eveningstandard--2019-05-04--Madonna opens up on her fight against ageism in the music industry aposIaposm being punished fo

Madonna opens up on her fight against ageism in the music industry: 'I'm being punished for turning 60'

Madonna has revealed she is now fighting ageism in the music industry and that she is "being punished" for hitting 60.  The US pop star said the new hurdle comes after decades of taking on a number of other battles in order to succeed.  She told British Vogue magazine: "People have always been trying to silence me for one reason or another, whether it's that I'm not pretty enough, I don't sing well enough, I'm not talented enough, I'm not married enough, and now it's that I'm not young enough.  "So, they just keep trying to find a hook to hang their beef about me being alive on.  "Now I'm fighting ageism, now I'm being punished for turning 60."  The music star, who will release her long-awaited 14th album Madame X next month, also said she has felt unsupported by other women throughout her career.  She said: "There are no living role models for me. Because nobody does what I do. And that's kind of scary.  "I can look back at women who I think were great and amazing - freedom fighters, like Simone de Beauvoir or Angela Davis - but they didn't have kids."  Madonna added: "Being a single parent of six children, I continue to be creative and be an artist and be politically active, to have a voice, to do all the things that I do. So, I mean, there isn't anybody in my position."  The Like A Prayer hit-maker, who appears on the cover of the magazine for the first time in 30 years, has two biological children, daughter Lourdes and son Rocco, and four adopted children from Malawi - David, Mercy and twins Estere and Stella.  She said that she feels her son David, 13, is the one she has the most in common with.  "What he has more than anything is focus and determination," she said.  "I'm pretty sure he got it from me. He's the one I have the most in common with.  "I feel like he gets me; he has more of my DNA than any of my children so far. Let's see what happens - it's still early days for everyone."  She said her daughter Lourdes, 22, from her relationship with actor Carlos Leon, is "insanely talented", but that she worries that she does not have enough drive to succeed on her own terms.  Madonna said: "She's incredible at everything she does - she's an incredible dancer, she's a great actress, she plays the piano beautifully, she's way better than me in the talent department.  "But she doesn't have the same drive, and again, I feel social media plagues her and makes her feel like, 'People are going to give me things because I'm her daughter'."  The full feature appears in the June issue of British Vogue, available on May 10.


foxnews--2019-06-28--Bernie Sanders accuses Eric Swalwell of ageism for his pass the torch remarks

Bernie Sanders accuses Eric Swalwell of 'ageism' for his 'pass the torch' remarks

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, accused Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif, of "ageism" for his swipe at the seasoned presidential candidates to "pass the torch" to a younger generation of leaders.  The 38-year-old congressman scored a memorable moment from Thursday's Democratic primary debate when he took aim at former President Joe Biden by using the 76-year-old frontrunner's own rhetoric against him.  "I was six years old when a presidential candidate came to the California Democratic Convention and said ‘it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans.’ That candidate was then-Senator Joe Biden,” Swalwell said. “Joe Biden was right 32 years ago, and he’s still right today.”  Swalwell later used the "pass the torch" line on Sanders while discussing climate change.  Following the debate, Sanders was asked about the "generational argument" that is being made by folks by Swalwell.  "I think that's kind of ageism to tell you the truth," Sanders responded. "And I think what we're trying to do and all of us are trying to do is to end discrimination in this country against women, against minorities, against the LGBT community, and I think ageism as well."  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP  He continued, "It doesn't matter if you're old, you're young, you're black, you're white, woman, man, you've got to take a hard look at the candidates and what they stand for and what their record has been."  Sanders later insisted it's "not right" to criticize candidates for being "too young" and that everyone should be judged by the "totality" of who they are.


newyorkpost--2019-03-20--Wendy Williams audience member accusing show of racism ageism

Wendy Williams audience member accusing show of racism, ageism

Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)  Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)  Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)  As if Wendy Williams didn’t have enough to worry about, a fan is accusing her show of discriminating against her and her friends because of their age and race.  Diane Stevens, a frequent audience member at talk shows, told Page Six that on Feb. 14 she and two pals arrived at 6:30 a.m. to see a taping of the “Wendy Williams Show.”  “I was coming from The Bronx, and I had to take a bus and two trains,” the 60-year-old says.  “So because we have canes they let us sit down inside the audience holding [area]. Then the audience coordinator comes on the headset and she looks at us and says into the headset, ‘I am taking the tickets from the older people,’” she alleged.  Stevens claims that staffers took away their stubs and escorted them out of the building.  “It was so humiliating,” she said.  Stevens, who is white, says that the tickets were handed to three young African- American women, and so she believes the decision was motivated by their age and race.  Asked for comment, a spokesperson from the show stated, “We have the best audience in daytime and we provide a welcoming, fun environment for all of Wendy’s co-hosts [as Williams refers to her audience].”  On Tuesday, Williams — who has taken a long leave of absence from the show — revealed that she’s been living in a sober house to address past addiction issues.


theguardianuk--2019-01-31--Fake news and ageism keeping statins from older people

'Fake news and ageism' keeping statins from older people

Thousands of deaths and the wrecking of many lives by disability could be averted if doctors routinely offered a daily statin pill to older people, scientists say.  They blame misinformation about the side-effects of statins, together with society’s ageism, for the low uptake among older people, who are at highest risk of heart attacks, heart failure and stroke.  There are 5.5 million people aged over 75 in the UK, of whom about 1.5 million take a statin. If the rest did so too, about 8,000 additional deaths from cardiovascular events could be prevented, said Prof Colin Baigent, director of the Medical Research Council population health research unit at Oxford University.  More than two-thirds of the 150,000 cardiovascular deaths in the UK each year are in people over 75.  Baigent said there were good reasons why some would not want to take statins, for instance if they had terminal cancer or certain other medical conditions, but the pills were safe and effective and should be offered.  “It is not just about preventing deaths,” he said. “Death is the least of people’s worries when they are elderly. They are more worried about being disabled. Talking to elderly relatives, it is the thing they want to avoid.” He said disability following stroke and heart failure could massively impair people’s quality of life.  Baigent said statins had wrongly become controversial because of misinformation about side-effects. “We have people saying that 20% of those taking a statin get side-effects, which is clear misinformation. It is fake news,” he said. “We have seen, as a result of that, a lot of concern about people being on too much treatment, but it is predicated on the idea that it is doing them harm. That is misinformation.”  The Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ Collaboration, a project based at Oxford University, has collected data from clinical trials of statins involving 200,000 patients over the last 25 years. Baigent said researchers know what the rare, big hazards of statins are, such as myopathy, which causes muscle weakness. Because of the concerns, they are now examining the data on side-effects and will report probably at the end of the year.  “It is very unlikely that any hazards exist that we don’t already know about,” Baigent said. “The debate about whether statins are associated with particular hazards has got out of control and is blinding us to the clear evidence that we already have.”  People have become muddled by claims of side-effects based not on randomised controlled trials but on observational studies – the reports of patients who know what drug they are taking and assume any pains they feel are down to the pills. “Non-randomised studies are extremely susceptible to bias,” Baigent said. “They are extremely unreliable.”  He said ageism among doctors and society as a whole was also preventing older people from being offered statins. There was an attitude that “a person is elderly, so something is going to happen to them, so why bother?”  The collaboration analysed data from 28 randomised controlled trials involving a total of 186,854 patients, 14,483 of whom were aged over 75. The findings are published in the Lancet medical journal.  Statins reduce the levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, in the blood, measured in millimoles per litre. The study found that for every reduction of 1mmol/L, the risk of a cardiovascular event (heart attack or stroke) dropped by a fifth across all age groups.  The risk reduction was lower in the over 75s than in younger people but still a substantial benefit, the scientists said, because older people are at higher risk.  “Even if risk reduction in people older than 75 years is less than expected, statin therapy may still be justified by a high baseline cardiovascular risk, which is usually present in older people,” writes Bernard Cheung, of the Queen Mary hospital at the University of Hong Kong, in a comment article in the journal.  “The present meta-analysis makes a case to reduce LDL cholesterol in people at risk of cardiovascular events regardless of age, provided that the benefits outweigh the risks and the patient accepts long term treatment.”  Prof Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Concern has been raised about the benefits of statins in older people. This large analysis provides powerful evidence that statins reduce heart attacks and strokes in older people, as they do in younger people, and are safe.  “Age should not be a barrier to prescribing these potentially life-saving drugs to people who are likely to benefit.”


theguardianuk--2019-04-04--Ageism may increase peoples risk of ill-health study finds

