Israel is accused of intentionally attacking healthcare facilities and personnel, leading to the destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system.
War crimes and crimes against humanity: The report alleges that Israel’s actions constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, including extermination, due to the severe impact on the civilian population.
Abuse of Palestinian detainees: The probe found widespread abuse, torture, and sexual violence against Palestinian detainees, including children, in Israeli military camps and detention facilities.
Responsibility of Israeli officials: The report states that the abuse of detainees often occurred under direct orders from Israeli officials and was fueled by government statements inciting violence.
Hamas and Palestinian armed groups also accused: The report also accuses Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the torture and abuse of Israeli and other hostages held in Gaza.
The legal basis for the UN probe into Israel’s actions in Gaza stems from its establishment by the UN Human Rights Council in May 2021. The commission’s mandate is to investigate alleged international law violations in Israel and the Palestinian territories. This implies that the probe is grounded in international humanitarian law and human rights law, which are applicable to the situation in the region.
The UN probe’s findings have several potential implications for the international community:
Increased pressure on Israel: The report’s accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity could lead to greater international pressure on Israel to cease its offensive in Gaza and address the humanitarian crisis. This pressure could manifest through diplomatic channels, economic sanctions, or calls for investigations by international criminal courts.
Calls for accountability and reparations: The report’s documentation of abuses against Palestinian detainees and the destruction of healthcare infrastructure could lead to demands for accountability and reparations for the victims.
Impact on Israeli-Palestinian relations: The report is likely to further strain relations between Israel and Palestine, making the prospect of a peaceful resolution to the conflict even more challenging.
Increased scrutiny of Hamas and Palestinian armed groups: The report’s findings also implicate Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in war crimes, which could lead to increased scrutiny and pressure on these groups to cease their attacks on civilians and release hostages.
Broader implications for international humanitarian law: The report’s findings could have broader implications for the enforcement of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in conflict zones.
The Gullah Geechee people, descendants of enslaved West Africans who settled along the southeastern coast of the United States, have a rich cultural heritage and a deep connection to the land. Their unique language, traditions, and way of life have survived for centuries, despite numerous challenges. However, today, Gullah Geechee communities like the one on Sapelo Island, Georgia, face a grave threat: encroaching development and the erosion of their cultural identity.
Sapelo Island is home to Hogg Hummock, the last intact Gullah Geechee community in the Sea Islands of Georgia. This historic community is now fighting a battle against a new development code that could lead to the displacement of its residents. The code, passed without meaningful input from the islanders, allows for larger and more intensive development, which could drive up property values and taxes, forcing longtime residents out.
This struggle is emblematic of the broader challenges facing Gullah Geechee communities. As developers eye the pristine coastal lands, the pressure to sell ancestral property mounts. The Gullah Geechee people have already been displaced from much of their historical territory, and the remaining communities are fiercely fighting to hold onto what they have.
The fight on Sapelo Island is not just about zoning regulations; it’s about preserving a unique culture and way of life. The Gullah Geechee people have a deep connection to the land and the sea, and their traditions are intertwined with the natural environment. Development threatens not only their homes but also their cultural heritage.
The Southern Poverty Law Center and other advocates – Christopher Bailey, Barbara Bailey and Stanley Walker, intervenors in the Sapelo zoning case – are working to support the Gullah Geechee people in their fight for self-determination and cultural preservation. This includes legal challenges to discriminatory zoning laws and efforts to raise awareness of the Gullah Geechee culture and its significance.
The future of Sapelo Island and other Gullah Geechee communities hangs in the balance. It is imperative that we recognize the historical and cultural importance of these communities and support their efforts to preserve their way of life. The Gullah Geechee people have a rich heritage that is worth protecting, and their struggle is a reminder of the importance of cultural diversity and the right to self-determination.
