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How can we ensure equity in the bread rolling in from New York cannabis?

The war on drugs seems, at least in the eyes of Governor Cuomo and other policymakers nationwide, to be approaching its long-awaited resolution. Cannabis opportunities in New York are rolling in, and thus the money is too. But can the Social Equity Fund, part of the legislation passed, right the wrongs of the war on drugs?

Cannabis consumption and recreational sales were legalized in New York this spring, marking a momentous occasion in the long-contested struggle. The announcement then stirred discourse on its highly anticipated economic implications. How could it aid the state of New York and create opportunities for small businesses to flourish?

Money, however, is never that simple, and the legalization necessitates clarity on where exactly revenue would be going.

In response to anxieties that taxable businesses are but another opportunity for power-grabbing from big corporations, Governor Cuomo has proposed a number of initiatives to ensure equitable distribution of returns.


Social Equity Fund for cannabis in New York

Most notable in the legislation signed on April 30th is the Cannabis Social Equity Fund. The fund is for social equity applicants, namely companies owned by people of color or those with past marijuana convictions.

Many in the industry and involved in its policy rejoice in the implications the project has. Not only for the cannabis industry, but for the considerations towards social equity in future policymaking. With analysts estimating $350 million tax revenues in the first year alone, Cuomo also says $100 million will be put towards the Social Equity Fund. 

The numbers suggest that forty percent of tax revenue will be reinvested in communities that have historically been targeted by punitive drug policies. By contrast, corporations should then have a harder time getting around limitations that have been engraved into the bill itself.

Medical cannabis suppliers are not entitled to tax benefits or large-scale vertical integration. This is intended to curb the monopoly that wealthy firms can typically grasp by moving multiple separate production stages under one roof.

The number of operations a single company can oversee is capped at four medical locations, and three recreational ones. Existing centers will pay a fee in order to convert their locations into both medical and recreational centers. The money from which will be put towards the Social Equity fund.

While large companies will be barred from vertical operations, microbusinesses will be permitted to do so. This is with the intention of allowing them to cut costs and grow.


The war on drugs

The Social Equity Fund is meant to “correct past harms by investing in areas that have disproportionately been impacted by the war on drugs.” Or at least that’s what Gov. Cuomo says.

By “past harms,” Cuomo is referencing the racist and classist history of marijuana in the states. 

The lasting economic, ideological, and psychological consequences of marijuana’s heavy criminalization cannot be overlooked in the consideration of this new bill. Initiatives to legalize and ensure equitable allocation of resulting funds arise against a grim backdrop of terror in poor neighborhoods populated by BIPOC.

For me this is a lot more than about raising revenue. It’s about investing in the lives of the people that have been damaged.

Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, the sponsor of the bill in the Assembly, for the New York Times

Over-policing and jailing of BIPOC relied on a rhetorical demonization of weed. It made its consumers out to be “satanic.”

This ideological tool has been used for close to a century still as a weapon against marginalized peoples. To jail and extort unpaid labor from them, to bar them from participating in democracy. And to profit from their arrests or fines or bails.

The turning of a new leaf in NY legislature is a relief. But policy makers acknowledging and working to repair the harms they’ve caused their people is the bare minimum.


Can the fund deliver on social equity promises in New York cannabis?

As aspirational as these programs may sound, experts are already arriving on the scene with words of caution.

While initiatives to curb the upward flow of profit to big corporations seem to have been considered, Marijuana is still considered a Schedule I drug.

This means federal banks are less likely to extend credit to cannabis companies (even if the companies themselves are legal). This is due to fear of entanglement with criminal activity.


What else needs to be done to ensure complete equity?

Other initiatives, like the Economic Empowerment Program of 2016 in Massachusetts. Or New Jersey’s efforts towards retail dispensaries have been largely unsuccessful.

Two years after weed was legalized in Massachusetts, still zero EEP applicants managed to open a recreational retail business. With towns being tasked with their own license granting responsibilities, local governments created a habit of price gouging, so as to turn the most profit on a license. 

In New York, skepticism lies with the Division of Budget. It has not been known in the past to be attentive to the immediate needs of the community. Though the governor talks in sweeping statements about $100 million in the first year, the NYS Division of the Budget says it won’t reach that until at least 2025.

Meanwhile, more than 40,000 Americans are in jail for marijuana-related offenses, many serving a life without parole for petty possession charges. In 2020, 10,000 criminal court summonses for low-level possessions were handed out, 99 percent of which still went to New Yorkers of color. 

That said, the Social Equity Fund is also distinct from its predecessors in other states. As a bill with a contentious past, and a state office famous for empty words, the legislation hopefully reflects a new sense of awareness. While we wait for results on the economic turnout, it’s now safe to spark a celebratory blunt for this victory.

