Lashun Pace, who hit the 2nd spot on the Billboard 100 for "I Know I've Been Changed." Photo Retrieved from: Black Enterprise) AFSC
“Well, if you don't believe that I've been redeemed you know.” - Lashun Pace
Happy Women's History Month!
This month is a ongoing opportunity to pay homage to our legendary sisters and sheroes that have trailblazed a path toward righteousness, justice, and equity for us all. Their skills, gifts, and talents redeem the soul of America even in times of contradiction, mediocrity, and violence. In St. Louis, this looks like poet Maya Angelou, philanthropist Annie Malone, litigant Harriet Scott, abolitionist Mary Meachum, and entertainer Josephine Baker. There's countless of unsung and unseen sheroes that have also played a central role in pushing the envelope forward. Let's continue to lift their memory, name, and legacy.
With Love,
Jonathan Pulphus
Program Associate
YOUTH ADVOCATES FOR HEALING AND LIBERATION VISIT GOTHAM CITY!
On Sunday, March 13, YAHL spent the afternoon eating popcorn and watching The Batman together. Everyone seemed to enjoy the film, even Sarah Nash, our Real Student Safety Fellow, who prior to this outing had only seen two superhero movies in her entire life! If you haven’t seen it yet, YAHL recommends that you do! In addition to non-stop action and great acting, there is a lot of social commentary that connects to the liberation work we’re doing in St. Louis. Our take away? The binary of good/evil and right/wrong is often more complicated than we are socialized to believe!
FRIENDS CONNECTING WITH FRIENDS
On Sunday, March 20th, AFSC Staff including Joshua Saleem, Program Director, and Jonathan Pulphus, Program Associate, attended the St. Louis Quaker Meeting service and presented updates on the happenings of AFSC. Based on what we shared with them, we asked questions such as "What do you want to learn more about" and "What ideas do you have for a stronger connection between AFSC and the STL Friends Meeting." We ate great food, had awesome dialogue, and left with encouraging next steps.
AFSC YOUTH GATHERING MARCH 2022
Sunday, February 20th we hosted our IN-PERSON youth gathering with members of YAHL. We addressed topics such as their (1) Advocacy Project: Researching of Social Justice (2) Campaign Basics 101: The Desegregation of Busing, and (3) Relationship Building Activity Calendar for 2022. As a staple, together we shared a competitive game of UNO and Pizza. We look forward to our meeting in April!
FROM OUR PARTNERS
MISSOURIANS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEATH PENALTY (MADP)
"THE SCHEDULED EXECUTION OF #CARMANDECK"
After three unconstitutional trials and the reinstatement of his death sentence on a procedural technicality during his third trial, Missouri courts set Carman Deck's execution date. Carman Deck is a person who faced immeasurable violence, abuse, and neglect as a child and is someone who is more than deserving of clemency. Please add your voice and ask Missouri Governor Mike Parson to grant Carman life without the possibility of parole. Thank you for your support as we work to aid Carman Deck and all those facing execution in Missouri.
Learn more about MADP at MADPMO.ORG.
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MISSOURI JOBS WITH JUSTICE
INITIATIVE PETITION DEFENSE
In response to the success of issues like minimum wage and Medicaid Expansion, there has been a national push in conservative states that have direct democracy to restrict access by making issues harder to place on the ballot and harder to pass. Missouri has been center stage, with more than 20 bills filed each of the last four years.
Why take Action: This is part of a national movement in conservative states to restrict the power of direct democracy. This has been the key tool to proactive wins, minimum wage, Medicaid expansion, and repealing Right to Work in Missouri.
• The bad stuff:
o Each of these would require signatures in all congressional districts.
o Each of these would increase the number of signatures per district.
o Each of these would increase the threshold to pass an initiative on the ballot.
How to Take Action:
• Email your senator here.
• Phone Bank with Us: Missouri Jobs with Justice leaders are phone banking on Wednesday, April 13th, 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Click the link to sign up.
• Lobby Day: Join our coalition lobby day on May 3rd - sign up here to join us.
Learn more about Missouri Jobs with Justice at MOJWJ.ORG.
LITERATURE
St. Louis American
• Black women making historic progress by Marc Morial
• Black people should break with Second Amendment by Scott Charles
• More of the same on cops and cages by Blake Strode
• Understanding the Russian invasion of Ukraine by Jamala Rogers
• Adjusting Lady Justice's blindfuld by Congressman James Clyburn
• St. Louis’ homicide numbers don’t lie by Dwayne Proctor
• Freedom is a blessing, but it is not “free” by Mayor Tishaura Jones