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Weekly Newsletter | 14 January 2024

<We must be concerned not merely about who murdered them, but
about the system, the way of life, the philosophy which produced the
murderers.=

4 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Eulogy for the Martyred Children (1963)

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

"It's All about Belonging"

by Madeline Labriola

Click to Read

ENGAGE

This Week
With several Martin Luther King Day events coming up (see below), we will
kick off the week with a focus on the work and legacy of Dr. King during our
monthly poetry share. Every month, we are inspired by the pieces that
participants share and the insightful conversations that follow.

This Sunday, consider bringing a poem or other piece of writing either

written or inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Reflecting on the work of Dr.
King is sure to inspire us.

We will start the poetry sharing at 12:00 on the downtown Westerly Post
Office steps.

Last Week

Huddled on the post office steps last week, a sizable group of ARC
supporters continued the tradition of standing up for justice, embracing
multiculturalism, and advocating for positive change. We talked about the
falling snow and the frigid temperatures and discussed our hopes for the
new year. We shared ideas for ways to bring our message and actions to
more corners of Westerly and celebrated our successes, including the
first-ever African American art exhibit in Westerly which opened last week.
We shared struggles and found support in a beloved community. Above
all, we gave each other hope for continued progress in the march toward
justice for all.
Special Announcement: Conversations with
African American Art
Now open!
Westerly ARC is excited to be organizing two events about African
American Art.

The first is an educational exhibition at the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of

Westerly, and the second is an upcoming series of talks with visiting artists
and art collectors at the Westerly Library. Much more information is
available on our website. Mark your calendar for these important
events. Visit our website for more information.

Conversations with African American Art

On exhibit January 5 through February 28

Westerly Artists’ Cooperative, Community Gallery, 44 Railroad Avenue,

Westerly, RI

Wednesday 3 Saturday, 11 a.m. 3 7 p.m., Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

Opening Reception, 5-8 p.m.

Friday, February 2, 2024

On exhibition: A selection of pieces of the Bill and Paula Alice Mitchell

Collection of African-American Art, selected and interpreted by ARC
members April Dinwoodie, Leslie Dunn, and Kevin Lowther. This is an event
not to be missed.

Free and open to the public.

Conversations about African American Art: Talks with Artists

and Collectors
Auditorium, Westerly Library

Sponsored by The Washington Trust Foundation

Session 1

Robin Holder: "Raising Your Racial IQ with Art"

Saturday, February 3, 2024, 1:30-3:30 pm

Session 2

Bill and Paula Alice Mitchell: "Why African American Art?"

Saturday, February 10, 2024, 1:30-3:30 pm

Session 3

Curlee Raven Holton: "Below the Surface: An African American Story in

Printmaking"

Saturday, February 17, 2024, 1:30-3:30 pm

Free and open to the public.

Looking Ahead
Join us any Sunday from 11:00-1:00 on the Westerly Post Office steps. Mark
your calendar for these upcoming events.

January 21 ARC Column Discussion

This month’s <Embracing Multiculturalism= column in the Westerly Sun (to

be published January 18) is authored by Bill and Paula Alice Mitchell, local
residents and collectors of African American art who provided the works of
art for ARC’s exhibition. Join us in conversation with Bill Mitchell about his
column and his journey of discovering African American art.

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.

Jan 17 School Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm

Jan 22 Town Council Meeting, 5:30 pm

Click below for meeting and agendas and minutes:

Town Meetings
January 23, 4-5 pm

Teaching with African American Art

Please share this workshop opportunity with any teachers you know!
 Register Here

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

What We're Learning

Have you read, listened to, or viewed a book or video that has inspired
you or taught you something new relating to anti-racism or social justice?
Contact us to share what you have learned and we might feature it in our
newsletter. You can talk to Tim or Madeline on Sunday, email
westerlyarc@gmail.com, or fill out this Google Form. Sharing your
knowledge is one way to promote justice!

