The Power of Diversity

"These Are the Americans Who Live in a Bubble" by Emma Green, The Atlantic

New research suggests that quite a large portion of Americans are living in the absence of diversity. When it comes to race, religion, and political beliefs, many Americans are isolated in units of shared identity. These findings remind us that when it comes to diversifying our communities, there is still much room for improvement.

"The Problem We All Live With" with Nikole Hannah Jones and Ira Glass, heard on This American Life, NPR

Nikole Hannah Jones, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, has spent much of her time researching struggling schools in America. Noticing that the implementation of special programs intended to close the Black-White achievement gap almost never worked, Jones discovered one strategy that cut the gap in half: integration. When Black and White students have the same access to resources, it allows them an equal opportunity to succeed. With a stall in integration, minority children attending segregated schools are falling further behind students in wealthier school systems. But something as simple as diversifying our education structure could bring benefits to students at every school.

 

Slavery and Its Aftermath

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

A “love letter to black life in the United States,” The Undefeated explores the history of slavery, civil rights, and black heroes—both sung and unsung. Taking the form of a poem, this children’s book is powerful and relevant for readers of any age.

"The Case for Reparations" by Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Atlantic

For years, Black individuals in America had their land and belongings stripped away from them with little to nothing in return. Tens of millions of dollars worth of land alone has been taken away by African Americans and is used today for oil drilling, country clubs, and other establishments. Ta-Nehisi Coates makes his case for reparations paid to the descendants of the people who were robbed of everything they had.

 

Water, Equity and Security

"'When the Glaciers Disappear, Those Species Will Go Extinct'" by Henry Fountain, The New York Times

As the planet warms, glaciers in North America and all over the world are melting rapidly, leading to ecosystem disruption and harm to the global environment. These glacial changes are altering water temperature, nutrient levels, and other crucial components of the meltwater that has sustained ecosystems for thousands of years. Glacial extinction will have significant impacts not only on the ecological communities that the water systems feed, but also on drinking water around the world, agricultural productivity, and the energy needed to sustain the planet.

This interactive article helps demonstrate the significance of the severe environmental transformation that we have already begun to witness.

"Mozambique Cyclone Wiped Out the Nation's Food. Now Aid is in Short Supply." by Declan Walsh, The New York Times

Flooding caused by a tropical cyclone in Mozambique depleted much of the country’s agricultural yield—and its main source of food. The southern-African storm claimed homes, towns, and hundreds of lives. And to make matters worse, outside support for the impoverished country has been extremely lacking. The aid it has received has only provided short-term solutions for a disaster that involves long-term problems, including a recent cholera outbreak, the destruction of entire cities, and the imminent threat of nation-wide hunger.

For those who wish to support aid in Mozambique, donations can be made here.

Charity Navigator is another available resource for finding and reviewing various funding organizations. Local donations are also always valued.

 

The Future of Work

"Even In The Robot Age, Manufacturers Need The Human Touch" by Camila Domonoske, NPR

While robotic aid has begun to revolutionize the workplace, the need for human labor endures. The use of robots can be safer and more efficient, but the deftness of the human hand and the insight of the human mind are necessary complements to the work of our mechanical counterparts. This harmony displays the value of a coexistence between robotic and manual labor, while proving that a complete replacement of humans is both unnecessary and unproductive.

"Coding is for Everyone—as Long as You Speak English" by Gretchen McCulloch, Wired

Most programs and social networking sites are available in a variety of different languages. But the code that operates behind the scenes is much more limited. Only four programming languages offer multilingual renditions, leaving most coding lingo exclusive to English speakers. This creates obvious setbacks for those who would like to learn how to code—but don’t know the English language.