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November in the United States is commemorated as the National Native American Heritage Month and November 24, 2023 is being observed as Native American Heritage Day. Throughout the history, Native people were pressured to assimilate, banned from practicing their traditions and sacred ceremonies, and forced from their homes and ancestral homelands. This violence and devastation cost countless lives, tore families apart, and caused lasting damage to Tribal communities and institutions. Despite centuries of violence and oppression, Native peoples remain resilient and proud. Today, Native Americans are essential to the fabric of the United States. Their diverse cultures and communities continue to thrive and lead us forward. This month, we celebrate Native American history and culture. We are reminded that with hard work and a commitment to our founding ideals, we can address the wrongs of our past and become a more perfect Union — one that ensures liberty, justice, dignity, and equality for all. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dAxVNEvg #NNAHM #NNAHM2023 #RepresentingAmerica #CulturalDiplomacyUSinLT #USinLT

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the sovereignty, resilience, and immense contributions that Native Americans have made to the world; and we recommit to upholding our solemn trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations, strengthening our Nation-to-Nation ties. For centuries, Indigenous Peoples were forcibly removed from ancestral lands, displaced, assimilated, and banned from worshiping or performing many sacred ceremonies. Yet today, they remain some of our greatest environmental stewards. They maintain strong religious beliefs that still feed the soul of our Nation. And they have chosen to serve in the United States Armed Forces at a higher rate than any other group. Native peoples challenge us to confront our past and do better, and their contributions to scholarship, law, the arts, public service, and more continue to guide us forward. #indigenousrights #indigenouspeople #indigenous #diversitymatters READ the full proclamation on Indigenous Peoples’ Day https://www.whitehouse.gov

Days like this bring the most powerful force of division and hatred into our consciousness. As much as Global and Regional institutions have initiated structures to break patterns of racism, the world is still far behind in decolonising racial knowledge. For instance, how do high-school students embrace race-driven modules? How have we divided the world? How do we frame geographical terms describing the world? But as the world move forward with a renewed motivation, I believe we can comprehensively push back the forces of racism and its mutating patterns.

Today, as we mark Monday's Remember Slavery Day, let us pause to pay tribute to the resilience and resistance of those who endured unfathomable suffering and oppression. It's a solemn reminder of one of humanity's darkest chapters. Remembering the struggles of the past isn't just about acknowledging history; it's about reaffirming our commitment to #FightRacism in all its forms. The legacy of slavery continues to reverberate, reminding us of the urgent need for justice and equality. UN Secretary General António Guterres poignantly stated, "Descendants of enslaved Africans and people of African descent are still fighting for equal rights and freedoms around the world.” Their ongoing struggle underscores the enduring impact of this horrific crime against humanity. Let us use this day to reflect on the progress made, but also to acknowledge the work that still lies ahead. Together, we can build a world where every individual is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race or background. #RememberSlavery #FightRacism #EqualityForAll

Happy 4th of July! The day we celebrate our freedoms and our independence! In 1776, America was created as a nation because of an idea! An idea that allowed for a future of freedoms of all people (even if it didn’t begin that way). An idea that allows for elected government and elected officials and leaders; of the people, by the people , and for the people . An idea of a President elected opposed to a leader via birthline, or conquering via force. These leaders we elect, must always preserve our freedoms as Americans , and nurture and build our relationships with other nations that support and promote freedoms in their cultures . There’s a big difference between nationalism and patriotism. Patriotism is the feeling of love ❤️ of one’s country with a stronger focus on the positives within our culture, history, and alliances. Nationalism has more negative connotations with focus on separation of one’s culture and country from others. As we celebrate our independence today, we can also honor our history (lessons learned) and note our present historical significance in the world with our allies. #AUKUS #SIB #NATO For there’s more nations in this world that are ruled under severe oppressive leaders than not. With freedom comes great responsibilities, none more important than preserving peace, liberty, and friendship. This is an everyone and every party issue! #AUKUS supports liberty and independence from dictatorships that seek to take liberties away from others. Our country needs to recognize the fragility and the strength of the freedoms we hold dear, and stand together to protect them.

Long read (15 min): Human Rights, Culture and Empire. An exploration of; 🔹the universality of human rights 🔹historical colonialism 🔹cultural hierarchy Includes case studies of Western military intervention, highlighting hypocritical flip-flopping on human rights to suit neo-colonial aims. Instead, we need a multicultural, inclusive development of human rights which upholds the dignity of all people. #humanrights #colonialism #afghanistan #antiracism https://lnkd.in/e9sqDEXS

On #WorldHumanitarianDay, we honour those who provide life-saving assistance, especially in #conflict zones and #disaster-stricken areas. Let's commemorate their sacrifices and support their mission to make the world a better place! Read our article: https://bit.ly/3qgbs0x

A Celebration of Freedom - "America the Beautiful" The Declaration was a powerful assertion of the colonies' right to be free and self-determined, laying the groundwork for the birth of a new nation. Independence Day celebrations have evolved over the centuries, but certain traditions have become quintessentially American. Fireworks displays light up the night skies, symbolizing the spirit of celebration that followed the successful quest for independence. While the Fourth of July is a day of celebration, it is also an opportunity for reflection. The ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – remind us of the ongoing journey toward equality and justice for all Americans. As fireworks light up the sky and communities come together, the Fourth of July stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of freedom and the shared commitment to building a more perfect union. #RevolutionaryWar #AmericanRevolution #StarsandStripes #AmericanDream #GodBlessAmerica #UnitedWeStand #AmericanValues #AmericanHeritage #July4th #AmericanCulture #AmericanSpirit #AmericanIdentity #AmericanExceptionalism #AmericanIndependence #USAstrong #ValueIcons #ValueIconsAmericanRevolution #VIAmericanIndependence #ValueIconsAmericanFreedom #ValueIconsUSAstrong #ValueIconsAmericanSpirit #ValueIconsAmericanCulture #ValueIconsGodBlessAmerica #ValueIconsAmericanHeritage #ValueIconsAmericanRevolution #ValueIconsBeautifulAmerica #ValueIconsIndependenceDayCelebrations #ValueIconsAmericanLegacy #ValueIconsAmericanTradition

The percentage of Latinos in active duty rose again to 16% in 2017, according to a report done by the Congressional Service Review, and 17.2% in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The veteran population is expected to become more racially and ethnically diverse in coming years. “Between 2021 and 2046, the share of veterans who are non-Hispanic White is expected to drop from 74% to 62%,” according to Pew Research. “The share of veterans who are Hispanic is expected to double from 8% to 16%.” Latinos have earned more than 40 Medals of Honor, according to the Department of Defense. Thanks to those who served and sacrificed answering the call to duty and defending United States of America with valor and honor. #MemorialDay

Here are my thoughts on what’s been going on. Give it a quick read, like it, share it, all that fun stuff. It felt necessary in the moment. Had to dust off the blog one more time for this one, and I'm glad I did. I'll leave it at that. RJM Blog: https://lnkd.in/gHStiP4x #Palestine #Israel #MiddleEast #ForeignAffairs #Diplomacy