MV BLM In the Moment

October 2022

What's Going On?

We hope you join us for our next vigil this Sunday, October 16 at the Chilmark Library. If you can't make it in person, join us via Zoom. If you can't it at all, check out our MVBLM YouTube page and watch many of the presentations. Please like the page when you're there to enable improved services.

A few more things...

Survey Attempt: With only 11 responses, we're questioning the validity and reliability of the data. We're giving it one last try. Please complete this survey so we can plan ahead. Takes two minutes!

Click here to take the survey!

Help Still Needed: Who will step forward to help lead MVBLM and/or assist with communications? Send a note to hello@mvblm.org -- we need you!

Bail Out Clinic: We have a handful of people interested in learning how to bail someone out. We're working to schedule a visit to Duke's County Jail next Spring. Stay tuned for more information and send a note to hello@mvblm.org if you're interested in joining us.

We need speakers: Please contact Dana Nunes if you'd like to present at an upcoming vigil.

Click here to access MV BLM's Website. Share it with friends and family!

Honoring Black and Brown Lives

October 9: Jonathan Tubby was honored by Amy Cuzzupoli.

Your participation in the Sunday vigil keeps it going. Please sign up to present. See the names of those previously honored here. Details of how to present are included in the document. Use this resource to find stories of Black women who were killed and amplify their stories.

Can Reparations Close the Racial Health Gap?

In partnership with Harvard Public Health magazine, the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights will host a full-day, in-person symposium on anti-Black racism and health, asking the question: Can Reparations Close the Racial Health Gap?

This symposium to be held on Thursday, November 3 will examine how structural racism shapes health and whether reparations can be a potential solution or significant step towards closing the Black-white health gap. The focus will be on the role that the public health community can play in the ongoing conversation on reparations at local and national levels, as well as contributions that can be made through scholarly research and policy translation. Panelists will bring a wide range of expertise with backgrounds in law, history, policy, media, and community organizing.

More Information and Registration Here

Angst to Action

It's All About the Vote

Now is our time to make a difference.

Mandela Barnes is in a tight race against anti-abortion and right wing extremist, Ron Johnson in Wisconsin. Other races across the country are running neck and neck. Please take a moment to donate, write letters or postcards, and get involved.

Here are a few organizations that can help you get started.

Please take action today!

More To Do

Mental Health Crisis: Martha's Vineyard Community Services is hosting a briefing and action plan presentation on October 28th at 8:30 AM. Register here.

Myths of Public Safety -- Pretrial: Find out if reform impacts public safety in Illinois. Learn the facts and more about the disinformation campaign against reform at this free virtual event on October 26.

Do people really get lawyers upon arrest? Learn more about the crisis in plain sight regarding access to representation at this free virtual event on November 16.

Constitutional Rights vs. Institutional Capacity: What would happen if everyone refused to plea out? Find out more at this free virtual event on November 30.

We Won't Go Back: Watch this video made with island talent and spread it with your friends.

Reparations in CA: Read this piece to find out more about the efforts in CA to offer reparations for what is owed to Black people.

What's going right for Black Life? The Black Progress Index tells you the what, where and how.

Mass Pardoning: President Biden pardoned all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession—and encouraged governors to follow his lead on state-related charges—a step toward decriminalizing marijuana. The move was met with near-universal praise and lots of weed jokes. Snickering aside, the potential for justice is profound. The U.S. has averaged about 600,000 marijuana arrests each year over the past 20 years; despite similar marijuana use, Black people are four times as likely to be arrested than their white counterparts. This overhaul, which he first announced in February 2021, could restore access to employment, education, housing, and credit markets for thousands of people and set the stage for broader social equity investments. (Content credit: Ellen McGirt)

Listen to Shed, a podcast series featuring interviews with islanders working to end systemic racism. Eric Adams leads each discussion using the unique lens of a therapist. Listeners are invited to "shed their old beliefs about race and make room for a new understanding of it's impact and implications."