Arc Newsletter Feb 11 24

2/10/24, 10:12 AM Race Card Project, Jehu Grant, Storytime
View the Entire Newsletter Here
Weekly Newsletter | 11 February 2024
<I’ve recently tried to make sense of the world by dividing it

into three kinds of people: prolongers, protesters and
proactors. Prolongers tend to go along with things, as they
are, for better or worse. Protesters alert us to the injustices in
the world. Proactors do things to make the world better
regardless of the odds.=
4Bill Cuff
Embracing Multiculturalism
Read our latest monthly column in The Westerly Sun.
"African American Art: Powerful

Storytelling"
by Bill and Paula Alice Mitchell
Click to Read
https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/103681/emails/112162326272018036 1/23
ENGAGE
This Week
<With kids, I’m Dad - alone, thug.=
<Was considered white until after 9/11.=
<Underneath, we all taste like chicken.=
These are a few of the more than half-million six-word statements

on race submitted to the Race Card Project. Journalist Michelle
Norris started this project 14 years ago as a way to open the door to
conversations about race. Her new book, Our Hidden Conversations
– What Americans really think about race and identity, offers
stories to deepen our understanding of race and engage in
uncomfortable conversations.
This Sunday, we will provide cards for you to come up with your six
words about race. We will then ask for volunteers to share their
words (no pressure!) and, through the process, learn more about
each other and the impact that race has on us all.
Read more about the Race Card Project below and watch this
interview with Michelle Norris on The Late Show with Stephen
Colbert. See you on the post office steps on Sunday (11:00-1:00,
program starting at noon)!
Last Week
A large group gathered last Sunday, enjoying the sunny skies while
engaging with our community to stand against injustice. This
month, as we focus on Black History, we invite you to share what
you are learning about the many stories of contributions of Black

Americans that have often been left out of history books.
Last week, Pete Ogle shared the research he has done to learn
more about the land where Wilcox Park now sits. Pete shared facts
about slavery in Westerly, including the following:
In 1774, 36 Westerly households enslaved about 90 Indian and

Black people.
The enslaved provided the labor force that enabled very large
farms and 1,000 acre plantations throughout the greater
Westerly area as well as working as domestic servants.
This free labor jumpstarted Westerly’s 18th and 19th century
economic development for which the Enslaved have received
little or no recognition.
He went on to tell the story of John & Hannah (Babcock) Bours and
Rowse Babcock families who owned and probably lived on the land
where Wilcox Park is located. Pete’s research states that, <both
families had slaves and Bours co-owned a ship used in the slave
trade.=
Pete shared further research about the enslaved individuals who

lived and worked on the land that is now Wilcox Park. This includes
Sharper who was promised his freedom by the age of 30 if
he <behave himself honestly and faithfully in their said Master and
Mistress Service and shall readily and cheerfully obey all
reasonable commands.=
Learn more about the owners of the land that is now Wilcox Park
and the enslaved individuals who worked there in Pete’s
presentation about his research. Thank you, Pete, for helping us to
better understand the contributions of all who came before us in
Westerly!
Do you have a story to share about Black History? Telling these

long-hidden stories is a great way to honor our country’s history
while educating us all. Contact us if you have something to share
(westerlyarc@gmail.com).
poster artwork by Cookie Rivera
Our Condolences
Two members of the Westerly ARC community have lost loved ones
this week. Please join us in sending our condolences to these dear
friends and their families.
Anne Pearce's mother passed away on Thursday. We all enjoyed

hearing stories of Anne's mom these past few years and witnessing
Anne's love and devotion to her. We hope that her family finds
peace in knowing that their mother was cared for so lovingly and in
cherishing the wonderful memories of such a remarkable woman.
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Jessie Bewlay
lost her daughter this week. Jessie is a regular attendee at our
Sunday gatherings and a strong advocate for social
justice. Stephanie Bewlay Sullivan passed away on February 6 after
a struggle with cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jessie
and her family during this time of great loss.
Conversations about African American Art
Conversations with African American Art

On exhibit 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.
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.
Looking Ahead
Feb. 18 Column Discussion
Join us as Geoff Serra answers your questions about the next

column in our monthly series. This month’s column, to be published
on February 15, will discuss equality and equity.
Feb. 25 Poetry Share
Begin preparing for our monthly poetry share which will be on

