05/2015 newsletter
Regarding our recent action: “A Dream Detained: Rally to End the School to Prison Pipeline”
In solidarity, on Friday, April 3rd, Black Lives Matters: Grand Rapids hosted A Dream Detained: Rally to End the School to Prison Pipeline in order to bring awareness and protest the unjust prosecution of David Oteto. A significant number of protesters marched from Catholic Central High School, down Division and to the courthouse steps to the chant of “No Justice, No Peace”. Dorothy Sewe, David’s mother, who has been profiled in previous newsletters, spoke out about the unjust incarceration and mistreatment of her son by the judicial process in Grand Rapids on the Kent County courthouse steps as police officers looked on from just inside the lobby. Dorothy explained: “David Oteto is a star athelete but his life is now behind bars. It’s now four years that I have been fighting for my son. It’s in and out, in and out. My son believes in education, my son believes that one day he’ll come out and become a human being, because now they treat him as if he is not a human being... I believe David will come home and
fight for other children because this is not right.... They say Grand Rapids is the best city to raise children, that’s a lie.” As we have seen scenes from Ferguson to Baltimore, we begin to distance ourselves from the violence of the criminal justice system in our own neighborhoods. In a presentation on police brutality given in one of my courses last semester at Grand Valley, one of the presenters commented, “Luckily this doesn’t really happen here.” This doesn’t happen here? The school-to-prison pipeline is a well-documented phenomena that has been occurring for decades within the United States education and judicial systems. The school-to-prison pipeline is violence that explicitly targets Black and Latin@ youth. It robs young people of their futures and it is flourishing in West Michigan. As schools begin to implement zero tolerance policies and start having security guards and police officers in the hallways we are making it so that middle schools and high schools in Grand Rapids are no longer producing
classmates, but rather producing cellmates. Unfortunately, during the rally a few instances occured in which the derailing slogan ‘All Lives Matter’ was presented. Using the phrase All Lives Matter is a way for non-POC to center themselves and dominate a space that was created to honor and recognize the struggle of POC. The use of this refrain is derailing, dismissive and disrespectful. Black Lives Matter: Grand Rapids was created by and for Black people as a platform for POC to speak out against the state sanctioned violence and injustice that hurts their communities disproportionately. As chapter co-founder, Briana UrenaRavelo, explains, “do not, under any circumstances, come to any Black Lives Matters Grand Rapids events with any signage that says “All Lives Matters”...You will be asked to remove such signage and stop lobbying or leave, and if you continue to do this or antagonize us, we will document your information so people know you’re not welcomed into any of our spaces from thereon out.” It is Black Lives Matter for a reason. It is Black Lives Matter because too many Black lives are taken away by the school-to-prison pipeline. It is Black Lives Matter because state sanctioned violence and discrimination disproportion-
ately effects Black-bodied persons. Black Lives Matter: Grand Rapids stands in solidarity with Dorothy Sewe and her son, David Oteto. As Dorothy exclaimed “I believe that justice will come to show that my son will be happy and walk the streets of Grand Rapids. This is my home, this is David’s home, I don’t see why David should be a slave, I don’t see why David should be in captivity.” We believe that justice will come.
-Shannon Fryover
Black Lives Matter wants to hear from YOU! Upload an audio recording of your response to “In a world where Black Lives Matter, I imagine...� The BLMGR Chapter would like to extend its support to anyone interested who lacks the resources to record. Please message us on FB or email us @ blmgrandrapids@ gmail.com. If you need any assistance at all with recording or equipment we will gladly assist!!
ABOUT GRAND RAPIDS AREA BLACK BUSINESSES (Content from GRABB’s website)
Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses is an Economic Development enterprise. We are fostering an economy that creates prosperity and supports the revitalization of the Black community. Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses expands opportunities for Black Businesses in the Metro Grand Rapids area by promoting and creating awareness for Black Businesses. We are creating meaningful and beneficial economic empowerment in the Black business community that is leading to exceptional growth and sus-
tainability. We work closely with current and aspiring entrepreneurs to enhance, and expand the Black business community by championing economic equity. We believe that creating a vibrant business districts anchored by Black businesses is vital in raising the quality of life for families in economically depressed predominantly Black neighborhoods in the Metro Grand Rapids and beyond. What We DO Creating & Providing Spaces and Places—With a large portion of Black businesses in the Metro Grand Rapids Area being home based.
They struggle to attract and interact with potential customers due to the loss of foot traffic by not being in a commercial/retail space. We provide exposure opportunities for entrepreneurs by hosting Pop-up Retail locations throughout the year Education & Promotion— Providing current and aspiring Black entrepreneurs with the knowledge that will help them and their businesses grow, become sustainable and increase their longevity. Through our events, marketing and branding we are raising residents awareness of Black businesses and where they are located thus increasing their visibility and introducing them to a broader customer base. Community Engagement— We present the Metro Grand Rapids community with opportunities to interact with GRABB and Black business owners through forums, events and social media while providing meaningful ways residents can contribute their skills and energy to making Grand Rapids busi-
ness community more inclusive and equitable. Capacity Building and Resource Development —Working directly with Black businesses to increase their ability to grow and become sustainable by facilitating workshop series that focuses on the personal development of the business owner as well as specific development areas as identified by our business assessment tool. Hosting business-tobusiness networking events that provides space and opportunity for the exchange of information, ideas and support. We streamline the process of finding, accessing and utilizing resources and capital.
