NewsletterSouth of the South Region, American Friends ServiceStar Committee • Summer 2015 “The first need of a free people is to define their own terms.” – Stokely carmichael/Kwame Touré Across the region, offices nonviolence trainings, these young working with youth have joined New Orleanians worked to peace by piece together to expand Peace by Piece demonstrate alternatives to violence by (PxP), a program collective designed using artistic expression—by programs engage to spread the meaningful youth work utilizing hip-hop, dance, spoken word currently being done in the south. and other art forms to create youth regionwide By tapping into successful initiatives conversations around peace. tested in New Orleans, and shaping Now led by area director Dee new groups of young people who are Dee Green, and assisted by motivated involved in their communities interns, PxP NOLA is working on in Baltimore, Atlanta and Mississippi, multiple issues including housing AFSC is working to develop a strong development and neighborhood food platform for tackling social issues programs. Participants meet regionwide. regularly twice a month, but also Peace by Piece originated in New organize special community-wide Orleans in 2010, when youth in the events such as Healing Through the Peace & Conflict Transformation Arts, which showcases local talent, Project decided to address violence in and the Peace Is Power Parade, which Photo by Dee Dee Green their city. After participating in Continued on page 3 #BLACKLIVESMATTER: WHY WE CAN’T WAIT The shooting of Michael Brown individuals and organizations with in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, resources, and an unwillingness on 2014, catalyzed a renewed level of their part to accept new leadership. youth activism on the issue of police We are now on the cusp of a brutality. movement that should be nurtured and It was, for many, the proverbial supported by all who work for justice straw that broke the camel’s back as and peace. Because police abuse and young people in Ferguson organized brutality are very real and sometimes demonstrations and protests that very visible offenses. It’s a fact that resonated around the world. Their can be seen by riding through some of demands for justice spread like a our nation’s poorest communities. prairie fire, igniting Black Lives Take the videotaped shooting of A resident of Gilmor Homes in West Matter and many other groups to begin Walter Scott in Charleston, South Baltimore shares his thoughts on the organizing across the United States. Carolina, on April 4, 2015, the 47th future of his neighborhood. Some will say that similar anniversary of Martin Luther King, moments have come and gone before. Jr.’s assassination. Given the Storm, The Malcolm X Grassroots However, if we look with a more frequency of police shootings, this Movement found that a black man, critical eye, we might find that missing event salted wounds that had never woman, or child is killed every from these earlier moments was the healed. twenty-eight hours by a police officer, recognition and support of In the report, Operation Ghetto security guard, or vigilante. Their Continued on page 3 a message from the regional director

One of the most important Within a year’s time, our hope is developments from this movement that Peace by Piece will be a leading is the creation of new formations of force for social, political and economic young people dedicated to organizing change. Those are big dreams, but for social change. Here in the South these young people are motivated, and Region, AFSC’s New Orleans office we as their supporters will attempt to has led the way by creating a model give them the necessary resources to for organizing youth that is now being lay a foundation for those dreams. duplicated across the country. In the following pages, read more The new collective, named Peace about the various activities and people by Piece (PxP), is starting chapters involved who are motivating us—not under AFSC in the south and beyond. only with their words, but with their At this time there are Peace by Piece actions. We are inspired by their Dear Family, Friends and Supporters, groups not only in New Orleans, but struggle to recognize rights where they also in Baltimore, Atlanta, Mississippi are not respected, create infrastructure The latest killings of unarmed and now San Diego. Each chapter where very little exists, and to build black people by the police continue is moving not only to change policy community where chaos has reigned, to shake the political landscape in and laws, but to create programs that peace by piece. America. Black youth in particular can help build a lasting base in each have used social media to reach respective community. – kamau franklin beyond the need for corporate media to decide what deserves coverage.

