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Weekly Newsletter | 26 November 2023

<I think it’s better to know that you don’t know, that way you can grow
with the mystery as the mystery grows in you. But, these days, of
course, everybody knows everything, that’s why so many people are
so lost.=

―James Baldwin, If Beale Street Could Talk

Embracing Multiculturalism
Read our latest monthly column in The Westerly Sun.

"From our table to yours this Thanksgiving"

by Geoff Serra

Click to Read

ENGAGE

This Week: Killers of the Flower Moon

You’ve likely heard of this new movie based on the true story of the Osage
Nation and the time known as the <Reign of Terror.= We will deepen our
understanding of the many injustices inflicted on Native Americans
through our discussion of the film. We will also discuss criticisms of the film
and consider ways the film might have better told this unsettling story.

Geoff Kaufman, who has long been an ally in spreading the word about
the marginalization of Native Americans, will lead us in song and stories
from his many decades of activism.

Join us for music and great discussion. Even if you haven’t seen the film,
you are sure to leave with new perspectives and an energized spirit!

If you have time, listen to this brief, latest, in a series of podcasts at npr.org
about the movie considered from several different perspectives. Three
Native scholars discuss the film: Pressing pause on 'Killers Of The Flower
Moon' and rethinking Scorsese's latest. They point out that the film did not
go far enough in revealing the role of governmental policies which allowed
the violence, corruption, and hatred to ravage the Osage nation. It’s a
thought that probes beneath the surface. It reminds us that the causes
and solutions to racism, as professor, author, and anti-racist Ibram Xolani
Kendi points out in his 2019 nonfiction work How to be an Antiracist, are
often at the level of governmental policy.

Last Week
In the absence of Geoff Serra, author of this month's Westerly Sun column
"From Our Table to Yours This Thanksgiving," Tim Flanagan led the
discussion on some of the article's important points.

Tim read a few paragraphs highlighting probing, thoughtful questions

such as, "Who would you not feel comfortable inviting to your table?" and
"Who in our community may not feel invited?"

Several people commented about how difficult it can be to gather with

family members on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Most agreed
that despite these differences and sometimes difficult conversations,
being together and sharing in this Thanksgiving tradition was still worth
the effort.

One person emphasized our interconnectedness and encouraged us to

see the community and the world as our family. Another participant posed
an intriguing question by asking, "I wonder who would not be comfortable
inviting me to their table?"

While our differences are sometimes paramount to our feelings about

someone, we must consider the dignity of each person, those we easily
relate to, and those who we find disconcerting. Some families agree to
disagree; others respect each other's opinions by keeping the
conversations light and positive.

As we pondered these questions, we realized how thankful we were to be

together as a community and to be able to express ourselves freely.
Taking the time to consider, think, and discuss offers each of us the
opportunity to learn, to expand understanding of ourselves and others.

Whoever you found around your Thanksgiving Day table this year, we hope
it was an experience that helped you grow and gave you many reasons to
be grateful.
 Call for Help

Personal Care Products Needed

We received word from The Jonnycake Center of Westerly that they will
be in need of personal care products for their clients. As members of ARC
we have had a long-standing tradition of bringing soap, toothpaste and
brushes, shaving supplies, lotions, feminine products and other personal
care supplies to Leslie Dunn for distribution. Please consider bringing
donations to the Sunday rally beginning this week. Thank you for your
generous support as we remember to take care of each other.
 We value your feedback.
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We meet every Sunday from 11:00-1:00 on the steps of the Westerly

Post Office on High Street. Join us anytime!

EMPOWER

Town Meetings

Get Involved
Westerly ARC encourages those who can to attend Westerly Town Council
and School Committee meetings. Your presence and involvement are
important ways to show our elected officials that creating a more
equitable and inclusive town and school system must always be a priority.

Dec 4 Town Council Meeting, 5:30 pm

Dec 6 School Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm

Dec 18 Town Council Meeting, 5:30 pm

Click below for meeting and agendas and minutes:

Town Meetings

More Ways You Can Help

Share
Spread the news! Forward this newsletter to at least one person you think
might be interested in it. Ask them to sign up for our newsletter on the
Westerly ARC website.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, comment, and share on our social media
posts!

Donate
ARC advocate Amanda Dunn continues to collect toiletries, personal care
items, and non-perishable food to distribute to our community. Please
bring your donations to Amanda at our Sunday rallies. Your kindness and
generosity are greatly appreciated.
Show Up
Stop by one of our weekly gatherings.
Join one of the events listed in this newsletter.
Attend a town meeting.
Ask about volunteering on an ARC committee.
Help out with this newsletter!
Offer your talents!