GRABB features Greater Grand Rapids’s only oirectory which exclusively lists locally owned black businesses. Their growing directory features over 90 local businesses in our community. You can view all of the
Official Statement from the cofounders of the Black Lives Matter movement: Do not be afraid. There is an uprising happening in Black communities across the country. This moment is necessary and has been on its way for a long time now. Today, our hearts swell with the same current of love that coursed through the veins of those who faced the billy clubs and tear gas in Selma, Alabama. The same current of love that demanded the citizens of Watts in 1965 be treated with dignity and respect. The same current that fueled our young hearts enraged as we saw police abuse go unchecked in April of 1992. This current of love has planted itself into the streets where Mike Brown was slain in Ferguson, in Chicago with the death of Rekia Boyd, and has begun to produce ripe fruit. We are lovers. We refuse to allow our brothers spine to break in the dark without the song of our grief being heard. There are those who do not acknowledge that our rage is a symptom of our grief, a symptom of a society that has all but left us for dead. Their narrative is ahistorical and disconnects us from our legacy of demanding justice. We stand in solidarity with the people of Baltimore and the millions of black people across the country who are tired of poverty, racism and state sanctioned murder.
Black people, we are fully deserving of the room and space to fully express our humanity. This is what Black Lives Matter is truly about. We support all of our emotions, from our bliss to our anger to our grief. All of it is welcome, as this is what it means to be human, to love and to lose those that we love so much. We acknowledge that our uprisings are being fueled by the love we have for ourselves and for one another. A love that challenges silence, repression and death.
Suggested Resources:
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
In the summer of 1968, after travelling from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to spend a month with the mother they barely know, eleven-year-old Delphine and her two younger sisters arrive to a cold welcome as they discover that their mother, a dedicated poet and printer, is resentful of the intrusion of their visit and wants them to attend a nearby Black Panther summer camp. -(from Goodreads.com) The official selection for GRPS’s 2015 “One Book, One City” for Kids. Read it with your kids!
Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by bell hooks A groundbreaking work of feminst history and theory analyzing the complex relations between various forms of oppression. Ain’t I a Woman examines the impact of sexism on black women during slavery, the historic devaluation of black womanhood, black male sexism, racism within the recent women’s movement, and black women’s involvement with feminsim. -(from Goodreads.com)
Sister Outsider Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde A collection of fifteen essays written between 1976 and 1984 gives clear voice to Audre Lorde’s literary and philosophical personae. These essays explore and illuminate the roots of Lorde’s intellectual development and her deep-seated and longstanding concerns about ways of increasing empowerment among minority women writers and the absolute necessity to explicate the concept of difference— difference according to sex, race, and economic status. The title Sister Outsider finds its source in her poetry collection The Black Unicorn (1978). These poems and the essays in Sister Outsider stress Lorde’s oft-stated theme of continuity, particularly of the geographical and intellectual link between Dahomey, Africa, and her emerging self. -(from Goodreads.com)
Upcoming Events: Then & NOW 2015 Voices From the Margin: Exploring the Future of Feminism May 7th 6pm @ City Flats Hotel Chaka Holley is the keynote speaker. Black Lives Matter: Grand Rapids has been invited to table at the event. Info from event page: “Throughout the evening, we will explore the many facets of feminism and the intersectional future of our movement. During this event we hope to highlight some of the unheard voices from our movement and celebrate the impact of feminist activism in our community.”
BLM:GR Public Forum May 22nd @ 6pm in Cherry Park Check our social media for updates!
Michigan Student Power Convergence 2015 May 29th @ Noon in East Lansing Join students from across the state for 3 days of organizer trainings, strategizing, skill sharing, plotting, scheming, and bonding! We’ll be bringing in trainers to teach specific organizing skills and tactics, as well as folks from across the power network teaching us about their work and sharing expertise!
Job Posting: Peer Recovery Coach: Family Outreach Center Full time position providing community based peer support to assist individuals from diverse backgrounds in achieving sustained recovery from a substance use disorder. Primary role of the Peer Recovery Coach is to serve as a role model through face-to-face meetings, to provide ongoing support in a community setting, link to community resources and consultation. Peer specialist will use their own history with and knowledge of Substance Use and Co-occurring mental health recovery to assist clients in engagement with treatment. Position works as an advocate for women and/or men with children, supporting clients in reaching their treatment goals and requires previous life experience with substance use, ability to address the recovery needs of individuals and share personal recovery journeyeven if recovery path is different from that of the individual’s being served. Completion of high school education or equivalent and valid Driver’s License and either current certification as a Peer Recovery Coach or ability to pursue the certification is required. To apply, send resume and cover letter to hr@focgr.org. Please put “Recovery Coach” in email subject header.
Program Specialist Teens: Wolverine Worldwide Family YMCA The Teen Program Specialist supervises the teen participants in the Teen Center and ensures a clean, safe, fun area for youth and teens to interact and enjoy. This position requires face-to-face leadership in these programs and may involve early morning, evening, and weekend responsibilities. KNOW HOW High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) required, Ability to interact with people from all ethnic backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles. Ability to actively take part and lead activities. YMCA experience preferred. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS First Aid certification (preferred) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification (preferred) PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES Maintains supervision of program participants Enforces safety standards Follows emergency procedures Sets up equipment Organizes and participates in activities Disciplines and initiates measures to control behavior Monitors the use of the facilities Implements Character Development in programs Maintains all areas in clean, presentable fashion Gives tours to prospective members Handles member/parent complaints Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids COMPENSATION $8.30hr-$9.36hr; Part time; Non exempt (up to 25hrs/week)
The BLM GR Writing Team is: Briana Urena-Ravelo Drew Damron Elena Gormley
Chaka Holley Paris Lara Shannon Fryover CeNique Yeldell
Please send any and all questions to blmgrandrapids@gmail.com We would love to include your writings, drawings, poetry, photos, and other creations in our next newsletter! If you would like to get involved and/or submit material for the next issue please email blmgrwriting@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/BLMGrandRapids blmgrandrapids@gmail.com http://blacklivesmatter.com/