1 thical iews E June 2019 Vol. 133, No. 10 Newsletter V of the Philadelphia Ethical Society w S u m m e r E d i t i o n Sunday, June 9, 11:00 AM Sunday, June 23, 11:00 AM Summer Sundays Omar Khayyam, An All Ethical Page Turners – on the Square Around Man, Facilitator: Javad Lives of Others Mohsenian, MD, PES member Facilitator: Betsy Lightbourn, The Philadelphia Ethical PES member Society – a popular summertime Dr Javad Ethical issues are destination for members, friends, Mohsenian, Summer often creatively and visitors – offers relaxed but an Iranian- Reading explored through stimulating summer programs American fiction. Literary fiction presented by PES members and author/ especially can illuminate friends, coordinated through the psychiatrist, ethical issues and enhance an Education Committee. While will look at understanding of the lives of others. we seek to inspire and inform all Khayyam’s life This summer, our reviewers will year around, we try especially hard and Edward briefly review books that have led during the summer months to offer Fitzgerald’s translation of his them to a better understanding of more informal (and sometimes poetry. He will examine the those who are not like them – i.e. lighthearted) programs. poet’s complicated life and his psyche through the window of race, gender, ethnicity, class, values, his poetry. and historical time. How can an j u n e Here with a loaf of bread enriched understanding of the lives Sunday, June 2, 11:00 AM beneath the bough. of others help us honor the worth of “Sing Out Louise!” A flask of wine, a book of every individual? verse - and Thou Facilitator: Robert Edwin Beside me singing in the Sunday, June 30, 11:00 AM (Steinfort), professional wilderness. Drawing for Everyone: Basic musician and PES member And Wilderness is Paradise Principles Many of us know that famous line anew. Arthur Pielli, Artist, Art delivered by Mama Rose to her - Omar Khayyam, The Rubaiyat Educator and PES member young daughter Louise in the Broadway musical, Gypsy. Sunday, June 16, 11:00 AM Learn how to “Sing out, Louise!” will be the Locating Our Ethics: An create a 3D image mantra for the June 2 summer Exercise in Discovering and from a 3D object, platform as Robert Edwin Living Out Our Values and on a 2D format. If (Steinfort), Director of Principles, Christian Hayden, you bring The PES Pop-Up Chorus, will show Leader in Training something edible us how to better use our voices at What’s your ethical framework-- is to draw, you can PES. Music plays a major role in it Kantian, utilitarian or relativist? eat it at the end of our community and the quality of What can we learn from feminist the platform. :) our speaking and singing certainly ethics? How are values different than Platform continued on page 2 principles? Part teach-in, part share- impacts our interactions. Be ready to SEEK (Sunday Ethical Education for “Sing out, Louise” along with Drew out, learn about various approaches Kids) will not be offered during the and Henry and Kate and Ron and to Ethics and leave with a better summer. For further information, Lelah and Bob and Maureen and understanding of your values and contact Nick Sanders Chuck and… your own guiding principles. [email protected] 2 Sunday, July 28, 11:00 AM What is j u l y Connections: Reality, Religion, Politics and Honest Colluquy? Sunday, July 7, 11:00 AM Living, Facilitator: Richard A colloquy is a time for shared Stories from the AEU Kiniry, Leader Emeritus, reflections. Participants explore a Assembly, 2019 Edition Philadelphia Ethical Society theme with music, readings, parables, Facilitator: Bob Bueding, PES and discussion. The purpose of President Living in an ethically-challenged culture can be compared to the colloquy is to inspire participants, Bob and other PES in a communal setting, to develop members who image of the ostrich with its head in the sand, and religion too often practices of self-reflection and deep attended the listening. Sharing thoughts and AEU Assembly can be a big part of that escape from reality. Trying to fathom what living feelings on selected topics can help in Tampa, Florida us live our lives in congruity with our will share their Ethical Culture means demands an examination of the actual reality in values. Everyone is asked to use “I” take-aways and statements and speak from their own moments of inspiration. which we live, meaning the cultural reality in which we are embedded experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Sunday, July 14, 11:00 AM and which we too often mindlessly accept. Annual Picnic