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The South Star is published by the South Region, American Friends Service Committee. Editorial Committee Bryan Vana Kamau Franklin Ann Lennon Design by Beth Spence & Bryan Vana Photography by Bryan Vana unless otherwise noted Atlanta Regional Office 75 Marietta St., Suite 501 The Friend of a Friend Program’s work in West Baltimore Atlanta, GA 30303 continues with newly renovated basketball courts at Gilmor Phone: (404) 586-0460 Homes. Check out the story on YouTube via TheRealNews. Fax: (404) 586-0465 Regional Director Kamau Franklin Please visit www.afsc.org Associate Regional Director for extended articles and Ann Lennon support the South Region

2 Peace by Piece cont. from page 1 will lead with an emphasis on teaching the deep history of African American will run for its fifth year in September. communities. “We are creating courses In Baltimore, Farajii Muhammad that guide our students to empower will be guiding PxP through a busy themselves to be the change they summer with its new campaign, want to see in their neighborhoods,” Summer of Us. Between teaching Dickerson explains. social justice workshops for high But the program offers more school students, volunteering at the than a history lesson—Dickerson new ConneXions Leadership Academy has planned a theater arts course, a library, organizing a town hall meeting sewing/fashion class, and a computer that will be broadcast live on two programming class that will teach radio stations, and also sponsoring an coding and basics of computers. “With activist camp at Mervo High School, the Coding Collective, we aim to start PxP Baltimore continues work at the Summer of Us has PxP Baltimore a worker cooperative made up of high ConneXions Academy, where a new youth out in the community non-stop. school and college-age students in the library has been established. Muhammad says his program area … that provides both ownership Photos by Farajii Muhammad won’t slow down when the summer and income for our youth.” is over, though. “PxP is focused and Michael Taylor, who represents Speaking to the outcomes of committed to ... making this year a PxP in Mississippi, will focus on the events in which PxP is involved, game-changer to restore peace, unity educating youth about violence, AIDS/ Taylor states that “The overall goal and justice in broken communities.” STD awareness, and teen pregnancy, ... is to impact the lives of the next The collective’s most recent while introducing creative outlets and generation of young people and to additions are in Georgia and opportunities for participants to serve mold them into future leaders.” Mississippi. In Atlanta, Joel Dickerson their communities.

shootings found that in Maryland, neighborhood of West Baltimore. African Americans make up 29 percent I did not know him, but I know of the state’s population yet comprise many young men like him, and I know 69 percent of the 109 people who died the difficulty of their lives and the at the hands of police in 2014. struggle to survive a neighborhood In addition to these killings, black that time and society has forgotten. people face other forms of oppression Since the protests have begun here in such as mass incarceration. Often there Baltimore, I have been contemplating is a direct link between police brutality a question. Do we love these young and incarceration. Many prisoners in black men in life, or value them more Maryland report that they have in death because they have become experienced physical abuse, symbols of oppression and suffering? including the use of stun guns, during One of the best ways to honor their arrest. Freddie Gray and the many victims of While we lift up the murder by police brutality and murder, is to care police of African American men, we about the hundreds of Freddie Grays cannot overlook the fact that this issue that live among us now. We must work touches every segment of the black to end police brutality, but we must community. Women, children, and also remove the veil of invisibility that Balloons mark a stop sign in memory LGBTQ are all vulnerable to police allows conditions of inequity and of Freddie Gray near Gilmor Homes brutality. oppression to exist for so many. in Baltimore. What makes African Americans It is time to stand with the new potential victims is the invisibility of crop of activists. Many of them are the #BlackLivesMatter cont. from page 1 so many to the larger society. Up until very people who will be the victims of study included police reports and other the time of his death, Freddie Gray police brutality and shootings. available data on these shootings. was an anonymous young man living A recent ACLU report on police in the Sandtown-Winchester Article concluded on page 8 3 Liz came to West Virginia as an perpetuate racial disparities. Americorp VISTA and has since led As a follow-up, the youth will a girls’ empowerment program in be leading sessions at the launch of Logan County and overseen multiple AFSC’s WV Freedom School at the mini-grantees around the state who are end of August. One of the goals, in working on healthy lifestyle initiatives addition to learning about institutional in their community. racism, is for the students to identify With Liz at the helm, AFSC winnable policies that address racial students are planning and disparities. implementing a student-led policy As part of the ongoing Our workshop in early August where they Children, Our Future campaign, the will be making policy pitches, youth will be presenting their policies co-leading workshops on public at a policy symposium in Charleston ACE WELCOMES NEW speaking, and sharing tips on how to and then working in coalition to have a successful lobby visits with push those policies during the 2016 STAFF MEMBER legislators. legislative session. The Appalachian Center for In April, four students from AFSC is excited to see how Liz Equality, AFSC’s youth leadership Logan County attended the Undoing will grow the program and work with program in the southern coalfields of Racism workshop hosted by AFSC’s the students to bring new leaders into West Virginia, is thrilled to introduce WV Economic Justice Project. These the movement for justice in West Liz Brunello as its new program students learned about what racism is Virginia! associate. and how institutions and systems

