Anti-Racism Update 9.10.25

Updated on

AR QUIZ

  • National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15. Why does the celebration begin on September 15?

EDUCATION

  • Read a new book: Black Fire – African American Quakers on Spirituality and Human Rights gathers together the voices of 18 remarkable individuals who spoke and wrote as African Americans from within the Quaker community. They testify about their viewpoints on racial justice — both within the Religious Society of Friends and society at large – and they speak of their life in the Spirit. As a collection, these selections exhibit the vitality and wisdom that three centuries of African American Quakers have contributed to and on behalf of Friends. One copy is on the AR Bookshelf in the Friends Room.  It is also available here: https://quakerbooks.org/collections/antiracism/products/black-fire-2251 
  • Book Talk by Dr. Harold D. Weaver, Jr., Race, Decolonization, and the Cold War; Thursday, 16 September, 3pm-4:30pm ET. Click here to register for attendance over Zoom. For more information click here
  • Anti-Racism Personal Exploration Group; Sunday Sept. 21, 1-2:30pm. Madison Friends is resuming this monthly group and welcomes new individuals to join. The group provides an  opportunity for folks to explore more deeply our personal experience with and relationship to racism and white supremacy. Please contact Frances Hough fejlh1@gmail.com or Eric Howlanderic.howland@gmail.com  if you are interested in learning more or participating.

ACTION

  • Participate in an event for Hispanic Heritage month. Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15-October 15 each year, celebrating Hispanic and Latino culture. This month’s long celebration encompasses important independence days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile and Belize. Madison Public Library has a number of events and celebrations to honor this month. Click here to learn more and attend an event (note: the link says 2024, but events are scheduled in 2025). 
  • Attend the Fundraising Concert of Quanda Johnson, soprano: I Went to Look for Joy. Wednesday September 17, 7:30 pm, Madison Friends Meetinghouse. “It may sound strange during these “interesting times” but for me, human existence is about joy. It is the effervescence of hope prodding “Expect…something new.” It prompts us to open our eyes and with fortitude, despite everything, celebrate in hopeful expectation a new chance, a new day. Joy! This mix of ebullient art songs, Negro spirituals, and hymns is a celebration of the potential for humans to be humane and of those who dare to “face the fear-beasts,” in urging this potential. Life bursting forth saying, “love is the breath of life and kindness our peace. I call and recall. I remember, though dismembered. I seek — the seeker, ever hoping, ever expecting…in the midst of uncertainty, I go to look for JOY.” Join soprano Quanda Johnson in a benefit concert at the Madison Friends Meeting House, featuring among other songs, the Shaker Hymn, Everytime I Feel the Spirit, and Ricky Ian Gordon’s Joy. 

AR QUIZ ANSWER

  • Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th encompasses key days of independence for multiple countries:
    • September 15 – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua
    • September 16 – Mexico
    • September 18 – Chile
    • September 21 – Belize
  • For even more quiz questions about Hispanic Heritage Month, check out this site. 

YOUR PEACE, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EARTH CONCERNS COMMITTEE; ANTI RACISM GROUP

Share to