Friends,
Earlier this year I read a provocative piece by Charles Blow in the New York Times Opinion section that continues to resonate with me almost daily called “The ‘Wicked Wisdom’ of Ron DeSantis.”
In the article, Charles sheds light on the Florida Governor’s many tactics and strategies to attack marginalized groups on issues where there is already division, “exploiting anti-gay, anti-immigrant, anti-Black sentiments among groups who themselves are exploited, so that they fight one another - or at least don’t fight for one another — rather than throwing more of their energy into fighting him.” He writes that “This well-worn divide-and-conquer strategy has been employed in our politics for centuries, and DeSantis has breathed new life into it.”
This last sentiment, that division and disenfranchisement are political strategies that have been used for centuries and continue to be used by our leaders to this day for the same powerful results - this sentiment, written so simply, yet profoundly, has not been able to leave my mind.
What is old, somehow continues to be new. Why do we continue to let this happen? Why do we continue to let leaders distract us from progress?
This came to mind when I read about what had occurred in the Tennessee State Legislature a few weeks ago. Rather than take action on the issue of gun control to save the lives of school children, Tennessee lawmakers chose to take racist action against their own colleagues, Rep. Pearson and Rep. Jones for breaking rules of decorum by speaking out against gun violence and the state’s failure to address it.
Leaders chose to disenfranchise, suppress, oppress, and distract, instead of take action.
While there was national coverage of this event, leading to the rightful reinstatement of both Representatives - what action has been taken since to protect lives? To move us forward?
This is why EPU was founded and why we continue in our work. The South, and our nation, have for too long been distracted by the strategies of those who want to oppress and divide us. We cannot continue to let this happen. We cannot continue to let this go.
Our future can be one of possibility, opportunity, and equity - but only if we come together and stand up for it. E Pluribus Unum invites you to take a stand with us - out of many, one.
Scott Hutcheson
Executive Director, E Pluribus Unum
In early May, E Pluribus Unum (EPU) announced the fourth cohort of the Unum Fellowship program consisting of ten Southern public and civic sector leaders engaged in work on climate and the environment, who want to deepen their focus on racial equity. Unum Fellows in the Climate and Environmental Justice cohort will be equipped with resources, training, and technical expertise in order to develop and execute an environment-focused Fellowship project through an equity-based lens.
Learn more about the Climate and Environmental Justice Cohort by clicking the button below!
Inequity takes many forms. We know that how communities, especially marginalized communities, across the American South are impacted by the environment and climate is an existential threat that can and must be mitigated by courageous leaders. Through the Climate and Environmental Justice Cohort of the Unum Fellowship, EPU is excited to support Southern leaders across the public and civic sector who are willing to break down systemic barriers and work toward a better, more equitable South and nation for us all.
EPU’s Policy Team continues to actively monitor the progress of policies moving throughout each of the 13 Southern state legislative bodies. Since our last update, five states have adjourned their legislative sessions (Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, and Kentucky), and three states have convened their legislative sessions (Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana).
April's update provides a review of some of the education policies that were introduced in Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, and Kentucky. In honor of Earth Day being celebrated in April, we also provided a summary of some of the bills that we’ve been monitoring related to the climate and environment and their impact on equity in the Southern region.
Click the button below to check out April's Legislative Update!
Policy change continues to be an essential pillar of EPU's work to build a more just and equitable South. Our policy team will keep a close eye on what is happening at the state level across our region to better understand the priorities of the communities we serve, and to provide support and resources where necessary.
In this Oscar-winning short film, cartoonist Carter James' becomes stuck in a time loop while trying to get home to his dog that forces him to relive a deadly run-in with a cop.
Watch HERE.
"DeSantis’s obsession has led him from attacking critical race theory to, now, restricting the teaching of Black history itself...
But there is a secondary layer of strategy that deserves more consideration: how DeSantis, whether intentionally or by happenstance, is attacking marginalized groups on issues where there is division among marginalized groups...
This well-worn divide-and-conquer strategy has been employed in our politics for centuries, and DeSantis has breathed new life into it."
Read more HERE.
In Before the Streetlights Come On, climate activist Heather McTeer Toney insists that those most affected by climate change are best suited to lead the movement for climate justice.
McTeer Toney brings her background in politics, community advocacy, and leadership in environmental justice to this revolutionary exploration of why and how Black Americans are uniquely qualified to lead national and global conversations around systems of racial disparity and solutions to the climate crisis.
Read more HERE.
Questions? Contact us at info@unumfund.org.
