Conversation Recap for March 11, 2007

Questions folks are grappling with:

Challenging aspects of presenting notions of race in different contexts. How much of flat response is due to style of presenter and how much due to denial and inability to relate?

What do statements like “I don’t see color” mean?

“I don’t see color” is part of privilege—if black cannot go outside without seeing white people and knowing that you have to process their reactions as white people. Part of how people bond and share intimacy is to share not only the joy but the pain. When you say I don’t see color you’re saying I don’t want to acknowledge your pain.

It was mentioned that while lots of people state that they are mixtures of various ethnicities, no one ever says “I’m mixed with black”. A response was “we’ll have to wait for reparations, LOL”

There was some discussion about Barak Obama’s candidacy and the “controversies” around “is he black enough for black voters or too black for white voters” and such.

A short description of a model was shared describing interactions between agents and targets of oppression and how they evolve based on the development of each.

White people have to call other white people on racism

When the whiteness in seats of power is challenged, there’s a warfare response that’s completely unacknowledged. Don’t want to share power.

Reaction about comments like “some white people.” White people don’t experience being grouped by race.

There was some discussion about how to develop and practice allyship—good to have examples—i.e., a heterosexual person taking the cause of the homosexual, the white person being the “race guy”.

Various members shared anecdotes about racialized encounters. It was shared that it’s useful to note the difference between being a racist and acting in a racist way or perpetuating racism.

Talked about the Port protests, arrests, police brutality, City Council etc.
It was noted that they don’t arrest us when we’re at the Federal Bldg. But the most violent response occurs when action is occurring at the point of mechanisms of power—i.e., military shipping points.

Conversation Recap for March 4th

We had a very different kind of discussion this week, generated by an open question which had been prompted by a member’s concern over recording, (print and audio) of concerns about privacy. Some said that they had been entirely unaware that the stories or any other part of the Conversation had been being recorded. Others pointed out that the things we talk about could get people targeted by those representing the power structure many of us challenge. Examples were given of how key words can be traced and some gave personal examples of how they had been targeted for the stances they’ve taken.

Some felt that a certain level of panic had been generated by the question and others expressed that they wanted to live whole lives and not be concerned with safety from scorn or derision for their beliefs. Several made a point about how attempting to live a safe life meant also that that life would be circumscribed. The group generally fell into three categories of feeling about the conversation being recorded and put on the blog:

1. those who mainly have concern over the personal stories being made public
2. those who are also concerned about being possible targets because of what they may express (unable to get hired or maybe even fired)
3. those who have no problem with either their stories or the group discussions being broadcast

Several of us longer-term members gave the history of how we came to have a blog and to have proposed recording and posting audio on it. Sometimes very dynamic conversations would get continued via email during the week between Sundays but since some members were not necessarily totally email savvy in terms of keeping their address books current or using “Reply All” and so forth, some people would get left off of threads and then be confused. Dexter suggested that we have a blog so that these conversations could continue in a central place. Also, those who missed a meeting could “catch up.” Then we thought, what about simply recording the conversations and posting them? Then people could really capture what went on without the filter of whoever was summarizing and posting written notes.

Ultimately, the group came up with the following as an agreement:

We should have a handout available at each meeting with the mission of the group and the fact that we are recording:

1. Personal stories—if a storyteller does not want to be recorded, the recorder will be turned off.
2. The moral/philosophical question/framework of the day.

The group discussion will not be recorded. General summaries will still be produced and posted to the blog without names. We still do not know what we might ultimately do with the collections of stories, but we will not post or otherwise disseminate them in any form without the storyteller’s consent.

We also talked some about the need to take the mystery out of the infrastructure of the group, i.e., V-Team, mission, etc. We talked about the V-Team and the need for volunteers. We’ll send the Conversation document out again with V-Team roles, etc. so folks can weigh in. We may already have a successor for our Agenda keeper/Purveyor of Arts, Letters and Epicurean Delights and we came up with a new role for which we already have a leader and that’s Keeper of the Protocol. Also, we had a volunteer to help with conversation recaps.

The Angela Davis appearance at TCC was discussed—Conversation well represented. Crowd very affectionate. Speech was casual but heartfelt and interactive..

Current greatest passion is prison industrial complex. Not a vanguard of 60’s but an image was created of her. Autobiography is recommended as well as “Jury Woman” written by the foreperson of the Angela Davis trial jury.

Announcements:

March 12 (”New Orleans Monologues” by C. R. Bell”) TAG 7PM It’s free.

Charhys and Keith rocked it at the One Heart Café

TCRP Kick-off was wonderful and sets the tone for the collection of stories as an ongoing effort

Stykers for Iraq at Port of Tacoma. Protest at 11th and Milwaukie. Check HERE for updates.

Next Salon is day before the Monologues at 801 S. Cushman. Heather Carawan’s film about growing up at the Highlander School will be shown.

One Heart will have featured performers of all types every 3rd Sat. March 17th Abyssinian Creole will follow a poetry slam at 7:30

March 8th The War Tapes showing at Rick and Claudia Finseth’s home at 13524 15th Ave South (Parkland)

Chrestina has a film about Rwanda if folks are interested, perhaps it could be shown at the Conversation.

Conversation recap for February 25

Colleen’s gave us her story.
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Mona’s Life of Social Justice

Go back in time to influences – once severe beating from father and had to be taken out of the family.

Intersection of dysfunctional family and Irish Catholicism. Irish Catholicism is unique-being so tied up with Irish nationalism

Took LOVE from Catholicism. Ended up developing an incredible relationship with Frank (dad)—he told her things he hadn’t told anyone, ever. Violence in his life, becoming a father before grown, steeped in alcohol trying to cope.

Volunteered at Purdy—listening to the pain and the stories.

State Teen Health Forum—6 years ended up putting one on at Annie Wright which ended up getting them to change their Life Skills curriculum.

Came to Evergreen-Tacoma. Now a “recovering white person” as a result. Learned so much about white privilege. Used to think their was such a thing as reverse racism, that laws on the books are real. Honest dialogue with fellow students. Have a choice to retreat back into corner or take a leap of faith. Anyone engaged in social justice work will get their nose knocked off. Now working with Sekou Shabaka—Youth coming out of incarceration—tell their story using hip-hop, poetry, art, etc.

