M.A.R.C.H Newsletter: April 2024 - Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County (2024)

The purpose of theM.A.R.C.H.newsletter is spelled out:

“M”is for Memory. The core purpose of this newsletter is remembering, honoring, and learning from the lived experiences of our elders be it here in the community, across the state or nation.

“A”is for Awareness. The purpose of memory is to guide our awareness, so that we understand the context and complexity of the work that is needed regarding achieving racial and social justice.

“R”is for Resilience. Memory and awareness are built on the resilience of our spirit. Racial and social justice work requires one to be mentally, physically, and emotionally strong and the purpose of this newsletter is to build up that needed strength.

“C”is for Community. The purpose of this newsletter is to remind us that our strength to fight for racial and social justice is fueled by knowing that the work is not done in solitude but in solidarity. As Dr. King said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

“H”is for Hope. We know that racial and social justice is not just going to happen. Our hope is that through our actions of voice, feet, or mind we will get closer to it happening. This newsletter highlights ways folks are working toward the goal of this nation truly being a place of racial and social justice for all.

This e-newsletter shares what the MLK Association and its Community Outreach Providing Empowerment (COPE) Program is doing and offers other news, events, and stories that align with its efforts. Below are some items that are noteworthy.

As always, feel free to share any or all of these items or the entire e-newsletter.

March 11 – April 10

April 23rd

National News

• Black voters in America are being targeted with faked AI images of Black voters supporting Donald Trump.article
• Crime rates in the US have continued to drop.article
• An investigation by AP News finds that Black people bear a disproportionate impact of police force.article
• State and local diversity programs across the nationare being targeted by conservative groups.article
• More people of color are joining the survivalist “preppers” community.article
• The number of Black players in major league baseball remains historically low.article
• Dawn Staley, head coach of the University of South Carolina’s Women’s Basketball team, is inspiring Black basketball fans across South Carolina.article
• The United States has made changes to how it categorizes people by race and ethnicity.article

Gender disparity in pay remains

State News

• The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to allow redrawn NC state Senate districts to remain.article
• Donald Trump endorsed NC Lt Gov. Mark Robinson for governor, calling him a “Martin Luther King on steroids.”article
• The Republican candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction has a history of making extreme and controversial comments.article

Issues in Education

• Segregation in our nation’s schools continues.article
• GOP lawmakers in Tennessee have replaced all ten-member trustee board of Tennessee State University, the only state supported HBCU.article
• How Rhiannon Giddens speaking about the banjo and slavery influenced Beyonce’s new album “Cowboy Carter.”article
• The NAACP is encouraging Black student-athletes to boycott Florida public colleges and universities over the state’s anti-DEI policy.article

Racism

• Nikole Hannah-Jones exposes the ‘Colorblindness’ Trap.article
• Black Telsa employees in California are suing the company for racism in its factories.article
• “More Republicans think racism against white people is a problem than think that racism against Black, Latino or Asian Americans is.”opinion article
• Once again Black businesses are facing barriers in their efforts to succeed.article
• The movement to preserve Black cemeteries is growing.article

Local News

• The city of Asheville won the NC Supreme Court case over disassembling the Vance Monument.article
• Progress at the rediscovered cemetery at the site of the historic Black church, Wilson’s Chapel, stays at a standstill.article

***Reparations***

The Asheville and Buncombe County Community Reparations ComissionCommission webpage

• The Commission’s project pageProject page
• The next meeting of the Community Reparations Commission is scheduled forApril15, 2024from 6pm-8pm at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Banquet Room: 87 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801

The Reparations Stakeholders Authority of Ashevillehas created theRSAA Reparations Fund.Hereis information on how people can learn and support this effort organized by the Tzedek Social Justice Fund.

The Asheville Racial Justice Coalitionencouragedpeople to support the Asheville Buncombe Community Reparations Commission’s request for an 8-month extension to do its work. Goherefor an update of the City and County’s response to that request.Here is theCitizen Timesarticleabout the report.

Monthly Community Events

Black Wall Street AVLworks to support Black Businesses in Asheville.GrindFest 2024 will be May 24-26.Check out theirwebsitefor more information about this and other events!

Hood Huggersoffers afun way to learn about the history of Black Asheville. They also organize volunteer opportunities at thePeace Garden – there are regular Community volunteer days. The Farm stand is open on Fridays from 3pm-7pm every week.Get details about how to book a tour, volunteering or taking part in their other community actionshere.

The Color of Asheville’s Black-Owned Businesses and Community directory

Calling all poetry lovers! We’re now hosting a monthly Poetry Slam Night with The Pot Stirred in The Canopy. Test out your poetry skills or come to just listen and vibe. Come be a part of Poetry Slam Night every second Sunday of the month starting at 6:30 pm.Sun. April 14th 6:30pm-9pm atThe Canopy at Art Garden191 Lyman St,
Suite 316, Asheville, NC 28801
$5 to listen, $10 to slam – Pay at the door

The Shiloh Community Association monthly meeting is

• Monday, April1, 2024
• 6:30 PM –8:00 PM
• Linwood Crump Shiloh Center(map)
• Shiloh Resource Center

The next East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association Meeting isThursday, April 14, at 6 pm. St. James AME Church Fellowship Hall, 44 Hildebrand St. If you have something important to share with the neighborhood, please reach out to us atEastEndValleyStreet@gmail.com. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

The Official mapping Police Violence database –https://mappingpoliceviolence.us/

Remembrance Projects Nationally & Locally

The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) has been the important partner not only toBuncombe County but to all communities willing and working to address their history ofracial injustice. As in each edition of this e-newsletter, we will continuetohighlight several items from the EJI.

1. EJI is currently working with nearly 100 communities to advance Community Remembrance Projects. More than halfhave erected historical markers. You can find out more about the communities that have erected EJI sponsored Community Remembrance Project markershere.
2. You can view what is on each of the markers for Buncombe County, front and back,hereas compiled by the Equal Justice Initiative. To see the markers, go to the following sites:forMr. John Humphries– College & Spruce Streets; forMr. Bob Brackett– Triangle Park; and forMr. Hezekiah Rankin– Craven Street & Emma Road.
3. The full stories about each of the three men who were lynched are captured inthis document.
4. The Equal Justice Initiative sharedthis webpageof the Historical Markers Installation Ceremony In AshevilleonOctober 30thof2021.

Please remember:

1. Do you want to stay connected to the work of the Equal Justice Initiative? Sign up for updates about their workhere.
2. Every day of the year offers important racial justice history. If you want to get a daily reminder of that history, the Equal Justice Initiative offersthis sign-up. Gohereto get today’s reminder.

TheNC Black Allianceoffersthis webpagewith a page entitled – “Access to Healthcare: What You Need to Know” along with other pages that have articles and information concerning the Black community.