Citizens for Racial Amity Now Amherst, Ma Branch

04/25/2023

05/26/2019

https://blackthen.com/we-did-it-they-hid-it-how-memorial-day-was-stripped-of-its-african-american-roots/

Written by: Ben Becker What we now know as Memorial Day began as “Decoration Day” in the immediate aftermath of the U.S. Civil War. It was a tradition initiated by former slaves to celebrate emancipationand commemorate those

05/22/2019

come one come all

02/28/2019

Black History Month Celebrationwith Mindy Domb, Mareatha Wallace, Shannon Akosua and Ash Hartwell

Citizens for Racial Amity Now (CRAN) Celebrate Black History Month

On February 24, 2019, Citizens for Racial Amity Now (CRAN) hosted a gathering at the Jones Library in celebration of Black History Month. CRAN’s mission is the cultivation of racial amity as both a means and a goal. Ray Elliott, the founder and Chairman of the non-profit organization CRAN, and recipient of the National Center for Race Amity Medal of Honor, was unable to attend due to illness. But, through a video taken that morning by Ash Hartwell, he welcomed those gathered together, including Mindy Domb our Representative at the Statehouse, Matthew Charity Chairman of the Amherst Human Rights Commission, Alisa Brewer of the Amherst Town Council, and Dean of the Amherst Middle School, Shannon Akosua and some 40 others. Hartwell is a member of our local CRAN and also represented the event’s co-sponsor, the Amherst Baha’i Community.
The program included selections from the film: An American Story: Race Amity and the Other Tradition from the National Center for Race Amity and WHS Media Productions LLC, produced and directed by William (Smitty) Smith. The “other tradition” referred to in the film is one of many white people who have resisted racism and fought against it in support of movements and leaders for racial justice throughout American history. Following the film there was a group discussion that included the reminder that there is so much work to be done, that we shouldn’t think that a “progressive” community will naturally be less racist, that white people need to take hold of awakening themselves/ourselves about the history and struggles for racial justice, and work together with the people of color (POC) in our area for further collaboration. People offered books to read, including Robin Diangelo’s recent White Fragility: why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism. The discussion was followed by refreshments, conversations, and singing by members of the Amherst Gospel Choir.
-Jennie Weiss

02/15/2019

02/15/2019

https://vimeo.com/75241566

A film about “The Other Tradition” in American race relations, the tradition of amity and close cross/racial collaboration to advance equity and social…

02/07/2018

Celebrate Black History Month:

Race Amity and The Other Tradition

February 25, from 2:00 – 4:00pm,

Woodbury Room, Jones Library


The perspective of The Other Tradition is that in America's racial history the dominant tradition of racism has always had a parallel moral counterweight that promotes equity, respect, and social justice. This moral counterweight holds at its core humanistic and spiritual values enacted by amity and close cross-racial/cross-cultural collaboration which in contrast to racism is The Other Tradition.


DRAFT PROGRAM [subject to changes]

Est.Time Frame

Activity

Leading




5 min

WELCOME

Opening Prayer

Amilcar Shabazz


5 min

AMHERST AREA GOSPEL SINGERS

[engaging participants]

Jackie Wallace & Choir




5 min

Tribute to Ray Elliott – recipient of the

National Race Amity Medal of Honor, 2017



Shabazz and Ash


5 min

Why Race Amity Now? the Program

Ash Hartwell


10 min

SHORT FILM – 'The Other Tradition'

Michael Mongeau


30 min

STORY TELLERS

Marita Banda

Jasmine Robinson

Annie Hassett

Amilcar to introduce storytellers


30 min

PARTICIPANT ENGAGEMENT

Sharing personal stories of 'The Other Tradition'

Song – 'One Family'

Linda Meccouri

Mia Taylor


10 min

ANNOUNCEMENTS

From organizations supporting racial amity and racial justice



Michael Mongeau


5 min

AMHERST AREA GOSPEL CHOIR

Jackie Wallace & Choir


5 min

CLOSING

Amilcar and Ash


Total – 1hr 50min Program



30 min RECEPTION

06/11/2017

The ‘Citizens of Race Amity Now’
of Western Massachusetts
presents:

A Race Amity Day Celebration!

Music - Readings - Fun - Fellowship - Dance Freely

The first in the nation Race Amity Day Bill was signed into law in a State House ceremony with Governor Charlie Baker in February of 2016.

to proclaim:
“communities across the United States to reflect on the beauty and richness of the diverse peoples of this great nation.”
…with a spirit of amity toward one another annually.”

COME AND ENJOY!!

Sunday, June 11 at 2 -4 pm at the Cadigan Center 38 Woodside Avenue Amherst MA.
at the Corner of Walnut and Woodside

In part, to declare the Commonwealth:
To recognize: “The people are its greatest asset:
comprised of multicultural, multiethnic, multiracial citizens:
To encourage: “Friendship, collegiality, civility, respect and kindness as the commonly shared ideals of the collective citizenry:”

For our country’s sake in these troubled times:
You agree?
better we foster the joy of genuine friendship
For the good of all good people
now!
And come together as ‘we the people.’
to celebrate in the benefits of Race Amity!

The first in the nation Race Amity Day Bill was signed into law and celebrated in a State House ceremony with Governor Charlie Baker in February of 2016.



As so

COME AND ENJOY!

come one come all

06/11/2017

The ‘Citizens of Race Amity Now’
of Western Massachusetts
presents:

A Race Amity Day Celebration!

Music - Readings - Fun - Fellowship - Dance Freely

The first in the nation Race Amity Day Bill was signed into law in a State House ceremony with Governor Charlie Baker in February of 2016.

to proclaim:
“communities across the United States to reflect on the beauty and richness of the diverse peoples of this great nation.”
…with a spirit of amity toward one another annually.”

COME AND ENJOY!!

Sunday, June 11 at 2 -4 pm at the Cadigan Center 38 Woodside Avenue Amherst MA.
at the Corner of Walnut and Woodside

In part, to declare the Commonwealth:
To recognize: “The people are its greatest asset:
comprised of multicultural, multiethnic, multiracial citizens:
To encourage: “Friendship, collegiality, civility, respect and kindness as the commonly shared ideals of the collective citizenry:”

For our country’s sake in these troubled times:
You agree?
better we foster the joy of genuine friendship
For the good of all good people
now!
And come together as ‘we the people.’
to celebrate in the benefits of Race Amity!

The first in the nation Race Amity Day Bill was signed into law and celebrated in a State House ceremony with Governor Charlie Baker in February of 2016.



As so

COME AND ENJOY!