With a brighter light shed on police brutality in the killings of unarmed black men and women including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, communities have rallied worldwide to protest, raise awareness, donate funds, and sound off. There's so much information going around, both via TV news and on the Web, and with some being credible---some not-so-much---it's good to have a resource to help you make sound decisions on how to further the cause and show support.
Though laws have been enacted, offenders have been jailed and charged, and legislators continue talk on police reform, there's still work to be done. Consider these 9 advocacy groups and organizations to keep the fight going:
NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund
The NAACP is definitely an OG in the civil rights game and has a proven track record of being a pivotal part of some of America's most landmark civil rights legislation. Their legal, educational, and advocacy impact is wide-reaching. You can even check out their track record for results here.
Color of Change
With more than 1.7 million members, this advocacy and rights organization puts action behind words to get results. Recent victories include gathering more than 40,000 members in calling for the further investigation in the death of Breonna Taylor, an unarmed woman who was shot by police in Louisville, Kentucky. They were also successful in garnering 35,000 supporters to advocate for cybersecurity protections against racism related to Zoom. Subsequently Zoom hired its first chief diversity officer to address issues of hate related to cyberbullying. They've also been active in fighting against predatory loan practices, cyber discrimination and racism, and discriminatory practices related to COVID-19 resources. Find out how you can join, create a campaign or support an existing one here.
ACLU
This is another organization that has a long-standing history (more than 90 years) and proven track record of sparking legislative and organizational change in the realm of human rights. They have provided legal resources, resource and support issues of women's, LGBT's, and criminal justice rights. They have been active in advocating for victims of police brutality and their families by actively supporting protesters, initiating legal action and facilitating hearings to demand reforms. For more information on their work and how you can help, click here.
The LGBTQ Freedom Fund
Brutality and discrimination against the LGBTQ community is real and has affected millions around the world. Communities of color are disproportionately impacted. The LGBTQ Freedom Fund provides resources, advocacy, and financial aid to those who have been held in jails or immigration detention centers awaiting trial. It also raises awareness about issues of poverty, criminal sentencing, homelessness, and sexual assault against LGBTQ individuals. For more information on how you can volunteer at a chapter near you or donate, click here.
National Bail Fund Network
Celebrities and activists alike have put their money where their mouths are in the form of giving to bail funds. This is indeed important because protest leaders and participants can face arrest and the possibility of criminal charges. The National Bail Fund Network platform provides a quick and easy way to find local organizations that are providing bail fund services to those in need. Check out their listing to see how you can make a targeted impact here.
COVID-19 Mutual Aid Network
With the added challenge of COVID-19-related hardships, especially for minority communities, this area of activism goes hand in hand with human rights. This network, sparked by the efforts of two medical students who saw the need well before the pandemic hit, is made up of volunteers who fight for healthcare access equity for underserved communities by providing educational, financial, and skills resources. It's very clear that the more one can empower communities, the stronger communities are to sustain activism efforts in other areas. For more on how you can donate or find a chapter near you, click here.
Equal Justice Initiative
Fighing to end mass incarceration, racial inequity in the legal system, and excessive punishment for crimes in the U.S. is what this org is all about. Add to that that it's run by savvy lawyer Bryan Stevenson, who was depicted by everyone's fantasy bae, actor Michael B. Jordan in Just Mercy. More than 130 wrongfully condemned death-row inmates have found relief, conviction reversals, or release with the help of this organization, and hundreds more who have been wrongly convicted or sentenced have gotten justice. For more on how to support, visit their website.
Loveland Foundation Therapy Fund
It's true that lack of access to qualtiy mental healthcare is a major problem in communities of color, so empowering women and girls through connecting them to mental health education and resources is not only commendable---it's literally an act of divine love. Founder Rachel Cargle turned a birthday wish into a widespread movement and now has a nationwide collaborative network of mental health professionals, experts and advocacy groups to offer services to those in need. To find out how you can donate to help someone get the counseling and resources they need or how you can become a local advocate, click here.
Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute
This organization not only fights against voter suppression, it also provides organizational training for advocacy groups and movements, policy initiative advocacy for changes in legislation and practices, and support resources for organizers fighting for voting rights. Visit their website to find out more about how to donate or volunteer.
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For The Cozy One:
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Designed to help you store those smaller items like keys more stylishly, this tray is also a great landing spot to store your e.l.f. Lip Mask or Lip Balm, because soft lips make for a soft life.