at Camp Sunday, August 18, 11:00 AM Linden Rain date is July 28th Colloquy: “Wisdom” (For details, see announcements) Facilitator: Temma Fishman, If the picnic PES member rained out, a u g u s t Temma will offer a guided discussion Richard Kiniry Sunday, August 4, 11:00 AM with inspirational readings and will offer a Listening for a Beautiful music. colloquy on Sound Facilitator: “Truth”, at 1906 Rollin Wilbur, pianist, S. Rittenhouse Philadelphia Ethical Society, Square. Founder, Fine Arts Music Gathered around Rollin and the Sunday, July 21, 11:00 AM piano, we learn about qualities within Warrior to Revolutionary: differing styles of classical music My Story, Facilitator: as we carefully listen to find what Brandi Fishman, Director, affects us. Zefer Foundation A story about a personal journey Sunday, August 11, 11:00 AM involving disability, acceptance, Support for Greener Living: perception and advocacy. Brandi Sharing Eco-Friendly Ideas Fishman will also discuss her work and Practice, Facilitator: with the Zefer Foundation.” Lelah Marie, PES member Sunday, August 25, 11:00 AM Where are we on the journey Fragile Encounters toward globally sustainable lifestyle Facilitator: Sylvia Metzler and choices? Whether just starting out Erik Younge, PES members or muddling along or well on our Inspired by Robin Deangelo’s book way, all of us seek information and White Fragility, members of the support for our efforts. This will be ERTF (Ending Racism Task Force) an opportunity to share successes, will act out real life scenarios of challenges, failures, and concerns interracial exchanges illustrating about eco-ethical living in a small implicit racial bias for group group setting (fun and humor discussion. included.) 3 a sexual identity and to be known s As I learn and grow, I want to honor simply as a person. The second Leader’ “inherent worth” by celebrating concert is on gender equality ( July olumn the many ways people embrace 21), and the continuing effort to C various aspects of sexuality. This assure that people of all identities get summer you’ll be able to honor treated equitably. The third concert Joy, Gender, and worth and celebrate pride through a is on gender expression (August 18) Queerness, six-part program called On Gender and will celebrate how people want Hugh Taft-Morales, Leader, Philadelphia Ethical Society & Queerness. It consists of three to express their sexuality – or not – concerts, organized by Cory O’Neill in public. Walker (aka Cookie Diorio) and Part of three dialogues using various text Obviously there is a lot more to the 2010 and mediums hosted by Christian sexuality than gender identity, American Hayden. (Check out the schedule gender expression, and how society Ethical elsewhere in this newsletter.) treats gender. There is how you are Union assigned a sex at birth, and if you Assembly We hope the events will raise identify with that label then you are in awareness and generate funds “cisgender.” You should not assume Scranton, to benefit non-profits working someone’s identity from how they PA, was a for inclusion of people of all were labeled, or even how they celebration identities, orientations, and express themselves. Some people at a drag expressions. Underlying the will identify in ways you think differ show. It was part of a program I programs is the assumption that from how they express their gender. organized called Inner Worth and everyone can decide on their gender Outer Pride that linked together identity and form of expression, Gender identity and expression need Ethical Culture and LGBTQ and that these identities and forms not determine the nature of one’s activism. Ethical Humanists strive can change over the course of a sexual desire. Identity to honor “inner and expression are worth” - to treat distinct from every person as sexual desire and being of unique, orientation, and irreplaceable understanding worth that is desire and pleasure wrapped up in the is a whole other very nature of the topic worthy of individual. It is not something we LGBTQlifetime. I know that some of us educational effort. Some may be give to people. It’s not something are unsure about the ever-changing asexual (without sexual desire). they have to earn. It is who they are. vocabulary surrounding aspects Queerness and gender diverge but

