The Young Central Podcast

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/

The Shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 24th is the worst school shooting since Sandy Hook. 19 children in second, third, and fourth grade and two teachers were killed.  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

The hate crime that occurred in Buffalo on May 14 at Tops Grocery Store had been premeditated in a screed shared on Discord and Google Drive by Payton Gendron. In his 180 page manifesto, the white supremacist references the great replacement theory, Dylan Roof, Tucker Carlson, and eco-fascism. While the shooter acted alone, his violence was incited by the far right and their political statements. Today, we discuss the how, why, what, and who. We end this episode by remembering the ten victims for who they are, not how they died; Pearl Young, Ruth Whitfield, Andre Mackniel, Katherine Massey, Celestine Chaney, Margus Morrison, Hayward Patterson, Roberta Drury, Geraldine Talley, Aaron Salter Jr. What is the Great Replacement Theory? https://immigrationforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Replacement-Theory-Explainer-1122.pdf 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

While the conversation about Palestine and Israel has been long-debated, Palestinians are finally gaining the support of the human rights community. After decades of human rights violations and systemically oppressive practices, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have released extensive reports dictating the crimes against humanity by the state of Israel. The oppression and abuse of the Palestinian has been defined as apartheid and persecution by human rights organizations, and Sereen delves into the several Israeli laws and policies that have enabled these violations of human rights. Further, she explores the fallacies that are often used in debated on the conflict.  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

The world is estimated to reach a population of 10 billion people by 2050. How are we going to ensure everyone continues to have access to nutritious healthy food? How do we ensure food security? What is the planetary health diet? In a discussion with Maya Oueichek, we explore what food security is, how it is linked to diet, and how we can implement small changes now to ensure food security later.  Maya's food blog can be found on instagram at: @mayazbites The EAT-Lancet Commission report can be found at https://eatforum.org/knowledge/.

We're joined by Hannah Heering to discuss climate refugees. Who are climate refugees? Why are climate refugees important? Which people are most at risk? How can we help?  Let's discuss. Hannah holds a degree in International Relations with a minor in Human Rights from UC Davis. Her current focus is on refugees.  This episode is brought to you by Cocokind. Shop at www.youngcentral.net/cocokind