Perspectives in Righting
Better Manchester is pleased to introduce Perspectives in Righting, a space dedicated to exploring and delving into topics such as diversity, equity and inclusion.
In creating this space, our goal is to welcome our loyal readership and contributing writers, along with embracing and making space for new readers and writers with fresh ideas and unique perspectives from right within our Manchester community. We look to center on the voices of those whose perspectives are often overlooked or undervalued, such as Black/African Americans, Latinx/Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, the LGBTQIA community and all other disenfranchised or underrepresented communities.
As a community, we took the long overdue step last summer to declare that racism is a public health crisis and that racism and prejudice have no home here in Manchester. While our oral and written words are powerful, it is our actions that will create lasting impact within our town and, ultimately, within our world. This is a safe space for all – no matter what your color, creed, religion or sexual orientation. We acknowledge that our differences are not meant to be used for hatred and division, but they are to be celebrated, revered, honored, cherished, and most importantly, loved. We hope that you will join us on this amazing journey, and we thank you in advance for your support.
Black Business Month
Each August, communities across the nation join together in commemoration of National Black Business Month.
The Importance of Representation
We often hear about the importance of representation in many facets in life, such as when it comes to government, technology, and other sectors.
Outreach Workers On Site Supporting Campers This Summer
The summers I remember as a kid brought with them a sense of freedom, a feeling that there was a lower threshold for responsibility, and
The Unfair Black Woman Double Standard
The internet was set ablaze toward the end of the women’s basketball NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game on April 2, 2023, when Louisiana State University’s Angel Reese used the “you can’t see me” hand gesture, while pointing at her ring finger to her team’s soon to be championship ring, toward University of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, according to Forbes.
Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories
Not that it wouldn’t become obvious to the reader only shortly after diving into this article, but nonetheless, I think that it is important to address that as a male author of an article that is going to attempt to highlight the tremendous effort, resilience, and leadership displayed by a number of my fellow co-workers
Meet The Team: Shakir Leacock
One of the newest members of the YSB team, Shakir Leacock, brings with him to the position nearly a decade of direct service experience with underrepresented and marginalized youth populations, but also a refreshingly simple outlook that helps him connect with his new audience in as real a way as possible.
The Road to Transformation: An Introduction to the MPS Dept. of Race & Equity
Sometimes it feels as though the world is burning, with the ongoing and lasting effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic, the attacks on public education, the continuous threats to marginalized
communities in our nation, and so much more.
Twitter & The Hate Speech Boom
Social media is, much to the chagrin of its countless detractors, a crucial component in the everyday lives of a vast majority of Americans.
Slowed But Not Stalled
As a Recreation Supervisor within the Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation, I have been fortunate enough to be a contributor to a program and service line that makes an honest effort at serving families and members within the community.
Thanksgiving: Beyond the Plate
As the fall rolls on & we approach the holiday season, so does our mindset shift, focusing on the family, friends and other loved ones who have helped us to get through the year. It’s a time of reflection, a hopeful escape from the stresses of one’s career or schooling, a reminder of what truly matters in each of our lives.
Remembering Our Black Veterans
As Veterans Day approaches, the collective American zeitgeist shifts its focus to honor its fallen soldiers, commemorate their sacrifices and look to the future improvements of the lives and conditions for veterans, active service members and their families.
World Central Kitchen Is Filling More Than Empty Stomachs
Cataclysmic events the world over seem to happen with far more regularity than they did when I was younger. Knowing much of this is the result of a 24 hour news cycle, increased access to information and the advent of technologies that force the would be eyewitness to assume the role of journalist, or even the reluctant wartime correspondent.
Title IX: Reflecting on 50 Years
As we near an end to 2022, those across the nation have banded together to commemorate one of the most significant pieces of federal civil rights legislation: Title IX, now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Each September, the global community joins together to commemorate Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a movement that aims to raise awareness of suicide prevention, combat misinformation on the topic and spread a message of hope.
Sustainable CT: Sustainability Camp
In a time when our climate is changing, there are things we need to do to keep our town clean from pollution and help curve climate change. Sustainable CT is all about getting people of all ages involved to become climate leaders.
Listening To Youth at the Forefront of Climate Change
Over the past few years, climate change has been increasingly known by younger generations who are seeing firsthand what is happening and what will happen to our planet.
Q&A With: Jessica Bell, Jose Morales
Learn more about Jessica Bell and Jose Morales with this Q&A!