Learn How to Apologize

This article from Anti-Racism Daily has some great practices for making
purposeful apologies that lead to harm reduction and an increased
comfort in engaging in difficult conversations. Learn how to avoid pitfalls
that can easily lead to empty and meaningless apologies. Learn how to
apologize. - 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!

U.S. Supreme Court Lifts Desegregation Decree,

Authorizing One-Race Schools in Oklahoma City

January 15, 1991

The 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education was
meant to end school segregation. In reality, many U.S. schools remain
largely segregated by race and economic status, despite continuing
efforts to integrate schools. There is so much to gain from creating a more
integrated society, yet there are still so many obstacles to achieve this.
Read about this 1991 ruling that effectively maintained segregated schools
in Oklahoma City. U.S. Supreme Court Lifts Desegregation Decree,
Authorizing One-Race Schools in Oklahoma City

Culture Calendar
January 15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

<The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has been whitewashed and
gentrified to depict him as someone that only advocated for unity and
peace (Essence). But during his life, many denounced him as an extremist
(Time), and the FBI considered him a threat to democracy (Stanford).
Neither narrative speaks to his radical views nor his lasting commitment to
racial equity. It’s our responsibility to honor his legacy beyond what’s been
deemed <appropriate= by education and media= (Anti-Racism Daily).

Learn more in this article from Anti-Racism Daily: 6 Speeches and Works
That Honor The Full Legacy of MLK

Community Events
January 16

An Evening with Dr. Martin Luther King

In celebration of MLK's birthday, there will be a community reading of
several of Dr. King’s writings followed by small group discussions.

Jan. 16, 2024, 5:3037:30 PM Westerly Library Auditorium.

This event is produced In coordination with: Westerly Area Peace and
Justice, Westerly ARC, Rotary Club of Westerly, and Westerly Library.

Refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.

 Funda Fest 26 - Family Storytelling Fun with the
Rhode Island Black Storytellers!
January 20

Westerly Library Terrace Room

12:00-2:00 pm

Funda is a Zulu word spoken by the people in South Africa. Long before
there were books, the elders, griots, and jaliyas4the storytellers- were the
keepers of the culture. They passed on stories and songs so the
community would learn its history, values, and traditions in the oral
tradition. That’s what we offer here: a place to learn. Not only that, it looks
like FUN!

Join us for a joyous day of stories and crafts with the Rhode Island Black
Storytellers (RIBS) and Westerly Library. The event is free and open to all
ages! See you on Saturday, January 20th 12-2 pm in the Terrace Room!

#Fundafest26 #Storytelling #Blackhistory #RhodeIsland

Celebration of African and Caribbean Cultures
Featuring Amina Blackwood Meeks and Teju Ologboni

Free: Family Event /All Ages

January 25, 6:30 PM

South Kingstown High School

215 Columbia St, Wakefield, RI

Register Here
One last thing . . .
What a great performance by Geoff Kaufman at the Friday Night Folk
concert in New London on Friday. Geoff drew a large crowd and shared
beautiful music and stories from his life, weaving in themes of social
justice. Make sure to wish Geoff a happy birthday on Sunday!
Calendar

Calendar of Events
Conversations with African
Jan 5 - Feb 28 American Art , Artists’ Cooperative
Gallery of Westerly

Celebrating the Dream, Peace Dale

Jan 15
Elementary School, 1:00-4:00 pm

An Evening with Dr. Martin Luther

Jan 16 King, Westerly Library Auditorium,
5:30 - 7:30 pm

School Committee Meeting, Westerly

Jan 17
Town Hall, 5:00 pm

Funda Fest 26 - Family Storytelling

Fun with the Rhode Island Black
Jan 20
Storytellers! Westerly Library Terrace
Room, 12:00-2:00 pm

Picking Up Stones: An American Jew

Wakes to a Nightmare, Unitarian
Jan 20
Universalist Church of South County,
3:00 pm

Town Council Meeting, Westerly

Jan 22
Town Hall, 5:30 pm

Teaching with African American Art,

Jan 23 Artists' Cooperative Gallery of
Westerly, 4-5 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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