All Eyes Are On Us
From the desk of Bibek, Senior Digital Strategist
Today the World Cup kicks off here in the US, which got me thinking about what this has meant for past hosts.
In 2002, Japan and South Korea, two nations with a long and painful history, threw the world’s biggest party together, neighbors rather than rivals. In 2010, South Africa became the first African nation to host. Ask a casual fan what they remember and odds are they’ll say vuvuzelas. And then there was Qatar, whose 2022 tournament put its treatment of migrant workers under a spotlight no amount of money could dim.
When all eyes are on you, the world notices what it notices, for better or worse. Now it’s our turn, and the mirror is unflattering. Our transit systems are straining before a single whistle has blown, and our immigration policy is so needlessly punitive that we denied entry to Omar Artan, Africa’s best referee, who was set to become the first Somali official ever to work a World Cup.
The good news is that none of this is inevitable. These aren’t natural disasters or acts of fate. They’re the result of choices made by elected officials at every level of government. We can have better choices. YOU could be the better choice. We can help you get started.
💻UPCOMING LIVE TRAININGS
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06.15
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06.17
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NDTC Learner Spotlight
NDTC learner Lauren Hensley is a school counselor who decided it was time to bring that perspective to where the decisions get made. She ran for and won her seat in the Cabell County Board of Education in West Virginia to keep student well-being, academic success, and family engagement at the center of every board decision. Hensley takes office July 1, and she’ll be there for every student in Cabell County.
SUBSTACK
Still Fighting for Pride: One Year Later
In our latest Substack, Marketing Content and Website Manager, Kelly Sherman, reflects on Pride, the work we need to do to protect LGBTQ+ rights, and provides guidance on how to defeat hateful GOP rhetoric.
ICYMI
Pride Panel: Resistance, Resilience & the Road Ahead
This event is for you if you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community, an advocate, an ally, or anyone committed to showing up for the community, especially when the road is hard.
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There’s a quaint Southern phrase I know: “when your opponents’ attempts to rig redistricting in their favor get too blatant, regroup and find another avenue to fight back.” It sounds better with a Tennessee drawl.
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