STAND has adapted to many challenging moments throughout our existence. Given shifting funder priorities and the closure of major anti-genocide organizations like the Genocide Intervention Network, United to End Genocide, and the Save Darfur Coalition, STAND has struggled to stay afloat. Two years ago, we were unable to renew funding for our single staff member, a role that provided important support and stability to our student organizers. Without adequate professional and financial support, along with a decrease in overall grassroots engagement, we have struggled to adapt to the shifting landscape. Even so, we cherish all that we have learned and every relationship we have held with our partners and amongst our student leaders, and we are proud of our accomplishments over the last several years:

• Divestment from companies in Sudan by more than 27 state pension funds and 60 universities
• 2011 End Genocide Summit, with nearly 300 students in attendance
• Passage of the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act
• Conscious Consumption Campaign and passage of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
• Training hundreds of youth across the United States on advocacy, education, and leadership skills

As atrocities continue in many countries around the world, including in Sudan, where the 2004 Darfur Genocide sparked the formation of STAND, we remain committed to the belief in solidarity and action that has motivated student activists for so long. It is our hope that STAND’s legacy can live on and that the resources and knowledge we have built over the past two decades can continue to help passionate youth participate in likeminded organizing spaces. 

It is important to note that this doesn’t have to be the end forever. If you or someone you know is interested in genocide and mass atrocities prevention activism, please don’t hesitate to reach out to either us at info@standnow.org. We still have chapter resources and educational resources available to those who want to continue activism work, and a strong network of partner organizations.  We would be happy to set up a meeting or help you find other ways to get or stay involved in this work, or to reinvent it in the future. The Alumni Google Group will remain active; email us if you would like to join. The STAND website and social media accounts will be available for archive material for at least the next 5 years. We are in the process of archiving other materials and finding ways to preserve STAND’s legacy, including through our remaining chapters. 

On a more personal note, STAND has been an important part of both of our lives — we joined at the beginning of high school and are now rising seniors in college. This organization has shaped our understanding of the world and our own power within it, and it has made a profound impact not only on the paths our lives will take as we graduate, but also who we are as people.

However you have been involved with STAND, we hope that your experiences were equally meaningful, and we thank each and every one of you for making this organization so special to be a part of throughout the years. We would like to invite you all to join us in commemorating STAND’s legacy and thinking about the future of this work on February, 2/2 at 4 PM ET.  You can sign up here, and we will send you the link to join closer to the event.  If you are interested in sharing photos, memories, or reflections from your time with STAND, regardless of whether or not you can attend, please email them to info@standnow.org.

In Solidarity,

Mira Mehta and Allison Weiner

STAND Student Directors 2023-24

Anne-Sophie Hellman (co-US Action Committee Lead, Genocide Education Lead), Buffalo State University

Anne-Sophie, it has been so wonderful to have you on the team this year!  You are such a kind, thoughtful, and intelligent person, and that is clear in everything you do — I know I can always count on you to give honest feedback when we have a discussion and the Zoom call would go silent otherwise.  I have learned so much from you and love getting to hear about all the interesting things you are doing at Buffalo State.  I’m going to miss you next year but am so excited to see what comes next for you.  Congratulations!! – Mira

Anne-Sophie, I’m so incredibly grateful to have had you as my co-lead for the USAC this year! Working with you has been such a pleasure, and I wouldn’t have rather done it with anyone else. From the beginning, I have always taken notice of how organized you are. You have always been on top of everything, continuing to be one step ahead when it comes to prioritizing any task. Any person who gets to work with you is automatically so lucky, as they will be able to experience how kind, funny, experienced, and hardworking you are right off the bat. I’m going to miss having planning meetings with you and coordinating tasks together, but I’m excited to see where the future takes you. Many many congratulations to you!! Wishing you the best :)) – Anika

Anne-Sophie, it has been incredible getting to work alongside you this year. I admire your compassion, intelligence, and dedication to making the world a better place. You are so knowledgeable about a wide range of topics, and all of the insight you provided on our MC calls opened the door for many important conversations. I feel beyond lucky that we got to work together on the Genocide Education Campaign, and I couldn’t have asked for a better teammate. My favorite memory was our lobbying call together (I still think it’s a STAND record for shortest one!!!), and getting the chance to chat for over an hour after the call ended. I’m so glad that I met you through STAND, and I know that this is just the beginning of your amazing journey. Congratulations on EVERYTHING, and know that I am so proud of you! – Claire

