The Universal Grain

This week, Sandhya and Allison talk about Facebook's new rebranding and the concept of privacy in the digital age.  Be sure to follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!  Research Mentioned:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/11/13/facebook-news-feed-algorithm-how-to-turn-it-off/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/09/23/facebook-privacy-settings/ https://www.npr.org/2021/10/28/1049813246/facebook-new-name-meta-mark-zuckerberg https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-internal-report-shows-instagram-bad-for-teens-2021-9 https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-papers-whistleblower-lawsuit-ohio-pension-system-seurities-fraud-2021-11 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/30/style/finsta-instagram-accounts-senate.html https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/mark-zuckerberg-leveraged-facebook-user-data-fight-rivals-help-friends-n994706

This week, Sandhya and Allison talk about the anti-abortion bills being pushed through state legislatures and the history of the politicization of female presenting people's bodies. As the information in the episode is not as recent as current events, The Universal Grain should not be used as a source for updates on abortion bans in states. Instead, look online to reputable news sources for recent updates with lawsuits and bans.  Be sure to follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!  Research Used:  https://rewirenewsgroup.com/article/2019/10/24/the-hidden-link-between-domestic-violence-and-abortion/ https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/10/texas-abortion-law-even-more-absurd-practice/620265/ https://www.npr.org/2021/10/01/1041607684/texas-abortion-law-federal-judge https://www.npr.org/2021/09/23/1040132587/florida-abortion-restriction-bill-texas-ban https://www.oyez.org/cases/1971/70-18 ​​https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/20/politics/supreme-court-mississippi-abortion-law/index.html https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/news/2018/08/23/455025/women-color-will-lose-roe-v-wade-overturned/ https://www.theday.com/article/20211004/OP01/211009788 

This week, Sandhya and Allison discuss fast fashion and its environmental impact as well as climate change and natural disasters.  Be sure to follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!  Research Mentioned:  https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/08/18/world/americas/haiti-earthquake-grace.html https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2012/02/01/climate-change-in-haiti/ https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-can-climate-change-affect-natural-disasters-1?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/un-alliance-sustainable-fashion-addresses-damage-fast-fashion https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/ https://gasp-pgh.org/2020/07/28/clothes-climate-change-how-a-fashion-choice-change-could-lead-to-better-air-quality/ https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/ https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/fast-fashion-climate-change/ Donate for Haiti:  https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwih85TH_8XyAhUTEOcKHSMzBt4YABAAGgJwdg&ae=2&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESQeD2F-CUltNcMPVS3WcBPeDWGJXCqYpWPrr39_yV3-dlIPrfgc-3RZ6d01nu_WYNlC6nqIrmnal_mKvSq8gzWQUa&sig=AOD64_13l8O_ofQMUhzFH0pUraPlfZ-2jA&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwi-3YzH_8XyAhWoHzQIHSmyApUQ0Qx6BAgIEAE&dct=1  https://secure.projecthope.org/site/SPageNavigator/2021_08_Haiti_Response_Ads_UNR.html?autologin=true&mfc_pref=T&s_src=ads&s_subsrc=ads_sem_gs_topical_d2d_haiti081421&utm_source=fundraising&utm_medium=ads&utm_campaign=haiti+earthquake&gclid=CjwKCAjw64eJBhAGEiwABr9o2EE-WxKjV-VP7635Ep1shauKGBzih7VgGGG-tfednKWdmGbyrl651hoCzr8QAvD_BwE 

This week, Sandhya talked with Athena Nair, a representative of The Body Positive, about body image, activism, and the concept of health at every size. The Body Positive is an organization dedicated to teaching and encouraging every person to love themselves and embrace their uniqueness. To contact Athena, message athena@thebodypositive.org.  Be sure to follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.   Links to Explore:  https://thebodypositive.org/about-us/  https://19anair.wixsite.com/beingbodypositive PreviewPreview15:51The dangerous ways ads see women | Jean Kilbourne ...YouTube · TEDx Talks · May 8, 2014

