forsooth: (adverb, archaic) in truth, in fact, indeed.

Volume 30, No. 3 A publication of the Louisville Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation www.LouisvilleFOR.org APRIL 2019 REDLINING AND THE MANY EFFECTS OF SLAVERY: Are You Willing to Act to Heal This Moral Injury?

By David Ragland like Germany and Japan to create new con- Reprinted from the FOR National website stitutions including provisions on peace and (February 26, 2019) human dignity, as well as education in those principles to insure their implementation. Recent headlines reinforce how little The U.S. has done nothing similar for itself. progress has been made in terms of economic Our continuing American state of denial justice for African Americans. An exhaus- has brought us to constant war both abroad tive report by the Center for Investigative and at home. War abroad is perpetuated by Journalism examined current redlining exorbitant military spending. War at home is practices that fuel gentrification. Combing maintained by excessive policing budgets, through over 31 million mortgages, investi- racist immigration policies, and neo-Jim gators found that bankers regularly sidestep Crow era policies that allow banks to skirt the Fair Housing Act. They are more likely the law. All this undermines fairness and to provide loans to whites than to black and human decency. A hard reset is needed. What brown people. Ta-Nehisi Coates’ influen- actions might generate accountability for the tial 2014 article in The Atlantic, “How to unearned privileges in immigration policy, Steal Things, Exploit People, and Avoid bank policy, and policing that the (current) all Responsibility,” immediately comes to white majority of Americans receive? mind. In it he recounted the redlining and predatory lending of banks and the scummy Calls for reparations for the slavery of practices of landlords toward black tenants African Americans continue to grow. In immediately after the end of the formal Jim The Hermitage Plantation, Slave quarters, Savannah, Georgia, about 1907. 2016 a U.N. panel’s study, emerging from Crow era. Little or nothing has changed. US Library of Congress. the United Nations Decade on People of African Descent, found that reparations Considering the countless stories of bias, majority communities permitted to succeed sion in South Africa, however problematic, are indeed owed to African Americans. The I question what exactly is needed to reverse while poor communities are engineered to was a hard reset for that nation to begin University of Pennsylvania Law School or at least halt the economic devastation of fail. We need white accountability. What grappling with the effects of its apartheid recently hosted a conference on reparations, communities, a devastation that often stops costs are white people willing to bear to system under white minority rule. The and New York University’s Institute for temporarily in one locale and then morphs heal this moral injury? Nuremberg Tribunal after World War II Public Knowledge has a series of ongoing into something worse. We need more than addressed the Jewish Holocaust. At that conversations around the subject. tears over injustice that sees middle class The Truth and Reconciliation Commis- time, the U.S. and its allies required nations (see REDLINING, page 5) BDS COALITION

PAID IN LOUISVILLE

Louisville, KY By Matt Bewley U.S. Postage nated coalition of groups and individuals— Permit No. 962 Non-Profit Org. Non-Profit have long performed good work organizing I have a proposition for the readers of educational events, cultural displays, dem- FORsooth. onstrations and direct appeals to politicians. This history goes way back, and I am sure It is time to rally together to form a that we are always building on the great locally organized movement to campaign efforts of past local justice-seekers and for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions peace-lovers. (BDS) of Israel. Let’s do it, right here in the Louisville area. A city-wide organiza- However, let us come together as a tion focused on Palestinian human rights larger, secular coalition to focus on BDS and BDS is needed urgently. I also believe actions and to continue to support other local the conditions have finally materialized to activism for Palestinian human rights. As of make this a possibility. yet, the groups and individuals who support Palestinian human rights have been frag- Local Louisville Palestinian-rights mented, too often, into groups by creed or groups—at times forming a loose, coordi- (see BDS COALITION page 7 Call F.O.R. at (502) 609-7985 Fellowship of Reconciliation Louisville Chapter 2146 Lakeside Drive 40205 Louisville, KY ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

CONTENTS | APRIL 2019

REDLINING AND THE MANY EFFECTS OF SLAVERY | David Ragland..... 1

BDS COALITION IN LOUISVILLE | Matt Bewley...... 1

ON THE ORIGIN OF DENIAL (PART 3) |Adam Khayat...... 2

BEYOND THE WALL | Gracie Lewis...... 3

FORward Radio Schedule...... 6 At a South Florida BDS event in February, three people stand with Angela Davis’ book Third Thursday Luncheon...... 7 “Freedom is a Constant Struggle.” In this book, Davis talks about her support for BDS. The event celebrated Angela Davis’ activism and educated folks on Black-Palestinian solidarity. Photo by Matt Bewley Regular Meeting Times for Area Organizations...... 7 Like this newspaper? Help keep it alive by donating Calendar for Peacemakers...... 8 See details on page 3 >> 2 | APRIL 2019 - FORsooth ON THE ORIGIN OF DENIAL: AMERICA’S TURBULENT