On TESC-President’s Diversity Fund committee

Present plan: Student of Color Conference for Tacoma Youth. March 18th afternoon tea to brainstorm 3PM Mona’s House.

Believe doing work of civil and human rights has to be connected to some sort of spiritual journey because it’s not head stuff it’s heart stuff.

Marti--a lot of us on this journey had issues in our childhood that makes us reflective and able to listen and to read people.

Ieisha-yes a lot of us go through trauma and that often results in wrath (not anger). Would like to know what it is that folks have done or process they’ve gone through to get rid of the wrath or use it in a different way.
Colleen—has channeled the wrath—into the kids she works with.
Mona—goes back to the Catholic thing—really believe in forgiveness and also cursed with eternal hopefulness. Believe in the good in balance of power. Refuse to live in the dark. Use what brings you joy—music, whatever fills your spirit, other wise vicarious trauma and opening wounds from past.
Tom—agrees—have to have joy to balance the rage and have a place/space to rejuvenate.
Eve—recognizing it is a good step—can use the rage and wrath in good ways.
Mona—writing is very powerful, ritualistic things, stones in water, dancing, hot bubbly baths with scented candles and wine and chocolate.
Colleen embrace past. Would be who am without having walked the path walked.
Julia—these life experiences are not always packaged pretty but always lessons.
Marla—have had to learn to allow self to experience joy.
Mary—all have had things to overcome. Good to realize you’re always a work in progress. Inspiring to hear how others have come through things
BJ—“Happiness is an inside job”
Crestina—life is continuing education.
Charhys—in summer I have no problems. In winter, feel vulnerable reminded of being homeless. Try to do meditation—let thoughts pass through.

Dexter—Had planned to be here last 2 weeks but daughter down with stomach flu. Will be here but perhaps not every Sunday, because of personal challenges. Watched 2 films yesterday—“Road to Terabithia” and “Truman Capote”. As we contemplate the challenges of doing good in the world, these two films may help us. One is about imagination, creativity and engagement--death and keeping memory in imagination. The other is about how experience of dealing with murder and death literally took TC’s life. He never wrote another book in 20 years until his death.Living with knowledge of mortality is useful. US culture tells you can do anything and thus you set out to do everything, including creating nirvana in your everyday lives when you really can only create nirvana in Terabithia.How do we expand the dynamic of what we do here? Start a conversation. In your church, in your organization, etc. about justice. How can we encourage ourselves? Think about our own mortality and the mortality of others, even the rich and powerful. No system will last forever. You have enough support from here to make a difference.What came out of this conversation today: we’ll do good and do well if we support each other, if we keep trying and if we acknowledge that life is a struggle and if we rejoice and rejuvenate and return to the scene of our trauma. A way to return can be making sure “this doesn’t happen to another person”. When you think about the experience of people who live within the limits of scarce material yet remain hopeful in contrast to many with more than enough who are unhappy, you should focus on the positives of life and allow yourself to be ”kissed by the sun.” I know I’m one who carries a “blues” mentality—somber persona. Please do not mistake that for I’m always unhappy. That’s not my experience. Work to function outside of your element because life will throw that at you.Social problems are dynamicSocial solutions are dynamicSocial subjects are dynamicReceive praise with care as you should be prepared for the experience of being assailed. Aristotle encouraged balance and moderation in all things, always a sense of balance even in the way we receive praise and blame.

Dalton—growing up in Trinibago—when it rains, people stop and stand under shelter because rain doesn’t last very long. Learned to kiss the rain here in the NW. Have to face your demons. Once you have you realize they are not really the demons they thought they were.
Tom—I revel in where I am. Always in awe of what the natural world has to offer.
Dalton-grandmother’s statement—“there goes the moon—God bless my eyesight”

Charhys and Keith B.took us out with—Life is Short, Life is Long—Life is Right, Life is Wrong. A beautiful story a very sad song, Until it gets over it just keeps going on.
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Announcements

April 21st Ebony Fashion Fair

Pam Bridges’ daughter J’Nai More Music at the Moore. Friday night March 2nd 7:30pm Whne buy tickets from Pam, J’Nai gets some proceeds

Wed. 12 noon Angela Davis at TCC ***FREE***

Wed. evening 5:30-8 TCRP at History Museum. ***FREE***

1st and 3rd Sat. 2012 hosts open mic 7:30-12, not just poetry not just music, but story telling or readings.

Single Payer Health Care Bill-Susan is collecting postcards to legislators from 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31 dists.

Marti—anyone with a child or grandchild or other child they care about—who’s never had a horse experience and wants to, please ask.

Nordstrom has scholarships for high schoolers

Kristy and Steve playing on March 9th at place called Mocha Moon in Steilacoom on S. Tac. Way

Conversation Recap for February 11

Our conversation this week really centered around education and youth.

First, new folks were introduced. Debbie Olson (Tim Olson’s wife)-Oneida invited
BJ Bailey also invited by Oneida and Julia Harris.

Next we heard Susan E’s Story—thank you Susan, we’re glad you’re a part of us.
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Announcements:

Mary-Thanked for card.

Steve- Wed. meetings to organize event on 4th anniversary of Iraq war. 7pm Wed. at Assoc. Ministries 13th and I St. Folks who’d like to join planning efforts welcome.

Tom-reminded about Ebony Fashion Fair. April 21st at 7pm at Mt. Tahoma H.S.

Regina- Black History Celebration sponsored by the Sankofa Club at Evergreen-Tacoma Sat. Feb. 17th 2-4 Keynote will be Dr. Maxine Mimms and a possible surprise guest Adefua, spoken word followed by reception with food.

Tom M. Feb. 28th at 12:30 at TCC Angela Davis will speak.

Tom H. Tacoma Civil Rights Project Kick off Feb. 28 event 5-8pm at Washington History Museum.

6th Annual More music at the Moore—Pam’s daughter J’Nai will perform as part of this production. Tickets $15 and if purchased through Pam, 15% will go back to J’Nai to help defray costs of continuing education.
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2nd half of movie, “Black Is, Black Ain’t and discussion:

Large group discussion:

There are differences that make a difference the film makes a point of showing how some differences are used to make a difference that should not make a difference

Young people aching for an equal chance—“no one told us not to be in a gang. We have to tell the next generation so they don’t end up like us.”

