google-site-verification=cXrcMGa94PjI5BEhkIFIyc9eZiIwZzNJc4mTXSXtGRM When lightning strikes: Meet the black women at the forefront of today’s labor movement - 360WISE MEDIA
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When lightning strikes: Meet the black women at the forefront of today’s labor movement

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Patricia Johnson-Gibson leads a march with the Service Workers International Union | Photo courtesy of SEIU Local 105

“I am unwavering in my belief that Black women are the wave that lifts all ships,” says Andrea Thornton Bolden, showrunner and executive producer. “It’s not at all a strange sight to see Black women at the forefront of many movements because these are the spaces where we tend to find ourselves. It’s an integral part of who we are.”

Bolden is one of greater than half 1,000,000 individuals who took part in the 2023 labor strike. From Hollywood writers and actors to auto staff and teachers, the growing labor movement has swept the country, with lots of of 1000’s of union staff taking to pickets to fight for higher wages , safer working conditions and greater job security.

I hope to someday tell my future grandchildren that I used to be the captain of a strike that will have been the turning point for the staff’ revolution in America.

Andrea Thornton Bolden

Bolden, a member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), helped lead the union’s picketing as a strike captain at NBC Universal. “The reason this strike was so important to us is because our career was at existential risk,” he explains. “Various media entities wanted to find a way to pay us less using artificial intelligence. They hired smaller and smaller staff to write programs, which meant that fewer and fewer people worked much more and received less pay.”

When lightning strikes: Meet the black women at the forefront of today's labor movement
Andrea Thornton Bolden was a captain during the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strikes.

After 148 days of strike – making it the second longest in the WGA’s 104-year history – the writers reached an agreement with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). They voted overwhelmingly for a three-year contract providing pay increases; regulated use of artificial intelligence in projects; improved staffing and duration provisions; and streaming data transparency was achieved.

“Hitting is a challenge,” Bolden says. “I personally had no training in organizing work, but I used to be ready and willing to do it because I believed in what we were fighting for. “I am proud and hope that one day I will be able to tell my future grandchildren that I was the captain of a strike that may have been the turning point for the workers’ revolution in America.”

Labor organizing has broad roots amongst Black people. One of the earliest examples in the United States is the Atlanta laundresses’ strike of 1881, during which a gaggle of formerly enslaved black laundresses gathered to demand higher compensation. Historically, black labor has shaped the nation and its economy; greater than 140 years after the Atlanta strike, black women remain at the forefront of labor leadership and labor organizing.

For Patricia Johnson-Gibson, advocacy runs in the family. “My late father, Melvin Gorman Sr., was a union employee for the United States Postal Service,” he says. “Because of the experiences he went through, I learned a lot about how relationships can be effective.”

When lightning strikes: Meet the black women at the forefront of today's labor movement
Patricia Johnson-Gibson gathers her colleagues at SEIU 105

During her second term as vp of health take care of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105, Johnson-Gibson worked with 11 other union members on the national bargaining unit and led a three-day strike in Colorado. This strike was part of the largest health care strike in U.S. history, involving greater than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente employees in multiple states, including California, Washington, and Oregon.

America’s healthcare facilities have been dangerously understaffed for years, and the Covid-19 pandemic is making workforce shortages even worse. As Johnson-Gibson states: “This is the worst crisis I even have ever seen in my 26 years at Kaiser. I imagine it’s because they made the decision to stretch people as thin as possible, risking patient care.

[T]The hat fight itself keeps people from sleeping of their cars and running out of housing… Working for a multi-billion dollar organization, something like this could never occur.”

Patricia Johnson-Gibson

About per week after the historic strike, Kaiser Permanente and a coalition of unions reached a landmark tentative agreement that features bonuses, strong outsourcing protections, higher medical advantages for retired staff and a 21 percent wage increase over 4 years. “It’s a huge change because this fight alone is keeping people from sleeping in their cars and not having housing,” Johnson-Gibson says. “Working for a multi-billion dollar organization should never let this happen.”

According to Cornell University’s Labor Action Tracker, there have been roughly 400 strikes in the United States from January 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023. Additionally, in accordance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the union membership rate for black staff remains to be higher than that of staff in every other racial group. The most up-to-date labor actions in the U.S. included the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) strike, during which public school teachers like Angela Bonilla fought for weeks for smaller class sizes, higher wages, safer working conditions and higher mental health supports for college students.