Anne-Sophie, thank you so much for all your dedication to STAND this year as our US AC Co-Lead and our State-Level Genocide Education Co-Lead! I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you and work with you. I am so proud of all your accomplishments, from STAND and our Genocide Education Campaign, to being a history major at Buffalo State University, to your work with the Anne Frank Project. I sincerely appreciate how on top of it you are with campaign planning and making sure the tasks for your roles are completed to the best of your abilities, as it made our lives so much easier! I have learned so much from you, and I could not have asked for a better partner. I know that you are going to go on to do some amazing things, and I will certainly be here to cheer you on. I am so proud of you, and I truly wish you the best with your future endeavors. Congratulations on your graduation! I will miss you, but I know that we will have the opportunity to work together again in the future! – Allison

Jerry Harris (co-Education Lead), George Mason University

Jerry, thank you so much for everything you have dedicated to STAND over the years! We literally would not have been able to do it without you. I especially appreciate you taking the initiative on conflict updates. I know it is always really hard to find writers, so I appreciate you and Grace working to make sure they get written on time. I have loved working with you and getting to know you for the past two years. Based on your checkins, I know that you have been doing some amazing things at George Mason, and I have no doubt that you will continue to do great things in the future. Congratulations on graduating, and I will miss you! – Allison

Jerry, you are one of the most genuine and sweetest people I have ever met. You are dedicated to STAND and you are always there for the MC members. There have been many times where you were the only one to show up at my meetings, and I am genuinely so thankful for that. You will continue to do amazing things, and I am so proud of you. Congratulations!! Celebrate yourself to the fullest ❤️ – Alishba

Grace: Jerry, you have been the best education co-lead I could have asked for! Every month without fail you’re writing great pieces, making vital edits, and keeping our little team running. Genuinely, I could not have done it without you! Also, your work at George Mason is always so interesting to hear about and I can’t wait to see what you’ll do next. Okayyy grad school slay! I just know you’re going out into the world to do great things. Your positive outlook and total dedication has always inspired me over the years I’ve known you! You always have a kind word to say and a fun story to share! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you over these last few years and I’m glad to call you my co-lead and friend – Grace

I could have not asked for a better lobbying partner and overall teammate! You have been so amazing throughout my time here. Your passion for education and atrocity prevention is so apparent and I am so blessed to have worked with you. It’s been a difficult year and you and Grace and have worked so incredibly hard and I’m so thankful for your leadership. You’ve been incredibly reliable and you’re one of the reasons why you made it all worth it. I’m so glad that we were teammates on the MC at the same time and I’m looking forward to all the amazing work you do in the future! Congratulations, good luck, and thank you for it all! – Seng Hkawn

The Kigali Genocide Memorial was founded in Rwanda’s capital city, with help from Aegis Trust, as the center of memory and education. The museum’s exhibits describe the history of Rwanda, from the pre-colonial era to the colonial era, leading up to the Genocide and its aftermath. Outside the building, a quarter of a million people have been laid to rest in mass graves, and an eternal flame burns to honor the victims. There are hundreds of registered memorials throughout the country, including the Nyamata Genocide Memorial, a former Catholic church that is the site of a massacre. Ten thousand people were murdered on the premises, and over 45,000 people from the surrounding area are buried here. Tragically, many victims had sought refuge in churches – sacred places they believed would keep them safe from the killers. Rwanda’s public memory is very different from the United States. Their sites of conscience have been preserved almost exactly how they were discovered. The interior of Nyamata Genocide Memorial is damaged from grenade shrapnel and stained with blood. The clothing, belongings, and remains of the victims are displayed on wooden pews and glass cases. 

In the wake of the Genocide, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and a community court system called Gacaca were established to address the overwhelming number of trials. More than 120,000 Rwandans have been convicted of genocide-related crimes. One of the goals of Rwanda’s prison system is to reintegrate inmates back into society. The Rwanda Correctional Service reports that among the general population, the rate of recidivism is six percent, and among the perpetrators of genocide, the rate of recidivism is zero percent. Mbyo Unity and Reconciliation Village is one of eight villages that are supported by Prison Fellowship Rwanda and the Government of Rwanda. Mbyo is inhabited by survivors and rehabilitated perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, and their descendants, as a form of restorative justice. Survivors and perpetrators live alongside each other, give their testimonies to visitors, and work with social workers and religious leaders to build trust again. Forgiveness, a core value of reconciliation in Rwanda, is a nonlinear process that is encouraged but not forced.  

Aegis Trust began the pilot for Peace and Values Education in 2008 at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, and by 2016, it was integrated into Rwanda’s national competency-based curriculum. Peace and Values Education uses story-telling methodology to educate students about Rwandan history, genocide studies, and peacebuilding. The “Continuum of Violence” by Ervin Staub and the “Continuum of Benevolence” by Thomas Vincent Flores are two essential frameworks of the program. Peace and Values Education involves the participation of teachers, parents, and youth as a community-centered approach. Aegis Trust trains in-service teachers how to implement the program within their classrooms. An online platform called the Ubumuntu Digital Platform was created to reach thousands of teachers across the country. Parents can attend workshops to learn about conflict resolution within their home and skills for discussing Rwanda’s history with their children. Young people under the age of thirty – a large percentage of Rwanda’s current population – can apply for leadership roles in their communities to promote peacebuilding and receive professional training in mass atrocity prevention. 

