Quakers Cruzando Fronteras (Quakers Crossing Borders)

FCNL also has some good educational resources, including an initiative called "Breaking Bread and Barriers Potlucks." As Mary mentioned, she and Diego Low have been found clear by Friends Meeting at Cambridge to present to Friends on the issue and are a resource for us. I'm also at the beginning stages of planning a program of education, encounter, and worship for Friends that I'm calling "Quakers Cruzando Fronteras" (Quakers Crossing Borders).

In my experience, Quakers like books. They like studying an issue. That way we can feel we've done something but stay safe. It's much more powerful, and can be life-changing, to come face to face with immigrants and hear their stories. Even though I have a lot of experience on the ground working with immigrants and have read a lot, the two occasions that I've had to be face to face with workers from the Michael Bianco factory that was raided in New Bedford stand out for me still. A Boston filmmaker named Jenny Alexander made a short film about that raid, Detained, which Wellesley Meeting has screened and I've heard is pretty powerful. Immigrants are also recording their testimonies and posting them on the internet. At one point, FCNL was suggesting a longer film called Made In LA, which I've seen and I liked very much for portraying immigrant empowerment in the face of injustice.

I don't want to lose the thread that Greg raised up for us. The goal is not for us to become educated. The goal is for us to follow Spirit, who seeks the hands and hearts to help God realize Her reign of justice, peace, and love here on earth with all of our brothers and sisters. The education we need moves hearts and minds to God and God's work for us.

Love,
Judy