Ageism may increase people's risk of ill-health, study finds

A quarter of older people in England say they have recently faced ageism, researchers have revealed in a study suggesting discrimination could be taking a toll on their health.  Experts say that with the older population growing, it is important to understand the impact of such negative behaviour, and find ways to tackle discrimination and its effects to help people stay healthy as they age.  “This is a substantial issue that seems to have quite a significant impact on health and wellbeing. So it is really a call for action for strategies,” said Dr Sarah Jackson from University College London, the lead author of the study.  Others said issues such as Brexit and housing pressures have contributed to ageism by pitting “millennials” against “baby boomers” even though many older people also experience financial and social disadvantages.  “We need to challenge these views that older people are perfectly fine and they’ve stolen off the younger generation,” said Martin McKee, a professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who was not involved in the study.  Writing in the journal Lancet Public Health, Jackson and colleagues report how they analysed data from a pre-existing study into ageing in England. The researchers looked at the responses of more than 7,700 participants aged 50 or older to questions about how often they felt they had experienced five scenarios of discrimination and whether they thought age was a factor, as well as self-reports of their health.  Examples of recent discrimination included being threatened or harassed in the past year, and ever having been discriminated against by doctors or in hospital.  Recent experiences of ageism were more common among participants who were male, less wealthy or older. Once such factors were taken into account, those who said they had recently experienced at least one form of ageism – about 25% of participants – were found to be more likely to describe their health as only fair or poor than those who did not.  Among those who said they had not recently experienced age discrimination, 13% reported having coronary heart disease, 38% reported arthritis, 33% said they had a long-standing condition and 12% said they had depressive symptoms. By contrast, among those who said they had recently faced ageism, the figures were 17% for coronary heart disease, 44% for arthritis, 39% for a long-standing condition and 19% for depressive symptoms.  The results also suggest that the more situations in which people experience ageism, the greater their chance of reporting bad health.  It seems ageism might – at least in part – play a driving role in the development of poorer health. When the team looked at data from 5,595 of the participants, collected six years after the first survey, the found those that had previously reported ageism were more likely to report a deterioration in health.  Jackson and colleagues suggest that among the possible ways ageism could take a toll are difficulties in adopting a healthy lifestyle – such as gym-going – for fear of discrimination, worse care and less timely diagnoses by health professionals, and even stress – which might affect the body through inflammatory mechanisms, triggering unhealthy behaviours or psychological distress.  But the team say the mechanism could also go the other way – those in poorer health, possibly with more visible frailty, might experience more age-related discrimination.  The authors add that some of the links between age discrimination and poor health were only present among those who also felt discriminated against on other fronts, for example race, sex or disability. Previous studies have suggested that racism and other forms of discrimination are also linked to poorer health.  The latest study has limitations, including being based on self-report and perceptions of discrimination, while experiences of discrimination were only asked about at one point in time.  However, Thomas Scharf, a professor of social gerontology at the Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, said the research suggested age-related discrimination could play a role in driving ill health. “Even though the effects are modest, they point in one direction,” he said.  Toby Green, a senior policy and research executive at the Royal Society for Public Health, said the results chimed with previous studies that have shown ageist attitudes are prevalent.  “As the most commonly experienced form of discrimination, it is in everyone’s interest to fight ageism at every turn – whether that is in the workplace, in hospitals, or in the headlines,” he said. “We are, after all, all ageing.”


thesun--2019-04-24--Radio 1 has been accused of ageism after snubbing 60-year-old Madonnas latest song release

Radio 1 has been accused of ageism after snubbing 60-year-old Madonna’s latest song release

SHE’S the Queen of Pop with a string of iconic hits over 40 years putting her among music’s all-time greats — but the message doesn’t seem to have filtered through at Radio 1.  Bosses at the BBC station — which still sees itself as the biggest force in British pop — have sparked fury among Madonna's fans by snubbing her comeback from its playlist.  New track Medellin, released last week, sees Madge team up with up-and-coming reggaeton star Maluma — and is as contemporary and sharp as anything else in the charts.  Station chiefs have been accused of ageism towards the 60-year-old superstar, with their decision meaning Madonna will not be played on the network at all.  Fans lambasted bosses online, with one blasting: “Blatant misogyny, ageism and above all, bull***t.”  Another added: “Ageism is as rude as racism — disgusting.” And hundreds more have commented below Madonna’s videos on YouTube.  One industry source told me: “It’s a sad reality that for some people in the music business it wouldn’t matter what Madonna released. They’d dismiss it because she’s 60.”  But the network hit back. A spokesman told me the decision was made “based on what the audience expects to hear, with no other criteria taken into consideration.”  Open-minded Radio 2 chiefs last night added the track to its playlist, despite it featuring 25-year-old Maluma, who is well outside its target audience.  Last night, Madonna was in London to unveil the video for the single, her first from upcoming album Madame X, her latest eye-patch-wearing alter-ego.  The promo premiered worldwide at 9pm — and didn’t disappoint with arresting imagery sure to get the pop world talking.  Maybe now Radio 1 will take their fingers out of their ears and listen . . .    COLOMBIAN newcomer Maluma is emerging as one of the hottest names in pop right now – even if Radio 1 hasn’t noticed yet.  And although his name may not be familiar, you’ve probably heard his work before, as he has previously teamed up with Shakira and XXXTentacion.  He has also won two Latin American Music Awards and a Latin Grammy, along with nominations at the Billboard and MTV EMAs.  Maluma first found fame in 2010 and now boasts more than 41million Instagram followers and more than 19million subscribers to his YouTube channel.  After news of the release of his single with Madonna he told his fans: “Impossible to contain my tears and emotions after hearing this.  “You don’t know the happiness and what this represents in my life. It’s good to dream . . . I told you!”  IT seems Geri Horner still can’t face Mel B after Scary spilled the beans on their one-night stand back in the Spice Girls' heyday.  Mel finally touched down in London yesterday after missing the first week of rehearsals for the group’s monster reunion tour, which kicks off in Ireland next month.  But while there were smiles all round, Geri couldn’t quite look Mel in the eye as they posed for snaps in a dance studio alongside Emma Bunton and Mel  B.  Emma shared a video on Twitter of the group messing around before they got down to the serious business of polishing their dance moves.  To help whip the pop veterans into shape, each has been allocated five dancers who will perform with them on stage every night.  The four teams are dubbed House of Baby, House of Sporty, House of Ginger and House of Scary.  During the gigs, the dancers will wear their leader’s “house colours” and compete against one another, as well as dancing together to some of the band’s biggest hits, such as Wannabe and Mama.  There is just a month to go until the first of seven dates in the UK and Ireland, with Dublin’s Croke Park first up on May 24.  If Mel B can keep her mouth shut OFF-stage between now and the final show – at Wembley Stadium on June 15 – I’m sure Geri will forgive her.  BRITNEY SPEARS has broken her silence after her fans started a #FreeBritney campaign over fears she was being held in a mental health facility against her will.  Britney’s team said she entered the treatment programme voluntarily to help her cope when her father Jamie fell seriously ill. But a small group of diehard fans have insisted otherwise.  The singer posted a video on Instagram and told her 21million followers: “My family has been going through a lot of stress and anxiety lately, so I just needed time to deal. Don’t worry I’ll be back very soon.”  Her video was accompanied by a lengthy caption admitting her family and team had been receiving death threats.  She also took aim at her ex-boyfriend Sam Lutfi, who was her manager between 2007 and 2008, and claimed rambling emails being circulated online from 12 years ago, had been created by him.  The caption read: “These fake emails were crafted by Sam Lutfi years ago. . .  I did not write them.  “I promise I’m doing what’s best at this moment.”  Sam hit back on Twitter: “I can unequivocally state that I never wrote nor had access to her email.”  I think the best way to #FreeBritney is to let her get better in her own time.  THERE will be a mini Girls Aloud reunion on Cheryl Tweedy's next song as close friend Nicola Roberts is contributing.  Her follow-up Love Made Me Do It is set to be released next month after she hinted about the release on her Instagram.  Nicola said: “Cheryl has her next record out very soon, but I can’t say when. It’s one I worked on.  “As a songwriter and an artist, I don’t like to take any credit because it’s their record and it’s their baby and I just step back.  “It’s not frustrating because I worked with songwriters in the past on my records and I understand the process.”  Cheryl’s comeback track in November peaked at No19 in the UK Singles Chart. Hopefully, this new tune will be more Girls Aloud than Cheryl.  LITTLE MIX’s Perrie Edwards has put her best foot forward – and won a deal to be the new face of shoe firm Superga’s spring- summer ad campaign.  She will plug the shoes with model Alexa Chung, and the girls are also developing their own brands.  Perrie, who last week spoke of her battle with anxiety, knows how to keep the Superga folks happy.  She said: “It’s a brand I’ve loved and worn for a while as I love the style and fit of the shoes.”  ARCTIC MONKEYS, Rudimental and George Ezra  are some of the few recognisable nominees at this year’s Ivor Novello Awards, announced yesterday.  The Sheffield rock band are up against Ben Howard and Hozier for Best Song Musically at Grosvenor House in London next month.  George’s megahit Shotgun will be competing with JAX JONES’ Breathe and Rudimental’s These Days for PRS For Music Most Performed Work.  Grime artist Ghetts, Jorja Smith and The 1975 are up for Best Contemporary Song.  And little-known Idles, Let's Eat Grandma and Young Fathers are nominated for Best Album. No, me neither.  Got a story? We pay for great showbiz scoops. Email simon.boyle@the-sun.co.ukor call my team on 0207 782 4152


thesun--2019-06-20--Poldark star Beatie Edney 56 blasts BBC for not inviting her to season five premiere due to ageis

Poldark star Beatie Edney, 56, blasts BBC for not inviting her to season five premiere due to ‘ageism’

