We live in a time where information is accessible to almost everyone but can sometimes be confusing to those who don’t know what they are looking for.
We have decided to pick 5 different topics that we think people should be more aware of in order to understand today’s society better.
Of course, these are not the only problems the world is currently facing but it is a start point if you want to pay more attention to what surrounds you.
-
SYSTEMIC RACISM
On the wave of the most recent Black Lives Matter protests and demonstrations, many young people have come to realize that they can have a major role in a much-needed change of perspective on human rights. But, where does this all come from? Racism has always been a society’s issue and year after year it has become systemic.
In other words, it affects every aspect of daily life: wealth, employment, housing, administration, justice, and government.
A few simple facts to prove it: according to the Washington Post the black and white economic divide in the United States is as wide as it was in the 60s while the unemployment rate for black people is twice as high as white unemployment.
Another systemic thing is white privilege: it has become so natural that people don’t even realize anymore. This has to change. These are things we should keep reflecting on and demanding equality for (and not only in North America).
Watch this video for more.
-
MEAT INDUSTRY
What do we eat, really?
By now you should probably know that one of the main reasons for climate change is the consumption of meat on our tables. Meat increases the emission of greenhouse gas and along with animal agriculture is one of the biggest causes of global warming.
What you don’t know is that we don’t really need meat in our diet anymore: often the protein we assume through animal sources is excessive for our bodies, it turns into fat and can bring lots of diseases and inflammations.
Another thing you should keep in mind is the intensive farming and the pollution and suffering it creates: animals in farms often live in horrible conditions and are treated violently and overloaded with antibiotics and chemical products.
This is bad. This is a problem.
Be aware of the meat you buy, of where it comes from and if you can, reduce its assumption: it will not only make you healthier but also contribute to stop this cruelty and save the planet you live in.
More here.
-
TRANSGENDER RIGHTS
The first sex change operations took place in Germany in the 1910s but the word ‘transgender’ is relatively recent and wasn’t coined until the 70s.
Nowadays the people who identify as transsexual still have to fight everyday for their rights, unfortunately.
Did you know that in many states there is an active legislation which obligates transgender people to use the public bathroom corresponding to their sex as assigned at birth?
This is referred to as ‘bathroom bill” and can be very discriminating and dangerous since a large percentage of trans individuals have been verbally or physically attacked in public facilities.
Another issue is employment: many of those who decide for a sex transition are fired when the news comes out and are 34 times more likely to commit suicide than a cisgender person (non-trans), according to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey.
But there may be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel: last year Valentina Sampaio, an openly transgender model, was hired by Victoria’s Secret agency and the Trans Rights Movement is more active than ever in many countries even though there’s still much to do and to understand.
Click here for more.
-
YEMEN HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
Yemen is currently at war. How did it start?
In 2011, after an Arab spring uprising, the authoritarian president Saleh was forced to hand over power to his deputy Hadi.
However, the new government showed weakness from the start and in 2014/2015 Houthi rebellious group tried to take over Sanaa, the capital.
In march 2015 Hadi had to escape the country, but his power was later partially restored by Saudi Arabia and other states (also USA, UK, and France) who fear the influence of Iran on the rebels.
Five years later, the different coalitions are still fighting.
Now the 80% of the population needs humanitarian assistance and protection, over 85000 children died of malnutrition from 2015 to 2018 and over 18 million people don’t have enough clean water or adequate healthcare.
With the outbreak of Covid-19, all of this is getting worse and it is not receiving the media attention it needs.
Read more.
-
PADS MARKET
Lockdowns and quarantine have shaken up the market of tampons and pads around the world.
In India only 15% of women had access to sanitary pads.
Many girls received a monthly supply through their schools and have been left without due to the lockdown.
This and other issues regarding the economy of disposable pads have led to the spread of new sanitary products for women which aim to be sustainable and far cheaper.
One example that is quickly becoming very popular among young girls is the menstrual cup, even though in India it would not be socially accepted because of culture beliefs.
The important thing now is information and awareness on menstruation hygiene: this way every single woman everywhere can have a free choice and deal with her period more easily.
Need to know more? Check this out.
