Greetings!

Whether abroad or locally, the hand of white supremacy has utilized force at the expense of People of Color. This week, as we fight against the militarization of police and dependence on military forces, we remember those lost during the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagaski 75 years ago.

-Kina Thorpe, Educational Program Manager
In This Issue (in order)
  • Remembering Hirsohima & Nagasaki
  • Racism Isn’t a Mental Illness and Bigotry Isn’t a Disability
  • Coming Soon: 6 Part Workshop with Rodney Patterson
  • Action Highlight: Support BIPOC Artists
Click here to for the quarterly Peace & Justice Center Newsletter
August 3, 2020
Views expressed by entities outside of the Peace & Justice Center do not necessarily represent the views of the PJC.
On August 6th 1945 at 8:15am, 75,000 men, women, and children were instantly killed in the city of Hiroshima. Three days later, at 11:01am in Nagasaki, nearly 40,000 more died without warning. In order to fulfill our mission to create a just and peaceful world, the PJC is hosting this hopeful and positive event renouncing war and embracing goodwill towards all mankind, knowing that peace can win over violence, and that love can overcome hate. The evening features a candlelight ceremony and sail candle boats onto Lake Champlain.

Natasha Mckenna and  Mubarak Souleman
-Moirha Smith, UVM Student and Former PJC Intern
Since July was minority mental health month and disablility Pride month, I decided to write about these intersections and how these identities are intersected with police brutality. Racism isn’t a mental illness and bigotry isn’t a disability. I cannot count how many times I have heard that racists are mentally ill or that White supremacy is an illness. Ignorant statements such as these are extremely harmful and demonize people with mental illnesses. Racism is a choice and being mentally ill is not.

Black people are more likely than whites to have disabilities and mental illness. We are less likely to receive treatment due to institutionalized medical racism. The healthcare
system was built on the backs of Black people with the belief that we were not fully human. Psychiatry has been used to justify the subjugation/oppression of Black people. The carceral system is often used to house those who are homeless and suffer from mental illness. There are 10 times more people with serious mental illness in jails and prisons than there are in hospitals. 
The Peace & Justice Center is happy to announce an upcoming workshop put together in conjunction with The Learner’s Group, led by Rodney Patterson.

This 4-6 part series on race and racism aims to bring willing participants together in a meaningful forum to dissect the realities and presence of race and racism, and strategies for successfully addressing incidents and issues.

Workshop topics will include:
  1. Understanding Race
  2. Anatomy of an Ism
  3. Manifestations and Real Examples
  4. Commitment to Transformation

There will also be two additional (optional) workshops:
5. Working as allies (for white people)
5. Building Coalition and Addressing Fatigue (for POC)
6. Responding to Levels of Racist Speech/Behavior

Participants would need to commit to attending the first four sessions. More details are coming soon, so keep an eye on our website for more details as they emerge.
All of the events listed below are happening online unless otherwise stated. This is a partial listing of event. See more in our public calendar. The PJC is not directly involved in all of these events. If you have questions about a non-PJC event, please reach out to the organization listed. 

Tuesday, August 4

Wednesday, August 5

Thursday, August 6

Friday, August 7

Sunday, August 8

Monday, August 10

Wednesday, August 12

Thursday, August 13

Friday, August 14

Saturday, August 15

Monday, August 17

Please email us events for our google calendar and enews.
Upcoming Events
All events are
happening online. Registration is required
for all online events

We will gather on the Burlington waterfront near the boathouse for a vigil in honor of the 75th anniversary of the US dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Join us in singing folk songs and lighting candle boats. Please where masks and observe physical distancing outside your pod. FREE

Toxic Whiteness Discussion Group Monday, August 10, 12-1pm OR 5-6pm. This space is held for white people to process how white supremacy culture is harmful to them. The hope is that by joining this space, white people will allow the emotional needs of people of color to take priority in multi-racial spaces. Space is limited, please sign up for only one monthly session. Click here to register for the 12-1pm session and here for the 5-6pm session. Fee varies, no one turned away for lack of funds.

Free Trade vs Fair Trade Thursday, August 13, 11am-12pm. Learn about globalization and how policies & practices have paved the way for huge companies to profit at the expense of people and the planet. Shows how the Fair Trade movement and principles seek to, at a minimum, counterbalance these atrocities. Click here to register. Also happening on August 29-- register for the session on the 29th. FREE

Seeing & Disrupting Racism: A Focus on White Fragility, Thursday, August 13, 1-2:30pm and 5-6:30pm. This program is full. Check our website for more events as they come.

Toxic Whiteness Discussion Group Wednesday, August 19, 12-1pm OR August 20, 5-6pm. See event description above. Space is limited, please sign up for only one monthly session. Click here to register for the 12-1pm session and here for the 5-6pm session. Fee varies, no one turned away for lack of funds.

For more info on these events visit our website or contact 
Want to see more of the PJC more often?

Follow us to see pictures, read articles, and be in the know about what we're up to, community issues, events, and more.
Hunger Mountain Community Fund

Hunger Mountain Co-op's Community Fund grants provide financial support to businesses, organizations, and initiatives aligned with their mission. Awards range from $100 to $2,500 and priority is given to smaller-scale projects that support local food systems. More information and grant applications are available in-store and online here.
Northeast BIPOC Farmer Relief Fund

The fund is now accepting applications from BIPOC 
(Black, Indigenous and People of Color) folks living in the Northeast who work in agriculture and have been economically impacted by the COVID crisis. Grants will be $500, and applications will be accepted through August 10th. For more information and the application link, click here.
Center Hours 
(reached via email or phone)
Monday-Friday: 10am-6pm
  
Store Hours
CLOSED
 
Location
60 Lake Street, Suite 1C
Burlington's Waterfront
(Next to Skinny Pancake)  


Looking for BLM lawn signs? Click here for our request form and we will let you know when they're available.
Action Highlight: Support BIPOC Artists
Art is an important form of self expression. For BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) it can often times be the only way that the world allows for self expression and the expression of ideas. It is also a way that allows people, regardless of who you are, where you're from, or what language you speak to connect with one another. Since art is an important aspect of movement building, and because BIPOC voices are essential, Peace & Justice Center will be featuring Vermont BIPOC Artists in each edition of our enews. If you are an Vermont BIPOC Artist and would like to be featured, please email Program@pjcvt.org.
Hi Ho Silver- Author, Artist, Dancer

I am a Vermont-based triple threat as a Burlesque dancer, writer, and multimedia artist. All my work has gothic and queer undertones, which is most clearly displayed in my debut clothing collection “Queer to the Bone.” For my writing, clothing, and art, you can go to my website and follow me on social media. To see me dance you can find me kittening with Green Mountain Cabaret as well as attending my yearly Hi Ho's House of Horrors event.

Social media: @hihosilverworks
Hannah Hamilton -- Hamilton Wood Art
Hamilton Wood Art is a special place where I can express myself through my artwork. With various pieces of wood burnings with watercolor, or all natural, it shows my passion for creativity. I am slowly expanding my shop and getting into bookmarks as well!

Facebook: @HamiltonWoodArt
Isadora Snapp- Choreographer, teacher, performer.  
I am co-director of the Teen Jazz Company and director of the Junior Company associated with the Contemporary Dance and Fitness Studio in Montpelier. Online classes currently available include ballet, jazz, pointe, modern dance, and cross training for athletes.

Peace & Justice Center | 802-863-2345 | info@pjcvt.org | http://www.pjcvt.org
60 Lake St, Ste 1C
Burlington, VT 05401