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.

Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Community Voices

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.

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Community Voices

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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?

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.”

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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Perspectives in Righting

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.

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