3 essential questions—

How to we challenge the youth in a way that they will here it?

How do we get past us and them?

How do we encourage community involvement?

Teachers in the group-does the education system address the needs of the issues the youth raised in the film?

Pam-would you think that a school targeted by a major funder to reform, would you think if that school turned away big money to target the achievement of African American kids because they don’t want to engage in the professional development it would take to learn the strategies to help these students learn? Teachers filed suit against the district when being forced to take the money.

Judith-Can’t put too much burden on teachers, though some are problematic. So much of the day is dictated and teachers are becoming more powerless. What can we actually impact?

Kristeanna-1st year teacher came in very idealistic—if on improvement list, have to get scores up 20% or lose money—and if lose money, get to keep the 14 year old computers.

Amy and Dalton—goes way beyond the teacher-it’s a societal thing. If you’re down, you have to work so much harder to get back up, (credit score, bank loans, kids/schools “low performing”). Need to embrace children as children and not TV characters.

Tom M.-teach at TCC and Pierce-appreciate Judith’s comments about teachers being part of a larger system.

Laurie-Tacoma Urban League Academy experience and teacher burnout differences. Conservative Right or political spectrum teachers burn out on kids “not motivated” “disrespectful”, “academically unprepared”, “too many personal and family problems”, etc. Progressive, Left of political spectrum burn out on system “school admin. Bureaucracy hinders teaching what kids really need to learn”, “constant fight over so called standards”, “high-stakes testing makes authentic teaching and learning nearly impossible” etc.

Tom H. Seriously challenged by what Laurie reported. We’re at a crossroads and we are in charge. It’s the system AND the children. We change the children by our engagement and living with them-change the system by our authority—the people who make the laws are us.

Dick-Our example as a group and as individuals is moving us toward an ethos of asking for a different kind of society. Questioning capitalism and thinking globally.

Amy-So passionate about public education-one of the last frontiers of social justice work. I think about how to empower kids to understand access to power. Motivation is very key.

Crestina-15 years ago on the Hill, had a conference on education and presented to the Sec. of Health, Ed. and Welfare. We should start asking our state leaders to be here to talk to/with us.

Mary- Question of education ever being done, or only occurring in school, or commitment from elders ever being over, Society seems to be set up to say “aha—you failed-game over”. Some say—“some kids just can’t succeed, stop trying.” But we are it—maybe we need to act more.

Keith-sent kids to private school-everyone knows everyone. Kids disruptive should not be in school.

Magda-In terms of they are us-I would like to be a they. If you are a title 1 school can come to history lab free or reduced.

Regina-Let them learn in a way that’s enjoyable. Show films, then they might start to read. Teach in different ways. Let kids see that they have something to offer.

Rosalind-at the store and heard 2 teachers talking about the superintendent. If a bad character who’s appointed, how do we get rid of him. Need to start with the school board they are elected.

Judith-public education means our duty is to teach everyone who shows up regardless of their abilities or attitudes. Need to be careful about how kids who act up are perceived. Need to find out why. One thing is kids need to feel they are seen for who they are. Complex issues.

Sid- Have been over the literature and written about it for years. The best book about the issues is Kozol's "Shame of a Nation".

BJ- kids need to be healthy. Can’t teach them unless they are healthy. We need to investigate where we are with basic health care for every child. There is legislation currently in the works.

Dalton-Where we really need to start, is everyone of us needs to go out right now and get involved in some kid’s life. Volunteer. Dalton has a child he reads to every term. Very bright, can read but very distracted. Last week said “I miss my mom and dad” “They’re in jail.” Also, stop and think for a moment how we each got where we are. Who influenced us, and how did they do that?

Crestina-disabled children are a concern—for example seizure disorder. Stereotyped as less capable. Need to be willing to accept kids for who they are.

Keith-correct a mis-impression-one of the reasons I come to this group is because of the teachers. Of course Bellarmine is not a solution for the country. I agree with Dalton—I’ve been remiss in the sense that Diane Powers asked the group to come read to kids at McCarver and I’m going to go do that. Believe in public education.

Tom H.-endorse all the suggestions. Did have an opportunity to interview the 3 candidates for superintendent, gave feedback. Not surprised at the complaints and criticisms being voiced. When you start out castigating everything that came before that’s a problem. He said to everyone to go to the school board and tell them what we know and if we don’t we are falling down on our responsibility.

Mona- it takes a village. Leadership needs to come from we the people. We need to think about community education, open up here a chance for the community to see videos, like the Highlander School. They need to see that all people can make a difference. We need to dismantle white privilege, the system. Collectively it is we the people.

Amy- liked what Dalton said about going into schools to volunteer. It is easier to go into elementary schools but she encourages you to go into high schools as well. They need you too.

Regina-Birney Elementary “A Time to Learn” Need volunteers to help with math and reading Metro Parks bldg. 7102 S. L St. Mon-Fri 3-6pm Contact Regina Husbands 475-0341.

Pam-After 30 years in education. It really does take a village and yes, it is about responsibility—everyone’s-- students need to take responsibility, parents, school system, society. Any question about I as an individual can make a difference just call any school and ask how you can help. It’s a national dilemma. Have seen some progress, we do understand some things about cultural competency, for example.

Laurie- You have to care about the kids. They will learn from you if they believe you really care.

Tom H. Race & Pedagogy Conference taught us something about how the system is built to enhance a certain set of people. Think about what we’re up against.
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Last week, Tom shared with us 2 areas of state and national policy we all need to keep a close watch on and hold folks' feet to the fire on. One is Gov. Gregoire's State of the State speech in which she outlined her priorities. Read about it here. Also, the Democratic Party, when it retook the Congress, pledged itself to a 100 Hour Agenda. We are fast closing n on that 100 hour mark. We need to a) hold them to their promise to focus on these issues and b) get them to understand issues we want them to focus on that may not be part of their 100 Hour Agenda. Read about the agenda here.

Conversation Recap for February 4

We heard Steve's story. Once again we are reminded how special it is to share these small samplings of our lives with each other.

Judith brought an issue that she needs support with. An experience with her students 9-10 year olds. Been studying famous African Americans, goal was to learn about unsung ones, not just MLK and Rosa. Knew it was a difficult time—had seen pictures of angry mobs, etc. Showed them the film “Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks" and her concern was that it depicted in a fairly raw and uncompromising way, the lynchings and police brutality etc. and perhaps it was too strong for the age group. Was it too much?

