Females make up about 50% of the United States population, yet the disparities among women in regards to access to healthcare is relatively unknown to the public. In the United States, 33% of women identify as a member of a race or ethnicity other than white. If current trends continue, this number of female minorities could grow to as much as 50% by mid-century. Social factors (i.e., work environments, neighborhoods, housing, early memories, etc.) are suspected to have just as much influence over a person’s overall health as their own personal habits do (i.e., smoking, drinking, diet, etc.). One of the biggest social factors facing women today is the gender wage gap which also affects women’s access to good healthcare coverage. It’s no secret women are grossly underpaid compared to their male counterparts, this statistic is especially apparent in regards to women of color. Usually women of color seek medical attention and services through clinics; whereas white woman usually see private health care providers and doctors. According to the article, Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities Among Women in California, women of color “have worse health outcomes than those of white women…” These health outcomes include: death due to heart disease, cancers such as cervical cancer, as well as higher rate of infant death and other associated deaths at birth. California is considered one of the most diverse states in the U.S., and income and socio-economic class have a great impact on the care that families are able to receive. Women of color tend to have the lowest paying jobs, they face underemployment and unemployment, and they usually have the inferior jobs. Factoring in socioeconomic stressors, and inequalities, these health problems could be connected. High blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity can have a direct connection with poverty. Also, lack of financial stability leads to eating unhealthy foods, which can have consequences to one’s health. According to the Beijing Platform for Action, adopted in 1995, at the Fourth World Conference on Women, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” However, women still tend to have worse health than men. Much of this is a direct result of the lack of available health care services for women, especially minority women. It is known that women utilize health care services more than men do, in part due to the physical health problems that come with being a women (in pregnancies, menstruation cycles, fertility, menopause, etc.). And even with all of this, women are greatly underrepresented in the health care decisions made. The quality, accessibility, and affordability factors within health care all play a part in the inequalities women in general, and of minorities, face on a daily basis throughout their entire lifespan. Women also have a greater risk for a number of serious and deadly conditions such as: diabetes, cancers, obesity and HIV/AIDS. Even though the rate of HIV/AIDS has gone down 21% among black women between 2008 and 2010, 63% of black women are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS (new infections). The rate of new infections for Hispanic is more than quadruple of those women who are not Hispanic. Minority women are also more than twice as likely to have higher infant and pregnancy related mortality rates. Also, black women are more than twice as likely to have a baby die as a white woman. Minority women are also less likely to have important screenings for cancers. This needs to change. Until the majority stands up and fights, this will continue to happen. All women should have access to good health care.

We are currently enrolled in a Race and Ethnic Relations course, taught by Professor Paul Lopez, at California State University, Chico.

We must test all of the things!

We must test all of the things!

The bill for medical marijuana should be passed to help with the many medical conditions including Cancer and AIDs. Medical marijuana is needed to help with the pain of these conditions. Also, it helps with neuropathic pain associated with nerve damage and would be beneficial. Another advantage to passing the bill is that it will help lower marijuana crime rates.

Science Park High School (SPHS) is the top achieving public school in Newark, NJ.(1) It has thrived through fiscal cutbacks and a state takeover within an economically impoverished community. The students score 99% proficiency on Language and Math AP/IB exams.(2) This culture has been nurtured under the guidance of strong leadership, Individuals who believe in the children of Newark and strive to make this a competitive school. This culture has been maintained through a community-based hiring process. In which parents, staff and students past or present interview candidates and select leaders to continue this vision. In June of 2015 Lamont Thomas resigned as principal in response to state pressure to privatize education. Upon his resignation Cami Anderson was removed as Superintendent of schools in response to parental backlash at her inadequacies to provide for the students and her misappropriation of power to privatize education in Newark. At this pivotal point, on June 22, 2015 Brad Haggerty, Assistant Superintendent of Newark Public Schools (NPS) met with the Science Park High School Leadership Search Committee (LSC). He as representative of Newark Public Schools agreed that the LSC would work in collaboration with the Newark Talent Search Department in interviewing ideal candidates. Since the appointment of Christopher Cerf as Superintendent the LSC has not received communication from NPS. As a stakeholder within this school and the community I urge you to sign this petition urging Superintendent Cerf to uphold this process. The LSC is a subset of the SPHS Student Leadership Committee (SLC) an organization meant to uphold professional and academic standards in schools through representation of Parents, Alumni, Students and Staff. 1.The Newark Public School. US News and World Report. 2015. http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/new-jersey/districts/the-newark-public-schools-105647 2. The Newark Public School. US News and Work Report. 2015.http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/new-jersey/districts/the-newark-public-schools/science-park-high-school-12677

