Betsy Spring, MBA’s Post

In our research investigating the health needs of formerly incarcerated Black women, we found that more than half of the women in the study had a history of substance use or misuse, and for many of them, maintaining sobriety was a priority as part of their health and wellness needs once released from incarceration. Karina, a study participant said, "When I was in treatment and sober living, I was just working on me. It was just about being clean. It was just about the 12 steps. It was just about meetings. Once I got to A New Way of Life, my journey began as far as becoming the woman I used to be before I was incarcerated and addicted. It was regaining my being and being a productive person in society." Karina's experience with the A New Way of Life Reentry Project demonstrates the vital importance of making sure formerly incarcerated Black women have access to resources and services that will support their health holistically and help them safely and successfully return to their communities. To learn more, read our report, “Pathways to Wellness: Health Needs of Black Women After Incarceration,” at https://lnkd.in/e_sfZyWs #NBWJI #PathwaysToWellness

Terrorism is the mechanism used to ensure that the “…the superior position…” Abraham Lincoln articulated during the 1858 Lincoln/Douglas debates, remains with the white man. The time highlighted in the statement “… from George Stinney, Jr. to George Floyd, Jr.…” is incredibly misleading.  I have notice that a lot of things relative to the history of (b)Black people in America centers around the WWII era. George Sinney, Jr., was executed at the age of 14 on June 16, 1944, however the “extralegal” murder of (b)Black men is an understood practice as common  in America is #capitalism and predates the Declaration of Independence. There's no way to pick one such atrocity as the “worst tragedy” in America because there are so many.  It is the fact that there are so many that makes it horrible. White people who consider themselves, racial justice “allies” read about these stories and recoil in third party horror.  These are memories, lived experiences and motivations of every (b)Black person in America. We're either cowed by these stories to conform or radicalized by these stories to “buck the system” however it is the existence of the “system” which we’re still arguing about in 2024. I read an article in the Nonprofit Quarterly, “Unpacking the False Allyship of White Racial Justice Leaders” which introduced me to the term #performativeallyship.  Having a name for the aggravating habit white people have of aligning their lived experience with #DEI and learning about #blackHistory in America was refreshing. All of these efforts to #understand black angst lead to no real change, most just want credit for saying “I understand” as if (b)Black people need white permission to be pissed off, fed up and over it [ALL]. The article is a good read and starts off with language that immediately causes discomfort and the reality is of the social conditions in America don't make you uncomfortable then you're not doing it right.  Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives maintain the idea of othering (b)Black people in #whiteled spaces.  It's the #whiteled that maintains white supremacy . Is the problem. What needs to be changed.  From the article: “To rectify hundreds of years of advantage, true equality could mean sacrifice on white people’s part in several key areas.   Economically—with regard to who holds and manages wealth and resources   Socially—the shifting of power dynamics in social and professional spaces   Psychologically—erasing the norm that white people’s comfort is paramount   In spite of the strides that have been made in the civil rights movement, white supremacy is still prevalent in these three categories.”   https://lnkd.in/g8Nmfjnc  

“The test of a first-rated mind is the ability to hold two opposing thoughts at the same time while still retaining the ability to function.” F. Scott Firzgerald read my latest newsletter below https://lnkd.in/ghEHmTpK #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipinsights #duality #cognitivedissonance

Most will turn away. I tried. But I forced myself to watch. We do various form of this every single day in America. WE, “white” people did this and continue to do it every day in the USA through: 1. Mass incarceration 2. School to prison pipeline 3. Death penalty systemic racism 4. Over-policing 5. Police impunity 6. “Justice” system corruption 7. Politics over truth 8. For profit prisons 9. 1000’s more so please add to the comments

White privilege killed Sonya Massey! In a society where highly educated black people and people of color with dual degrees and master's degrees struggle to find jobs, an unfit, murderous white male has managed to change jobs six times within the police force, between 2020 and 2024. Here are his job changes: 🛑Hired on 05/01/2023, separated on 07/17/2024, reason: Terminated. 🛑Hired on 05/01/2022, separated on 04/28/2023, reason: Resigned. 🛑Hired on 07/20/2021, separated on 05/01/2022, reason: Resigned. 🛑Hired on 05/20/2021, separated on 12/31/2021, reason: Resigned. 🛑Hired on 02/04/2021, separated on 05/18/2021, reason: Other (Explain). 🛑Hired on 08/11/2020, separated on 07/26/2021, reason: Other (Explain). So, dear white people, in case you haven’t yet understood what white privilege looks like, I hereby present to you your “white privileged poster boy.” As a human rights defender, instances like this make me want to scream from the rooftops that the death penalty should be retained for vile criminals like Sean Grayson! #WhitePrivilege #JusticeForSonya #HumanRights #Equality #RacialJustice #EndSystemicRacism #BlackLivesMatter #SocialJustice #Equity #FightForJustice #Injustice #WorkplaceEquity #LinkedInCommunity #Diversity #Inclusion #PoliceBrutality #UnjustPolicing Video source: https://lnkd.in/dwJyPH4p

New Report: From 2000 to 2021, the imprisonment rate fell by 70% for Black women and by 48% for Black men. In comparison, Latinas saw an 18% decrease, Latinos saw a 34% decrease, White women increased by 12% and White men decreased 27%. Learn more: #MassIncarceration #EndMassIncarceration #Decarcerate