“For the order and decorum which may prevail here, gentlemen, I look to you. With your assistance and support we shall have harmony, which is essential to our deliberations. The cause which we come here to promote is sacred. Nowhere, in the ‘wide, wide world,’ can men be found coupled with a cause of greater dignity and importance than that which brings us here. We are here to promote the freedom, progress, elevation, and perfect enfranchisement, of the entire colored people of the United States; to show that, though slaves, we are not contented slaves, but that, like all other progressive races of me, we are resolved to advance in the scale of knowledge, worth, and civilization, and claim our rights as men among men. – Frederick Douglas
Syracuse, New York, a city perhaps best known for its eponymous university, holds a significant place in American history that often goes overlooked. 160 years ago, it was the site of a pivotal event in the fight for civil rights: the National Convention of Colored Men. This gathering, held at the former Wesleyan Methodist Church (now the Noble Cellar restaurant), brought together 144 Black delegates from across the nation to discuss and strategize on the most pressing issues of the day, including the abolition of slavery and the recognition of Black Americans as full citizens.
Led by luminaries like Frederick Douglass, the convention produced a powerful “Declaration of Wrongs and Rights,” outlining the injustices faced by Black Americans and demanding their rightful place in society. This document served as a rallying cry for the abolitionist movement and helped lay the groundwork for future civil rights organizations like the NAACP.
The church itself has a rich history, having served as a safe haven for fugitive enslaved people on the Underground Railroad. In the late 1990s, three clay face carvings, believed to have been sculpted by those seeking freedom, were discovered in the church’s basement, further solidifying its connection to this important chapter in American history.
Recently, Syracuse city officials, business owners, and residents gathered to commemorate the 160th anniversary of this historic convention. Mayor Ben Walsh officially proclaimed October 4th as National Convention of Colored Men’s Day, paying tribute to the delegates’ courage and their lasting impact on the fight for equality.
As the nation grapples with ongoing issues of racial injustice and inequality, it’s crucial to remember and honor the legacy of those who fought for a more just and equitable society. The National Convention of Colored Men in Syracuse serves as a powerful reminder of the long and ongoing struggle for civil rights in America, and the importance of continuing to work towards a future where all are truly equal and free.
Julian Assange’s full testimony to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg today:
“Mr. Chairman, esteemed members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, ladies and gentlemen. The transition from years of confinement in a maximum-security prison to standing here before the representatives of 46 nations and 700 million people is a profound and surreal shift. The experience of isolation for years in a small cell is difficult to convey; it strips away one’s sense of self, leaving only the raw essence of existence.
I am not yet fully equipped to speak about what I have endured – the relentless struggle to stay alive, both physically and mentally, nor can i speak yet about the deaths by hanging, murder, and medical neglect of my fellow prisoners. I apologise in advance if my words falter or if my presentation lacks the polish you might expect in such a distinguished forum. Isolation has taken its toll, which I am trying to unwind, and expressing myself in this setting is a challenge. However, the gravity of this occasion and the weight of the issues at hand compel me to set aside my reservations and speak to you directly. I have traveled a long way, literally and figuratively, to be before you today.
Before our discussion or answering any questions you might have, I wish to thank PACE for its 2020 resolution (2317), [https://pace.coe.int/en/files/28508/html…], which stated that my imprisonment set a dangerous precedent for journalists and noted that the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture called for my release. I’m also grateful for PACE’s 2021 statement [https://pace.coe.int/en/news/8446/pace-general-rapporteur-expresses-se…] expressing concern over credible reports that US officials discussed my assassination, again calling for my prompt release. And I commend the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee for commissioning a renowned rapporteur, Sunna Ævarsdóttir, to investigate the circumstances surrounding my detention and conviction and the consequent implications for human rights. However, like so many of the efforts made in my case – whether they were from parliamentarians, presidents, prime ministers, the Pope, UN officials and diplomats, unions, legal and medical professionals, academics, activists, or citizens – none of them should have been necessary.
