African-American Heritage Society Banquet
Enjoy good food and good company while raising funds for up-coming projects. The banquet will be held at the Hilton in College Station on January 22, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. Brian Blake will be honored for his photography work for an Oral Histories project. Tickets are $35.00. Contact Kathryn Robinson at chet@txcyber.com .
Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Walk
Please join the Brazos Valley Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on January 21, 2002 at 10 a.m. for their Sixth Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Walk.
Six Reasons to Walk With Us:
Lunch with Bob Jensen
Robert Jensen joined JPI and friends for an informal lunch discussion on Friday, November 30 at 12:00-2:00 p.m. at Epicure's. Bob joined the UT faculty in 1992 after completing his Ph.D. on media law and ethics in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in media law, ethics, and politics. In addition to teaching and research, Robert writes for popular media, both alternative and mainstream. His opinion and analytic pieces on such subjects as foreign policy, politics, and race have appeared in papers around the country. He is involved in a number of activist groups working against U.S. military and economic domination of the rest of the world, and is now heavily involved in the free speech controversy.
Community Wide Peace Service
On November 3, 2001, about 100 people from many cultural traditions gathered at St. Thomas Episcopal Church to share music, meditations, prayers and poems in a call to peace through non-violence. It was a joyful, moving, thought-provoking gathering. Participating organizations and congregations included: The Baha’i Faith Community, Just Peace Institute, Inter-religion Dialog Students Association, The Progressive Coalition, St. Francis Episcopal Church, and St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Ten musical groups and individuals provided a rich diversity of pieces. In addition to shorter spoken offerings, the following people served as featured speakers: Kathleen Ellis, Bob Leslie, Deborah Crumbaker, Taner Sumesaglam, Jonathan Coopersmith, Jo Hudson, and John McDermott.
Speak Out Against Hate! Event
Dr. Joe Feagin was the featured speaker on October 7, 2001 at the kick-off event for a week-long series of programs designed to promote inclusiveness in our community. Dr. Feagin is a renowned sociologist and lecturer on race and ethnic relations, racism and gender relations. In addition, Louvon Byrd Harris spoke on behalf of the James Byrd Jr. Foundation and received a $500 donation from the co-sponsors of the event. Randy Wilson, Artistic Director of The Theatre Company, reprised his composition “Little Shepard Boy” in memory of Matthew Shepard. JPI’s co-sponsors included NAACP-Brazos Valley, Friends Congregational Church, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), St. Thomas Episcopal Church and the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship.
Candlelight Vigil
On September 13, 2001, JPI held an outdoor vigil at the Brazos Center. Approximately 35 people attended. Rev. Jo Hudson welcomed those who gathered, and several people chose to share thoughts and concerns before we stood together in silent meditation.
Kids Who Care Day Camp
In June 2001, 18 elementary-aged children attended a week-long day camp at Friends Congregational Church and enjoyed activities and cooperative games which focused on peace, non-violence, social justice and environmental conservation. It was a busy, fun week for all of us, and activities were pilot-tested which we hope to package for use by childcare providers in the Brazos Valley.