of sexuality. Let me offer a few they also intersect. We need to “Outer pride” is a part of a decades- hints about some of the language, develop a fluency of language in old sexuality revolution that throws though I need – we all need - more both so that we are the accepting, off shame and oppression. I’ve education. inviting, celebratory community we always been impressed by how wish to become. LGBTQ activists who choose The first concert on June 16 focuses to come out of their respective on gender identity. You may see Let this program be a step forward. closets show that pride. Of course yourself as a woman, man, gender We are all learning. Please attend, it’s not anyone’s right to tell non-conforming (neither) or gender enjoy, and grow this summer! people if and when and how to fluid (both). You may choose a be public about any part of their different identity, such as agender, sexuality. A person’s sexuality should genderqueer, or nonbinary. Or you remain private should they want it may prefer not to attach yourself to to remain private. 4 PES Community Social Events

______June 15, 1:00 pm Saturday, August 3, at 7:30 pm Date: TBD Tour of Uptown Theater with Medford Lakes Carnival Event Tour of Gardens, Murals, Lunch Sponsor: Linda Richardson Be sure to sign up for our and Green Spaces in North Donation: $15 Canoe Carnival event. Watch a Philadelphia Contact: LRichardson.uptown@ magnificent, dazzling display of Sponsor: Sylvia Metzler, Saturday, gmailP.com decorated canoes parade by from August 17, 11:00 - 2:00, $25.00 per your lakeside seat under the stars person. ______in beautiful Medford Lakes. The Contact: [email protected] June 8, 21 various float groups vie with each September 11, 28 other to win the prize in their ______7:05 pm category for the funniest, most Date TBD elaborate, most beautiful, etc. Phillies Tickets Visit African American Museum Enjoy delicious tacos, hot dogs, Sponsor: Carol Love fish cake sandwiches, ice cream, with Soul Food at Reading Location: Citizens Bank Park: and other tasty treats. Terminal Market Upstairs seats: $35 each Sponsor: Sponsor: Stan Horowitz Miami Marlins, Friday, June 21 Temma and Arnold Fishman Donation: $30 per person Atlanta Braves, Wed., Sept. 11 Location: 210 Chippewa Trail, Contact: [email protected] Miami Marlins, Sat., Sept. 28 Medford Lakes, NJ 08055 ______Downstairs behind dugout, row 8 Donation: $25 per person Cut off for entering: July 19 Homemade Whole Grain Honey June 8, one pair, $55 each Contact: [email protected] Spelt Oat Break Contact: [email protected] Sponsor: Lelah Marie, Maximum number: ask Carol $30.00 for entire batch of loaves Donation: $35 per person ______(1 loaf per month for 6 months), delivered to PES on Sunday on which Dec. 25-Wednesday 4:30-8:00 ______you are attending. July 27, 2:00-5:00 pm Christmas Caroling with Cocktails, Contact: [email protected] Sponsor: Doris & Richard Ice Cream Social and Games Dabrowski Sponsor: Nick Sanders and ______Donation: $20 per person Molly Sayvetz with Stan Horwitz Contact: dabrowskidoris@hotmail. Topic of Your choosing to Highest as Games Master com Bidder for a platform address by Location: 2401 Pennsylvania Leader Hugh Taft Morales Avenue (The Philadelphian) Date to be determined, current high Maximum number: 12 ______Photography of Persons and/or bid is $300.00. Donation: $15 per person Contact: [email protected] Contact: [email protected] Events Sponsor: Christian Hayden, price to be determined. Contact: [email protected] ______Date TBD July 28, 4:30 pm Expert Tour of Mutter Museum Riverboat Tour with Mexican ______Sponsor: Marta Guttenberg Dinner, Figure Drawings by Arthur Location: Mutter Museum, Sponsor: Garry O’Rourke Pielli, Date at your convenience, 19 S. 22nd St. Donation: $20 per PES members only person. Contact: Donation: $50.00. Donation: $75 per person Contact: [email protected] [email protected] Contact: [email protected] 5 PES Community Social Events - continued President’s Column Chasing Hope ______Manicure of Kitty and Walking Doggie, Sponsor: Marta Bob Bueding, vital for many years into the future, Guttenberg President, and for that we need an infusion of Philadelphia Location: at the client’s house young blood. Ethical Society Donation: $20 per person Contact: martaguttenberg@ We’ve had a wonderful year filled comcast.net with amazing programs and music. “People ask me where they can find During the summer too we plan to ______hope, and I tell them to look for it please. Our summer offerings are Photography: Persons, Pets, where it’s always been – between more relaxed and novel. Christian Matted Print Sponsor: Bob faith and love.” (N. Pelosi) Hayden, our Leader-in-Training, will Bueding be having a lot of activities aimed Price to be determined at the younger set, but absolutely Contact: [email protected] Nowadays it seems as if hope is all we have to hold on to, but hope everyone will find something to enjoy. Richard Kiniry will also be ______alone won’t carry the day. So, let’s hold on to that hope but let’s figure available during the summer with Supportive Counseling, once some insightful programs. weekly for 3 weeks, Sponsor: Dr. out what else we need to do to Robert Kay. price to be determined. achieve our goals. Contact: 267 414 3758 I’ll be heading to Tampa, Florida to At the Ethical Society social justice attend the annual AEU Assembly ______is what we work on every day, on June 20. This will be my fourth Date TBD but we also have some internal assembly, and I’m happy to say, each Day Trip & Lunch to Chester challenges. When I became your year I’ve made new friends and I County, Visit Kimberton president three years ago one of come back with fresh ideas we can Campbell Community that my hopes and goals was to grow try in Philadelphia. This year six of includes Persons with our membership. I envisioned one our members will represent us in Tampa. When we return, we’ll have Disabilities, Sponsor: Sharon hundred plus members, but getting Wallis and Leonard Weeks $50 per there has been a struggle. As of a Sunday program in July to recap person this writing, we have eighty-nine the assembly highlights. Contact: sharonkwallis@gmail. members. We are on the right com track but it’s a slow track. My hope is firmly situated in the faith I have in the rightness of our ______The main thing I’m going to Ethical Humanist beliefs and the Friday Movie Night plus light be working on this summer is love it allows us to express for all dinner Sponsor: Sally Redlener membership growth. I’m going our brothers and sisters. With Location: PES West – 118 S. 21st to ask our Board of Trustees to faith, hope, and love anything is St. brainstorm so that we can come possible (even that hundred plus price $20.00 per person July 12th up with a plan to attract younger membership). movie is “Green Book”; (This event members and families. Please is closed.) Happy summer, all. Contact: [email protected] understand, we welcome anyone who wishes to join, but I’d like to make sure our Society remains ~ Bob [email protected] 6 SPECIAL SUMMER EVENTS GENDER IDENTITY GENDER EQUALITY Art of the Heel PERFORMANCE – PERFORMANCE – Sunday, June 16, 4:00 PM Sunday, July 21, 4:00 PM

Hosted by Cookie Diorio featuring Hosted by Jess Conda featuring Eppchez, Messapotamia LaFae and Sonja Sofya, Veronica Chapman- Pax Ressler Smith and Mary Tuomanen

A benefit for Trans Equity Project A benefit for Women’s Law Project (Galaei) Cookie Diorio is a Philadelphia-based Sonja Sofya honed her musical chops drag performer, a classically trained through intense classical piano and vocalist, a songwriter, an activist, a voice study, but found a creative outlet husband, mama, a music teacher and through songwriting at an early age. Art of the Heel is a project that lover of all things sparkly. partners with performing artists Eppchez is a classically trained and Veronica Chapman-Smith’s soprano to hold benefit concerts that jazz influenced vocal improvisor, voice has been described as raise funds and awareness for lyricist, and innovative self-producing “exquisite,” “sublime,” and of “pure playwright. local nonprofit organizations beauty.” She has performed with working in the community. opera companies and orchestras Messapotamia Lefae, better known across the country. In association with the as “Messy,” is a post-gender surrealist, sartorialist, dance artist, and Mary Tuomanen is a local actress and Philadelphia Ethical Society, Art burgeoning “chanteux” based in playwright who trained in physical of the Heel has asked some of Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia’s most innovative theatre at the Jacques Lecoq International School of Movement and social justice minded Pax Ressler Theatre in Paris. artists to present a performance Pax Ressler is a genderqueer performer, music director, designer, piece that communicates their and composer based in Philadelphia. thoughts, ideas, perspectives and experiences on the topics LOVE AS A of gender identity, gender equality and gender expression, THE ART OF BECOMING REVOLUTIONARY ACT and Queerness. DISCUSSION * – DISCUSSION * – We will explore one topic in Monday, June 24, 7:00 PM Monday, July 29, 7:00 PM Led by Christian Hayden each concert, with a related Led by Christian Hayden follow-up discussion conducted Using text and the performance of by PES Leader-in-Training theater works, we will look at the A look at