RSEJ Annual Report 2010

“Diversity is sown into the very fabric of existence. … Because the deepest unity is the unity found within diversity. If we are all the same, unity is no achievement. In origin and essence, all is one. But an even deeper unity is achieved when differentiations and demarcations are imposed upon the primordial oneness … “  (Menachem Mendel Schneerson)

RSEJ members come to this work first and foremost as a spiritual concern. Therefore, the following from Greg Williams spoke deeply to us and informed much of our work this past year: “ I wish I could shut this issue down. I wish I could hide from the deep pain that rises up within.  But it is Racism in the public face, and I have to encounter it, daily! … Standing against this creative strain of race hating, is a job our White allies must take on, and it must be taken on with a very deep passion.  Black folks can support but we cannot lead this struggle.”

In this regard, the following was discerned during a period of silent worship:

In addition, our Working Party for Fund Dispersal made recommendations and in consultation with the Atlanta committee, we provided Freedmen’s Fund scholarships to five students.  One recipient and his mother came to Sessions.  We also approved a Prejudice and Poverty grant to the Maine Human Rights Coalition, Inc.

This year we held two retreats, creating an “eco-map” (looking at RSEJ in relation to other committees and groups, inside and outside NEYM) and clearly saw that one of our objectives is collaborate and participate in the work of other groups with common interest and goals. We discussed working better with committees such as P&SC (which is helping us with a beautiful new web-site) and Earthcare. We attempted to initiate a Justice network listing of Monthly Meetings activities and looked for ways to coordinate with the Working Party on Racism. One significant concern of our committee was outreach for more energy.

In response to Yearly Meeting’s clerk’s queries about “ways to release from “business as usual” , we feel called by Spirit to go into difficult places, to help repair some of the hurt.  To think about being released from that work seems counter to that calling.  We are doing this work in the context of a spiritual call.

We also considered NEYM Proposed Work Plan  “Suggested Program Goals by Committee”  and felt the work we are engaged in is: a.) to educate ourselves and NEYM about the spiritual consequences of injustice within ourselves, personally and corporately; b.)  to discharge our duties as proscribed by the Freedman's Fund, c.) to develop strategies and actions that facilitate the empowerment of people of color and others who suffer from oppression in our community; d.)  to bear witness in solidarity, support and connect those doing this difficult work in New England.   As our society is at a critical junction regarding race, RSEJ continues through the lens of being faithful.

RSEJ’s actions at Sessions 2009 included  1.) (in keeping with the Jubilee theme) blowing Shofars (ram’s horns) with members holding up signs “Wake up to Jubilee and stand up for justice”, 2.) “Slaveholders are in Your Pocket” display (regarding the early US presidents pictured on our money, most of whom owned slaves), 3.)quotes placed on dining room tables and 4.) sponsored workshops.  Planned activities for 2010 sessions include holding an open meeting to hear concerns relevant to racial, social, and economic justice.

“…  for G-d's unity to be complete we need human diversity, each individual fulfilling his or her role in existence, sharing with others their unique contribution, and learning from others the wisdom they lack on their own.” …  (Menachem Mendel Schneerson)



RACIAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2009

"Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.  Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely.  It is not given to us to know which acts or by whom, will cause the critical mass to tip toward an enduring good. What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts, adding, adding to, adding more, continuing. We know that it does not take "everyone on Earth" to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up during the first, second, or hundredth gale.  One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. “ Clarissa Pinkola Estes.

Our work had focused on how Spirit is calling us individually and collectively to address injustice in a variety of context.  One of the ongoing objectives of RSEJ has been concrete steps and specific actions to (even if in a very small way) addresses racial discrimination and other forms of oppression that effect the broad Quaker society and wider community. Our efforts to advance this work fall into five categories:  exposure, advocacy, involvement, education, and commitment.

What have we done to move things forward?  We connected with individuals in the Wampanoag, Narragansett, and Passamaquoddy tribes to offer the F&P committee a rewrite to the paragraph on King Phillips war. We conducted three workshops at sessions. We are supporting work to consider writing a Justice Testimony.   We wrote letter to George Fox University about effigy of Obama which was hand delivered and educated people on Committee day and on Committee Day we showed Friends a slide show Legacy of Jim Crow. We buried the  N word at sessions, which included getting many people to sign pledges not to use that word.  Through the Freedmen’s Fund and with help from Atlanta F/friends we funded 5 students, We also produced the 21st issue of the Freedom and Justice Crier which along with diverse articles investigated and wrote about a racial incident at Moosup CT., provided a forum for people to write about racial, social or economic issues and started the NEYM Justice Network,  One thing we struggled mightily with was the Israeli/Palestinian situation.  We resolved it with inserting a section called the Palestinian Supplement.

We  continued to support each other and Friends of color to the best of our abilities with demonstrated love and respect.  We are mindful that Susan B. Anthony said :

"Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform.  Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation, and publicly and privately avow sympathy with despised and persecuted ideas and their advocates, and then bear the consequences."
........

Application form for Prejudice and Poverty Fund grants:

a) Projects for which P&P funds are requested should be consistent with the P&P mandate to address needs and concerns of organizations (and in exceptional circumstances individuals) who work to alleviate the suffering of segments of the U.S. population such as minorities, women, the poor, et. al., who struggle with damaging discrimination on the basis of race, culture, class, gender, religious belief, sexual orientation, differing lifestyles, physical challenges, incarceration, poverty, homelessness, or some other characteristic not of their choosing.
b) Most P&P grants are under $1,000 and historically have not exceeded $2,000.
c) Except in unusual circumstances P&P moneys will be awarded as a one-time grant, and organizations are not encouraged to reapply for additional grants from P&P.
d) Applications should usually reflect a project’s consistency with Quaker beliefs in equality and community; in truth and integrity; in nonviolence, peace, and the denial of outward war; in simplicity, and in respect for the earth and the environment.
e) We have a rolling deadline.
f) Applications should provide the following information:

i. Name of organization, address, phone number, email, and a contact person’s name and information.
ii. A brief history of the organization
iii. A summary of the project to be funded.
iv. A background history of the project
v. A description of the organization’s previous experience, if it has any, with the stuff of the project.
vi. Applications should reflect a conscious intention to avoid damaging patterns of charity by providing for administrative and feedback participation in the project by those being served by it.
vii. A proposed budget: Amount of the total budget, brief description of major items, total amount requested from P&P, andindication of other grants being sought or received.
viii. The P&P award committee will consider most favorably those projects with involvement of Friends (Quakers) and/orFriends' organizations, either as project organizers or as project recipients.
ix. Five hard copies of this application should be submitted to the clerk of the Working Party of RSEJ who will present the project and a recommended grant amount for approval of the full RSEJ committee of NEYM. Graphics and photographs are encouraged as part of these applications.

Please fax or land mail completed applications to James Varner,
531 Brunswick St, Old Town, ME 04468-1926, (fax: 207-827- 8115, ph: 207-827-4493) or email to Shelby Grantham, shelby. grantham@dartmouth.edu (802-649-5142).