Oct 31, 2014 — A Combined group of grassroots efforts will be rallying to TCF Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday Nov.2, in a collaborative effort to speak out against the use of the culturally offensive mascot and name of The Washington Football team when they play the Minnesota Vikings. Among many of the groups representing are Not your Mascots Inc and The National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media.
Not Your Mascots Inc has feet on the ground during both marches, and is spearheading the social media Twitterstorm in support of the protestors attending the rally. Those who are unable to attend the rally in person are asked to show support through social media using both #NotYourMascot and #NoHonorInRacism hashtags. Twitterstorm will follow directly after Thunderclap message is sent, at 9:00 am CST as both marches converge onto University Ave and proceed to the Tribal Nations Plaza at TCF Stadium. There will be one-click tweets available for the supporting Twitterstorm at http://www.notyourmascots.org/2014/10/31/nohonorinracismnotyourmascot-tweets/
What is Thunderclap?
Thunderclap is the first crowd-speaking platform that helps people be heard by saying something together.How does it work?
If we reach our supporter goal, Thunderclap will blast out a timed Twitter, Facebook, or Tumblr post from all our supporters, creating a wave of attention.Is it safe?
Absolutely! It is a one click setup, and only one message will be sent on your behalf.Please join the following Social Media Thunderclap via Twitter, Facebook or Tumblr below:
We are a People, Not Your Mascots!
https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/18004-we-are-a-people-notyourmascotsAbout The National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media (www.coalitionagainstracism.org) @NCARSM
https://twitter.com/NCARSMThe National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media exists to fight the powerful influence of major media who choose to promulgate messages of oppression. The impetus which formed the NCARSM was the clear case of media coupling imagery with widely held misconceptions of American Indians in the form of sports team identities resulting in racial, cultural, and spiritual stereotyping. The NCARSM was originally formed in October 1989 during the Chief Illiniwek controversy at the University of Illinois. The NCARSM has been reconstituted in June, 2014 in the Twin Cities.
NCARSM, while best known for its front-line demonstrations outside sports stadiums across America has been responsible for an educational effort which has made the issue of racial stereotyping a household discussion. The NCARSM takes a long term view of the struggle against hatred and disrespect. We are in a fight against all cases of racism, and against long ingrained willful and self serving ignorance. We strive towards the elimination of the misrepresentation and abuses of all people in sports and media.
About Not Your Mascots Inc (www.notyourmascots.org) @NotYourMascots
https://twitter.com/NotYourMascotsNot Your Mascots Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to addressing the misappropriation of Indigenous identity and imagery through the acceptance of mascots, stereotypes and racist behaviors as well as the harmful effect that they have on indigenous children and communities. The focus of Not Your Mascots is to address these issues through the utilization of education, social media, as well as community and media outreach.
Not Your Mascots is dedicated to using their educational and advocacy efforts to provide comprehensive solutions towards the eradication of harmful native mascots, stereotypes and cultural misappropriation. They are fully committed to promoting and establishing a common understanding of what it is to truly honor and respect Indigenous people and their culture. Through their efforts, Not Your Mascots hopes to stress the need for cooperation and unity between educational institutions, the media, like-minded organizations and the general public in helping to create a future in which we can all respect and view each other as human beings.
We Are A PEOPLE – Not Your MASCOTS!
Posted by TV
Monthly Archives: October 2014
No Honor In Racism Rally and Twitterstorm Nov 2nd
Filed under Antiracism, Current Events, Football
Mascotism and the Redskins
I worked on the issue of stereotyping, caricatures, and mascots when I lived in Cleveland. Work remains to do.
This is my latest Huffington Post called, “Mascotism and the Redskins” co-written with Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Hope we can all work towards building “a Beloved Community where everyone is honored, welcomed, and respected.”
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Filed under Antiracism, Current Events, Friends, Uncategorized
Pam and Tricia, Tricia and Pam
We never work for justice, in any sphere of our living, alone.
Each of us does our part, whatever that part may be. But we do our part within the context of a larger community. That can happen without our ever meeting others in the community. Together we work, and our work together makes a difference but our paths do not cross in person.
It can also be the case that we work for justice with people on a daily or regular basis. That can be challenging and frustrating. It can simply be the way things are. It can be an absolute blessing. It can even be a mixture of all those dynamics.
My partner, Tricia, has worked for justice for our sisters and brothers in the LGBTQ community for over twenty years as a volunteer and in a professional capacity. She has worked for full inclusion in the church and for human rights within society. She has worked with many people through that time. And she has known frustration and challenge. And she has known joy and blessing.
Pam Byers served as the founding executive director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. Tricia worked with her as the network’s national organizer until Pam’s retirement. They made an amazing team. They developed a deep friendship. They worked well together and did good work.
In 2011, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) amended the Book of Order changed to remove G-6.0106b. Pam and Tricia, Tricia and Pam were among those who helped make this happen. As part of a community, they helped change the culture of the church in relation to our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. Work remains to do, much work, but Tricia and Pam, Pam and Tricia with their friends and colleagues helped bend the arc of justice a bit.
Pam Byers, child of God, justice-seeker, ruling elder, tireless evangelist, loving family member, devoted friend, died of cancer on October 27, 2014. And I grieve.
I grieve for and with Pam’s family who played an important role in her life and her ministry.
I grieve for and with her congregation and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) which she loved so fiercely and served so courageously and faithfully.
I grieve for and with her colleagues in the Covenant Network, the LGBTQ community, and other groups and individuals committed to, and working for, justice.
And I grieve for and with Tricia who mourns the death of a trusted and respected colleague, a dear friend, and a sister in Christ.