Commentary could probably be best summed up in what Tom said:

Risk is high when on edge—risk is lessened when it is shared. What is sense of shared journey with colleagues? Idea that you’re the only one who might ever give students an educational experience like this is troubling. Show kids you care about their feelings and be honest that you’ve worried about it.

Film-“Black Is, Black Ain’t” Marlon Riggs (part 1)

Discussion:

Dealing with the intersections of racism, sexism and heterosexism is challenging to navigate. For example, black women feel the need to support black men on the racism question but also to chellenge them on their sexism and so forth. Tom made the point that truth and honesty, especially to self is key. A comment was made by Luke that he was conscious of the fact that sometimes perhaps white people should not be present during some of these conversations. He wanted to be respectful of the idea that being privy to sensitive conversations among people of color about cross oppressions is a privilege and that basically as white people we should be willing to step out of the conversation at times if asked.

We'll conclude the film this Sunday.

Announcements:

February 17th open mike at One Heart Café at 1117 Broadway 8-midnight. Noah, Charhys, Keith etc.

Monday the 5th is Watada’s court martial. Big event at Ft. Lewis exit 119.

Workshops on Arts in the Classroom $75 each contact Luke for info.

Tom-Ebony Fashion Fair April 21st 7PM Mt. Tahoma High School Benefits the TUL it is the Guild’s fundraising event. Dr. Dorothy Anderson is new TUL president.

Tacoma Civil Rights Project-capturing the story here at home. Put in place at WA History Museum. Feb 28th a preview.

Tom is working to get the product produced by Bates on the MLK event so that we can share it.

State of the state address-giving to Laurie to disseminate. Watch what people say they’re going to do. Dems had 100 hour agenda. A lot of it has to do with what we talk about here.

Kristy-Salon at Colleen's house Rosalind's New Orleans Monologues 1-4 benefiting UFPPC 3901 N. 37th Sunday Feb 11th.

Luke-TAG is in real trouble-support if can. A real show is coming up called “Proof”—go see it.

Tom-message about TAG is confused—on one hand fiscally is great but on another—needs help and help asked for is ticket sales.

Laurie-Meeting about bringing a food co-op to the Hilltop. Feb. 21st at Allen Russell Bldg. on 14th and MLK. 5:30-7. Check out this site for more info on the initiative and scroll to "Let's Talk About Food Coops....

African American pre-legislative day happened, actual legislative day is happening Monday Feb. 12th in Olympia.

Details on MLK Event

Click on image to view larger version

Martin Luther King Jr.: "Why I Am Opposed to the War in Vietnam" Sermon at the Ebenezer Baptist Church on April 30, 1967. Click HERE
to read and listen. Truer words could not be said if they were spoken today about the Iraq war.

Conversation Recap 12.24

Mary’s story

Steve sings Big Floppy Shoes song

Moral/Philosphical Question—

Love, the Beloved Community and Peace On Earth

Whatever our past experiences with respect to Christmas, one aspect that we can focus on is that it is a story of Peace On Earth and Goodwill Toward All—ideas that can resonate with any faith tradition.

Dexter repeated some of last week’s talk on love as a way to transition into talking about peace.

MLK article (The Current Crisis in Race Relations) made 5 points in laying out the argument for non-violence.
It is not a method of cowardice or stagnant passivity.
It does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent.
It is directed at the forces of evil, not those caught up in the forces.
It avoids not only external violence but internal violence of the spirit. At its center stands the principle of love.
It is based on the conviction that the universe is on the side of justice.

Goal is creation of peace-the goal is the creation of love-the goal is the bringing into being, the Beloved Community
Ø Available
Ø Accountable
Ø Trusting

Tell the truth to each other-honey w/ medicine, in Jamaica they say “taste your words” while the Bible says “speak the truth in love”

Is peace the absence of war or violence or is peace the presence of justice—the presence of goodwill?

People want peace and leaders want war. What are we, The People to do for peace?

Tragic/Comic, looking at life through the blues but still with hope (Cornel West)

Guard our souls against becoming a ideologues (persons who love you to death and then, when disagreement, hate you to death tomorrow).

What do you believe and why do you believe it? What informs and governs why you believe what you believe?

John-poem “If in your heart you make a manger for his birth, then God will once again become a child on earth.”

Laurie- how do we become the people we’ve been waiting for,(referencing the new Alice Walker book?

Tom-self-work resonates, challenged by how to work externally

Tully- love and peace words are tossed out so easily—I love this scarf, I love that movie, etc. Also hate. What do these words really mean?

Dick—love is the natural way we feel for one another when we are not hurt by a class based economically oppressive society. Boldly share this point—we have a system that creates this dysfunction in all of us. Get courage from loving one another in this group

Eve- From The Hopi Elders Speak

Marti-Reagonomics cut taxes create debt-- debt pays interest to banks-rich get richer. To cover up, war in Granada. Bush 2 same thing, would have to have a war to cover. War is used as a tool to distract us and to train us not to speak out. Live a life of courageous love not just comfort.

Steve-admin. So disingenuous in discourse with the American People. Tools (education system, TV). Julia’s message of looking inside yourself is worth taking seriously. Part of solution is acknowledging that there is a them and an us.

Mary-Pogo “We have seen the enemy and they are us” Trees fell and then were cleaned up and still lots of trees. This is not the end of the world. Only do that which is possible—within your sphere of influence. Can’t accept we and them—none of us is getting out alive.

Sallie-in terms of the balance in the struggle, the only thing that works is love. It’s actually pragmatic. With violence, someone loses and then wants to right the wrong. Agree with the us and them and it’s all us. Struggle is balancing these 2

Magda—Navajo Dine-5 worlds, destroy the world and each time then what stands is the earth

Laurie -articulate a vision capable of inspiring even those caught up in the destruction of the planet for profit that there is a better way.

Steve—acknowledge the us vs them in order to make them US.

Magda-example of Cuba that a small can resist a large. Public financing of voting. On voting day the children get out of school and take the votes. Don’t have capitalism. Cuban people say “we love you. We don’t love your gov’t and sorry that you don’t have a democracy.

