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The year began with a bang, as everybody in America lost their minds (some in a celebratory way, some totally devastated) over the fact that Donald Trump managed to be elected president.

Almost instantly, like magic, conservatives became more conservative, liberals became more liberal, the media became the enemy of the government and all over these United States, a cloud of smoke cleared as folks began to show their truest of true colors, protesting and politicking as never before.

Or, hang on a second. Was it really so different from other years, other generations? Did Trump disrupt the common good and social order of things as so many feared he would? Did America have our worst year ever, or did people just talk about it as if it were bad?

Let's join hands once again to remember and reflect on some of the biggest news stories surrounding social justice issues from 2017.
Women's March
The action happened fast. One day after Trump's inauguration the Women's March took hundreds of cities across the country by storm, boasting millions of participants from all walks of life with a message: In the era of Trump, they would not stand by idly. The march is now in the record books as the largest single-day protest in American history. But those who gathered are still waiting for answers to some of the most pressing women's issues in the era of Trump: Will Planned Parenthood be defunded by the government? Will reproductive rights be removed from health care legislation? Much of that is still up in the air. And don't forget: 53 percent of white women in America voted for Trump. Not all women stand united against the " pussy grabber."
Seeking Refuge
It's so ironic. A country that was established by white immigrants and refugees continues, year after year, to debate whether refugees and immigrants from other countries should be allowed to cross onto our sacred soil. And those of nonwhite, non-Christian backgrounds are particularly scrutinized. My advice: Let the National Congress of American Indians decide. (A girl can dream.)

As one of his first big-ticket agenda items, Trump signed an executive order for a "travel ban," which became commonly known as the "Muslim ban," on refugees from a handful of suspiciously selected nations. He also continues to promote one of his most popular campaign promises: "the wall" between the U.S. and Mexico, meant to decrease immigration to the U.S. from Mexico and Central America. The travel ban has since been heavily contested in courts, and little to no progress has been made on the wall. Phew.
Pipe Dreams
In February, the Army approved construction of the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL)-a massive project that could devastate the environment and water supply for millions of Americans, which the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and its supporters fought-by protesting and in federal court. In June, oil began to flow through the pipeline. In November, South Dakotans suffered environmental devastation when 210,000 gallons of oil spilled from the Keystone XL pipeline-another project that indigenous groups tried to stop. The DAPL issue continues to play out in federal court. This is the first known instance of the United States screwing over Native American people and destroying the land and environment for everybody in the process. (Just kidding.)
Racist Idiots
In case you doubted it before (remember when people said that "racism was over" because Barack Obama was president?), throngs of disgusting idiots gathered to prove that there are still a whole bunch of racist, pigheaded savages living among us in Anytown, USA. They call themselves "white nationalists" and claim they have some type of legitimate political aim, but they're just pathetic losers who have, thus far, been unable to create any sort of happiness or fulfillment in their personal and professional lives, so they blame all their hardships on people of color.

In August, this white nationalist/KKK/neo-Nazi revival gathered in Charlottesville, Va., to protest the removal of a Confederate-era statue of Robert E. Lee, and all hell broke loose. Violence erupted, several people died (including a civil rights activist and two state troopers), and over 30 were wounded because of these backward-thinking morons. Even famed suppressor of civil rights Attorney General Jeff Sessions called this domestic terrorism, but Trump refused to call it for what it was, insisting that there were bad people on "both sides."
Take a Knee
In a powerful move to support Black Lives Matter (and to forward the social justice agenda in general), Colin Kaepernick dared to ask mainstream America to think critically. Rather than stand during the national anthem in 2016, the NFL quarterback started kneeling while playing for the San Francisco 49ers and motivated a bunch of other athletes to do the same in their respective venues.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL.com.

In 2017, many Americans (including Trump, of course) took the symbolism out of context and accused Kaepernick and other athletes of disrespecting veterans and those in the armed services-an unfortunate, shortsighted interpretation of the larger message. But it wasn't all for naught. The protest sparked a far-reaching, much-needed conversation about the reality of race relations in America.
Hollywood Exposed
Since The New York Times released a shocking report of a series of sexual assault allegations against one of Hollywood's biggest producers, Harvey Weinstein, dozens more women have come forward with allegations against him ( 84 so far). Other women have come forward with allegations against other men in the entertainment industry as well as in politics, sports and the business world. Powerful men are being taken down by the very women they once exploited and harassed.

