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Hey y’all,

 

Here’s a tl;dr on what’s happening with the potential TikTok ban. If you’re all caught up on the story, head down to the Community Spotlight.

 

This past weekend on TikTok saw users stressed out following President Trump’s first remarks about banning the app in the US. There have been a lot of developments (and a good amount of confusion) since then, so here’s the latest.

 

TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, which raised some concerns among the president and politicians regarding its potential risk to national security, which is heightened by the currently strained relationship between the US and China. The main concern is in the way the app handles users’ data privacy (though some experts say that this kind of data collection and analysis is pretty much the norm among social media platforms). Beyond that is a wider conversation about censorship and the way platforms can potentially modify their algorithms to influence social and political conversations happening online.

 

That’s why President Trump was planning to use an executive order to ban the app -- but then he reversed course, saying he’d allow Microsoft, a US company, to purchase TikTok to keep it operating in the country. That deal may be complicated by Trump’s apparent desire for the federal government to get a cut of the purchase. It’s all TBD, but the deadline set by Microsoft to come to a decision is September 15.

 

The takeaway: our elected officials have the power to affect so many things in our lives -- even those as small as what apps we can access on our phones. If you want to have a say in how these kinds of decisions are made locally and nationally, make sure you’re registered to vote in the upcoming election.

 

Let’s Do This,
Jackie

In the Wake of COVID-19 and Racism, DoSomething Members Are Helping Students Stay Healthy This Back-to-School Season

Systemic racism is a major reason COVID-19 has hit Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) hardest, both in terms of health and finances. Black and Latinx Americans are twice as likely to contract and die from COVID-19 as their white neighbors.

 

Meanwhile, people of color are almost twice as likely to report job loss and economic hardship due to the pandemic, making it especially difficult to afford crucial products for health and hygiene this back-to-school season.

 

The color of your skin or your family’s income shouldn’t determine your well-being, and research shows that healthy students are better learners.

 

You can ensure students in your area have access to personal care and cleaning products to help them stay healthy and perform their best in school this fall.

Starting today, DoSomething members around the country are using our step-by-step guide to collect and donate five personal care products (like soap and hand sanitizer) and cleaning products (like wipes and detergent). You can too.

DoSomething members have accessed our Disrupt Racism guides over 70,000 times to start conversations with loved ones. One such member, Hakeem, 17, took his impact to the next level by inspiring friends to pledge support Black lives now and always.

 

“I am dedicating myself to making a change that will last for lifetimes to come, Hakeem says, “so that my future children don't have to deal with this issue in the future.”

We have 151 *incredible* DoSomething summer ambassadors… including Zaire (who hosted a #BeHeard activism panel on IG), Gabriella (who’s running a fundraiser for her BLM chapter), Jerica (who totally *rocked* this video challenge), and Bobbie (who gave us a much-appreciated shoutout for our shoutout).

 

DoSomething member Alexandria was featured on Good Morning America… after she fought isolation (and received plenty of wisdom), by chatting with a 91-year-old former teacher.

 

Both Dr. Seuss and Mother Earth… would love this Lorax-themed environmental card from DoSomething member Neha, 17.

 

If you’ve been wondering what’s going on with unidentified officers and escalating violence… learn what’s going on with the BLM protests in Portland.

 

This week in Black joy… meet the high-school sweethearts, married 46 years, who just overcame COVID, cancer, and chemo together.

 

This week in Dogs of DoSomething… Senior Product Manager Jen’s pup dreams of frisbees.

More Amazing Impact From the DoSomething Community!

 

We asked you to brag about the amazing stuff you’re doing, and you did not disappoint. Here are some of our favorite answers from the DoSomething community. (Psst...submit yours here!)

 

“I’ve been writing little short stories and poems about Black Live Matter and sharing them with others. I’m doing this to show the injustice and racial issues we have in our communities and country.”

 

- DoSomething member Lourdy, 19, Florida

 

“I started an Instagram page showing ways to maintain being fit for athletes and anyone who wants to stay healthy during quarantine.”

 

- DoSomething member Ethan, 17, California

 

“My friend and I were inspired during the pandemic to create a podcast, ‘Think Scope,’ where we have brutally honest conversions about some of the most uncomfortable questions in life. We want to give teenagers a voice and provide insight into a teen's perspective, and we decided to have our first episode be about racism in America.”

 

- DoSomething member Alexis, 17, California

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