When lightning strikes: Meet the black women at the forefront of today's labor movement
Angela Bonilla became the first Afro-Latina president of the Portland Association of Teachers

Bonilla is from the Bronx and joined PAT in the 2016-17 school yr as an educator. Since then, she has climbed the union ladder. In 2022, she was elected the organization’s first Afro-Latina president. “Every school I worked at had a really strong union culture,” she says. “When I felt powerless at work, I turned to union work because that was where the power was.”

After several months of negotiations with Portland Public Schools (PPS) and little progress made, PAT members went on strike for the first time in the group’s 30-year history. “We went on strike because our students deserve more than they got,” Bonilla explains. “We are fed up with rats and mold in our schools, asbestos tiles in classrooms falling on children’s heads, and extreme heat due to a lack of air conditioners.”

“History matters; we are only here because of all the work that lies ahead of me.”

Angela Bonilla

The teachers’ strike began on November 1, 2023. Nearly 4 weeks later, PAT and PPS reached a preliminary agreement and successfully ratified a three-year contract. In addition to recent class size restrictions and higher mental health support for college students, it provides, amongst other things, a cumulative 13.75% increase in teacher living costs.

“History matters; we are only here because of all the work that awaits me,” says Bonilla. “When we are here to fight for our children, we will make sure we get great public schools for every student. We are simply grateful for the support our families and communities have given us because it keeps us going.”

The earlier organizing work Bonilla mentions sets a precedent for today’s labor leaders. When segregation and racial discrimination excluded blacks from some of the strongest labor unions in America, black women union leaders took matters into their very own hands, forming their very own organizations. Unfortunately, labor market inequality persists, and Black women proceed to be disproportionately affected by the pandemic, are overrepresented in low-wage jobs, and are negatively impacted by race and gender pay gaps. Nevertheless, history has shown that change is feasible through unionization, collective motion and employee solidarity.

Given ongoing challenges in the labor market, Black women remain the backbone of the labor movement and proceed to steer today’s struggles for economic justice. “The recent strikes have sent a clear message that people want to fight and stick together because we want to do the right thing on behalf of the people who run these industries,” Johnson-Gibson says. “We are the faces of the people on the front lines – no one ever sees the CEO. I think it’s time for people to pay attention to the labor movement. They were here. We’re not going anywhere.”

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

A tax on sugary drinks could make us healthier. It’s time for Australia to introduce one

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Sweet drinks cause weight gain and increase the danger quite a few diseases, including diabetes.

The the evidence shows that well-designed taxes can reduce sales of sugary drinks, push people to select healthier options, and prompt manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of their drinks. And although these taxes have only been in place for a brief time, there are already signs that they’re making people healthier.

It’s high time Australia caught up with the remainder of the world and introduced a tax on sugary drinks. As our latest Grattan Institute report because it shows, this could mean the common Australian drinks almost 700 grams less sugar a yr.

Sweet drinks make us sick

Since 1980, the share of adults in Australia affected by obesity has tripled, from 10% to over thirty%and diabetes is ours the fastest growing chronic condition. The costs to the health care system and the economy are measured in billions of dollars every year. However, the best costs are borne by individuals and their families in the shape of illness, suffering and premature death.

Sugary drinks are a giant a part of the issue. The more we drink, the greater the danger of their occurrence put on weight, development of type 2 diabetesand suffering poor oral health.

These drinks contain no nutrients but are high in sugar. The average Australian consumes it 1.3 times the utmost really useful amount of sugar per day. Sugary drinks account for greater than 1 / 4 of our day by day sugar intake, greater than every other major food.

You could also be shocked by the quantity of sugar you drink. Many 375 ml cans of sentimental drinks contain 8 to 12 teaspoons of sugar, which is nearly your complete really useful day by day limit for an adult. Many 600 ml bottles blow our entire day by day sugar budget after which some.

600 ml of a soft drink exceeds the really useful day by day limit.
Grattan Institute

The situation is even worse for disadvantaged Australians, who’re more vulnerable to this example diabetes AND obesityand who also devour probably the most sugary drinks.

Taxes on sugary drinks work

Fortunately, there may be a proven way to reduce the damage attributable to sugary drinks.

More than 100 countries introduce a tax on sugary drinks covering nearly all of the world’s population. Tests shows that these taxes lead to higher prices and fewer purchases.

Some taxes are intended to encourage manufacturers to change recipes and reduce the sugar content of their drinks. Under these “tiered taxes” there is no such thing as a tax on low-sugar drinks, however the tax increases by two or thrice as the quantity of sugar increases. This gives producers a robust incentive to add less sugar, thereby reducing their exposure to the tax or avoiding it altogether.