POLDARK actress Beatie Edney has blasted BBC bosses for failing to invite her to the premiere of the next series of the show – claiming her age played a part in their decision.  Beatie, 56, who plays housekeeper Prudie Paynter in the BBC One series, spoke out when she was asked by Poldark fans why she was not attending the screening in Cornwall, where the show is filmed, on Thursday night.  She claimed that the BBC had not asked her to come, and said not the “blame” her.  She said: “Although mainly middle aged women are the audience for the show we struggle to be represented in the media.”  Beatie, who’s also starred in BBC shows Prime Suspect and The Coroner, also called upon ageism activist Nicky Clark to get involved and tweeted: “That will probably get me into lots of stick, but it’s true.”  A number of the show’s big stars, including 27-year-old Eleanor Tomlinson, who plays Demelza, was in attendance at the Regal Cinema.  Beatie’s fans rallied around her and said BBC bosses should be “ashamed” of their actions.  The BBC strongly denied they hadn’t invited her to the premiere and said in a statement: “We’d have loved to have Beatie at our event so we’re surprised by this because we were told she couldn’t attend.”  It’s not the first time the BBC have been accused of side-lining middle-aged stars.  Former Countryfile host Miriam O’Reilly, 62, won an employment tribunal against the publicly funded corporation in 2011 after saying she was dropped because of her age when the long-running show moved to the BBC One primetime spot.  During the tribunal, Miriam alleged she’d been warned to “be careful with those wrinkles when high definition comes in.”  Ex-BBC Current Affairs reporter Olenka Frienkiel also accused bosses of ageism and said she felt as though she was being “rubbed out” after reaching her fifties.  Speaking of Miriam’s case in 2014, she alleged nothing had changed and said: “Only Miriam O’Reilly – braver than the rest – had fought the enormously powerful BBC and won.  “And even after she’d won and the BBC had expressed contrition and promised change, inside the BBC, they were still doing it. Nothing had changed.”  Following the BBC’s statement, Beatie backtracked and admitted she was invited to the period drama’s Season 5 premiere but it came too late for her attend.  She added: “I was invited to the event but too late for me to come along. Unfortunately, I can’t come and celebrate with the rest of the Poldark family in my beloved Cornwall tonight but wish them the best of luck!”  However campaigner Nicky continued to use her message as an example and said Beatie’s claim was still valid.  She tweeted: “I’m crying at the love being shown to @beatieedney and for her courage in speaking out. This is for all women now and in the years to come. #GenderedAgeism targeting women in entertainment is the last accepted showbiz taboo.”


thetelegraph--2019-01-31--All over 75s should be offered statins but ageism is failing patients

All over 75s should be offered statins but 'ageism' is failing patients

Every person over the age of 75 should be offered statins - but NHS ageism is costing lives, Oxford scientists say.  Researchers said up to 8,000 deaths a year could be prevented if GPs simply prescribed drugs costing pennies a day.  The study, published in The Lancet, found that the cholesterol-busting pills could cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes by one quarter, across all ages.  But researchers said ageist attitudes mean too many doctors thought “why bother?” offering statins to pensioners, seeing ill-health in old age as inevitable.  While two-thirds of deaths from heart disease occur in those over the age of 75, just one in three people in this age group is prescribed the drugs which could save them, they said.  Professor Colin Baigent, director of the Medical Research Council Population Health Unit, at Oxford University, said: “Very often doctors are unwilling to consider statin therapy for people who are elderly simply because they are old.  “That is an attitude that is preventing us from putting to good use the tools we have available to us. Statins are very cheap, they are just a few pence per day, they have a good safety profile,” he said.  “My view is that everybody over the age of 75 should be offered a statin,” he said, stressing that decisions to prescribe should follow a discussion between patient and doctor.  “Five and a half million people are over the age of 75 and about a third of those are currently taking a statin. If all of those took a statin we think about 8,000 deaths per year would be prevented.”  He said ageist attitudes across society meant GPs and hospital doctors did not treat elderly patients fairly, and ended up writing them off.  Urging medics to change their attitudes, he said:  “The reason it isn’t done is because of uncertainties about the data .. confusion about safety … and ageism frankly.  “The idea that the person is elderly so they are going to have many other things happen to them so why bother?” he said.  The research, which examined 28 randomised controlled trials, involving more than 180,000 patients, found that every reduction of 1 mmol/L in cholesterol levels achieved by statins cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes by around one quarter overall.  While they were most effective in younger age groups - cutting risk by 30 per cent in those under the age of 55 - the number of events was reduced by 20 per cent in the over 75s, the study found.  With two-thirds of deaths from heart disease occuring in the older age group, statins should be  offered far more widely, with an extra 4 million over 75s asked to consider taking the drugs, to prevent death and major disability.  “Risk shoots up with age,” Prof Baigent said.  The drugs help lower the level of "bad" or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood.


thetelegraph--2019-02-12--NHS ageism means elderly people with depression far less likely to be referred for therapy

NHS ageism means GPs are failing to properly treat depression in the elderly, research suggests. Experts said older patients were far less likely to be referred for psychological therapies, and more likely to just be given pills.  The study by University College London and the University of Bristol found that almost four in ten people over the age of 75 are suffering some signs of depression.  But the research found older patients were far less likely than younger ones to be referred for therapy, with GPs often assuming depression was a natural consequence of old age.  The review, published in the British Journal of General Practice, examined 27 studies examining late-life depression.  It found that around one in 10 of those aged over 75 have major depressive disorder, with more than 37 per cent classed as having subthreshold depressive symptoms.


theindependent--2019-04-04--Age discrimination could have a negative impact on peopleaposs physical health

Age discrimination could have a negative impact on people's physical health

It is no surprise that age discrimination negatively affects people's mental health but, according to new research, it could be having an impact on physical health too.  University College London analysed data from the  English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which surveyed more than 7,500 people over the age of 50 and followed their progress for six years.  Participants were asked to respond to statements such as “you are treated with less respect or courtesy”, “you receive poorer service than other people in restaurants and stores”, and “you receive poorer service or treatment than other people from doctors or hospitals”.  They were also questioned about their experiences of being thought of as “not clever”, being threatened and harassed.  According to the findings, a quarter of over 50s taking part in the survey claimed they had been unfairly treated because of their age.  What’s more, these reported victims of ageism were also more likely to suffer health problems, or develop them over time, suggesting there is a link between age discrimination and ill health.  Members of this group were more likely to rate their health as “fair or poor” than those who had not encountered ageism, the research states.  They were also more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms or debilitating long-term illnesses, and go on to develop serious conditions.  Among those who said they had not recently experienced age discrimination, 13 per cent reported having coronary heart disease, 38 per cent reported arthritis, 33 per cent said they had a long-standing condition and 12 per cent said they had depressive symptoms.  By contrast, among participants who said they had recently faced ageism, the figures rose to 17 per cent for coronary heart disease, 44 per cent for arthritis, 39 per cent for a long-standing condition and 19 per cent for depressive symptoms.  The study’s lead author Dr Sarah Jackson, from University College London, says: “As a society, we need to increase public awareness of what constitutes ageism and how it can affect health and well-being so we can build collective movements, like those that brought about legislative and social change for other forms of discrimination.  ”On a clinical level, raising the issue of age discrimination with older patients could help to identify those at risk of future health problems.“  The results also suggest that the more situations in which people experience age discrimination, the greater their chance of reporting bad health.  When the researchers looked at data from 5,595 of the participants, collected six years after the first survey, they found that participants who had previously reported ageism were more likely to report a deterioration in health.  However, the team did say the findings could also work the other way, suggesting that those in poorer health might experience more age-related discrimination.  Commenting on the findings in The Lancet Public Health journal, Professor Martin Gulliford, from King's College London, writes: ”The public health community has been slow to acknowledge the central role of discrimination in health inequality.  “Although the inter-relationships between age, socioeconomic status, health status and experienced discrimination are complex, these findings suggest that not only does age discrimination cause short-term psychological distress to older people, but could also have an important effect on their long-term mental and physical health.”  Louise Ansari, from the Centre for Ageing Better, insists that “no-one in later life should be made to feel like a second-class citizen”.  “It is completely unacceptable that age discrimination should play a role in our society, but sadly it's still all too common. And ageist attitudes and age discrimination don't just affect your health.”


thetelegraph--2019-04-03--Age discrimination is rife in Britain UCL study finds as one in four over 50s report being unfairl

Age discrimination is rife in Britain, UCL study finds, as one in four over 50s report being unfairly treated

Age discrimination is rife in Britain according to a new UCL study which shows that one in four over 50s report being unfairly treated in shops, restaurants and hospitals.  Ageism also appeared to be linked to poorer health among those it affected, the study shows, with reported victims of age discrimination more likely to suffer health problems, or develop them over time.  The findings have been published in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which surveyed more than 7,500 people over the age of 50 and followed their progress for six years.  Participants were asked to respond to statements such as "you are treated with less respect or courtesy", "you receive poorer service than other people in restaurants and stores", and "you receive poorer service or treatment than other people from doctors or hospitals".  They were also questioned about their experiences of being thought "not clever" or being threatened or harassed.  A total of 1,943 of the respondents said they had been affected by age discrimination.  Members of this group were more likely to rate their health as "fair or poor" than those who had not encountered ageism.  They were also more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms or debilitating long-term illnesses, and to go on to develop serious conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or chronic lung disease. The findings are published in The Lancet Public Health journal.


chicagosuntimes--2019-01-03--Park District says Friends of the Parks report on discrimination distorts data

