This piece was written collaboratively by Willie Colon, Tony Heriza, Tonya Histand, and me with many other contributors. Nathaniel Doubleday curated the images shared here. This piece was shared on the opening day of the Centennial summit on April 20th, 2017. Take a look at the Centennial video “Love in Action” as well. – Lucy
“I think this is a time when we can be extremely optimistic precisely because of the political chaos of our time; that we can organize and create the communities we want right now. We just do it without asking permission. We just go ahead and do it.” --Erica Chenoweth
Talking about Gaza can be difficult. Here are some tips to start a conversation that can help open and change minds.
This morning, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo rescinding previous Department of Justice efforts to reform federal drug sentencing guidelines and instead directing prosecutors to seek the most severe penalties available. Here’s what we’re reading to learn more.
Jeff Sessions rolls back Obama-era drug sentencing reforms, by Ryan J. Reilly via Huffington Post
AFSC's Sahar Vardi explains how Israel's arms sales go to oppressive groups around the world.
Trump's Muslim ban - which the Supreme Court upheld - is inhumane. Here are some tips for talking about it without contributing to Islamophobia.
On Thursday the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. If passed into law, the bill would have devastating consequences on millions of people’s access to health care while cutting taxes for the wealthy. Here’s what we’re reading to learn more.
The ACA Repeal: Our Lives Are At Stake, So What Now?, by Kelly Hayes, via Truthout
James Mulholland is a fifty-six year old privileged white man with a nine year old black daughter named Ella. He says that being Ella’s father has forced him to confront the privilege and racism within himself, his family and society. He spent twenty five years as a pastor in urban Methodist and Quaker congregations before realizing he had become a happy atheist. After leaving the ministry, he spent about ten years as a community organizer in Indianapolis, Indiana.
I know you’ve been frustrated lately. You’ve encountered white people who can’t seem to understand the difference between racial prejudice and racism. Don’t be confused. These people are not stupid, they are ignorant.
On May 1, AFSC joined with communities and organizations across the country for rallies, marches, and other actions to oppose mass detention and deportation of immigrants and to highlight the need to create "Sanctuary Everywhere" for all people.