How The Creation and Appreciation of Art and Music in Classrooms and Our Daily Lives can Improve Mentality
With all the chaos going on in our daily lives we need activities to relax and express ourselves. A lot of people during isolation were able to find other ways to occupy their time by getting creative. Now that we have a little more freedom to be creative with other people, we are able to build social connections through creative programs in schools, and their communities. In town, we have many opportunities to be creative and rebuild your social connections.
Q&A With: Josh Charette
Learn more about Josh Charette, a Recreation Supervisor with the Recreation Division with this Q&A!
Q&A With: Tasha Weston
Learn more about Tasha Weston, the Youth Coordinator at the Manchester Youth Service Bureau with this Q&A!
Q&A With: Ryan Ward
Learn more about Ryan Ward, Pavilion Coordinator and Lead Park Ambassador at Northwest Park with this Q&A!
How To Integrate Intersectional Environmentalism Into Our Town
Intersectional Environmentalism, is a term that may seem new to most people. It was first coined in 1989 by race and gender scholar and civil rights lawyer Kimberlé Crenshaw.
Transgender Day of Visibility: Finn Rowan
To commemorate Transgender Day of Visibility, Better Manchester Magazine has spotlighted Finn Rowan, an indie folk singer/songwriter born and raised in Connecticut.
Women’s History Month Resources
In order to commemorate Women’s History Month, Better Manchester Magazine has compiled a variety of digital resources and guides pertaining to scholarships, organizations and programs for women and girls.
Manchester’s Boundary-Breaking Women
As March comes to sweep us off our feet with the up-and-coming spring weather, so does Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the journeys & tribulations that countless women have persevered.
Black Joy Poetry Contest
After reviewing over two dozen submissions from Manchester students, we are honored to announce the winners of the inaugural Black Joy Poetry Contest.
Black-Made Media Resource Guide
The following media guide compiles resources and reading materials related to black-created film, music and visual arts.
Little Free Libraries Continue to Grow
Going through Manchester, you may have noticed several little bookshelves filled with books and activity pages for children and young adults.
Manchester to Celebrate International Mother
Language Day
International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is commemorated by the United Nations every year on February 21 to celebrate linguistic diversity and multilingualism, and to raise awareness to language loss and its impact on societies and cultures.
What Does Black History Mean To You?
What does Black History mean to you?
These two words, while seemingly simple when written, carry centuries of traditions, remembrances and memories, each unique from one individual to another. How can one person attempt to answer such a frankly loaded question?
Lunar New Year
To many, the start of February symbolizes the start of month-long Valentine’s celebrations or the inching towards yet another Super Bowl. But to others, this February 1st carries a whole other cultural significance: Lunar New Year.
LGBTQ+ Friendly Books for Children and Teens
Across the nation, schools have faced debates about including classroom literature that is inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities.
Perspectives in Righting Resource Compilation
In the spring of 2021, Better Manchester launched its Perspectives in Righting tab, a space dedicated to “exploring and delving into topics such as diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Exploring Critical Race Theory
Critical Race Theory. These three words and their actual meaning have both divided and rocked our nation.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Expands Accessibility
The Federal Communications Commission is now requiring text messages sent to the number 988 to be routed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, expanding access to the critical 24/7 national hotline, according to Veronica Stracqualursi of CNN.
Are We Neglecting The Needs of Our Black and Brown Girls: Part III
On a national level, the suicide rates are increasing among Black girls, according to The New York Times. In the latest study from the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, it reported that “that just over 1,800 Black children died by suicide between 2003 and 2017, and while most of the deaths were among boys, especially those ages 15 to 17, the gender gap is narrowing.”
Indigenous Made Media Finally Takes the Spotlight
In case you haven’t heard, the world of Indigenous-made media continues to expand in all the best ways. Native films, filmmakers and other creatives have all steadily increased in quantity and cultural awareness over the past couple decades, particularly in the past ten years.
I Wish You Knew
I Wish You Knew: The LatinX/Hispanic Experience is a never-before-seen look into the lives of the historically-silenced LatinX population of Manchester, Connecticut.
Are We Neglecting Our Black & Brown Girls: Part II
Today’s Black and Brown girls are facing incredibly turbulent times. From navigating a pandemic, working to continue their education, mental health struggles, bullying and systemic racism and sexism, it is more important than ever before for them to have safe spaces to express their full selves.
Being an Ally and a Parent
As LGBTQ+ History Month draws to a close, it is important to know how you can be an ally to the community in the future, especially as a parent.