Weekly Email Update 8-21-17
“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”
J. K. Rowling
We at WeCAN encourage you to take a look at the following list of teaching resources that was pulled together by NPR following the Charlottesville attack. Regardless of your age or ability, consider sharing the information with your friends and family; open up the lines of communication, be brave. Your choices now will decide the future of our nation.
"Just starting out
- More than 80 percent of public school teachers are white, while half of all students are people of color. Some teachers may never have directly talked about race or racism, particularly with younger children. Brooks suggests they start by making an "identity chart". This is a way to find commonalities as well as celebrate differences.
- Diverse books: Some teachers will introduce topics of racism, civil rights and diversity, especially to younger students, through books. Here is a curated list of 50 social justice books from the nonprofit Teaching for Change. Here is a second, broken down by grade level, by The National Network of State Teachers of the Year.
- Teaching Tolerance has lesson plans for students as young as kindergarten that cover bias and social justice.
Historical background
- The Graduate Student Coalition for Liberation at The University of Virginia in Charlottesville published a syllabus on Medium that includes primary and secondary historical resources on the local history of segregationism, as well as the urban renewal that displaced African-Americans in the city. There is also background on the dispute over the statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee that was the focal point of the rally this past weekend.
- Facing History and Ourselves is an evidence-based social studies curriculum for middle and high school students that grounds discussions of racism and prejudice in students' own moral dilemmas.
- American Federation for Teachers president, Randi Weingarten, shared some collections of lesson plans from AFT's Share My Lesson platform: on racial profiling and stereotyping, on civil rights and social justice, on bullying and helping children cope with traumatic events.
Ripped from the headlines
- The Atlantic contributing writer Melinda Anderson created the hashtag #CharlottesvilleCurriculum on Twitter to serve as an ongoing list of resources to teach responsively to current events. Sources highlighted include the Equal Justice Initiative and the Citizenship and Social Justice Curriculum.
- To help make sense of the news, the Critical Media Project of the University of Southern California offers lesson plans and resources for talking about media literacy as it relates to race, ethnicity and identity."*
*Directly taken from NPR.org, accessed on 8.20.2017 (http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/08/14/543390148/resources-for-educators-to-use-the-wake-of-charlottesville).
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HAPPENING TODAY SUNDAY, AUGUST 20TH, 2017
Share the Harvest Stand
sponsored by Edible Brattleboro
Sunday, August 20th, 2017 at the Elliott Street Park (on Elliot Street in Brattleboro, VT, 05301) from 11am-1pm.
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HAPPENING THIS WEEK MONDAY, AUGUST 21ST, 2017-SUNDAY, AUGUST 27TH, 2017
Climate Change Café: A Community of Concerned Citizens
“We the People 2.0”
a project of Post Oil Solutions
Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 6pm.
FREE. Light Refreshments Available
A New Democracy Movement Is Building, Elevating Community And Natures Rights Over Corporate “Rights.” This excellent film is a visual essay about the loss of democracy in the United States, and how people are taking it back. It describes a profound change in thinking at the grassroots level where people are building a movement, not just in this country, but around the world. It shows how and where it all began.
This event is a great lead-in to the Community Rights Awareness Workshop by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) that Post Oil Solutions and Rights and Democracy will sponsor on Sunday, September 10, @ the Brattleboro Food Co-op, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
For more information please contact802.869.2141 or [email protected].
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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, August 25th, 2017 (and every Friday) in front of TD Bank Brattleboro (215 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-1pm.
Signs will be provided
TD is a major investor in Tar Sands. TD helps to fund the Dakota Access Pipeline. The State of Vermont Keeps Most of Our Cash in TD.
What You Can You Do (besides attending the vigils):
If you’re a TD depositor, change banks!
If you’re a Vermonter, demand that state funds not be deposited with a bank investing in fossil fuels.
Contact your state legislators to support the bills in the House & Senate calling for a commission to explore the possibility of a State Bank.
Founded in 2005, Post Oil Solutions is a 501c3 community organizing project in Southeastern Vermont whose mission is to help empower the people of the Central Connecticut River Valley bioregion to develop sustainable, resilient , collaborative, and socially just communities leading to a self- and community-sufficient post petroleum society. For more information please contact [email protected] or 802.869.2141
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UPCOMING EVENTS
The Healthcare Movie: Viewing and Discussion
Monday August 28th, 2017 at the Putney Public Library (55 Main St, Putney, VT 05346).
6pm-9pm.