Audre Lorde’s work at the Christian Hayden one week process of becoming- how one intersections of Feminism and after each performance. decides and shapes and makes the Queerness. We look at how Audre intentional choice in the face of Lorde builds a guiding ethic for Concert proceeds to benefit oppression and marginalization in our resistance that blends the intimate and Galaei, the Women’s Law society. the social, eros and agape. Project, and Attic Youth Center Suggested Reading: Bring your respectively. Suggested Reading: None, or bring in favorite Audre Lorde Poem! your favorite monologue about coming All concerts and discussions to out/being queer. be held in PES Auditorium, 1906 *Free admission with seat reservation Rittenhouse Square. *Free admission with seat reservation at www.artoftheheel.com at www.artoftheheel.com Performances are $20 each and discussions are free of charge. www.artoftheheel.com 7 SUMMER EVENTS continued

RITUAL OR NOTHING GENDER EXPRESSION Sunday, June 16, 2:00 PM PERFORMANCE – Think Ethics What does spirituality mean for nones Sunday, August 18, 4:00 PM A discussion group and those in between? What is the place of ritual in the lives of people? facilitated by Leader-In- Hosted by Cookie Diorio featuring Should there be? Can spirituality be a John Jarboe, Len Nichols, Mz. Training Christian Hayden part of everyone’s life, theistic or not? Peaches and Valencia Prime and Alexander Guterriez that looks to analyze LIVING BY CODE: a benefit for Attic Youth Center current events and issues through the lens of ethical John Jarboe, a Philadelphia-based Automation vs. Human theatre artist, is the Artistic Director of systems. We hope to learn Sunday, July 21, 2:00 PM the Bearded Ladies Cabaret. through dialogue and What are the costs and implicit effects exchange how to critique of moving toward a future where Len Nichols (aka Jess Conda)is a and develop our own humans do nothing but write the code? Philadelphia based performer, approach to ethical producer, teaching artist and cultural thinking. Come drink (tea, PHILADELPHIA & connector. coffee, beer) and think ethics! GENTRIFICATION - IS IT US? Mz. Peaches is a Philadelphia-based Sunday, August 18, 2:00 PM drag performer Understanding Philadelphia’s Affordable Housing Crisis Valencia Prime, known as “The Auto THOT” of Philadelphia, is a trans woman, plus-size dancing diva and Philadelphia based drag performer. Fair Share Camp Linden June 12: Join many of your July 13: Camp Linden open BLACK AND QUEER TO Ethical Society and other house and optional overnight friends: Travel with us on June the day before the Ethical 12 to the state capitol in Society picnic (Saturday, July THE FUTURE Harrisburg. We want to make it 13, raindate July 27). Tour the DISCUSSION * – very clear that we expect the camp property, swim, hike our Monday, August 26, 7:00 PM fair share of state funds for the trails, paddle down the Led by Christian Hayden public schools in our corner of Brandywine Water Trail (we Pennsylvania. Free, comfortable provide kayaks). Dinner and Led by Christian Hayden bus transportation (and food) fireworks for those who camp Afro Futurism and Gender Expression: out overnight. We can provide will have us looking at texts by Queer on the trip. Register for bus or artists like Janelle Monae’s car: https://tinyurl.com/ tents and air mattresses. Bring album Dirty Computer and Marlon powerharrisburg your own bedding. Contribution James’s book Black Leopard, Yellow $20 for each campsite. For Wolf - . What does fantasy and a Not limited to Pennsylvanians… reservations: camplinden@ future through a Black/Brown and Accompanied children welcome phillyethics.org. Queer lens teach us? More info: nick@phillyethics. Suggested (Reading and Listening): Carol Love is working with a Janelle Monae’s catalog and Marlon org and https://powerinterfaith. landscape architect to establish James’s book: Black Leopard, Yellow org/campaigns/education a garden at Camp Linden in Wolf memory of Bertha Waters. The garden is the generous gift of *Free admission with seat reservation the Waters family to honor the at www.artoftheheel.com devotion and work of Bertha for Camp Linden. 8