Thirty years after the horrors of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, Rwanda has made leaps and bounds towards memorialization, reconciliation, and education, which encapsulates the theme of Kwibuka: “Remember. Unite. Renew.” However, Rwandans know there is much healing and work to be done in the years to come. According to the New Times, a Rwandan newspaper, many survivors live with post-traumatic stress disorder. Some of those who experienced sexual violence, a common weapon of genocide, are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Many perpetrators are still withholding the locations of their victims – hundreds of remains are being discovered by accident – which impedes survivors’ ability to find closure and provide their loved ones with dignified burials. Amid growing awareness and de-stigmatization of mental health, descendants of survivors and perpetrators report generational trauma and shame regarding their relatives’ experiences and crimes. Rwandans in the diaspora are combatting revision and denial in the United States, which has yet to recognize the formal title of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. United States officials continue to refer to it as the “Rwandan Genocide,” which erases the primary victims: the Tutsi people. 

As we reflect on the tragedy and legacy of this genocide, we must remember to uphold our responsibility to prevent and respond to atrocities wherever they occur.

To learn more, you can read Anne-Sophie’s travel log about her visit to Rwanda in June of 2023 with the Anne Frank Project at Buffalo State University. 

The international community has not lived up to the principles of the Genocide Convention or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and this shortcoming cannot just be explained away by unfortunate circumstances, lack of power, or even errors in resistance tactics.  Despite the ostensible universality of the principles these documents put forth, they have been applied differently to different groups of people, with distinctions informed by geopolitical power and historical systems of oppression.

The history of UN interventions is rife with inconsistencies.  There were UN peacekeepers in both Rwanda and Bosnia when their genocides occurred in the 1990s.  In Rwanda, peacekeepers were instructed to focus solely on their original mission of monitoring elections so as not to intervene in a domestic conflict.  The questions of peacekeepers’ safety and the limits of national sovereignty which were posed here merit discussion.  However, inisting peacekeepers stand idly by while a genocide was committed was fundamentally inconsistent with the UN mission’s initial goal of protecting democracy and with the UN human rights framework.

In Bosnia, the peacekeepers were stationed in the town of Srebrenica with the explicit goal of protecting Bosnian Muslims from the Bosnian Serb military.  However, when the military actually advanced on the town, peacekeepers were ordered to stand down for fear that they were militarily outmatched and that resistance could jeopardize peace negotiations.  In doing so, the UN facilitated the massacre of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys.  The bridge from the theoretical commitment to “never again” to implementation, especially when it requires sacrifice, has been difficult, even in cases that the UN has recognized as genocide.

Its decisions of whether or not to actually recognize events as genocide have presented even more oversights, often motivated by the position of the United States.  As a primary architect of the UN and an emerging superpower at the time of its founding, the US has long held disproportionate influence in the institution, even as compared to its fellow permanent members of the UN Security Council.  It also did not ratify the Genocide Convention until 40 years after its adoption, in 1988, which placed serious limitations on the UN’s ability and interest in actually enforcing the convention.  Throughout the Cold War, the US installed and aided regimes around the world (e.g. Argentina, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Iran, etc.) that violated the human rights of their citizens, including through political repression, forced disappearances, sexual violence, torture, and more.  When, for example, Guatemala sought recourse for violations of their right to self-determination (as per Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights), the US and its allies blocked such action.  This type of action was not an isolated incident.

Two notable incidents cast serious doubt on the US’s commitment to the principles of the Genocide Convention, even after it was ratified.  During the early 1980s, the US supported the genocide of Indigneous Mayans in Guatemala.  President Reagan notoriously stated that General Efrain Rios Montt, whose regime had systematically targeted and destroyed Mayan villages and ordered mass killings, had gotten a “bum rap.”  The US worked closely with the Guatemalan government using the justification that it was a necessary measure to defend against violent radical communists, as many Guatemalan leftists were Indigenous.  Then, in 1988, Saddam Hussein carried out his brutal Anfal campaign inflicting extreme violence against the Kurdish population in Iraq, including through the use of chemical weapons.  The US continued to support the regime during this time due to its ongoing war against Iran.  When the US ratified the Genocide Convention only 5 years after the formal end of the genocide in Guatemala and a matter of months after the official end of the Anfal, without so much as an acknowledgement of its actions, it was a sign that its commitment to the document’s principles would be selective at best.

