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Weekly Newsletter                 02 July, 2023

Artwork by Cookie Rivera

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"I wish I could say that racism and prejudice were only distant
memories. We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent
from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the
mistrust…We must dissent because America can do better, because
America has no choice but to do better."

— Thurgood Marshall

Embracing Multiculturalism:

"The Urgency and Beauty of Seeing Color"

By April Dinwoodie
June 14, 2023

Read Our Column

ENGAGE

This Week
Looking forward to Independence Day, we reflect on the meaning of
“Liberty and Justice for All” and renew our commitment to bring that
honored ideal to the practice of our daily lives at all levels and in all
sectors. Despite many differences, we share this mighty goal that
motivates and strengthens us to work to make Westerly a community
of equity and excellence.

Join us on the Post Office steps, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sunday, July 2, where
you will meet folks of all kinds bound together by their vision of
“Liberty and Justice for All” and their thirst to make it real. Bring a sign,
bring a friend; spend ten minutes, spend an hour. All are welcome.
Last Week
It was a bit damp, overcast, even
foggy morning when little by
little, an intimate crowd gathered
Sunday on the Post Office steps.
Lifted by our Juneteenth
celebration just the week before,
the group was not short on
smiles, laughter, and warm greetings and hugs.

Processing Juneteenth was the day’s major accomplishment --

many questions, many observations, some suggestions, and lots of
feelings of pride and accomplishment. Talk centered on how our
individual life experience shapes our reactions and how race, often,
“colors” our response, the meaning we make, and the interpretations
we ascribe to events. Bridging these gaps is exhilarating, but often, we
may struggle to step into the divide, which we can feel is complex,
intimidating, and fear-provoking.

ARC’s dedication and solidarity make bridge-building conversations

easier because, on Sunday mornings, we practice and hone our
peacemaking and community-building skills safely and respectfully.
And we build confidence in our ability to ripple those skills through
other aspects of our lives. Sunday mornings are also necessary self-
care for us as we do this meaningful work.

Anne Pearce brought our Juneteenth communal art project to the

steps. She had spent the week transforming it into an exceptional
display of pride, hope, gratitude, and wisdom set on the backdrop of
an historical Juneteenth flag. It is a chorus of diverse voices (still
ringing from the Westerly Community Chorus performance the night
before in Wilcox Park?) unified in a display of ARC’s continuing
accomplishment. The project will be present for the next two Sundays.
If you haven’t signed it, please do, and put your X on the spot of equity
and excellence. The project will then be shellacked for preservation
and public display.

Only the addition of Chris and Larry Davidson’s refreshments from the
week before could have improved our sublime Sunday gathering –
who would turn down red velvet, cream cheese frosted cupcakes,
fresh fruit, and red punch? Always dependable, Chris and Larry can
transform a gathering into a grand celebration. A shout out to Chris,
Larry, and those who helped them make last week a sweet delight.
Good food and drink – the gifts of love- always seem to make us
more willing to embrace one another, see our commonality, and take
transformative personal risks.

View Our Juneteenth Photo Gallery

Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action

What You Can Do

​On Thursday, June 29, by a vote of 6-3, the Supreme Court severely
limited, if not effectively ended, the use of affirmative action in college
admissions. The justices ruled that admissions programs used by the
University of North Carolina and Harvard College violate the
Constitution’s equal protection clause, which bars racial
discrimination by government entities.

In the decision Chief Justice Roberts stated:

“Nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting

universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race
affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or
otherwise. ... A benefit to a student who overcame racial
discrimination, for example, must be tied to that student’s courage
and determination. Or a benefit to a student whose heritage or
culture motivated him or her to assume a leadership role or attain a
particular goal must be tied to that student’s unique ability to
contribute to the university. In other words, the student must be
treated based on his or her experiences as an individual — not on the
basis of race.”

The trouble with all of this, particularly this last section about
“individual experiences” is that enslaved Africans brought to this
country against their will, endured horrific, inhumane individual
experiences that severely impacted their lives then, and the impact
and trauma of those individual experiences have been passed down
for 17 generations.
Recognizing lack of access and opportunity was a direct result of
hundreds of years of enslavement. Affirmative Action was devised to
increase educational opportunities for people who are
underrepresented in various areas of our society. While the efforts of
Affirmative Action in education were by no means perfect and alone,
could not undo the harm and lack of equal educational access for
Black students, it was a measure to take the edge off and a way for
colleges and universities to welcome more diversity into their
communities.

As we process this news, we remain steadfast and, perhaps, even

more committed to continue building our community and educating
ourselves on the impact of racism and discrimination of all kinds. If
you are as concerned as we about this most recent Supreme Court
decision and want to stay hopeful about racial equality, there are
several things you can do:

1. Stay informed: Educate yourself about the decision, its implications,

and the arguments presented. Read analysis and opinions from legal
experts, civil rights organizations, and scholars to gain a
comprehensive understanding of the issue. The SCOTUS blog is a
good place to start as is the NAACP.

2. Engage in constructive dialogue: Discuss the decision and related

issues with friends, family, colleagues, and community members.
Encourage open and respectful conversations that promote
understanding, empathy, and the exchange of diverse perspectives.
By engaging in dialogue, you can help raise awareness and
challenge misconceptions. We are downtown every Sunday from 11 to
1 and will engage with you.

