Dear Family,
We hope all is well and that you are staying safe!
Here's an update on American Friends Service Committee and Youth Undoing Institutional Racism (YUIR) St. Louis with opportunities to connect. We welcome you to peruse through our efforts and join in on upcoming ones. As always, we hope that our journey helps young people gain a sense of their own power to create change for themselves, family, neighborhood, community, city, state, country, and world.
(AFSC and FAEC Youth Activists at Centering Children In Politics hosted by Deaconess Foundation - Photographer: Myrina)
AFSC St. Louis / YUIR
Note from our Staff
"We who believe in freedom can not rest."
When the great civil rights activist Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon wrote "Ella's Song," it was in the memory of the legendary Ella Baker. Sweet Honey in the Rock put an unforgettable voice to its message. This dedication was one of the ways Dr. Reagon meshed creativity and justice following her work with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
However, this song was about more than just a powerful individual. It is about resistance, love, and hope even during times of uncertainty. Such is the call AFSC/YUIR St. Louis and its brilliant youth have sought to answer. Despite the silencing of youth voices, harm caused by this coronavirus, and new challenges that come with the work, we reject complacency. Rather, we partner to address this pandemic, launch spaces for youth voice, and continue to do everything we can to show that we still believe in a more just and safer world. Please see below about some of our efforts toward freedom.
AFSC Youth Advice on COVID-19
Often youth are spoken for instead of given a platform to speak for themselves. This is no different with the outbreak of the coronavirus. To address this problem, we spoke with young people we work with and asked them for their wisdom on safety during these times. They gave us the following answers:
#RonaResistance314
In an effort to give young people a platform to creatively address the issue of the pandemic, we launched our #RonaResistance314 contest. The prompt we asked for them to tackle was twofold: (1) How can the community (schools, churches, youth clubs/orgs, etc.) support you during this time? (2) What do you dream to do once the pandemic is over? The deadline for the first round was April 24th and the winners will recieve one of five $100 visa gift cards. We plan to launch a second round soon so stay on the look out! Check out the selected artists on Facebook and by following the hashtag #RonaResistance314 on instagram.
Youth Agenda
For a while, we've been working on drafting a youth agenda for St. Louis. The young people we work with have needs that are often unmet because many adults refuse to ask about or hear them. Looking at the problems they face and asking the question of how to make this city a more just and safe space, we in concert with youth are working on completing this youth agenda that will be presented to decision makers.
We have partnered with community organizations such as Freedom Arts and Education Center to make this a reality and are open to additional youth-based organizational input. See below for major themes and what we have thus far. Let us know if you'd like to join us in this fight!
Major Areas:
- Curriculum
- Food
- Technology
- Policing
- Transportation
- Job / Life Skills
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2019 AFSC St. Louis Recap
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https://www.afsc.org/story/afsc-st-louis-recaps-2019
(Sumner Peer Mediator Student Leaders - Photographer: n/a)
General
Literature
St. Louis American
- Malik Ahmed: "We must organize the black masses to fight for fair treatment"
- Jocelyn Gardner: "The pandemic is a good time to close the Workhouse"
- Jamala Rogers: "Racist policies and the pandemic"
- William F. Tate IV and Kally Xu: "Our children and COVID-19 The CDC’s preliminary findings for the U.S."
Mutual Aid Networks
Responding to the varying needs of our communities, webs have surfaced with concerned citizens seeking to support those in need. Whether it be transportation/rides, emotional support, groceries, or food, these networks have emerged to offer care within its capacity. If you or someone you know may find this helpful, please visit the following websites and get involved:
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Arch City and Action St. Louis Response to COVID-19
Answering the need for policy recommendations and additional advocacy efforts to address the coronavirus pandemic, community organizations Arch City and Action St. Louis have created a web platform for support. Please check this information out!
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St. Louis American Article On The Effort
Prepare STL's efforts around COVID-19
Calling for a cease of the spread of the virus and increased awareness around safety precautions, PrepareSTL launched a canvassing campaign. To get more involved with their work see below:
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Give STL Day Today!
(Northwest Peer Mediator Student Leaders - Photographer: Joshua Saleem)