The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement’s Post

[Update: This program is scheduled for the anniversary of the first Decoration Day at Andersonville in 1869. This event was a protest of Confederate Decoration Day and involved African American children decorating the graves of the prisoners (and the guards) before daylight on April 27--a massive "preemptive" decoration of ~13,200 graves.] I am saddened-but-not-shocked to see this program scheduled for the weekend of so-called Confederate Memorial Day at Andersonville National Historic Site. I'm reminded of the saying, "don't attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by ignorance." Andersonville NHS suffers from consistent staffing problems. They cannot seem to recruit or retain interpretive staff who are up to the task of managing the place where 13,000 U.S. soldiers perished--slowly, by inches--for want of adequate shelter, wholesome food, and clean water. This has been a problem for years. What's sad isn't that it's offensive, it's that the people putting it on might not know why it should be offensive. I can't imagine Manzanar National Historic Site inviting the public to learn how to march like the Army Military Police guarding the internment camp or a generic "World War II soldier." I'd be surprised if Sand Creek National Monument brought kids in to drill like Colorado militiamen. I doubt anyone would rebuild HMS Jersey, where Americans were imprisoned during the Revolutionary War, so that kids could learn about life as a British sailor. And here the U.S. government encourages children to dress up as guards at the deadliest Confederate prison. In recent decades, historic sites have been under great scrutiny to improve their educational programing. Many of these sites have risen to the challenge of telling difficult histories. The National Park Service could do a better job than they're currently doing here. This is a travesty.

Second Chances and Clemency: The Biggest Step in the Right Direction, by Governor Murphy On Juneteenth, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 362, which represents a significant advancement in executive clemency and criminal justice reform. This is a pioneering advancement towards a more equitable criminal justice system. Creating a separate Clemency Advisory Board would specifically guarantee a more equitable evaluation procedure for individuals seeking a second opportunity. This initiative extends beyond the mere act of releasing individuals from incarceration. It concerns providing them with a genuine chance to reconstruct their lives. People with criminal records, often due to circumstances beyond their control, face immense hurdles in finding housing, employment, and reintegrating into society. Clemency has the power to eliminate the stigma associated with a previous error and enable individuals to be evaluated solely on their abilities and contributions to their communities. Executive Order 362 has the potential to unlock the potential of countless individuals. Envision the favorable influence on families and communities when individuals are able to utilize their abilities and aptitudes without the weight of a criminal record. We need to move beyond a system that judges people solely based on their past mistakes. It's time to consider the root causes of crime—mental health, addiction, and poverty—and offer a path to redemption. Countless people with criminal records are already making positive contributions, and clemency can empower them to do even more. Let's use this as a springboard for more comprehensive criminal justice reform. Let's create a system that welcomes offenders back into society and focuses on giving them second chances. #clemency #secondchances #criminaljusticereform

FRA advocates for Major Richard Star Act on Capitol Hill FRA’s Assistant, Legislative Director Theo Lawson, was among a coalition of veteran and military organizations on Capitol Hill to advocate for the Major Richard Star Act on March 5th as reported in last week’s NewsBytes. This crucial legislation, boasting 326 sponsors in the House and 72 in the Senate, seeks to end the offsetting of retirement pay by disability compensation for combat-injured retirees, while also addressing the pressing recruitment crisis within the armed forces. Amid bipartisan support and robust backing, the coalition emphasized the immediate need to alleviate financial burdens faced by combat-injured retirees. By rectifying this long-standing injustice, the bill not only honors the sacrifices of these veterans but also serves as a beacon of hope for those considering military service. During the advocacy day, lawmakers from all political affiliations expressed their commitment to advancing to the finish line. Recognizing its potential to enhance recruitment and retention, especially amidst the ongoing crisis, legislators emphasized the critical importance of supporting those who have served. The event culminated in a press conference, where the coalition reiterated its steadfast dedication to the bill. Public engagement is encouraged through viewing the press conference at https://lnkd.in/ewUEr4_k and members can help by contacting their legislators using the action center https://lnkd.in/ee-jcKE7 Read more @ bit.ly/4bZasku #majorrichardstaract #veteransbenefits #Tricare #congressionalhearing #governmentshutdown

Are you signed up for our workshops yet? Our goal is to equip the people of Wisconsin with the necessary tools to secure their legacy and protect their families for generations to come. https://bit.ly/3KCnIgU #ElderAdvisorsLaw #WalesWI #JanesvilleWI

Are you signed up for our workshops yet? Our goal is to equip the people of Wisconsin with the necessary tools to secure their legacy and protect their families for generations to come. https://bit.ly/3KCnIgU #ElderAdvisorsLaw #WalesWI #JanesvilleWI

"Consider" our ass. Privatization of services is in Project 2025! Veterans and Veteran Families, here's what else is in the Trump-Vance Project 2025: •Shuttering VA facilities •Reduction of disability ratings •Ending care like reproductive health services and other care that isn't "service-related." •And yes, moving more to the private sector and firing experienced VA employees who aren't loyal to MAGA and replacing them with only those who are. MORE: https://lnkd.in/erPqKpmZ

AN AMERICAN HISTORY MOMENT     U.S. Constitution Text Preamble  We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. PLEASE SHARE 

THIS is the work, THIS is the result of informed leadership! This is what happens when leadership not only comprehends social determinants, but happens to have cultural humility and understands Structural Competency at a high level as a health administrator that happens to be an elected. Leadership matters at all levels and THIS is why! #WeAllWeGot #GCSW #GC13 Grand Challenges for Social Work

Last week, footage was released of the final moments of U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson’s life. Once again, we see the crushing violence of this racialized society and the horrific injustice of police brutality. We lament. We acknowledge the trauma, PTSD, anguish, fear, and anger this story can bring up. So first, we want to ensure our BIPOC community is taken care of, heard, and seen. And then, all together, we lament. We find ourselves looking directly at injustice and its violence, and we lament. We lament a life taken. We lament a Black man’s life taken. We lament a young Black man’s life taken. As bridge builders, we don’t stop at lament. We take our lament and foster transformation. We have to cultivate a holy imagination and actively work towards creating equitable systems. We have to be willing to ask ourselves and decision makers tough questions. What responsibilities lie with us? What can we do to make sure people are safe in their own homes? How can we create systems where everyone is treated fairly? How can we ensure lethal force is the absolute last resort? How can we better value life? What do we need to do for there to be liberty and justice for all? We lament. And then we move onward to leverage, leveraging our positions and resources for healing and restoration. Be color brave instead of colorblind. Ask questions. Be willing to investigate the history of policing in the U.S. and in your state. Accept historical truths and present realities. Engage in your community by voting, initiating community policing efforts, and looking at your city’s resources and budgets and what might be reallocated. Attend community meetings where discussions can happen and lead to change. Support mental health initiatives for your community and for law enforcement officers. Listen to the experiences of families who have endured police brutality. Speak up when police brutality occurs. Be dedicated to figuring out a different way of policing within your local context. Look at what other cities have done that have yielded positive results. Give yourself space to weep and mourn. It doesn’t have to be this way. Say Roger Fortson’s name. Hold his family and friends in prayer. And know that transformation begins with you. #bethebridge #lament #rogerfortson