Westerly Antiracism coalition newsletter

4.10.2022

April is National Poetry Month

“New Day’s Lyric”
By Amanda Gorman, First National Youth Poet Laureate

May this be the day

We come together.
Mourning, we come to mend,
Withered, we come to weather,
Torn, we come to tend,
Battered, we come to better.
Tethered by this year of yearning,
We are learning
That though we weren’t ready for this,
We have been readied by it.
We steadily vow that no matter
How we are weighed down,
We must always pave a way forward.

This hope is our door, our portal.

Even if we never get back to normal,
Someday we can venture beyond it,
To leave the known and take the first steps.
So let us not return to what was normal,
But reach toward what is next.

What was cursed, we will cure.

What was plagued, we will prove pure.
Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree,
Those fortunes we forswore, now the future we foresee,
Where we weren’t aware, we’re now awake;
Those moments we missed
Are now these moments we make,
The moments we meet,
 And our hearts, once all together beaten,
Now all together beat.

Come, look up with kindness yet,

For even solace can be sourced from sorrow.
We remember, not just for the sake of yesterday,
But to take on tomorrow.

We heed this old spirit,

In a new day’s lyric,
In our hearts, we hear it:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
Be bold, sang Time this year,
Be bold, sang Time,
For when you honor yesterday,
Tomorrow ye will find.
Know what we’ve fought
Need not be forgot nor for none.
It defines us, binds us as one,
Come over, join this day just begun.
For wherever we come together,
We will forever overcome

Sunday Protest update

On Sunday, 10 April our two wonderful friends and musicians-Frank Pendola and Big Lux entertained us with
music for social change. In a tribute to all the peacemakers Frank read the poem/lyrics from Tremo e T’amo
written by Andre Bocelli which is copied below. The beautiful lyrics remind us of the futility and heartbreak of
war as we pray for peace in Ukraine, Yemen, Ethiopia, Palestine, Haiti and wherever war is breaking the hearts of
our brothers and sisters.
After Frank sang “Day is Done” Big Lux accompanied Frank in a beautiful rendition of “Come and Go With
Me to That Land” a traditional gospel blues song recorded by Blind Willie Johnson in 1930. We offer it here for
your meditation.
 Tremo e T’amo
I’M TREMBLING AND I LOVE YOU

I love you and i'm trembling

Said the woman
To her soldier
Who wouldn't be coming back.
Her plaintive voice
Was carried by the wind
Across the chilling snow
To where her soldier fought

I'm trembling and i love you

She whispered as she cried
And in the darkness of the room
Somebody laughed
In conquest of the fear
That this love was about to end

But sweet memories can betray you

The soldier doesn't feel anything anymore

Suddenly
From behind
His enemy strikes
Who, strangely, was speaking
Of roses, of wine, of life's other joys
That were promised him in another life
Oh, how many brides
Will war take away
From that first night's warm embrace

I'm trembling and i'm cold

Said the soldier
To his enemy, just like himself
His voice hung motionless in the wind
Heard by the silent audience of those that fell before him.

Lyrics by Andrea Bocelli

Coming Events
This Sunday, 10 April from 11-1 pm on the Westerly Post Office steps, we welcome sharing from our
neighbors and friends about the Muslim celebration of Ramadan began at sunset on Saturday, 2 April, and
ends on the evening of Monday, 2 May. Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for
Muslims. It is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of the Quran,
the Muslim holy book.
We also celebrate National Poetry Month and will offer some inspiring poetry to remind us of our
desire for unity as we face the challenges of a nation divided.

The month of April is Diversity Month

Diversity Month began in 2004 to honor and recognize the diversity that surrounds us all. It acknowledges our
differences in culture, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual identity, generation, disability and nationality.
When we understand the beauty and wisdom in “we are all different” and that we each bring incredible talent,
abilities and skills to our shared world, then we see the good and beauty in one another and acquire the skills to
make this world a more beautiful and perfect union.

Looking Ahead
On Sunday, 24 March we will celebrate Earth Day with our monthly Children's Day celebration. Sing-a-long
music by Geoff Kauffman will keep the party going while the Westerly Library will offer books about the
environment. Crafts will be available and refreshments as well. You won’t want to miss the fun as young and
old come together to celebrate and honor Mother Earth.

Sunday presenters Needed

Do you know anyone who would like to share a story, read a poem, sing, dance or share some wisdom during
our Sunday presentations? Each presentation is only 5-10 minutes and should address our goals of social justice
and equality for all. This Month of Diversity would be a good time for presentations on various cultures,
religions and traditions that exist in our local communities. Please encourage those you know to contact us at
westerlyarc@gmail.com to discuss a presentation. The crowd is always warm and welcoming.

Educate, Embrace and empower

One of the best tools we have to stay informed about our local community and advocate for change is attending
Westerly School Committee and Town Council meetings. School Committee meetings are held Wednesday
evenings at 5pm, and Town Council meetings are held on Monday evenings at 5:30pm. Both committees meet
in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, of the Westerly Town Hall, 45 Broad Street. Attached are links to meeting
their schedules and agendas. ARC is committed to attending these meetings regularly, but we need more
volunteers to attend with us. Please let us know if we can add your name to our list of weekly attendees.

https://clerkshq.com/westerly-ri
Black Voices Film Series at United theatre, westerly
Westerly ARC, in collaboration with the United Theatre in Westerly, presents the Black Voices Film Series, a
monthly event held on the last Tuesday of every month at 7 pm to recognize films from great black storytellers
working in film and television. The next film is One Night in Miami, directed by Regina King, 26 April @ 7pm.
Please check out the link below for more information on this wonderful series. And spread the word to family
and friends.

United Theatre

Peace,

WesterlyARC