Racial Justice Rising is a small, all-volunteer racial justice organization based in Franklin County, Massachusetts.
The members of Racial Justice Rising are ordinary people who are troubled by the persistent racism that plagues this country. Believing that the damage caused by racism must be repaired before our society can be whole, we work for just and respectful treatment for all.
While much of our work is focused in our local area, we reach out to and are connected with the broader movements in our region and the nation.
The members of Racial Justice Rising believe that:
- White people created racism to rationalize and justify the results of colonization: genocide, enslavement of free peoples, destruction of Indigenous societies around the world, and other inhuman behavior.
- White supremacy is the cornerstone of racism.
- Racism is one of the primary tools of social control in the U.S. and world-wide, embedded in economic, housing, education, judicial, healthcare, and other systems, and in civic and interpersonal relations.
- Racism, which can manifest as internalized racial superiority in perpetrators or internalized racial inferiority in those targeted, causes immeasurable harm to both.
Our mission is twofold: to help build the movement for racial justice by contributing to a deeper understanding of systemic racism and racial justice, and to engage in restorative activities that help to heal the racial divide and bring justice for people targeted by racism.
Our local activities include free monthly programs and a weekly vigil for racial justice.
This website, our Facebook page, and our e-newsletter reach activists locally, nationally, and beyond with listings of racial justice resources and events.
Mass Slavery Apology, the group’s original name, is still the name of the project that started our work — our statement of apology for slavery and commitments to restorative action.
Interview with RJR members, WGBY Connecting Point 10/28/19
Events
FREE MONTHLY PROGRAMS
The first Saturday morning of most months, 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 43 Silver Street, Greenfield MA. Free snacks, free childcare by reservation, free literature! Donations welcome.
Our monthly programs are supported in part by grants from these Local Cultural Councils: Amherst, Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont-Hawley, Conway, Deerfield, Gill, Greenfield, Hadley, Heath, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Pelham, Shelburne, Wendell, and Whately, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
CANCELLED: Grandmother Teachings
Saturday, November 2
Why we cancelled our November 2 program
Racial Justice Rising received many comments from our community and beyond indicating deep divisions with respect to our November 2 program, “Grandmother Teachings.” This caused us to be concerned about our ability to ensure everyone’s safety, and also to recognize that we need to listen more carefully and intentionally to diverse voices.
EVERY SATURDAY
Join us at our Vigil For Racial Justice, co-sponsored by the Visioning B.E.A.R. Circle Intertribal Coalition — every Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Greenfield Town Common, whatever the weather.