This is one of the best results of introducing a tax on sweetened drinks. This means drinks grow to be healthier and tax is kept to a minimum.

Soft drinks in the store refrigerator
Manufacturers have an incentive to use less sugar.
Erik Mclean/Pexels

In countries with tiered taxes, manufacturers have reduced the sugar content of their drinks. In the UK, the share of products exceeding the tax threshold dropped dramatically. In 2015, over half (52%) of products within the UK exceeded the tax threshold of 5 grams of sugar per 100 ml. Four years later, when the tax was in force, this share dropped to 15%. The variety of products containing probably the most sugar – over 8 grams per 100 ml – dropped probably the most, from 38% to just 7%.

The Australian drinks market today looks similar to the UK before the tax was introduced.

As you possibly can see within the third chart, the sugar content in drinks within the UK dropped dramatically after the introduction of the tax.
Grattan Institute

The health advantages take time to materialize, but there are already encouraging signs that taxes are working. Obesity amongst school-age girls has decreased Great Britain AND Mexico.

Oral health has also improved, with studies showing that fewer children go to hospital for tooth extraction Great Britainand reducing tooth decay in Mexico AND Philadelphia.

One research from the United States found a big reduction within the incidence of gestational diabetes in cities with a tax on sugary drinks.

A tax Australia should introduce

Similar to effective taxes abroad, Australia should introduce a sugary drinks tax that can goal drinks that contain probably the most sugar:

  • Beverages containing 8 grams or more of sugar per 100 ml ought to be subject to a tax of $0.60 per liter
  • drinks weighing 5-8 grams ought to be taxed at $0.40 per liter
  • drinks containing lower than 5 grams of sugar ought to be tax-free.

This implies that 250 ml of Coke, which accommodates almost 11 grams of sugar per 100 ml, will cost $0.15 more. But in fact consumers could avoid the tax by selecting a sugar-free soft drink or bottle of water.

Grattan Institute modeling shows that under this tiered tax, Australians would drink around 275 million liters less of sugary drinks a yr, equivalent to the amount of 110 Olympic swimming pools.

A man looks at the label of a drink
The more sugar, the upper the tax ought to be.
Teguh Sugi/Pexels

The tax concerns health, but government budgets also profit from it. If launched today, it will raise about half a billion dollars in its first yr.

Interest groups akin to the beverage industry fiercely oppose taxes on sugary drinks world wide, issuing disingenuous warnings in regards to the risks to poor people, the sugar industry and beverage producers.

However, our latest report shows that taxes on sugary drinks have been implemented successfully overseas and none of those concerns should hold Australia back.

We definitely cannot rely on industry guarantees to voluntarily reduce sugar consumption. They were weak and misleading and failed to stick.

Many policies and interventions are needed to reverse the tide of obesity and chronic disease in Australia, but a tax on sugary drinks ought to be a part of the answer. It’s a policy that works, is simple to implement and applies to nearly all of Australians Support it.

The federal government should show it’s serious about solving Australia’s biggest health problems and take this small step towards a healthier future.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

7 creative tequila cocktails for Cinco De Mayo

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(*7*)

Plane

Happy Cinco de Mayo! It’s time to rejoice. What higher solution to toast to a spirited holiday than with unique and attractive tequila cocktails? To enable you to entertain your guests, we have prepared seven craft cocktails and recipes for you to try. We’ve got the whole lot for you, from classic margaritas to Sunrise tequila and Paloma!

Scroll all the way down to take notes.

classic margarita: :

Kick off your Cinco de Mayo celebration with a timeless classic – the margarita! Mix a batch of margaritas using DeLeón Blanco tequila, fresh lime juice and triple sec. Shake with ice, strain into glasses with salt and garnish with a lime wedge for a refreshing and spicy cocktail that your guests are sure to enjoy.

DeLeón Paloma: :

Give the classic Paloma cocktail a twist through the use of DeLeón Blanco Tequila as the bottom spirit. Combine tequila with grapefruit soda, fresh lime juice and a splash of sparkling water for a sparkling and citrusy refreshment perfect for sipping on a hot Cinco de Mayo afternoon. Serve over ice with a slice of grapefruit for extra flavor.

Sunrise with Tequila: :

Brighten up your Cinco de Mayo celebrations with a vibrant Tequila Sunrise cocktail made with DeLeón Blanco tequila. Place tequila, orange juice and grenadine in a glass for a shocking sunrise effect. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry for a visually stunning cocktail that tastes pretty much as good because it looks.