Park District says Friends of the Parks report on discrimination ‘distorts’ data

In its recent report alleging that racism still tinges Chicago Park District distribution of resources 30 years after a consent decree, Friends of the Parks “manipulates and distorts to highlight its own agenda,” park district officials say.  In a 40-page response, Park District Supt. Michael Kelly called the report from Friends of the Parks “incendiary and divisive,” adding: “In an attempt to make their organization relevant, FOTP intentionally cites old data and manipulates and distorts the analysis and methodology of current data.”  The district’s response, dated Dec. 21, addresses point by point, page by page, the report that alleges more resources are funneled to parks in wealthier white communities while neglecting parks in poor black and Latino communities — 30 years after exiting a U.S. Justice Department consent decree.  The Friends of the Parks report is the first such comprehensive analysis of district spending in decades, by the same group that filed a 1982 discrimination lawsuit leading to the 1983 decree. The decree was dismissed in 1989.  Friends of the Parks says it found significant inequities in programming and capital investments correlating with race and income levels across the city, including:  • Programming on the predominantly white North Side significantly greater than that on the predominantly black South Side.  • South Side parks of similar size and type to those on the North Side — but with smaller budgets.  • Capital investment requests in black communities approved at half the rate of those in white communities.  • Latino communities had the least amount of parkland and investment in their parks.  “The report is inaccurate and blatantly disregards important capital and programmatic gains that have been made in parks across Chicago. As a result of massive expansion of park acreage and facilities since 2011, 99.6 percent of Chicago residents are within a 10 minute walk of a park,” Kelly writes.  He notes unprecedented growth over the past eight years earned the district the prestigious Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management from The National Recreation and Park Association in 2014.  “Notable investments that have been made in predominantly African-American and Latino communities in the last three years,” said Kelly, include the $19 million La Villita Park serving Little Village and Lawndale; $17.5 million Ellis Park Community Arts and Recreation Çenter serving Douglas and Oakland; $16 million Big Marsh Park in South Deering; $56 million Gately Indoor Track Facility in Roseland; and $28 million Addams Sports Complex in the Near West Side.  “Meeting with us monthly over several years, but never raising these issues, shows FOTP’s agenda for what it is — an attempted smear campaign, rather than any real intent on improving the parks,” Kelly charged.  In releasing the group’s report, Friends President Juanita Irizarry had said it followed complaints from community members who have urged a new lawsuit. On Wednesday, she maintained the report is based on the district’s own data.  “We’re glad for any actual or potential progress. But imagine how bad the situation has been if those gains the Chicago Park District brags about bring us to the state of the parks that we outline in our report based on their data,” she said. “There’s still an awfully long way to go to get anywhere near equity.”  The report’s author, Daniel La Spata, noted the district gathers no data on whether local residents are being served at facilities like those Kelly listed.  “When Supt. Kelly recently made a claim in the media that the overwhelming majority of those who will benefit from such new facilities will be neighborhood kids,” La Spata said, the group requested more data.  “Since he also publicly spoke about the leagues and competitions that would take advantage of these new facilities, we sought data on the demographics of participants in similar activities that increasingly dominate such spaces,” said La Spata, the group’s policy and planning associate. “We found that the park district currently doesn’t require those entities who provide programming through privatized contracts to track racial/ethnic demographics. So how would they know who they are serving?”  Kelly notes in the district’s response that race is not considered in budgeting.  “The Chicago Park District prioritizes capital spending based on community needs, and not according to race. That said, we recognize the importance of dividing resources equitably,” he wrote.


cnsnews--2019-08-14--Walter Williams How Important Is Todays Racial Discrimination

Walter Williams: How Important Is Today's Racial Discrimination?

There is discrimination of all sorts, and that includes racial discrimination. Thus, it's somewhat foolhardy to debate the existence of racial discrimination yesteryear or today. From a policy point of view, a far more useful question to ask is: How much of the plight of many blacks can be explained by current racial discrimination? Let's examine some of today's most devastating problems of many black people with an eye toward addressing discrimination of the past and present.  At the root of most of the problems black people face is the breakdown of the family structure. Slightly over 70 percent of black children are raised in female-headed households. According to statistics about fatherless homes, 90 percent of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes; 71 percent of pregnant teenagers lack a father figure; 63percent of youth suicides are from fatherless homes; 71 percent of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes; and 70 percent of juveniles in state-operated institutions have no father. Furthermore, fatherless boys and girls are twice as likely to drop out of high school and twice as likely to end up in jail.  One might say, "Williams, one cannot ignore the legacy of slavery and the gross racism and denial of civil rights in yesteryear!" Let's look at whether black fatherless homes are a result of a "legacy of slavery" and racial discrimination. In the late 1800s, depending on the city, 70percent to 80 percent of black households were two-parent. Dr. Thomas Sowell has argued, "The black family, which had survived centuries of slavery and discrimination, began rapidly disintegrating in the liberal welfare state that subsidized unwed pregnancy and changed welfare from an emergency rescue to a way of life."  As late as 1950, only 18 percent of black households were single parent. From 1890 to 1940, a slightly higher percentage of black adults had married than white adults. In 1938, black illegitimacy was about 11percent instead of today's 75 percent. In 1925, 85percent of black households in New York City were two-parent. Today, the black family is a mere shadow of its past.  Let's ask a couple of questions about crime and education and racial discrimination. It turns out that each year more than 7,000 blacks are victims of homicide. That's slightly over 50 percent of U.S. homicide victims. Ninety-four percent of the time, the perpetrator is another black person. Along with being most of the nation's homicide victims, blacks are most of the victims of violent personal crimes such as assault and robbery. At many predominantly black schools, chaos is the order of the day. There is a high rate of assaults on students and teachers. Youngsters who are hostile to the educational process are permitted to make education impossible for those who are prepared to learn. As a result, overall black educational achievement is a disaster.  Here are my questions to those who blame racial discrimination for the problems of black people: Is it necessary for us to await some kind of moral rejuvenation among white people before measures can be taken to end or at least reduce the kind of behavior that spells socioeconomic disaster in so many black communities? Is it a requirement that we await moral rejuvenation among white people before we stop permitting some black youngsters from making education impossible for other black youngsters? Blacks were not the only people discriminated against in America. While Jews and Asians were not enslaved, they encountered gross discrimination. Nonetheless, neither Jews nor Asians felt that they had to await the end of discrimination before they took measures to gain upward mobility.  Intellectuals and political hustlers who blame the plight of so many blacks on poverty, racial discrimination and the "legacy of slavery" are complicit in the socioeconomic and moral decay. Black people must ignore the liberal agenda that suggests that we must await government money before measures can be taken to improve the tragic living conditions in so many of our urban communities. Black and white intellectuals and politicians suggesting that black people await government solutions wouldn't begin to live in the same high-crime, dangerous communities and send their children to the dangerous schools that so many black children attend.  Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University.


eveningstandard--2019-01-16--NHS urged to tackle apossystemic racismapos as study suggests rising staff discrimination

NHS urged to tackle 'systemic racism' as study suggests rising staff discrimination

The NHS has been urged to tackle “systematic racism” as new figures suggest ethnic minority staff in England are increasingly suffering discrimination in the workplace.  Some 15% of black or minority ethnic (BME) staff complained of discrimination in 2017, according to NHS data released today.  Reports of the treatment increased over the previous two years from 13.6% in 2015, while an average of 6% of their white colleagues flagged discrimination in the surveys.  BME staff, who make up nearly a fifth of the NHS workforce in England, were also more likely to experience harassment, bullying or abuse, according to the report.  Professor Dame Donna Kinnair, acting chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said the "truly appalling" numbers "shows just how far we have yet to go".  "It is a disgrace that black and minority ethnic staff experience racism, lower pay, harassment and limited career progression within our health service," she added.  "NHS Trusts need to engage their staff and bring them into the process of resolving issues of discrimination and systemic racism in their workplaces."  NHS England said it had pledged £1 million of funding every year until at least 2025 as part of a raft of measures to improve race equality.  The report, by the health service's workforce race equality standard (WRES) team, did find an improvement of numbers of BME staff in very senior management positions, with an increase from 5.7% in 2017 to 6.9% in 2018.  But this falls short of the service's make-up, which has increased to 19.1% of those working in trusts in England.  And across England's 231 trusts, the report found just eight had BME executive directors of nursing.  Yvonne Coghill, the director of WRES implementation, said: "Improving the experience of staff is good for them and leads to better outcomes for our patients.  "As well as making the health service fit for the future of patient care, the NHS long term plan commits to doing more for our staff by shining a light on areas where they aren't always treated fairly."


eveningstandard--2019-01-18--Maurizio Sarri backs Chelsea supportersapos bid to stamp out discrimination at matches

Maurizio Sarri backs Chelsea supporters' bid to stamp out discrimination at matches

Maurizio Sarri has backed an unprecedented joint campaign by Chelsea supporters to stamp out racism and believes it will aid the club's own work in addressing an issue that has plagued the club in recent times.  As reported by Standard Sport on Friday morning, nine Chelsea supporter groups have joined forces to urge all Blues fans to eradicate discrimination at matches .  Chelsea have been in the spotlight for such behaviour after four fans were suspended from attending games at Stamford Bridge following the abuse that Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling received there in early December.  Chelsea are also under investigation by Uefa for alleged anti-Semitic chanting during am Europa League group game away to MOL Vidi last month.  Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck met fans before the club's Premier League game at Brighton in mid-December to urge them to help shine a positive light on the club, who had days before released a strongly-worded statement condemning those who had "shamed" the west London side.  And when asked about the joint venture by Blues supporters to address discriminatory behaviour by some during games, Sarri said: "Of course, I am really very happy.  "As I said in one press conference, in 99% of cases, our fans are really wonderful. Then, as in every community, there are some stupid people. We have to penalise only the stupid parts, not the other parts."  When then asked if the club needed the help of fans to stamp out racist and abusive behaviour, Sarri added: "It can help, it can help the club I think."


