St Louis News February 2022

By Jonathan Pulphus

Mar 1, 2022

Carter G. Woodson, Founder of Negro History Week that's later expanded to Black History Month (Photo Retrieved from: CNN) AFSC

“The mere imparting of information is not education.”

- Carter G. Woodson

Happy Black History Month!

To recap our journey navigating through February, we'd like emphasize that theory demands practice in this work. It is understood that this month was a call to reflect on our Black sheroes and heroes; however, we must move beyond imaginations of what was and take steps towards what could be. The crisis in Ukraine brought the world's attention to suffering, tyranny, and militarism. However, few networks noted the reports of African students being denied the ability to flee the brunt of the invasion. International issues within the diaspora are not new and demand that we refine our practices to eliminate them. Just as important as it is to dream about a better tomorrow, we must act towards it today. Just as critical as it is to have ideas around dismantling injustices, we must have efforts toward a more socially just world. Just as demanding as it is to be curious toward change, we must take steps forward actualizing transformation.

With Love,

Jonathan Pulphus
Program Associate

AFSC ST. LOUIS

YOUTH ADVOCATING FOR HEALING AND LIBERATION (YAHL)

URGENCY OF NOW ARTWORK

Youth Advocating for Healing and Liberation (YAHL, formally named the Youth Council) presented artwork that they developed based on the late-great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's call for the "urgency of now." They completed the assignments late January and shared them during our February gathering. The prompt they were asked was: "How will your work with the Youth Council reflect what is right for the community?" Check out their responses:

"CULTIVATING THE MIND" -

CAILAN WOOTEN, RITENOUR HS

"MLK'S RADIATING SPEECH"

- YOSIYAH GRIFFIN, LOYOLA ACADEMY

"SEPTEMBER 28, 1963"

- GRACE GRIFFIN, MARIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL

"MLK ESSAY"

- CARL (CJ) SUMMERS, CARDINAL RITTER HIGH SCHOOL

"UNTITLED"

- NAIM CAMPBELL, CARDINAL RITTER HIGH SCHOOL

"My work with the youth council will help the community because my opinions or decisions will impact it in a good way. Such as things like how to help kids in poverty and things of that nature."

AFSC YOUTH GATHERING FEBRUARY 2022

Sunday, February 20th we hosted our first IN-PERSON youth gathering with members of YAHL. We addressed topics such as their (1) MLK Assignment | Urgency of Now, (2) Advocacy Project: Researching of Social Justice Topic, (3) Relationship Building Activity Calendar for 2022. Together we shared a competitive game of UNO, pizza, and Ice Cream. We look forward to our meeting in March!

FROM OUR PARTNERS

METROPOLITAN CONGREGATIONS UNITED

"TRUTH IN EDUCATION" RALLY

PER MCU: Students must learn the whole truth of history in order to understand and intelligently evaluate events in contemporary society, understand our nation’s problems, and propose ways that our country can build a more equitable reality that truly reflects the American ideals of liberty, freedom, and equality.

AFSC Staff supported MCU's "Truth in Education" Rally which was a call by parents, students, teachers, organizations, and faith leaders to address board bills aimed at denying the teaching and learning of race/racism in the classroom.

Learn more about MCU at MCUSTLOUIS.ORG

AFSC RESPONSE TO UKRAINE

"The invasion of Ukraine must be stopped – but U.S. military aid is not the answer"

"The ongoing Russian military actions and the political posturing and military threats of Russian, U.S., and NATO political leaders serve only to divide us and, if continued, will accelerate the unnecessary loss of life. We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine – and the many people in Russia, the U.S., and around the world – in calling for an immediate end to military action and a peaceful solution to the conflict."

For the full article, visit AFSC.ORG

RECOMMENDED BOOK

"WE DO THIS 'TILL WE FREE US" - MARIAME KABA

"What if social transformation and liberation isn’t about waiting for someone else to come along and save us? What if ordinary people have the power to collectively free ourselves? In this timely collection of essays and interviews, Mariame Kaba reflects on the deep work of abolition and transformative political struggle."

- Haymarket Books

Check out this hot fire publication by Mariame Kaba, legendary abolitionist and author. Sarah Nash, our #RealStudentSafety Fellow (formely Potts Intern), is currently reading this and highly suggests it.