This has proven true over the past 35 years, and even when UN officials have disagreed with the US, they have never actually stopped the US from its actions.  For example, over the past several years, STAND has advocated against active US participation in atrocities in Yemen and domestically.  In 2020, the UN recognized police brutality against Black Americans as a “crime against humanity,” but that was where global pressure stopped.  These examples are by no means comprehensive or an indication of relative importance, but are meant to highlight the enduring limitations of an ostensible global commitment to the ideals of human rights.  Despite their many failures, the Genocide Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights have persisted in foreign policy discussions because they represent an ideal to which people still want to commit, even as the world has faltered.  Their legacy then, is not a global victory of good over evil, but an invitation for us all to continue fighting for our collective humanity and to reflect on our own actions in the context of these principles.

To ensure continued support and mentorship, the STAND Advisory Board will be expanding to include designated Program Advisors for each area of STAND. This new model will be more decentralized, but it will also offer more STAND alumni and partners an opportunity to directly engage with the youth leaders. The current Program Director, Laura Strawmyer, will stay engaged with STAND through the Advisory Board and the alumni network.

STAND has always upheld the values of youth-led organizing. We’ve mobilized thousands of youth over 18 years, often with very limited resources. We’ve led grassroots advocacy for several monumental policies, including the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act, the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act, and the Global Fragility Act. We’ve also shaped lives in less countable ways—by building lasting friendships and instilling a sense of hope in the face of daunting global challenges.

We’ve studied the history of movement organizing, and we know progress comes in waves. At the STAND Summit in Washington, DC, in June, we reviewed every element of STAND’s strategy, including our values, team structure, and activities. Building on examples from other youth movements and input from our advisors and alumni, we have updated our programs for the coming years. We will be building an even stronger sense of STAND membership at all levels, including through our recent orientation and a national campaign on genocide education.

We greatly appreciate each and every one of our supporters and hope that you will continue to participate in this community however you can. STAND has withstood many changes to the atrocity prevention advocacy community. While we are proud of what we’ve accomplished, there continues to be an urgent need for our work.

With guidance from the Advisory Board, STAND will continue to raise funds for youth leader stipends and in-person events. Individual donations are critical to making participation accessible for all youth. It’s a great time to make a donation to ensure our students can continue this work.

We always welcome feedback, ideas, and questions from our community. You can reach us at info@standnow.org. We look forward to working with you for years to come!

The Managing Committee is STAND’s central decision-making body.

Donate Here

From chapter leads to alumni to Managing Committee members, STAND has an important impact on everyone who is part of its vast network. So, let’s see what our members have to say!

Jordan Stevenson, class of ‘20 at Eastern Washington University and alumna of STAND’s Managing Committee, has spent her time post-graduation working as a paralegal. With STAND, she ran the State Advocacy Lead Program and led policy, advocacy, and communications. 

“Through STAND, I learned what it meant to run an organization, make hard decisions, and collaborate across sectors, organizations, and topical areas. More than anything, STAND has given me a beautiful network of friends and professional contacts that have helped me through hard times, shared in the good times, and given me irreplaceable memories,” she said.

To Jordan, people should donate to STAND because “STAND is an organization that turns dissatisfaction with the world into action for the world. Giving to STAND is a two-for-one deal: you’re preventing genocide AND empowering young activists.”

Current Managing Committee member Aisha Saleem agrees with this sentiment. A senior at Barnard College in New York, and the University Outreach Lead and Yemen Action Committee Co-Lead, Aisha believes that STAND is important because of the work it is doing and the community-building it fosters.

She states that fundraising is important because, “Since 2004, STAND has been one of the primary voices on genocide education for youth in the United States. We have all come to understand that the process for peace takes years to accomplish and it takes time to accomplish our ultimate vision. We need the financial support to continue uplift youth voices in the U.S. and create leaders for fields of advocacy and peacebuilding.”

Furthermore, Aisha explains that her “favorite part is how motivated and empowering the community is. Members in all levels of STAND are constantly supporting each other’s efforts and campaigns.” 

Mira Mehta, Brown University freshman, co-leads the Yemen Action Committee along with Aisha. As a Managing Committee member, she also serves as STAND’s Policy Lead.

She has worked with STAND for four years, and recounts that “I have found a passion in working to respond to mass atrocities, and I feel confident in my ability to do this type of advocacy work. I have not only called my Congresspeople but also met with their offices and helped organize campaigns to encourage other people to do the same.”

Mira believes that donating this holiday season is necessary because while we get together with family, “it’s an important time to remember all of the people around the world who won’t have that chance. STAND continues the work to end U.S. complicity in mass atrocities and increase support to those impacted by it and working towards peace locally. In order to keep this work going and continue to train young people as part of our grassroots network of advocates, we need more financial support.”