D.C. VOLUNTEER SHARES looking at a drawing from different YOUTH VISION OF PEACE perspectives and comparing your ideas with a partner. The students picked up Children know the names Freddie on the task right away. They were then Gray, Michael Brown and Trayvon able to process and apply the lesson Martin. Middle school students to real life and how police might see understand police brutality and racism one thing while they see another. I was are serious problems in our society. very impressed with how quickly they They know violence can come from were able to comprehend. those they are supposed to trust. Project engages D.C. youths in a At the beginning of the workshop However, they also have a vision of participatory exploration of human I was a little sad to know that these peace and non-violence—a vision of rights and guide them towards children had such a keen awareness of what our cities might look like without becoming agents of social change. police brutality, that those designated war and police brutality. Together we explored the basic to be their protectors may not be It is important to talk about concepts of violence and peace. We trustworthy or safe. However, I was violence and brutality with youth, to shared the model of Transforming also proud of their level of awareness empower them to use non-violence Power, a paradigm designed by the and their ability to envision non- and understanding when the deck Alternatives to Violence Project violent responses to a violent context. may be stacked against them. It helps intended to inspire inner strength By the end of this workshop, I felt them realize their approach, their and creativity to transform violence. sure that these kids could help build perspectives, and their choices can We barely scraped the surface in our a more peaceful world given the right make a difference. short hour together, but it gave the resources, attention, and nurturing. On May 18th, I facilitated a students ideas for problem solving. It I feel that this kind of experiential workshop of 15 D.C. middle school showed them that they had the tools workshop could help more children students. Their teacher, Monica available, there were more skills to be face a violent world with empowering, Shah, is a former DC Human Rights learned, and it could be fun to do so. peaceful responses. Learning intern and has continued Eventually, event the shy kids were to work with the project to expand sharing their thoughts and experiences. - Written by young Friend and human rights learning at their school. Following our discussion we AFSC D.C. volunteer Jessica Farley The D.C. Human Rights Learning engaged in an exercise that required (full article online at afsc.org) 4 At the launch of the coalition, canvassers get ready to knock on doors. Photos by Tim Franzen ATL COALITION WORKS TO PREVENT HOUSING DISPLACEMENT Last year, AFSC’s Atlanta benefits the surrounding energy into building and Economic Justice Program neighborhoods. strengthening the Turner Field partnered with residents and Residents have realized now is Benefits Coalition, a coalition of community organizations to the time to organize around a over 40 groups based mostly in facilitate a listening project in platform that insures residents neighborhoods surrounding Turner Peoplestown. After evaluating the aren’t displaced, real jobs are Field. At this point, the coalition results, it was clear that residents created, and that those that live is fighting to insure that those that cared deeply for their community there have a say in what happens to live in the neighborhood will have and have deep concerns about its the land. a real voice and an impact on what future. On the top of the list of One exciting development is happens to the land the Braves used concerns were the lack of that in the effort to organize a after they leave. affordable housing, limited access tenants’ association at Boynton AFSC has also organized big to good food, and trash in the Village, tenants have won a huge trash clean-up days, with college community. victory. The owners of Boynton tudents focusing on the Since the listening project, Village, the Woda group, have Peoplestown community. And AFSC has worked with residents agreed to sign a new agreement responding to the lack of good food to develop an anti-displacement with HUD to keep the complex in the community, AFSC has been campaign and a series of housing affordable for the next 20 years. working with Pittsburgh (right next justice trainings. There has been This is a big win considering door to Peoplestown) resident a strong effort to organize tenant other apartment complexes will Tommy Moore to help him raise associations in the communities consider converting to market rate funds to develop community surrounding Turner Field, and a as the price of rent in this area con- gardens. Tommy is a miracle weekly free tenants’ rights legal tinues to increase with each passing worker in the garden and has used clinic was also launched with month. This may not have the resources to develop multiple Attorney Joshua Davis. happened if residents hadn’t garden sites, teach young people to It’s already been announced organized together to hold grow food, and feed neighbors free that the Braves will be leaving meetings, launch petitions, and of charge. AFSC is so excited to Turner Field in 2017, and that all demand face to face negotiation help put Tommy’s ideas into action, of the land used by the team will with the Woda group. That work including breaking ground on a be up for grabs for developers. has been a launching point to meet new garden in June 2015. Fighting mass displacement means with other tenant leaders in the pushing for a process that includes Peoplestown area. - tim Franzen, Atl Economic Justice long-term residents and ultimately AFSC has joined and put Program (full article online at afsc.org)

