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Black Lives Matter

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Black Lives Matter


June 2, 2020
Category: Public Policy
Tags: , , , ,

A black background with white text that states Black Lives Matter.

Black lives matter.

 

George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Tony McDade. Ahmaud Arbery. We speak their names. We are outraged and grieving for them, and for all Black people murdered since before this country was called the United States. Every day, Black people suffer violence, insults, discrimination, bias, inequality, injustice, and microaggressions all because of the color of their skin.

 

To those who are hurting, who are raising your voices in protest and actively fighting back against oppression: we see and support you. Black Lives Matter. Today and every day.

 

NCCJ is heartbroken by the continuous, horrific, and senseless acts of racism that have taken place over the last few weeks, and for so many decades and centuries prior to this, culminating last week in the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.

 

But know this: NCCJ believes in the strength of the bonds that bind our community together and that our community can be a force for positive change. We believe in bringing the community together, even when it seems like we are being ripped apart at the seams. NCCJ stands against hatred and will continue to empower our community to stand with us. As we have for more than 80 years, NCCJ continues to work with you to build more inclusive communities – for all of us, not just some of us.

 

NCCJ will continue to oppose bias, bigotry, and racism in all their forms. That will never change.

 

Yet, it’s often true that “what got us here, won’t get us there.” NCCJ is evolving to meet the circumstances and challenges of today. This moment in history is a crucible that is changing how we do this work, as it must. As we continue to voice our outrage, now is also a time to pause, reflect, and reassess what is working and what needs to be done differently to achieve the healing and drastic, tangible, and positive steps toward equity and justice that we strive to create in our communities.

 

Right now, as we process our emotions surrounding recent events, we at NCCJ are also learning and channeling these emotions to create positive, systemic change in our community. We are gathering and crafting resources. We are creating detailed action plans and tools for the coming days, weeks, months, and beyond. We will also continue to do what we do best: provide space for people to come together to have conversations that help us better understand each other.

 

We invite you to be part of this conversation. You’re part of our community and your voice is important. We want to hear your thoughts, ideas, and plans. To begin, we are hosting virtual office hours on Thursday, June 4, from 5 – 6 PM and Tuesday, June 9 from 12 noon – 1 PM. Email nccj@nccjtriad.org and we’ll send you a Zoom link so we can connect and plan together.

 

Speaking to our Black readers: now is likely to be an especially difficult time for you. We encourage you to sustain yourself for the long haul. This isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. We hope you are able to find or create the space and opportunity to take the time you need for rest and recovery; to be present with yourself and your emotions; and to be in community, if and however you are able. We encourage you to give yourself permission to check out and re-energize.  Find your breath. Pace yourself. We see you. We love you. We are here for you.

 

Speaking to allies in this struggle who see the injustice and racism and are looking for ways to act: we offer a few resources below, including some actions you can take. But these are just the beginning. Above all, we urge you to listen to Black voices and then share what you learn with others. Have those difficult but necessary conversations with your friends, relatives, and colleagues. Please do not stay silent.

 

What You Can Do

 

  • Educate yourself. Are these topics new to you? Now is always the right time to learn more about racial justice and the history of race in America. You can start by reading The 1619 Project. Check out Talking About Race, the new web portal of digital tools and resources from the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture. Read How To Be An Antiracist, So You Want To Talk About Race and other books on anti-racism, preferably purchased from a Black-owned bookseller. The upcoming online seminar Hard Conversations: Introduction to Racism is one of many excellent courses offered by anti-racism educators.

 

 

  • Speak out in the places where your voice is heard. Are some of your friends, relatives, or colleagues making statements or taking actions that advance racism? Are you seeing racist remarks or memes on social media? Speak up and challenge these individuals’ language and assumptions, even (and especially) when it makes you uncomfortable. While you may never change someone’s mind, you are making it clear where you stand and you are practicing anti-racism and preparing for future conversations.

 

  • These difficult conversations are deeply necessary. Approaching every conversation with the intention of listening to understand is a key part of engaging in effective dialogue. Check out NCCJ’s Open Minds, Respectful Voices initiative for 5 community practices to foster better, more respectful conversations. We hope you will consider signing your name to the growing list of people in our community who are committing to putting these practices into action in their daily lives.

 

  • Keep going after this moment we’re experiencing now is over. The fight against racism and for justice and equity is bigger than what’s happening right now. It’s a struggle that stretches long past any of our lifetimes. Commit to being an ally and practicing anti-racism in the long-term.

 

  • Have questions? Need support? Email us at nccj@nccjtriad.org. We’ve got your back, and we’re here to help.

Open Minds, Respectful Voices: Why it’s important to sign your name

Posted on by NCCJ

Open Minds, Respectful Voices: Why it’s important to sign your name


May 28, 2020
Category: Open Minds Respectful Voices
Tags: , , , , ,

Yellow sticker and arrow down with red text that says "Sign Here."

NCCJ’s board of directors (a diverse group of people from across the Triad community) invites you to join us in a new initiative that we’re calling Open Minds, Respectful Voices. It’s a set of Community Practices that represent a commitment to engaging in more respectful dialogue and actively listening to understand others’ perspectives.