RELATIONSHIP WITH DARWINIAN EVOLUTION (PART 3) By Adam Khayat logical reduction of evolution in education thought; fifty-five percent of the general evolution lies in improving how evolution (Moore, 2001). The residual effects of these public believe that there exists a conflict is taught. A multitude of studies have This is Part 3 of a 3-part article. The first two actions are best shown by the results of a between religion and science, whereas 38% suggested that replacing lecture-based installments were published in February and recent survey of 33 European countries, the do not and 7% “don’t know” (Masci 2009). pedagogy with active learning systems March 2019. , and Japan that asked whether It can be inferred that the primary reason catalyzes a shift that augments student individuals agreed with, disagreed with, for this incongruity revolves around percep- understanding of the material (Frasier and Ironically, this national pattern of system- or were unsure of the statement, “Human tions of evolution. Nevertheless, conflict Roderick, 2011). This requires the collective atically obscuring and removing the notion beings, as we know them today, developed between science and religion also exists organization and cohesion of the scientific of evolution from the public education was from an earlier species of animals.” Accord- beyond the confines of evolution. Data community in maintaining a systematic and not successfully challenged and mitigated ingly, Americans ranked next to lowest: 40% from the National Opinion Research center holistic approach to teaching evolution. The by genuine and authentic evidence provided agreement, 39% disagreement, and 21% indicated that religiosity was strongly asso- 2011 Thinking Evolutionarily Convocation by proponents of Darwinism; rather, uncertainty (Miller, 2006). Other developed ciated with lower science literacy (Sherkat, is a prime example of communal effort; in this change was attributed to an entirely nations reported more than 70% agreement. 2011). Moreover, it must be noted that it, critical issues in the correct instruction different stimulus: most Americans of evolution – along with resource and competition with the are theologically professional development and communica- Soviet Union in the illiterate. A 2010 tions and dissemination strategies – were Cold War. Concerned survey conducted discussed (Wei, Beardsley, and Labov, by the launch of Sputnik by the Pew Research 2012). This congregation also offered a I and the inadequate Center found that mechanism for networking and consolidat- technological and sci- large number of ing around the issue of improving evolution entific abilities of the Americans are education. The main impetus for the meeting United States, President uneducated in the was to develop teaching techniques that Dwight Eisenhower principles, beliefs, would integrate evolutionary biology into requested the National practices, and all life science fields. Defense Education history of their act of 1958, which respective faith Certainly, as the prominent Russian- ultimately led to the traditions (Pew, American geneticist once claimed, biology creation of the Biologi- 2010). Thus, it can does not make sense except in “the light of cal Sciences Curriculum be deduced that evolution.” In order to effectively promote Study (BSCS) by the general ignorance the acceptance of evolution in American National Science Foun- of both science public discourse, a comprehensive and dation (NSF). Tasked and religion plays methodical educational system must be with the publication an integral role in installed for future generations. Only then of impeccable biology general American will the origin of this culture of denial be textbooks, the BSCS avoidance remedied of its illogicality. adopted an approach of accepting that stressed evolution evolution. Adam Khayat is a as the unifying theme student at the Uni- of biology and placed Sputnik 1 mockup at National Air and Space Museum, USA. Wikimedia Commons. III versity of Louisville strong emphasis on and is pursuing a the importance and evidence of evolution A recent Gallup Poll further reinforced One solution to this tension between Bachelor’s of (Moore, 2000). Not surprisingly, the BSCS this data: 40% of Americans believe that science and religion that is widely circu- Science in Biology were viciously attacked by opponents. an omnipotent deity created humans in the lated is accommodationism: the practice with a minor in Philosophy. He is Nonetheless, due to endorsement by the last 10,000 years, 38% believe in a God- of convincing those who are religious that the Managing federal government, legal precedents facilitated and -directed theistic evolution, science and evolution do not pose a threat to Editor of the FOR- inhibiting religious influences in public and 16% believe in non-theistic evolution faith. This explanation is dependent on the sooth newspaper education, and a growing interest in public (Gallup, 2011a). Thus, the question much notion that religion and science are disjoint and a Brown Fellow. He hopes to attend education, the BSCS books had become be asked: what psychosocial framework areas that answer different questions about medical school after graduation. adopted by almost half of American high could explain this particular actuality in the world. This is strongly echoed by the schools by 1970. In pursuit, other textbook the United States? American Association for the Advance- References publishers began reinstating evolution in ment of Science (AAAS). Moreover, sci- Moore R. 2000. In the Light of Evolution: Science their textbooks. Moreover, landmark legal II entists such as Stephen Jay Gould have Education on Trial. Reston (VA): National Association of Biology Teachers. cases – such as the US Supreme Court case attempted to develop an outlook that incor- Pierce K. M. 1981. Putting Darwin Epperson vs. Arkansas – stressed the ille- The core of the opposition to accep- porates both science back in the dock. Time (16 March), gality of banning the teaching of evolution tance of evolution in modern America can and religion; in pp. 80–82. in public schools. In response, creation- be attributed to deep-rooted religiosity. his book, Rocks Gorman J. 1980. Creationism on the ists implemented new tactics that typified Indeed, the theory of evolution does not of Ages: Science rise. Discover (October), pp. 92–94. Moore R. 2001. The Lingering Im- a different method: advocating that equal only contravene the Biblical account of and Religion in pact of the Scopes Trial on High time be given to the Biblical version of creation, but also reorganizes conceptions the Fullness of School Biology Textbooks. BioSci- creation. ’s 1973 “Genesis Bill” of human morality and meaning. A recent Life, he makes the ence (September), pp. 790-796. is an emblematic example of this; nonethe- survey of 15 developed nations found that case for the com- Miller, J. D., E. C. Scott, and S. Oka- moto. 2006. Public acceptance of less, the bill was declared unconstitutional America harbored the largest proportion bination of both evolution. Science 313:765–766. in 1975 by Tennessee’s Sixth Circuit Court of people who believe in an omnipotent realms of human Gallup, P. 2011a. Evolution, cre- of Appeals (Daniel vs. Waters). Similar bills deity with utmost certainty – at 63% (Paul, thought. Contrari- ationism, intelligent design. had the same fate. 2009). Nonetheless, though more than 90% ly, the Society Gallup, P.. 2011b. More than 9 in 10 Americans continue to believe of Americans believe in God, only 31% for the Study of in God. In the late 1970s, creationists began pub- believe in a literal translation of the Bible Evolution pursues a Paul, G. 2009. The chronic depen- lishing creation-based biology textbooks. (Gallup, 2011b-c). Furthermore, 60% of model – for how to dence of popular religiosity upon For example, Henry Morris’ Scientific Americans unaffiliated with any religion promote evolution dysfunctional psychosociological conditions. Evol. Psychol. 7:398–441. Creationism refurbished creationism as believe in non-theistic natural evolution, in education and Gallup, P.. 2011c. In U.S., 3 in 10 say a legitimate science; in it, he argued that 15% in theistic evolution, and 11% in life as public discourse – they take the Bible literally. the creationist model could be verified having existed in its present form from the that relies on sci- Masci, D.. 2009. Public opinion on without reference to Biblical texts. The trend beginning of time (Masci, 2009). Though entific means alone. religion and science in the United initiated by the BSCS began to be reversed; correlation does not imply causation, it Their argumentation is predicated upon States. Pew Forum on Religion and public life. continuous opposition by creationists began Ecklund, E. H. 2010. Science vs. religion: what is an axiomatic truism that there exists a the observation that there exists a limited scientists really think. Oxford Univ. Press, New York . to influence publishing companies once negative relationship between religiosity number of studies that suggest the effec- Sherkat, D. E. 2011. Religion and scientific literacy again (Pierce, 1981). Consequently, cre- and acceptance of evolution. tiveness of an accomodationist method. in the United States. Soc. Sci. Quart. 92:1134–1150. ationism became an official part of science Indeed, this appears to be one of the major Pew. 2010. U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey. Pew curriculums in several states in the 1980s This aversion is due to the very public setbacks for this approach. Additionally, to Research Center. (Gorman, 1980). portrayal of science being incompatible combine both requires peculiar interpreta- Orr, H. A. 1999. Gould on God. Boston Review. with faith. Though only 6% of the American tions of both “religion” and “science” that October/November: pp. 24–26. Frasier, Timothy R., Roderick, Carol. 2011. Improving In the modern day, most biology teachers public deem themselves as atheists or superficially do not contradict each other How Evolution Is Taught: Facilitating a Shift from highlight the importance of evolution in agnostics, 64% of scientists at prestigious (Orr, 1999). Nonetheless, there are merits Memorization to Evolutionary Thinking. Evolution: their respective curriculums. However, the American institutions claim that label to this approach in that it facilitates discus- Education and Outreach. April. pp. 298-307. impact of creationism on the public percep- (Ecklund, 2010). This discrepancy reveals a sion between the two sides. Wei, Cynthia A., Beardsley, Paul M., Labov, Jay B. 2012. Evolution Education Across the Life Sciences: tion of evolution can be easily identified; large chasm between science and faith that Making Biology Education Make Sense. CBE Life politicians of the right continue to endorse is reflected in society. Also, this incompat- Ultimately, the most efficacious solution Science Educ. Spring. pp 10-16. creationism and campaign for the epistemo- ibility is widespread in American public to the severe misconceptions regarding FORsooth - APRIL 2019 | 3

