Nelson Mandela outside Westminster Abbey, London, 1962 Sipa Press/Rex Features / AFSC
On August 5, 1962, South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was arrested on charges of leaving the country without a passport and inciting workers to strike. - AP, The Chicago Tribune
"Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice"
- Nelson Mandela, "Make Poverty History" Campaign, London
They done let the kids back in the doors.
AFSC STL would like to take this moment to lift up and celebrate the return of our scholars to their studies. All have dreams. School is purportedly the space charged with helping equip them to help actualize their aspirations. Some will attend classes in a format that is virtual and many will be in person. As they navigate re-entry from a world still addressing a pandemic, lets not lose sight of the additional diseases that continue to plague our children's lives.
Many are encountering a lack of wraparound support impacting their families. Many are without enough caring mentors to help guide them, and therapists to assist them with unpacking quotidian struggles. Many are being shoved down a pipeline that shuttles them away from graduation and toward a social grave.
In the midst of conflict that naturally emerges tied to having to navigate challenging conditions, are we responding to our future leaders out of self-righteousness, judgement, or love? Sonia Sanchez, artist and author savant, once stated, "You can't select the good ones from the bad one, they are our children... Not a basket of apples." Let's prioritize empathy as we strive to do the work of justice and keep their hopes alive.
In solidarity,
Jonathan Pulphus
Program Associate
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BRO SALEEM SPEAKS ON #REALSTUDENTSAFETY
Where the Money (Should) Reside
My partner and I had to supply several months of bank statements for a recent home loan application. As I turned over the statements, I couldn't help but wonder if the person who'd eventually review them would judge our spending habits. That insecurity stems from the truth that where we spend our money can often reflect our values or priorities in life. (Keep reading, this isn't a fundraising message, I promise.)
For example, if every week someone purchased from a sporting goods store and nutritional supplement company, you might assume that exercise and health were priorities in their lives. Jesus puts it this way in Luke 12:34 saying, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
If bank statements and budgets are our treasure, then what do they reveal about the hearts, values, and priorities of our municipalities and school districts?
In the City of St. Louis, policing expenses for FY21 from the General Fund were greater than the combined expenses of the Fire Department; Parks, Recreation and Forestry; Streets; Health and Hospitals; and Human Services. In 2019 St. Louis Public Schools spent $6.3 million on security services and only $3.1 million on social workers.
What does this reveal about our priorities? Whether manifesting as the arrest-and-incarcerate approach at the municipal level or as the suspend-and-expel approach at the school district level, the punitive paradigm is clearly the priority. It is a priority even though we can’t punish our way out of crime or out of student misconduct.
So where should our treasure be?
Through our work in schools, AFSC's Youth Council, and organizing with the #RealStudentSafety Campaign, we are clearly making the case that schools (public, private, and charter) need to divest from the harmful punitive model and invest in a restorative one.
This looks like staffing social workers, counselors, and mentors at recommended ratios. It looks like treating restorative practices as the main dish when it comes to responding to harm in schools and not an optional side dish. It looks like nutritional food, anti-racist curriculum, institutionalization of Black Studies, and robust arts programming at every school.
School budgets should reflect these priorities that center the well-being of our young people. Join us as we support young people engaging school boards, their peers, and community to organize for these changes.
Joshua Saleem
AFSC Program Director
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AFSC YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES!
This summer our scholars were rocking! Together we completed an anti-racist workshop facilitated by Nia EuBanks-Dixon's Creative Praxis, unpacked societal issues, and began work on op-eds offering recommendations for transforming community.
At the same time, we ate plenty of ice cream, healthy sammiches, and competed in some agressive Uno rounds. Be on the look out for their writings when they drop!
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HELP GUIDE OUR YOUTH ADVOCACY WORK!
JOIN OUR PROGRAM COMMITTEE!
We are looking for caring adults to dedicate time. Ideal participants would have a lens for helping guide youth and an openness to sharing their own lessons around anti-oppression work. More information is forthcoming. Please reach out to Jonathan Pulphus, Program Associate, at the contact below for details:
Email: jpulphus@afsc.org
Phone: 314-556-4633
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REVISIT THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BEYOND POLICING WEBINARS
Join our webinar series to explore how communities across the U.S. are working toward a future where we rely less on police—and ensure community safety for all. Follow this webinar series and catch up on previous ones using this link: https://www.afsc.org/CSBP.
More info - Sarah Nash at: snash@afsc.org
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LITERATURE
From the St. Louis American:
• City hires new corrections commissioner by Dana Rieck
• This anthem does not speak for me by Dr. Julianne Malveaux
• A tragedy in the trillions by Jamala Rogers
• U.S. Rep. Cori Bush is a good troublemaker by Ben Jealous