Knowlitics

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In times of uncertainty, its difficult to know what to do especially when it seems almost impossible to fully show your support and care for every single societal and governmental issue out there. Social media is full of helpful information from petitions to donation pages, but at times seeing all the stories full of information can become overwhelming and lead to a more chaotic method of helping out a cause. In addition, many Americans still receive most of their information from social media, so it was important to us to explain deeper and piece together the many things people are fighting for. This website is made for everyone, to learn about many topics that we see on the news today and the posts we see on social media. The more information available, the more that movements can gain political support as constituent voters can take charge on the knowledge they learn.
Knowledge is power and power is political.

"Children walking on a nearly empty street in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday." Credit: Joseph Odelyn/ Associated Press

An Analysis of haitian despair

Political // July 2021

The assassination of Haitian President Moïse has come as an instigator of further violence, but follows a repeated pattern of crumbling institutions throughout Haiti's history. The question repeatedly has become how to build Haiti's institutions for long term peace, stability, and growth. The answer by powerful nations especially the United States has been to support oftentimes authoritarian like leaders that ignore reasons to build any institutions since the international community continues to send in humanitarian aid amidst signs of trouble. Calls for changing the foreign policy of wealthy and powerful nations toward Haiti have been becoming more and more intense. This analysis from the New York Times offers a point of view and points to a significant problem that developing countries with situations like Haiti's have been facing. Ultimately the response to diminish foreign aid and force a country to stabilize seems to leave a catch 22. Either let the country continue in violence toward stablility or continue to send in humanitarian aid in the hopes that the funds would not further fund corruption and despotism. But, could there be a compromise or an underlying silver lining behind one of these two political maneuvers?

"Palestinian mourners carry the body of Mohammad Kiwan, 17, whose family says was killed in clashes with Israeli police, during his funeral in the Arab town of Umm-al-Fahm, Thursday May 20, 2021. Police say the May 12 shooting is under investigation". Credit: AP Photo/ Mahmoud Illean

Israel, Hamas agree to cease-fire

Political // May 2020

With such a partisan issue, it's difficult to present what happened in the Gaza Strip without expressing deep emotions and concerns over the seemingly perpetual conflict. However, in attempting to reconcile departing views over the issue, reviewing all the facts is essential. Jerusalem is a holy city to both Muslims and Jews. Therefore Palestine and Israel, on the basis of religion argue for equal claim over the region. This quandary over Jerusalem, has led to three previous wars before the recent 11 day war between Hamas and Israel. Most recently Israeli settlers with the backing of the Israeli government have forced Palestinian evictions in the contested area of Sheikh Jarrah prompting the 11 day war. Despite right wing nationalist claims from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's base, facing international pressure, Hamas and Netanyahu reached a ceasefire. This article presents interesting details over the mentality after the war from both groups and the role of the United States in the balance of power between Palestine and Israel.

"Dana Buckles, whose Native name is White Dog, bowed his head in prayer before a buffalo hunt in early November in Montana, a form of thanksgiving." Credit: Tailyr Irvine for The New York Times

A new reflection this thanksgiving

Cultural // NOvember 2020

From the traditional foods feasted upon in Thanksgiving to the origin stories of the holiday told to young children, much of Thanksgiving has glossed over the actual history of Native Americans for the glorification of a myth. Native Americans had their land stolen and forced in inhumane ways, away from their way of life to a life of large suffering currently facing issues like food insecurity, high suicide rates due to depression, and alcoholism. It is important and necessary while reflecting on what we are thankful for, to acknowledge the dark period in American history that engendered the holiday. One quote that stood out was "the true Indigenous wisdom that is behind the philosophy of Thanksgiving — it’s about not taking, but about giving back.” This wisdom that is largely celebrated on Thanksgiving comes from those who had the most taken, yet have large amounts to give in terms of terrestrial knowledge, culture, and history. This article from the New York Times written by Brett Anderson reveals more about the silenced deep roots of Thanksgiving and the points of view from Native Americans.

Simone Leigh and her sculpture “Brick House.” Credit: Michelle Gustafson for The New York Times

History in the making

Cultural // October 2020

In 2022 Simone Leigh will be the first Black woman to represent the United States at Venice Biennale. La Biennale di Venezia or The Venice Biennale is recognized as one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world. Its halls have featured hundreds of talented and revolutionary artist. In two years Leigh will join that group making her historic mark. Leigh's work is a combination of sculptures, installations, and videos, highlighting the beauty and complexity of the Black woman. Click the buttons below to learn more about her work and history.

The Venice Biennale Website

A flag-waving demonstration in Gresham this week. Credit: Mason Trinca for The New York Times

Portland's Hostility between left and right

Social // September 2020

Since the beginnings of the impetus of the Black Lives Matter protests, one of the hotspots for the protests to police brutality and structural racism in the country has been in Portland, Oregon. With the arrival of federal authorities to quell the protests, the chants that the federal authorities were overstepping their rights and using excessive power further fueled the protests. Portland drives Oregon's economy as its largest city, and with the vast economic growth, has driven many generational Portlanders to the suburbs. Portland is heavily liberal, but these suburbs and the people who used to inhabit the city are very much conservative and leaning to voting for Trump in the 2020 election. The tension that much of the state has with the city represents an interesting dichotomy between left and right values of representing those whose voices feel left out or forgotten. To read more on this tension and the interesting geopolitical dynamics of the state surrounding the Portland Protests, read more in the article below from the New York Times.

A general view of the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on Aug. 4. STR/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Tragedy in Lebanon

Social // August 2020

On August 4th 2020 a devastating explosion occurred in Lebanon's capital Beirut. The blast occurred near Beirut's port at 6:07pm. It is believed that the blast was caused by confiscated highly explosive materials that were being stored incorrectly. As of August 5th there are more than 130 confirmed deaths and thousands of reported injuries. This tragedy compounds the healthcare and economic difficulties in Lebanon amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Our hearts here at Knowlitics go out to those effected by this awful event. When even one person experiences tragedy we must use empathy to put ourselves in their position and try to understand what they are feeling. Below we have linked articles you can read to learn more and site you can visit if you are able to donate.
#westandwithLebanon
These blast reference maps were posted by @dimredspectre on twitter to help westerners understand the severity of this event:

What does it mean to be an ally

SOCIAL // JUNE 2020

An ally is defined as a person, group, or nation that is associated with another or others for some common cause or purpose. In today's social climate being an ally involves: recognizing your privilege, advocating for the voiceless, and educating yourself on the issues. There is power in numbers. The world will only change if we unite to change it. If you want to be a better ally click the read more button to explore a guide to allyship written by Amélie Lamont.

Black Students Matter demonstrators march toward the Department of Education on Juneteenth in Washington, DC. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Anti-racism in the classroom

educational // July 2020

This article by Terry Nguyen for Vox features a young high school student named Liana Le who is advocating for diversify in America's education system. Le and her peers have noticed that their reading list only have white authors and their wold history textbooks have a heavily western focus. Non profits like college board and the creators of common core have tried to expand curriculum to include more "ethnic" perspectives, but this problem is deeply rooted in the institution of education in the United States. The lack of diversity extends beyond textbooks and cane bee seen within the staff and student body. With the 2020 resurgence of the black lives matter movement more students are pushing for reform in the education system one state at a time.

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