Fellow Managing Committee member Allison Weiner co-leads the East Turkistan Action Committee and is a current freshman at DePauw University. In high school, she also ran her school’s STAND chapter at Terre Haute South Vigo High School in Indiana.

Allison believes “I truly would not be in the position I am today without both National STAND and the local STAND chapter at my high school,” and states that, “since I started being a part of STAND, it has made me realize that I want to do whatever I can to incorporate it into my everyday life, such as college and my future career,” because she is passionate about this work.

Her favorite thing about working with STAND is “the sense of community that has been built while working with the other members of the Managing Committee,” and to her, “getting to work with everyone and knowing that we are making a difference is a truly rewarding experience, and it is one that I would not trade for the world.”

College students are not the only age group involved with STAND. Ananya Gera, high school senior and former classmate of Allison at Terre Haute South, has dual roles at the local and national level. She serves as the national Social Media Coordinator and as her school’s chapter leader.

For Ananya, “STAND has influenced how I see the world and what I want to continue doing as I make the transition to my post-secondary education soon. STAND has allowed me to cultivate my passions for international relations and using legislation to aid certain conflicts and issues.”

She believes people should donate “so STAND can continue opening doors for young individuals such as myself,” and because it has helped her so much, “STAND has been the most important organization I have gotten involved with and I will forever be thankful for how it changed my life.”

Another high school senior, Sarah Hanerfield, attends Tampa Preparatory School in Florida and is president of her school’s STAND chapter. She has been a member since she began high school, and has recently ascended to leadership.

Education about global issues has been a big priority for her, and Sarah describes how “STAND has made me so much more aware of injustices within the world. It has helped me learn so much about international relations and given me a big insight into the role of the U.S. government in the global stage.”

She agrees that donors “should consider giving to STAND because it empowers youth by giving us a platform to learn and change the world!”

Each of these activists has different experiences and roles within STAND, but they have all made connections, learned things about the world and about themselves, and worked to empower youth to fight injustice. Join us in our work, and donate today!

History of the Partition 
Partition is known by many as a mark in the creation of India and Pakistan. When WWII ended, the British were left with little resources to control their biggest colonial power, India. This resulted in the British having to make a hasty and messy exit out of the region.  The British government sent Cyril Radcliffe, a man who had no previous knowledge of the area’s cultural background, to make the final decision on what was to be done with  South Asia. He decided to split the north-eastern Indian region of Bengal in half along religious lines into East and West Bengal. Muslim-majority East Bengal initially formed part of Pakistan but later became Bangladesh. In the northwest of India, Punjab was divided, with half of it becoming Pakistan and the other remaining in India. After this division of the land took place, one of the greatest migrations in human history began. Millions of Muslims went to West and East Pakistan (now known as Bangladesh) while millions of Hindus and Sikhs headed in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, many of these people never made it to their destination. Across the subcontinent, communities that had coexisted for thousands of years attacked each other in a harrowing outbreak of violence, with Hindus and Sikhs on one side and Muslims on the other. In Punjab and Bengal, there were countless accounts of massacres, forced conversions, mass abductions, and sexual violence. By 1948, as the migration died down, more than fifteen million people had been uprooted, and between one and two million were dead. One hastily drawn line led to the destruction of the lives of millions and the obliteration of years of intermixed and profoundly syncretic culture.

Impacts  of the Partition

A large amount of the conflict in present day  Kashmir, Punjab, Bangladesh, East India, Gujarat, and other areas finds roots in the bloodshed of August 1947. Kashmir was a princely state during the partition and even up to this day has not been given independence–instead it has been divided between India and Pakistan for years. Punjab, one of the wealthiest areas before partition, faced an economic decline due to its proximity to the border. A large amount of Punjab’s history and culture were lost through a series of land ruptures that took away the identity of the land and its people. Bangladesh also went through a series of land disputes, first becoming part of East Pakistan and then fighting for independence in 1971. On the other side of the border, many groups in Pakistan such as Ahmadis, Hindus, and Sikhs still face persecution as minorities in the area–a direct effect of the partition. These are only a few examples of the many marginalized groups in the Indian subcontinent that still do not get to experience the azadi (freedom) that they fought for 73 years ago. 

The Significance of Partition: 73 years later

August 14th and 15th are dates that weigh heavy on the hearts and minds of every South Asian. The batwara (partition) symbolizes the breaking of families, peoples, communities, and memories and is deeply rooted in these two dates. Many descendants of the Partition carry the pain of batwara deep within them, often finding it difficult to celebrate “independence.”  These individuals view these dates as a marker of mutual genocide and a rupture of land that has led to years of intergenerational trauma.

This trauma is engrossed within the body of every descendant of the partition and therefore makes it extremely difficult for these individuals to dismiss the price they paid for freedom. It is crucial to acknowledge that under the weight of these borders, hundreds of families, whose stories are yet to be told, have been suppressed into the soil of a land which was once theirs. 