5 “[Elimu Learning Center students] Jason Wilson and Jacob Idassi discussed pointed facts and narratives about issues that affect them. When they met with the legislative assistant to Congresswoman Alma Adams, James Hauser, they shared with Mr. Hauser their concern about the poorlunch choices served to them,” Etheridge reported. “The lunches don’t get a passing grade. I could see this information resonated loudly with James because he happens to be on a nutritional committee.”

During the meeting, Etheridge and the young leaders also showed the One Minute for Peace illustration on the federal discretionary budget. This visual fold-out emphasized the need to shift limitless military spending and AFSC-NC participants visit the office of Congresswoman Alma S. Adams. ask that more money be considered for nc young leaders pursue budget reform in d.c. education and human needs. Another UNCG student, Zachariah Laughter, learning, and leadership Toni Etheridge from AFSC’s NC Etheridge, offered, “I want to say lobbying filled AFSC’s 2015 If I Peace & Economic Justice Program, that this entire experience completely Had a Trillion Dollars national youth who accompanied young leaders exceeded my expectations and I was film festival, which was held in from Greensboro, expressed that she left with a very good impression of the Washington, D.C. for its fifth year. enjoyed the chance to witness young American Friends Service Committee, Young people from other AFSC office people discover how they can amplify an organization I previously had little locations joined in to attend a four-day their community message. experience with.” advocacy experience.

IHTD is a collaborative project with National Priorities Project, a non-profit, non-partisan federal budget research organization dedicated to bringing the federal budget home. During the IHTD festival and trainings, youth focus on human needs and offer a counter debate toward soaring military spending in the United States.