Click here to learn all about Open Minds, Respectful Voices initiative, add your name, and see who else in our community has signed.

What is Open Minds, Respectful Voices?

In recent times, we’ve noticed that some neighbors, friends, and even family members are struggling to have respectful conversations. They’re struggling to truly hear what the other person is saying. We’ve heard stories of disagreements, tension, and in some cases, complete disengagement from existing relationships. Friends who aren’t friends anymore. Family members who avoid each other.

We believe compassionate communities are effective communities.  To build the future we envision – a future where every community is a place of promise with opportunity and justice for all – we must all learn to engage with each other. If we can’t talk to each other with civility and respect, we won’t be able to find the common ground we need to live and work together.

That’s why we’re launching Open Minds, Respectful Voices. We hope you’ll take part in this shared effort to practice engaging with others to build community. Please join us in a common focus on these Community Practices.

Why should you sign?

We’re asking you to sign your name to these community practices. This isn’t a way to police each other; it’s a way to hold each other accountable and work together toward integrating these practices into our daily conversations and interactions. When you sign your name, you’re making a statement that you believe these commitments have value. You’re telling your friends and neighbors that you’ll work on practicing them in your own life.

In short, signing your name is just a way to say, “I’d like to practices these things to improve my communication.”

Here’s how we’ll use your information:

First, be assured that NCCJ will never share or sell your information. You have the option to sign these community practices anonymously. However, we hope you will choose to sign publicly. When you do, your name will be listed on NCCJ’s website. Your name may also be mentioned in connection with this initiative, including stories on NCCJ’s social media accounts and in any media coverage.

Finally, you can always change your mind. So if you signed publicly but later decide you no longer want your name to be listed, just email or call 336-272-0359 to speak with NCCJ’s staff so they can make that change for you.

What would a response to COVID-19 that centers inclusion and equity look like?

Posted on by NCCJ

What would a response to COVID-19 that centers inclusion and equity look like?


May 27, 2020
Category: Public Policy
Tags: , , , ,

An image of outlined cartoon individuals of different colors organized in a circle holding hands.

It’s a big question, and it’s one that NCCJ and many others are exploring. The issues being amplified by this pandemic are broad and complex:

Put simply, COVID-19 does not affect everyone equally. The most negatively impacted groups include people of color, immigrants, people experiencing poverty, older adults, people with disabilities, and other populations who experienced discrimination before the pandemic.

What does this mean?

This means that a comprehensive, inclusive, and equitable response must address the root causes of these inequities. It means we must engage with the people who are most impacted to co-create solutions. We at NCCJ are eager to collaborate with partners across our community in this critical effort to achieve a recovery that includes everyone.

Thank you to our friends at the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) for allowing us to borrow and adapt this blog post.

Dear María: Letter to My 17-Year-Old Self

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Dear María: Letter to My 17-Year-Old Self


May 21, 2020
Category: Anytown
Tags: , , ,

A Hispanic woman wearing black glasses smiling beside her brown dog outside in front of trees.

Dear María,

I’m writing to you from the year 2020. You’re inching closer to your 30s, with short hair, and a dog, actually. Congratulations! It’s a Sunday afternoon in Greensboro and you’ve finally learned to sit still in this city, not quite really by choice at the moment. I mean, err, I’m not supposed to say much about the state of the world in the future, but let’s just say 2020 will suck for a while but you’re learning to breathe through it.

You with mom, about to board the bus to ANYTOWN for the first time.

You’re 17. Right now, you’re likely figuring out what to do with your friends on the upcoming weekend. As an adult, you’ll be often told to think about “what you’d tell your younger self.” Any piece of advice you wish you had, any wise words you want to give yourself, et cetera, et cetera. (Oh yeah, as an adult you’ll also learn how to actually spell “etc.” out.)

If I could be with you right now, I’d sit with you, six feet apart (this will make sense in 10 years), and tell you you’re doing fine, todo va a estar bien. I honestly would also want to take your lime green slide phone and throw it into an abyss, although that wouldn’t make us friends. But I’d tell you whatever is in that phone doesn’t define you, that whoever is in there doesn’t have any right over you, your body or who you are. I’d tell you that you can roll the R in your name if you want to, even if everyone looks back at you all freaked out or your friends ask Why do you have to say it like that?

And I’d tell you that when you finally get that social security card from the US government, you are allowed to correct them and tell them that, actually, you have a second last name, that it belongs to your mom and that it identifies you, too. It’s okay to do that, to correct people and let them know how you’d prefer they refer to you. But I know it can be scary, so take your time with it.

I’d take your hand and let you touch my hair. I know what you’re going to say, but this really is your hair! Without treatments, without straighteners, without judgements. Now, anyone can style their hair as they wish. I know you’ve straightened your hair every time that boy has broken up with you and girl, if you don’t quit! Ah okay, okay, I’m sorry. I promised no judgements. But in time, you’ll see what I mean. Us girls, we’re taught to cater to others, to men, to magazines, to everyone around us but, you’ll soon learn you were never really wired for that.