As I reflect on the weight of this day, I think of the perspective raised by Asif Noorani Sahib. He wrote about how he stood at the Radcliffe Line on the border of Pakistan and India and watched the birds fly from one side to the other, observing how no border existed in the sky. As he watched he thought to himself, “What nationality is this natural world?” 

This Independence Day, it is vital for communities around the world to remember the history of how this began, how far we have come, and how far we have to go to ensure that the voices of the partition are no longer muffled and the fight for independence continues.

Ishreet is a rising senior at Terre Haute South Vigo High School in Terre Haute, Indiana. In her last three years working with STAND, she has helped educate women through Women For Women International and has also worked closely with Destiny Rescue in efforts to help rescue children trapped in prostitution and slavery. Ishreet also has worked to educate her community on various societal issues such as Islamaphobia by hosting workshops through the local CANDLES Holocaust Museum. In addition to working with STAND, she has also helped to organize events with Together We Remember to memorialize victims of identity based violence in her community. Ishreet will be working with STAND in the 2020-2021 school year as the Kashmir Action Committee lead in efforts to raise awareness of the conflicts surrounding the area and achieve STAND’s goal of being a voice for the people of Kashmir.

The unfortunate reality of the United States is that it owes its very existence to the oppression and labor of Indigenous peoples and enslaved Black people. The Founding Fathers had the wealth and power to declare independence for the rest of the colonists because they relied on the work of enslaved Black people. The colonies gained what meager international status they had because of the mass exportation of goods produced through slave labor. At its very core, the American cause was to control land that had been stolen from Indigenous people. When the United States finally won independence from England, freedom was limited to the few most privileged people—excluding women, Black people, Indigenous people, and anyone who did not own land—while the new government established and maintained systems of oppression.

All of this is not to say that the United States is not worth celebrating or even that the Founding Fathers did not have any good ideas. We’ve just forgotten the ideas and principles that make the country strong and not taken care to make sure that they are applied equitably. The ingenuity of the Founding Fathers and The Constitution lay not in the actual system they established—that was not entirely a new idea—but in the self-awareness reflected through the amendment process, the humility with which they put forth their ideas, and the knowledge that it was impossible to create a system completely free of mistakes and problems. The beauty of their work was that it inspired people to take a chance and build off of the best option they had.

The American spirit is exemplified in activists who recognize the country’s flaws and challenge it to do better rather than blindly singing its praise. This Fourth of July, take a moment to learn more about the history of the United States that was not covered in school, and follow the example of the activists who have allowed the country to progress. You can start by finding out what Indigenous land you live on here, learning about racism with any of these books, or learning about how the US contributes to mass atrocities across the world through the STAND blog. Whatever interests you, think about a way that the US can do better in that area, and then start learning and working. In the midst of a national reckoning with our racism and our dark history, do not be left behind.

–

Grace Fernandes, Student Director, Simmons University

Dear Grace, I can never repay you for being my STAND sherpa and guiding me through this journey all year, every step of the way! You have taught me so much about STAND, Cape Cod, and appreciating one’s elected officials. You approach absolutely every issue placing human dignity first. You show up and show out for the most vulnerable – every single time. The world could use a lot more Grace, which is why I’m investing in the latest cloning technologies (not really, I’d clone my cat first). I’m so excited to see all the ways you will combine arts, humor, activism, and hair accessories in the future. Thank you for finding every Google doc ever created. Thank you for keeping it candid AND kind. Thank you for putting your whole heart and art into fundraising. Thank you for always putting the team first. Sincerely, truly, simply: thank you. – Laura Strawmyer, Program Director

I knew about you before you knew about me. You were described to me as incredibly creative, thoughtful, kind, and a great team player–all things that I am happy to report are true. My first real introduction to you was through your artwork. Grace: your art has impacts far beyond what you know. I have been so often inspired by how you weaponize your talents to fight ignorance, to spread knowledge, and to encourage empathy. You have always been a friend to us, making us laugh with your creative icebreakers and randomcchats posts, but first and foremost, you have served as a leader who has treated us with nothing but respect and warm professionalism that has inspired me and shaped how I hope to lead in the future. Your time at STAND precedes any of us here, your impact will live on for at least as many years. I cannot wait to see what you do in the future and I hope you will think of us at STAND as often as we will remember you. – Abby Edwards, Communications and Education