None of the statements, resolutions, reports, films, articles, events, fundraisers, protests, and letters over the last 14 years should have been necessary. But all of them were necessary because without them I never would have seen the light of day. This unprecedented global effort was needed because of the legal protections that did exist, many existed only on paper or were not effective in any remotely reasonable time frame. I eventually chose freedom over unrealisable justice, after being detained for years and facing a 175 year sentence with no effective remedy. Justice for me is now precluded, as the US government insisted in writing into its plea agreement that I cannot file a case at the European Court of Human Rights or even a freedom of information act request over what it did to me as a result of its extradition request. I want to be totally clear. I am not free today because the system worked. I am free today because after years of incarceration because I plead guilty to journalism. I plead guilty to seeking information from a source. I plead guilty to obtaining information from a source.
And I plead guilty to informing the public what that information was. I did not plead guilty to anything else. I hope my testimony today can serve to highlight the weaknesses of the existing safeguards and to help those whose cases are less visible but who are equally vulnerable. As I emerge from the dungeon of Belmarsh, the truth now seems less discernible, and I regret how much ground has been lost during that time period when expressing the truth has been undermined, attacked, weakened, and diminished. I see more impunity, more secrecy, more retaliation for telling the truth and more self censorship. It is hard not to draw a line from the US government’s prosecution of me – its crossing the rubicon by internationally criminalising journalism – to the chilled climate for freedom of expression now. When I founded WikiLeaks, it was driven by a simple dream: to educate people about how the world works so that, through understanding, we might bring about something better. Having a map of where we are lets us understand where we might go. Knowledge empowers us to hold power to account and to demand justice where there is none. We obtained and published truths about tens of thousands of hidden casualties of war and other unseen horrors, about programs of assassination, rendition, torture, and mass surveillance.
We revealed not just when and where these things happened but frequently the policies, the agreements, and structures behind them. When we published Collateral Murder, the infamous gun camera footage of a US Apache helicopter crew eagerly blowing to pieces Iraqi journalists and their rescuers, the visual reality of modern warfare shocked the world. But we also used interest in this video to direct people to the classified policies for when the US military could deploy lethal force in Iraq and how many civilians could be killed before gaining higher approval. In fact, 40 years of my potential 175-year sentence was for obtaining and releasing these policies. The practical political vision I was left with after being immersed in the world’s dirty wars and secret operations is simple: Let us stop gagging, torturing, and killing each other for a change. Get these fundamentals right and other political, economic, and scientific processes will have space to take care of the rest. WikiLeaks’ work was deeply rooted in the principles that this Assembly stands for. Journalism that elevated freedom of information and the public’s right to know found its natural operational home in Europe. I lived in Paris and we had formal corporate registrations in France and in Iceland. Our journalistic and technical staff were spread throughout Europe. We published to the world from servers in based in France, Germany, and Norway. But 14 years ago the United States military arrested one of our alleged whistleblowers, PFC Manning, a US intelligence analyst based in Iraq.
The US government concurrently launched an investigation against me and my colleagues. The US government illicitly sent planes of agents to Iceland, paid bribes to an informer to steal our legal and journalistic work product, and without formal process pressured banks and financial services to block our subscriptions and freeze our accounts. The UK government took part in some of this retribution. It admitted at the European Court of Human Rights that it had unlawfully spied on my UK lawyers during this time. Ultimately this harassment was legally groundless. President Obama’s Justice Department chose not to indict me, recognizing that no crime had been committed. The United States had never before prosecuted a publisher for publishing or obtaining government information. To do so would require a radical and ominous reinterpretation of the US Constitution. In January 2017, Obama also commuted the sentence of Manning, who had been convicted of being one of my sources. However, in February 2017, the landscape changed dramatically. President Trump had been elected.