eveningstandard--2019-07-24--Premier League FA and EFL outline anti-discrimination action plan in letter to sports minister

Premier League, FA and EFL outline anti-discrimination action plan in letter to sports minister

English football’s governing bodies have today written to the Government outlining their approach to tackle discrimination in the game, hours after Kick it Out announced a rise in incidents over last season.  The Premier League, FA and the EFL have written to sports minister, Mims Davies MP, outlining their plan of action for anti-discrimination this season.  Kick it Out saw discrimination reports rise overall by 32 per cent for 2018-19, with a staggering 62 per cent hike in incidents involving racism.  The letter, signed by FA chief executive Martin Glenn, EFL executive chair Debbie Jevans and the Premier League’s interim chief executive, Richard Masters, highlights seven areas in which the authorities are set to take action, from stewarding and sanctions to education and BAME representation from grassroots to the highest levels of the game.  The governing bodies have also called for a review on football banning orders from the Government as well as support in using football to effect change in wider society, citing social media as a priority problem.  “Football is working to eliminate discrimination from our game and will contribute to efforts to effect change in society more widely,” the letter reads.  “We are concerned that unacceptable abuse is now commonplace in the unregulated environments created by digital media and reflected by changes in how people speak and engage in debate. We welcome your determination in approaching the issue and thoughts about how the Department can help further by coordinating key actions in Government which would help us all fight discrimination.”  The sports minister said: "I have been clear there must be a far more concerted effort from all involved in the game to stamp out racism and discrimination at every level.  “This important update on forthcoming action from the FA, Premier League and English Football League is encouraging.  “Crucially, this includes a consistent approach to stronger education measures, improved reporting systems and better training and support for referees and stewards.  "It is crucial the momentum we've built up in tackling this issue is maintained, that the new proposals are fully robust, and that football works hard to make all aspects of the game more inclusive - from the grassroots to the elite.  “There is still much more to do. Football authorities must put tackling despicable abuse at the top of their agenda next season and I expect them to consult with both players and supporter groups as they progress their plans."


eveningstandard--2019-11-13--Facebook employees post anonymous letter speaking about discrimination within the company

Facebook staff say discrimination has got worse since a black former employee claimed last year he had witnessed a range of issues within the company.  The anonymous group of tech workers at the social media giant penned a letter describing the alleged discrimination experienced by 12 current and former employees of colour, including black and Latino workers.  In one situation described by the group, a programme manager was reportedly asked by two white employees to clean up their mess and told to "dress more professionally" when the issue was raised with a senior manager.  Another worker is said to have told of how managers would deliberately provide negative feedback on their performance.  The group also accused Facebook of creating a hostile culture "where anyone who is non-white is made to feel fear for their job", which is why the letter has remained anonymous.  It comes almost a year after former Facebook manager, Mark Luckie wrote a letter saying black employees faced discriminatory comments and were often "aggressively accosted by campus security".  The letter read: "Since Mark Luckie’s brave post nearly one year to this day highlighting the patterns of aggression against black employees, not much has changed. There may be a few more posters on the wall. There may be an effort to recruit diverse talent. But not much has changed to ensure that people are recognised, empowered, and overall treated equitably by their managers and peers.  "In fact, things have gotten worse."  It went on to say: "Racism, discrimination, bias, and aggression do not come from the big moments. It's in the small actions that mount up over time and build into a culture where we are only meant to be seen as quotas, but never heard, never acknowledged, never recognised, and never accepted."  The memo was accompanied screenshots from an app allowing Facebook employees to anonymously speak of their experiences, with one user reportedly saying: “These people make it seem like they work for the KKK.”  Facebook released a statement on Friday, in which Bertie Thomson, vice-president of corporate communications, apologised for the complaints in the letter.  Mr Thomson said: "No one at Facebook, or anywhere, should have to put up with this behaviour. We are sorry. It goes against everything that we stand for as a company. We’re listening and working hard to do better.”


eveningstandard--2019-12-23--Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says 'football and society needs help' to eradicate racism an

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says 'football and society needs help' to eradicate racism and discrimination

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says that "football and society needs help" to eradicate discrimination and racism.  Spurs' Premier League encounter with Chelsea on Sunday was marred by an allegation from Blues defender Antonio Rudiger that he was subject to racist abuse by fans in the second half.  Such an incident came two weeks after the Manchester derby between City and United was similarly overshadowed by reports of racist abuse, while there have been several other reported examples of discrimination both in this country and overseas over recent months.  The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) have called for a government-led inquiry into racism in football, with a Downing Street spokesperson subsequently stating that there was "more work to be done by the football authorities in tackling this issue" and not ruling out taking "further steps if required".  Addressing the Rudiger situation again during a press conference held in advance of Tottenham's Boxing Day clash with Brighton, Mourinho said: "I am totally, totally against racism in society and obviously against racism in my football world.  "I feel very sorry every time something happened and I will always support every decision the authorities can make.  "Society needs help. And then football is a micro-society. Do we need help? Yes. But society needs help. We need to eradicate any form of discrimination and this case we are talking about racism. Football and society needs help.  "It is happening before and I feel it is going to happen again in the future, that is the problem. What I see is an evolution in the protocol and that is fine. The players have the freedom to stop, to go to the referee, to go to their managers.  "This is one step and any decision that can be made by superior authorities I will support. I am anti-racist in all my areas."  Mourinho also pointed out that the alleged behaviour of one Tottenham supporter should not reflect on the fanbase as a whole.  "My message is it's not fair to say Tottenham fans. One Tottenham fan is not Tottenham fans," he added.  "Since I have been here they have been phenomenal, home or away phenomenal. Supporting the team, respecting the opponents."  Click here for our guide on how to watch all Amazon Prime Premier League fixtures for free, on December 26 and December 27


fortune--2019-03-15--UPS Workers in Ohio Sue Shipping Service for Racism and Discrimination

Nineteen black workers from a United Parcel Service (UPS) distribution hub in Ohio sued the shipping service on Wednesday, alleging racism and workplace discrimination, according to the Associated Press.  In the suit filed against UPS and five managers at the facility, workers allege being subjected to racist remarks, including comments about Ku Klux Klan meetings. They also cite alleged incidents in which a noose and Confederate flags were hung in the distribution center. In addition, the workers that filed the suit allege that in addition to specific incidents, a decade-long pattern of discriminatory hiring practices and promotions favored white workers with less experience and seniority at the distribution hub located in Maumee, a southwest suburb of Toledo.  The lawsuit against UPS seeks to put a stop to the alleged discriminatory practices, as well as damages of $25,000.  UPS issued a statement to the AP on Thursday that noted the facility fired two workers after incidents in 2016 and has since worked with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission on improving monitoring and training.  The case is similar to one filed in January by black workers at a Toledo, Ohio General Motors plant who filed a lawsuit alleging similar discriminatory acts in the workplace, including nooses hung in the facility and threats that evoked the Klan.


foxnews--2019-05-20--Former Bernie Sanders staffer sues pro-Sanders organization for racial discrimination

A former Bernie Sanders campaign staffer has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the pro-Sanders group, Our Revolution.  On "Fox & Friends" Monday, Tezlyn Figaro, who served as director for racial justice issues on the Sanders campaign in 2016, said she and others have been "concerned for years with issues of racism" among people working for the Vermont senator.  "I'm not saying he himself is racist, but his movement is. It is a reason why no one from the 2016 black outreach department is there working for Senator Sanders," she said.  Figaro said it was "important to [her]" to file the federal lawsuit laying out her allegations and what she experienced in 2016.  PETE BUTTIGIEG TOWN HALL WITH FOX NEWS: AS IT HAPPENED  Host Steve Doocy pointed out reports last spring that said Figaro was fired from Our Revolution for offensive comments about immigrants.  Figaro denied that was the case, alleging she was fired "because of black outreach" and disagreements about her advocacy on behalf of incarcerated African-Americans. She accused Lucy Flores -- who has accused former Vice President Joe Biden of inappropriate touching -- of pushing the story to media outlets, including Politico.  She said that she was accused of being anti-immigrant because of her appearances on Fox News and a comment she made about immigrants receiving benefits that Americans are not getting.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP  Doocy said the show reached out to the Sanders campaign and Our Revolution, but did not receive a response.  Figaro called on Sanders to meet with her and other former staffers who worked on black outreach efforts.  "Show us that black lives really do matter, instead of just in a stump speech," she said.


freedombunker--2019-05-21--Statistical Disparities Among Groups Are Not Proof of Discrimination

