"I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation,” said Elie Wiesel (z”l). “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." We Jews hold our fingers up to the havdalah candle in order to see the light of the flame reflected in our fingernails to remind us to bring the light of righteousness and justice into our world. So as we begin this week with cities across America in flames, please recall that we are inheritors of prophetic tradition that commands us to seek justice and spread mercy with full humility, but also with great strength. Jews are taught to speak up on behalf of the oppressed and the marginalized. It is why are we called Jews.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.
REGISTER TO VOTE:
1. Register to vote, check your voter registration status, request a absentee ballot, and make sure all of your people are registered to vote. Check your status even if you think you’re registered! ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽
http://proudvoter.org/equityalliance/
HOW TO HELP SEEK JUSTICE
Tell Your U.S. Rep.: Pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
Donate:
George Floyd Memorial Fund - also, Sign the Change.org petition, Justice for George Floyd.
Know Your Rights Camp Legal Defense Initiative
Lake Street Rebuilding Fund-Supporting Small Businesses
Contact Your Legislators
Use this momentum and call your local and state representatives. Call them again and again.
Tell them to end money bail. To free non-violent prisoners. To restore the vote. To increase affordable housing. To fund public schools and community centers in black neighborhoods. To get racial sensitivity training for all government officials. To improve a living minimum wage. See support materials below that you can use when contacting legislators.
End Money Bail & Pre-Trial Detention
Fund Public Schools & Community Centers
List of organizations fighting for restorative justice & systemic change:
Nashville Children’s Defense Fund’s Nashville Team
Jewish Voice for Peace Nashville
The Nashville Campaign to End the New Jim Crow
The Nashville Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild
Nashville People’s Budget Coalition
No Exceptions Prison Collective
The Restorative Justice Initiative
SUPPORT & HELP BLACK-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES:
https://www.finimpact.com/blacklivesmatter-support-black-owned-small-businesses/
https://www.mymove.com/home-inspiration/decoration-design-ideas/black-owned-home-decor/
BOOKS & MEDIA
Order your book now from Parnassus Books
Download from Kindle & Audible
University School of Nashville HASSENFELD LIBRARY: BOOKS ABOUT RACISM & RESISTANCE
Educational Materials:
*National Museum of African American History and Culture Releases “Talking About Race” Web Portal
*How to actively work to be anti-racist
*75 Things You Can Do For Racial Justice
*Anti-Racism Resources (Books, Podcasts, Educational Resources, Articles, Films, Etc.)
*How To Talk About Racism With Our Kids
*Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man
*What To Read: Institutional Racism- PBS
Mental Health Resources:
“Racism is a public health crisis,” according to a May 2020 statement from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This means that racism — whether unintentional, unconsciously, or concealed — has affected Black Americans’ access to equal and “culturally competent” health care.
Black Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious mental illness
17% will develop a substance abuse disorder
Just 1/3 will receive the help they need
Learn More At:
https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/mental-health-issues-facing-the-black-community