He appointed two wolves in MAGA hats: Mike Pompeo, a Kansas congressman and former arms industry executive, as CIA Director, and William Barr, a former CIA officer, as US Attorney General. By March 2017, WikiLeaks had exposed the CIA’s infiltration of French political parties, its spying on French and German leaders, its spying on the European Central Bank, European economics ministries, and its standing orders to spy on French industry as a whole. We revealed the CIA’s vast production of malware and viruses, its subversion of supply chains, its subversion of antivirus software, cars, smart TVs and iPhones. CIA Director Pompeo launched a campaign of retribution. It is now a matter of public record that under Pompeo’s explicit direction, the CIA drew up plans to kidnap and to assassinate me within the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and authorized going after my European colleagues, subjecting us to theft, hacking attacks, and the planting of false information.
My wife and my infant son were also targeted. A CIA asset was permanently assigned to track my wife and instructions were given to obtain DNA from my six month old son’s nappy. This is the testimony of more than 30 current and former US intelligence officials speaking to the US press, which has been additionally corroborated by records seized in a prosecution brought against some of the CIA agents involved. The CIA’s targeting of myself, my family and my associates through aggressive extrajudicial and extraterritorial means provides a rare insight into how powerful intelligence organisations engage in transnational repression. Such repressions are not unique. What is unique is that we know so much about this one due to numerous whistleblowers and to judicial investigations in Spain. This Assembly is no stranger to extraterritorial abuses by the CIA. PACE’s groundbreaking report on CIA renditions in Europe exposed how the CIA operated secret detention centres and conducted unlawful renditions on European soil, violating human rights and international law.
In February this year, the alleged source of some of our CIA revelations, former CIA officer Joshua Schulte, was sentenced to forty years in prison under conditions of extreme isolation. His windows are blacked out, and a white noise machine plays 24 hours a day over his door so that he cannot even shout through it. These conditions are more severe than those found in Guantanamo Bay. Transnational repression is also conducted by abusing legal processes. The lack of effective safeguards against this means that Europe is vulnerable to having its mutual legal assistance and extradition treaties hijacked by foreign powers to go after dissenting voices in Europe. In Mike Pompeo’s memoirs, which I read in my prison cell, the former CIA Director bragged about how he pressured the US Attorney General to bring an extradition case against me in response to our publications about the CIA. Indeed, acceding to Pompeo’s efforts, the US Attorney General reopened the investigation against me that Obama had closed and re-arrested Manning, this time as a witness. Manning was held in prison for over a year and fined a thousand dollars a day in a formal attempt to coerce her into providing secret testimony against me. She ended up attempting to take her own life. We usually think of attempts to force journalists to testify against their sources.
But Manning was now a source being forced to testify against their journalist. By December 2017, CIA Director Pompeo had got his way, and the US government issued a warrant to the UK for my extradition. The UK government kept the warrant secret from the public for two more years, while it, the US government, and the new president of Ecuador moved to shape the political, legal, and diplomatic ground for my arrest. When powerful nations feel entitled to target individuals beyond their borders, those individuals do not stand a chance unless there are strong safeguards in place and a state willing to enforce them. Without them no individual has a hope of defending themselves against the vast resources that a state aggressor can deploy. If the situation were not already bad enough in my case, the US government asserted a dangerous new global legal position. Only US citizens have free speech rights. Europeans and other nationalities do not have free speech rights. But the US claims its Espionage Act still applies to them regardless of where they are. So Europeans in Europe must obey US secrecy law with no defences at all as far as the US government is concerned. An American in Paris can talk about what the US government is up to – perhaps. But for a Frenchman in Paris, to do so is a crime without any defence and he may be extradited just like me.
Now that one foreign government has formally asserted that Europeans have no free speech rights, a dangerous precedent has been set. Other powerful states will inevitably follow suit. The war in Ukraine has already seen the criminalisation of journalists in Russia, but based on the precedent set in my extradition, there is nothing to stop Russia, or indeed any other state, from targeting European journalists, publishers, or even social media users, by claiming that their secrecy laws have been violated. The rights of journalists and publishers within the European space are seriously threatened. Transnational repression cannot become the norm here. As one of the world’s two great norm-setting institutions, PACE must act. The criminalisation of newsgathering activities is a threat to investigative journalism everywhere. I was formally convicted, by a foreign power, for asking for, receiving, and publishing truthful information about that power while I was in Europe.