I can solve the bad cop problem: Require Bachelor's degrees. In Seattle, WA, you can apply at 20.5 years old and become an armed officer at 21 years old. You need: high school diploma or GED, a basic literacy test, a physical, 6 months training (less than a week of deescalation, mostly tactical and combat, codes and procedures) an interview by fellow cops for, you know, cultural fit. Starting salary? $100k. Signing bonus? $30k. Average salary? $113k. Name me one other profession... Is it starting to add up? Low barrier, high pay, no education. Mix in the KKK's active promotion of the profession (search "KKK police recruit"), you get: BAD COPS interviewing BAD COPS. 911 is a tool of institutionalized racism. https://lnkd.in/grnfGPzu In a world gone mad, we need security. Make sure they are educated. And while I'm here, police departments need standardization. Every single city in the United States has a their very own policies and definitions. Madness.

Since 2016, the MAGA movement has provided permission for People to unashamedly and overtly act out deep-seated biases without fear of social disapproval or retribution. “Trumpism” has seemingly tapped into an underlying groundswell of anger, resentment, grievance and even fury at our institutions, the news media, medical science and policies that seem to intrude upon individual freedom. What lies beneath this rage? The concept of white supremacy, while no longer considered an acceptable topic of polite conversation, could partly explain the support Trump receives in opinion polls and at the ballot box. It is entirely possible that the tentacles of deeply buried and unconscious beliefs that white people and their way of life are being threatened are slowly creeping back into public view. Throughout history, the United States has in fact enforced these standards through social, economic and political powers; the invisible undercurrent of white supremacy renders racism invisible, equates normality with whiteness, and mimics the norms of fairness, justice and equality. However with the changing complexion of society, called the "Browning of America" along with the Feminization of the U.S. Workforce, these changes and demands have upended the lives of many White Americans simply by leveling the Playing Field and the Fear that a “their superior way of life” is being lost and in their minds, they have been forced to change without their consent where that White-Cherished values and traditions or some would call "White Privilege" has ended! The slogan “Make America Great Again!” disguises White Supremacy and a yearning to return to a romanticized era where minoritized individuals “knew their place” in America🤷♂️ The MAGA slogan conceals a call to return to former days of clearly defined White Power and Privilege, when Women were Homemakers instead of in the Workforce, Marriage was only between a Man and a Woman and Homosexuality and other “Queer” lifestyles were considered Sinful and a Mental Disorder! The MAGA movement, lead by Donald Trump is simply the rhetoric of White Supremacy, limiting individual freedoms and individual rights where "Hate Speech" is justified as “Free Speech” and "Gun Control" is an attack on “The right to bear Arms” and criticism or offending marginalized Groups of Color has again been normalized, seen as the new “Political Correctness” and Vaccine mandates are seen as Governmental intrusion, not solving a Nationwide Pandemic🤷♂️ As a Nation, America must face the reality that a large segment of the White population harbors strong Racist and Bigoted beliefs, this is a large reason for Donald Trump's loyal support, they see Donald Trump as their Poliitician to restore order putting People of Color, Women & the LGBT crowd back in their place! At the end of the day, The MAGA movement is really less about Donald Trump and more about who #WE are as a Nation🤷♂️ #VoteBlue2024 #StopTheHate✋️

While I may not walk in the shoes of a nurse 🩺, I stand shoulder to shoulder with them in the battle against colorism and racism. As I am a survivor of such tactics by leadership and co-workers. The historic practice of 'passing' for white continues to be ingrained in our society, casting a long, dark shadow over us. Until we realize that evil, injustice, and oppression know no color, we cannot hope for real change. 🌍 It's time for those presenting as white and with lighter complexions to utilize their privilege, to speak up 📣 and break the chains of systemic oppression that continue to bind those with darker complexions. It's not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist. It's not about guilt, it's about responsibility. Esther 4:16 speaks volumes in this context - 'For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?' For those professed Christians use the Bible with intention, not just to brag about how many times you attend church or Bible study... put actions to words. Let's use our positions, our voices, and our actions to challenge the status quo. It's time to stop the oppression, advocate for change, and champion equality. It's time to ensure that every shade is celebrated, and no shade is oppressed. 🙏🏽 #EndColorism #EndRacism #InclusionAndDiversity

Check out my latest article in Newsweek where I dive into what Black people won't tell you about your politics. From addressing the issues of voting for white supremacists like Donald Trump to confronting the pervasive racism in our country, this piece offers candid insights into crucial topics often overlooked. Dive deeper into these crucial discussions and explore related themes in my newly released book, "Race Rules", now available. I'm passionate about fostering understanding and dialogue on these pressing issues especially as our country faces many issues today. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking read! Link below! https://lnkd.in/eGnfP2qg #Newsweek #RaceRules #PoliticalInsights #DebutAuthor #IgniteChange #InclusiveConversations #SocialChange #racismdisruptor #books  #blackauthors #mustread #booklaunch #publishing #publishers #dei #leadership #career #careeradvice #workplace #racism #ally #allyship #reading #bookstore #library #diversity #diversityandinclusion #inclusion #equity #equality #diversityequityinclusion #inclusionmatters #socialimpact #voting