FORsooth is published by the Louisville Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR). FORsooth Staff Managing Editor...... Adam Khayat Design and Production Artist...... Sarah Hong Peace Calendar...... Tom Louderback Webmaster...... David Horvath Web Advisor...... Mark Monyhan Bulk Mail Coordinators...... Cathy Ford, Everett Hoffmann, Beverley Marmion, Fred and Rose Nett Mailing List Coordinators...... Mary and David Horvath President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, Delivery Coordinator...... Ike Thacker Feb. 5, 2019, in Washington, D.C. Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi sit behind him. Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead (Wikimedia). Over 100 Years on Peace Frontiers Since 1915, the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) in the United States has led BEYOND THE WALL campaigns to obtain legal rights for conscientious objectors, win civil rights for all By Gracie Lewis worried about a slowdown. Americans, end the Viet Nam War, oppose U.S. intervention in the Third World, and reverse the superpowers arms race. An interfaith pacifist organization, the FOR has On Tuesday, February 5, 2019, President Trump during his State of the Union members from many religious and ethnic traditions. It is part of the International Donald Trump gave his second State of the Address spoke about sending more troops Fellowship of Reconciliation, with affiliates in 40 countries. Union Address. Trump continued to make to the U.S. Southern border, where border In the development of its program, FOR depends upon persons who seek to apply immigration his top priority. President patrol agents and the Coast Guard were not these principles to every area of life. We invite you to join us in this endeavor. Trump should move beyond the “Wall” being paid. Immigration courts and law Membership consists of signing the FOR Statement of Purpose indicating that because he is never going to get it, despite enforcement personnel were not being paid you agree with FOR’s goals. Please sign up online at: forusa.org threats of another “government shutdown.” forcing more of a backlog in cases. So where The real underlying reason why he is so is the unity and the welfare of the country, fixated about this wall is Trump’s desire with respect to the “wall?” During the FOR’S Mission Statement to control Congress, which is an abuse of government shutdown, the museums and As an interfaith organization, FOR’s mission is to organize, train, and grow a diverse power. There is a “separation of powers” institutions that make up the Smithsonian movement that welcomes all people of conscience to end structures of violence and and it is clearly defined in the US. Consti- were all closed. Children were still being war, and create peace through the transformative power of nonviolence. tution. There are three branches of govern- separated from their parents and is still ment – the Executive Branch, the Legislative unaccounted for. Branch, and the Judicial Branch. Louisville FOR President Donald Trump stated in his Since the Democrats took control of State of the Union address that the only way Louisville FOR was founded on Armistice Day in 1975 by tireless peace and the House of Representatives, Trump has progress can be made is to stop the wars justice activists George and Jean Edwards. The chapter has organized rallies, done everything he could to undermine and the investigations of him and “All the marches, boycotts and nonviolent civil disobedience to work for de-militarization, their leadership. If he was concerned about President’s Men.” The voters in November racial and economic justice and LGBT equality. www.LouisvilleFOR.org the security and wellbeing of America, he made it clear that they wanted to hold the would never had held the American people Executive Branch – the White House – Louisville FOR Co-Chairpersons hostage, shut the government down, and accountable, and oversight hearings will stopped paying the 800,000 federal workers. be conducted despite the threats. Oversight Pat Geier (502) 609.7985 Chris Harmer (502) 899.4119 According to the House Budget Committee, investigations and hearings is the natural the shutdown cost the American taxpayer order of Capitol Hill. When the Republicans $11 billion in lost revenue and wages. was in control, Donald Trump dismantled all aspects of democracy and justice. The The U.S. government was shut down GOP did not hold legislative nor budgetary Contribute to FORsooth! for 35 days. Trump shut it down because hearings on crucial issues, especially on the of this wall. There is no crisis at the border; issue of the “Wall”. What the Democrats Send submissions for news stories or commentaries to the drugs are coming in through legal ports now must do is to reclaim democracy and the FORsooth Editor at [email protected] of entry and intelligence officials have justice. repeatedly tried to brief him. According Send submissions for the Peace Calendar to to the Administration’s own data, illegal Stacey Abrams – Georgia Democrat – [email protected] border crossings at the Southern border is provided a much needed response. This at a 40-year low. country needs Nancy Pelosi and the newly elected representatives to move America Nine federal departments (and some forward. Immigrants have been a part of Never miss an issue - smaller agencies like NASA) was affected this country since the beginning. We are by the lapse in funding: Agriculture, all just one race – the human race. Trump Subscribe for FREE! Commerce, Justice, Homeland Security, now is trying is trying to create a national Housing and Urban Development, Interior, emergency to get what he wants. I am in Send an email request to State, Transportation, and the Treasury. total agreement with the democrats sup- David Horvath at [email protected] Approximately 800,000 federal workers porting lawsuits and other actions chal- and indicate if you want to receive FORsooth were furloughed or being required to work lenging the President’s national emergency without pay. The shutdown posed a national proclamation and forcing the administra- in the mail, via email, or both. security threat. Where was Trump’s procla- tion to set forth the legal and factual basis mation of a national emergency? for it. Trump’s actions are a violation of Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution. It Many of the workers who were consid- is Congress that has the power of the purse, Like this newspaper? ered essential had to work without pay – not the President. TSA employees, who are among the lowest Help keep it alive by donating! paid federal works; air traffic controllers Gracie Lewis is a also were affected, causing a security risk longtime activist Please make checks payable to “FOR” for anyone who had to fly anywhere. FBI for social and and write “FORsooth” on the comment line. agents were not being paid. Food inspec- racial justice. tors were furloughed. That put our food She works with Mail your donation to: supply at risk. While he was calling for the Alliance against unity when he made his State of the Union Tim Scheldorf, FOR Treasurer Racist and Politi- 2917 Beaumont Road, Louisville KY 40205 Address, he failed to mention that SNAP cal Repression (food stamps) recipients would only be and is member getting their stamps through February. Oil of the Louisville Donations can also be made online via PayPal! and gas drilling businesses were affected Chapter of the NAACP. Contact Gracie Visit www.LouisvilleFOR.org during the shutdown because much of the at louisvillepeace.org/kentucky-alli- drilling is on federal lands and operators ance. 4 | APRIL 2019 - FORsooth