GRACE! You are a queen! Watching you lead our team with diligence and compassion has been a highlight of my year. Your passion is so evident in everything that you do and you complete every task with excellence. You spread kindness in every interaction and empower those around you to be the best version of themselves. One of my favorite things about you is the way that you live your life as an advocate, not only for big political ideas, but also for those around you. You use your voice in order to uplift the voices of others, making sure that everyone on the team is heard and valued. It is that uplifting of my voice and ideas that first made me feel welcome on the team. I remember feeling so out of place at the August retreat, I had never even been to DC before and I felt as though my accomplishments were so small compared to the rest of the team. You were intentional in making sure that I felt confident to share my thoughts and ideas, and asked intentional questions that let me know that you valued me as a person beyond what skills I could bring to the table. I am going to miss having you at STAND so much, but I am so excited to see you continue to be an advocate in your future career and know that any team would be truly blessed to have you! – Megan Rodgers, DRC Action Committee

Rujjares Hansapiromchok, George Washington University (MA)

Rujjares, you are dangerously funny. Thank you so much for consistently bringing humor and compassion to the team this year! You always give everyone your full presence, even working on a team with younger members. We were so lucky to have your thoughtful leadership on the Sudan Action Committee this year. I was so impressed by how you put the members first and sought new and creative ways to keep them informed and engaged. Please reach out whenever you’re in DC. STAND will miss you so much, but we’ll be happy to see your megaphone-announcing, merch-wearing face on every marketing item for years to come. -Laura Strawmyer, Program Director

Rujjares, you are an incredible example of what hard work and dedication look like. I remember meeting you at the August retreat and the first thing that I noticed was your smile and your infectious laugh. You have an amazing personality and your sense of humor is unmatched. One of my favorite things about you is that after you finish speaking on MC calls, you always say “thank you!” Every time you say it I smile and I just love it! My favorite memory with you was getting to lobby with you in January at my senator’s office. Your passion and dedication to make the world a better place is truly inspiring. At every retreat and on every Zoom call your positive energy brought out the best in all of us. You have accomplished so much, not just with your involvement with STAND and amazing leadership of the Sudan action committee, but throughout everything you have done and continue to do. I will miss seeing and hearing your energy and drive on MC Calls. I feel so fortunate to have met you and will forever be thankful for the time we spent working together! – Claire Sarnowski, Fundraising and State Education

“Hey girl!” I can still hear the way your voice rings in a melodic pitch whenever you greet me with this simple phrase over the phone and in-person–and I love you for that!! Thanks for always being such an upbeat and fun person to be around, Rujjares. Even though I’ve only technically known you for one year, I feel like I’ve known you for a long time already, and it’s just crazy to see how time has played out this way and passed so fast simultaneously. From sending me that funny video of ratchet girls baking chicken and distributing the deliverables to Congresspersons’ offices together after a long lobby day in the summer, to taking selfies together on a staircase before visiting Ted Lieu’s office together once again for our lobby day during winter retreat, I am so glad to have shared so many memories with you already within the span of one school year. I remember when I first met you in person at the summer MC retreat and began to get acquainted with your jokester self. I was in awe of how you were able to be so carefree, sitting in a room amongst people gathered to discuss the serious topic of genocide, but your straightforward personality and eagerness to learn about genocide atrocity prevention in discussions we had with guest speakers, later on, made it clear to me that you were in the MC for a perfect reason. I love how relatable and understanding you are and admire how you are able to strike a conversation with anyone so effortlessly! I remember how you would always tell me that you were nervous before walking into a lobby meeting, only to end up nailing it when we were inside the office speaking with a Congressional aide. From what I can recall from our last lobby day, you were able to, as always with your outgoing personality, open the conversation with friendly chatter before getting to the deep stuff, which put me at ease for how the rest of the meeting would turn out because you set the tone just right at the beginning. For that, I am so grateful as well, because I was also able to learn from you that lobby meetings don’t always have to be so serious! Thank you for your presence, and for all the support you have offered me in STAND (such as offering your attendance and help for any future events I would plan to host for GMU STAND). I will forever treasure the moments we have shared lobbying and working and talking over the phone together. I can’t wait to see where your brilliant self will go next with that genuine passion, practical sense, and intelligent mind of yours. As always, STAND will always be here for you, and I’m only one call away (and a thirty-minute drive from D.C. if you’ll still be here) too! I’ll miss seeing you at MC retreats girl, but am super excited for where you’ll end up next! – Jan Jan Maran, Burma Action Committee

Jordan Stevenson, Eastern Washington University

Jordan! You are an inspiration to me and everyone you meet! I am so very impressed by all of your accomplishments and the many incredible things that you have done for STAND this year. I am so grateful for the skills and ideas that you have brought to the team and your tenacious work ethic that has allowed you to make those ideas a reality. But more than your skills and accomplishments, I am impressed by the woman you are! You are strong, kind, compassionate and resilient and you make those around you feel loved and valued. I have loved getting to chat with you at retreats and learn more about your family, your passions and your experiences. It truly is a blessing to know you and you make those around you feel safe by setting an example of vulnerability and acceptance. Your encouragement throughout this past year has meant the world to me! I am going to miss having you on the team so much, but I am excited to continue being your friend outside of STAND, come visit Arkansas soon! – Megan Rodgers, DRC Action Committee