You’ll come back to ANYTOWN again and again. Here you are as a peer counselor with your friend Ketsia.

When is the last time you talked about your culture with one of your friends? I’m just curious. I think you’d really enjoy talking about it and they’ll enjoy getting to know more about the parts of you that don’t often come out. Sadly, certain aspects will begin to fade a little bit with time. But the life of an immigrant is one of constant reinvention. You’ll learn that your multifaceted identity is going to help you through a lot. Trust me, laughing in Spanish really hits differently – jaja.

What’s that you ask? Do you still color-code everything at 27 years old? Yes, of course, and you still underline headings with the little ruler in your pencil pouch. You see, I’m still very much like you and you’re still very much like me. The only difference is that at 27, those little big things you’re keeping inside will burst out continuously, without apology. Si, tranquila, relax. Take a deep breath with me for a moment. You’ll get to travel physically and emotionally everywhere you’ve wanted to go, places you don’t even know yet.

I have to go. We do yoga at night now, mamá loves it. But I want you to keep this letter in that folder where you keep the rest, next to dad’s poems. Read this letter when you feel alone and picture me there telling you, todo va a estar bien.

Love,

María.

P.S. – Please don’t buy those Wallabee shoes. Also, dance with whoever you want to at prom.

 

Note to you (the reader) – Writing this letter to my past self got me thinking about what I might say to my future self about what I’m experiencing right now. A friend told me about a website that allows folks to write a letter to themselves today, that will arrive by email 1 year, 5 years, or 10 years from now – their choice. What might you say to your future self about what you are experiencing right now, what you are learning about yourself, and what you hope for the future? Consider taking some time out today to send your future self a note at https://www.futureme.org/.

Maintaining and Sustaining Compassionate Community from Home

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Maintaining and Sustaining Compassionate Community from Home


May 13, 2020
Category: Program
Tags: , , , ,

Infographic with sunset background and black text.

As Covid-19 began to impact our community in March, NCCJ started thinking about how we could support our neighbors and stay true to our mission of providing opportunities for folks to come together to share and process our individual experiences so that we can gain a better understanding of one another and work together to build a more compassionate community free of bias, bigotry and racism.

Fortunately, as we’re all discovering lately, we don’t need to be in the same physical space with one another to have those powerful conversations. Beginning in April, we offered a 3-part virtual community program series on Zoom and Facebook Live, “Maintaining and Sustaining Compassionate Community While You Stay at Home.” Intended for people of all ages, this series focuses on helping participants to better understand:

  • How the current moment is impacting how we feel;
  • How those feelings influence our actions;
  • Ways we can think critically about what it takes to sustain and maintain the sense of compassion necessary for fostering strong, welcoming and inclusive communities.

If you didn’t catch this program series live on Facebook or Zoom, you’re in luck! You can watch all three programs right here:

 

Part 1. Your Brain on Uncertainty: Why Checking Bias is Still Important in Times of Crisis (Program recorded April 21)

In this program, we focus on how our brains help us process uncertainty, how that activates our biases and how we can slow down, process what is happening, and make decisions that align our practices with our values.

 

Part 2. The Power of Language: Standing By What You Say in Tough Times (Program recorded April 28)

In times of uncertainty, our brain references past experiences to help us make sense of the world. Language gives humans the unique ability to collect experiences and pass them down through generations for the benefit and knowledge of others. This program explores the power of language; how its basis as an evolutionary trait means language is closely tied to how we think and feel; how our language impacts our actions, especially in times when the threat of disease is imminent; how language can fuel our biases; and ways that we can be mindful of the language we use to help us avoid “personal mission drift.”

 

Part 3. Developing Our Moral Imagination: Learning from the Past to Envision the Future (Program recorded on May 5)

This program has us learning from people that have experienced long term confinement. By reflecting on times where the future felt frightening or uncertain, we can gain insight about how we might maintain the hope necessary to foster and envision compassionate and innovative solutions to our communities’ social challenges.

 

It is times like these that we realize that we’re connected in ways we often take for granted. With every breathe we take, everything that we touch, we leave a bit of ourselves behind. We hope that this series can help in this time of transition and change, and that by better understanding what lies beneath our biases we can continue to develop the practices necessary to foster compassion and inclusion in our community. The goal isn’t to be perfect. The goal is to admit that you matter. You make an impact on the world around you, and you have the power to take responsibility for your impact.

 

We look forward to continuing to be in community with you, to gaining insight and collectively creating a world where injustices can be healed and every human can flourish exactly as they are.

 

Additional Resources: In the third program, we mentioned two books written by people who have experienced long term confinement: Viktor E. Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning and Shaka Senghor’s Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death and Redemption in an American Prison. We recommend both, and encourage you to check them out from your local library or purchase a copy to support your favorite locally-owned bookstore. (There are several great ones to choose from in the Triad, including but not limited to: Scuppernong Books in Greensboro; Sunrise Books in High Point; and Bookmarks in Winston-Salem.)

 

 

 

 

NCCJ