The fundamental issue is simple: Journalists should not be prosecuted for doing their jobs. Journalism is not a crime; it is a pillar of a free and informed society. Mr Chairman, distinguished delegates, if Europe is to have a future where the freedom to speak and the freedom to publish the truth are not privileges enjoyed by a few but rights guaranteed to all then it must act so that what has happened in my case never happens to anyone else. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to this assembly, to the conservatives, social democrats, liberals, leftists, greens, and independents – who have supported me throughout this ordeal and to the countless individuals who have advocated tirelessly for my release. It is heartening to know that in a world often divided by ideology and interests, there remains a shared commitment to the protection of essential human liberties. Freedom of expression and all that flows from it is at a dark crossroad. I fear that unless norm setting institutions like PACE wake up to the gravity of the situation it will be too late.
Let us all commit to doing our part to ensure that the light of freedom never dims, that the pursuit of truth will live on, and that the voices of the many are not silenced by the interests of the few.”
In a groundbreaking roundtable discussion led by U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, a panel of experts convened to challenge the prevailing narratives surrounding American health and nutrition. The discussion, titled “American Health and Nutrition: A Second Opinion,” delved into the historical and foundational changes within the agriculture, food processing, and healthcare industries that have shaped the current state of national well-being.
The distinguished panel featured a diverse array of thought leaders, including medical professionals, psychologists, nutritionists, and food activists. Participants such as Dr. Casey Means, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Calley Means, Mikhaila Fuller, and Alex Clark shared their insights on the complex interplay between diet, lifestyle, and health outcomes.
Key themes emerged from the discussion, including the urgent need for greater transparency in the food industry, the dangers of processed foods and harmful additives, and the importance of embracing whole, nutrient-dense foods. The experts also highlighted the potential of personalized and preventative healthcare approaches, as well as the critical role of individual empowerment in achieving optimal health.
This roundtable discussion serves as a powerful reminder that the health of the nation is a multifaceted issue requiring a comprehensive and holistic approach. By fostering open dialogue and challenging conventional wisdom, we can pave the way for a healthier and more sustainable future for all Americans.
A Wake-Up Call for the American Healthcare System
Dr. Marty Makary’s speech at the Roundtable has ignited a firestorm of debate on social media, shedding light on the urgent need for reform within the American healthcare system. Dr. Makary, a renowned gastrointestinal surgeon, argues that the system is failing to address the root causes of chronic diseases, focusing instead on “billing and coding” and over-medication.
Key Points from Dr. Makary’s Speech
Focus on Profits Over Patients: Dr. Makary criticizes the healthcare industry for prioritizing profits over patient well-being. He highlights how various stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies and insurance providers, are reaping enormous profits while patients suffer.
Environmental Factors and Chronic Diseases: Dr. Makary emphasizes the role of environmental factors, such as the quality of our food supply, in the alarming rise of chronic diseases. He argues that the healthcare system is neglecting these crucial factors, focusing instead on treating symptoms rather than preventing illness.
Over-Medication and Its Consequences: Dr. Makary expresses deep concern about the over-medication of Americans, particularly children. He links this trend to the deterioration of our food supply and the lack of focus on preventive measures.
The Need for Root Cause Analysis: Dr. Makary calls for a shift in focus towards addressing the root causes of chronic diseases. He advocates for research and initiatives that explore the impact of environmental factors, food quality, and lifestyle on health outcomes.
Call to Action
Dr. Makary’s speech serves as a powerful reminder that the American healthcare system is in dire need of reform. We must prioritize patient well-being, address the root causes of chronic diseases, and promote preventive measures. It is time to reimagine a healthcare system that truly cares for its citizens.
Vani Hari is another important voice in the fight for healthy foods for Americans. Hari is currently petitioning Kellogg to serve Americans the same cereals they offer other countries. You can find her on X: @thefoodbabe | Listen to Hari’s fiery call to action HERE.