This week, Sandhya and Allison talk about the surge in case rates over the world, what the Delta variant is in scientific terms, and America's approach to public health.  Be sure to follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Research Mentioned:  https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/5-things-to-know-delta-variant-covid https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2021/07/20/indonesia-reports-record-new-coronavirus-deaths-on-monday.html https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/public-health/states-ranked-by-percentage-of-population-vaccinated-march-15.html https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html https://www.crisisgroup.org/global/sb4-covid-19-and-conflict-seven-trends-watch https://www.crisisgroup.org/global/sb4-covid-19-and-conflict-seven-trends-watch https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210712/what-to-know-about-covid-delta-variant https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-19-vaccine-comparison https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210720114413.htm https://gvn.org/covid-19/delta-b-1-617-2/

This week, Allison and Sandhya discuss gun control and the prevalence of gun violence in modern day America.  Be sure to follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!  Research Mentioned:  https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/guns-crime/reports/2021/02/10/495615/frequently-asked-questions-charleston-loophole/ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/its-time-to-retire-the-guns-dont-kill-people-people_b_59e0f6d4e4b09e31db975887 https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/06/22/california-assault-weapons-ban-blocked/ https://everytownresearch.org/maps/gunfire-on-school-grounds/ https://www.dw.com/en/8-facts-about-gun-control-in-the-us/a-40816418 https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/national-rifle-assn/recipients?id=d000000082&t2-View=Conservative https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-gun-laws-policy-explained/ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/former-nra-president-tricked-gun-violence-prevention-video-n1272129 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mass_shootings_in_the_United_States_in_2021 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/white-house-announce-strategy-tackle-gun-violence-amid-sharp-increase-n1272066 https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/live-blog/gun-safety-forum-live-updates-las-vegas-n1060911/ncrd1061676#liveBlogHeader https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-senate-panel-vote-gun-control-advocate-lead-firearms-enforcement-agency-2021-06-24/

This week, Sandhya and Allison talk to Riya about labels, the LGBTQ+ community, and how all issues are intersectional.  Be sure to follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!  Research Mentioned:  https://www.thetaskforce.org/new-analysis-shows-startling-levels-of-discrimination-against-black-transgender-people/ https://www.hrc.org/news/spotlighting-the-intersection-of-black-and-transgender-identities https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/asian-americans-coming-out-2019-can-still-present-unique-challenges-n1016771 https://www.equality-network.org/our-work/intersectional/ https://www.opportunityagenda.org/explore/resources-publications/ten-tips-putting-intersectionality-practice

This week, Sandhya and Allison talk about social media and its affects on journalism, advocacy, and the younger generations.  Be sure to follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!  Research Mentioned:  https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/new-research-shows-that-71-of-americans-now-get-news-content-via-social-pl/593255/ https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/childrens-health/national-poll-more-teens-participating-protests-against-racism https://www.latrobe.edu.au/mylatrobe/the-growing-trend-of-performative-activism/ https://nyunews.com/opinion/2019/10/28/performative-activism-trends-fads-social-media/ https://www.journalism.org/2021/01/12/news-use-across-social-media-platforms-in-2020/ https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/28/politics/qanon-child-welfare/index.html https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/qanons-obsession-with-savethechildren-is-making-it-harder-to-save-kids-from-traffickers/

This week, Sandhya and Allison discuss Wealth Inequality, Housing, and what role politics has in wealth inequality.  Follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!  Research Used:  https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/race/reports/2016/12/15/294374/the-united-states-history-of-segregated-housing-continues-to-limit-affordable-housing/ https://www.marketwatch.com/story/biden-to-reinstate-fair-housing-policies-dismantled-under-trump-including-one-aimed-at-combatting-residential-segregation-11618332207 https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/nation/2021/04/14/zoning-biden-infrastructure-bill-would-curb-single-family-housing/7097434002/ https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/01/09/trends-in-income-and-wealth-inequality/