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ethernity Chain launch world’s most exciting NFT

The NFT ship continues to flow downstream as athletes like Fernando Tatis Jr. are pairing up with Ethernity Chain, paving the way to sell their own collectible items.

Everyone and their mother are hopping on the NFT wave! With such an astounding pool of investors, an openly sourced global market, and the opportunity to cash grab, many celebrities have also started to jump aboard.

fernando tatis jr. collectible item
Due to technical difficulties, the auction was pushed back one day to today, Tuesday, April 27. (Ethernity)

Tatis Jr. has declared his most recent set of NFT’s as the collectibles of the future. He has signed 123 bats which he plans to mint and release online. The companies that worked with Tatis Jr. are Ethernity Chain, Victus Sports, and Impossible Brief. 

Ethernity utilizes a decentralized financial model that hosts notable artists and people on their platform. Impossible Brief specializes in NFT art and Victus Sports is the actual sponsor for Tatis Jr. baseball bats. Together, all parties worked together to develop a supercharged unlockable baseball bat.

ethernity chain and fernando tatis jr.
The El Niño (Coinspeaker)

Taking the world by storm with collectible items

The “El Niño” is a hand-crafted gold-embossed baseball bat that is quickly becoming a real-world collectible.

The dark wood grain, ash wood, 24K gold leaf embossment and dark stormy aesthetic exemplify all of the incredible design elements infused by everyone involved. This item truly feels like it deserves highly coveted inquiries.

fernando tatis jr.
Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrates with jubilance (Friars on Sports)

Tatis Jr. is a groundbreaking ballplayer. He is clearly the most recognizable baseball talent in all of California. As a member of the San Diego Padres, Tatis proudly reigns from the Dominican Republic.

He represents his country to the fullest and does so in honor of his father Fernando Sr. David Ortiz and many other legendary figures that have come from his homeland.


A resounding resurgence for Tatis Jr.

After coming back from a debilitating injury, Tatis Jr. has created quite the resurgent buzz surrounding his efforts this year. He is a monster behind the plate and also represents symbolic change through his off-the-field efforts.

As a club centerpiece, there is no better individual to run a major online auction through than Tatis Jr.

ethernity chain collectible items
The El Niño NFT Bat (Coinspeaker)

Fernando continues to break boundaries on the diamond and in the online crypto space. His goal is to drive a revolution toward global giving and collectible items.

To do so, he knows that we must protect our planet with a traceable and responsible impact. Look for Tatis Jr. to continue to utilize his influence and do so in ways that care for our planet.

Why you can’t cry “protect our borders” and then fly to Mexico for vacation

C’mon bruh. Let the headline sit with you for a moment. All the MAGA “protect our borders” people get really quiet when the vacation months spring around and they head down to Mexico. If you’re going to be xenophobic and selfish, at least be consistent, no?

The issue of immigration is severe right now, and it doesn’t seem like it will ever calm down. Due to climate refugees and unstable regimes across the world, immigration becomes an act of survival.

But for MAGA folks who cry that Democrats don’t protect our borders, and that “illegal aliens” are invading the country, what do you say when you invade theirs? The cognitive dissonance is truly astounding. Or better yet, pathetic.


Troubles on the border of Mexico

Migrants are trapped at the border of Mexico due to an immigration crisis in Central and North America.

While it is an exceptionally complicated issue that is sure to never see bipartisan agreement, everyone should agree that the way border patrol is handling migrants is grossly inhumane.

Especially during the pandemic, immigration officers did not ensure safety for migrants in detention, and cases of infection skyrocketed.

One does not have to think hard about what it must take for a family to flee their homeland in search of a better life, to a place that is filled with racism, xenophobia, and a lack of safety for immigrants. Even more, to accept the treacherous journey along the way.

Suffice it to say, immigrants are not immigrants by some reckless declaration. They are because they need to be. It is about survival, the most basic human and animal instinctual understanding.


Mexicans love their home, their land

Cinco De Mayo is almost here. The joyous Mexican holiday will be celebrated by people in Mexico, the U.S. and all over the world.

This is thus an indication of the positives of immigration. Understanding more about other cultures is a treat, and we should always treat it as such.

Many Mexicans have no interest in America, or hearing about it. I can imagine those who were comfortable last year chuckling when Trump talked down on their country, as the U.S. was in one of the biggest crises in the world.

Seeing respectful tourists is one thing. Their naivete can be annoying, their exuberance exhausting. But the interest comes from an honest place. Those who speak down on Mexico and cry for Biden to “protect our borders” deserve no such benefit of the doubt.


“Protect our borders.” Then stay on your side.

You can’t cry that immigrants are illegally entering the country and then swarm theirs. If you don’t see this as a brazen act of privilege and immorality, you have blinders on.

Mexico deserves to be treated like any other nation: as one with both beautiful aspects and troubling ones.

We need to be more empathetic to the people fleeing their homes and livelihoods to America. What if it were us? Would we not do everything in our power to keep our loved ones safe?

