5 vital stories you need to read this week
From the classrooms of Tennessee to the prisons of Mississippi, here are five stories of marginalized communities around the world you need to read this week.
Tennessee is set to ban Pride and BLM flags in classrooms
Tennessee lawmakers are set to pass a bill that would limit the type of flags that can be displayed in public schools, sparking outcry from activists who say the measure is an attempt to ban Pride and Black Lives Matter flags while also curtailing free speech. HB1605, which advanced to the Senate Thursday, would only allow certain flags in schools, including the U.S. flag, the official Tennessee state flag, and any flag that is protected by the Tennessee Heritage Protection Act.
Mississippi police unconstitutionally jailed people for unpaid fines
Lexington, Mississippi police are jailing people for unpaid fines and neglecting to determine whether they can afford them, according to a U.S. Justice Department investigation.
One-third of Lexington Mississippi’s residents live below the poverty line, said Todd. W. Gee, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi. He added that the Lexington police department “violates the constitution prohibition on wealth based-detention.” Local officials have pledged to work with the U.S. Justice Department in hopes of changing these practices.
Refugees in U.S. Have Contributed Nearly $124B to U.S. Government Budget, New HHS Study Reveals
Refugees and asylees in the U.S. had a net positive impact of $123.8 billion between 2005-2009, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The refugee and asylee population has contributed significantly during a time that was difficult for government finances nationwide. “People forget that these are also people who are coming over and working, starting businesses, inventing things” Rob Moore, an economist who founded Scioto Analysis, said. These contributions have brought in more tax revenue than government spending, per the report.
Minority-owned business agency discriminated against white people, federal judge says
A federal judge in Texas ruled that the Minority Business Development Agency, a government agency created five decades ago to boost the fortunes of minority-owned businesses, discriminated against white people and must now serve all business owners. The ruling marks a continued development in a legal skirmish over diversity, equity, and inclusion policies amidst a conservative movement to abolish affirmative action programs in the public and private sectors.
Court rules Florida’s ‘stop woke’ law restricting business diversity training is unconstitutional
A Florida law called the “STOP WOKE” act that limits diversity and race-based discussions in private workplaces was ruled unconstitutional by a federal appeals court.
“By limiting its restrictions to a list of ideas designated as offensive, the Act targets speech based on its content. And by barring only speech that endorses any of those ideas, it penalizes certain viewpoints — the greatest First Amendment sin,” wrote Circuit Judge Britt C. Grant.
The law, which was pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, prohibits teaching or business practices that contend members of one ethnic group are inherently racist and should “feel guilty” for past actions committed by others.
(Photos from Canva)