Tishomingo Public Schools in Oklahoma has canceled its homecoming activities, including the football game, after a photo of six high school students displaying a racial slur surfaced on social media.
The image, which depicts the students wearing Scrabble tiles to spell out the slur, quickly went viral, prompting widespread condemnation. Superintendent Brandon Moreland issued an apology and condemned the students’ actions, stating that “racism and discrimination, in any form, will never be tolerated or accepted on our campus.”
The school district also cited “safety and security concerns” as a reason for canceling the homecoming events. This decision came after discussions with local law enforcement, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
While some community members on social media claimed the photo was taken as part of a spirit week activity where students were encouraged to wear Scrabble tiles, Moreland did not confirm or deny this in his statement. The school district has not yet responded to requests for further comment.
Moreland emphasized the district’s commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students. He stated that the school administration took swift disciplinary action and contacted the parents of the students involved. However, due to privacy laws, the specific details of the disciplinary measures remain confidential.
This incident has sparked outrage and disappointment within the Tishomingo community. It serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of racism and the importance of promoting respect and understanding in educational institutions.
A History of Racism in American Schools: A Legacy of Segregation and Discrimination
The history of racism in American schools is a long and complex one, deeply intertwined with the broader history of racial injustice in the United States. From the era of slavery through the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, schools have often been battlegrounds for racial equality, reflecting and reinforcing societal prejudices while also serving as crucibles for social change.
Early Segregation and Discrimination:
Pre-Civil War: During the era of slavery, Black people were denied access to education. In the North, where slavery was not openly celebrated, Black schools were segregated and underfunded.
Post-Reconstruction: Following the Civil War, the Fourteenth Amendment guaranteed equal protection under the law, but de facto segregation remained deeply entrenched in American schools. Black schools were often inferior to white schools, with fewer resources and less qualified teachers.
Jim Crow Laws: The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of Jim Crow laws, which legalized racial segregation in all aspects of life, including education. Black students were forced to attend separate schools, which were often overcrowded and dilapidated.
The Civil Rights Movement and Beyond:
Brown v. Board of Education: The landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This decision marked a turning point in the fight for racial equality in education, but the process of desegregation was slow and often met with resistance.
Desegregation Efforts: The decades following Brown v. Board saw a gradual increase in school desegregation, but progress was often uneven. Many districts resisted desegregation, and Black students continued to face discrimination and inequality in schools.
Contemporary Challenges: While significant progress has been made in desegregating schools, racial disparities in education persist. Black students are more likely to attend high-poverty schools with fewer resources and less qualified, and predominantly white teachers. They are also more likely to be suspended or expelled from school.
The History of Racism:
The history of racism in American schools continues to have a profound impact on Black students. They are more likely to experience discrimination, harassment, and microaggressions, which can negatively impact their academic performance and mental health. Addressing these issues requires a multi-pronged approach, including:
Implicit Bias Training: Educators need to be aware of their own implicit biases and how they can impact their interactions with students.
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: Teachers should use teaching methods that are inclusive of all students’ cultures and backgrounds.
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: Schools need to hire more Black educators and create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
The fight for racial equality in American schools is far from over. By acknowledging the history of racism in education and taking steps to address its ongoing terror, we can create a more just and equitable learning environment for all students, and severely punish those who participate in racial hatred.
Tennessee State University (TSU) has a long and proud history as a Historically Black Land-Grant University (HBCU). However, this history is also marked by a legacy of underfunding by the state of Tennessee.
Established in 1912, TSU was created as a result of the federal government’s decision to provide funding for separate land-grant colleges for Black students in states that maintained segregated higher education systems. While these land-grant schools were intended to receive “just and equitable” funding, TSU, like many other HBCUs, has consistently received far less state support than its predominantly white counterparts.
This historical underfunding has had significant consequences for TSU. The university has been forced to operate with limited resources, impacting its ability to provide students with the same level of educational opportunities and facilities as other land-grant institutions.