So if you are going to Mexico for vacation, I ask one thing: advocate for Central Americans and Mexicans at the U.S./Mexico border. It is the bare minimum, yet still a noble act to shifting the narrative around the border situation in America and Mexico.

The future of NFTs is not too promising for artists, says Shidan Gouran

The big buzz on NFTs is crashing the internet. And although many of us still don’t even understand what cryptocurrency really is, plenty of us are rushing to get into this promising world. However, when it comes to the future of NFTs, it is sad to say that artists might be a little too late.

Kulture Hub had the opportunity to talk with Shidan Gouran, co-founder and president of Global Blockchains Technology Corp. What follows is an incredible insight into what creatives can expect of NFTs in the future. 


But first, what are NFTs really about? 

As a matter of fact, NFTs are basically another form of cryptocurrency. This time, however, they can be literally whatever digital object you want.

From a Twitter handle, digital NBA cards, to a digital work of art. And, according to Shidan Gouran, that is exactly the problem with it. 

“NFTs can represent a contract, but they can also represent something completely meaningless. You are not actually buying the rights to anything. It’s just kind of hype nonsense.”

Shidan Gouran, 2021

However, the reasons behind all the hype are actually good and meaningful. People have realized the tremendous value of uncentralized networks and the beneficial use they give to their creations.

For the digital artists, in particular, it actually makes a lot of sense. In theory, this could potentially solve the problem of authentification making it easier to manage copyright material. Not to mention, this method allows transactions to be much more profitable, as artists would be able to profit every time the work is re-sold, faster, and safer.

Take the case of Beeple, the Instagram sensation that sold his first NFT through Christie’s at almost 70 million dollars.

Sounds promising, huh?


The problem with the future of NFTs

“I think you are going to see a major crash in this space when people spend their money there and realize they are buying nonsense really.” 

Shidan Gouran, 2021

The theory is awesome. But the internet is not there yet. Not to mention, it takes an excessive amount of energy and it is not sustainable. To put it on a scale, every bitcoin transaction costs a trip from one side of the states to another and right.

However, this fantasy world where grassroots artists are able to profit from their art creates problems where promises are hard to keep. According to Gouran, the future of NFTs is different than what we expect.

Like in any market, its saturation makes it inefficient. So, artists hear stories like Beeple and expect to have his same success. But according to Gouran, the market would simply not hold to that amount of artist getting an NFT.

“I think at some point this would become a market of musical chairs, where the market won’t want what the supply is. I think right now the disadvantage is that all artists saw this and rushed into it, even the ones that were dismissive of this space and they are just not going to see those results.”

Shidan Gouran, 2021

So, if it’s not already, it would soon become too late for these grassroots artists.


The future of NFTs, contrary to art, is bright for gaming

However, Gouran insists that NFTs still have a bright future many years away. For businesses like the NBA or any sports trading cars, the future seems more promising.

“I think other businesses like baseball cards, or basketball cards are going to become NFTs and are going to be traded in a completely de-centralized fashion using a regular database. But they are going to have the option to move it outside the platform just like any exchange, and take it somewhere else and bring it in as an NFTs. So that is where I think you are going to see the scalability of it and the real use for the near future.”

Shidan Gouran, 2021

And, of course, games.

“So, imagine buying a game inside of roadblocks and moving it to a completely different game.”

Shidan Gouran, 2021

According to Gouran, in games assets, NFTs make perfect sense. They are successfully creating an online economy where these assets become more valuable.

Not to mention that they are also taking care of DRMs so they know that no one can cheat their systems. Plus, it is cheaper for them. They can move it from one game to another and that is really a big deal. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZJOAlqiKCE

Currently, all the major publishers of games and platforms are looking to create a consortium that could do these types of things. Something that could potentially move one asset from one company to another, and they are looking to use NFTs for that purpose.

“Actually, I think that when gaming companies come on board, and they are all working on this now, the DRM solution would be baked in and that is really their benefit for doing this.”

Shidan Gouran

What else is there to expect?

Shidan concluded that in the next two years, we can expect the hype with grassroots artists to die out. Not only because of market saturation but the fact that this type of situation is not scalable to start with.

But, we can expect exponential growth in sporting and gaming consortiums that support this kind of collectibles as assets.

However, limiting NFTs to the digital world overlooks the possible opportunities they could have in the physical world too. The physical world already trades this collectible, (people collect cards, jewelry, etc).

There is a possibility of using NFTs in these as a transaction receipt or potentially a warehouse receipt where people won’t actually have to redeem the goods.

And also certification for other goods like art or even jewelry. With NFTs associated with any of these goods, the authentification and certification process would be much easier. Because once you have this online, it is not a company that has to take care of it, but a decentralized system.

This is an amazing and more effective way to make things more efficient.