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A quaint desk that can go in the corner of your room or wherever you please, this product may be the perfect solution for your study needs. Place a catchall dish or a scented candle on top, and you’ve got quite the cozy setting.
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Some ways to do that include getting plenty of rest; not smoking (cigarettes); having and maintaining healthy relationships; exercising; losing weight; getting married (yep); having some sort of a spiritual foundation; forgiving others (somebody really needed to hear that); managing stress (because many chronic diseases are connected to stress) and knowing your purpose and living within it (because, after all, that is what you were put here to do: fulfill purpose).
Today, we’re going to discuss another way to add years to your life: putting certain foods into your diet. Because the saying, “You are what you eat,” is more than a notion when it comes to maintaining your overall health and well-being.
1. Blueberries
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If you’re looking for a sweet, low-calorie snack, try snacking on a bowl of blueberries. They’re a pretty good source of fiber and vitamin C. As far as health benefits go, blueberries are bomb because they are rich in antioxidants; can help to improve cognitive function; are able to boost your immunity, and they can help to strengthen your gut health as well.
On the longevity tip, since blueberries contain a solid amount of vitamin K, when you eat them, you can feel confident that you are providing your system with what it needs in order for your heart to remain healthy, your cholesterol levels to remain low and your bones to stay nice and strong.
Blueberries Recipe: Blueberry Tart with Brown Butter Crust
2. Broccoli
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When it comes to broccoli, here’s something that might trip you out: Did you know that one serving of it contains a whopping 90 percent of the vitamin C that you need on a daily basis? If you add to that the fact that it has quite a bit of vitamins C and K, and protein, fiber and antioxidants — broccoli is definitely something that should be in your diet as much as possible. Some benefits include its ability to help reduce bodily inflammation and improve your digestive health as well as being able to reduce your blood sugar levels, prevent constipation and keep certain cancers at bay.
Broccoli makes the longevity list because it has a literal reputation for strengthening bones, fighting the mental decline that comes with getting older and also reducing the oxidative stress that elevates over time. Yeah, if you want to age gracefully, put more broccoli on your plate.
Broccoli Recipe: Sautéed Broccoli
3. Nuts
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Copper (bookmark that). Magnesium. Manganese. Selenium. Vitamin E. Protein. Fiber. These are just some of the nutrients that nuts are rich in. Good thing too because, all of this, along with antioxidants, can help to lower your cholesterol levels, decrease bodily inflammation, reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, make it easier for you to lose weight and nuts can even put you in a better mood as well.
And how can nuts help you out in the longevity department? Well, the copper in them can slow down premature graying (check out “This Is How To Naturally Treat Premature Greying” and “Check Out These 8 Supplements That Will Slow Down The Graying Process”) while nuts, overall, have been proven to decrease your chances of being diagnosed with cancer, respiratory disease and heart disease. In fact, a Harvard-based article that I read on the topic stated, “The more often people ate nuts, the lower their risk of premature death.”
Nuts Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Roasted Party Nuts
4. Grapes
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Personally, one of my favorite snacks is frozen grapes. Good thing too because grapes are great for hydration, they’re a fair source of fiber, vitamin K and antioxidants and they can do everything from help to regulate your blood sugar levels and fight against certain forms of bacteria and fungi to reduce inflammation and protect your skin and hair from UV damage.
Honestly, when it comes to foods that help to increase longevity, grapes could’ve easily topped this list because they are a natural source of melatonin (which means that they can help you to sleep well which is one of the things that you need to be healthy); they help to keep your weight down (and obesity continues to be a leading cause of death); they contain properties that assist with slowing the aging process of body cells; they help to lower cholesterol levels and your blood pressure, and they can also help to improve your memory, attention span and even moods as you get older.
Grapes Recipe: Easy Roasted Grape Crostata
5. Onions
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Something that you may or may not know is onions, garlic, shallots and leeks are all related. Onions, in particular, contain a fair amount of fiber, protein and antioxidants. If you’re looking to regulate your blood sugar; keep your bones nice and strong; improve your gut health; strengthen your respiratory health and/or digestive system, or if you want to reduce some of your body fat, add more onions into your diet.
Since onions have the ability to release hydrogen sulfide into your system and that is a gas that fights off free radicals that are prone to damage your body cells, that’s why onions made this list of foods that are directly tied to increasing your longevity.
