Vision of Equality Is Crucial Every Day by Mary Stamp Grandchildren
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
36th Year of Publication Stories inside Intern understands discrimination - p. 5 MLK Day is chance to teach on civil rights - p. 7 Center shares legal resources - p. 9 February 2020 HREI exhibits elicit [email protected] Micah 4:4 conversations - p. 12 Volume 37 Number 2 (509) 535-1813 • 535-4112 Calendar on page 11 Monthly newspaper and website covering faith in action throughout the Inland Northwest features 60+ events online at www.thefigtree.org • check The Fig Tree Facebook page daily for news and links Vision of equality is crucial every day By Mary Stamp grandchildren. She wants them to Stephy Nobles Beans combined know the sacrifices their ancestors song and words to invite several and others made when they became thousand people gathered Jan. 20 allies of King, who left a legacy to at the Spokane Convention Center his children, grandchildren, their for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day children and the world. Rally and March to “keep your eyes “He kept his eyes on the prize, on the prize”—the prize being the the gift that everyone is created gift to dream and keep dreaming the equal,” she said, wondering how vision that everyone will be judged he would feel with there still being by the content of their character, not injustice. the color of their skin. Stephy wants young people to “Freedom’s name is mighty know it’s not just about a holiday sweet, and soon we’re gonna meet,” to march hand-in-hand today, but she sang. “Only chain a man can for “our community to march stand is that chain of hand in hand.” every day in our hearts, work- She clarified that the national places, schools, health care and holiday is for “the Rev. Dr. King, housing—to keep marching every a man of God, a husband, father, day” to challenge injustices in the friend, comrade and dreamer.” community and country. Stephy, who is associate chaplain It’s not for tomorrow, Stephy for diversity, equity and inclusion said, but as King said, “The time is ministry at Whitworth University, always right to do what is right”— said, “his name is historical. Many today, tomorrow and in the future. recognize it. Some remember bits “We need to tell young people and pieces of facts. Some have to strive every day to uncover hid- forgotten. Some say the dreamer’s den prejudices that shape what we vision has been lulled to sleep and see, think and do,” she said. “The only awakened during the holiday.” dream is bigger than King. He Speaking recently on King to didn’t do it in a day, but every day several thousand students, she strived to make a difference, risk- was touched that they want to ing his life for a better life for his make a difference. She thought of children and others. the legacy she wants to leave her “Some say we have not lived up children, grandchildren and great- Stephy Nobles Beans urges people to keep dreaming the dream. Continued on page 6 Nursing professors at Gonzaga seek MLK Center asks city to overcome stigma, improve care to vote on its new name By Marilyn Urness titioner program, believe that part illness who didn’t have it before, EWU intern of improving care is to end the according to a 2016 report of the Freda Gandy, executive director of the Martin Luther King With one in five Americans negative stigma of mental illness Washington State Nurses Associa- Jr. Family Outreach Center, invited those who gathered for the diagnosed with mental illness and in the medical field and society. tion calling for mandatory suicide 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Rally and March at the Spokane more health care providers needed Their work has taken them from prevention education. Convention Center to come to the Spokane City Council meeting as access to care improved under changing the lives of students and With access to treatment, on Monday, Feb. 3, when the council will vote on renaming the the 2010 Affordable Care Act, two patients one at a time, to advocat- the number of patients has out- center at the East Central Community Center the “Martin Luther Gonzaga faculty members seek ing for changes in legislation. weighed the number of qualified King Jr. Community Center.” to improve care for those mental Mental illness has always held caregivers, the report said. She needs voices to challenge some who have said the name health patients. a negative stigma in the health In addition, emergency room is “too ethnic” or sounds like it “targets a certain population.” Jeff Ramirez, associate profes- care industry. Only in the last two staff often lack training to treat She asserted that King stood for everyone, and the center serves sor of nursing at Gonzaga Univer- decades has mental health been patients who are mentally ill and everyone. sity and doctor of nursing prac- considered a legitimate health may not understand the serious- “It’s 2020,” she said. “We need to move forward, not back- tice program director and Carol condition. In 2010, the passage ness of a situation, Jeff explained. ward.” Kottwitz, assistant professor of and enactment of the Affordable “Emergency room staff are The center, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020, nursing and the program director Care Act (ACA) gave access for burned out in dealing with over- provides early childhood education, children’s enrichment pro- for GU’s psychiatric nurse prac- treatment to people with mental doses and suicide attempts. They grams, a summer youth academy and family support from the don’t understand why patients Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Program plus programs don’t just take their medication that were at the East Central Community Center, including a food and stop using substances,” he bank, senior services, SNAP, W.I.C., Police Athletic League and said. “It’s a complex situation. Early Head Start Daycare with Community Colleges of Spokane. We just need to fix the system These programs are made possible by 7,000 volunteer hours, and help people understand why as the center provided 800 backpacks and 1,300 coats for chil- some people overdose on heroin, dren and 600,000 pounds of food in 2019. attempt suicide or have other Before the march, Mayor Nadine Woodward said:“The civil crises.” rights movement arose so that people would live the creed that According to a Catholic journal all are created equal. We believe in equality, in unity and in community. We are not immune to racism, but our community Permit No. 1044 No. Permit article Jeff wrote in 2016, the WA SPOKANE will not tolerate division.” Spokane, WA 99202-3571 WA Spokane, consequences of untreated men- PAID She called for bringing a better tomorrow by standing with 1323 S. Perry St. Perry S. 1323 tal illness affects society and the U.S. POSTAGE U.S. people in need and being leaders in justice and compassion. Organization The Fig Tree Fig The community as a whole. The high Non-Profit Continued on page 4 Page 2 - The Fig Tree - February 2020 Religion News Briefs REGIONAL ECUMENICAL & INTERFAITH NEWS Around the World Campaign generates funds to add staff World Council of Churches News, PO Box 2100 Because of The Fig Tree’s suc- partners and online donations,” well as a new fall online fundrais- CH - 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Tel: +41-22 791 6111 cess in raising nearly $36,000 in said editor Mary Stamp. ing campaign. She or he will also Fax: +41-22 788 7244 www.oikoumene.org the Branching Out Campaign in Part of the funds from the cam- have administrative responsibili- the fall, it will be able to hire a paign will be used over three years ties, assist with the database and Pacific gathering looks for islands of hope development associate to further to help support the position while increase and improve use of social The WCC’s Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace Reference Group its ability to generate income the person raises additional funds media and The Fig Tree’s online and Theological Study Group met in January at the Pacific Theo- for building its capacity to serve to secure ongoing support for the presence. logical College in Suva, Fiji, to reflect on issues in the Pacific through the newspaper and Re- position. “We seek someone who can related to climate change and cooperation with churches, national source Directory in print and “Our effort relies on staff with multi-task, work independently, councils of churches and the Pacific Conference of Churches. online. an entrepreneurial spirit to gener- be persuasive, take initiative, James Bhagwan, Pacific Conference of Churches general secre- “We seek someone committed ate funds to underwrite their sala- problem solve and have flexible tary, spoke the “island of hope” concept in a 2001 WCC document, to our mission and vision to help ries and those of others,” she said. hours,” added Mary. “Island of Hope - a Pacific Church Response to Globalization.” us build more relationships to se- The person will also assist with For information, email mary@ “The island of hope proposes a way of life based on principles cure more advertising, sponsors, the benefit lunch and breakfast, as thefigtree.org. that do not exclude or marginalize, and on values commonly found in the Pacific cultures,” he said. “It is visionary in its view of the future of our region, and we want to share this vision with the global ecumenical family.” It resonates with the proposed theme Fig Tree benefits coming up in early March for the Pilgrimage in 2020: “Caring for People, Water and Earth,” “Connects People, Inspires with the expectation of donating Mary Stamp, editor, said the framing social justice and political issues facing the Pacific today.