Often we complain about our political/social situation, failing to realize how powerful individual efforts are.  It’s easy to just be diplomatic and play it safe in order to not sabotage our own personal progress.  Such approach is not self rewarding to me and it’s certainly not going to help heal a country that needs so much healing after this last election…?  In a day as important as today, we all should feel compelled to reflect on how we can make a difference by helping those who are marginalized and treated less worthy?  Below, a list of present valuable causes to support.

We should educate ourselves and understand the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. — that a man should be judged by the content of his character not by the color of his skin.  Most importantly, support those organizations that are actually making a difference and fighting against injustice and inequality.  Here is a list of organizations that help with that fight alone with a very recent information that I have found deeply upsetting.

Black Infant Health Program and Souls of A Sister Reproductive Justice Institute

I was shocked to read an article in this month’s Parents Magazine that U.S. has the highest maternal-mortality rate among all industrialized countries in the world.  In California alone black infant mortality is 9.4 deaths per 1,000 births – a colossal difference from the white rate of 3.9.  Experts and professionals conclude that even when having the same level of medical care and even among highly educated affluent black mothers, African American women have the worst childbirth outcomes of any group in this country.  The reason for the disparity is even more alarming and perplexing and the conclusion is linked to our country’s complicated history with racism.  “It is absolutely plausible, scientifically, that the chronic stress of being treated unfairly or viewed unjustly because of one’s race- or even just worrying that this may occur- could cause physiological changes in a woman’s body that can in turn put her infant at a disadvantage”  Dr. Braveman told Parents Magazine.  Ongoing stress can lead to inflammation throughout the body which can weaken our immune system and as a consequence affect offspring.  Dr. Braveman went on to explain that this effect is called “allocastic load” which causes a breakdown of the body’s health preserving mechanisms.  A study in Journal of the National Medical Association found that black men and women have higher allocastic load scores than whites, which has led to an increase in premature death from chronic diseases.  It doesn’t matter who you are or how much money you have, recently Serena Williams who together with her beautiful baby daughter grace the cover of the current issue of Vogue recounts the scary days that followed her childbirth experience.  You can read the scary episode here.  Helping an organization that empowers disadvantaged mothers, regardless of their race is always a worthy cause.

American Civil Liberty Unions

Voter suppression is another embarrassing fact of this country.  State legislatures try to curb voting rights by creating more laws that make it more difficult to register to vote and curtail access to the ballot box.  But it’s of course been emboldened lately with baseless claims of voting fraud.  In reality what the status quo is trying to do is to prepare the path to enact new and harder laws to stop a certain social demographic from voting.  In a way to maintain the status quo.  Everyone should have the right to vote.  If you watched the Obama interview with David Letterman this past week, he explains this issue in his own quintessentially smart way.  Supporting organization that fight for basic civil rights is paramount.

Human Rights First

Human rights should in the forefront for any law creation or legislative action.

This last cause may not have to do with Civil Rights but it’s in keeping with helping one of the most important causes of modern history.  Global Warming is a fact.

Avoided Deforestation Partners and Greenpeace

This issue should be simply understood since it’s backed by so many scientific studies yet, many prefer to ignore the facts or come up with alternative facts which are mainly lies or fake news.  If we destroy our planet where will we go, what will we leave to our children or future generations?

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