Lipstick effect

What is the lipstick effect? A look into consumerism

The internet has given the term different versions of explanations, but all generally tell a similar idea. The lipstick effect is a phenomenon, an economic indicator.

It shows a consumption pattern of when an economic recession occurs, consumers tend to purchase small indulgences such as lipsticks, instead of big expensive goods like fur coats, designer shoes, etc.

The concept was coined by Leonard A. Lauder in 2001. Mr. Lauder found that despite the general decline of consumer spending on goods in the market, sales of lipsticks in his company increased. The beauty industry made an exception in the time of economic recession in post-9/11 America.

Famous advertisement image via The Tallenge Store

Although Mr. Lauder’s theory was largely based on his observation of his own company’s beauty revenues, it was later broadly cited by researchers and scholars.

The lipstick effect is not a scientifically proven concept supported by experiments. But it surprisingly explains consumer patterns in some significant crisis periods in U.S. history. For instance, The Great Depression, WWII, and the Stock Market Crash in 2008.


Why is the lipstick effect not working in the current economy?

There are many reasons that have caused people’s decreased consumption of beauty products during the pandemic.

Lockdown, self-quarantine, and social distancing order reduce people’s passions for doing makeup. The closing of public space such as shopping centers, restaurants, movie theaters transform consumer experience from physical to digital and decrease real-life social interactions.

The new WFH (working from home) routine, additionally, allows people to live a more flexible and relaxing lifestyle.

A new mentality has developed: personal wellness and self-care (skincare) > impressing the world (makeup).

According to McKinsey & Company, consumers purchased more skincare products than cosmetics in the U.S market during the pandemic.

Another important factor that turns many beauty consumers away from lipstick is the usage of face coverings. Lipsticks simply don’t go with masks. One, nobody can see what the lips look like behind a mask. And then two, lipstick gets smeared easily by the fabric material of the mask.

“There’s nothing quite as transformative as a lip color when it comes to taking an outfit from drab to fab (deep burgundy for sexy vibes, glossy red for all-out glamour) but our lipsticks are going to have to take a back seat this summer, as proved by Laura Whitmore this weekend who took off her mask to reveal her red lipstick had migrated down her face. Not the look she was going for.”

Melanie Macleod, Get The Gloss.

The lipstick effect has endured, but so then why does it seem like it’s dying out?

Although the lipstick effect doesn’t work in the current crisis, it doesn’t mean everybody has stopped purchasing lipstick.

Many beauty lovers still consider lipstick a necessity in their everyday beauty routines. They wear lipstick at home and under their masks.

Most likely no one will see their vibrant lip colors most of the time, but they don’t really mind, because to them what is more important is the sentiment, power, and strength that they acquire through putting on lipstick. Lipstick is their way to cope with reality and reclaim normalcy.

Lipstick has always been a symbolic object and powerful statement throughout history. It is an agency that has a transformative power and gives people the confidence and freedom to reinvent their identities.

via GIPHY

Back in The Great Depression and WWII, lipstick was the visual representation of femininity, womanhood, and female sexuality, as well as a means that women adopted to fight against odds and hardships in life.

Lipstick might not be performing the desired outcomes in the era of face masks, but it stands for an attitude. It is a manifestation of hope and enjoyment of simple pleasures in life. People’s craziness for lipstick will be restored and lipstick sales will bounce back in the near future, have faith.


How do beauty brands advertise their lip products during a recession?

It is interesting to see that in the pandemic, not only are beauty consumers trying to find better ways to wear lipsticks under face masks, but also beauty brands are learning to customize consumers’ needs.

Many cosmetics companies have concentrated on developing and advertising smudge-proof lipsticks, lip stains, or temporary ‘lip tattoos’ that will stay in place under a mask.

The concern for lip care is another idea that beauty brands promote to potential consumers in their lipstick advertisements. Dr. Sam Bunting says on Get the gloss,

“Trapped heat, humidity from mouth breathing, and friction from the mask can irritate delicate lips. It’s also very difficult to reapply lip balm frequently under a mask and you may also be less inclined to keep up drinking fluids. This can add up to exceptionally dry, cracked lips. It’s vital to find a long-lasting lip product that stays put and performs barrier repair.”

Dr. Sam Bunting

The nail polish effect, our new economic indicator?

Lips are such important components of our overall appearances. They reveal our emotions, moods, and thoughts through our communications with one another.

The face mask has nonetheless kept us from seeing the lips movements and deciphering messages they express.

While the influence of the lipstick effect is weakening, a new economic indicator – the nail polish effect – arises. Since the fingers are not necessarily the covered part, people thus have more freedom to play around and be creative with their nails.

The dangerous and unexpected carbon footprint that crypto leaves behind

Every time the world turns, energy burns – or so it seems. The same can surprisingly be said about cryptocurrencies and the carbon footprint they leave behind.