Marvin Malik, MD of the Vermont chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP)will attend and facilitate discussion afterward.
This documentary provides the real story of how the health care systems in Canada and the United States evolved to be so completely different, when at one point they were essentially the same. Most people under the age of 50, in both countries, are not aware of the intensity of the political struggle that led to the universal medical care system in Canada. Nor are they aware of the public relations campaigns, still active today, that have been prevalent in the United States since the early 1900’s to dissuade the public from supporting national health care.
Produced by Canadian/American couple Laurie Simons and Terry Sterrenberg, The Healthcare Movie reveals the personal and emotional impact on Canadians who now have access to universal health care because of the heroism of people who took a stand nearly 50 years ago. It also reveals the continuing struggle in the United States between the fear of government intervention and the right to quality health care for all people.
Every day people are dying or going bankrupt due to the ills of the United States system. Who are we in the face of this human tragedy? If you agree that people are more important than profits, then you must watch this film.
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We Celebrate Democracy/Civil Rights For All Banner Hanging
Sunday, September 3rd, 2017 on Main Street in Brattleboro, VT at 8am-9am.
We are Woody Bernhard and Susan Kunhardt of Marlboro Vermont. With the help of many supporters we are thankful to have been able to make the banner and fly it over Main Street for one week in April and in June and to carry it in the 4th of July parade. We are now fundraising to fly the banner over Main Street in Brattleboro from Sunday Sept 3rd to the 10th.
We need: A $600 Hanging Fee for hanging the banner and $50 for the Vendors Permit, for a gallery walk fundraiser for the banner raising that we held in front of Vermont Artisan Designs on August 4. We have received $55 in donations so far, so we need to raise $595, about sixty $10 donations. Any over-funding will be donated to Brattleboro Area Hospice. This time the banner will be up by itself above the center of the street. The fire company will hang the banner starting at 8 am. It takes about an hour. Come and see the banner go up. Come and show your support for continuing to make this positive statement that we stand for democracy in the face fascism and corporate tyranny. True democracy with equal civil rights for all is love and sharing and caring and helping. Join us. Stand with us to send the message: Democracy is one big valentine to all the people. Thank you for your support. To donate got to: Go fund me We Celebrate Democracy. Contact: [email protected] or call 802 464 3154.
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Community Rights Awareness Workshop
presented by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) and sponsored by Post Oil Solutions & Rights and Democracy
Sunday, September 10th, 2017 at the Brattleboro Food Coop (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Community Room (please use the entrance at 7 Canal Street). 10am-1pm. FREE, but registration required: [email protected]. Refreshments will be provided.
In this workshop, we take an in-depth look at how political and legal structures have been set up to protect the interests of an elite wealthy minority, at the expense of the majority of people and community self-government. We’ll look at how corporations have received more rights and protections than real people living in communities. Most importantly, we’ll look at how communities have pushed back against these oppressive structures to reclaim democratic self-government in their communities, and at the state level with a proposed Community Rights Amendment.
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Freedom March
Wednesday, September 27th at Pliny Park (Corner of High and Main Streets, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5pm-5:45pm. Speakers Anna Stevens and Ellen Schwartz will speak 15 minutes before the March.
Join us on a Freedom March to demand prison reform and to encourage our State Government to work to reduce the prison population here in Vermont. Speaking at a 15 minute rally before the March will be Anna Stevens of Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform and Brattleboro resident Ellen Schwartz. Schwartz is president of the Vermont Workers Center whose mission is "taking action on issues of concern to people most impacted by economic and social injustice." For more information, please call Eesha Williams at (802) 254-2531 or e-mail [email protected].
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IN DEVELOPMENT
Impeachment Rally
Saturday, October 21st, 2017 at the Vermont State House (115 State St, Montpelier, VT 05633). Time TBD.
Join us for a PEACEFUL PROTEST to be held in Montpelier, VT, at the Vermont State House (115 State St, Montpelier, VT 05633). 12pm to 5pm (tentative).
Our immediate goal - to get Phil Scott, Bernie Sanders, Patrick Leahy, and Peter Welch to take up the call for Impeachment proceedings based on Trump's "intimidation, failure to supervise, and unbecoming conduct."
Donald J.Trump’s leadership poses a threat to the peace and safety of our nation on both national and international levels. His immoral reputation and misconduct are an embarrassment and threat to the freedoms this country stands for and will not be tolerated by United States citizens.
Sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/the-people-impeach-donald-j-trump
Do you have questions or are wondering what you can do to help organize, get the word out, and prepare? Contact Sarah Vitale at 802.246.7603 or email her at [email protected].
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STANDING REGULAR MEETINGS
350Brattleboro Regular Meetings
350 Brattleboro will be taking a break from our regular schedule for July and August. We will return to our regular meeting times from September onwards. To be kept in the loop follow us at facebook.com/350brattleboro and sign up for our email list by emailing [email protected]. Thanks!
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Lost River Racial Justice, Black Lives Matter-South, and People Of Color Caucus Regular Meetings
Reoccurring racial justice organizing meetings every 2nd Monday at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio of the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) on the First Floor.
6pm-8pm.
Childcare provided. Fragrance & nut free space.
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SKILLED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Childcare as a Radical Act: Sign up to Provide Childcare!
The Family Solidarity Action Network is moving forward with their next big effort to support families in local activism: a collective of folks to provide childcare for local activist meetings or events. If you or someone you know would be able and willing to offer childcare (as a volunteer, or paid) for meetings and events please fill out this spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YGVI8wECe4ZDdghtAG147j7ktwgB_J5ZoWUPkwGrOhM/edit#gid=0
We are looking for people young and old with varying degrees of experience. Having a large pool of people to call on will make it much easier for organizers to arrange childcare for meetings, allowing for more voices of families with young children to participate in local activism! We will then be making this list available to other local organizations so we can be sure that childcare doesn't have to be a barrier to participation for anyone.
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VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES
Sister District
SisterDistrict is an organization that connects you with your local home district team to work on Sister Races in Virginia, Washington State, and Georgia. The goal? To turn Red states Blue. Support these critical races by donating to them and sharing about them on social media. Or, get in on the fun by joining your local district team for even more action items!
Here is an update from the Vermont district team:
SisterDistrict Soup
We have made a few changes to our SisterDistrict Soup project and will be offering a monthly soup subscription to benefit either SisterDistrict directly or our current candidate (subscriber's choice).
Please help us by sharing this link with friends and family who may be interested in subscribing or volunteering to help make or sell soup:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfU1Vv1oJRgTBATJ8TTp8vHUaGFIz0coVCVe28gYVOrK9K-BQ/viewform?c=0&w=1
(NOTE: for more information please email [email protected] or [email protected].
In addition to raising money to help get our nation onto a better trajectory, we are also committed to providing you the most delicious and locally-sourced soup that we can. Vegetarian, gluten- and dairy-free options will be available.
There is no reason that you can't eat well and resist at the same time!
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Exchange Student Hosts Wanted
PAX (Program of Academic Exchange Vermont) is looking for families who are interested in hosting a high school exchange student for Brattleboro HS and Bellows Falls for the upcoming school year. Clara is one such student, a 15 year old girl from Spin whose interests include skiing, scouting and gymnastics. Could you open your home to one of these students?
Host families come in all shapes and sizes - they represent the diversity of American culture, with varied economic, religious and racial backgrounds. Among those who truly enjoy the exchange experience are parents looking to give their families a glimpse of the world and introduce them to new customs and cultures, without having to travel the globe.
Many of our host families do not have high school age children, while others have adult children who no longer live at home. They say that hosting an exchange student gives them an opportunity to enrich their own lives and connect with their community in a whole new way.
If you've considered hosting but have questions, please contact Kimberly at [email protected] or 802-824-3792.
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ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
Indigo Radio
Sundays at 12pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FM
To stream live: Visit www.wvew.org
Indigo Radio, deepening understanding and making connections!
IndigoRadio is a group of area educators seeking to learn through engaging with others in our community and throughout the world. We will be talking about educational and social issues both globally and locally and connecting them to our lives and Brattleboro community.
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigoradiowvew/
For archive recordings of past shows: https://soundcloud.com/user-654648353
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Democracy, Eventually
WVEW 107.7FM, Brattleboro Community Radio Station
You can listen to recorded and archived episodes here: https://soundcloud.com/democracy-eventually and you can find us on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/democracyeventually/ and on Twitter here @Democrazeee.
We are Democracy, Eventually a radio show covering local, state, and underreported national news stories from a progressive analysis. We air live on WVEW 107.7FM LP Brattleboro Community Radio Station.
-Kara and Paige
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Thank you for your weekly commitment to sharing love, education, and tolerance in Windham County. We look forward to seeing you at an events this week!
Your Friendly WeCAN Admins,
Ann and Joanna