Jordan!! You’ve worked so hard this year and have truly opened my eyes. I’ve felt so connected with you the moment we met at the August retreat because you are unapologetically yourself! You put effort into every single thing you do and we can tell the passion you have for advocacy. I’ve truly enjoyed talking to you about marriage (lol even though I’m not married) among a variety of other things. I’ve felt connected to you as a first-gen student and I am so sorry that you don’t get to graduate this year. But you should still be proud of yourself for being one of the first in your family to graduate college because it is not easy! You have touched many hearts at STAND, including the MC and SALs, and I know you’re destined for great things. If you are in DC, please please visit us at retreat! We will miss you a ton and thank you again for everything you’ve done for STAND. – Aisha Saleem, Outreach

Jordan!! Hola mi amiga hispanohablante. I’m so happy to have a friend like you who I can practice Spanish with at random! Let me first start off by just saying that I absolutely admire the effort, dedication, and commitment that you give to STAND. I know that you’ve confessed before about being a workaholic by nature, but I feel like even despite that being used as an excuse to explain why you always go over-the-top in your work, your passion truly shines through in everything that you have done as manager of STAND’s State Advocacy Lead Program. I am always blown away by how you are able to get so much done not only for SAL, but for all of us MC members when bringing our attention to new policies and sign-on letters countless times. It makes me so glad to know that there are truly authentic people like you in the world who put people at the center of their work and treat others gently with kindness while going hardcore at work. I aspire to be like you in this regard especially, and look forward to seeing the ways that you continue to use this amazing trait of yours in future endeavors. Te voy a extrañar definitivamente, pero me alegra que estes pasando a cosas mejores mi hermana. We’ll keep in touch for sure! – Jan Jan Maran, Burma Action Committee

Megan Smith, University of Southern California

When I first met you at the August retreat, I was immediately intimidated. You were the last one to go to bed, staying up late to work, and the first one out of bed, to go to the gym at 5 am. What? Who does that? Meg does. Absolutely incredible. You are so dedicated to your work that I knew from the beginning that I would have to run to keep up with you. In the end, we formed such a good partnership that it ended up being much more of a relay than a race. Over the past year, I have seen your passion, your work ethic, your drive: you do not stop until things are done and done well. Thank you for the dancing banana emojis, the cowboy hats, the life advice, and for having my back every step of the way. I know you’re nervous about the future, but all of STAND’s work is a testament to your potential. I believe in you, we believe in you, and can’t wait to watch you do incredible things. – Abby Edwards, Communications and Education

Meg, I still remember our first bonding calls where you showed me the Washington monument. I’m so sorry Barnard rejected you (their loss honestly), but I congratulate you for the amazing effort you’ve put at USC. I loved meeting you at retreat because I feel like anyone can easily get so close to you. I remember being so driven by your passion for YPS during retreat in August. It’s amazing that it has been introduced in the House now (time flies!). Thank you soo much for how much effort you’ve put into outreach and conflict updates – I truly appreciated having you as a partner to give edits and comments on things! You’re honestly a burst of joy and I wish you the best of luck for everything in the future. I can tell how much effort you put into things you’re passionate about and I can already tell that you’ll be doing amazing things in the future. Also, I’m glad we’re one of the few people who don’t watch Friends. Thank you once again for how much you’ve done for STAND and hope you stay your happy/bubbly self! Also I apologize for how choppy this is, a bunch of random emotions were coming to me as I wrote this. – Aisha Saleem, Outreach

Meg!!! Getting to work with you has been one of the best things about my time on the MC this year. I remember meeting you when I first arrived at the retreat in August. I was a little nervous going into it and scared that I would feel out of place being the youngest out of our group. I will never forget your bright smile and welcoming spirit. When I think of you so many adjectives come to mind: strong, ambitious, sincere, kind- the list goes on. However, the trait that best describes you is passionate. Whether it was working on outreach, editing conflict updates, or commenting on docs, your passion for STAND shone through. Through getting to know you, I have seen your passion when you talk about your goals for the future and your hobbies, including your love for searching for the best game apps to win real money. I know that no matter what your next adventure is, you will succeed in making the world a kinder and brighter place. My favorite memory with you was this January at the retreat when we sat at the same dinner table. I loved getting to talk with you in French and hearing about your experiences abroad. Your genuine personality and compassion towards everyone you meet is something that will forever inspire me. I will miss you more than I can explain- please stay in touch and if you are ever in Portland, hmu! – Claire Sarnowski, Fundraising and State Education