How Tarana Burke Became an Activist for Black Rights

Activists for black rights at a protest in a city, holding a sign that says "BLACK RIGHTS"

How did Tarana Burke become an activist for Black rights? How did Burke protest against Donald Trump in the Central Park Five case? Burke explains that she gradually divested from the Catholic church she’d grown up in and chose to attend a public high school. This transition took place because her grandfather, a fiercely pro-Black radical follower of activists like Malcolm X, encouraged her to read books about Black history and to question the church’s complicity in the slave trade. Keep reading to learn more about Burke’s activism beginnings in high school.

Tarana Burke & the R. Kelly Docuseries Controversy She Faced

A silhouette of a woman being filmed for a documentary on a set

How did Tarana Burke contribute to Surviving R. Kelly? Why did she receive backlash for the docuseries? Burke has lent her expertise on healing from sexual violence to projects outside her “me too” movement. For example, she contributed to the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries, which detailed R&B artist R. Kelly’s serial abuse of Black girls and women. Discover the controversy behind Tarana Burke’s R. Kelly docuseries backlash below.

Why Did Tarana Burke Start “Me Too?” Betrayals & Dead Ends

Activist Tarana Burke talking about why she started me too

Why did Tarana Burke start “me too?” What was the breaking point that led Burke to say those words? Burke says that the betrayals she and her child experienced at Sanders’s hands eroded her trust in and commitment to her community. She’d also hit dead ends when trying to find resources to help her and others who had suffered from childhood sexual abuse and wanted to change that. Let’s check out the moments that led to Burke saying “me too.”

Germline Editing Ethics: Walter Isaacson Lays Out the Debate

Three men in lab coats discuss germline editing ethics with a chalkboard in the background

Is it ethical to edit the genes of future generations? What are the potential benefits and risks of germline editing? Germline editing ethics is a complex and controversial topic. Scientists and philosophers debate the morality of altering DNA that can be passed down to future offspring. In The Code Breaker, Walter Isaacson shares arguments for and against this practice. Keep reading to explore the nuanced perspectives on this cutting-edge technology and its implications for humanity’s future.

What Has CRISPR Been Used For? 3 Realized Applications

A smiling baby wearing a grey knit hat and lying on a blanket illustrates what has CRISPR been used for

What has CRISPR been used for in recent years? How has this groundbreaking technology impacted medical research and treatment? CRISPR technology has revolutionized genetic engineering, opening doors to unprecedented applications. CRISPR’s potential seems boundless. Walter Isaacson’s book The Code Breaker explores these developments in detail. Read more to dive into the world of CRISPR and its far-reaching implications for science and society.

3 Ethical Issues of CRISPR Technology & Policies They Inspired

A male scientist with dark hair and a beard wearing a lab coat in a lab illustrates ethical issues of CRISPR

Is it ethical to edit human genes? What are the potential consequences of CRISPR technology? Walter Isaacson explores the ethical issues of CRISPR technology in his book The Code Breaker. He wades into the debates surrounding germline editing, medical interventions versus enhancements, and the potential for increased inequality. Continue reading to discover the complex moral landscape of this groundbreaking technology.

Do the Most Good: The 1st Principle of Effective Altruism

A scale with a large box of GOOD on one side and a small box of GOOD on the other side illustrates doing the most good

Should you splurge on a nice dinner—or eat at home and donate the money you saved? Should you use your time to volunteer at a soup kitchen or an afterschool program? William MacAskill points out that each of us is faced with decisions about how to spend our time and money. To make such choices, he suggests we consult the first principle of effective altruism: Perform the action that maximizes the net benefit to humanity. Continue reading to learn what it means to do the most good, according to the philosophy of effective altruism.

Predatory Landlords Are Exacerbating the Housing Crisis

The hand of a predatory landlord painting over an electrical socket with white paint

How dangerous are predatory landlords? How did landlording turn into a full-time job? In his book Evicted, Matthew Desmond argues that predatory landlords are contributing to the housing and eviction crisis in the US. They target low-income earners by charging too much in rent, neglecting repairs, and making non-binding agreements. Continue reading to learn more about predatory landlord practices and their effects.

Housing Discrimination Is Still Common—Despite Being Illegal

A Black couple being rejected for a house, displaying housing discrimination

Is housing discrimination still around today? How do landlords get around discrimination laws? Despite being outlawed in 1968, housing discrimination toward minorities is still prevalent today. The discrimination creates further problems, forcing minorities into poor neighborhoods and restricting their access to education and healthcare. Keep reading for further insights into the present housing discrimination problem.

Effective Altruism Causes: 3 Criteria for Picking an Issue to Tackle

A woman looking at a world map with little fires in several places all over the world illustrates effective altruism causes

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the world? What criteria should you use to choose which causes to support for maximum impact? William MacAskill’s book Doing Good Better offers insights on selecting effective altruism causes. He proposes evaluating problems based on their magnitude, feasibility, and how underappreciated they are. This approach helps you identify where your efforts can have the greatest positive impact. Keep reading to discover how you can make more informed decisions about which global issues to tackle.