***It's all sort of a blur, but there you have it: social justice's biggest failures and successes of 2017. You decide. Did Trump bring on a horrific time of turmoil and conflict the likes of which we'd never seen? Or was it business as usual in America-only now with a more vocal opposition?

Maybe, just maybe, all this commotion was a good thing. Have we just witnessed the beginning of a new era in which the marginalized, the oppressed, the historically ignored will gain equal footing and voice in a country that has too long been run by wealthy white men who just want everybody else to shut up and comply with them?

We'll see.

Chelsey Luger is a journalist originally from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota, currently based in Phoenix, Ariz. She reports on Native American and First...

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Was 2017 the Beginning of the End of Social Injustice in America?

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The year began with a bang, as everybody in America lost their minds (some in a celebratory way, some totally devastated) over the fact that Donald Trump managed to be elected president.

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Kyla Lacey - "White Privilege" | (NPS '16)

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Last year's Women's March was the largest single-day protest in American history, and while Emily Marynczak and Castina Charles can't be sure this Saturday's event will match the inaugural, they're not betting against it.

"I think a whole year's worth of energy is swelling up, and taking to the streets in unity against hatred is very powerful," said Marynczak, a Delmar resident who, along with Charles, from Schenectady, is organizing the Albany event from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. "Yes, there are people who are feeling fatigued and perhaps have this sense that it's hopeless. It can feel overwhelming, but we can't afford to be fatalistic. We have to continue this call to action, so I'm hoping for a great turnout."
JANUARY 2017: Union College well represented at Women's March
By most estimates, in 2017, approximately 4 million American women participated in marches in more than 200 different locations across the country. While the main gathering was in Washington, D.C., a day after President Trump's inauguration, this year's main event, organized with the theme, "Power to the Polls," will be in Las Vegas. In New York state, along with the Albany event, major demonstrations are scheduled for New York City, Seneca Falls, Staten Island, Buffalo and Rochester. Also organizing marches are groups in Glens Falls, Hudson, Cobleskill and Lewis (Essex County).

The goal of last year's march was to "advocate for legislation and policies regarding human rights and other issues, including women's rights," according to the Women's March website. Last year, Charles, a New York City native who's lived in Schenectady for 10 years, was in support of the event but didn't participate.

"Up until the inauguration of Trump, I wasn't really someone who engaged politically," she said. "I had my opinions and my political stances, but I never advertised them. I was of a mind to keep those things to myself. But after the inauguration, like many people, I felt compelled to do something."

Over the next few weeks of January 2017, Charles' life changed.

"This whole journey of mine has been very transformative," she said. "After the inauguration, I wanted to take that first step. So, I didn't go to that first rally in downtown Albany on Jan. 21, but I did start getting involved. I went to the 'Resist Trump Tuesday' events and thought to myself, 'I can do this.' So on Jan. 31, I had organized my first rally in front of the Leo O'Brien Building in Albany."

Last year's Women's March in Albany was organized by Citizen Action of New York. This year, Marynczak and Charles are representing Altamont Main Street USA and Bethlehem Indivisible, two not-for-profit groups formed after Trump's 2016 election. There are more than 25 groups co-sponsoring the event.

"Sometimes you take one foot off the pedal to zoom in another direction," Marynczak said. "If Citizen Action was going to take the leadership role, Castina and I would have gladly jumped on board with them, but they're hands are full stamping out fires everywhere, and they hadn't asked for a permit for the march yet so we said, 'OK, let's get a permit.'"

A rally will be held in West Capitol Park beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, and among the speakers on hand will be U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and state Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy. At the conclusion of the speeches, the women will march around the state Capitol.

Niskayuna's Michelle Ostrelich, who traveled to New York City for last year's march, will be in Albany on Saturday.

"Last year in New York was a phenomenal experience, and the reason for going hasn't changed," Ostrelich said. "That sense of sisterhood and support has carried me through this year, and Saturday I hope to bring my 13- and 10-year-old daughters to experience that same kind of thing. I think there's a greater sense of urgency this year than last."

Marie Miklic, a Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake graduate and a retired school teacher in the Troy school district, went all the way to Washington, D.C., last year. This year, she's heading to the event in Seneca Falls, the birthplace of women's rights.

