RSEJ Statement of Purpose

The committee educates New England Friends about racial and economic exploitation, prejudiced thinking, and discriminatory behavior based on, among other attributes, disability, sexuality, ethnicity, culture, age, weight, gender identification, and religion. Supporting and consulting with individual Friends of color and others afflicted by racial, social, and economic injustice is crucial to our mission. We help monthly meetings become aware of such issues and take action to redress them. Specifically, we organize NEYM sessions workshops, provide books, films, and other educational resources, sponsor speakers, offer awareness workshops at local meeting houses, and help to plan YM session programs. Every year, we publish two issues of The Freedom & Justice Crier, detailing stories about racism, poverty, and various forms of intolerance, especially those that surface in New England Quaker meetings.

When invited, we visit monthly meetings to help in their efforts to learn about and act on these issues.

We also disburse money from two NEYM funds. Freedman’s Fund moneys go to students in historically black Southern colleges who are preparing for careers as educators. Contributory Fund (AKA Prejudice & Poverty Fund) moneys go to organizations addressing racial and economic justice. We work closely with the Working Party on Racism, part of NEYM’s Ministry & Counsel committee. Our committee seeks members from each state in New England, ideally with a wide variety of orientations. We meet at five times a year.