On Sunday, November 29th, CBS' Face the Nation broadcast a program to their 3 million viewers focused on foreign policy. Host John Dickerson interviewed three Republican presidential candidates as well as Sen. John McCain about Middle East foreign policy and followed that with a debate of some of the issues with a panel of “experts”. Yet, the panel had hardly any diversity of opinion, only different shades of hawkish ideology. As Glenn Greenwald noted, “All of the panelists...were vocal, aggressive advocates of the invasion of Iraq”. [1] So it is unsurprising that no panelist challenged the claim that US military escalation is necessary to resolve the Syrian crisis; indeed, the “debate” partially focused on the obstacles in convincing the American people that intervention is the right path. [2] There are qualified war skeptic, pro-diplomacy experts that Face the Nation could invite to challenge interventionists and, thereby, give the American people both sides. For example, Rep. Jim Himes, who serves on the House Intelligence Committee and initiated a letter with 54 other members of Congress supporting the Obama administration's diplomatic efforts to end the Syrian war, would be a great choice. [3] Urge Face the Nation to invite war-skeptic, pro-diplomacy experts to discuss diplomatic solutions to the Syria crisis by signing our petition. References: 1. https://theintercept.com/2015/11/29/what-debate-means-on-face-the-nation/ 2. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/face-the-nation-transcripts-november-29-2015-carson-bush-mccain-and-graham/ 3. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/rep-jim-himes--54-house-d_b_8222622.html; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/to-help-syrians-back-real_b_8474446.html

Traffic problems are ignored. Traffic solutions are delayed. Congestion is impassible! Schools are not properly funded. Jobs are replaced by high-density luxury housing. Water supplies are limited and increasingly costly. Endangered species are extinct here. Autism and asthma have doubled in 20 years. Lower income neighborhoods are scheduled for “redevelopment” as luxury housing. 83% of subsidized housing in unincorporated Marin County is slated for 94903. Subsidized housing is relegated to freeway and heavy diesel freight train routes. Light, views, and privacy are impacted. Politicians are violating Housing Element and General Plan provisions without explanation.

The United States Republican controlled House of Representatives pushed really hard a few months ago to force Keystone Pipeline approval. Had that pipeline been approved it would have been considered an 'act of war' against the Rosebud and Oglala Sioux tribes and a violation of Tribal Sovereignty and Treaties of 1861 and 1868. Republicans were so eager to receive their Christmas bonus from wealthy backers of Keystone they willingly accepted War. President Obama, in an act of great courage vetoed the entire thing. Governor Dayton you are now faced with violation of Tribal Sovereignty and violation of the Treaties of 1837,1855 and 1867 if you accept these proposals. Minnesota will be declaring War on a Sovereign Nation and will also be in violation of the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that was adopted by the General Assembly. And Minnesota has no legal authority to Declare War or Commit an Act of War against a Sovereign Nation. Minnesota Republicans have no issue with Declaring War on the Ojibwa so they can receive their Christmas bonus from the Wealthy Backers of both Polymet and Sandpiper. Gaawin Geyaabi: No More! Sandpiper pipeline and the Polymet proposal share many evils in common. Building of a pipeline through White Earth’s wild rice stands could have severe effects on tribal members’ ability to harvest — a right guaranteed under the 1837 treaty and upheld by the Supreme Court. The thing about treaties is that they’re the “supreme law of the land.” At least that’s what Article VI of the Constitution says, and without compensation for those rights, White Earth says, the Sandpiper is violating the treaty. Polymet' sulfide mining has never been done in Minnesota. While iron mines have significant environmental challenges of their own, the sulfuric acid that is produced with sulfide mining makes it particularly difficult to avoid polluting nearby lakes, streams and ground water. And Rice Beds. The sulfide mining industry also has a long track record of financial irresponsibility. Many companies go bankrupt or fail to provide enough “financial assurance” – a damage deposit up front – to cover the costs of dealing with pollution. This has left some states and their taxpayers with hundreds of millions of dollars in liability. Governor Dayton, do not go down in disgrace in Minnesota history as Minnesota’s previous Governor Ramsey's administration did. Former Governor Ramsey called for the “Extermination or Removal” of the Dakota People. From an order issued by the state's Adjutant General, Oscar Malmros, on July 4, 1863, calling for a $200.00 bounty per head on all Dakota People. The Tribe fled Keoxa; Homeland; and the Winona Area. This had been their home for up to 12,000 years. They swore never to return until this Bounty was dropped. A few did not make it across the Minnesota border. In State vs Gut, Mr. Gut murdered an innocent Native. He was tried for murder and appealed his conviction to the Minnesota Supreme Court. In 1868 the Minnesota Supreme Court rejected his appeal and declared the $200.00 bounty as Unconstitutional. He further appealed in 1870 to the U.S. Supreme Court, which also rejected his appeal and affirmed the Minnesota Supreme Court decision declaring as Unconstitutional, the bounty on the Dakota. Minnesota neglected to inform the Dakota that the bounty was dropped. To this very day they believe this bounty exists. It has been gone for 153 years! Governor Dayton, do not go down in history as the Minnesota Governor who engaged in an Illegal War against Native Americans.

Children should be free to learn in public schools without being shot. Teachers should be free to teach without having to put themselves between a bullet and their pupils. Women should be safe while seeking healthcare at Planned Parenthood or any other facility without fear of extremist retaliation. Families should be able to gather in public, safely attend a movie or CONCERT without fear of being gunned down. Let Freedom Ring, Not Bullets.

Fox news instigated domestic terror.

I am a teacher of 30 years, who has seen the effects of staying up late and eating too much candy the night before. Many students come to school either wired on sugar or sometimes even absent due to staying up late on Halloween. Also, many working parents have difficulty getting home from work in time to get their children ready for the Trick or Treating hours.