Deborah G. Plant is author of the book Of Greed & Glory: In Pursuit of Freedom For All, addressing the direct linkage of slavery, the 13th Amendment, mass incarceration, and the ways in which exclusive wealth and power undermines freedom for all of us.
Discrimination
Faith-full Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, From Jamaica To Wisconsin: Jeneise Briggs
Institutions & business across the US are increasingly turning to equity, diversity, & inclusion staff to address the continuing problems with racism, discrimination, and bigotry built into the culture, laws, & policies of our country. My own Midwest city and county, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, took a concrete step by hire their first ever EDI Coordinator, Jeneise Briggs, to help structure and focus our attempts to heal the exclusion and wounds which have written-out of mainline culture and the privileges that position brings. Jeneise brings a wealth of talents and training with her, and also experience, both professional and person. Jeneise grew up in a poor Jamaican family, though rich in love and faith. Jeneise got her BA in Mass Communications/Public Relations Mandeville, Jamaica, her MA in Public Administration in Grand Rapids, MI, and her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Administration & Policy Analysis in Madison, WI. She has previously served Marian University and the State Bar of Wisconsin in EDI roles. This visit with Jeneise provides a snapshot of one community's attempts to alter the local culture to widen democracy and the full embrace of caring community.
Black Wholeness Through The Prophetic Lens
In his book, The Prophetic Lens: The Camera and Black Moral Agency from MLK to Darnella Frazier, Phil Allen Jr. examines the history & the future of Black wholeness in the USA, especially the ways in which people of color have been made invisible, & how their power is being reclaimed through open eyes & lenses.
Collective Antiracism: Doing the Inter & Outer Work, Together
Eleonora Bartoli & Ali Michael bring us a book about antiracism that actually helps equip people to do the work, & to do it in a way that is actually helpful & effective. Our Problem Our Path: Collective Antiracism for White People is insightful, co
Civil Rights Elders - Groundswell
We'll learn from our civil rights elders as guest-host Patricia Stansbury (AKA Sunny Gardener) interviews three Virginia residents who were involved with civil rights and integration efforts in the 1950s, 60s, and since, Charles Carter, Janet Worsham, and Sallie Rugg. Patricia originally broadcast this interview back in July, 2020.
Decolonizing Wealth
In the course of working for charitable foundations and passing on 100's of millions of dollars, Edgar Villanueva came to some realizations about how the charity system works, and how it needs to change to really do good for the world. In Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance, Edgar combines analysis, story-telling, & personal vulnerability to enlighten the way forward.
Juneteenth in Clear Water
A visit to the 2019 Juneteenth celebration in Eau Claire, WI.
Interfaith United
A letter about Interfaith collaboration was published in Eau Claire's Leader-Telegram on 12/2/17, signed by 33 representatives of various faiths in the Chippewa Valley. The joint letter was in response to a local congregation featuring an ex-Muslim Christian convert who was to speak warning of the dangers of Interfaith dialogue. Seven people from different faiths read the communal letter. |
Prays Well With Others
In an atmosphere where so often there is religious intolerence & distrust, it's beautiful to see diverse spiritual communities sharing deeply together. At Eau Claire's Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace & Unity, conceived by Bob Lesniewski, a Benedictine oblate, prayers were shared from Presbyterian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Ba'hai, Catholic, & Quaker representatives. It was a rich sharing of diverse faiths, warming a cold winter night. The next Eau Claire Interfaith Prayer Service will be May 23, 2018. When will yours be?
Inclusion, Justice, Politics, Home, & A Guitar
Peter Leidy does his work of building inclusion predominantly in the area of disabilities, and with considerable creativity, often writing new songs or crafting new lyrics for existing tunes to tell a story or convey a lesson.