Sunday Feb. 25. Look for poems or short writings from Black authors
that would be inspiring and challenging. If you would like to write
something yourself we urge you to keep Black History Month in
mind as a theme.
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.
Feb 12 Town Council Meeting, 5:30 pm
Feb 26 Town Council Meeting, 5:30 pm
Click below for meeting and agendas and minutes:
Town Meetings
More Ways You Can Help

Share Donate Show Up

Spread the news! ARC advocate Stop by one of
Forward this Amanda Dunn our weekly
newsletter to at continues to collect gatherings.
least one person toiletries, personal Join one of the
you think might be care items, and events listed in
interested in it. Ask non-perishable this newsletter.
them to sign up for food to distribute to Attend a town
our newsletter on our community. meeting.
the Westerly ARC Please bring your Ask about
website. donations to volunteering
Amanda at our on an ARC
Don't forget to like,
Sunday rallies. Your committee.
subscribe,
kindness and Help out with
comment, and
generosity are this
share on our social
greatly newsletter!
media posts!
appreciated. 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!
The Race Card

The University of Minnesota’s Diversity Style Guide defines "playing
the race card" as injecting race into a discussion "to deflect,
diminish, or discredit race's effects." The term is used negatively.
NPR's Michelle Morris is a nationally known and award-winning

journalist. Her first book, The Grace of Silence: A Memoir, attempts
to discover the answers to family secrets about her racial ancestry.
The book focuses upon the power of words. It raises questions

about the entire issue of America's incredibly complex racial story.
In a kind of semantic inversion of the term "race card," in 2010, Norris

had 200 "race cards" printed. They were postcards, inviting people
to put into six words their feelings about race.
She left the cards here and there throughout Washington, DC,
where she lives and wherever she went. She says, "I left the cards
everywhere I traveled: in bookstores, in restaurants, at the
information kiosks in airports, on the writing desks at all my hotels.
Sometimes I snuck them inside airline in-flight magazines or left
them at the sugar station at Starbucks. I hoped a few of those
postcards would come back, thinking it would be worth the trouble
if even a dozen people responded."
In time, over one-half million postcards from all fifty states and 100
countries arrived in her mailbox, each distilling a person's feelings
about race into six words. Those six words, some simple, some
profound, expressed an entire orchestra of thoughts about race
and identity.
Read the entire story here.
Eventually, Norris created a website, The Race Card Project, inviting

visitors to enter the conversation online. She has written a soon-to-
be-published book, The Race Card Project: What Americans Really
Think About Race and Identity.
In 2013, The National Association of Broadcasters awarded the

website the prestigious Peabody Award, the Pulitzer Prize of
electronic communications, for turning a pejorative phrase into a
vehicle for dialogue about a central troubling topic in America.
Visit The Race Card Project and make your own race card with us
on Sunday, February 11 on the post office steps.
Notable Rhode Islanders – A Black History

Month Series
This Black History Month series focuses upon notable Rhode

Islanders who have contributed to our state's richness, diversity,
talent, and accomplishment. Learn more about the history of Black
History Month here.
2024's national theme for Black History celebrates the entire history
of African Americans and the arts. The Association for the Study of
African American Life and History chose this theme to place the
national spotlight on "the richness of the past and present with an
eye toward what the rest of the twenty-first century will bring."
Thank you to Geoff Serra for compiling this series.
Meet Rhode Islander Jehu Grant

African Americans have participated in every war or military
conflict in American history, including fighting on both sides of the
Revolutionary War and Civil Wars. The story of Black Patriotism is
long, complicated, and heartbreaking. Two words represent its
elements 3 patriotism, and protest 3 because American wars
highlight tensions between racial and national identity for Black
Americans. As James Baldwin said in Notes of a Native Son (1955),
"I love America more than any other country in this world, and,
exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her
perpetually."
Rhode Islander Jehu Grant stands as an historical example of this

complex patriotism.
Grant was born into enslavement in Narragansett in 1752. His owner,