Statistical disparities among groups are the norm in every facet of human life, including those in which discrimination cannot possibly play a role.  In spite of this, however, perhaps the most prevalent pretext leftists have used for massive state coercion over the last 50 years is that disparities in outcomes between races, genders, or nationalities are de facto evidence of discrimination.  “Institutional” racism and sexism are the only possible causes of such disparities, the experts tell us. Society’s prejudices and bigotry are so ingrained that only by growing the leviathan state can these negative results be corrected, they insist.  But if such disparities do arise absent discrimination perpetrated by “society,” then assumptions about statistical disparities “lose their validity as evidence,” Thomas Sowell notes in his book Civil Rights: Rhetoric or Reality,  The bottom line, Sowell concludes, is that “Statistical disparities extend into every aspect of human life” and that “statistical disparities are commonplace among human beings.”  Problems abound with how academics diagnose even seemingly straightforward measures like income inequality and discrimination.  The real issue is not with income inequality itself but with the processes put in motion in hopes of eliminating inequality.  For example, Sowell contends most income statistics are crude aggregates. The implicit assumption that the mere existence of income disparities is evidence of racial discrimination is unsubstantiated. Simply examining the average age differences among different demographics can explain away a portion of the income inequality that intellectuals proclaim exists due to discrimination. Those races and nationalities with older average ages would naturally boast higher average incomes due to being more experienced.  Adding factors like education level and personal career choices explains much of the rest.  The real issue, Sowell concludes, is not with income inequality itself but with the processes put in motion in hopes of eliminating inequality, which involve damaging government intervention and welfare programs.  Moreover, when evaluating the “disparities are proof of discrimination” narrative, we can compare the levels of economic success among people of color. After all, a racist society just sees people of color and does not differentiate based upon different backgrounds.  As Sowell wrote, “Blacks may ‘all look alike’ to racists, but there are profound internal cultural differences among blacks.”  As a result, comparing results for people of the same color but different culture is a valuable tool to provide an indication of other factors besides discrimination at work.  One source of data is a recent American Community Survey Report from the US Census Bureau that analyzes characteristics of selected Sub-Saharan African and Caribbean ancestry groups. Among these “ancestry groups,” 60 percent or more are foreign-born.  For instance, in 2012 the US poverty rate for Jamaicans was reported as 14.8 percent, Ethiopians 19.7 percent, and Nigerians 12.8 percent. All the rates were significantly lower than the rate of 28 percent for blacks as a whole.  Furthermore, the median income for Jamaican males was $41,969 and $39,155 for females; $34,018 for male Ethiopians and $30,253 for females; and $50,922 for male Nigerians and $44,874 for females.  Two of the three of these male ancestry groups noticeably out-earned the median rate of $37,526 for black males overall, while the same two groups outpaced the overall female black median income of $33,251.  Additionally, these three ancestry groups had significantly lower rates of poverty and higher median incomes than the Hispanic population.  How were these people of color, often without the benefit of growing up in America, able to clear the “barriers” of a discriminatory “system” far better than other people of color? Culture unquestionably plays a role in income and poverty disparities, even in situations comparing people of color where “discrimination” can be ruled out.  Nobody is arguing that racial or ethnic discrimination has been eliminated. But to cling to a narrative that asserts racial discrimination as the only cause of statistical disparities in measures such as income and poverty turns a blind eye to reality and leads to harmful policies.  Perhaps making matters worse is the promotion of the narrative of an all-powerful “system” that is structured unfairly and creates a sense of helplessness among those labeled "victims" of said barriers to economic prosperity.  “Why study and discipline yourself in preparation for the adult world if the deck is completely stacked against you anyway?” Sowell asked rhetorically.  Progressives like to lecture us about embracing diversity but then also deny that such diversity lends itself naturally to differences in outcomes. Instead, they choose to play identity politics based on faulty assumptions in pursuit of greater social control.


freedombunker--2019-08-14--How Important Is Todays Racial Discrimination

There is discrimination of all sorts, and that includes racial discrimination. Thus, it’s somewhat foolhardy to debate the existence of racial discrimination yesteryear or today. From a policy point of view, a far more useful question to ask is: How much of the plight of many blacks can be explained by current racial discrimination? Let’s examine some of today’s most devastating problems of many black people with an eye toward addressing discrimination of the past and present.  At the root of most of the problems black people face is the breakdown of the family structure. Slightly over 70% of black children are raised in female-headed households. According to statistics about fatherless homes, 90% of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes; 71% of pregnant teenagers lack a father figure; 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes; 71% of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes; and 70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions have no father. Furthermore, fatherless boys and girls are twice as likely to drop out of high school and twice as likely to end up in jail.  One might say, “Williams, one cannot ignore the legacy of slavery and the gross racism and denial of civil rights in yesteryear!” Let’s look at whether black fatherless homes are a result of a “legacy of slavery” and racial discrimination. In the late 1800s, depending on the city, 70% to 80% of black households were two-parent. Dr. Thomas Sowell has argued, “The black family, which had survived centuries of slavery and discrimination, began rapidly disintegrating in the liberal welfare state that subsidized unwed pregnancy and changed welfare from an emergency rescue to a way of life.”  As late as 1950, only 18% of black households were single parent. From 1890 to 1940, a slightly higher percentage of black adults had married than white adults. In 1938, black illegitimacy was about 11% instead of today’s 75%. In 1925, 85% of black households in New York City were two-parent. Today, the black family is a mere shadow of its past.  Let’s ask a couple of questions about crime and education and racial discrimination. It turns out that each year more than 7,000 blacks are victims of homicide. That’s slightly over 50% of U.S. homicide victims. Ninety-four percent of the time, the perpetrator is another black person. Along with being most of the nation’s homicide victims, blacks are most of the victims of violent personal crimes such as assault and robbery. At many predominantly black schools, chaos is the order of the day. There is a high rate of assaults on students and teachers. Youngsters who are hostile to the educational process are permitted to make education impossible for those who are prepared to learn. As a result, overall black educational achievement is a disaster.  Here are my questions to those who blame racial discrimination for the problems of black people: Is it necessary for us to await some kind of moral rejuvenation among white people before measures can be taken to end or at least reduce the kind of behavior that spells socioeconomic disaster in so many black communities? Is it a requirement that we await moral rejuvenation among white people before we stop permitting some black youngsters from making education impossible for other black youngsters? Blacks were not the only people discriminated against in America. While Jews and Asians were not enslaved, they encountered gross discrimination. Nonetheless, neither Jews nor Asians felt that they had to await the end of discrimination before they took measures to gain upward mobility.  Intellectuals and political hustlers who blame the plight of so many blacks on poverty, racial discrimination and the “legacy of slavery” are complicit in the socioeconomic and moral decay. Black people must ignore the liberal agenda that suggests that we must await government money before measures can be taken to improve the tragic living conditions in so many of our urban communities. Black and white intellectuals and politicians suggesting that black people await government solutions wouldn’t begin to live in the same high-crime, dangerous communities and send their children to the dangerous schools that so many black children attend.  The post How Important Is Today’s Racial Discrimination? appeared first on LewRockwell.


lewrockwell--2019-08-14--How Important Is Todays Racial Discrimination

There is discrimination of all sorts, and that includes racial discrimination. Thus, it’s somewhat foolhardy to debate the existence of racial discrimination yesteryear or today. From a policy point of view, a far more useful question to ask is: How much of the plight of many blacks can be explained by current racial discrimination? Let’s examine some of today’s most devastating problems of many black people with an eye toward addressing discrimination of the past and present.  At the root of most of the problems black people face is the breakdown of the family structure. Slightly over 70% of black children are raised in female-headed households. According to statistics about fatherless homes, 90% of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes; 71% of pregnant teenagers lack a father figure; 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes; 71% of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes; and 70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions have no father. Furthermore, fatherless boys and girls are twice as likely to drop out of high school and twice as likely to end up in jail.  American Contempt for ... Walter E. Williams Best Price: $12.50 Buy New $12.63 (as of 05:20 EDT - Details) One might say, “Williams, one cannot ignore the legacy of slavery and the gross racism and denial of civil rights in yesteryear!” Let’s look at whether black fatherless homes are a result of a “legacy of slavery” and racial discrimination. In the late 1800s, depending on the city, 70% to 80% of black households were two-parent. Dr. Thomas Sowell has argued, “The black family, which had survived centuries of slavery and discrimination, began rapidly disintegrating in the liberal welfare state that subsidized unwed pregnancy and changed welfare from an emergency rescue to a way of life.”  As late as 1950, only 18% of black households were single parent. From 1890 to 1940, a slightly higher percentage of black adults had married than white adults. In 1938, black illegitimacy was about 11% instead of today’s 75%. In 1925, 85% of black households in New York City were two-parent. Today, the black family is a mere shadow of its past.  Let’s ask a couple of questions about crime and education and racial discrimination. It turns out that each year more than 7,000 blacks are victims of homicide. That’s slightly over 50% of U.S. homicide victims. Ninety-four percent of the time, the perpetrator is another black person. Along with being most of the nation’s homicide victims, blacks are most of the victims of violent personal crimes such as assault and robbery. At many predominantly black schools, chaos is the order of the day. There is a high rate of assaults on students and teachers. Youngsters who are hostile to the educational process are permitted to make education impossible for those who are prepared to learn. As a result, overall black educational achievement is a disaster.  Here are my questions to those who blame racial discrimination for the problems of black people: Is it necessary for us to await some kind of moral rejuvenation among white people before measures can be taken to end or at least reduce the kind of behavior that spells socioeconomic disaster in so many black communities? Is it a requirement that we await moral rejuvenation among white people before we stop permitting some black youngsters from making education impossible for other black youngsters? Blacks were not the only people discriminated against in America. While Jews and Asians were not enslaved, they encountered gross discrimination. Nonetheless, neither Jews nor Asians felt that they had to await the end of discrimination before they took measures to gain upward mobility.  Intellectuals and political hustlers who blame the plight of so many blacks on poverty, racial discrimination and the “legacy of slavery” are complicit in the socioeconomic and moral decay. Black people must ignore the liberal agenda that suggests that we must await government money before measures can be taken to improve the tragic living conditions in so many of our urban communities. Black and white intellectuals and politicians suggesting that black people await government solutions wouldn’t begin to live in the same high-crime, dangerous communities and send their children to the dangerous schools that so many black children attend.  The Best of Walter E. Williams


