Anti-racism update 3.19.25

AR QUIZ

• Who was the first African American to represent Wisconsin in the U.S. Congress? 

EDUCATION

• Know Your Candidates!  Our Alders and School Board members have important roles in promoting anti-racist policies at the local level. All Alders and one School Board seat are up for election. The League of Women Voters of Dane County has video interviews here and written Candidate Answers on Vote411 here, 
• Scott Fulton has posted a book review on The Serviceberry, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This is a short but wonderful book about the gift economy – a way of providing for our needs through reciprocal community relationships based on abundance and gratitude, which is a distinguishing feature of Indigenous cultures. This and other reviews may be found here – Books by and about Native Americans – Madison Friends Meeting,
• Spanning more than 150 years, Black Fire brings together the words of Friends who spoke truth to power in some of America’s most tumultuous times. Featuring the writing and speeches of Bayard Rustin, Bill Sutherland, Sojourner Truth and many more, this book is a unique exploration into the spirituality and activism of Black Friends, told in their own words. Hear a podcast discussion with some of the book’s editors and excerpts from the audiobook: https://quakerpodcast.com/black-fire-african-american-quakers-on-spirituality-and-human-rights/
• ACTION 
• Free School Meals for All Event: The Free School Meals for Madison Campaign coalition will be hosting a dinner and discussion on Tuesday, April 22nd 6-8pm at Freedom Inc.  Event is available in-person at 2110 Luann Lane & online. We’ll hear from community leaders about food insecurity, school food debt,  the importance of school meals and talk about how to win food justice in our communities. Free food and on-site childcare will be provided. This event will be recorded to be shared publicly. All are welcome. Come learn how we can bring about meaningful change for our community. Questions? Email MADSA.schoolmeals@gmail.com.
• Save the Date: Families for Justice Annual “Family Reunion” will be Sunday, June 8th, approximately 11am – 1pm.  This annual event connects people with more than 20 organizations working on community building and community organizing, co-conspirator/ally education, anti-racist education, school safety, school food justice, abortion rights, faith group activism and more. More details to follow.  

AR QUIZ ANSWER

• Congresswoman Gwen Moore was elected to represent Wisconsin’s 4th Congressional District in 2004, making her the first African American elected to Congress from the State of Wisconsin. She is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Joint Economic Committee.Congresswoman Moore is an active member on the LGBT Equality Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, the Great Lakes Caucus, the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, and Democratic Women’s Caucus, and was named Communications Task Force Co-Chair.Read more about Rep. Moore here: https://gwenmoore.house.gov/biography/ 

YOUR PEACE, SOCIAL AND EARTH CONCERNS SOCIAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE