Dear Neighbors,
It has been a long and difficult few days and quite honestly writing this week’s newsletter felt harder than most weeks. Our hearts ache for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and the many others, named and unnamed, who have lost their lives to police violence. Our eyes are tired watching peaceful protests erupting into violence and destruction in our communities. We shed tears for the Black members of our community - mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters - who are suffering in unimaginable ways. And our heads hurt as we contemplate seemingly insurmountable divisions in our country. It seems important, now more than ever, that we come together as a community, unified in our condemnation of racism and racially-motivated violence. This also means finding a way to TAKE ACTION by ATTENDING EVENTS organized by agencies doing the work of racial justice, taking responsibility for EDUCATING OURSELVES, and if we can, supporting racial justice organizations by GIVING GENEROUSLY.Here are specific ways to take action more broadly this week. You can also get involved with two terrific local organizations NNHN has worked with:
Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ), an organization of diverse Newton families focused on helping children learn about issues of power, inequality and how to stand up for racial justice. (Consider taking part in a neighborhood quote project organized by a FORJ member)
Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Boston, a local chapter of a national network of groups and individuals working to undermine white supremacy and to work toward racial justice. (Read more about SURJ’s Call to Action)
Also, NNHN members Nanci Ginty Butler and Brooke Foucault Welles are organizing an event this Thursday at 4:30pm called Line Up for Black Lives in Newton. From the organizers: “Please join Newton neighbors as we silently and peacefully line up along the sidewalk beginning in the 1300 block in front of the police station and extending down Washington St towards Newtonville. Please join with your own signs, or come simply as you are to join together to convey our rage, concern, and grief. Bring something to kneel on. Social distancing and masks required. #LineUpNewton”
In solidarity,
Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors
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