Dexter—hope that nothing like an “us and them” thinking here. Problem is when you build that internal cohesion in then, once you’ve “won”, there’s a new struggle with those who lost. Agree with Steve that we need to challenge those who use the façade of us/them, but we have to propose a larger, better vision. Working on self can be problematic because it reinforces the American individualism that is such a big part of the problem. We can make a different world. We can make a better world. S. Africa “could not fall” but yet it fell.

With respect to what we can do, we ARE doing it. Not planning for it, not getting ready for it, this IS it. If nothing else, bear witness.

Updates on MLK Event
Fundraising is coming along. Various people volunteered for things still needing doing.

MLK Event-SAVE THE DATE

Swift Meat Packing Plants

I haven't read a lot about these raids. This is from Tim Smith, who has been involved in questioning the detention center installation on the mudflats here.
My personal take is that generally people are using immigrant labor because they don't have to deal with unions, or labor law with these people. In short, it is about finding a population that they can abuse. You will note that none of the officers of the Swift Corporation have (to my knowledge) been charged with anything. You may also observe how blatantly racist the actions of the officers concerned in this article are (although the spotlight shown on them shows an interest from the observer). I think that the wrong questions have been fielded about this entire debate, concerning folks coming across the border with no papers.
Steve Nebel

PS - I think this could be a very good conversation, but definitely would call for someone with some more in depth knowledge of the subject matter than I have.


Here are observations of a couple of Minnesota immigration attorneys.
I pass this on because it is useful when raids hit our areas:

After the Swift raids yesterday, the local ICE office provided the
chapter here in Minnesota with a toll free hotline to call for family
members of people who may have been detained yesterday: 866-341-3858

I don't know how well this is working. But this could be used
nationally for this type of situation.

ICE Press releases claim this was a targeted enforcement operation
with spokesman Tim Counts claiming it was not a "raid." This is not
what we saw yesterday.

The raid started about 8:30 with ICE and state troopers limiting
access and exit from the plant. ICE met with senior management of
Swift who then started to pull people off the kill floor. They were
directed to the cafeteria where 50-70 ICE agents were at. People were
immediately asked if they were citizens, if they had papers. Some
people were handcuffed immediately. Witnesses state that white
workers were allowed to claim USC status and directed away
immediately.

People of color who claimed to be USC had to prove it. We spoke to
one USC who was detained in plastic handcuffs for several hours;
witnesses have identified two other naturalized citizens who had the
same happen. We were told that one USC remains in custody. Numerous
LPRs, TPS, etc..., were detained for at least hours in plastic cuffs.
Some had their LPR card in their locker, others left it at home. One
woman said her purse had been stolen at work before, so she left her
card at home because it was difficult and expensive to replace. This
operation did not target individuals suspected of "identity theft" or
involvement in false document rings. It swept up every non-white
worker at Swift.

We spoke to one family where both parents of a 2,3, and 12 year old
were detained. Other primary caregivers were detained when children
had health issues. ICE denied entrance to the plant to one person
with Honduran TPS, whose EAD was expired, but whose automatic
extension made her EAD good until Jan. 2007. The show of force was
overwhelming. After initial interview in the cafeteria, people were
interviewed in room and processed. The room had 15-20 ICE agents in
it, 5 more flanking the exit door, and 50 more in line in the hallway
right outside the door. John Connelly, of Washington DC ICE, told us
that everyone was "free to go"if they requested --- didn't appear
that way to us. It was a very coercive environment. Once cuffed,
people were yelled at to sit down. If they complained about the ties
hurting, they were told to sit comfortably. We saw numerous people,
including LPRs, with red marks and contusions on their wrists hours
after they were released.

Lawyers got a number of people released who had children, children
with health issues etc.... 30 were processed and released with NTAs
at the plant itself. We still think 200-300 were detained, many taken
to Iowa.

Anyone doing these cases should think of a Motion to Suppress. We
will have many good statements to support an argument this was a
racially biased operation, violating 4th amendment rights, with lots
of unlawful detention and potential for confusion and untrustworthy
information during interrogation.

Bruce Nestor and Susana De Leon

Conversation Recap for December 10, 2006

OK, folks here it is--be aware that text in color represents hotlinks to websites with more info. Enjoy!


We heard another fabulous story this week This time it was John. Once again we are reminded how wonderfully fascinating our lives truly are.


We were introduced to a couple of new folks—a student from Dexter’s class who first got introduced to the Conversation through his orientation as a new student at UPS and a colleague of Pam’s who’s joining us for the first time. We hope both of them will become regular members of our group.


We talked a bit about the horrendous injustice behind the incredibly high incarceration rates in the U.S., especially of Black males. Dexter shred just a bit of the data (more here):
· US is leader in the world --737/100k are incarcerated- 100/100k av’g in world
· 7 million people 1 in 32 adults behind bars, or subject to justice system.
· 2.2 million in jail
· 1998 1 in 3 Af Am men 19-29 tied up in US justice system.
· Over 50% jail population is black and brown.
· 1 in 50 adults currently or permanently lost voting rights

Pam and Addie both spoke of the stress and pain of raising their Black sons in a culture that targets them and of what this paranoia often does to the ways in which they treat their sons.

Dexter raised the question for us all to think about-- Can this democracy continue? In 1980’s white America went into a moral panic—“world is going to hell in a handbasket” What’s solution? Get tough on crime—lock them up. No one could get elected without repeating tough on crime—most locking up is for drugs.


MLK Event

Next we discussed the proposal some of us in the Conversation are working on for an MLK event. Conversation is lead entity along with Associated Ministries and Urban Grace Church.

Dexter shared a document outlining the vision and lots of discussion and brainstorming followed. We asked Conversation members to participate in planning, fundraising and event itself. Dexter thinks we can raise the 8-10k and really make it a premier event. Funds will pay for printing, publicity and stipends for people in program.

Tom and Sue S. will head up fundraising piece- Sue: the thing that can make this possible, use our contacts—who do we know who would like to get involved, such as corporate. We should all ask ourselves who we know in marketing at any companies. They often have marketing dollars they need to spend, especially at this time of year—have to spend their $. They also have Federal Community Reinvestment rules at banks. Lots of other ideas ere floated that have been passed on to the planning committee.

Keith volunteered to head up the food committee.


We got a short update from Dexter relayed from Tom on the Shakabra incident. Tom and others met with the ownership and apparently there is movement in a positive direction on resolving the issue. More from Tom et. al. when they return to the Conversation next week.


