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We know this is a stressful time, we hope that our resources are able to bring some comfort in this unstable time. We are experiencing this together!
Why we think Education is important!
Why we think Education is important!
We think education is a vital piece of knowing our rights and the rights the have been fought for, across the span of history. It's important that we know how our bodies work, the ways our mental health impacts us and the people around us, the ways our feelings about others can lead us down tricky roads, and how drug experimentation is normal but should be done with care. We want young adults to be prepared for the future ahead of them and the pathways that may arise that should be carefully chosen. As young adults ourselves, we also know that the world has more to teach us all the time, and we can't predict all the things that are headed our way. While we can try to choose the best routes of precautionary measure, we will not always be foolproof. Which is one of many reasons why if you have serious health-related questions, you may want to consult a doctor or general practitioner about your concerns. We believe that knowing how to absorb information and where from is the most difficult part about learning, as much as you learn there will always be some to relearn differently. Take time to ask your guardians or parents questions about your body and functions, if things may seem confusing to you. We want to make sure that everyone knows that these questions didn't come to mind without someone thinking of it first. So no matter how basic or complicated the questions get, there will always be someone who is in the same boat.
We want to make sure that all people, at any age have access to the important pivotal things about maintaining a healthy balanaced life. It's very difficult to get education on the things we assume our parents or guardians may be teaching us. Rarely do the older-adults in our young-adult life, give us the kind of parental information we may have missed out on (sometimes we have to also look out for this behavior if it's presenting inappropriately). Not every person has parents/guardians, and not every parent/guardian has access and ability to provide this education for their children.
We know that health is a widening topic every moment. Whether to choose a variation of hollistic, modern, or convention medical practices, there is always room for growth. We know that some of the health information/product companies are not always keeping our best interest in mind; however, trusting the masses of scientific data and repetitive testing is important. Many doctors, pharmacists, and scientists, would agree that hollistic and modern medicine both have something to learn from one another. The reasons that some hollistic measures work, is because of its molecular compounds and pharmacology.
When trying to formulate safe and confident medical decisions for yourself, you need to have all the information. Understanding, that having a basic wide-spread knowlegde of situations, allows us to prepare mentally, physically, and emotionally, before facing the situation. It also doesn't hurt to know that what you feel is valid, and may be something you are not alone in facing. Finding resources can be difficult in the realm of any an all medical questions. We try to provide you with the least-discussed aspects of health that impact each of us at a higher rate. Destigmatize the medical issues we face as a part of our human condition, allows a bit of freedom and recognition to anyone who may be facing or knows someone who is facing a similar issue. Mental Health, Sexual Health, and Drug Health, are huge factors to our health as we grow up; yet, they are also the least discussed and recognized among regular society. Increasing our awareness and willingness to communicate about these topics, allows for people to believe they are not alone. Seeing someone else face a really difficult thing/difference and survive, can typically make others feel better about their differences. (Like when you would see someone get a vaccine before you did, as a child; it made you feel better about the outcomes.)
Health in its bigger context, is a privilege that many of us take for granted. This doesn't mean that if you're healthy your life is easy and great, it simply means that you take on life without having to worry about your inability to do certain things. For people who are chronically-ill or differently abled than a typical healthy individual, these parameters of social interaction change due to the lack of accommodable social spaces. There is a lot to learn about aging, but something we learn even as children is that our bodies are constantly changing. (You may break your arm, and it may heal perfectly; for someone else is may not. These things differences between us as a beautiful reflection of our genes and environmental influence.)
It's important for us to remember that the label disabled is important but also holds some distain from the differently abled/disabled community. The label of 'disability' in its social context is a medically and government associated system of necessity for help or accommodation. Without said label, establishments and police do not have to accommodate your differences. The label in its reality suggests that people do not have the ability to do something, whereas many people believe that they are still able- just differently that the typical person. Differences are often overlooked or unseen in the public eye, especially in relation to learning differences (dyslexia, ADHD, Autism, etc. ). Learning Differences don't diminish your ability to be smart, but change the ways in which you learn.
Medical Care is NOT free in the United States, and we use an insurance system. Due to the insurance system, prices for medical care have risen to amounts that are unreasonable, and receiving care as a person without insurance may not seem available or reasonable. Many people don't go to the hospital because of this reason, but please remember that medical bills cannot effect your credit score, and they can not make you pay the bills. For younger individuals, and those under 18, you can typically receive state health care for free or lost cost health insurance. Due to the lack of access to medical insurance information and other issues with health-related care, we developed a research-guided page for users to find some answers.
All of us are human, and that makes us unique and awesome in our own abilities. If you lost the ability to move your hand right now, how would you have to compensate? Not everyone has someone by their side in all phases of life. (Community Organizing being a key to supporting each other.) Sometimes mentally putting yourself in other people's shoes can allow you to have a better understanding, but it doesn't mean we can understand the Social Discrimination that may come along with a range of undetectable/ detectable health issues in our modern society.
It's likely that at some point in life, everyone will have at least seen one of these drugs. Especially when discussing Alcohol, Marijuana, and some street and commercial drugs. This education is important so you know what to look out for, and also hear from people with direct experience from using these drugs during difference periods of life. It's important also to note that drug dealers and obtaining drugs is often one of the most dangerous parts of participating in illegal substances. So making sure you know the people you buy from, and trust their sources, is a huge hurdle to move past. Lastly, making sure that even if you didn't participate, or don't plan on it, that you know what to do in the event of a friend or person around you has an adverse drug reaction.