BDS COALITION (continued from page 1) February, titled “Freedom is a Constant rally or vigil for the anniversary of the Great Struggle” (which is also the title of a book March of Return on March 30th. into organizations that are not fully focused Movement for Black Lives, and also the by Angela Davis). Davis supports BDS and We are really happy to see the exciting on BDS. Now is the time to change this. Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) all was recently in the national news due to work that has started in South Florida, espe- openly endorse BDS. Contributing to its her BDS support. Almost 60 people were cially since Miami is a difficult environment For the last 15 years, BDS has been a legitimacy is the continuing growth in the in attendance. We focused on the legacy of for Palestinian-rights organizing. growing, Palestinian-led, non-violent, civil- number of BDS supporters in the Demo- black internationalism, on global solidar- society movement to pressure Israel to end cratic Party, including two new representa- ity movements that helped end apartheid Louisville activists can form a “Lou- its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza tives in Congress. in South Africa, and on the importance of isville BDS Coalition”. I will be there to and to grant the Palestinians equal rights in continuing these legacies with the current help, will you? their homeland, including the right of Pales- Starting a local BDS campaign can be BDS movement in solidarity with Palestine. tinian refugees to return to Israel-Palestine. a large task in a place like Louisville, or in Contact Matt Bewley at mattbewley23@ Palestinian human rights have long been almost any place in the United States for Some things that have helped build the gmail.com to learn how you can get involved ignored in our country, and the US plays an that matter, but it can be accomplished. coalition are: making a habit of meeting with the BDS movement and be sure to visit outsized role in enabling Israel to maintain and talking consistently, creating a mission bdsmovement.net Contributing writer: its system of apartheid in Israel-Palestine. For the last four years, I have lived statement and including everyone by Zaynab Ergasheva, South Florida BDS Having BDS activities take place in the between Louisville and South Florida, promoting safe spaces and a sense of egali- Coalition and SEIU CIR Contract Organizer. United States improves the movement’s which includes Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. tarianism. The leadership committee is large broader effectiveness. South Florida pro-Palestinian human rights and diverse. We socialize and make efforts to Matt Bewley is a activists have been gathering support since form strong interpersonal bonds to cultivate Louisville native And, as we are seeing in state capitals December 2018 for a local BDS coalition, the coalition’s longer-term viability. Group and a graduate around the country, local BDS groups are attracting activists from area organizations members have frequent chances to have of duPont Man- needed to combat threats to free speech such as Al-Awda - The Right of Return their voices heard through email, video ual High School posed by anti-BDS legislation. Many states Coalition, Friends of Sabeel, Jewish Voice conference calls, group texting, open-edit and UofL medical are proposing, and often passing, unconstitu- for Peace, the Democratic Socialists of google documents, and moderated, well- school. While in tional laws that disallow state governments America, Dream Defenders of Miami, the apportioned speaking time at meetings. We medical school, he did an elec- from contracting with companies, and even International Socialist Organization, and hold monthly meetings where 30 or more tive rotation in individuals, who support BDS publicly. This the Green Party. We’ve been seeing an have attended. the West Bank in threat to our freedom of speech requires unprecedented level of support from the 2014 and was also in the UofL chapter immediate resistance. Locally, Jewish Voice community to continue moving forward We plan to start a BDS action, approach- of Students for Justice in Palestine. Cur- for Peace has been fighting the Kentucky with a BDS campaign. ing small ethnic markets and other small rently, he is active with the South Florida and the federal versions of these bills. A stores that sell Israeli products, educating BDS coalition. He intends to practice unified local group would likely be even The South Florida BDS Coalition, as our small businesses about BDS. Along psychiatry in Louisville full time starting more effective in fighting them. we now call it, just had our first action in with that, we hope to formulate a plan for a fall of 2019.

BDS movements in the United States are experiencing varying levels of success. European groups have been more success- ful. Major companies across the Atlantic such as Veolia, HSBC, and Orange have succumbed to pressure from BDS activists. There is a level of activity there that generally surpasses ours.

However, local American BDS efforts have been more successful when they join forces with activists who rail against the US government’s treatment of immigrants and minorities. For example, in Durham, NC, local activists affiliated with the Deadly Exchange Campaign were able to convince the city council to prohibit the city from conducting police training exchanges with Israel. This type of action has an intersec- tional angle, with the opportunity of working side by side with activists for police reform.

Young people, and specifically young people in Louisville, are supporting Pales- tinian human rights more than ever before. Progressive groups like Democratic Social- Some of the group that met for the first official South Florida BDS Coalition meeting in January. There were about 30 people total at that ists of America, Dream Defenders, the meeting, as some chose not to be photographed. Photo by Matt Bewley

THE KEY TO PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST Support a Two-State Solution to End the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict

VIGIL FOR PEACE Every Friday 12 noon to 1:00 PM Corner of 6th Street & Broadway Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville Committee for Israeli/Palestinian States | 502.451.5658 | www.louisvillepeace.org Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) Louisville Chapter | www.louisvillefor.org FORsooth - APRIL 2019 | 5

REDLINING (continued from page 1)

The traditional approach is legal. Nations like Jamaica and Namibia have demanded reparations for Britain’s and Germany’s role in slavery and colonialism, and black lawmakers in the United States (John Conyers, John Muhammad, and Marlon Kimpson) have introduced calls for studies and legislation. A different grassroots approach is exemplified by groups who are taking reparations into their own hands. Soul Fire Farm works to challenge racism in the food supply chain, while Southern Reparations Loan Fund supports startups that provide services to black communities in the South. Similarly, through a continuous struggle, a group of activists in Chicago was able to get financial reparations for victims of torture by the Chicago Police.

Most of us think of reparations as a direct transfer of money from the government. The most recent calculations of what is owed to black people for slavery, colonialism, and their effects, according to Newsweek, is in the trillions. However, many of the groups working against white resistance to Pages from the slave trade ledger of William James Smith, 1849, meticulously detailing the prices paid and received for African-American slaves, as well as the expenses incurred by Smith in undertaking this business. monetary reparations have found that there Photo courtesy of The Littlejohn Collection at Wofford College (flickr.com). are other options, moral options that require us to look deeply at our shared history. Let’s used working-class White frustration cities like Detroit, St. Louis, Los Angeles, still movements, people speaking out and consider what the effects of this legacy are. to deflect their unwillingness to provide and New York that still face redlining and successfully navigating systems of oppres- fair-labor environments, and Blacks and unchecked predatory loan practices. sion, is a testament to resilience and agency. A brief history of an enormous moral other people of color become targets.” Yet it is not enough. And a president who injury To speak about reparations today, then, uses racist insults, threats, and the encour- The elite factory owners of course never requires us to think about a deep and con- agement of violence to get elected is only Slavery and colonialism, which provided spoke up to say, “No, it was us, we hired tinuing moral harm. This harm began with a logical result of the “unbegun” business the capital in capitalism, framed and created those Blacks because we wanted to drive the theft of people from their homelands of racial reconciliation. the economic structure of the early U.S. down wages!” in Africa followed by forced labor, rape, economy and the industry of Western abuse, forced reproduction, experiments on Can we ever truly heal the racial divide Europe that made these places the economic Similarly today, Black folks (and other black bodies, theft of ideas and inventions. between Black (non-White) and White powerhouses they are today. Meanwhile, people of color) have repeatedly been used Even after slavery was officially abolished, people? Yes, we can. according to acclaimed legal scholar Derrick to stoke the fire of public fear and keep it essentially continued in the form of forced Bell, the depraved state of slaves in the U.S. poor working whites voting for candidates work, convict leasing, continued rape, race- I think. shaped the idea of white identity, making and choosing public policies that are not in based assaults and lynchings under the Jim even very poor whites believe themselves their interests. Ian Haney Lopez’s book Dog Crow system. Likewise, after the formal Present material conditions, redlining, superior to blacks. As a result, black people Whistle Politics describes how it works in end of Jim Crow, we see the continua- and gentrification have historically been used to bring poor detail. From this point of view, slavery, and tion of segregation practices and policies whites to the side of wealthy white elites. all other forms of genocide, has all along in police killings of black people with no The solutions required must emerge from been part of the pacification of white immi- accountability; unequal education; murder and be shaped by a grassroots approach. The notorious 1917 race riots in East grants to North America. and imprisonment of black activists and They must be informed by an awareness St. Louis were started by white workers, leaders; placing drugs in black commu- of the legacy of violent colonization, an returning from World War I, who blamed The list of these moves is so long. They nities followed by a “war on drugs” that understanding of the lived reality of what blacks for the low wages and loss of jobs include farm subsidies (which Dr. Martin translated into war on black people and most Black folk experience, and a willing- they discovered when they got home. In a Luther King Jr. described as having their their communities. ness of White folks and institutions to follow recent Yes! Magazine article, my colleagues roots in the westward expansion, the Trail Black leadership in our struggles. and I described how: of Tears making way for white settlers The worst thing about the list of injustices despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision to the I’ve just shared is that I can’t name them The Center for Investigative Journal- “…over 7,000 Black people fled for contrary); convict leasing (which provided all, because we continue to learn the extent ism’s recent report on mortgages denied to their lives and between 200 and 500 free labor to white businesses after slavery); of the legacy of violence against African Blacks and Latinos, cited above, examined were murdered by angry White gangs the rising prison population housed in rural Americans. And Black people in the U.S. over 31 million mortgage records in 61 unhindered by authorities. The roots facilities (employing entire white towns); aren’t the only ones affected by this legacy. metro areas. It points out how banks under of this travesty are familiar; the elite and current waves of gentrification in There are so many other groups who have Obama, and now under Trump, have used experienced the same kind of violence – for the Fair Housing Act to drive gentrifica- example, Latinos and Native Americans: tion. What should have been a federally basically, anyone non-white. mandated program to help black people buy Louisville FOR has an urgent homes is now being used by most banks – As if this weren’t bad enough, each Chase, Santander, Wells Fargo and the list generation of those experiencing violence goes on – to provide loans to Whites who need for a VOLUNTEER with learns from the previous one and inherits in many cases have worse credit and very intergenerational trauma. This trauma is little cash to put down. BOOKKEEPING SKILLS. more than just a succession of horrifying stories. According to Dr. Joyce Degruw, The Pro Publica report entitled “The If interested, contact CoChairs the embodied stress of being black in this Color of Debt” describes the likelihood of Chris Harmer (502-899-4119) country affects us at the cellular level. In bill collectors to go after black people as addition, the perpetration of unrelenting opposed to similarly situated whites, and or Pat Geier (502-609-7985) violence on a group of people had to be the focus of law enforcement on black com- justified with racial pseudo-science cham- munities instead of white communities that pioned by religion, by the social sciences, have more drug traffic and crime. And while by the humanities, and by academic insti- the public is deeply engaged with address- tutions that still exist and profit from their ing mass school shootings, we have to How Are We Doing? foundations in racism to this day. What remember how the response to Columbine makes this history so sad is that many still was “zero tolerance” policies that dispro- What do you think about this issue of FORsooth? believe much of this pack of lies that was portionately impact urban schools that Do you have any ideas of how we can improve? peddled to white and non-white folk alike. Black and Latino Students are likely to attend – even though these demographics Is there something you like and want to see more of? And this is the very definition of moral are far less likely to experience the kind injury: after each wrong, the injustice of of violence toward which “zero tolerance” silencing. Over generations, such silence policies are supposedly directed. Instead, Contact the FORsooth Editor: deeply impacts people’s perception of them- such policies contribute to the school-to- [email protected] selves and their life possibilities. The trauma prison pipeline, since the higher proportion is systematic and ongoing. That there are (see REDLINING, page 6) 6 | APRIL 2019 - FORsooth