As humans, it is unsafe and unfair to make sweeping generalizations. But, as a universe, it is safe to say that our energy consumption and emissions are not trending in the renewable direction.

NFTs and crypto’s carbon footprint are no different. They are exponentially driving the surge toward the extinction of energetic life as we know it.

crypto carbon footprint
The world is moving with great agility

Now, that last statement might have been a slight exaggeration. Either way, it is a clear-cut fact that cryptocurrencies and blockchains have been running rampant within the past year.

There are sustainable blockchains. But those typically see less volume as most cryptocurrencies operate on a designed proof-of-work basis.


Foundational crypto models work, but also leave behind a brolic carbon footprint

Proof-of-work is the consensus algorithm within the majority of usable decentralized blockchain networks. Proof-of-work systems secure funds within the decentralized ledger instead of third-party overseers.

They are designed to be inefficient – that way it is less profitable for someone who might have an intention to hack into the blockchain.

crypto carbon footprint
NBA Top Shot is an interesting proposition (NBA Canada)

The proof-of-stake model is a centralized ledger utilized by NBA Top Shot. In that realm, NBA Top Shot operates on the Flow blockchain which asks that users contribute their tokens. Thus, these token submissions prove the users’ stake in keeping the ledger accurate. 

Normally, purchases that occur on the proof-of-work blockchain send economic signals to cryptocurrency miners which in turn increases emissions. 

On the bright side, the proof-of-stake model eliminates the need for computers to solve complex puzzles and burn boatloads of energy in the process. Conversely, it creates a single institution oversight which is the exact opposite of why crypto was created.

crypto carbon footprint
Onward and Upward into more advanced digital spaces we go

Who are the major influencers behind cryptocurrencies?

Jack Dorsey – the CEO of Twitter has kept his name in the headlines for all the right reasons.

He was one of the first to step up to the plate and censor the 45th President on his major platform. He purchased Tidal from Jay-Z. And more recently, he sold his first tweet as an NFT. This man has been ahead of the curve for years and continues to influence and inspire those with tech aspirations.

Justin Sun – this economist created his cryptocurrency TRON and has been moving like an absolute boss within the digital space.

His recent acquisition of BitTorrent propagates further decentralization of the internet. Sun’s 9-9-6 model (9 AM – 9 PM 6 days/week) makes him a one-of-a-kind entrepreneur. Keep tabs on him as his cleverness, focus, and work ethic are downright unmatchable. 

Michael ‘Beeple’ Winkelmann – as a major player in the NFT space, Beeple has minted his artwork for upwards of millions. He has been spreading his wealth of influence amidst many top platforms. Going forward, he plans to make all of his paintings carbon neutral or carbon negative and encourages others to do the same.

Tim Kang – an original NFT guy – people were questioning his sanity upon his first Beeple purchase. Kang spent $777K on the piece and has spent roughly $1M on 200 digital artworks to date.

He influences the masses by taking risks, creating trends and breaking ground on new developments. Tim Kang was the person that showed other people a world of infinite access to creative liberation through NFT ownership. 

Ethereum’s annualized footprints

What are some ways crypto and its carbon footprint can be sustainable?

Sidechains build another layer on top of an existing blockchain which saves energy via off-chain transactions. Make all of your 1to1 processes exist on a sidechain that avoids energy consumption on the main blockchain.

Bridging creates compatible interoperability between blockchains. Once again, creating a diversion of the crypto trail means that these parallel networks consume energy elsewhere. Thus, the main blockchain player does not get weighed down as the activity takes place off-site.

Lastly, the most important solution we can put forth is purchasing alternatives. These cryptocurrencies are much better for our carbon footprint as all of them are either C neutral or C negative: Algorand, Tezos, Polkadot, Hedera, Hashgraph.

Regardless, for those seeking their foray into the cryptocurrency sphere. Do so at your own financial and environmental risk.

Financially, crypto is extremely volatile and can climb/descend the charts quickly due to its relatively small market cap. Crypto is so volatile that its carbon footprint will always be a topic of conversation.

Environmentally, it is a decentralized energy-hungry beast centered around financial gain. 

Ivy Leagues

The racist and sordid history of the American Ivy Leagues

The racist history of Ivy League universities is no longer a very well kept secret.

Ivy League universities and their deep ties to enslaved labor are emblematic of higher education in America generally. Now, the tide is turning towards acknowledgment and accountability for these national institutions. 

racist ivy leagues
Men dressed in Ku Klux Klan garb on the John Harvard Statue, 1924. (Photo by Leslie Jones via the Boston Public Library)

A historical hole of racism

Most recently, Simon J. Levien from Harvard university embarked on a project to expose a “historical hole” in the university’s history after stumbling upon a photo of the KKK posing on campus for Klan Class Day.

The university’s archive revealed a deeply troubling history about the racism on campus from only a few decades ago.

