Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we pursue our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women, we are acutely aware of the efforts of the countless people who have championed civil rights over the years. Bravery and diligence have moved this country closer to truly being a land of justice. We are humbled by everyone who has made sacrifices in the fight for racial equity, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A group from the YWCA attended the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast on Saturday. We celebrating King’s legacy today by taking our After Schoolers to the MLK Peace March and Rally.

On Tuesday, the YWCA will have a table at UNCA for the Parchman Hour, Remembering the Past: Freedom Rider Vignettes, and on Wednesday we will be there for Gwendolyn Boyd, Looking to the Future: MLK Week Keynote.

At those events we will be sharing information about our annual Stand Against Racism. The Stand Against Racism, which happens in April, has the goal of raising awareness that racism still exists and that it can no longer be tolerated or ignored. Any group of any size can become a Participating Site of the Stand Against Racism: corporations large or small, schools (from elementary schools to universities), government agencies, non-profit or civic organizations, hospitals, churches or synagogues, even two neighbors gathered around a kitchen table.

Interested in being a part of this movement?
Click here to sign up for the Stand Against Racism.

As we walk in the footsteps of the heroes that have gone before, we will blaze a trail of a better world for those who will follow.

Shattering Barriers

Have you seen our new PSA?

S. French Broad Neighborhood Conversation, Pt. 2

On Monday, August 29, we’re hosting Part 2 of the conversation about the S. French Broad neighborhood which started in April during our Stand Against Racism. You did not have to attend Pt. 1 to participate in Pt. 2.

Writing to Change the World

During the week of the YWCA Stand Against Racism, 5th graders at Isaac Dickson wrote and recorded radio essays about racism. This was part of part of the “Writing to Change the World” project. Also, they met with Monroe Gilmour of WNC Citizens for an End to Institutional Bigotry (WNCCEIB) to further explore racism and hate crimes in the Asheville area in preparation for their presentation at TEDxyouth at Isaac Dickson on June 2. – Janet Hurley, True Ink

Kenilworth Presbyterian Stands Against Racism

Report from another Stand Against Racism event:

“On April 29, 2011 from 12 pm – 1 pm Kenilworth Presbyterian Church held a Lunch on the Lawn for the YWCA Stand Against Racism. Congregants and volunteers from Loving Foods Resources got together for lunch and an Ecumenical service led by Rev. Dr. Allen Smith and Marvin Chambers. Rev. Dr. Allen Smith led the group in meditations and Marvin Chambers guided the group through affirmations to end racism. This was a wonderful and powerful experience. We were very grateful to take part in the Stand Against Racism.”

UU Church Stands Against Racism

Photos from the Stand Against Racism service last Sunday, May 1, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Swannanoa Valley.  The topic was “Standing on the Side of Lov … Against Racism,” and the speaker was the Rev. Aubra Love.

Artists Against Racism

From the Asheville Citizen-Times:
Sally Bryenton and Wendy Outland encourage drivers to Stand Against Racism at the Riverlink Bridge Traffic Circle at Haywood Rd. and Robert St. They are part of the Artists Against Racism group promoting equality for all. 4/29/2011. Photo by Bill Sanders.

Evergreen Community School Stands Against Racism

From Kriya Lendzion, Evergreen Middle School Guidance Counselor:

It was a community-wide atmosphere of acceptance and activism at Evergreen Community Charter School as we took a strong Stand Against Racism.

As parents drove into car circle, they passed a 5 ft long banner made and signed by students in Afterschool, and were given ”Racism Hurts Everyone” stickers by an enthusiastic group of 6th graders. Kindergarten to 8th grade and staff also proudly wore their stickers throughout the day, and 5-8th grade students and staff signed a large Pledge Against Racism bulletin board. Throughout the elementary school, teachers discussed the concepts of racial prejudice and respect through picture books and class circles. One class made Stand Against Racism posters to cover their classroom door, while another put on a play of Dr Seuss’ “The Sneetches” for younger students. The lunchroom was transformed into a Poetry Cafe with candles and a tea bar and Middle Schoolers, staff and parents spent lunch reading, writing and listening to poetry related to racism. The poetry theme ran throughout the Stand, with all students at all grades, staff, parents and Board members encouraged to submit poetry for a whole community “Embrace Race” poetry wall, which will be on display at the end of this week. Throughout the week, 8th graders also read a morning quote relating to racial justice, which were discussed within classrooms. Parents were educated as well, and were given a guide of resources for “Preventing Racism and Prejudice in Our Children.”

Behind the scenes, teachers hightened our own awareness and the teachers lounge was filled with professional development articles on teaching diverse children, preventing and disassembling racial prejudice in kids, and working honestly on our own biases to be better teachers.

Cane Creek Middle School Stands Against Racism

Report from Anne Haffey, Spanish Teacher at Cane Creek Middle School:

We had a great week here at CCMS. I head our International Club which is club devoted to the promotion of cultural diversity and literacy at Cane Creek Middle School. We travel to Fairview Elementary to read with students enrolled in the English as a Second Language program as well as share our diverse cultures and backgrounds. We participate in many different activities as a club throughout the year. One of which was STAND AGAINST RACISM Week.  The students worked very hard to promote the week. We made posters and read the morning announcements in different languages that represented just a few of the many languages that are spoken here at CCMS (Chinese, Spanish, Russian and Ukraine).

Then on April 29, the students posted our Stand Against RAcism pledge on posters in the cafeteria and gym. We had our student body (and faculty) read the pledge and agree to abide by it here and in our community. If the agreed they signed the pledge and received a button, sticker or book mark. We had over 300 students sign the poster and we gave away all of our 250 buttons and stickers. Most of all the students really rallied together to stand against racism. We had some awesome discussions in classrooms and after school.

Isaac Dickson Elementary Stands Against Racism

Once again, Isaac Dickson Elementary was a big participant in the Stand Against Racism.  On April 29 the school’s 3rd – 5th graders made signs and marched from the school to Pack Park chanting positive slogans. Once at the park, the students sang Civil Rights songs and called out for unity before marching back.

Here’s a video of the kids being joined by buskers downtown: