|
|
30 Dec 08
Collapses, Bailouts & Layoffs: More at risk than just finances
We didn’t need economist to tell us
that the country had landed in a recession that had begun in December 2007. In Michigan we’ve known it all along. To
paraphrase Malcom X, we didn’t land in the recession, my brothers and sisters - the recession landed on us. Job losses, layoffs and foreclosures have been
equal opportunity assailants on families both gay and straight. Non-profit organizations have seen significant drops in contributions
as the needs of the community grow. It
has been especially hard on LGBT organizations that have been traditionally underfunded. Ruth Ellis Center, Affirmations,
Karibu House and others have always been experts at stretching the dollar but now have to be magicians to make ends meet.
But with record unemployment the traditional year-end contribution bounce is more important than ever. To keep doors open
and programs in place. Year-end
letters are outnumbering Holiday Cards some days in my mailbox with requests coming from not just LGBT organizations, but
social justice agencies, various diseases advocates, the humane society and even the Carter Center. In many instances corporate support is also dwindling as businesses
downsize hoping to ride out the recession. Support from the auto industry has been reported to probably decrease as part of
streamlining concessions made to appease legislatures deliberating their bailout loans. But there’s no bailout in store for us, so we all will have to
dig a little deeper, tighten our belts a little tighter to help our own family and community. It’s
scary economic times but there’s more at risk. For years, the LGBT community has seen more progress towards equality in the business world than in the legislature.
While states have denied our families equal protection, recognition of our marriages, protection in the workplace and
from hate crimes and used anti-marriage amendments to strip domestic benefits, corporations have lead the way in instituting
nondiscriminatory policies, diversity programs, and partner benefits. HRC’s
Corporate Equality Index shows an unprecedented 260 major U.S. businesses earned the top rating
of 100 percent, up from 195 last year which should bode well for the LGBT community. Following the lead of these major businesses
many in the fortune 500, many smaller companies have incorporated more fair minded policies in the work place. These policies
have allowed more and more LGBT Americans to be out in the work place, an action in and of itself promotes equality. It is
a proven fact being out is one of our greatest tools to end discrimination and promote equality. Policies promoting equality
developed in the boardroom, transform communities for the workforce out.Unfortunately in the month of December 2008 there have been 85, 753 layoffs (and the month’s
only half over) at America’s 500 largest public companies. Companies like, AT&T, DuPont, JP Morgan
Chase, Viacom, PepsiCo, Bank of America, Whirlpool, Anheuser Busch, 3M, Dow Chemical, GM, Ford, Cummins, and Wyndham Worldwide,
all scoring 100 % on HRC’s equality index, are among the employers with layoffs in December.Maybe I’m just being paranoid but I think we need to be afraid,
very afraid by this recession. Hard times bring out the best and the worst in people. When fighting over
crumbs it is easy to turn one person against another, one race against another and turn back the hands of time, and breeds
intolerance.Today many “foreign”
cars, made right here in America, employing Americans, have become targets of intolerance. The current crisis in the auto
industry has led to acts of vandalism on “foreign cars.” Tires have been slashed and insults, reminiscent of those
smeared on foreign autos some thirty years ago, are again being scrawled on windshields and keyed in paint. Incidents of foreign/immigrant workers, especially if they are brown,
being harassed by co-workers and immigration officials has not gone away but only been replaced by economic headlines in the
paper. But any Monday, in southwest Detroit, you will find along Vernor protests by Latino/a workers and activists against
injustices suffered by this community.Homeless
families can be found in every community. Those who can move do, but what of those who can’t? These
are the people coming to our centers, calling on our community for help. -The youth at Ruth Ellis, the
support groups at Affirmations, the callers to Karibu Houses Hotline. And the numbers are growing every day. Triangle
Foundation has been responding to increased reports of hate crimes, reporting a 133% increase in anti-LGBT crime in
2007In November
we voted for change but business went on as usual. Now the financial “house” is crumbling before our eyes and
everything is on the line.There’s
no bailout coming for us, so we must be the change we want by truly embracing community, looking out for those most vulnerable
in the LGBT community but reaching out to others in need as well. It is more important than ever to be out, to put a human
face to the LGBT community to remind others that we are struggling just like them and are asking for not special rights but
the same rights as every other American in good times and bad. And in these hard times we must come together as Americans, gay and straight to find new solutions, new ways
to redefine, rebuild and respirit our communities from the ground up. Together we can.
|
|
Welcome to my web site! I've always
loved writing and had dreams of being a famous novelist. Well I'm not signing books in the mall or sitting on Oprah's
couch but I am living my dream. Come explore my world of words, buy a book (or two) and be a part of my next project. Welcome
to my website!
|
|
| With the "real" Jack With The Curly Tail |
My ideas come from you my friends, my community, even your pets. I hope
you find something that suits your fancy today and come back again and again for more. I look forward to hearing from you.
Credit cards are accepted:
|
| Accepted via PayPal. |
Speaking Out on issues affecting all communities
Michelle E. Brown is a member of the following
organizations: National Council of Negro Women,
Inc. - Human Rights Campaign - Black Pride Society - Detroit Summer
Michigan Equality - Michigan Coalition for
Human Rights - Women Against AIDS Committee
|
|
 |
|
| Activist - Speaker - Writer - Poet |
|
|
| "When it comes to building strong communities, I like to think of myself as a renaissance woman. |
| |
|
|
Now
Available
Wild Fruit Hidden in Open Spaces
Musings in Prose and Poetry
Early praises for "Wild Fruit":
" The International Library of Poetry Editor’s Choice Award ..... artistic accomplishments
and unique perspective--characteristics found in the most noteworthy poetic works."
|
|
|
Michelle E. Brown
winner of the
2007 Media Award
22nd Annual Pride Banquet
2008 Semifinalist
International Open Poetry Contest
All of the students were focussed and the depth of subject ran through their minds like
the Mississippi with it's saturated tributaries! And
your kindness and sincerity disarmed even those 'cool, hardened' fifth graders who are feeling like they own the town, which,
as a matter-of-fact, they have earned. I can't thank you enough for giving two hundred students
such a wonderful experience of sharing your book and yourself with us. I am still taking orders! Sincerely, Beverly
Hedden Vandenberg
Elementary School Southfield, MI Author Artist Activist Available for Public Speaking, Keynote Addresses, Workshops . |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Read my viewpoints on diversity, life
as a community and other current topics and issues. Published in "Between The Lines" each month.
http://www.pridesource.com
Keyword :
Michelle E. Brown
|
|
| |
By joining this mailing list, you will be the first to know about:
- Coming Events
- New Publications
- Works in Progress
To join, type your name and email address below and then click the Go button:
|
|
|