Several of these incidents recount threatening displays towards Black students on campus. As recently as 1952, two students lit a cross on fire facing the dormitories where nine Black freshmen lived.

racist ivy leagues
Annenberg Dining Hall at Harvard University. (image via The Harvard Crimson)

The history of ivy leagues is also deeply entrenched in the slave trade and the labor of enslaved peoples. In his book Ebony & Ivy: Race, Slavery amd the Troubled History of America’s Universities, Craig Steven Wilder exposes higher education as an institution that often gets overlooked in discourse about slavery.  

The academy never stood apart from American slavery—in fact, it stood beside church and state as the third pillar of a civilization built on bondage

Craig Steven Wilder, Ebony & Ivy: Race, Slavery and the Troubled History of America’s Universities

Following Levien’s lead, students are now holding several other Ivy League institutions accountable for their relationship to slavery.

racist ivy leagues
Sojourner Truth for the New York Times, 1883.

Accountability for racism, past and present

“Princeton and Slavery,” reveals the untold history of Princeton’s first nine university presidents who all owned slaves.

A report titled “King’s College and Slavery” links at least half of Columbia University’s presidents to slave-owning. Sojourner Truth, a legendary abolition and civil rights activist, was formerly owned by the president of Rutgers University.

In 1838, Georgetown University profited from the sale of 272 slaves, when Jesuit priests used the money to pay off debts incurred by the university. 

Outside the economic strata of slavery, these institutions disseminated the pseudo-scientific rhetoric that underlies the history of slavery. Not only were Columbia students in 1760 asked to “calculate the profits of three investors in a slave-trading voyage to Guinea,” racial subordination was taken as empirical fact.

racist ivy leagues
Inventory list left from the estate of the first chemistry professor at Princeton University; the last two entries are slaves. Image via Princeton University Archives

In The Propaganda of History, W.E. Du Bois discusses the role that Columbia  University played in creating a falsified science of history with the white South in mind. He also holds the Ivy Leagues accountable for propagating segregation and denying Black students housing. 


Racism at Ivy Leagues today

In the year 2021, Ivy Leagues have not eliminated so much as disguised their racism. Racist tendencies are still afoot and abound.

A Dartmouth senior recently shared that the brothers at a frat party once told them and their friends to go through the dog door in the back, while white students walked through the front.

At Princeton, a senior recounts how their freshman year roommate demanded a room change because they found out she was Black. 

racist ivy leagues
Columbia University students in graduation robes. Image via the Observer, “Ivy league Schools’ Woke Posturing is Part of America’s Race Problem”

The diversification of Ivy League campuses, which has been championed as a mark of progress in recent years, is also more complicated than it seems.

Studies revealed that while African immigrants make up less than one percent of America’s total population, first and second-generation Black immigrants comprise 41 percent of all Black students at Ivy Leagues.

ITooAmHarvard
Image via ITooAmHarvard, a photo campaign highlighting Black students at Harvard College run by Harvard University

This suggests that African American students – those with an extensive familial history in the troubled history of the U.S. – are still being systemically excluded from higher education.

African immigrants are generally far wealthier and have higher-level educations than Americans of any race. Ivy Leagues admit these immigrant students at almost four times the rate they do native-born Black students. 


Solutions for understanding and combatting racist histories in Ivy Leagues

As Critical Race Theory gains traction in these institutions, a growing awareness of these oppressive forces is forming.

yale march of resilience
Yale March of Resilience against institutional racism, 2015. Image via Business Insider

A paper from Azusa Pacific University addresses the permanence of racism embedded in institutions built and sustained by slavery.

The paper touches on the notion of interest convergence, which describes how systemic changes are only adopted by institutions when it can simultaneously aid their white leaders economically or socially. 

In response to this internal systemic violence, the paper offers several actionable solutions.

Black men of Yale University
#BlackMenofYaleUniversity goes viral, image via Jet Magazine

One method is to fill positions of power with people from marginalized communities. Another is to re-educate white leaders by enforcing an annual responsibility of learning about the history of whiteness and its socioeconomic functions. 

As anti-racism is slowly introduced into popular culture, it’s obvious that it’s high time we begin holding universities accountable.

Through the grassroots efforts of students and teachers, Ivy Leagues have the opportunity to accept accountability for racist pasts, and how those pasts have seeped into the present. And then most importantly, they have the opportunity to learn how to transform their institutions for the better. 

Digitization in a globalized world: The perks of digital information

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, we have been shaped by continuous progress and development. In the last few decades, in particular, technological innovations have fundamentally changed our everyday lives and digitization has made it easier and better in many ways.

We are now moving naturally through a digital world without thinking about how we got along in front of the internet, computer or smartphone.