Recent studies have highlighted the extent of this underfunding. A 2021 analysis by the Tennessee Office of Legislative Budget Analysis found that the state’s failure to match federal research funds to TSU resulted in a shortfall of $151 million to $544 million since 1957. Furthermore, the Biden administration determined that Tennessee had underfunded TSU by a staggering $2.1 billion over the past 30 years, the highest amount of any state in the nation.
While the state has recently allocated $250 million to TSU for infrastructure projects, this funding only begins to address the historical inequities faced by the university. TSU’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing impact of systemic racism and the urgent need for equitable funding for HBCUs across the country.
Josh Paul Former Director, U.S. Department of State. Senior Advisor at DAWN, (DAWN; Founded by Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, DAWN promotes democracy & human rights in the Middle East and North Africa). https://dawnmena.org/
Current US policies towards Israel are damaging to our own national security. In addition to the harms our complicity in Israel’s war on Gaza has done (damaging our credibility, destabilizing the Middle East, increasing threats to our security and military forces, undermining of the rules-based international order to name a few), there are new and further risks resulting from Israel’s recent “pager” attacks in Lebanon.
First, physically implanting explosives is much harder than implanting spyware and damaging malware. Given the integration of Israeli and U.S. tech sectors, this is something that should concern us all. To give just one example, as Eye on Surveillance describes, Israeli surveillance technology being integrated into US city and port security systems (eg, in New Orleans) should raise both privacy and national security concerns, even beyond those associated with broader concerns about the surveillance state. At a time when the US Government is focused on concerns about PRC infiltration of US systems and databases (eg TikTok), turning a blind eye to the threat Israel poses is unwise. In fact, I would say it would be appropriate to think of Israel’s leveraging of its tech sector the same way we think of the PRC’s “Military-Civil Fusion” in which the line between government and the private sector is blurred to the point of meaninglessness (Israel’s intervention in lawsuits concerning the supposedly private sector Pegasus spyware provides another datapoint in this space).
Another concern for the US should be the response of consumers around the world. For years the US has been urging countries to avoid integrating PRC technologies and corporations (eg Huawei) into their national security systems and supply chains. Israel’s operation will have significantly increased distrust of Western hardware and software, particularly in the Global South, making US efforts to pitch alternatives to PRC systems that much harder, again to the detriment of US national security.
As others have noted, these attacks violate international law, including Israel’s commitments under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons which prohibits “booby-traps” that could expose civilians to harm. As Lebanon is a party to the ICC, the (bad-faith) arguments the US has been making regarding Palestine’s legitimacy as a party to the Rome Treaty do not apply here, and I hope the Court will investigate these attacks and pursue charges as appropriate. Should they do so, it would be in America’s own interest to distance ourselves from Israel’s manipulation of the tech sector, by endorsing them.
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act, a landmark piece of legislation that sought to address one of the darkest chapters in American history: the forced internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. This act provided a formal apology and tax-free restitution to those who were unjustly incarcerated, and to their surviving spouses or descendants.
The internment of Japanese Americans was a grave violation of civil liberties, fueled by fear and prejudice. The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 was a significant step towards acknowledging this injustice and providing some measure of reparation to those who suffered. It serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding civil rights and the dangers of unchecked discrimination.
The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 holds significant importance in the broader context of civil rights history as it represents a formal acknowledgment and apology for a grave injustice perpetrated by the U.S. government against a specific ethnic group. By providing reparations, it set a precedent for addressing historical wrongs and recognizing the importance of upholding civil liberties for all, regardless of race or ethnicity. This act serves as a reminder of the dangers of prejudice and discrimination, and the ongoing struggle to ensure equality and justice for all.
In contrast to the justice given to the Japanese American victims of internment, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma has once again denied a petition brought by the last two living survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre. This decision perpetuates a significant miscarriage of justice, as the City of Tulsa was involved in the white supremacist violence that destroyed the Greenwood community and killed hundreds of its residents. Despite the ongoing discovery of victims’ remains in mass graves, the City of Tulsa maintains that the survivors do not deserve restitution.