REDLINING should make them question the very notion beginning. When the Truth Telling Project ability due for the moral injury against Black of fairness. of Ferguson shared the testimony of many folk (and other non-white folk) in the U.S. (continued from page 5) activists and families who were victimized Did you get a mortgage in a gentrifying To summarize: Black and many by police violence, many white people neighborhood? If so, what do you owe? To of Black students suspended and expelled non-white people are subjected to many listened and were affected. Yet their emotion find out if banks are discriminating in your increases those students’ chances of incar- injustices. These injustices have a direct does not change our material conditions. community, text LOAN to 202-873-8325. ceration. In addition, Black students often correlation to the privileges or justices Then make up your mind about what you face harsher discipline than their white coun- white people benefit from. Let me repeat: The current material conditions of are going to do. terparts. Much of that has to do with teacher Your privilege directly connects to a loss African Americans are extensions of bias toward Black and Latino students. of possibility for safety or peace of mind slavery. Corresponding racial attitudes, A published activ- or wealth building for a non-white person. and biases surrounding the maintenance of ist, educator and Studies that report how little progress those attitudes, reach into every dimension scholar who has African Americans have made in terms of The question that White people and of American life. Even if your parents dedicated his life’s home ownership and employment, and that majority institutions must answer is not immigrated to the U.S. and you are only a work to social jus- document the increase of Black incarcera- whether or not they believe the evidence. It second generation citizen, if you are White tice, Dr. David tion, do little to change the mind of many. is what they are willing to do. Will you hire you are more likely to receive a mortgage, a Ragland is Senior Rather than attributing this lack of progress Black people to positions of authority, or second mortgage, or a home improvement Bayard Rustin Fel- to racial discrimination, a disturbing per- offer them opportunities, contracts, intern- loan than I am – and my family has been low at the Fellow- centage of White people believe Blacks ships in your own field of work? Studies here for centuries. Your kids are less likely ship of Reconcilia- tion. In this role, he are less intelligent and more criminal, show that Black people are still less likely to be suspended or encounter the criminal is committed to furthering FORusa’s sadly reinforcing a sense of moral superi- to be hired, despite a few prominent Blacks justice system than mine. You are safer from pursuit of peace by co-director the ority that justifies awarding mortgages and in the public spotlight. If you believe in police than my family and I. reparations campaign, conducting in- employment opportunities to less qualified fairness, what kind of reparative justice are terfaith training, mentoring young adult Whites. Grasping this vicious circle should you willing to enact? The injustice you experience exists, in leadership, and building an infrastruc- make White people question their sense part, because we live in an unjust nation. ture of supporting coalitions that bridge that where they are and what they have is Understand that learning and knowing At times, that impacts us all. Yet all White the disconnect between peace, anti- purely the result of their own hard work. It about these injustices is the very tip of the people, even poor ones, share in the account- war, and social justice movements.