EDUCATE

Word of the Week

Improve your vocabulary and understanding of justice by deepening your

understanding of the words we use. Some may be familiar, some new,
and many words are defined differently depending on your point of view.
Send us your ideas of words that should be featured in this column
(westerlyarc@gmail.com).

Misogynoir

<Misogynoir is a term that Black feminist scholar Moya Bailey coined to

describe the specific forms of misogyny and sexism that Black women
experience. It is a combination of the words <misogyny,= which refers to the
hatred or dislike of women, and <noir,= which means black in French.
Misogynoir is used to describe the unique and intersecting forms of
discrimination that Black women face due to their race and gender. This
includes discrimination based on stereotypes about Black women as well
as the intersection of racism and sexism that Black women experience.=
(Anti-Racism Daily)

Misogynoir is real. Black women experience higher rates of domestic

violence than other women, and they are subject to police violence at
higher rates compared to other groups of women.

Reports also show the, <disproportionate violence that Black women public
speakers experience in politics and social justice spaces.=

Normalizing violence and other unjust acts against Black women leads to
increased risks for all Black women and girls. Consider ways to speak out
and take action against such acts while supporting Black women in our
community.

This article from Anti-Racism Daily has more information and several links
for you to explore: Unpacking the Misogynoir and Violence against Black
Women - Anti-Racism Daily

This Week in History

Understanding the history of past injustices can inform us as we advocate

for justice and equity today. Let us know your thoughts on our articles, and
send us your ideas!

November 27, 1868

Colonel George Custer massacres Cheyenne on

Washita River
General George Armstrong Custer leads an early morning attack on
Cheyenne living with Chief Black Kettle, destroying the village and killing
more than 100 people, including many women and children and Black
Kettle himself. (History.com)

Culture Calendar

November: Native American Heritage Month

<All things share the same breath – the beast, the tree, the man, the air
shares its spirit with all the life it supports.= – Chief Seattle, Suquamish
Chief

Though Native American Heritage Month will soon be over, our efforts to
learn about Native history and to honor and support Native peoples should
never end. Below are a variety of sources from Native American
perspectives for you to explore and to inspire you.

Tomaquag Museum - An excellent local resource. See below for an

upcoming event.
Native News Online
National Museum of the American Indian
Margo Gray Writes a Poignant Letter to Her Great-Grandfather, One of
the Murder Victims Portrayed in <Killers of the Flower Moon=
Kansas School Demands Native American Student Cut His Hair to
Attend - The New York Times
Decolonize Your Media This Holiday Season with These Podcasts, TV
Shows, and Books- This list is from 2021, but still very relevant!
And here is a comprehensive list of ways you can learn more and
support indigenous people: 8 Easy Ways to Support Indigenous
People - Anti-Racism Daily

Community Events

Native America Season 2

Screening and Panel
Join Rhode Island PBS on Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. in celebrating the second
season of "Native America," produced by the Rhode Island production
company Providence Pictures. Discover how Native heroes are using every
tool to recover, revitalize, and restore their linguistic traditions with a
screening of the series' fourth episode, "Language is Life,'' followed by a
panel discussion. The event will also feature light bites and a live
performance by the Eastern Medicine Singers.

The event is free to attend and will take place in the Robert J. Higgins
Welcome Center's Hope Room on the URI campus.

Register Here

Calendar

Calendar of Events
Discuss "Killers of the Flower Moon,"
Nov 26 ARC Weekly Gathering, Westerly Post
Office, 11:00-1:00

Long Walk to Healing: Discussion

with Navajoland Committee and
Nov 26
Westerly Area Peace and Justice;
Christ Church, 4 pm

Native America Season 2 Screening

Nov 29
and Panel, URI, 6:00-8:30 pm

Town Council Meeting, Westerly

Dec 4
Town Hall, 5:30 pm

School Committee Meeting, Westerly

Dec 16
Town Hall, 5:00 pm

Town Council Meeting, Westerly

Dec 18
Town Hall, 5:30 pm

Online Calendar
 Westerly Anti-Racism Coalition

This Newsletter is a publication of the Westerly Anti-Racism Coalition. ARC is a

community coalition unaffiliated with any state, national, or international
organization. ARC embraces multiculturalism to address racism.
Join our weekly gatherings, Sundays, 11am-1pm, the Westerly Post Office steps,
downtown
CONTACT US: westerlyarc@gmail.com Visit Our Website: westerlyarc.weebly.com
Website Manager: Tim Flanagan Weekly Writers: Tim Flanagan, Madeline Labriola
Editors: April Dinwoodie, Tim Flanagan, Madeline Labriola, Anne Pearce, Geoff Serra

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