Reparations for Slavery: Addressing a Historical Injustice
The issue of reparations for slavery has been a topic of ongoing debate in the United States. It centers on the idea of providing compensation to the descendants of enslaved Africans for the immense harm and injustices inflicted upon them and their ancestors.
Proponents argue that reparations are necessary to acknowledge the legacy of slavery and its enduring impact on African Americans, including economic disparities, systemic racism, and intergenerational trauma. They propose various forms of reparations, such as direct payments, educational opportunities, healthcare access, and community development initiatives.
Opponents, however, raise concerns about the practicality and fairness of reparations, questioning who should receive them, how they should be funded, and whether they would truly address the root causes of racial inequality.
Comparing and Contrasting Reparations for Japanese Internment and Slavery
Similarities:
Both represent attempts to address historical injustices perpetrated by the U.S. government against specific groups.
Both involve acknowledging the harm inflicted and providing some form of compensation or restitution.
Both face challenges in terms of determining eligibility, forms of reparation, and addressing the long-term effects of the injustice.
Differences:
Nature of Injustice: Japanese internment was a temporary, albeit traumatic, violation of civil liberties during wartime, while slavery was a centuries-long system of brutal oppression and dehumanization.
Scale of Impact: Slavery affected millions of Africans and their descendants over generations, while Japanese internment affected a smaller, though still significant, number of people.
Form of Reparations: Japanese internment reparations primarily involved monetary compensation and a formal apology, while reparations for slavery encompass a broader range of proposals, including direct payments, educational opportunities, healthcare access, and community development.
Current Status: Reparations for Japanese internment were implemented through the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, while reparations for slavery remain a topic of ongoing debate and have not yet been realized at a national level.
Conclusion:
While both Japanese internment and slavery represent grave injustices in American history, the scale, nature, and lasting impact of each differ significantly. This has led to different approaches and outcomes in the pursuit of reparations. The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 serves as a precedent for acknowledging and addressing historical wrongs, but the debate over reparations for slavery highlights the complexities and challenges of redressing the deep-seated legacy of this institution.
While the debate continues, the call for reparations for slavery highlights the deep-seated wounds of the past and the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. It serves as a reminder of the need for honest dialogue and meaningful action to address the historical and contemporary effects of slavery.
As part of Passport Month, the US State Department has announced a new online passport renewal process, streamlining the process for eligible applicants. This new system eliminates the need for paper applications, mailed checks, and in-person appointments, offering a more convenient and efficient way to renew passports.
“U.S. passport renewal just got easier! We’ve fully launched our Online Passport Renewal (OPR) system. You can skip the printing and mailing. Renew from the comfort of your home (couch!) completely online, 24/7. It’s secure, convenient, and ready for you to use. See if you qualify to renew with OPR at http://travel.state.gov/renewonline.”
Eligibility
To utilize this new online system, applicants must meet specific criteria:
Be a US citizen and resident aged 25 or older.
Possess a previous passport that was valid for 10 years and is not lost or stolen (expired passports are acceptable).
Not be changing their name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth on the new passport.
Reside in a US state or territory.
Be applying for a regular tourist passport.
Process
The online renewal process involves creating an account on the State Department’s website, entering previous passport information, and uploading a recent digital photo that adheres to specific guidelines. Payment for the renewal fee can be made online using a debit or credit card.
Benefits
This new online system offers numerous benefits, including:
Greater convenience and efficiency for eligible applicants.
Reduced processing time compared to traditional renewal methods.
Elimination of the need for paper applications, mailing, and in-person appointments.
Ability to upload a digital photo from a smartphone, eliminating the need for professional photo services.
Impact
The State Department anticipates that this new online renewal system will significantly impact passport processing, with an estimated 5 million Americans expected to utilize it annually. The system is a major step towards modernizing and streamlining the passport renewal process, making it easier and more accessible for US citizens.