Announcements All taking place at the PES Thursday, June 20, 7:00 pm – train their bodies through Building 1906 Rittenhouse Sunday, June 23, 3:00 pm repeated bodily exercises, Stoics Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103 AEU 104th Assembly strive to develop strength of Reclaiming Democracy character, or virtue, through Sundays, June 2, July 7, and for All, Tampa Bay, Florida daily spiritual exercises. We August 4, 7:00 PM Join us at the AEU’s 104th will discuss how to apply Stoic Intro to Ethical Humanism Assembly to consider the issues and principles in everyday life Want to know more about strategies to reclaim democracy. through the use of spiritual Ethical Humanism and the For information and reservations: exercises. An optional reading Philadelphia Ethical Society? https://aeu.org/event/aeu-104th- can be found here: https://www. assembly/ Come to an Introduction to njlifehacks.com/10-practical- Ethical Humanism to learn stoic-exercises-for-modern- about the history, philosophy, stoic-lifestyle/ hiladelphia toics meeting and community of our humanist P S alternative to traditional religion. Join the Philadelphia Stoics for two summertime discussions at the RSVP to chayden423@gmail. Our Leader Ethical Society. Open to everyone! com Emeritus Richard Kiniry Sunday, June 30, 4:00 PM - All Summer: will present Stoicism and Emotions Get ready for fall book three classes on The stereotype of a Stoic is discussions! the Philosophic one who has no emotions or Andrew Sullivan of the New York Roots of Ethical represses them. The Stoics, Times Book Review praised Jill Humanism. however, did not seek to eliminate Lepore’s newest book as “brilliant” In three sessions beginning at all emotions. Rather, they and “insightful.” 7:30 PM we will examine the sought to eliminate only the He says “It schools of philosophy that have unhealthy emotions they called isn’t until you influenced the evolution of “passions”. We will examine start reading it Ethical Humanism. that you realize the Stoics’ views on emotions and how they tried to overcome how much we Wednesday, July 10, 7:30 PM the “passions”. The suggested need a book Naturalism and Materialism reading is available here: https:// like this one at modernstoicism.com/new-video- this particular Wednesday, July 24, 7:30 PM john-sellars-on-stoicism-and- moment.” Hugh Pragmatism and Process emotions- Taft-Morales will lead a series Thought of discussions of These Truths: A stoic-week- History of the United States over london-day/ Wednesday, August 7, 7:30 PM - the fall. Use the summer to Humanism and Ethical prepare for this sobering analysis Humanism of our past so that we may Sunday, July better prepare for a more ethical 28, 4:00PM - Some materials will be available toic future! Look for information S but most of you can find piritual about dates and times in our S information on these subjects on xercises September newsletter. E YouTube. Open to everyone! Just as athletes 9

From the PES Church was really the only one that wanted Philadelphia Ethical Society, I join other Ending Racism Task Force: to teach us Black, Brown, Japanese good saints of diverse races who are children of San Francisco’s working class, firmly committed to understanding and MY FIRST 400 YEARS and poor families. ending this deadly disease of racism submitted by Erik Michael Younge that grew out of economic American Our family structure was paramount. The slavery and now sadly engulfs the world sense of a strong, supportive, tightly knit with its poison. It must be eradicated. This year marks the 400th anniversary of “African Village Family” was pretty solid. Like any disease, it can be cured. We the first enslaved Africans in English North A slightly revolutionary Catholic education, were not born with the disease and it America. On August 25, 1619, some 20 combined with a growing belief in social can and will be destroyed. African men and women captured aboard justice was nourished at a young age. an English privateer ship landed at Point My Afrikan American Awareness new life I end with the idea that I am one with Comfort in Hampton, Virginia, marking 246 exploded in two major ways. I heard the the 400 year fight against slavery years of unpaid servitude, brutality, rape, words of Malcolm X and they planted their with all the Afrikans brought in chains torture, horror and death. “Slavery is an seeds in me. I devoured the books by and to these shores. I share their pains, indelible stain on America’s soul. Slavery about Brother Malcolm religiously. I cried sufferings, beatings, the rapes, is the biggest human transgression openly when Malcolm was assassinated the lynchings, burnings, economic perpetrated by one human being on in Feb. 1965. The other blast was seeing exploitation, the police brutality, another,” states Calvin Pearson, founder the images of Black Manhood & Black homelessness, the unemployment, all of Project 1619 Inc. the brutality over the 400 years.