This week, Sandhya and Allison talk with Leena and Coco about climate change and all of the different facets of the issue.  Follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!  Research Used:  https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/ https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2020/06/25/covid-19-impacts-climate-change/ https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/01/climate-change-link-infectious-diseases-covid-19-study/ https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data#:~:text=Electricity%20and%20Heat%20Production%20 https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/13/opinions/gallery/top-climate-change-contributors/index.html https://ec.europa.eu/clima/change/causes_en https://www.watershedcouncil.org/pipeline-risks.html#:~:text=For%20natural%20gas%20pipelines%2C%20the,gas%2C%20contributes%20to%20climate%20change. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00090-3 https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/texas-snowstorm-arctic?rebelltitem=3#rebelltitem3 https://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/what-is-climate-change/

This week, Sandhya and Allison talk about the horrifying increase in Anti-Asian rhetoric and hate based actions. We stand in solidarity with our Asian community.  Follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!   Places to Donate to or Be Aware Of:  -https://www.aaldef.org  -https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org -https://www.imreadymovement.org  Research Used:   https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/16/us/metro-atlanta-spa-shootings-what-we-know/index.html https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/atlanta-area-shootings-03-17-21/index.html https://www.npr.org/2021/03/10/975722882/the-rise-of-anti-asian-attacks-during-the-covid-19-pandemic https://www.npr.org/2021/03/17/978055571/anti-asian-attacks-rise-during-pandemic-read-nprs-stories-on-the-surge-in-violen https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56218684

This week Sandhya and Allison talk with Professor Reiter, a member of the Prison Education Project at UCI about education and the criminal justice system.  Learn more about the Prison Education Project here: https://prisoneducation.uci.edu Follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!  Research Used: http://restorativejustice.org/restorative-justice/about-restorative-justice/tutorial-intro-to-restorative-justice/lesson-1-what-is-restorative-justice/#sthash.AQlmSDif.dpbs https://www.courtinnovation.org/publications/restorative-racial-justice https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/csj-sjc/jsp-sjp/rp01_1-dr01_1/p5.html https://leb.fbi.gov/articles/featured-articles/restorative-justice-and-youthful-offenders https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/rj-jr/index.html https://www.weareteachers.com/restorative-justice/ https://globalpeacecareers.com/magazine/examples-of-restorative-justice/

This week Sandhya and Allison talk about DC Statehood, and the arguments surrounding the issue.  Follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook! Research Used:   https://washington.org/DC-information/washington-dc-history https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/51 https://www.dcvote.org/10-myths-about-district-columbia https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/how-do-new-states-become-part-of-the-us/103-448157125#:~:text=Typically%2C%20a%20territory%20sends%20representatives,statehood%20to%20make%20it%20official. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/01/08/washington-dc-statehood-faq/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/most-americans-say-no-statehood-for-the-district-of-columbia-poll-shows/2019/07/13/d053f350-a4c1-11e9-b8c8-75dae2607e60_story.html https://statehood.dc.gov/page/why-statehood-dc https://www.dcvote.org/public-opinion/citizens’-guide-congressional-appropriations-process-district-columbia

This week, Sandhya and Allison talk to their friends, Varshitha and Brandon, about their experiences as Asian-Americans.  Follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Thank you for listening!

This week, Sandhya and Allison, along with Rebecca and Katherine from Women In Politics talk about congresswomen, the gender wage gap, and United States Madam Vice President Kamala Harris.  Follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!  Research Used:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/04/04/americans-dont-like-it-when-men-and-only-men-make-decisions-about-women/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264428985_Cold_or_Caring_Adolescent_Sexual_Assault_Victims'_Perceptions_of_Their_Interactions_With_the_Police https://policecrime.bgsu.edu/Home/Crimes https://www.maristcircle.com/opinion/2020/11/12/idolizing-politicians-undermines-democracy-political-polarization https://www.politico.com/newsletters/women-rule/2020/09/11/why-women-pols-are-talking-about-beauty-490308 https://valor-dictus.com/opinion/2017/01/19/lets-stop-glorifying-obama-and-all-politicians-for-that-matter/ https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/1/23/18184192/kamala-harris-president-campaign-criminal-justice-record https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/march-2019/women-politicians-must-still-bend-to-gender-stereotypes/ 