"When the white supremacists had their rally in Charlottesville, President Trump said there were good people on both sides," said Miklic, who now lives in Rotterdam. "So, to be honest, I haven't at all become complacent - not one single day. There are so many issues that he doesn't care about. All he's worried about is, 'Hey, look at me.' I've remained enthusiastic and outspoken, and I'm heading to Seneca Falls to meet come college friends. They're having a big event out there, and we thought going to the birthplace of women's rights would be a great way to spend the weekend."

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'We have to continue this call to action': Women's March back for 2nd year

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Last year's Women's March was the largest single-day protest in American history, and while Emily Marynczak and Castina Charles can't be sure this Saturday's event will match the inaugural, they're not betting against it.

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Although sharply divided, public attitudes toward gays and lesbians are rapidly changing to reflect greater acceptance, with younger generations leading the way, research by NORC at the University of Chicago shows.

In addition to a plurality who now approve of same-sex marriage, Americans overwhelmingly support basic civil liberties and freedom of expression for gays and lesbians, in contrast to sharp division on such issues in the 1970s. Taken together, the results show a clear "trend toward greater tolerance regarding homosexuality," said Tom W. Smith, director of the General Social Survey at NORC and author of the NORC report, "Public Attitudes toward Homosexuality."

The rise in support for same-sex marriage has been especially dramatic over the last two decades. It went from 11 percent approval in 1988 to 46 percent in 2010, compared to 40 percent who were opposed, producing a narrow plurality in favor for the first time. The report is based on findings of the latest General Social Survey, conducted in 2010 with a cross sample of more than 2,000 people.

"There is a large generation gap on the issue [of same-sex marriage]," Smith said. While 64 percent of those under 30 back same-sex marriage, only 27 percent of those 70 and older support it.

Acceptance of homosexuality in general also reflects the generational difference in opinion. In 2010, 26 percent of the people surveyed who were under 30 said they felt same-sex behavior is "always wrong," while 63 percent of the people aged 70 and older held that opinion.

As a result of the generational division, public attitudes are sharply divided on the issue. Although 44 percent of the people surveyed felt that sexual relations between two adults of the same sex is always wrong, another 41 percent thought such relations were "not wrong at all." "Just 11 percent were in the middle, saying it was either 'almost always wrong' or 'wrong only sometimes.' Public opinion is thus highly polarized on this issue, with few people sharing the middle ground," Smith said.

The GSS, which has been conducted biennially for 40 years, showed a marked increase in support of many civil liberties for gays and lesbians. Support for a gay person's right to speak before a public audience increased from 62 percent in 1972 to 86 percent in 2010; support for allowing gays and lesbians to teach at colleges or universities rose from 48 percent in 1973 to 84 percent in 2010; and approval for having a library keep a book that favors homosexuality rose from 54 percent in 1973 to 78 percent in 2010.

The change toward acceptance of homosexuality began in the late 1980s after years of remaining relatively constant. In 1973, 70 percent of people felt same-sex relations are "always wrong," and in 1987, 75 percent held that view. By 2000, however, that number dropped to 54 percent and by 2010 was down to 43.5 percent.

Supported by the National Science Foundation, the General Social Survey monitors societal change and the growing complexity of American society. With the exception of the U.S. Census, the GSS is the most widely used source of information about social trends and attitudes.

NORC at the University of Chicago is an independent research organization headquartered in downtown Chicago with additional offices on the University of Chicago's campus and in the D.C. Metro area. NORC also supports a nationwide field staff as well as international research operations. With clients throughout the world, NORC collaborates with government agencies, foundations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to provide data and analysis that support informed decision making in key areas including health, education, economics, crime, justice, energy, security, and the environment. NORC's 70 years of leadership and experience in data collection, analysis, and dissemination-coupled with deep subject matter expertise-provides the foundation for effective solutions.

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​Americans Move Dramatically Toward Acceptance of Homosexuality | NORC.org

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Although sharply divided, public attitudes toward gays and lesbians are rapidly changing to reflect greater acceptance, with younger generations leading the way, research by NORC at the University of Chicago shows. In addition to a plurality who now approve of same-sex marriage, Americans overwhelmingly support basic civil liberties and freedom of expression for gays and lesbians, in contrast to sharp division on such issues in the 1970s.