There was some more discussion of group and meeting structure following a sharing of the Conversation Document—a description of the history and current structure with some tweaking based on input from the discussion of the previous week. We agreed to post the document on the blog so as to continue the dialogue there. There was some discussion about the 1 or 2 story each week issue with no firm decision reached. Again, folks should continue the dialogue on the blog. Dexter we need to honor that a hand raised will be honored first and those who have not spoken will be honored before those who have a second chance. Luke suggested that the same etiquette be honored in the small groups as well.

We also talked about the idea of a “Paint & Grout” element to our group in which those that need to move, paint their house, etc. could have a pool of helpers from which to draw. Dorothy volunteered to coordinate the P&G efforts and Allegra volunteered to assist. Folks who need help—get the info with particulars of where and when, and Dorothy will get the word out to the group so folks can step up.

We also discussed kids in the group as Amy and Tully bring their 2 young daughters and wondered if anyone felt at all as if they were a distraction. We gave a resounding NO—we honor their presence. Then there was some discussion about programming for the young among us while also acknowledging that just hanging with the grown-ups teaches a lot.


Announcements:

Dorothy-YWCA Adopt-a-Family. While out shopping, bring a gift and Dorothy will bring. Unwrapped and non-violent please.

Tacoma Art Museum Event around Aminah Robinson’s art this Tues.

Latino Group at Lincoln H.S. performance of Pasada- a Xmas celebration Next Fri at 7pm at Lincoln where old Mt. T is Cafeteria Cultural Congress (arts orgs across state)

Luke recommended a panel be convened at the Broadway Center to talk about race and the arts that could include Conversation members, i.e., Dexter, Magda and Diane - Late April, possisbly.

Focus group probable by Broadway Center on programming in future, Djembe Soul—He’d like Conversation to be a part.

Sat. Dec. 15 anniversary of Bill of rights ACLU has celebration. 7pm WA History Museum.

Jan 6th Steve and Kristi Nebel benefit concert for citizens hearing on the war and the case of Eren Watada Antique at 7:30 fundraiser for TESC event, CITIZENS’ HEARING ON THE LEGALITY OF U.S. ACTIONS IN IRAQ on January 20-21, 2007.

Mighty Times: The Children’s March film. Jan 11th WA History Museum Reception at 5pm; program at 5:30. Slam poetry by Josh Reisberg.
Sallie—paint seniors homes, maybe conversation could get involved. Also think about neighbors who might be eligible.


We were treated to a hip hop piece by Noah to end our time together.

Conversation Document-Please Comment

The following was handed out at today's conversation meeting. We hope everyone will join the dialogue and comment.

The Conversation
Where talk IS action
Visit our blog at www.conversationtacoma.blogspot.com

VISION

The Conversation is a group of Tacoma and South Sound residents committed to the building of a diverse, critically engaged, social justice community for the task of procuring for ourselves and our communities a better life. With "Justice for All" as its foundational principle, the group has two primary foci; providing encouragement and support for social justice activists and promoting justice in such areas as legal system, wages, housing, healthcare, and education.
We aim to address justice through two essential and interrelated questions. The first is philosophical; What is the meaning of our lives--our relationship to each other, the world, the universe? The second is political and practical; What are our immediate socio-political responsibilities toward creating and promoting justice in a world stained by bigotry based on issues such as race, sex, class, and religion?

HISTORY
January 1, 2006, at the request of the leadership of Urban Grace--A Downtown (Tacoma, WA) Church-- Dexter Gordon started teaching Martin Luther King’s second book, Why We Can’t Wait to an adult Sunday school class. As a result of word of mouth and other publicity efforts, primarily by Rosalind Bell and other members of the class, on their own initiative, approximately fifty people, who are not members of Urban Grace, attended all or some portions of the class. Some persons in the class expressed a desire to see the class continue beyond the scheduled ending time. Eventually, tensions and disagreements between the leadership of the church and the group led to the group moving from the church, first to King Books, then to the Washington State History Museum, to the YWCA, and to its present location at Evergreen Tacoma.

PROGRAM
Each Sunday, doors will open at 8:30-coffee, chitchat and settling in will occur between 8:30 and 9.

Members of the leadership team will arrive by 8:45.
We will begin at 9.
Each day’s program will be structured as follows:
Welcome & Introductions
Personal Stories
Moral Philosophical Question –Lecture
Break
Small Group Discussion
Plenary Discussion
Announcements & Closing

ORGANIZATION
The group is guided by a voluntary leadership team called The V Team. Membership is open to all.

LEADERSHIP
The V Team is responsible for the following:

Program
Calendar
General development
Promotion

The V Team is governed by the following:
Volunteer
Rotating
Successive (Each leader will develop a successor)
The leader will be the person in the forefront of a role for a year with the successor as an associate. Thereafter the associate will assume the leadership role and a volunteer will be invited to become the new associate.
Volunteer leadership team so far:

Dexter Gordon - Conversation Facilitator
Associate -
Tom Hilyard - Political Mappigator
Associate -
Rosalind Bell - Purveyor of Arts, Letters and Epicurean Delights
Associate - Dianne powers
Laurie Arnold - Town Crier
Associate - Marla German
Jennine Matt - Media Coordinator
Associate -
Julia Harris - Finance & Budget Manager
Associate - Mona Baghdadi
Magdalena Nieves - Development
Associate -

MEMBERSHIP

We welcome anyone interested in promoting social justice to become a part of The Conversation. We frame our relationship as a healthily functioning family--we should be able to challenge one another, ask on another the hard questions and still love one another--still be committed to one another, just as family members are. And as a family, we strive to provide intellectual, moral, emotional, and spiritual support. We are mindful that people from different religious traditions and from no religious traditions share our commitment to social justice and we welcome and embrace all with a an awareness that our founding is grounded in the Christian prophetic tradition of liberation.

FINANCING

The Conversation is financed by voluntary contributions from those who attend its meetings.

Dexter's Response

Steve,

Thanks for taking the risk and sharing your thoughts and your challenges. Being the "new person" in a group comes with its "outsider" element. The challenge for any group is to help to shorten that outsider time so that the new person feels that her/his voice is welcome. As challenging as it is, we hope to be a place where open discussion takes place and where we can all feel welcome to learn together. Of course that means taking the risk of making mistakes. The key is can we learn together without devastating each other in the event of mistakes or missteps.

