The Moment Archive

The rich history and diversity of rural communities have largely been erased, and rural communities of color rarely see their stories told in popular culture or the classroom. Connecting with that history of resilience, resistance and innovation can chart a promising path for communities today. These LFJ magazine feature stories explore the diverse experiences and struggles of communities of color in rural America.

Educators are attending to grief as over 200,000 children are experiencing the loss of a parent or caregiver during the COVID-19 pandemic. Without significant new resources to call on to deal with this reality, responses include local initiatives and sharing experiences.

We must push for more restrictive gun laws to change the cycle of mass shootings followed by collective outrage and minimal action. And we must support youth activists who are at work demanding change now. These LFJ resources offer options that can help.  

We commemorate this Fourth of July in the shadow of assaults on our human rights and bodily autonomy from those who do not uphold the values of democracy. We recognize that these efforts to strip away our rights are a backlash to positive social justice movements. Let us commit together to the movement for justice and democracy.

As real people with real experiences who have shaped and will continue to shape U.S. culture and society, Black LGBTQ people are not political wedge issues. The insidious combination of racism and queerphobia can seriously affect the mental health of our LGBTQ youth of color, especially amid the political attacks on human rights through efforts to control bodily autonomy including reproductive rights and identity. Beyond celebrations of Pride Month and Juneteenth, we must all work to provide space for Black LGBTQ people.