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FORward Radio is a grassroots, community-based, FM radio station operating as an educational arm of the Louisville Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) in pursuit of peace and social justice. As an affiliate in the Pacifica Network, our broadcast schedule is a mix of nationally syndicated programming (black text below) and locally or regionally produced programs (white text). FORsooth - APRIL 2019 | 7 Regular Meeting Times for Area Organizations AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE—Third Friday at noon at Sullivan University, www.au.org. Contact Paul Simmons at 608-7517, [email protected]. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL—Contact Sharon at 637-8951 APPAF [American Palestine Public Affairs Forum]—www.appaf.org, 664-2761 AUDUBON SOCIETY OF KENTUCKY—www.audubonsocietyofky.org BECKHAM BIRD CLUB—2nd Saturday, 7PM, www.beckhambirds.org BLACK LIVES MATTER—Every Sunday, 3PM, 3208 W. Broadway, [email protected] BREAD FOR THE WORLD—Last Monday every other month, 239-4317 CAPA [Citizens Against Police Abuse]—2nd Thursday, 778-8130. Meet at Braden Center, 3208 W. Broadway CART [Coalition for the Advancement of Regional Transportation]—3rd Wednesday, Union Station, TARC Board Room CEDAW [Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women]—2nd Tuesday, 6:30 PM, Bon Air Library, [email protected] CLOUT [Citizens of Louisville Organized and Working Together]—583-1267 COMMITTEE FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST—2nd Monday, 456-6586 Barbara Spencer Dunn, from the Association for the Study of African American Life and COMMON CAUSE—Ad hoc discussions. Continuous engagement. www.commoncause.org/ky History, spoke to a crowded room at the Hotel Louisville on February 21, 2019, as part of the COMMUNITY COALITION ON THE HEALTHY HOMETOWN—Every Monday, 5:30PM, 574-6209 Third Thursday Lunch series sponsored by FOR and Sowers of Justice. Photo by Sarah Hong. COMMUNITY FARM ALLIANCE OF KENTUCKY—(859)351-4508, cfaky.org COUNTER RECRUITMENT, “Aim Higher”—1st Sunday, 7PM, 899-4119 EARTHSAVE POTLUCK —2nd Saturday, 6PM, 299-2520, www.LouisvilleEarthSave.org EVOLVE [Electric Vehicle Owners of Louisville]—Join us on facebook, [email protected] Fellowship of Reconciliation —Quarterly community dialogues and volunteer opportunities, 893-0788 FDR/LINCOLN LEGACY CLUB—1st Thursday, [email protected] & Sowers of Justice Network FOR [Fellowship of Reconciliation]—2nd Thursday, at 7:30PM, Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, Nelson Hall, www.louisvilleFOR.org, 609-7985 or 899-4119 present 15 THOUSAND FARMERS—15th day each month, www.15thousandfarmers.com FOOD IN NEIGBORHOODS COMMUNITY COALITION—2nd Tuesday, 6:30PM, 819-2957 Third Thursday Lunches FORWARD RADIO PROJECT – 296-1793, see page 5 for more info FRIENDS FOR HOPE—Support Group for Adult Cancer Survivors, 4th Wednesday, 6:30PM, 451-9600 FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF LOUISVILLE—2nd Tuesday, 893-8436 GREATER LOUISVILLE SIERRA CLUB—3rd Tuesday, 7PM, 644-0659 APRIL 18 GREEN CONVENE—2nd Tuesday, 6:30PM, www.greenconvene.org HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION ADVOCACY BOARD—1st Monday, 9AM, 574-3631 Investigative Reporting: HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION ENFORCEMENT BOARD—1st Monday, 9:30AM, 574-3631 HUMANISTS OF METRO LOUISVILLE—2nd Monday, 7PM, 896-4853 Why It Matters, and What It Takes INTERFAITH PATHS TO PEACE—3rd Wednesday, every other month, 214-7322 IRFI [Islamic Research Fuondation International]—Sundays at 6PM, 423-1988 Kate Howard JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE—3rd Wednesday, 7PM, 553-6451, [email protected] JUSTICE RESOURCE CENTER—www. louisvillejrc.org, 774-8624 Kate Howard will talk you through the time, investment and vetting it takes KENTUCKIANS FOR SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE—1st and 3rd Thursday, 5:30PM, to make good investigative journalism -- and why it’s more crucial now Board Room in the Mezzanine of the Main Public Library, www.kyhealthcare.org, 636-1551 than ever. She’ll share through the lens of a recent story about the dispro- KFTC [Kentuckians for the Commonwealth]—2nd Monday, 589-3188 portionate number of black youth locked up in Louisville’s juvenile system. KTAG [Kentuckiana Taskforce Against Genocide]— www.facebook.com/KYAgainstGenocide, 553-6172 KY ALLIANCE AGAINST RACIST & POLITICAL REPRESSION—1st Tuesday, 6:30PM, 778-8130 Howard has been a journalist for more than 15 years at newspa- KY COALITION TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY—www.kcadp.org, 636-1330 pers including The Tennessean and the Omaha World-Herald. KITLAC [KY Interfaith Taskforce on Latin America & The Caribbean]—[email protected], She is managing editor of the Kentucky Center for Investigative 435-3265 Reporting, a nonprofit investigative newsroom housed at 89.3 WFPL. KRCRC [KY Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice]—www.krcrc.org, (866)606-0988 KY WATERSHED WATCH—Volunteer water quality monitoring and training around the state Hotel Louisville • 120 West Broadway every month. Call 1-800-928-0045 corner of Second & Broadway -- Free off-street parking LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS—3rd Monday, Sept-May, www.lwvlouisville.org, 895-5218 LOUISVILLE COMMITTEE FOR ISRAELI/PALESTINIAN STATES—3rd Sunday, 451-5658 LOUISVILLE COMMITTEE FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST (LCPME)—First Monday, Lunch at 11:30AM • Presentation at 12 noon • Full Buffet $7.00 at the Door 7PM, 264-2437 LOUISVILLE FORUM—2nd Wednesday, Noon, www.louisvilleforum.org, 329-0111 Reservations required by MONDAY before the lunch LPAC [Louisville Peace Action Community]—www.louisvillepeace.org, 456-6914 RSVP to Pat Geier at (502)609-7985 or [email protected] LOUISVILLE SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE (LSURJ)—Monthly meetings for learning and action, 558-7556 LOUISVILLE WOMEN CHURCH—Meditation every Sunday, 473-8435 LOUISVILLE YOUTH GROUP—Friday nights, 587-7755, www.louisvilleyouthgroup.com LOUISVILLIANS IN FAVOR OF EQUALITY (LIFE)—4th Sunday, 384-3875 Do you like this publication? Do you have METRO SWEEP FOR ACCESS—3rd Tuesday, 895-0866 or 899-9261 METROPOLITAN HOUSING COALITION—4th Wednesday, 584-6858 editing skills and want to contribute to MIGHTY KINDNESS—[email protected], 235-0711 FORsooth’s success? We are in need of a MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE—(571)278-2255, www.momsdemandaction.org Managing Editor and it could be YOU! MUHAMMAD ALI INSTITUTE FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE—U of L, 852-6372 NAACP [National Association for the Advancement of Colored People]—3rd Monday, 776-7608 NAMI [National Alliance for the Mentally Ill]—588-2008, www.namilouisville.org NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK, LOUISVILLE METRO CHAPTER—4th Sunday, 5PM, JOB OPENING 778-8624 or (470)362-0317 PARENTS, FAMILIES & FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS (P-FLAG)—233-1323, www.pflaglouisville.org PEACE EDUCATION PROGRAM—www.peaceeducationprogram.org, 589-6583 MANAGING EDITOR RESULTS (a hunger lobby)—2nd Saturday, 451-4907 SICKLE CELL ASSOCIATION—3rd Saturday, 569-2070 SIERRA CLUB INNER CITY OUTINGS—2nd Thursday, 7:30PM, 558-0073 for FORsooth LOUISVILLE SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE—Learning, support and action, 558-7556. This volunteer position includes a stipend of $100 per month. SOCIAL CHANGE BOOK CLUB—3rd Monday, www.greenlistlouisville.com SOWERS OF JUSTICE NETWORK—www.sowersofjusticenetwork.org, Anyone interested, please contact Russ Greenleaf [email protected] STAND UP SUNDAY/STAND UP LOUISVILLE—Every Sunday, 3PM, 3208 W. Broadway, [email protected] / 502-264-2437 [email protected] URBAN LEAGUE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS—2nd Monday, 6PM, 561-6830 VETERANS FOR PEACE, Louisville Chapter 168—500-6915, [email protected] Spread the word WOMEN IN TRANSITION (WIT) – Every Wednesday, 6-8 PM, 636-0160 about this job opportunity! Note: If your group would like to be added to this list, or if information needs to be updated, please let us know by emailing [email protected] CALENDAR FOR PEACEMAKERS - APRIL 2019 Meeting times are subject to change for some of these events. Before attending these events, it’s best to contact the sponsoring organization to verify the time and place of the event. Please e-mail us information about your peace and justice events to [email protected]