But as I grieve, I give thanks. I give thanks that Pam’s pain is ended. I give thanks for her life and love, her witness and faith. I give thanks that the journey to justice continues. And I give thanks that, in the Communion of Saints, Pam Byers accompanies us on that journey.
See you along the Trail.
A word about the photos. The first photo shows a button Pam regularly wore at meetings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly. Tricia posted it on Facebook. The second photo shows Tricia (in the flowered jacket under the banner) and Pam (to her right in the photo) among friends and colleagues as is only fitting. It comes from Ray Bagnuolo.
You are invited to join in a toast, beverage of your choice, in memory and honor of Pam Byers at 20:11 (8:11 PM) Eastern time or in your own time zone.
Filed under Family, Friends, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Lift a glass in memory
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) lost a giant in Pam Byers who died on 27 October 2014 from cancer. A woman of profound faith, amazing grace, and a loving spirit, Pam worked for the full inclusion of all God’s children in the life of the church and in our culture. She served as the founding director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians.
In her honor, I will raise a toast on 28 October 2014 at 20:11 (8:11 PM) Eastern time. 2011 was the year that saw the Book of Order changed to remove G-6.0106b, a cause to which Pam dedicated herself and her energies.
I invite you to join me either at Eastern time or at 20:11 in your own time zone and raise a glass of your choosing.
For the life, faith, witness, and work of Pam Byers, thanks be to God! Please share this invitation.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Friends, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
A few Halloween suggestions
The notices have appeared again outside the Shire.
“Trick-or-Treat in Morningside Gardens will take place on October 31. for If you want trick-or-treaters, please come to the office for a sign to put on your door.”
As Halloween nears, here are some dos and don’ts that make sense to me:
Do support Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
Don’t wear costumes that demean or exploit other peoples
Do use Fair Trade chocolate such as Divine, Equal Exchange, and others
Don’t wear racist or sexist or tasteless costumes
Do prepare to give thanks for what God has done in the lives of faithful people (living and dead) who have touched your life
What would you add?
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Antiracism, Current Events, Human Rights
We are loved
I read several stories yesterday and today about Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, who was killed while standing guard at the Ottawa’s National War Memorial. None carries the power, poignancy, and grace of the editorial cartoon by Bruce MacKinnon of Halifax’s The Chronicle Herald. Yet almost all are touching and moving tributes.
This evening, I read a story about Barbara Winters and others who ran toward the gunshots and provided first aid to Cpl. Cirillo. Their efforts failed, but they were marvelous, noble efforts. Humanity at our finest.
The story closes with a quote from Winters, a lawyer and former member of the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve:
When you are dying, you need to be told how loved you are.
Deep truth resounds in her words. Deep, deep truth.
But I want us to remember another truth:
When we are living, we need to be told how loved we are.
Each day.
Every day.
We are loved.
We are loved.
We are loved.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Current Events, Family, Friends
It’s United Nations Day
It’s United Nations Day! Why not celebrate by learning more about the Presbyterian Ministry at the UN!
See you along the Trail.
BRC and Friends Interview on “Theological Reflections on Gangnam Style”
Check it out. My friend Bruce interviews my friend Grace about Theological Reflections on Gangnam Style, a book Grace wrote with Joseph Cheah.
We have some really talented Presbyterian Ministers. The Rev. Bruce Reyes Chow is such a person.
He is the author of Social Media in the Church and has his google plus hangouts. On October 21, 2014, he interviewed Dr. Joseph Cheah and myself on our new co-written book, Theological Reflection on Gangnam Style.
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Filed under Friends
Thanks to my village!
A good friend gave me this plaque on Friday: 
It speaks profoundly to my experience. We do not travel the Trail alone. We do so accompanied by family and friends who care for us, sometimes in ways we fail to realize. We do so surrounded by neighbors and people we do not know whose lives touch ours in surprising, amazing ways. And we do so supported by sisters and brothers we will never meet, sisters and brothers who work hard, and whose labor is sometimes exploited, to allow us to enjoy the lives we have. There is much to ponder.
For tonight, I use this plaque as an opportunity to thank those who support my self-care effort. Tricia, Sean, and Eric have been great! Certain friends are key to my effort. Many are always there. A number have become part of my community of accountability, receiving self-serving emails with gentle grace. Their support comes in many forms: reading what I write, responding, sending an unexpected text, providing a plaque and vitamins, answering questions, asking on Facebook, “Have you been to the gym?”, and more.
A wider community also takes care of me. People who like or comment on Facebook posts. People who take the moment to say encouraging words. People like Greg, who literally gushed about my progress before and after the service when I preached at the Church of the Covenant.
It takes a village to lose a boatload of weight and take care of oneself. At least it does for me. To each of you – to all of you – in my village, my thanks. I hope I care for you as well as you care for me.
See you along the Trail.
Announcement: a roommate
I have a roommate.
There. I have said it publicly.
Oh, Tricia visits the Shire from time to time, not enough. Eric has been here. Friends stay with me.
But now, I am no longer alone. I have a roommate.
We have been together for a little over a month. I wanted to see how this new relationship would work out before I acknowledged it. That probably was not fair to my new roommate, but one can never be too certain about how new relationships. They change our lives. They have the potential to impact existing relationships. But it has worked well. So this seems the opportune moment to let the world, or at least the two loyal readers of my blog, know.
My roommate is the strong, silent type. It may be even more accurate to describe my roommate as the strong, silent, immobile type. One might even use the word potted and speak the truth.
While my roommate asks nothing and says less, I can count on a welcoming wave at all times of day.
With thanks to Lydia who introduced us when she stayed at the Shire, and apologies for my hesitancy in acknowledging our relationship, here’s Norman:
See you along the Trail.
Along the Graybeard Trail 