Elihu Champlen, was a British loyalist as a revolution in the colonies
brewed. At the time, hundreds of African Americans, both free and
enslaved, had joined revolutionary regiments. Jehu feared his
master planned to sell him, especially to British forces docked off
the shore. Jehu feared harsh treatment from the British.
[Not until 1778 did Rhode Island accept free and enslaved Blacks
and indigenous peoples into military service. Learn more about RI’s
integrated 1st Regiment, sometimes called RI’s first <Black
Regiment=.]
In 1777, Jehu ran off to Danbury, CT, to join a regiment in the colonial
revolutionary cause. Many enslaved African Americans were
motivated by the promise of manumission, that service would lead
to freedom from enslavement.
Jehu enlisted in Capt. Giles Galer's regiment for 18 months. He first

worked as a waggoner or teamster, loading, unloading, and
delivering army provisions. Within four months, he was serving as
waiter to General John Skidmore, the wagon master.
Jean-Baptiste-Antoine DeVerger, <American soldiers at the siege of Yorktown,= 1781, via Wikimedia.
In 1778, Elihu Champlen located Jehu in upstate New York, serving in

colonial military service. He demanded the runaway’s return. With
only eight months left in Jehu's period of enlistment, the Colonial
Army returned him to Champlen, who, validating Jehu's original
suspicion, abruptly sold him to a man named Grant. In time,
Joshua Swann of North Stonington, CT, helped Jehu purchase his
freedom from Grant in exchange for service to Swann for a period
of time. Swann moved his family to Milton, Saratoga County, New
York, where Jehu lived as a freedman.
In 1820, the U.S. Census listed Jehu Grant as a married head of

household with six children.
By 1832, when the oldest revolutionary soldiers were in their 90s and
the youngest were in their 60s, the U.S. Congress enacted the first
comprehensive Pension Act to grant annual stipends to war

veterans. Records had been haphazardly kept, if at all, and the act
required those seeking benefits to provide proof of service, which
often lay in personal testimony, the accounts of others, or in
memory itself. The application process required an interview with
court officials, who sent the hand-recorded stories to Washington
for a decision.
That same year, assisted by a neighbor, Jehu applied.
In 1834, he received a letter from the Commissioner of Pensions.

Jehu's request was denied because he was a fugitive slave at the
time of service. The denial did not challenge Jehu's claim of service.
Jehu Grant appealed that decision. The appeals document was

transcribed and submitted under J's "mark," as he was illiterate.
Read the entire content of Jehu Grant's appeal.
He speaks of the motivation of the talk of freedom he heard spoken

about during revolutionary times; Jehu notes the handicap of not
being educated and of the fact that others who had the same
length of time as he had received a pension. His tone is respectful,
yet bitter. He testifies that he is 80 years old, blind, and destitute,
dependent upon the support of friends and family. The betrayal
voiced in the appeal is palpable.
The appeal was denied two years later because he served as a

waggoner and waiter, not a soldier.
Jehu Grant died in December 1840, never having his service to the
cause of freedom dignified by the official recognition of a pension.
The Saratoga Whig published a one-sentence death notice
identifying Jehu Grant as a <soldier of the revolution.=
Community Events
POWER OF THE
SPOKEN WORD ~
KOLTON HARRIS &
YEXANDRA DIAZ
February 21
6 pm
LaGrua Center, 32 Water St,

Stonington, CT
The LaGrua Center in

Stonington Boro is pleased to
present a program on the
history and cultural
significance of the spoken
word which will feature a brief
talk with multidisciplinary artist
and educator Yexandra Diaz,
followed by a selection of
youth and adult spoken word
presentations curated by
creative visionary Kolton
Harris. More information here
Climate Resiliency Town Hall
Virtual Town Hall on Climate Resiliency

Time/Date: Mon Feb 12th, 6-7pm
A lot of people are asking questions like: "How bad were these
storms?" "These dunes were washed out. What's the beach going to
look like this summer, or after the next big storm?" We'll try to
answer your questions with a science-based presentation focusing
on Rhode Island's southern shoreline by Pam Rubinoff, JP Walsh
(URI Coastal Resources Center), and Bryan Oakley (Eastern CT
University). We'll leave time for questions, and Sue Anderbois and
Topher Hamblett will talk about how you can be involved in
shaping climate resiliency efforts in your town or in the state.
RSVP & Get Zoom Link for Virtual Town Hall
Happy Lunar New Year

Feb 10
We wish all who celebrate a joyous and happy New Year. May the
Year of the Dragon bring much happiness and success!
Your Guide to Lunar New Year
One More Thing
A Conversation with Robin Holder

