Hitting Close to Home: A Community Conversation About Immigration in Charlotte
Charlotte Women’s March is proud to be a co-sponsor and participant in YWCA Central Carolinas, Stand Against Racism event April 25 and 26, 2019. CWM members are invited to attend an evening of conversation on April 25 from 6-8 pm around immigration and how it has affected our Charlotte community. Our panelist will include Jorge Millares from Queen City Unity, Rachel Humphries from Refugee Support Services, Joey Haynes from Queens University of Charlotte, Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera from the City of Charlotte, Stefanie Arteaga from Comunidad Colectiva and Dr. M. Gina Navarrete from Charlotte Women’s March. Our moderator will be Judith Barriga from Norsan Media.
Registration for this event is at capacity. You can follow the panel on YWCA’s Facebook live stream on Thursday, April 25 from 6pm-8pm.
Stand Against Racism
Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. This campaign is one part of YWCA’s larger national strategy to fulfill our mission of eliminating racism.
This year’s theme, ‘No Hate. No Fear.’, tackles Immigration and Race. Join YWCA Central Carolinas in celebration of our diverse community on April 26 from 11-1pm on the corner of Trade and Tryon. Performances include a Chinese Lion Dance presented by Thundering Wave Martial Arts, Capoeria from the NC Brazilian Arts Project, a Kickboxing demo, Native American Drum Circle, and spoken word. The League of Women Voters will have a table to register individuals to vote and The Charlotte Women’s March will provide our community with information around immigration and how it’s affecting the women and children that are left in the states once their husbands are deported.
In addition, YWCA will be partnering with CLT250, which is a celebration in honor of when Charlotte was founded 250 years ago. In celebration of CLT 250, YWCA will be collecting 250 “Stand Against Racism” Pledges during the event.
Learn more about the various performances that will be showcased at our event:
Stand Against Racism Pledge
Mindful of the continuing affliction of institutional and structural racism as well as the daily realities of all forms of bias, prejudice, and bigotry in my own life, my family, my circle of friends, my co-workers, and the society in which I live, with conviction and hope:
I take this pledge, fully aware that the struggle to eliminate racism will not end with a mere pledge but calls for an ongoing transformation within myself and the institutions and structures of our society.
I pledge to look deeply and continuously in my heart and in my mind to identify all signs and vestiges of racism; to rebuke the use of racist language and behavior towards others; to root out such racism in my daily life and in my encounters with persons I know and with strangers I do not know; and to expand my consciousness to be more aware and sensitive to my use of overt and subtle expressions of racism and racial stereotypes;
I pledge to educate myself on racial justice issues and share what I learn in my own communities even if it means challenging my family, my partner, my children, my friends, my co-workers, and those I encounter on a daily basis;
I pledge, within my means, to actively work to support public policy solutions that prominently, openly, and enthusiastically promote racial equity in all aspects of human affairs; and to actively support and devote my time to YWCA, as well as other organizations working to eradicate racism from our society.
YWCA Central Carolinas is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women. I join YWCA in taking a stand against racism today and every day.
*This pledge has been adapted by YWCA USA from the Pledge to Eliminate Racism in My Life, YWCA Bergen County which is an adaptation of the Pledge to Heal Racism in My Life, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace, April 10, 2006.
Take the Pledge to Stand Against Racism
