AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/racism/)
Rev. Ira Acree urged Providence St. Mel students to take action in the tradition of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Honor him by becoming activists in your community, the Austin pastor said. Also Monday, state Rep. La Shawn Ford met with young detainees at the Cook County Jail.
Rep. La Shawn Ford reflects on the significance of June 19th now being recognized as a state holiday in Illinois.
Rep. La Shawn Ford says there’s so much more that needs to be done to address systemic and racist failures of policing in the United States.
The Leaders Network says “we must remain vigilant for justice” until Chauvin, the former Minnesota police officer convicted Tuesday of killing George Floyd, is sentenced. David Cherry, Rev. Ira Acree, Rev. Cy Fields and Rev. Marshall Hatch say it won’t be until June whether we know if there has been true justice in this case.
Carl McCargo led a discussion earlier this month on reparations at the Third Unitarian Church of Chicago. He talked about the tragic legacy chattel slavery left behind, but he’s hopeful the U.S. can heal the inter-generational trauma caused by centuries of an oppressive system.
Rev. Ira Acree and Rev. Marshall Hatch were in Washington, D.C., Tuesday to pray for the country’s future and condemn white supremacy a day before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
A number of events are being held this weekend to honor the civl rights leader, starting with an interfaith celebration at 10 a.m. Jan. 15. Other events are planned by Nonviolence Chicago and the Community Renewal Society on Jan. 18 and 19.
The Leaders Network, a social justice group based on the West Side, sent letters earlier this week to four of Chicago’s U.S. House members demanding there be congressional hearings. The letter was sent to Reps. Danny K. Davis, Chuy García, Bobby Rush and Robin Kelly. Congressman Davis will meet with faith leaders Dec. 31.
Black Lives Matters banners at two historical black churches were destroyed last weekend in the nation’s capital after a pro-Trump rally. Faith leaders – including Revs. Ira Acree and Marshall Hatch – want Rev. Graham, a Trump supporter, to condemn these actions. Clergy from Chicago will travel to Washington, D.C., next month to push for healing and reconciliation just days before Joe Biden becomes the 46th president.
Austin Coming Together is one of several organizations involved in a new initiative unveiled Monday by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago’s Office of Racial Equity and Justice. The “Together We Heal” initiative calls on all residents to play their part in fostering connection, restoration and learning around the topic of racial healing. Chicagoans are encouraged to join in this challenge by hosting candid conversations, healing circles and other activities. The challenge will run from now until the end of January with a culminating, virtual healing summit that will reflect on progress made and build a path forward together.