The YWCA Greater Newburyport invites you to participate in Newburyport’s 1st annual Stand Against Racism which will take place on Friday, April 30, 2010. Stand Against Racism is a national day of action initiated by the YWCA in 2008 in order to raise awareness that racism still exists in our communities and that it cannot be ignored or tolerated. The YWCA’s objective is to bring organizations together, who believe like we do, that united we can eliminate racism.
Here in Newburyport, local schools, businesses and congregations are participating in the Stand AgainstRacism. The culminating event will be a community wide gathering on Friday April 30, 2010 at Newburyport’s Waterfront Park from 6:30-7:30 pm. Joining us will be Laura Biddle and her puppets, Zach Field and his steel drums, Senator Steven Baddour, Mayor Donna Holaday and local high school students who have organized this event. Art work by local High School students that conveys the topic of racial diversity, dignity and justice will be displayed. Community members of all ages are invited to attend and to sign a pledge against racism at the event.
What does racism look like? It looks like racial profiling, hate crimes, inequity in employment, harassment, housing discrimination, racist jokes, epithets, and communities where those with darker skin are not welcome. Racism in America is 45% of black children living below the poverty line (compared with 16% of white youngsters); black college men ending up just a few dollars ahead of white men who went no further than high school; incarceration of about 12% of the entire African-American male population in the United States aged 25 to 29 ; and more African-American men in jail than in college. It is time to make a StandAgainst Racism.
In 2009, the Stand Against Racism reached over 320 organizations and collectively attracted over 30,000 people nationwide. In 2010, we are expecting the participation of approximately 1,500 organizations and over 200,000 individuals who will be taking a Stand Against Racism on April 30.
The YWCA Greater Newburyport is a non-profit membership based organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. For 125 years, the YWCA has been providing programs that support the local community including affordable housing, childcare, health and wellness, racial justice initiatives, advocacy and leadership development.
