Saturday, August 9, 2014
Friends face institutional racism
At the annual sessions of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting this year, 2014, a yearning was recognized: to learn how to address personal and institutional racism in the Yearly Meeting. A group of Friends led to work on this was encouraged to find ways to assist PYM Friends, and to report to those who are helping transition in the recently approved long term direction. A meeting to begin this is being planned for August 30th.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
About the Ministry :: Racial Justice & Equality among Friends
When one mentions “racism” to Friends, one may hear a response reflecting on the presence of racism inside as well as outside our Religious Society. One might also hear: “Why are we talking about that?” “Quakers did so much; why are we worried about it?”
Stories are often told of Friends’ efforts to promote advancements toward racial equality, of Friends moved to be active and accomplishing a goal. How do Friends share about lives built on the backs of slavery or unequal social and economic access? Nested in the larger society, Friends have some of the same problems with racism. Does clinging to chosen, specific parts of our history shelter us from recognizing ways we participate in the continuing racism in U.S. society?
Perhaps you have felt rather hopeless, and wondered how to deal with issues of racism, worried about blaming and scapegoating. Or perhaps you have felt that if someone doesn’t talk about it, it will never improve. It is difficult to recognize that, person-to-person, what keeps racism in place every day is more the everyday responses than singular acts of horrific racism. And it is difficult to feel one has a role in altering the institutional racism, occurring through human governments and economies.
The Ministry for Racial Justice & Equality is made up of Friends who want to help the work on racial justice and equality within Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. We are convinced that when we work in our own community, we strengthen our ability to make a difference in the world. We believe that Friends intend to be a community of love. What we all need are opportunities to show mutual support and take creative steps. We know that this requires personal commitment to transformation and to finding ways forward to help our Yearly Meeting truly be this “beloved community.”
Consider what creative energy you can bring and what your gifts are. Come to a meeting and learn more!
If you are interested, either call 610-869-3455, or email pym.friendsnrace@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you.
Gail Newbold, London Grove Meeting (PA)
Joan Broadfield, Chester Meeting (PA)
Co-clerks of PYM’s Ministry for Racial Justice & Equality
Stories are often told of Friends’ efforts to promote advancements toward racial equality, of Friends moved to be active and accomplishing a goal. How do Friends share about lives built on the backs of slavery or unequal social and economic access? Nested in the larger society, Friends have some of the same problems with racism. Does clinging to chosen, specific parts of our history shelter us from recognizing ways we participate in the continuing racism in U.S. society?
Perhaps you have felt rather hopeless, and wondered how to deal with issues of racism, worried about blaming and scapegoating. Or perhaps you have felt that if someone doesn’t talk about it, it will never improve. It is difficult to recognize that, person-to-person, what keeps racism in place every day is more the everyday responses than singular acts of horrific racism. And it is difficult to feel one has a role in altering the institutional racism, occurring through human governments and economies.
The Ministry for Racial Justice & Equality is made up of Friends who want to help the work on racial justice and equality within Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. We are convinced that when we work in our own community, we strengthen our ability to make a difference in the world. We believe that Friends intend to be a community of love. What we all need are opportunities to show mutual support and take creative steps. We know that this requires personal commitment to transformation and to finding ways forward to help our Yearly Meeting truly be this “beloved community.”
Consider what creative energy you can bring and what your gifts are. Come to a meeting and learn more!
If you are interested, either call 610-869-3455, or email pym.friendsnrace@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you.
Gail Newbold, London Grove Meeting (PA)
Joan Broadfield, Chester Meeting (PA)
Co-clerks of PYM’s Ministry for Racial Justice & Equality
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Meeting Visits
A letter to Friends In PhYM, October 15, 2010
Warm Greetings, Friends,Our Working Group – Ministry for Racial Justice and Equality in the Religious Society
of Friends – is continuing its efforts to reach out to Monthly Meetings in PYM. We have
had a number of Meetings request a visit and when we have visited, we have found our
time together to be fruitful.
Recently we have partnered with Amanda Kemp, of Lancaster Monthly Meeting and
her Theatre for Transformation (TFT), adding a new dimension to our list of offerings
for Meeting visits. TFT [http://theatrefortransformation.com/] is a wonderful instrument
to help people understand why it is important to deal with race and racism now.
Meetings can request either a performance or a DVD workshop of one of three plays:
Meet The Franklins, Sister Friend or Hoodwinked.
The performance or DVD is “Act I”. “Act II” provides a safe space where
people who have seen the play together can share their responses to what they have seen
and speak openly about race in a way that is not usually possible. This work has value as
both inreach among Quakers and outreach to the wider world.
The work to be done around issues of race, inclusion and healing is not easy and takes
time and commitment. In addition to TFT workshops and performances, we continue to
offer presentations, First Day School classes, discussion groups and other opportunities to
address these important issues. We are available to help meetings begin the work and to
provide encouragement and assessment as they progress.
We welcome your response about a good time to visit. You can contact us by e-mail
at:pym.friendsnrace@gmail.com or by calling Joan Broadfield, clerk of MRJE at (610-
874-5860).
In Peace,
Joan Broadfield, clerk
Anne Spears
Kitty Mizuno
Pat Coiner
Avis Mc Clinton
Amanda Kemp
Gail Newbold
Ginny Cameron
Contact us at pym.friendnrace@gmail.com
For a report of a visit to Haddonfield Meeting, click this link: http://archive.pym.org/pym_wgs/comments-7653.php
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