Macy Brittingham (UNCG graduate, May 2015) shared, “I expected this leadership training [to be] just another seminar about how to be a better leader, but it wasn’t at all. I learned so much about government spending and about ASFC in general. I was constantly taking in new information and new experiences.” IHTD action conducted in front of the US Supreme Court steps 6 paulette’s path to citizenship As I enter Paulette’s apartment, citizenship classes with American she introduces me to her Garden of Friends Immigrant Services. When Eden. Paulette is fascinated by floral she was in class, she was able to design—she embellishes her residence escape her problems and focus solely in an arrangement of real and on the lessons. Paul helped Paulette artificial flowers. Paulette’s apartment with memorization problems, but showcases her bright disposition and nonetheless Paulette was a great I instantly feel welcomed into her student. Paulette focused on her home. She hands me a can of Orange studies for eight months and passed Fanta as I sit on the couch next to her the citizenship test on her first attempt piano. Paulette always had an affinity in December of 2013. for playing music from what she tells The support that she received me. I do not know what to expect from from Sister Marie and Paul was a this interview, all I know is that I am tremendous help for her. She was very instantly intrigued by her personality. thankful and tried to use the goodwill Paulette’s past is rooted in robbers released the children, who that she learned in that class to help her hometown of Port-au-Paix in were only eight and six years old. her classmates who struggled with northern Haiti. She was married for Incidents like these were severe studying. Paulette served as a role 40 years and had four loving children. enough to rattle the entire family and model for others by calling them and Unfortunately, after those 40 years, only encouraged Paulette to leave making appearances in class to discuss her husband passed away. At the time, even more. She had to find a better her experience. one of Paulette’s children migrated opportunity for herself somewhere, Paulette feels much more to the United States, one migrated to anywhere but Haiti. comfortable in the US than when Canada and the other two remained Initially, Paulette married an she was in Haiti. Since obtaining her in Haiti. Her husband was dead and American man that won her heart. citizenship, she has only visited Haiti her children were spread all over the However, the love soon fizzled out once. She saw her family and prayed a globe. Paulette suddenly felt alone, and they separated. With nowhere to lot for them when she was there. She scared and helpless to arise from her go, and only sustaining herself in the started the process to petition for her devastating situation.With nothing US on a travel visa, her daughter in two children to come to the US, who to lose and hopefully all the more to Canada was able to petition for her are now 47 and 43. gain, Paulette migrated to the US in to travel north. Paulette took a train In spite of her ties that she 2007. She was 66 years old. into Manhattan, but in Manhattan she maintains with Haiti, she solely However, there is more to the tragically fell off the train, causing identifies as American. Paulette plans story. Paulette did not simply leave her serious damage to her knee. She spent to vote in the 2016 election and has a country of origin—her home—for love three days in the ER and afterwards lot of gratitude for the second chance and wishful thinking. She expresses she decided to stay in the US. that the United States gave her to find that there were security issues in Haiti Paulette lived in New York for happiness. that threatened her well-being. There five years before the frigid cold of After Paulette concludes the were grave crimes committed against Northeast became too unbearable interview, she is surprisingly cheerful. Paulette and her family, most notably for her rheumatism—a non-specific Our conversation resurfaced many the kidnappings of her daughter and health condition related to joint pain repressed emotions of sadness, anger, granddaughter. The first time they and arthritis. Her sister lived in Ft. frustration and sorrow, and yet she were both kidnapped, there was no Lauderdale, which was the perfect is cheerful. On the way out, she tells ransom placed on them and Paulette’s reason to migrate to sunny Florida. me that she sees me like one of her family was easily able to retrieve After moving to Ft. Lauderdale, she children, and gives me a long hug. them. decided that she never wanted to As I leave, I look back and tell her to The second incident was nearly return to Haiti and that instead, she keep playing music, keep motivating heartbreaking. The robbers demanded preferred to obtain her American people, and most importantly, keep a $70,000 ransom for the two of them citizenship. being herself. and the family was not able to front The church that Paulette attended that large of an amount. Luckily, the referred her to Paul-Andre Mondesir’s - story & photo by afis intern grace slawski 7 Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID South Region Baltimore, MD Permit No. 4984 3600 Clipper Mill Rd., Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21211-1848

#BlackLivesMatter cont. from page 3 All of us need to listen with open hearts and minds, and respond with support that reflects the guidance of the grassroots. Many strategies have been initiated and suggested by groups around the country. Community control of the police is perhaps the most widely discussed possibility. This could be supported through a mass movement or a “bloc” of residents in differentcities pushing city council resolutions. Boycotts also have been effective when used strategically, and demonstrations that focus on a specific entity or individual have proven Community members protest following the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. useful. AFSC has a history of standing Now is the time to renew the Note: This article was published on with marginalized groups and spirit of our activism. Now is the time AFSC’s Acting in Faith blog on May working on unpopular issues. We will to stand with those who have had to 24, 2015, with an introduction by use our resources to convene people remind the world that Friends Liaison Lucy Duncan. South to ascertain how they can best support #BlackLivesMatter. Regional Director Kamau Franklin this movement. We invite other groups - dominque stevenson also contributed to the piece. with resources to do the same. program director, friend of a friend

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