And while digitization has already revolutionized every area of our lives, the automation of machines thanks to artificial intelligence is now emerging. Everything is changing for the better due to digitization.

digitization
Digitization is improving efficiency around the world (via pexels)

Work environments are improved by digitization

At the very beginning, digitization was of great importance, especially for companies. It promised efficiency and thus many competitive advantages globally.

Work processes were completely restructured and employees were retrained in e-mail traffic and the use of digital storage. This not only created new jobs for IT experts, but also completely new mobility for office workers. Remote working has also been possible with that.


Entertainment at disposal

Digitization has also brought about many positive changes in the world of entertainment.

Thanks to the online streaming of audio and music, you can put together your own entertainment nowadays and are no longer dependent on TV or radio programs. And gaming fans can also look forward to it.

In the last decade, more and more realistic games have come onto the market, such as online casino games. They come with enticing bonuses like 50 free spins and visual graphics. In the future, we will see even more enhanced experience in the entertainment field with innovations.


E-learning

Online courses or online classes are the modern terms, but we have been using the internet to find out new things daily.

Whatever you need, you can find it on Wikipedia. There is also an abundance of new educational opportunities. In addition to long-distance universities that offer online degrees, there are numerous platforms that provide free, as well as paid, online courses.

If you want to learn a new language, simply download a foreign language app on your smartphone, which offers new lessons every day.


Energy-saving living

Digitization is getting momentum, but not at the cost of harmful effects to the environment.

On the other hand, it has proved helpful in saving energy. You can save a lot of electricity with smart socket strips that switch off automatically when a device is not in use.

And intelligent heating systems ensure that heating is not carried out when the window is open. There are also lighting systems with sensors that switch off automatically when no movement is registered. Such a system is particularly useful for outdoor lighting.

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Health tracking

Digitization has not only given us more access to education, but also to more exercise. With smart gadgets, we can track our fitness activities and health activities.

For instance, Apple Watches let us keep a record of our heart rate, blood pressure, speed, and menstrual cycle. Plus, with online video streaming platforms like YouTube, you can access free videos to learn physical training workouts and significant tips.

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Information and tutorials to get fit are available online easily.


Easy navigation to digitization

Whereas in the past you had to struggle with complicated street maps, practical navigation apps on mobile phones guide us to our destination without getting lost.

For people with limited mobility, there are even certain apps that show where stairs or other barriers are. The modern digital maps show the exact distance and what mode of transportation would take how much time.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, as we expect to see even more changes due to digitization in the future. There could be some downside of the innovations but their advantages outweigh everything.

Meet the video game streamers making waves in 2021

If you haven’t been living under a rock for the last few years, you’ll know that video game streamers are big business.

What was once the domain of spotty teenage boys has now exploded into a multi-billion-dollar business, with streamers from all kinds of backgrounds gracing the likes of Twitch and YouTube.

What is video game streaming?

twitch video game streaming
Space gray iPhone X smartphone turned on with Twitch app

The success of YouTube led to a wide range of channels catering to every possible taste, from movies to ten-pin bowling, so it was no surprise that video gaming experts started to attract large audiences in the early 2000s. They shared gaming recommendations, tips on how to play them, and, later, broadcasting their game-playing live so that fans could see how they did it.

Seeing a huge opportunity, San Francisco-based Justin.tv launched Twitch in 2011, a platform dedicated to video-game streaming, including eSports. Within a year, the site had acquired 20 million followers, with Twitchers, as the streamers came to be known, offering advice on all things game-related.

Regular video games like Call of Duty and League of Legends were the most popular, but the site also catered to fans of other types of games, such as poker, online casino games, and even chess.

Yet things are changing. While the streaming scene tended to be male-dominated at the beginning, 2021 sees a wide range of female influencers who are changing the face of the industry and inspiring other women to take up gaming as a pastime. 

Here are some of the video game streamers making waves in 2021. 

Tianna Mercedes

Tianna used to be an ambulance care assistant, which explains the video game streamer’s calm approach to the battle games she excels in. Her thousands of YouTube and Twitch followers are treated to regular streams where she guides them through some of the trickiest combat scenes.

The London-based gamer has some advice for any females seeking to start up their own channel: ‘just go for it!’. While Tianna herself received criticism when she began streaming, she relishes the chance to prove her haters wrong, and she hopes more women can do the same.

Loeya

Fortnite is one of the most successful games in history, breaking every kind of gaming record, so it makes sense that there’s a mini industry of streamers dedicating their time to mastering the battle game. 

With 1.5 million Twitch followers, Loeya is one of the leading stars. She streams every day at the same time (9am CET) where she chats to viewers and talks them through her tactics.

Her success has earned her mini-celebrity status in her native Sweden, where she’s appeared on TV and radio, and her loyal following means Twitch signed her up to an exclusivity deal recently. 

Black Girl Gamers

When Jay-Ann Lopez set up Black Girl Gamers in 2015, she was tapping into a much-neglected area of the gaming industry, which had previously been dominated by white males.

