Is Israel committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza? In this critical episode, we examine an impactful UN report that alleges genocide by Israel, analyzing complex legal definitions of genocide, apartheid, and crimes against humanity. We present expert insights into statements by Israeli officials advocating for the destruction and displacement of Palestinians, Israel’s systematic targeting of civilians and infrastructure in Gaza—including hospitals— and its justification of actions under "security." Delve into the historical backdrop of settler colonialism to better understand this pressing human rights issue. Key topics include:

• Is genocide the right term? Examining the implications and challenges of labeling Gaza’s situation as genocide.
• Genocide definitions and evidence: Legal vs. sociological definitions and proving intent.
• Nuances in international law: Why accurate terminology matters in cases of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

With insights from leading human rights experts and legal scholars, this episode unpacks one of the most critical global issues today.

In this eye-opening episode, Young Central: The Podcast investigates "democratic backsliding"—the steady weakening of democratic principles and institutions affecting countries worldwide, from established democracies to emerging ones. This episode breaks down two major forms of backsliding: grievance-fueled illiberalism, where political leaders capitalize on societal grievances and target minorities to erode democratic norms, and opportunistic authoritarianism, where elected officials dismantle checks and balances to secure power.

Listeners will explore the driving forces behind democratic backsliding, including extreme political polarization, authoritarian personalities, and the disruptive influence of powerful autocratic states like Russia and China. With insights into the dynamics at play, this episode underscores the fragile nature of democracy and calls for awareness, vigilance, and active participation in protecting democratic values for future generations.

The House of Representatives voted to federally recognize marriage equality on July 19, 2022. This important legislation aims to protect same sex marriage from being overturned by a conservative majority Supreme Court. The Respect for Marriage bill was passed to Senate and has been introduced for the next step. In this episode, Sereen dissects what the steps to bring about this bill to federal law would entail and how the vote might go. As always, discussion about Ted Cruz's very relevant comments are made (sorry Ted). Though it is just the beginning, Sereen reminds us to stay positive and hope for a good outcome.

Details and Progress of the Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8404

Press Release by the House Committee on the Judiciary: https://judiciary.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4992

In honor of Juneteenth, join Sereen in discussing the holiday, why it started, and what it means today. Juneteenth became a federally recognized national holiday in June of 2021. It is the oldest nationally celebrated commemorative holiday n the United States. 157 years later, what is the distinction between the freedom Black Americans were granted and the equality - or lack thereof - provided to them?

While celebrating accomplishments of the past, we must also be looking at solving the issues of the present. Juneteenth provides a lens into our successes as a nation, but it must also shed light on the continuous inequalities faced by Black Americans in 2022.

The Research referenced in the episode:

Emancipation Proclamation: https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/emancipation-proclamation

Stanford Open Policing Analysis: https://openpolicing.stanford.edu/findings/

Forbes Article on Name Discrimination: https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2020/02/20/are-job-candidates-still-being-penalized-for-having-ghetto-names/?sh=6643f21450ed

Research by Magnus Carlsson and Dan-Olof Rooth: https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/35823/1/584702035.pdf

Housing Inequality and Racism in the United States: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dimawilliams/2020/06/03/in-light-of-george-floyd-protests-a-look-at-housing-inequality/?sh=38c7664a39ef

Stanford News, Police Bias Obscured by "Veil of Darkness" : https://news.stanford.edu/2020/05/05/veil-darkness-reduces-racial-bias-traffic-stops/

Article 24 of the UDHR clearly states: Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay. The UK is attempting to uphold that statement by reducing the 5 day workweek to a 4 day workweek in 70 companies. This is the world's biggest pilot for a 32-hour workweek since Iceland's research between 2015 and 2019.

What will a 4 day workweek mean to employees and companies? The study will conclude in 6 months and hopes to answer the universal call for greater work flexibility. Let's talk about why people want this to succeed, and what it would mean to the working class.

https://www.4dayweek.com

Iceland's Research:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/07/06/iceland-four-day-work-week/

This shooting is the 212th mass shooting in the US in 2022 alone. Gun violence is spreading like a plague in America, and all anyone can do is send thoughts and prayers. America needs gun reform and gun safety legislation. While this episode goes over statistics of gun violence in America, but it also goes over the anger many Americans feel.

The American government has stood by - Democrats and Republicans together - and witnessed thousands of lives be lost to gun violence. Vote them out.

Statistics on gun violence:
https://www.gunviolencearchive.org

https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-violence-statistics/

Senator Murphy's Speech:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-what-are-we-doing-sen-murphy-slams-lack-of-action-following-school-shooting-in-texas

Tucker Carlson tries to distance himself from the shooter:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/05/16/tucker-carlson-buffalo-shooting-replacement-theory/

Office of Victims Services:

The following OVS-funded programs can help victims and family members file claims for assistance and also provide crisis counseling, support groups, advocacy and other services. Any victim of crime and their family members are eligible for those services. Programs can also be found at www.ovs.ny.gov/connect.

Resources for educators, parents and students:

https://www.sdcoe.net/about-sdcoe/news/post/~board/news/post/resources-for-educators-mass-shootings

Human Rights Watch A Threshold Crossed: Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution : https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/media_2021/04/israel_palestine0421_web_0.pdf

Amnesty International Israel's Apartheid Against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime Against Humanity:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/MDE1551412022ENGLISH.pdf

UN OHCHR srael’s 55-year occupation of Palestinian Territory is apartheid – UN human rights expert:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/03/israels-55-year-occupation-palestinian-territory-apartheid-un-human-rights