newsbusters--2019-08-14--How Important Is Todays Racial Discrimination

There is discrimination of all sorts, and that includes racial discrimination. Thus, it's somewhat foolhardy to debate the existence of racial discrimination yesteryear or today. From a policy point of view, a far more useful question to ask is: How much of the plight of many blacks can be explained by current racial discrimination? Let's examine some of today's most devastating problems of many black people with an eye toward addressing discrimination of the past and present.  At the root of most of the problems black people face is the breakdown of the family structure. Slightly over 70% of black children are raised in female-headed households. According to statistics about fatherless homes, 90% of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes; 71% of pregnant teenagers lack a father figure; 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes; 71% of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes; and 70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions have no father. Furthermore, fatherless boys and girls are twice as likely to drop out of high school and twice as likely to end up in jail.  One might say, “Williams, one cannot ignore the legacy of slavery and the gross racism and denial of civil rights in yesteryear!” Let's look at whether black fatherless homes are a result of a “legacy of slavery” and racial discrimination. In the late 1800s, depending on the city, 70% to 80% of black households were two-parent. Dr. Thomas Sowell has argued, “The black family, which had survived centuries of slavery and discrimination, began rapidly disintegrating in the liberal welfare state that subsidized unwed pregnancy and changed welfare from an emergency rescue to a way of life.”  As late as 1950, only 18% of black households were single-parent. From 1890 to 1940, a slightly higher percentage of black adults had married than white adults. In 1938, black illegitimacy was about 11% instead of today's 75%. In 1925, 85% of black households in New York City were two-parent. Today, the black family is a mere shadow of its past.  Let's ask a couple of questions about crime and education and racial discrimination. It turns out that each year more than 7,000 blacks are victims of homicide. That's slightly over 50% of U.S. homicide victims. Ninety-four percent of the time, the perpetrator is another black person. Along with being most of the nation's homicide victims, blacks are most of the victims of violent personal crimes such as assault and robbery. At many predominantly black schools, chaos is the order of the day. There is a high rate of assaults on students and teachers. Youngsters who are hostile to the educational process are permitted to make education impossible for those who are prepared to learn. As a result, overall black educational achievement is a disaster.  Here are my questions to those who blame racial discrimination for the problems of black people: Is it necessary for us to await some kind of moral rejuvenation among white people before measures can be taken to end or at least reduce the kind of behavior that spells socio-economic disaster in so many black communities? Is it a requirement that we await moral rejuvenation among white people before we stop permitting some black youngsters from making education impossible for other black youngsters? Blacks were not the only people discriminated against in America. While Jews and Asians were not enslaved, they encountered gross discrimination. Nonetheless, neither Jews nor Asians felt that they had to await the end of discrimination before they took measures to gain upward mobility.  Intellectuals and political hustlers who blame the plight of so many blacks on poverty, racial discrimination and the “legacy of slavery” are complicit in the socioeconomic and moral decay. Black people must ignore the liberal agenda that suggests that we must await government money before measures can be taken to improve the tragic living conditions in so many of our urban communities. Black and white intellectuals and politicians suggesting that black people await government solutions wouldn't begin to live in the same high-crime, dangerous communities and send their children to the dangerous schools that so many black children attend.


osce--2019-03-20--Renewed efforts needed to eliminate racial discrimination especially in the workplace say heads of

Renewed efforts needed to eliminate racial discrimination, especially in the workplace, say heads of Europe’s human rights organizations

VIENNA/STRASBOURG/WARSAW, 21 March 2019 – Too many people with an ethnic or migrant background are still being held back in the job market. This is despite laws against racial discrimination and for equal opportunities in employment that have been in place for decades, the heads of three European human rights institutions said in a joint statement on today’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  Michael O’Flaherty, Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), Jean-Paul Lehners, Chair of the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), and Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), emphasizedthe need for change to ensure respect for the fundamental human rights everyone should enjoy equally across Europe. They call for enforcing international and national antidiscrimination legislation, including tougher sanctions, and amendments to working practices to promote the diversity Europe needs to remain relevant in today’s global economy.  “Racism in any form is toxic to the creation of a fair, equal and rights respectful society,” said FRA Director O’Flaherty. “We have the laws but too often they fail to deliver. We need to step up our policies and practices to reduce the barriers ethnic minorities face when trying to enjoy their basic right to employment.”  He pointed to a recent FRA minorities’ and migrants’ surveythat underlined the scale of the problem. Almost a third of respondents reported they had been discriminated against when looking for a job. Half of these thought it was because of their skincolouror appearance, while one-third said it was because of their name.  “Access to employment is a key to successful and sustainable inclusion of all people into society,” said ECRI Chair Lehners. “Through the recommendations that ECRI addresses to the Council of Europe member states, we aim to motivate all stakeholders to open up even more to diversity and build an inclusive working culture. Employees will benefit from this through an improved working environment, and employers through better results. At the same time, we are active to prevent new discrimination risks that could arise from the use of new technologies such as artificial intelligence.”  ODIHR Director Gísladóttir said: “A person's ethnicity or skincolourare all too often grounds for discrimination, preventing them from having equal access to thelabourmarket and equality in the workplace. Roma and Sinti, the largest ethnic minority in Europe, experience high levels of discrimination when seeking employment, and this is a strong factor contributing to economic, social and political exclusion. Governments must make real efforts to counter discrimination against Roma or any group.”  Gísladóttir stressed that all OSCE participating States have committed themselves to adopting effective legislation to combat racial and ethnic discrimination in all fields, including employment, and, in its Action Plan to Improve the Situation of Roma and Sinti in the OSCE area, to creatingspecializedinstitutions and mechanisms to ensure the implementation of such laws.  Today’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination points to a clear need to tackle pervasive racial discrimination in all areas of life. As it is also the International Decade for People of African Descent, we should stamp out the widespread and entrenched prejudice and exclusion that too many black people continue to face simply because of their skincolour, the institution heads said.  With the rise of automated decision-making, policymakers should also be mindful of the risk of built-in biases appearing in computer-based tools used in recruitment or insurance risk assessments, for example.  Positive measures like diversity audits in workplaces, public sector recruitment drives among minorities andanonymizedrecruiting processes are simple practical measures that can help make a difference.  The United Nations designated 21 March the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 1966, in memory of the 69 people killed six years earlier in Sharpeville, South Africa, during a peaceful demonstration to protest the apartheid system.


osce--2019-04-01--Dialogue understanding and mutual respect key in advocating for tolerance and non-discrimination s

Dialogue, understanding and mutual respect key in advocating for tolerance and non-discrimination, says OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Lajčák

VIENNA, 1 April 2019 – Ahead of the first OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting under the Slovak OSCE Chairmanship, which will focus on tolerance and non-discrimination in Vienna, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Slovak Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Miroslav Lajčák called for more dialogue, respect and closer co-operation in combating intolerance, discrimination and hate crimes.  “Our organization is built on the concept of comprehensive security. This means that dialogue, tolerance and respect for cultural diversity and human rights are not just good for humanity, but can also act as key drivers of peace. In times where political and religious intolerance is rising, I believe dialogue is key. It can foster tolerance and solidarity among diversity. It can enable us to prevent conflicts. And it can help us to achieve a culture of lasting peace.” said the Chairperson-in-Office.  The event in Vienna, organized in co-operation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), will bring together more than 150 representatives from OSCE participating States, intergovernmental organizations, educational institutions, religious or belief communities and civil society from across the OSCE’s participating States and Partners for Co-operation to discuss the progress  made by participating States in implementing OSCE commitments on upholding the principles of tolerance and non-discrimination, including in the promotion and protection of  freedom of religion or belief.  “The continuing reports from religious or belief communities of racism, intolerance and discrimination manifested in various forms, including hate crimes, should trouble us all. These violations of the most basic human rights, including the freedom of religion or belief, are a threat to security and stability both within countries and at the regional level,” added ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “As a priority, we must work together to understand and dismantle the systemic root causes of these terrible phenomena.”  Noting that the principles of tolerance and non-discrimination and the right to freedom of religion or belief are inseparable and interrelated, and under severe stress in the OSCE region, Professor Ingeborg Gabriel, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, also focusing on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians and Members of Other Religions, pointed out that “to counter any form of intolerance -  also against Christians and members of other religions - and to achieve lasting social peace, we need concerted efforts, including from civil society institutions and religious communities, to strengthen these principles and to stand up for a decent society based on mutual respect”.  Ambassador Mehmet Paçacı, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims, warned that according to official and civil society reports, cases of intolerance and discrimination against Muslims in the OSCE region are on the rise. “Despite many recent good practices, monitoring and reporting the cases of intolerance and discrimination against Muslims are still at a very low level in our region," he warned.  “Freedom of religion is surely predicated on the basic safety and security of its practitioners to gather in prayer and fellowship. They must also be free to engage in the religious observance and practice that shape their identity.”, stressed Rabbi Andrew Baker, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Anti-Semitism. “Thus, we need to flag the dangers of a growing secular environment that is hostile to religion more generally,” he added.  The event in Vienna also aims at discussing how best to prevent and respond to intolerance and create an appreciation for diversity. Various lessons learned will be exchanged, with focus placed on initiatives and tools such as education policies and awareness-raising strategies. Co-operation between different communities, groups and organizations will be discussed as a key element in tackling discrimination and intolerance.  Following up on the commitments made by all 57 participating States, including from the Basel Ministerial Council in 2014, the Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting’s goal is to take stock of the implementation of commitments in the area of tolerance and non-discrimination. The event also provides a forum for identifying and discussing promising practices and challenges in this respect in the OSCE region.  Ultimately, this could be conducive towards potential Bratislava OSCE Ministerial Council decisions in the area of freedom of religion or belief. The meeting follows up on and complements the Conference on Combatting Anti-Semitism in the OSCE Region, which took place in Bratislava in February 2019.