Onions Recipe: French Onion Soup (Soupe à l'Oignon Gratinée)
6. Salmon
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If there is something that I am going to eat, at least once a week (no exaggeration), it’s some baked salmon. I’ve always enjoyed it and I’m pretty sure that I always will. Nutrition-wise, you’d be amazed by how much of a superfood/multivitamin salmon is. I say that because it’s got an unbelievable amount of protein in it, along with being high in B vitamins, selenium, potassium and fatty acids. Some of its health benefits include it containing the compound astaxanthin (which is good for your heart); it reducing depression-related symptoms; it helping to manage your weight; it preventing inflammation, and it keeping your vision clear. Another bonus with salmon is, if you’re looking to tone your body, it helps to build muscle mass.
Some health professionals say that you can live a longer life by eating salmon because it’s also full of vitamin D — a nutrient that helps to strengthen your heart, give you more energy and build up your body’s cells (for the record, women who eat smaller fish like sardines and anchovies can lower their chances of experiencing a health-related premature death by as much as 32 percent too).
Salmon Recipe: Salmon Tacos
7. Olive Oil
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Do you like to cook with olive oil? If so, that’s awesome! I say that because olive oil is one of the best oils to prepare foods with. The antioxidants in it not only help to fight off bacteria and fungi and improve gut health, olive oil also is a top-tier oil for helping you to live a long life. It contains healthy fats that help to reduce your cholesterol levels. It has properties that will help to lower your blood pressure and keep your heart in good health. It has been proven to support the prevention of strokes, Alzheimer's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. And there is even a study which states that the consistent consumption of olive oil can impressively lower your chances of dying from disease. Pretty impressive, right?
Olive Oil Recipe: Bread Dipping Oil Recipe
8. Green Tea
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A website that I sometimes use to back up what I am sharing is Verywell Health. And when it comes to green tea, you might want to check out “What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Green Tea Every Day” (to read it in its entirety). For now, I’ll just share that green tea contains antioxidants that will strengthen your immunity along with properties that help to reduce oxidative stress, decrease the chances of being diagnosed with certain cancers and they can help to keep your oral health in optimal condition as well. Some other cool things about green tea are it helps your body to burn fat and it can improve our cognitive function too.
Green tea also has plant-based compounds in them called flavonoids. That’s awesome because they are potently filled with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are proven to protect your body’s cells as you get older.
Green Tea Recipe: Soothing Green Tea Latte
9. Whole Grains
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If you’ve ever wondered why whole grains are called that, they are grains that contain every part of the grain seed: the bran, germ and endosperm. Because of this, whole grains have far more nutrients in them than refined grains do. Some foods that fall into the whole grain category include wheat, corn, oat, rye, quinoa, barley and brown rice. Some of the benefits that come with consuming whole grains include the fact that they are high in fiber, B vitamins and protein and they can help to lower your risk of heart disease, strokes and type 2 diabetes, they can decrease chronic inflammation, they are able to improve your digestive system and they can help to prevent certain types of cancers.
You will probably get a few extra years added to your life if you consume whole grains as well. In fact, one study actually revealed that by incorporating more whole grains into your diet, you can decrease your risk of health-related death by somewhere around five percent — and hey, every little bit counts.
Whole Grains Recipe: Mock Risotto
10. Dark Chocolate
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I’m a huge fan of dark chocolate! So much so, that I once penned, “12 Ways Dark Chocolate Can Benefit Your Body From Head To Toe” for the platform. If you’re skimming through this article and you want the Reader’s Digest version of what I said, some of the health benefits of dark chocolate (which is chocolate that made up of no less than 60 percent cocoa/cacao; cacao is the raw form of cocoa) includes that it increases blow circulation throughout the body (which is why it’s also considered to be an aphrodisiac); protects your skin from potential UV damage; it’s filled with iron (which is great when it comes to nurturing your red blood cells); it’s a wonderful source of fiber (which can help to keep toxins out of your system), and it can lower your risk of being diagnosed with heart disease.
The sweet thing about dark chocolate when it comes to your longevity? The antioxidants in it will help to reduce oxidative stress. Also, the flavanols in them are great at fighting off the free radicals that can lead to premature aging too. Consuming about an ounce a day should do the trick.
Dark Chocolate Recipe: Chocolate-Covered Pomegranate Seeds
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Time is precious — and, as you can see, food can help you to make the most of your time.
Here’s to selecting the ones that will help you to live your best life — for as long as possible.
Amen? Selah.
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