‘Official’ slavery ended in 1865. Black http://www.project1619.org But I also share the most important Reconstruction (1860 – 1880) followed parts: the heroic resiliency that has “in which Black Folks played the major helped us to survive all the hate, part in the attempt to reconstruct a resiliency of courage that shines http://www. true democracy in America,” wrote project1619. org a beacon around the world for all W.E.B. DuBois. The betrayal of Black oppressed, wounded, unhealthy Reconstruction was followed by “Jim people. I share our history, culture Crow” laws of brutal segregation, of pure beauty, our remarkable discrimination, denial of human and civil achievements of body, mind, soul, rights sanctioned and enforced by the spirituality, and the Black love of US government at all levels until officially Sisterhood exhibited by the Black Panther Afrikan people everywhere in the repealed in 1965. Party For Self Defense, started by Huey Diaspora. Newton and Bobby Seale in October of In most aspects of life, the chains 1966 in Oakland, Ca. In 1972, I traveled to Ghana, the of slavery and Jim Crow have been beginning of my family’s road to the replaced by forced poverty, racial profiling, It was like being hit by a Black thunderbolt. Americas, looking to find my ancestral mis-education, economic exploitation, I joined the Party at the age of 15 (I connections and the burden of unhealthy toxic environments, drugs and may have lied about my age!). I was commitment, both a blessing and a human trafficking. re-educated, began to find myself, and curse. corrected my mental attitude. I was Let’s get personal for a moment. I was steered towards healthy character, good I was given a warm welcome and this born in 1952 in San Francisco, in the morals, ethics, the understanding of prayer. “You will always be a child of Hunters Point projects, an economically- humane love, and the greater purpose of Africa. Say a prayer of gratitude for deprived section of Black SF. My father fighting for justice and serving the needs of your life and everything the Ancestors was away in Germany serving out the others. My body, soul, heart and mind were have given you. You cannot take The Korean conflict. My mother raised me with forever cemented in fighting for complete Motherland with you on your shoulders. a strong sense of self worth (it bordered equality and freedom, and the beauty of But Mother Afrika will never leave you. on lower arrogance), a love of learning living for My people. She is a part of all you are.” (education was not to be “trifled with, young man”); a joyous love of history, This brings me to today and the principal And so I will begin the next 400 Years of music, culture, geography, respect for fight of my life: The fight to end racism. African-American History on August 25, animals, respect for females, elders, As a member of the Ending Racism Task 2019. Peace, Soul & Love! teachers, and Catholic nuns. The Catholic Force (ERTF), a subcommittee of the 10

ast vents AEUP Statement E on Alabama’s ‘Human Life Protection Act,’ May 18, 2019

The American Ethical Union (AEU) condemns the passage and signing into law of the Alabama “Human Life Protection Act.” This law, far from honoring human life, profoundly restricts the bodily autonomy of pregnant women. It is a bill of rights for rapists and abusers; puts the lives of pregnant people at risk; upends basic moral principles; and continues an assault on reproductive freedom which has been waged for decades. The bill exists to control and demean women, and the AEU opposes it.

Bodily autonomy is central to human dignity: we all as a matter of right should be able to choose how to control a process occurring within our own bodies. This moral principle is fundamental to any serious ethic, and by criminalizing the provision of abortion the Alabama bill profoundly restricts the autonomy of women and trans men with uteruses, making them second class citizens who cannot decide what their own body does. The freedom to make reproductive choices has wide-ranging positive effects for individuals and for society. When people have access to legal abortions, fewer women die from attempting to end a pregnancy themselves. When families can choose when to start a family they are more economically stable and socially successful.