Because we share differnt life experiences, our truths must collide at some point. Where we go from there is the challenge of mature life. The first time my most cherished truths were challenged I was disoriented and needed new moorings. Thankfully I have found moorings that can accomodate challenge and change. The best we can do, I believe, is to hold tentatively to that which we believe with an openness to learn from others. In other words, all of us have gravel under our feet and the water is clear only sometimes.

On another note, I just listened to the excerpt from the song. You and Kristi are good. I hope you and Kristi will sing for us soon. This is the reason for the kind of discussion we had last week and propose for next time. We need to know what talents and abilities are in our Conversation family.

Dexter

Steve's Conversation

I have felt like I'm wading into unknown waters all through my attendance at "The Conversation". I can feel the pebbles beneath my feet. I walk gingerly. The waters are dark, I cannot see the bottom. I move slowly, occasionally stumbling, but continuing on nonetheless. The others wading here know the waters but a little better than I, or so it seems. Yes, they have been to some places in this ocean before, but like myself are feeling their way.

I recognize people who speak the same language as myself, and I am finding them here. All week long after I attend a "Conversation", I find myself returning to those hours, thinking about the topics, the stories, the indivduals involved. I have been afraid that I will be seen as a voyeur, as I am somewhat afraid of being seen a fool. I realize that's the chance all of us have to take if we are to express ourselves, indeed grow as human beings. Spending your life defending positions that are untenable does not seem (never has seemed) like a good option to me.

There was a time when I realized that everyone believes something that is categorically, absolutely untrue. Most of us believe MANY things that are untrue. Now there's a sticky subject, the truth. One of the most amazing things about the "Conversation" is the openness of expression of individual truth. So, if all of us possess a different truth, isn't that somewhat oxymoronic? A contradiction? No, it's not. The truth is that we do live in different realities, and to find the common touchpoints, to define reality that suits us all hypothetically would allow us to move on as a group, united in the beliefs that we share, or don't share.

I haven't been very willing to expose myself. You know, we can all put a few words out that supposedly define who we are, but there are never enough words to really accomplish that. I think that's why there are novelists, playwrights, poets, songwriters. They are all trying to define who they/we are with words, and the worlds just pile up until there are billions of books full of words, and still nobody really knows who they are. When you think you know who you are, what happens?

We've been navigating the waters of racism since I've been attending "The Conversation". Some time ago I experienced the epiphany that 100 years is a very short time in the span of the universe. Although I don't know, I probably had relatives who owned slaves, or at least were overt racists. They would have had to have been, and the more we delve into this, the deeper this reality comes home to me. It's really not that I didn't know these things before, but frankly, like many other realities, it's easier to ignore them, painful to not (ignore them). I have written a number of songs trying to find the past, I suppose romaticizing my grandparents, and doing in the process the same thing for other people of my same ethnic, and national background. www.geocities.com/steveandkristinebel/alonghundredyears.wav (click on this for a lofi excerpt from one of these kinds of songs).

So, the more I learn, the harder it is to sing some of these songs, even though there is an audience for them. Experience . . . yes experience. My wife and I have been singing in high end retirement homes (among other places). One of the remarkable things about these places is their resemblance to a plantation setting. All of the inhabitants are often "white", while the serving staff, kitchen staff, cleaning staff are often people of color. These are clearly (to me) stark illustrations of racism in America. These white folks love those songs glorifying the pioneer heritage of my grandparents.

Then there is the experience of living on the poor side of town, as Kristi and I often have. We live there for the same reasons other people do, being economically challenged. This means that we are walking through the social problems that other people only read about. Once again, it can be painful to see people in need, people hurting, and feel like you are powerless to help in any significant way.

It's time for me to get on with my day. I don't think that whatever I would write, there is ever an end of things to be said, if it is only to comment on what should not be said, or what the empty spaces between the words mean. As easy as this is/has not been for me I love "The Conversation". Steve Nebel 12/06/06

Critique of High Stakes Testing

I'd be interested in what folks think of this piece. I thought it expressed my views very well.

What's Behind High Stakes Testing and How We Can Expose It
Dave Stratmannewdem@aol.com
David Stratman is editor of New Democracy, a bimonthly newsletter devoted to democratic revolution, and the author of We CAN Change The World: The Real Meaning Of Everyday Life. He is the former Washington Director of the National Parent-Teacher Association.

In 1985 I had an experience which can shed some light on what's behind high stakes testing. I was hired by the Minnesota Education Association to help it defeat an education reform plan put forward by the Minnesota Business Partnership, an association of the largest corporations, banks, and media outlets in the state. The Minnesota Business Partnership Plan was the most sophisticated education reform proposal of its time. Its centerpiece was a plan to change the K-12 system to a K-10 system. The Business Partnership proposed that all students leave high school at the end of the 10th grade with a "certificate of completion." The most successful students-estimated at the time to be the top 20%-would be invited back to complete high school in special programs set up for the purpose in conjunction with colleges and universities. Minnesota at the time had the highest school completion rate in the country. Ninety-one percent of its young people graduated from high school and a large percentage went on to higher education.

To be able to defeat this plan, we had to expose the purpose behind it. The Business Partnership said its plan was intended to give students more "flexibility" and "personal choice." We said that its real purpose was to drive tens of thousands of students out of school without a diploma, in order to lower students' expectations of what their lives should be like, and to create a large pool of cheap labor-young people who would flip hamburgers or work in the stockyards at minimum wage.

We were able to stop the Minnesota Business Partnership Plan, but I think it has come back in the new and more destructive form of high stakes testing. High stakes tests achieve the same result as reducing the K-12 to a K-10 system while making it appear that the problem lies in the children themselves, that they cannot make the grade. The high stakes tests sweeping the country will push a high proportion of young people out of school in the 10th grade or earlier. Their lives will be restructured and their expectations downsized to accept without complaint their place in a more unequal, less democratic society.

The tests are not about education but about social control. By constantly raising the standards students have to meet, they make everyone afraid that "you'll never be good nough." Even the students who do well on the tests will be deeply injured by them. Young people are being told that education and life are all about making yourself acceptable to the corporations.

