We're in the throws of Summer on the Vineyard and there continues to be a lot going on. |
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Educational Opportunity: Find out more below about our upcoming Indigenous Awareness, Cultural Competency & Awareness training on August 13 and 20.
Good Trouble: The UUSVM (Unitarian Universalist) invite you to join them in making good trouble. They plan to write many postcards in their air-conditioned Stevens Chapel, 238 Main Street, VH, on Tuesday, July 12, and Wednesday, July 20 from 3 - 5 p.m. Names, addresses, postcards, stamps, and other supplies will be provided. You can also stop by and pick up postcards in batches of 20 if you prefer writing from home. Or cards can be delivered by contacting Mimi Davisson.
Abortion: Read our favorite update about what to do and how to talk about abortion from the Reproductive Health Access Project at the bottom of this email.
Next vigil: We will be in person this Sunday, July 10 at 10:30 AM, Chilmark Library. If you can't be there, please join us virtually -- use this Zoom link. Please contact Dana Nunes if you'd like to present at an upcoming vigil.
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Indigenous Awareness, Cultural Sensitivity & Competency Training |
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August 13:
- The lay of the land, land acknowledgements, white bias, awareness of cultural threads
- History of genocide, history of Noepe, Native youth, cultural misappropriation, and language
August 20:
- Decompression session to process and learn how to decolonize from a heart space
- Integration of learning, ideas around MVBLM values, actions, goals and steps
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Cost: $300/person, scholarships and sliding scale available. To sign up and hold your spot, please Venmo a $25 deposit to Leah Modigliani. Please email Hello@MVBLM.org if you would like a scholarship. Space is limited and complete payment is expected at the first session.
Location: Sassafrass Earth Education, address of first session will be provided shortly.
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Housing Help Needed!
The island shuffle is underway for many people. One person who works at MV Community Services and is Black just had her planned housing fall through. Can you help? She needs housing for herself and two extremely well behaved and lovely teenage daughters starting on July 7 through the end of July. Please contact Lexi Ladd for more information.
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Let's keep moving Georgia!
Join us for refreshments and learning on August 7 at the home of Geraldine Brooks. Find out more about America’s most important and effective voting rights group: the New Georgia Project Action Fund founded by Stacey Abrams, and now led by special guest, Nse Ufot. In exchange for an individual contribution of $500 (speak with Dana about scholarships) we will gather to hear from Nse about the New Georgia Project Action Fund’s groundbreaking work. Find out more about its plans for 2022, 2024, and for promoting voting rights and voter participation in Georgia and other critical battleground states.
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Natural Hair Festival: This celebration includes panels moderated by WGBH's Callie Crossley in addition to all kinds of shared experiences about the natural hair journey. Taking place on Saturday, August 13 from 11-4. Find out more here. Discount available on general admission to MVBLM members using the QR code to the right.
Harvard and Slavery: Watch Democracy Now's piece on Harvard's newly released report on its deep ties to slavery.
Here's how to keep the abortion conversation going from the Reproductive Health Access Project (RHAP):
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People of all genders have abortions. It is important to remember that trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive people need and deserve abortion care, too. Bodily autonomy is a human right, no matter who you are, and we must be inclusive of all people in our work. Remember to use language and imagery that doesn’t center cis-women.
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Abortion is safe, and the advent of abortion pills means that people can safely self-manage their abortions. Avoid using coat hanger imagery and phrases like “back-alley abortion.” These are outdated, sensationalist terms that perpetuate the myth that so-called “illegal” abortions are unsafe. Instead, share resources such as plancpills.org and ineedana.com.
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Abortion bans will disproportionately harm communities that already face barriers to care, including Black and Brown communities. Sharing Handmaid’s Tale imagery or calling for an "underground railroad” ignores the history of reproductive violence and racism against Black people, especially Black women, in this country.
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Abortion funds and practical support organizations have been helping people access abortion care for years. A lot of us are feeling angry, helpless, and want to take action and do what it takes to get ensure that people are able to access abortion if it is illegal/inaccessible in their state. Instead of reinventing the wheel, tap into your local abortion fund or practical support organization - they know what they’re doing!
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Want to learn more about abortion? Please join RHAP for an Abortion 101 myth-busting workshop on Thursday, July 14 at 9am PST/12pm EST. This is a non-clinical workshop led by clinicians that will help you better understand the different abortion options and how to talk about abortion with your people! RSVP here.
More resources on how to talk about Abortion from RHAP:
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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."
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