Now, six years and 50,000 community members later, BGG is one of the most influential online gaming groups and is making huge strides in the gaming industry.

Its Twitch channel showcases a variety of brilliant talent every day on games as diverse as The Sims 4 and The Evil Within 2, so there’s something for everyone. However, even more importantly, the group organizes regular gaming events and charity endeavors to raise money for good causes. 

Lopez and her team of video game streamers have appeared on BBC, ITV, and Sky as they seek to raise awareness, and have inspired many women to take up gaming as a pastime.

FalseSymmetry

FalseSymmetry, or False as she’s also known, has gained over half a million followers across her two channels with her friendly, playful presenting style. She’s a Minecraft expert, building her False Towers structure on the Hermitcraft server like so many other Minecrafters. 

Her video game streaming channels are super family-friendly and engaging as she regularly interacts with her fans and answers questions on how to solve Minecraft’s tricky tasks. False is also famous for her pranks, which she often plays on unsuspecting fellow players, and are sure to raise a smile!

With fellow Minecrafters LDShadowLady and Emzberri, she’s leading the way in the game’s female streamer scene.

Rainbow Arcade

Rainbow Arcade is an inclusive community dedicated to LBTQ+ content creators which focuses on empowerment and positivity. As well as a diverse group of members, its wide range of games appeals to a huge audience from BiggusBennus’s relaxing approach to the high-octane fun of gay couple ZoeyProaSheck. 

The RA website is beautifully designed and features a portfolio of all their charity work and an invitation for new members to join.

Gaming is much more diverse than many people realize, despite its male-dominated reputation, so the good work of the above video game streamers is helping to shine a light on the different groups involved.

Slowly but surely, the face of the video game industry is changing, bringing diversity to its fore and more talent to the likes of Twitch and YouTube, so watch this space!

How does Jackson, Mississippi still not have clean water?

America the great – I believe it to be. But still, there is consistent evidence that America does not care about many of its residents. For people (mostly Black people) in Jackson, Mississippi, and Flint, Michigan, who are still without clean water, this must feel like the case.

Flint, Michigan has been a town without clean water for nearly a decade. The city’s nearly $100M project to destroy all lead pipes has nearly been completed. Still, residents must amend their amenities by alternative means to receive clean water. And the same goes now for residents of Jackson, MS.


What is our current country status?

Since when has it become alright to let reasonable people go without? The more that capitalism swallows our prideful principles, the more that America morphs into a third-world country. America does not treat itself or its people well and exists with many self-serving tendencies. 

So maybe it isn’t too much to ask for a thriving nation to grant access to clean water in every one of its active cities. Unfortunately, another leak has sprouted as this year continues to reveal the rust on our foundation. Jackson, Mississippi, and Flint Michigan need clean water. Plain and simple.


Awful winter storm damages Jackson, MS’s clean water

The issue in Jackson, Mississippi resembles the Texas power storm grid disaster. The infrastructure in play is not equipped to handle the current stress the system is experiencing. 

In mid-February, a harsh and late-season snowstorm did a number on the city of Jackson, MS. On February 17, the city created a boil water notice and was forced to shut down its water supply for a period of time. This left more than 70,000 residents of Jackson without access to clean water.

The lack of clean water situation was harrowingly similar to that in Flint.

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Jackson, Miss. residents are struggling with access to a basic human right.

Today, the water is nowhere near its daily standard capacity with reports of only 37 lbs of pressure per sq. inch being pumped through the pipes as opposed to a successful 90 lbs of pressure per sq. inch. 

Issues as heinous as this one make us beg the question as to where our priorities lie? I know everyone always has something to complain about and it takes so much to make us happy. But, it seems like running water is something that should be handled with greater preparation and alternative gameplans.


The world unravels in layers

Regardless, we are entering the craziest decade in history and I hope that these extracurricular happenings do not continue to become commonplace. If these extraordinary events such as increased natural disasters occur at growing rates, people are harmed and humanity suffers.

Events like these lead into vicious cycles because not only does it represent uncontrollable climate change but also accelerated natural selection which increases our reliance upon corporations. 

People in this situation are now being forced to shovel funds to plastic processing water companies at an excess rate. 

As time goes by, it will become harder and harder to live fairly in a capitalist society.

The Jackson, MS water storm caused a lot of burst pipes and left many Americans with their hands dry and itchy. Looking for an emergency fund, many Americans had to resort to boiling water or buying bottled water at an extreme markup. 

According to journalist Sarah Fowler, the scene in the city looks like, “a whole lot of neighbors helping neighbors.” There has not been a determined date for when the city will reach the desired water pressure to fulfill its obligations.

With more and more happenings in our world, it seems as if we must take the good with the bad. Throughout life, it may be true that winning only occurs when the pros outweigh the cons. The question remains, what fuels those in power’s motivations?