January 2011By Stephanie Lundberg
Racial integration issues still plaguing an American community County leaders in Westchester, New York, located just North of New York City, are causing turmoil over a housing desegregation case that has lasted for almost five years. Led by County Executive Rob Astorino, these leaders are fighting to maintain an increasingly white status quo as the federal government pushes to end housing segregation. The fight to end housing discrimination in Westchester dates back to 2007 when a nonprofit advocacy and litigation group sued Westchester for violating the False Claims Act. This group, the Anti-Discrimination Center of Metro New York, argued that Westchester accepted federal housing grants while disregarding their duty to provide affordable housing options without segregation. Westchester has since continued to fail to uphold desegregation efforts. Not only has Westchester ignored attempts at housing desegregation, they continue to perpetuate it. Through means such as minimum lot sizes, high-density development, and specifying vacant lot use, the city has maintained a number of communities where black or Hispanic populations are almost non-existent. In 2009 Westchester made slight progress by signing a landmark consent decree. This decree forced the city to make a number of changes including building affordable housing in wealthier neighborhoods and educating citizens on fair housing practices. While this settlement was a step in the right direction, as of December 16 2011, no physical progress had been made. In fact, Country Executive Rob Astorino vetoed a bill banning discrimination. Although Astorino and other leaders have cited justifications for the lack of development, it is their indisputable and legal duty to uphold the terms of the settlement. Source: Editorial. "Westchester’s Desegregation Battle” nytimes.com. Andrew Rosenthal. December 31, 2011. New York Times. January 1, 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/opinion/sunday/westchesters-desegregation-battle.html Racial discrimination implicated in young Army private's death In October 2011, a 19-year-old Army private was found dead a mere two months into his deployment. The cause of death appeared to be suicide, however many friends and family questioned the reasoning for such an action. One possible explanation lies in racial discrimination. Pvt. Danny Chen, originally from New York, is a Chinese American. Following pressure by Chen’s family and the Chinese-American community, the Army affirmed that Chen had indeed experienced high levels of abuse, including ethnic slurs during his deployment. It is also assumed that incidents such as Chen’s are very common and widespread in the military. Currently, Asian Americans make up a mere four percent of the army’s enlisted population. Furthermore, the number of minorities holding positions of leadership is equally low. These numbers are however, growing. Consequently, incidents of racial discrimination or tension may also begin to rise. Chen’s experience with racial intolerance is beyond tragic, however it mirrors those issues present in civilian society. Tom Hayashi, the current executive director of an organization of Asian Americans, argued the contrary citing inadequate policies for reporting possible harassment as one of the main flaws of the Army’s approach to discrimination issues. The death of Danny Chen also speaks to the greater issue of military hazing in general that often employs highly radicalized terms as a form of abuse, an issue that cannot be disregarded. Source: Hawley, Chris. "8 soldiers charged in private’s death." Armytimes.com. Kathleen Curthoys. December 22, 2011. Army Times. January 1, 2012. http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/12/ap-army-danny-chen-suicide-8-soldiers-charged-122111/
The United Nations tackles human rights for LGBT around the world During December 2011, the first United Nations report on the human rights of the LGBT lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender community was released. The report takes an in-depth look at the specific incidents and levels of intolerance experienced by this community around the world. Violence against those who identify as LGBT is often overlooked or disregarded by governments, which escalates and perpetuates the issue. The report indicates that violence against the LGBT community occurs worldwide and offenses include: torture, detention, murder, kidnapping, physical and psychological assaults, and discrimination in terms of jobs, education, etc. In fact, in 76 countries it is currently against the law to engage in same-sex conduct, and is punishable by death in five. Many of these acts of hate against the LGBT community are brought about by organized groups of religious or political extremists, as well as individuals fueled by prejudice and a lack of understanding. Current laws in countries that outlaw same-sex conduct, essentially perpetuate homophobia. The United Nations report calls for Member States to put a number of practices into action. These include systems to record incidents, proper investigation of such incidents, and the duty to establish the idea that gender identity is undeniably a form of possible persecution. While discrimination against those who identify with the LGBT community is still rampant throughout the world, progress is being made. In the past 20 years, around 30 countries have decriminalized homosexuality on a political level. The report will be discussed this coming March, which may lead to possible progress for respectful treatment of the LGBT community members on a global scale. Source: "UN issues first report on human rights of gay and lesbian people." un.org. December 15, 2011. UN News Center. January 1, 2012. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40743 Obama administration takes on diversity in schools In early December, the Obama administration released a new set of guidelines aimed at promoting higher levels of diversity in American schools. The 10 to 14-page outline was sent out to thousands of college admissions offices and 17,000 public school districts across the nation. The outline seeks to break away from past approaches to diversity and hopefully make a change for the better. Obama’s guidelines differ drastically from those put in place during the Bush administration. In 2008, a similar document was released which implied that race should not be a factor in determining admissions. The 2011 guidelines instead argue that race can, and in some cases, should be a determining factor. Racial segregation in schools has been increasing nationwide and these documents aim to put a halt to education discrimination on both college and pre-college levels. General counsel for the American Council on Education, Ada Meloy, believes that schools and educators across the nation will react to the new guidelines in a very positive manner. The new document essentially eases the risk of legal challenge when actively pursing higher levels of racial diversity in schools. Educational controversies sparked by racial issues continue to be prevalent throughout the country, which indicates that there are still inordinate amounts of work to be done on this issue. Obama’s guidelines, however, offer a more proactive and aggressive approach to increasing diversity in America’s schools. As Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. affirms, diverse learning environments not only aids in dismantling stereotypes, but also promote development of analytical skills and increased interconnectedness. Source: Dillon, Sam. "U.S. Urges Creativity by Colleges to Gain Diversity." Newyorktimes.com. Alison Mitchell. December 2, 2011. New York Times. January 1, 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/03/education/us-urges-campus-creativity-to-gain-diversity.html Historical precedent: Catholic Church provides a home for discontented Anglicans in the United States In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI made the somewhat shocking decision to invite disaffected members of the Episcopal Church to become Catholic. Just recently, Rev. Jeffrey Neil Steenson, a married, former Episcopal bishop, was chosen by the Pope to head the first organization for discontented Anglicans in the United States. Steenson, and many other Anglican leaders and parishioners, have become dissatisfied with the Episcopal church after the election of female and openly gay bishops beginning in 2007. While this marks a profound step for the Anglican religion in the United States, it initiated an extreme controversy causing members like Steenson to leave the Episcopal Church all together. Since Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to welcome disaffected Anglicans into the Catholic Church, over 100 clergy and 1,400 individuals have petitioned to make the switch. Married Anglican priests will be allowed to remain married following conversion as a groundbreaking exception to the Catholic Church’s rules on celibacy. Anglican bishops however, will not be allowed to do so and will instead fill the role of priests as well. A training program will be put into place in Santa Fe, New Mexico to help facilitate the move from the Episcopal Church to the Catholic Church. Sources: The Associated Press. "Anglicans have new U.S. home in Catholic church." Usatoday.com. January 1, 2012. USA Today - News. January 1, 2012 http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-01-01/vatican-anglicans/52321430/1
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