Today is the last day of Eid ul-Fitr, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Eid ul-Fitr is a time for Muslims to celebrate the end of their month-long fast and express gratitude to Allah for the strength and guidance to complete this spiritual practice. This is a time and joyful and festive celebration and community. Check out this list of fun-filled jokes to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr!
This upcoming Saturday is Earth Day. It’s important to recognize during this Earth Day that the climate crisis in the United States disproportionately affects Black folk. According to Pew Research Center, 57% of Black people say that environmental issues are a big problem in their local area — more than any other racial or ethnic group. Environmentalism shouldn’t exclude Black people, and Maya Richard-Craven tells us why!
Earth Day is just one component of a much larger environmental justice movement led by many Native American communities, who view protecting the environment as essential to their cultural traditions and spiritual practices. For many Native American tribes, the Earth is seen as a living being, and humans are regarded as caretakers of the Earth. Thus, the health and well-being of the environment are directly connected to the survival and prosperity of their communities. Some communities celebrate Earth Day with traditional ceremonies and activities that promote environmental awareness, such as planting trees.
However, it's important to note that Native American perspectives on Earth Day are diverse and varied, as there are over 500 federally recognized tribes in the United States, each with its own unique cultural traditions and beliefs. The PBS Earth Month Playlist: Documentaries Centering Indigenous Voices highlights the unique and multifaceted perspectives of various Native groups.
Plant Shopping may be one of the easiest ways to celebrate Earth Day! Studies have shown that interacting with indoor plants can actually reduce psychological and physiological stress.
Each week, we like to honor the Black Women & Femmes Changing our World, especially during Autism Awareness Month! This week we are spotlighting Dr. Sam Rae. Dr. Sam is the CEO & Founder of DSRD Consultanting & Creator of DEI Blueprint. She is also a leading advocate for Autism Awareness. Learn more about how she positively impacts the world at her company website.