Also some drugs like Alcohol, Marijuana, and Psilocybin are legal or decriminalized in some areas and it the information should be available and accessible so that everyone can learn about these substances before ingesting them.
Youth will always find a way to get involved in the things they shouldn't, and even if they don't they can still encounter drugs with friends or peers. Making sure any and all drug users or peers can access this information is necessary.
As we grow up we encounter new people and experiences, so even if our mental health is in a good state, being aware of how to help, and also how stand back when it comes to the mental health issues of those around you is crucial. We could all stand to be kinder and more caring to one another; but understanding someone may have trouble putting together their thoughts into words, or that the way they are communicating may be(/not be) expressing how they really feel. You can't predict the way that people are going to engage with you, because you can't predict what they are going through in that current moment. You should always take time to assess the situation and think about what social systems, and life differences may have impacted this person you are engaging with.
A lot of us have learned by trial and error, that blocking out intense life experiences (traumas) don't allow us to have the state of mind of trying to work, converse, accept reality, & etc. When you are unable to take time to process it that can cause longer term stress from the trauma/event. Taking that into account we can try to remind ourselves of what we expect from ourselves and what we expect from others in daily interactions.
If we are allowed enough information about mental health, that we can look out for signs and symptoms in ourselves and loved ones. This knowledge also allows us to be more intune with our body, brain, and mind. Making choices that serve us both mentally and emotionally rather than socially or precociously. We can also use these tools to serve us on how we want to guide ourselves to grow as we age. None of this means you don't have fun or choose risky things, but that you choose them with forethought and insight to the situation presented.
Communication & Community:
Communication & Community:
There are so many fascinating ways that humans communicate to each other, so many forms we overlook when thinking about how we communicate as well. Humans have a large array of communication techniques like body language, voice/tone, language, facial expression, pheromones, and for those with differences in these areas there are assistive devices for communication which range from technological aids, to fully assistive devices.
We will be giving summaries of the most important information we have learned/found and put together, see our citations for all the resources we used to come up with this information. To check out our main source with indepth guides (click here): https://www.helpguide.org
Knowing what kinds of relationships we have with the people around us can be very important. Our page on Relationships explains some of the ways that we can identify or relationships with others, but also how these relationships may effect us and the people around us. Avoiding Predators can also be something to look into that we prefer that all individuals prepare for.
Excessive Interest in Children: Perpetrators may display an unusually high level of interest in children, seeking out opportunities to be alone with them or engage in activities involving children.
Inappropriate Boundaries: Watch for individuals who consistently violate personal boundaries with children, such as invading their personal space or engaging in inappropriate touching.
Grooming Behaviors: Perpetrators often employ grooming tactics to build trust with both the child and their caregivers. This can include giving excessive gifts, providing special attention, or exploiting vulnerabilities.
Secretive Behavior: Be cautious of individuals who are excessively secretive about their interactions with children, avoiding open communication or transparency with parents or guardians.
Frequent Isolation with a Child: If someone consistently isolates a child from their peers or family, it may be a cause for concern. Perpetrators often exploit isolation to engage in abusive behavior without detection.
Manipulative Techniques: Look out for individuals who use manipulation to coerce or control a child. This can involve emotional manipulation, convincing the child to keep secrets, or using intimidation tactics.
Inappropriate Sexualized Behavior: Keep an eye on any adult displaying inappropriate sexual behavior or making sexually suggestive comments around children.
Excessive Interest in Child Pornography: Individuals with a predilection for child sexual abuse may exhibit an abnormal interest in child pornography. This is a red flag that demands immediate attention.
Changes in a Child's Behavior: Pay attention to sudden changes in a child's behavior, such as withdrawal, aggression, fearfulness, or regression in developmental milestones. These changes may be indicative of abuse.
Unwillingness to Let the Child Set Boundaries: A potential perpetrator may disregard a child's discomfort or reluctance to engage in certain activities, insisting on their own desires instead.
Hate Crimes:
Hate Crimes:
Hate crimes are rooted in (Systemic) Systems of Oppression that have been upheld by historical/long-serving societal structures. Hate crimes are criminal acts motivated by bias or prejudice against a person or group based on characteristics such as race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Historically, these crimes have been used as tools of social control, intimidation, and oppression. In the United States, hate crimes were often associated with racial terror during the post-Reconstruction era, particularly through lynchings and violence aimed at Black Americans to reinforce segregation and white supremacy. Similarly, in Nazi Germany, state-sponsored hate crimes targeted Jews, Roma, and other minority groups as part of a genocidal regime.
In the modern era, hate crimes remain a serious issue globally. While civil rights advances have provided legal protections, incidents of hate-fueled violence persist. Modern hate crimes can range from vandalism of religious sites to violent attacks on individuals, such as the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting targeting LGBTQ+ individuals or anti-Asian violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The internet has also created new avenues for hate crimes, including cyber harassment and the efficient spread of extremist propaganda on new platforms.
Governments and international bodies have responded by enacting hate crime legislation, aiming to impose stricter penalties when bias is proven to be a motivating factor. However, enforcement and definitions vary widely by country. Tracking and reporting remain challenges, often due to underreporting or lack of legal frameworks.
There is more research being done to finish this page, please be patient with us.
There is more research being done to finish this page, please be patient with us.
If you would like to help us write about commonly silenced areas or personal experiences you may have with these topics, contact us at thisisactivism2023@gmail.com or fill out our Comments page. We want our website to be a continuous growth of knowledge to share with each other in a positive way. There are so many things we don't talk about and we should!
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