Apr 1 to Jul 14 » SHINING A LIGHT. The Muhammad Ali Apr 9 (Tues) » AMERICANA COMMUNITY CENTER. Apr 23 (Tues) » FREE NONPROFIT START-UP CLINIC. Center. See photographs from countries all over the world Volunteer orientation every 2nd Tuesday, 6PM. Help bridge Center for Nonprofit Excellence, 3PM. Every 4th Tuesday. on human rights and social justice. This year’s focus is the gap for our refugee and immigrant neighbors. Visit Learn the fundamentals, avoid pitfalls, and find direction. the daily lives of homeless women. Visit https://www. http://www.americanacc.org. Visit www.cnpe.org. alicenter.org Apr 10 (Wed) » Y-NOW CHILDREN OF PRISONERS Apr 30 (Tues) » REAL PEOPLE, REAL CHALLENGES, Apr 1 to 30 » SACK LUNCHES FOR THE HOMELESS. MENTORING. Join us for a tour of YMCA Safe Place. REAL SOLUTIONS. Volunteers of America Family Wayside Christian Mission. Open every day. Help us 2nd Wednesday each month. Learn how you can help Emergency Shelter, morning and evening sessions. One- assemble sack lunches for men and women who are break the cycle through mentoring and encouragement. hour interactive tour of VOA’s work and programs for working and away from the Mission at mealtimes. Sack RSVP to 635-5233. self-determination. Call 636-4660 to RSVP. lunches are also used by our Good Samaritan Patrol. Visit Apr 10 (Wed) » LOUISVILLE FORUM. Noon at Vincenzo’s http://wcm1.weebly.com. Downtown. Every 2nd Wednesday. Speakers on current OUT OF TOWN Apr 1 to 30 » THE WORLD’S MAJOR RIVERS. The Crane public issues. Non-partisan discussion. For details call, Apr 1 (Mon) » KENTUCKY MIGRANT NETWORK House. Compare three of the world’s major rivers: Ganges, 502-329-0111. COALITION. Lexington KY at the Cardinal Valley Center, Yangtze, and . Learn more about their influence on Apr 11 (Thurs) » EVERYONE READS TRAINING. JCPS 12PM. Every first Monday. Get better acquainted with the history and culture of their respective countries. Visit VanHoose Education Center, 4PM. Every 2nd Thursday. Kentucky’s immigrant and refugee families. For more http://www.cranehouse.org. Join our community-wide effort to improve reading skills. information, call 859-258-3824 Apr 2 to 4 » PEACECASTERS SPRING CAMP. Peace Visit https://apps.jefferson.kyschools.us/vounteer. Apr 2 to 23 » FAIRNESS MEETINGS. ACLU of Kentucky. Education Program, 9AM to 5PM. Practice ways to use Help us promote LGBT Rights in Kentucky and join our tools nonviolent conflict resolution. Visit https://www. Apr 11 (Thurs) » DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ARTICLES meeting in Versailles, Georgetown, Frankfort, Bowling peaceeducationprogram.org. FOR THE JUNE ISSUE OF FORsooth. Email articles Green, Berea, and Shelbyville. Visit http://www.aclu-ky. Apr 2 (Tues) » GLOBAL TRIVIA NIGHT. World Affairs to [email protected] org. Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, 7PM. Test Apr 4 (Thurs) » INTERFAITH PRAYER VIGIL FOR PEACE. your knowledge and learn more from others. Visit https:// Apr 12 (Fri) » A GLIMPSE OF ETERNITY. The Louisville Lexington, KY at West Main and Broadway, 5:30PM to www.worldkentucky.org. Astronomical Society at dusk in Tom Sawyer Park. Every 6:30PM. Every Thursday. For more information, call 859- Apr 2 (Tues) » CONSOLING PARENTS. Meeting at First 2nd Friday weather permitting. Look through telescopes 327-5514. Lutheran Church every Tuesday at 6:30PM. Meet others at planets, our moon, stars, double stars, the Orion nebula, Apr 18 (Thurs) » ORGANIC AGRICULTURE WORKING who know the loss of miscarriage, stillbirth, and newborn and other wonders. Visit https://www.louisville-astro.org/. GROUP. KSU Research Farm, Frankfort, KY. Every third death. Call 629-2103 for more information. Apr 13 (Sat) » EARTHSAVE OF LOUISVILLE. Crescent Thursday. Participate in efforts to develop local food Apr 2 (Tues) » DANCING FOR VETERANS WITH PTSD. Hill Ministries, 6PM to 8PM. Every 2nd Saturday. Discuss economies with the Community Farm Alliance and others. 6PM. Enjoy live music, dance and community. Every healthy food and behavior change. Bring a plant-based dish https://kysu.edu/academics/cafsss/organic-agriculture- Tuesday until April 9th. Visit www.dancingwell.org. and share your recipe. Mix, mingle, music. Call 299-9520 working-group/about-organic-agriculture working-group/. Apr 3 (Wed) » VOLUNTEER FOR REFUGEE FAMILIES for more information. Apr 27 (Sat) » CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE. Catholic Charites, 5:30PM. First Wednesday every month. Apr 13 (Sat) » CITIZENS’ CLIMATE LOBBY. Crescent Lexington, KY at 10AM. Meeting places rotate. Every Learn more about our refugee & immigration settlement Hill Public Library, Noon. Every 2nd Saturday. Help plan 4th Saturday. Explore moral, cultural, and social issues program and family assistance efforts. Visit http://cclou.org. efforts to lobby for state legislation to combat climate together. For more information, call 859-2772-7891. Apr 3 (Wed) » THE LOUISVILLE SUSTAINABILITY change. For more contact Jean at [email protected] or Apr 27 (Sat) » CREATING SPACES OF BELONGING. FORUM. Every first Wednesday. Sustainability and call 502-634-3114. Kentuckians For The Commonwealth meeting in relationships that create a community for change. Bring Apr 14 (Sun) » VIGIL FOR PEACE. Louisville Peace Action Covington, KY. Learn concrete ways to make our spaces your lunch. Noon to 1:45 PM, Passionist Earth & Spirit Committee (LPAC) and Veterans for Peace Chapter more inclusive and together. Visit http://kftc.org/. Center, the Barn at 1924 Newburg Road. 168, 4PM to 5PM. Every 2nd Sunday. Bardstown Rd. at Apr 3 (Wed) » KENTUCKY REFUGEE MINISTRIES Douglas Blvd. Bring a sign. Remember those suffering AT THE LOUISVILLE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES LUNCH & LEARN. Noon. Learn more about our refugee from conflicts in the Middle East. For more information, Visit www.lfpl.org for more information. & immigration settlement program and citizenship tutoring call Harold Trainer, 502-419-4083. Apr 4 (Thurs) » CITIZENSHIP CLASS. Iroquois Public classes. Visit http://kyrm.org. Apr 14 (Sun) » THE NONVIOLENT CITIES PROJECT. Library, 11AM. Every Thursday. Instruction by Kentucky Apr 4 (Thurs) » KENTUCKY SINGLE PAYER HEALTH Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, every 2nd Sunday at Refugee Ministries CARE. Every first & third Thursday, 5:30PM at Main 2:30PM. Help us spread and apply the principles of non- Apr 6 (Sat) » ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLUB. Every Public Library. Call Kay Tillow 636-1551. violent action here and now. Call 812-280-0665 or email Saturday