Monsoon's violence prevention program
Monsoon’s Violence Prevention Program is led by Youth Coordinator Audri Lu-Uhlken and Peer-to-Peer Youth Advocate and Outreach Interns Animesh Joshi and Connor Liu.
The Violence Prevention Program mission is to prevent gender-based violence by educating and empowering peers through outreach and workshops. Through internships, in-school and after-school programs, and community events, the Violence Prevention Team has been able to increase awareness about sexual assault, dating violence and other forms of gender-based violence.
Monsoon’s Violence Prevention Program is led by Youth Coordinator Audri Lu-Uhlken and Peer-to-Peer Youth Advocate and Outreach Interns Animesh Joshi and Connor Liu.
The Violence Prevention Program mission is to prevent gender-based violence by educating and empowering peers through outreach and workshops. Through internships, in-school and after-school programs, and community events, the Violence Prevention Team has been able to increase awareness about sexual assault, dating violence and other forms of gender-based violence.
respect people's pronouns: a psa written and produced by participants of the summer school of youth activism
"Go back", A message to all americans?
By Yahriel Salinas-Reyes of the Monsoon Violence Prevention Team
“Very good people”, “S*#t hole countries”, “Make America Great Again”, and most recently “Go back to where you came from”: One of President Trump’s tweets has once again been plastered across news headlines.
The latest tweet was directed at the “Squad”, also known as Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, are known as progressive and outspoken newcomers in Congress who challenge Trump’s every move and generally stand on the side of human rights. Now what else would give Trump a reason to post a tweet filled with malice? Well, many say that is has to do with the fact that all these representatives are not only women, but women of color.
To provide some rationale behind the incident, we believe that Trump (a privileged white man) felt intimidated and dominated by these women. Trump’s core strategy and power comes from patriarchal dominance. Moreover, he felt threatened by multiple people of color. His need for dominance and desire for more divisiveness are at the root of this violent attack.
Now that we can understand some of the root causes of the cyber attack, we need to understand the effects of it. It is obvious that the tweet created controversy and caused conflict between the political parties, and has furthered the social polarization amongst the people. Politicans on both aisles have decried Trump’s statements as xenophobic, and more vocal critics have called them racist, hateful, and an example of opressive behaviour. On top of that, this represents white supremacy, power over women and people of color, and nativist/colonizer language.
Here’s the kicker: All of these women are U.S. citizens, and most of them were born in the country. Omar, a naturalized citizen from Somalia. Ocasio-Cortez, a Latina from the Bronx who made a name for herself out of nothing (i.e. the American Dream). Pressley, an African American/Black woman born in Ohio who was the first black City Council Member elected in Boston. Tlaib, a Palestinian-American born in Michigan, was the first Muslim member of the Michigan Legislature. All of these people who are committed to public service to this country have been shamed by our president. What kind of values are we truly conveying as a country if we tolerate this kind of treatment?
Imagine growing up, a child of immigrants and citizen of the United States. Observing your parents paying taxes, partaking in community service, helping those in need, and more. Imagine that you became inspired to follow in your parents footsteps, so you now serve your community. And yet, you are told by others to “go back to where you came from”, whereas others are welcomed, and those people seem to look more like each other than resemble you. There are many children in this country who can relate to these representatives as minorities. What impression are they gaining when the President of the United States is telling people like them to “go back”, even though they are not just citizens but valued members of our society? That they are not welcomed? That they are not “real Americans” and therefore deserve to be viewed with suspicion and treated as an outsider? The U.S. was founded by immigrants and is supposed to be a land of the free, and that freedom is intended for all. But do our actions match our values?
“Very good people”, “S*#t hole countries”, “Make America Great Again”, and most recently “Go back to where you came from”: One of President Trump’s tweets has once again been plastered across news headlines.
The latest tweet was directed at the “Squad”, also known as Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, are known as progressive and outspoken newcomers in Congress who challenge Trump’s every move and generally stand on the side of human rights. Now what else would give Trump a reason to post a tweet filled with malice? Well, many say that is has to do with the fact that all these representatives are not only women, but women of color.
To provide some rationale behind the incident, we believe that Trump (a privileged white man) felt intimidated and dominated by these women. Trump’s core strategy and power comes from patriarchal dominance. Moreover, he felt threatened by multiple people of color. His need for dominance and desire for more divisiveness are at the root of this violent attack.
Now that we can understand some of the root causes of the cyber attack, we need to understand the effects of it. It is obvious that the tweet created controversy and caused conflict between the political parties, and has furthered the social polarization amongst the people. Politicans on both aisles have decried Trump’s statements as xenophobic, and more vocal critics have called them racist, hateful, and an example of opressive behaviour. On top of that, this represents white supremacy, power over women and people of color, and nativist/colonizer language.
Here’s the kicker: All of these women are U.S. citizens, and most of them were born in the country. Omar, a naturalized citizen from Somalia. Ocasio-Cortez, a Latina from the Bronx who made a name for herself out of nothing (i.e. the American Dream). Pressley, an African American/Black woman born in Ohio who was the first black City Council Member elected in Boston. Tlaib, a Palestinian-American born in Michigan, was the first Muslim member of the Michigan Legislature. All of these people who are committed to public service to this country have been shamed by our president. What kind of values are we truly conveying as a country if we tolerate this kind of treatment?
Imagine growing up, a child of immigrants and citizen of the United States. Observing your parents paying taxes, partaking in community service, helping those in need, and more. Imagine that you became inspired to follow in your parents footsteps, so you now serve your community. And yet, you are told by others to “go back to where you came from”, whereas others are welcomed, and those people seem to look more like each other than resemble you. There are many children in this country who can relate to these representatives as minorities. What impression are they gaining when the President of the United States is telling people like them to “go back”, even though they are not just citizens but valued members of our society? That they are not welcomed? That they are not “real Americans” and therefore deserve to be viewed with suspicion and treated as an outsider? The U.S. was founded by immigrants and is supposed to be a land of the free, and that freedom is intended for all. But do our actions match our values?
Pictures from the wash away homelessness laundry drive & fleece blanket workshop. Thanks to all who Made it a success!
We are located at:
4952 Franklin Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
4952 Franklin Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