3. Stay plugged into local initiatives: Participate in Town Council and

School Committee meetings especially when issues of equity are on
the agendas. Also, get involved with grassroots movements,
community organizations, or social justice projects that address
racial disparities and promote equal opportunities. By joining forces
with like-minded individuals, you can collectively work toward positive
change at the local level.

4. Support diverse voices and representation: Amplify the voices of

marginalized communities by sharing their stories, experiences, and
perspectives.

5. Engage in self-reflection and education: Examine your own biases

and privilege. Take time to learn about the historical and modern
issues surrounding race and systemic discrimination. Engaging in
personal growth and continuous learning enable you to be a more
effective advocate for racial equality.

In our most recent column in the Westerly Sun, April Dinwoodie shares
her thoughts on The Urgency and Beauty of Seeing Color and the
messages are right on time.

“Color blindness suggests that we treat everyone the same

regardless of race. The reality is that people of different racial
backgrounds often face other challenges and experiences. Black
Americans are more likely than White Americans to experience police
brutality, healthcare gaps, barriers in housing, employment, and
financial services, limited educational opportunities, and more. Black
American children are disproportionately represented in the child
welfare and foster care system, as I was. All result from systemic
racism, which color blindness refuses to see. Treating everyone the
same without acknowledging differences perpetuates inequity and
discrimination.

Not seeing color leaves us sightless of realities and history like

Juneteenth. This newly recognized Federal holiday commemorates
the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas,
first learned of their freedom, which the Emancipation Proclamation
had granted in 1863, almost three years prior. The day, dedicated to
freedom and justice, honors the journey of enslaved persons in the
United States. It reminds us that skin color meant freedom or
enslavement for hundreds of years.

I have learned that the beauty of racial differences is an urgency that

cannot be denied or resisted. Despite any good-hearted intention,
believing that our corner of the world is somehow free of racism and
claiming not to see color holds us back from the beauty of color and
culture. It implies the harmful and destructive idea (intended or not)
that "no color" means "white."

When we create intentionally safe spaces, as we do every Sunday in

our ARC gatherings at the post office, we build a community that
begins to see one another more fully. We build individual and
collective capacity for seeing color as a gateway to cherish and
protect racial minorities. We shift “I don't see color” to “I do see you”
meaning both “I cherish you as a part of our collective diverse
humanity" and "I cherish you as a worthy, glorious individual."

Remember that working toward racial equality is gradual and

complex. It requires collective effort, perseverance, and a long-term
commitment. Westerly ARC is not giving up; nor should you!
 We meet every Sunday from 11:00-1:00 on the steps
of the Westerly Post Office on High Street. Join us
anytime!

EMPOWER

Town Meetings & School

Committee Meetings
Westerly ARC encourages those
who can to attend Westerly Town
Council and School Committee
meetings. Your presence and
involvement is an important way
to show our elected officials that creating a more equitable and
inclusive town and school system must always be a priority.

July 10 Town Council Meeting, 5:30 pm

July 19 School Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm

July 20 Multicultural Committee Meeting, 5:30 pm

July 24 Town Council Meeting, 5:30 pm

Here is the link to meeting and agendas and minutes:

https://clerkshq.com/westerly-ri

How You Can Help View our Calendar

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Spread the news! ARC advocate Stop by one of our
Forward this Amanda Dunn weekly gatherings,
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least one person you toiletries, personal listed in this
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“We must always take sides.
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Neutrality helps the
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oppressor, never the
website. to Amanda at our
victim. Silence encourages
Sunday rallies. Your
Don't forget to like, the tormentor, never the
kindness and
subscribe, comment, tormented.”
generosity are
and share on our ― Elie Wiesel
greatly appreciated.
social media posts!

EDUCATE

This Week in History

Understanding the history of past injustices can inform us as we
advocate for justice and equity today. Let us know what you think of
the articles we share and send us your ideas!

You will likely remember the horrific massacre at the Emanuel AME
Church in Charleston, South Carolina in 2015 when a 21-year-old white
supremacist opened fire on a Bible Study group, killing nine African
American worshippers. You might not be familiar with the history of
another injustice inflicted upon this church, when its cofounder was
executed by Charleston officials. Read the story of Denmark Vesey
here: Denmark Vesey Executed in South Carolina for Planning to Help
Emancipate Enslaved People

Culture Calendar

July 2 Birthday of Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall was a civil rights lawyer who used the courts to
fight Jim Crow and dismantle segregation in the U.S. Marshall was a
towering figure who became the nation's first Black United States
Supreme Court Justice. He is best known for arguing the historic 1954
Brown v. Board of Education case, in which the Supreme Court
 declared "separate but equal"
unconstitutional in public schools. (NAACP)

Learn more about this civil rights leader,

including some of the 29 cases he won
before the Supreme Court.

Up Next

Calendar of Events

Town Council Meeting, Westerly

July 10
Town Hall, 5:30 PM

School Committee Meeting,

July 19
Westerly Town Hall, 5:00 PM

Multicultural Committee Meeting,

July 20
Westerly Town Hall, 5:30 PM

This edition of the Westerly ARC newsletter was written, edited, and compiled by

Madeline Labriola, Tim Flanagan, Geoff Serra, April Dinwoodie, and Lisa Chen.

Westerly Anti-Racism Coalition

Join our weekly gatherings westerlyarc@gmail.com
Sundays 11-1
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