On Saturday, February 2, Westerly ARC welcomed artist and
educator Robin Holder to the Westerly Library for the first in our
series of artist talks. Those who attended were treated to a rich and
thoughtful conversation about <Raising Your Racial IQ with Art.=
Robin told stories from her life and how her experiences as a Black
Jewish woman have influenced her artwork. Her infectious laugh
and sense of humor, along with her insights into how a person of
color experiences the world, left everyone with a deeper

understanding of racism.
Thank you to Robin Holder for helping us raise our racial IQ and for
taking the time to share your life with us.
You can watch the entire discussion on Instagram.
Join us today (February 10) from 1:30-3:30 at the Westerly Library

for the second event in this series where art collectors Bill and
Paula Alice Mitchell discuss <Why African American Art?=
Calendar
Calendar of Events
Conversations with African

American Art , Artists’
Jan 5 - Feb 28
Cooperative Gallery of
Westerly
Bill and Paula Alice Mitchell:

"Why African American Art?"
Feb 10
Westerly Library, 1:30-3:30
pm
Participate in the Race Card

Project at our weekly
gathering, downtown
Feb 11
Westerly Post Office steps,
11:00-1:00 (program starts at
noon)
Town Council Meeting,

Feb 12
Westerly Town Hall, 5:30 pm
Climate Resiliency Town

Feb 12
Hall, 6:00-7:00 pm, online
Storytime: Celebrating Black

History Month with Westerly
Feb 17
ARC, Westerly Library
Terrace Room, 11:00-11:30 am
Feb 17 Curlee Raven Holton: "Below

the Surface: An African
American Story in
Printmaking," Westerly
Library, 1:30-3:30 pm
Town Council Meeting,

Feb 26
Westerly 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
You received this email because you signed up on our website or at one of
our events.
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2/10/24, 10:12 AM Race Card Project, Jehu Grant, Storytime

View the Entire Newsletter Here

Weekly Newsletter | 11 February 2024

<I’ve recently tried to make sense of the world by dividing it

"African American Art: Powerful

<With kids, I’m Dad - alone, thug.=

<Was considered white until after 9/11.=

<Underneath, we all taste like chicken.=

These are a few of the more than half-million six-word statements

you are learning about the many stories of contributions of Black

In 1774, 36 Westerly households enslaved about 90 Indian and

Pete shared further research about the enslaved individuals who

Do you have a story to share about Black History? Telling these

Anne Pearce's mother passed away on Thursday. We all enjoyed

Conversations about African American Art

Conversations with African American Art

Westerly Artists’ Cooperative, Community Gallery, 44 Railroad

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

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

interpreted by ARC members April Dinwoodie, Leslie Dunn, and

Free and open to the public.

Feb. 18 Column Discussion

Join us as Geoff Serra answers your questions about the next

Feb. 25 Poetry Share

Begin preparing for our monthly poetry share which will be on

We meet every Sunday from 11:00-1:00 on the steps of the

Westerly Post Office on High Street. Join us anytime!

Westerly ARC encourages those who can to attend Westerly Town

Feb 12 Town Council Meeting, 5:30 pm

Feb 26 Town Council Meeting, 5:30 pm

Click below for meeting and agendas and minutes:

More Ways You Can Help

Share Donate Show Up

What We're Learning

or social justice? Contact us to share what you have learned and

The Race Card

NPR's Michelle Morris is a nationally known and award-winning

The book focuses upon the power of words. It raises questions

In a kind of semantic inversion of the term "race card," in 2010, Norris

Read the entire story here.

Eventually, Norris created a website, The Race Card Project, inviting

In 2013, The National Association of Broadcasters awarded the

Notable Rhode Islanders – A Black History

This Black History Month series focuses upon notable Rhode

Thank you to Geoff Serra for compiling this series.

Meet Rhode Islander Jehu Grant

Rhode Islander Jehu Grant stands as an historical example of this

Grant was born into enslavement in Narragansett in 1752. His owner,

Jehu enlisted in Capt. Giles Galer's regiment for 18 months. He first

In 1778, Elihu Champlen located Jehu in upstate New York, serving in

In 1820, the U.S. Census listed Jehu Grant as a married head of

comprehensive Pension Act to grant annual stipends to war

That same year, assisted by a neighbor, Jehu applied.

In 1834, he received a letter from the Commissioner of Pensions.

Jehu Grant appealed that decision. The appeals document was

He speaks of the motivation of the talk of freedom he heard spoken

The appeal was denied two years later because he served as a

LaGrua Center, 32 Water St,

The LaGrua Center in

Climate Resiliency Town Hall

Virtual Town Hall on Climate Resiliency

RSVP & Get Zoom Link for Virtual Town Hall

Happy Lunar New Year