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March 29, 2018

Our occasional e-newsletter, usually published once or twice a month, with links to events, articles, videos, websites, & more relating to racism & racial justice.


THE POOR PEOPLE’S CAMPAIGN: A NATIONAL CALL FOR A MORAL REVIVAL

Poor People’s Campaign launch video
50 Years Later, A New Poor People’s Campaign, an interview with co-chair Liz Theoharis by Eleanor J. Bader at Alternet
“America Will Be” Video Series, from the Poor People’s Campaign
– A new Poor People’s Campaign wants to change how society defines morality ,  by Katrina vanden Heuvel at the Washington Post
–  Everyone! Poor People’s Campaign says, Add your name now if you’re ready to join our movement to transform the political, economic and moral structures of our country
Franklin County MA area: If you want to get involved, click here. More info coming soon – bookmark this page for updates
– Franklin County, MA area planning meeting: Monday, 4/9, 2-4 p.m. in Greenfield Room at Greenfield Public Library, 402 Main Street. Enter through library’s rear door. Contact Ruth if you plan to come or if you have questions.
Western MA regional group (based in Springfield) based at Arise For Social Justice
Massachusetts group based in eastern MA


RACIAL JUSTICE RISING’S ACTIVITIES

Free monthly programs

Saturday, April 7, 2018: Youth Speak Out
FREE! 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 43 Silver Street, Greenfield MA

A panel of a­­rea teens will talk about their hopes and concerns, in their lives, in their schools, & in our society. Topics may include school shootings, our education system, difficulties faced by marginalized groups, environmental issues…. 
Open to the public. Youth and educators especially welcome.

Saturday, May 5, 2018: 50 People, 40 Questions
More info coming soon

Help wanted  – Seeking a volunteer to help out with our sound system and projector at our monthly Saturday morning programs.  Contact us to learn more… or come to our next program and say hi!


Vigil for Racial Justice


The weather is finally better – p
lease join us!
Every Saturday, 9-10 a.m.
on the Greenfield Common

Sponsored by Racial Justice Rising
and the 
Visioning Bear Circle Intertribal Coalition


ARTICLES, WEBSITES, & OTHER RESOURCES

Gun Violence, Racism & Activism 
11 Year Old Naomi Wadler Speaks Up For Black Girls , video & story from CNN
Let’s Not Forget What Happens When Students Walk Out To Save Black Lives, by Michael Harriott at The Root
Some Students Won’t Settle for Gun Control. They Want Community Transformation, by Kelly Hayes at Truthout
The Gun Reform Debate Has Largely Ignored Race, by P.R. Lockheart at Vox
A Racial Justice Framework For Talking About Gun Violence, by MIV Canada at Medium
Violence in Schools, A Systemic Part of Life For Black Students, by at William C. Anderson at Rewire News
Parkland Survivors Call Out Media For Ignoring Gun Violence In Black Communities, by Hayley Miller at U.S. News
BLM Cofounder On Why We Herald Parkland Survivors But Criminalize Black Activists, a video of Patrisse Khan-Cullors at Huffington Post 
Black Students At Stoneman Douglas Want Solutions To Address Police Violence, by Anne Branigin at The Root


This just inhelp fire victims in Springfield MA

Activism/Organizing
– 7 Women of Color Activists Who Are Making History, by Evette Dion at Bitch
– Sustainable Agriculture Movement in Puerto Rico, by Jhoni Jackson at BESE 

Art
Gee’s Bend Quiltmakers, from Souls Grown Deep

Criminal Justice and Injustice  
How Segregation Shapes Fatal Police Violence, by Gene Demby at NPR

Education/Youth
American’s Mass Incarceration Crisis Begins In Our Schools, an interview with Anna Deveare Smith, by Naveen Kumar at Vice
Your Toddler Knows About Race, by Elizabeth Lepro at Times Online

Indigenous
13 Year Old Anishinaabe Girl to Speak To United Nations by Rheannon Johnson at CBC
5 Ways the Government Keeps Native Americans In Poverty, by Shawn Regan at Forbes

Latinx
Massachusetts Latinos Face Intense Inequality, by Kate Johnston at the Boston Globe
Ten Books You Should Read By Latina Authors  by Barbara Gonzalez at Latina

Reparations
–  South Africa: Taking Farms From Whites Is Justified Because ‘It’s Not Really Their Land,‘ by Joe Wallen at The Independent


OTHER GROUPS’ EVENTS

Friday, March 29, Northampton MA:  Documentary Screening: The Take! to benefit the Pioneer Valley Workers Center’s Solidarity Fund

April 4-7, 2018, Grand Rapids MI:  WPC 19, the 2018 annual White Privilege Conference

April 4 – May 21, various MA locations: The Importance and Meaning of the Indigenous Ceremonial Stone Landscape

April 5 & 6, Amherst MA: Resist! Five College Native American and Indigenous Studies Symposium

Saturday, April 7, Quincy MA: Massachusetts Poor People’s Campaign first mass meeting

Thursday, April 12, Boston MA:  Spotlight Series On Race, Millennials Respond: Boston Millennial Town Hall 

Thursday, April 19, North Adams MA:  True Conviction, film and discussion.  More about the film

April 19-21, Springfield MA: Undoing Racism Workshop for Youth and Adults Working with Youth

Sunday April 22, Boston MA: Walk Against Genocide

Wednesday, April 25, Northampton MA: Poor People’s Campaign: Intro to 1968 and 2018 Movements

May 3-4, Windsor CT: Anti-Racism Workshop with National Council for Community & Justice

Saturday May 6, Greenfield MA:  All Souls Church’s Annual Antiracism Film Festival, 399 Main Street. Free, with childcare. Facilitated discussions following each film.
1:30: Whose Streets? Facilitator:  Carl McCargo
4:15: I Am Not Your Negro.  Facilitator: Momodou Sarr
6:30: Supper, sliding scale $4-10; no one will be turned away
7:30: Wind River.  Facilitator: Strong Oak

May 9-12, TorontoWhite Privilege Conference – Global

May 13 – June 22, U.S:  Poor People’s Campaign’s 40 Days of Action 

June 8-10, Northampton MA: Undoing Racism Workshop with the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, organized by UROC of Western MA. 

November 8-10, Detroit MI: Facing Race, A National Conference, from ColorLines

Email us your announcements of racial justice-related events and we will include in our listings if possible


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. We share a vision of a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and multi-faith community.

 Our mission is to:

  • Help build the movement for racial justice by contributing to a deeper understanding of systemic racism and racial justice.
  • Engage in restorative activities that help to heal the racial divide and bring justice for people targeted by racism.

While much of our work is focused in our local area, Franklin County, MA, we reach out to and are connected with the broader movements in our region and the nation.

Thank you, readers who send us information for these newsletters!  
– We welcome links to articles, videos, event listings, and other resources. And we welcome your feedback!
– Please share with others who might be interested.
– To be removed from this email list, please reply with “remove” in the subject line.

Racial Justice Rising

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