Joining the #Stop the Bans rally May 21 are, from left to right, Betsy Lightbourn, Hugh Taft-Morales, Sylvia Metzler, Denise Marx and Marta Guttenberg, (not pictured.) The Philly rally, along Broad Street, organized by Planned Parenthood, was one of many held in cities across the United States to protest new restrictive abortion laws. 11 Quick Reference Summer Calendar (for PES community social events see pgs 4-5) Summer j u n e j u l y Birthdays 6/2 11:00 AM 7/7 11:00 AM “Sing Out Louise!” Stories from the AEU June With Bob Steinfort Assembly 3 Temma Fishman 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Intro to Ethical Humanism Intro to Ethical 3 Zia Okocha 6/9 11:00 AM Humanism 7 Janice Moore Omar Khayyam, An All- 7/10 7:30 PM - R. Kiniry 12 George Sakheim Around Man Naturalism and 14 Arthur Pielli 6/12 Join our Protest In Materialism Harrisburg 7/12 7:30 PM 22 Sylvia Goldman 6/14 7:30 PM Game Night Game Night 7/13 Camp Linden Overnight (see details on p. 7) 6/16 11:00 AM uly 7/14 12:00 PM J Locating Our Ethics 2 Eric Clausen 2: 00 PM Annual Picnic at Camp Think Ethics: Ritual or Linden (Rain date is 7/28) 4 Uncle Sam (243rd) Nothing - C. Hayden 7/21 11:00 AM 9 John McCormick Warrior to Revolutionary 4:00 PM Art of the Heel 9 Harry Thorn Performance 2:00 PM 6/20-23 AEU 104th Annual Think Ethics: Living by 10 Janet Cooke Assembly Code - C. Hayden 10 Sylvia Metzler 6/23 11:00 AM 4:00 PM Art of the Heel 13 Dan Hoffman Ethical Page Turners – Performance Lives of Others 7/24 7:30 PM - R. Kiniry 17 Mike Black-Smith Pragmatism and Process 6/24 7:00 PM - C. Hayden 20 Bill Goldberg The Art of Becoming Thought 22 Marvin Liebman 6/30 11:00 AM 7/28 11:00 AM Reality, Religion, Drawing for Everyone Politics and Honest Living 23 David Ralston 4:00 PM - Phila. Stoics 4:00 PM Phila. Stoics 26 Betsy Lightbourn Stoicism and Emotions Stoic Spiritual Exercises 7/29 7:00 PM - C. Hayden 26 Sharon Wallis Love as a Revolutionary Act a u g u s t August 8/4 11:00 AM 8/18 11:00 AM 4 Leslie Williams Listening for a Beautiful Colloquy: “Wisdom” 6 Kim McKay Sound 2:00 PM 8/7 7:00 PM - R. Kiniry Think Ethics: Philadelphia 7 Stan Horwitz Humanism and Ethical and Gentrification 13 Felix Adler Humanism 4:00 PM (167th) 8/9 7:30 PM - Art of the Heel Performance Game Night 8/25 11:00 AM 14 Ilse Sakheim 8/11 11:00 AM Fragile Encounters Support for Greener Living: 8/26 7:00 PM - C. Hayden Sharing Eco-Friendly Ideas Black and Queer to the and Practices Future 12 SUNDAY SERVICES Remember to SUNDAY SERVICES Hosts: Coordinated by put the PES 11:00 a.m. John Marshall Annual Picnic Sunday hosts who greet and at Camp Ethical Views is published monthly Linden on orient members and visitors except July and August. your calendar make a valuable contribution - Sunday, Executive Editor, Henry Pashkow to the community. If you’d July 14th, Copy Editor, Betsy Lightbourn like to help out during the Web Master, Copy Editor, Nick Sanders Noon - 5:00; Layout, Celeste Hardester summer, please contact Rain Date: Production, Cheryl Desmond John Marshall. July 28th [email protected] Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 South Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia, PA 19103 QUOTABLE Hugh Taft-Morales, Leader PES Board of Trustees There is a Providence Bob Bueding, President that protects idiots, Betsy Lightbourn, Vice President Vincent Russo, Treasurer drunkards, children, and John Marshal, Secretary the United States of Kate Esposito America. Susan O’Connell Michael Black-Smith - Ron Coburn Otto von Bismarck Drew Snyder (215) 735 - 3456 Helios as the personification [email protected] of midday, by www.phillyethics.org Anton Raphael Mengs, 1765

Remember - if you shop on AMAZON, Log-on under AMAZON smile GAME NIGHTS The Amazon Smile Foundation gives you AT PES the opportunity to support your favorite charitable organization whenever you make a purchase on Amazon. By joining the Amazon Smile program, 5% of that purchase, for all eligible products, automatically goes to the Bring a board game charitable organization of your choice. or cards, and have Shop the PES link here: a good time at the smile.amazon.com/ Ethical Society! ch/23-1356235 All at 7:30 PM June 14th July 12th August 9th