This episode, Sandhya and Allison talk about the COVID vaccine, the rollout of the vaccine, and the history of anti-vaccination ideology.  Follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!  Research Used:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/how-they-work.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fvaccines%2Fabout-vaccines%2Fhow-they-work.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/8-things.html https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/national-strategy/planning-guidance/guidance_508.html https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/12/world/americas/covid-vaccine-us-uk-canada.html https://ftp.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/history-anti-vaccination-movements https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/31/health/vaccine-distribution-delays.html https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/covid-19/2020/11/debunking-the-myth-of-non-vaccine-herd-immunity-in-covid-19/ https://globalnews.ca/news/7511664/fact-or-fiction-covid-19-vaccine/ https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/hcp/mrna-vaccine-basics.html https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/making-vaccines/how-are-vaccines-made https://www.immune.org.nz/vaccines/efficiency-effectiveness

This week, Sandhya and Allison talk about reproductive rights and sexual health in both Asian and American culture.  Be sure to follow @theuniversalgrain on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!  Research we used:  https://www.thirdway.org/memo/talking-about-reproductive-rights-in-2020 https://statusofwomendata.org/explore-the-data/reproductive-rights/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/odi.13390 http://www.ipsnews.net/2019/02/dismantling-sexual-health-stigma-india/ https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/amy-coney-barrett-s-supreme-court-confirmation-jeopardizes-more-abortion-ncna1244568 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/11/03/930533103/how-an-abortion-fight-in-supreme-court-could-threaten-birth-control-too https://www.commonhealth.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Facts-on-Abortion-in-Asia-_Guttmacher-Institute-Jan-2012.pdf https://americanpregnancy.org/unplanned-pregnancy/pregnant-teen-26089#:~:text=Our%20toll%2Dfree%20teen%20pregnancy,talk%20about%20your%20pregnancy%20options.

In this episode, Sandhya and Allison talk about immigrant history, small business and the pandemic, and the economy! If you are able to, the Universal Grain highly encourages you to shop at small business, especially during the pandemic.  Remember to vote if you are able to! Follow @theuniversalgrain Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.  Research we used:  https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/immigrants-play-an-outsize-role-in-small-business.html https://www.pnas.org/content/117/30/17656 https://www.fastcompany.com/90514082/small-businesses-owned-by-women-people-of-color-and-immigrants-are-harder-hit-by-covid-19 https://delaroq.com/pages/about https://wedreamincolour.com/about.html https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-and-social-sector/our-insights/covid-19s-effect-on-minority-owned-small-businesses-in-the-united-states# https://www.shelbizleee.com/post/sustainable-black-owned-businesses https://www.valuewalk.com/2018/11/non-citizens-usa/ https://www.self.inc/blog/starting-a-business-as-an-immigrant-to-the-u-s

This week, Sandhya and Allison discuss the importance of voting and the political climate.  Remember to VOTE if you are eligible, YOUR VOICE MATTERS!  Follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook  Research Used:  https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/05/07/asian-americans-are-the-fastest-growing-racial-or-ethnic-group-in-the-u-s-electorate/ https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/voting-in-2020/why-minority-voters-have-a-lower-voter-turnout/ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/opinion/latino-voters-2020-election.html https://www.npr.org/2020/09/12/909131065/will-2020-be-the-year-of-the-young-voter https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-asian-americans-are-thinking-about-the-2020-election/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2020/09/21/more-young-voters-say-they-will-definitely-vote-this-year-than-prior-elections/#36b5c36756f1 https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2020/07/30/now-more-than-half-of-americans-are-millennials-or-younger/

In this episode, Sandhya and Allison talk about the roots of cultural misogyny and their own experiences with gender stereotypes.  Follow @theuniversalgrain on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!  Research Mentioned:   https://unu.edu/publications/articles/achieving-gender-equality-in-india-what-works-and-what-doesnt.html https://worldcrunch.com/culture-society/the-violent-roots-of-india39s-subjugation-of-women https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/child-marriage/india/ https://transgenderlawcenter.org/black-trans-women-black-trans-femmes-leading-living-fiercely https://vawnet.org/sc/serving-trans-and-non-binary-survivors-domestic-and-sexual-violence/violence-against-trans-and https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2020/03/leftover-women-china-israel-children-marriage/607768/ https://asiasociety.org/education/women-traditional-china