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!
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Category Archives: Current Events
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
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
World Teachers’ Day
On World Teachers’ Day, I give thanks for the many teachers who have touched my life. I give thanks for my many friends who teach. I give thanks for the teachers in my family.
For whom do you give thanks?
A quality education offers hope and the promise of a better standard of living. However, there can be no quality education without competent and motivated teachers. On World Teachers’ Day, the UN highlights the importance of supportive environments, quality training and rights for teachers, and celebrates the crucial role teachers play in shaping our future. Events are held around the world to highlight the importance of education and to offer advice and encouragement for students who wish to begin a teaching career. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization proclaimed this Day in 1994.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Current Events, Friends, United Nations
Confronting racism in church and society
I had the privilege of providing the September 4, 2014 message for Linda Valentine, executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. I focused on our need to address racism within the church and our society. I am grateful to Sara Lisherness, Sera Chung, and Toya Richards for editorial input.
As followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we claim the biblical vision of the day when swords are beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. Our faith in Christ compels us to work for a world filled with justice and peace.
The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, in partnership with other Compassion, Peace, and Justice and World Mission programs, helps Presbyterians witness and work for justice and peace in Syria, South Sudan, Israel/Palestine, and other places that experience conflict and injustice. We commemorate theInternational Day of Peace, September 21, a day the United Nations invites all nations and peoples to take concrete steps to strengthen the ideals and reality of peace.
We respond to Christ’s call, and the message of the International Day of Peace, whenever and wherever we work for justice and peace in the face of brokenness and strife. The killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and the killings of other African American males, demonstrate the need for such work in our own country.
Such events painfully remind us of the ongoing reality of racism and poverty as well as the impact of the militarization of police forces in our country. Too many African American men have been killed by the police. Too many issues of racial injustice have festered unresolved, leading to distrust and fear, anger and violence. Ongoing disenfranchisement has resulted in hopelessness and despair.
Presbyterians have a mixed record when it comes to responding to race. We have taken important steps on the journey to racial justice. At the same time, we have often failed to sufficiently recognize and repent of our complicity in the creation and continuation of systems and structures that perpetuate racism. We have been slow to undertake the difficult work of dismantling systems of privilege and disadvantage.
This summer, Presbyterians have prayed and stood with the people of Ferguson, Missouri; we have witnessed and proclaimed the good news of God’s love for all in pulpits across the country. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, in partnership with the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy and First Presbyterian Church of Ferguson, is providing support and resources to the church and community through two members of the National Response Team with significant experience in public violence disaster response.
As we give thanks for these and other efforts, we need to continue the journey to justice and accelerate our pace. Resources are available to help Presbyterians confront and address the persistence of racism.
The Season of Peace, which begins on September 7 and ends on World Communion Sunday, provides a time to reflect on, and work for, racial and economic justice and peace. During this season, we receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering that supports peace and justice efforts around the world and in our communities.
A team comprised of staff from the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Office of the General Assembly has gathered to identify further actions Presbyterians can take to address racism, the militarization of police forces, and poverty. Watch for more information and opportunities for engagement.
As our Brief Statement of Faith reminds us, In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. May we be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading as we share the good news of God’s peace.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Antiracism, Current Events, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
From a moment to a movement #2
Thanks to the Rev. Larissa Kwong Abazia for gathering sermons, prayers, and reflections from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on responding to the killing of Michael Brown and the response in Ferguson and addressing the systemic racism which ensnares us all.
Filed under Antiracism, Current Events
From a moment to a movement
People are more important than labels. Get involved in the movement for justice. A reflection on the biblical story of the Canaanite woman and Jesus by the Rev. Larissa Kwong Abazia, Vice-Moderator of the 221st General Assembly (2014). I am grateful for her words. I am honored to be her friend.
Filed under Antiracism, Current Events
Feliz cumpleaños, Roberto
Roberto Clemente would have been 80 yesterday.
Today is World Humanitarian Day.
It seems fitting that these two days fall so closely together.
As great a ballplayer as he was, Roberto was a greater humanitarian, a greater man.
Feliz cumpleaños, Roberto. Te recuerdo.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Baseball, Current Events
Joint Peace Prayer (text only)
Thanks to Hyeyoung Lee and Kurt Esslinger for sharing this prayer for peace, reconciliation, and reunification on the Korean Peninsula.
Today is Liberation Day on the Korean Peninsula. May they be liberated from division and war. Let us pray the prayer composed together by Christians in the North and in the South:
God of Love!
It has been 25 years since we agreed to keep the week of Independence Day as a joint prayer week with the wish of reconciliation, and peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula. It was a promise from the South and North Korean churches’ deep prayer to God for peace and reunification and was a vow of love in a very difficult time. We, however, still have not reached full liberation and still are experiencing conflict and hostile policies. Oh Lord! Have mercy on us.
God of the Road!
You know our suffering and pain at the division of our people. Lord, the road of reconciliation and peace, created by the life and devotion of…
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Filed under Current Events