Spicy Margarita: :

Add some warmth to your Cinco de Mayo celebration with a spicy margarita made with DeLeón Blanco tequila. In a shaker, crush jalapeño slices with fresh lime juice, then add tequila, triple sec and ice. Shake well, strain right into a glass with ice and garnish with a jalapeño slice for an additional boost of flavor. This fiery cocktail will certainly boost your fiesta!

Additional recipes:

Watermelon Margarita

Ingredients

  • 2-piece Cristalino reserve plane
  • 2 parts fresh lime juice
  • 2 parts crushed watermelon slices
  • 1 part agave nectar
7 creative tequila cocktails for Cinco De Mayo

Preparation

  • Cut the watermelon pulp into small cubes and add to the blender. Mix until smooth.
  • Then take a shaker and add ice cubes, followed by 2 ounces of premium Avión Silver tequila, fresh lime juice and agave nectar.
  • Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.
  • Then strain the mixture through a nice strainer over the blended watermelon juice in a glass stuffed with ice cubes.
  • Mix well to mix all of the flavors.
  • For an additional boost of flavor, add just a little salt to the rim of your glass before pouring your cocktail.
  • Decorate with watermelon slices

Sour plane

Ingredients

  • 1.5 parts Reserve plane 44
  • ½ part lemon juice
  • 1 part orange juice
  • 1 fresh egg white
  • ¼ a part of agave syrup
  • Orange peel for decoration
  • Edible flowers for decoration
7 creative tequila cocktails for Cinco De Mayo

Preparation

  • In a cocktail shaker, add all ingredients
  • Put the lid on and shake dry without ice for about 20 seconds.
  • Add ice and shake again for about 20 seconds.
  • Strain right into a coupe glass and decorate with edible flowers.

Filtered Clear Margarita

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ parts of the Cristalino reserve plane
  • 1 part filtered lime juice
  • 1 a part of sugar syrup
  • ice
7 creative tequila cocktails for Cinco De Mayo

Preparation

  • Add one and a half ounces of Avión Reserva Cristalino, filtered lime juice, and straightforward syrup to a shaker.
  • Then give attention to technique. Shaking all of the ingredients along with ice will create air bubbles within the mixture, which can cloud the looks when poured right into a glass. Instead, stir gently until thoroughly mixed and punctiliously strain through a fine-mesh strainer.
  • Strain through a coupette glass.
  • Garnish with a slice of lime.
  • Remember to only use clear ice cubes and omit any fruit juices that would add color.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

An Ohio State University study shows that employment reduces drug overdoses among black people

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Ohio State University, Employment, Black Drug Overdoses


Study conducted at Ohio State University demonstrated a link between unemployment and increased drug-related deaths for black staff, showing that as jobs became available to black staff, opioid overdoses among black people decreased, suggesting a correlation between the 2 phenomena.

Test published within the American Journal of Public Health indicates that specializing in keeping Black Americans employed could potentially lower drug use rates, which in turn would prevent drug-related deaths.

Sehun Oh, an assistant professor of social work at Ohio State University, told the outlet in a press release: “The basic framework I use to approach this issue is to view the drug epidemic as a disease of despair and examine how local labor market situations may have impacted this population risk,” Oh said. “Others may focus more on supply-side factors, but I believe economic context is critical to understanding the demand side.”

Oh, and study co-author Miguel Cano, an associate professor of social work at Arizona State University, said within the study that disconnection from the workforce creates a variety of problems for the unemployed. “Research shows that disconnection from the workforce causes collective frustration and hopelessness, family breakdown, and violence and crime in the community, increasing drug use as an escape from mental distress.”

As the study found, “the increase in drug-related deaths among black Americans was highest in counties in the Midwest and Northeast, particularly those with lower median household income. “Economic restructuring (which has led to fewer living wage jobs in these areas) and the increasing presence of heroin and synthetic opioids are believed to be the main drivers of drug-related mortality in these regions.”

According to the study, just yet one more job for each 100 black staff would mean 0.29 fewer drug overdoses per 100,000 drug overdoses nationwide. The study shows that the association is stronger in areas where fentanyl overdoses are more common. The study also found its findings were consistent with previous research that found a positive association between employment and reduced drug-related mortality.

In a bit discussing the study’s public health implications, the authors recommend “geographically targeted interventions” that aim to bring greater economic prosperity to low-income areas of the black community. They consider this can reduce the impact of the opioid epidemic on black people. The study said: “Such efforts could include improving employment opportunities for the black workforce through job creation and workforce development.”


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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