Most teachers and parents I talk with are very aware of the destructive effects of these tests. The question people can't figure out is, Why would the government impose such obviously destructive measures?

To answer this question, we need to look beyond the schools. In the past three decades, millions of jobs have been shipped overseas. Skilled manufacturing jobs have been replaced by low-skill service jobs-retail sales and cleaning offices. Huge numbers of white-collar jobs have been restructured out of existence. The lack of skilled jobs is likely to increase as automation increases. Computerization has greatly reduced the skills required in many jobs and has wiped out many others. This after all is the appeal of computerization to corporations: it makes people more expendable.

What do these developments have to do with high stakes testing and other elements of corporate-led education reform? The answer, I think, is simply this: our young people have greater talent than the corporate system can use. The purpose of high stakes testing is to crush the self-confidence and aspirations of millions of young people, so that if they have less fulfilling jobs and less rewarding lives in an increasingly unequal society, they will blame themselves instead of the corporate system.

Attacking public education is also a way of blaming ordinary people for the increasing inequality in society. Corporate and political leaders are saying, if millions don't have adequate work or housing or much of a future, the fault lies with the people themselves, that they could not meet the standards.

High stakes testing and education reform are part of a broader strategy to strengthen corporate domination of society. The 1960s and '70s witnessed a worldwide "revolution of rising expectations." Beginning around 1972, capitalist and communist elites undertook a counterrevolution to lower expectations and tighten their control. The counteroffensive has taken many forms, all of them designed to undermine the economic and psychological security of ordinary people. The export of jobs, the restructuring of corporations, the dismantling of social programs are policies intended to make people more frightened and controllable.

The growing movement against the tests promises to become the most important popular revolt since the 1960s. To succeed, this movement should take the offensive by doing three things:

Expose the real agenda behind the tests. This isn't just a fight over educational techniques, and we can't win it on a purely educational basis. Corporate leaders don't deny that they are behind education reform. What they lie about is their real agenda. Exposing the real corporate agenda shows the links between the corporate assault on education and on other areas of people's lives and will enable a wider range of people to join our movement.

Fight for real educational change. Even without corporate reform, the schools have profound problems which must be resolved. The movement to defend the schools must also be a movement to transform them. The schools should not reinforce social inequality but help to overcome it; should not intensify competition but nurture solidarity and friendship.

Build the movement for democratic revolution. The debate over education reform is a debate over the values and possibilities of human society. Should human beings be restructured to fit the needs of the economy, or should the economy be restructured to allow the full growth and development of human beings?

High stakes tests are an attack on fundamental democratic values. Most people in our communities share these values. They will oppose these tests once they know how destructive they are and why they are being imposed. Our job is to reach them with this message.

How can you get started? The most important things to do are actually the easiest. Talk with your friends and family about the tests. Find out their opinions and offer them yours. You're bound to find many allies you didn't know you had. Get together with a few friends and compare notes. Identify a few other people to join the discussion. Just talking these things over is very powerful. As you reach out to others and your numbers grow, people are sure to feel stronger and to come up with many good ideas for building the movement. We are stronger than we think.

We are at the beginning of a movement as broad as democracy and as deep as our feelings about our children and grandchildren. Given what is at stake, it is a struggle that we must win.

Thank you.

Cafferty Files - Immunity

what article S 3930 contains...

- Create a secret committee appointed by Bush and Rumsfeld that has the power to declare any person, even a US citizen, to be an enemy, instantly depriving them of their legal rights
- Revoke habeas corpus
- Revoke protection of prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions
- Allow police to search your home without a search warrant
- Give amnesty to war criminals and protect George W. Bush from being impeached for any war crimes he has committed
- Allow for people to be put on trial in front of a military tribunal - even if they aren’t in any military, and have not engaged in military attacks against the USA
- Make it legal for the government to use testimony extracted through torture and end the legal right to be protected from forced self-incrimination
- Allow the government to imprison people without telling them what crimes they are being charged with
- Allow the government to convict people of crimes on the basis of secret evidence that the accused never sees and remove the right of the accused to cross-examine witnesses
- Allow for the records of trials to be kept secret from the American public
- Revoke away the right to a speedy trial
- Enable trials to begin even before a thorough investigation of the alleged crime has taken place

"God's Army"

Check out this story as reported on NPR Religion and the Air Force Academy. It's really scary that the people learning to fly fighter jets are increasingly being recruited by and trained by these people.

Jesus Camp

For those intrested, this film is showing at Metro Cinemas in Seattle.

Galloway Lebanon

Here's a video on Britain's version of Fox--Sky News-- with a view you don't hear often. George Galloway, for those who don't know of him, is a member of British parliament. Google him for more of his refreshing perspective on world events.

Saving Drowning Babies

Here's a version of the story we were discussing in this morning's conversation. I found it on the United Way of Southern Michigan website, but there are many versions of it all over the web.

The Ogre Story
A villager is walking by the river early one morning. The villager looks out into the water and sees a baby floating down the river. Horrified, the villager races into the water, grabs the baby, and brings the baby to shore. The baby is fine.

Relieved, the villager looks back into the water and sees another baby floating down the water. The villager again dives into the water and rescues this baby as well.

Once more, the villager looks into the water . . . and sees dozens of babies floating down the river. The villager calls out an alarm, and the entire village comes running to the river to rescue as many babies as they can before the water carries them away.

This is a village that is mobilized. Every villager is at the river, trying to save the babies from the water.

This is a village that is improving lives. Many of the babies are being saved.

But the babies keep on coming . . . because no one is going upstream to put a stop to the ogre that is throwing the babies into the water in the first place.
[We] need to gather a contingent of villagers to go upstream and stop the ogre. Otherwise, we will be pulling babies out of the water forever.

Pulling babies out of the water is essential. How can we live with ourselves if we don’t try? But it is by going upstream — to re-direct the ogre (our political and civic leadership) and put its energies to better use — that we create a lasting change in the conditions that are causing this nightmare to begin with.

WA State 10-Year Homeless Plan

Reminder: City Council meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) at 5pm. There will also be a study session at 12noon. The topic is special use housing and land use. Voices in support of Tacoma's homeless are needed at one or both meetings. On that note, here is some info that Mona would like to pass on regarding the state homeless plan. http://qa.cted.wa.gov/_CTED/documents/ID_3356_Publications.doc