at the Iroquois Public Library, 3PM. Also Main [email protected] for more information. Library on Wednesdays at 7PM and Shively Public Library Apr 4 (Thurs) » DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS Apr 15 (Mon) » GROWING FOOD AND COMMUNITY. on Thursdays at 6:30PM. TO THIS CALENDAR IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF 15 Thousand Farmers at Dismas Charities St. Ann’s on Apr 6 (Sat) » HOUR OF POWER BOOK DISCUSSIONS. FORSOOTH. Every first Thursday. Please email calendar. Algonquin Pkwy, the 15th of every month. Share ideas and Newburg Public Library, every first Saturday at 2PM. [email protected]. experiences about growing your own food. Taste samples. Discuss books on personal efforts Visit www.15thousandfarmers.com. Apr 6 (Sat) » CONTEMPORARY AFRICA. Iroquois Public Apr 4 to 7 & 25 to 28 » HAND IN HAND MINISTRIES. Work Apr 16 (Tues) » WEST JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMUNITY Library, 1PM. Every Saturday this month. Meet and learn side by side with people who live and work in vulnerable TASK FORCE. Meeting at the NIA Center every 3rd with community leaders and UofL students. communities. Visithttp://www.myhandinhand.org. Tuesday at 6PM. Help us examine and assess community Apr 8 (Mon) » INTERMEDIATE SPANISH. South Central Apr 6 (Sat) » INTERFAITH SILENT MEDITATION. Every environmental concerns. Call 852-4609 for more Public Library, 6:30PM. Every Monday. Increase first Saturday. 9:30AM. Brief meditation instruction and information. comprehensive and oral expression. longer periods of silence, interspersed with opportunities Apr 17 (Wed) » JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE. Highlands- Apr 16 (Tues) » GRANTSEEKING BASICS FOR for walking meditation. Passionist Earth & Spirit Center, Shelby Park Public Library. Every third Wednesday. Help NONPROFITS. Main Public Library, 1:30PM. Learn the the Barn at 1924 Newburg Road. Call 502-452-2749 for us plan for future and assess our accomplishments. Call basics of developing a fundraising plan. information. Visit https://earthandspiritcenter.org. 502-553-6451 or e-mail [email protected]. Apr 17 (Wed) » BOOKS ON GLOBAL SOLIDARITY. Main Apr 6 (Sat) » LOUISVILLE COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE. Apr 18 (Thurs) » CHAT WITH POLICE. 6PM. Open dialogue Public Library, 12PM. Discuss contemporary books by Every Saturday morning. Also, other days and times. 26 with police officers. Meeting places rotate month to month. authors from all over the world. (aka Mayor’s Book Club) farmers’ markets from California neighborhood to Norton https://louisville-police.org/475/Youth-Chats-with-the- Apr 18 (Thurs) » WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB. South Central Commons. Visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/ LMPD. Public Library, 7PM. Join our discussion of books of mayors-healthy-hometown-movement/services/healthy- Apr 18 (Thurs) » MENTAL ILLNESS SUPPORT & interest to women. eating. ADVOCACY. NAMI Louisville every third Thursday at Apr 27 (Sat) » FRENCH CIRCLE. Iroquois Public Library, Apr 6 (Sat) » PRESERVE OUR URBAN FORESTS. Olmsted 3PM. Also Saturdays and Sundays. Support for families. 12:30PM. Join our conversation in French. Parks Conservancy. Almost every Saturday. Our tasks Draw on years of experience. Visit www.namilouisville.org. Apr 27 (Sat) » DIA CELEBRATION. Iroquois Public Library, include invasive plant removal, mulching, painting or Apr 18 (Thurs) » COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL 2:30PM. El día de los niños/El día de los libros. general park beautification in our various Olmsted parks ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN (CASA). Orientation, and parkways. Gloves, tools and guidance provided. Noon to 1PM. Learn how you can help defend the rights Be sure to sign-up before coming out. Visit http://www. of abused and neglected children in our community. Call olmstedparks.org. 595-4911 to RSVP. Contribute to FORsooth! Apr 6 (Sat) » HELP BUILD A HOME. Habitat for Humanity of Apr 18 (Thurs) » LEARNING DIFFERENCES SUPPORT Metro Louisville. Almost every Saturday. Work alongside & ADVOCACY. Learning Disabilities Association Send submissions for news stories or our sweat-equity families. Ask about our non-construction of Kentucky every third Thursday at 7PM. Support commentaries tothe FORsooth Editor at opportunities too. Visit https://www.louisvillehabitat.org. for individuals and families. Call 473-1256 for more [email protected] Apr 6 (Sat) » CANVASS NEIGHBORHOODS FOR FRESH information. FOOD. Saturdays and Sundays. Join us any time. Fresh Apr 18 (Thurs) » THIRD THURSDAY LUNCH. Stop Project volunteers take orders door to door for Co-sponsored by FOR and the Sowers of Justice Send submissions for the Peace Calendar locally grown fruits and vegetables. Visit http://www. Network at Hotel Louisville. Hear compelling speakers to [email protected] newrootsproduce.org. on current concerns and issues of justice, compassion, Apr 7 (Sun) » COMMUNITY COMPOSTING. UofL Belknap faith, and public policy. Lunch begins at 11:30AM, Campus. Every Sunday, Noon to 2PM. Help us turn trash presentation begins at 12 noon. RSVP to Pat Geier by to treasure. Haul home some rich compost for your garden. the Monday prior at 609-7985 or [email protected]. Dress to get dirty. Tools provided. Visit http://www. See page 7 for more details about this month’s event. louisville.edu/sustainability. Never miss an issue - Apr 7 (Sun) » “AIM HIGHER” focusing on military Apr 18 (Thurs) » FORsooth LABELING PARTY. counter-recruitment. Every first Sunday at 7 PM. Discuss Presbyterian Seminary, Winn Center. 6:30 PM. Every 3rd Subscribe for FREE! conscientious objection, military recruitment, and the Thursday. We need volunteers! Many hands make light possibility for high school students to “opt out” of having work, and the opposite is also true! So please join us if you Send an email request to their names given to recruiters. Call Jim Johnson, 262-0148 can. Call 451-5658 for more information David Horvath at or e-mail [email protected]. [email protected] Apr 9 (Tues) » MOVIMENIENTO DE MUJERES LATINA Apr 20 (Sat) » LOUISVILLE EARTH WALK. Iroquois Park. and indicate if you want to receive -- LATINA WOMEN’S MOVEMENT, La Casita Center, Celebrate our beautiful planet and show our community every second Tuesday, 5:30PM. Network, mentor, find how much you care about protecting and improving our FORsooth in the mail, via email, or both. friends and share. Call 322-4036 for more information. quality of life. Visit https://louisvilleearthwalk.org/.