talkingpointsmemo--2019-05-15--CFPB Anti-Discrimination Official Forced Out Over Racist Blogs

A Consumer Financial Protection Bureau official, Eric Blankenstein, has been fired following an internal investigation into his racist blog posts.  Blankenstein was the policy associate director of the Office of Supervision, Enforcement and Fair Lending, the CPFB wing that’s meant to combat discrimination by banks and financial institutions.  According to an email obtained by Bloomberg Law, he will leave the agency on May 31.  In September last year, the Washington Post discovered Blankenstein’s blog posts from 2004 that argued that “hate-crime hoaxes” are more common than “actual hate crimes.”  Blankenstein also complained about “racial idiocy” at the University of Virginia when students pushed the school to designate racism as an honor code violation. In that same post, he described hate crime legislation as “making it illegal to have a thought.”  This story has been corrected to cite Bloomberg Law, not Bloomberg.


theblaze--2019-09-06--Muslim man accuses Starbucks employee of discrimination after he saw what was written on his cup

Muslim man accuses Starbucks employee of discrimination after he saw what was written on his cup  And it happened in the city of another Starbucks racism accusation


thedailybeast--2019-02-05--Cities Versus State Arkansas Isnt Sure if it Allows Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination

Cities Versus State: Arkansas Isn’t Sure if it Allows Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination

A recent ruling from the Arkansas Supreme Court could put the rights and protections of thousands of LGBTQ people at risk.  Last week, the Arkansas Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that allowed Fayetteville to enforce its nondiscrimination ordinance, while it challenges a 2015 law designed to void pro-LGBTQ protections.  Act 137, known as the Intrastate Commerce Improvement Act, says cities and counties cannot designate protected classes not covered by statewide anti-discrimination law (which does not include LGBTQ identity).  It was drafted as a response to Fayetteville’s ordinance, which was enacted by the city council in 2014 but swiftly repealed by voters.  Fayetteville, a liberal haven home to the University of Arkansas, responded by putting forward a new ordinance. This time it stuck: Voters approved it 53 percent to 47 percent.  But in a unanimous verdict issued on Jan. 31, justices with the Arkansas Supreme Court claimed any lingering debate over Fayetteville’s nondiscrimination ordinance is moot following its 2017 ruling. Two years ago, the state’s highest bench held that the ordinance “violates the plain wording” of Act 137 and struck it down.  Opponents of the statewide preemption bill, however, say the Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed the case without weighing in on the most critical question raised: whether Act 137 was constitutional to begin with.  Those issues were not discussed in the 2017 ruling.  Danielle Weatherby, a legal analyst and advisor for the pro-ordinance group For Fayetteville, said she continues “to have serious equal protection concerns about Act 137.” The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment guarantees all citizens “e qual protection of the law” and is often interpreted as safeguarding LGBTQ rights.  “I'm disappointed that the constitutional questions that I believe lie at the heart of this case were not resolved,” Weatherby told The Daily Beast in a phone interview. “They remain unanswered.”  Plaintiffs were given 18 days after the ruling to file for rehearing.  When The Daily Beast reached out to Fayetteville City Attorney Kit Williams on Monday, Williams confirmed plans to request the court reconsider the case on constitutional grounds.  Every legal authority contacted by The Daily Beast admitted to being “surprised" and even “confused” by the Arkansas Supreme Court’s verdict. One of the most confounding aspects, say those with knowledge of Arkansas' legal codes, is that municipalities are unsure whether they can continue to enforce their nondiscrimination ordinances as the motion for rehearing moves forward.  According to Williams, everything is “up in the air” until the Arkansas Supreme Court responds.  “If they don't allow a rehearing, then at that point we're not going to be able to enforce the ordinance,” he said. “If we actually get someone that is making a claim under the ordinance [before then], I'll have to look at it very carefully and see whether or not we can do an enforcement action.”  Things get even murkier when it comes to pro-LGBTQ ordinances passed in other cities.  The Eureka Springs City Council was among the first in Arkansas to enact a nondiscrimination ordinance in February 2015. After the passage of Act 137 threatened those protections, the town’s 2,000 residents voted overwhelmingly to keep Ordinance 2223 on the books: 71 percent to 29 percent.  Ordinance 2223 was popular enough that turnout in an otherwise mundane special election actually exceeded the previous year’s midterms.  Officials are reportedly unsure as to whether Eureka Springs’ ordinance is affected by the Arkansas Supreme Court decision. Because the tiny tourist town didn’t have the money to challenge Act 137, Fayetteville’s measure was the only one mentioned in last week’s ruling. No other ordinance was discussed.  Jay Wilks, organizer of the tourism group Out in Eureka, said the verdict was “heartbreaking” for the gay enclave. An estimated 35 percent of residents are LGBTQ.  “The reaction here has been total outrage—that this happened in this day and age,” Wilks told The Daily Beast in a phone conversation. “These communities and these individuals fought so hard to have these ordinances passed for the protection of their community.”  “It may not stand within the state law, but in Eureka Springs, it stands,” Wilks added.  In total, at least six other cities and counties in Arkansas have some form of protection in place for LGBTQ residents: Conway, Hot Springs, Little Rock, Marvell, North Little Rock, and Pulaski County (which is home to Little Rock).  Like Eureka Springs, these municipalities were offered little clarity as to how they stand to be impacted by the Arkansas Supreme Court case.  The Little Rock City Attorney’s office did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication time. However, City Attorney Tom Carpenter previously told the Arkansas Times its ordinance “does not violate Arkansas law… because every prohibition against discrimination named is already named somewhere in state law.”  The law Carpenter is referring to is a 2012 anti-bullying bill passed by the Arkansas General Assembly. The legislation forbids “intimidation, harassment, or harm” on the basis of LGBTQ identity in schools, as well as other protected characteristics.  Laura Phillips, who sits on For Fayetteville’s executive committee, claimed the law is “one of the strongest anti-bullying bills in the nation.”  “When you look at it, there already is a state law that offers protection for students on the basis of real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity,” she told The Daily Beast over the phone. “There's already something there.”  What also helps Carpenter’s case is that Little Rock’s ordinance has a much narrower scope than other provisions. The Arkansas capital city’s protections only apply to city employees and contractors who do business with the municipal government, whereas the measures enacted in Fayetteville and Eureka Springs apply to everyone.  According to Williams, Little Rock believes “believes [it] can still enforce” its ordinance.  “They're in a situation where it’d be extremely difficult for someone to get standing to challenge their ordinance,” he said. “It'd have to be a contractor doing business with them who has refused to comply with their ordinance saying that contractors not supposed to discriminate.”  Many of the questions surrounding enforceability will be answered after Feb. 18, when the deadline to file for rehearing ends. Even then, it could be weeks before the Arkansas Supreme Court responds.  But should justices decline to weigh in on Fayetteville’s ordinance for the third time, it has profound implications for the estimated 79,000 people in Arkansas who identify as LGBTQ. According to the UCLA-based think tank The Williams Institute, that’s 2.6 percent of the state’s population.  For instance, Arkansas has some of the nation’s most draconian housing laws. It’s an at-will state. So if a landlord decides to evict the lesbian couple on the second floor just because, he can do so with little justification.  In addition, there are scarcely few medical providers in the state who offer hormone therapy or other transition-related care to trans patients. Before Planned Parenthood began its HRT program, there was a doctor in Eureka Springs and one in Little Rock. Providers often refuse to see transgender people at all—even for a cold.  Without a mechanism in place to lodge discrimination complaints, these patients might have even fewer places to go.  While the Eureka Springs City Attorney was also unavailable prior to press time, Wilks predicted the spirit of its nondiscrimination ordinance would remain in place. He said the city would continue to defend its LGBTQ population “with a baseball bat.”  Wilks means that literally. He related a story about an elderly woman who used to own a dress shop in Eureka Springs before she retired. One day a group of “rednecks” began harassing a gay couple for holding hands, calling them “faggots.” The woman ran out of her shop clutching a broom in her hands and chased them down the street.  “Homophobia and racism are not accepted here in Eureka Springs,” Wilks said.