Should we gather at the inaguration?
Gathering family-
On January 20, 2009 President Elect Barack Obama will be inaugurated in Washington DC. I have spoken to some of you and have suggested that we create a presence at the inauguration. Over the past year we have trained in Kingian nonviolence, its philosophy and it applications, we have created local campaigns that will call upon all levels of civic society to stop to violence and incarceration in our communities. The feedback I got about going to introduce our movement by thousands of gathering family members holding down a few blocks of the inauguration parade route was positive so i wanted to share the idea with all of you...
The election of Barack Obama opens us to a moment to introduce our movement to a new administration. We represent tens of thousand of the most affected, people caught up in the tragedy of violence and incarceration. We also represent thousands of success stories of personal and community transformation. Our collective experience and work together has created a tomorrow pregnant with promise. It is critical that we recognize this moment and that all of us hold the pen of history. The question we must ask ourselves is, as history is being written will we ensure that our liberation is a part of it?
I am reminded of a story Mr. B often tells about A Phillip Randolph and President Roosevelt. After meeting with A. Phillip Randolph about the abuse facing the Pullman porters, President Roosevelt said that he did not agree with the plight of the Pullman porters, and that he not only had the power to stop the injustice, he was also inclined to do so. And Roosevelt asked A. Phillip Randolph to do one thing..."Go out and make me do it." It is a directive that we must once again adopt. Any change we want to see, any change that we are fighting for, we will have to "make him do it." We can do so by continuing to engage our community in our struggle and we must support one another across the country in our local campaigns.
We share a commitment in building a movement that recognizes and integrates our diverse cultures and communities. We must continue building our national family that prays for each others success and understands Dr. Kings prophetic words, "Either we go up together or we go down together, let us develop this kind of dangerous unselfishness."
Does Jan. 20, 2009 offer an opportunity for us to "Gather" on Pennsylvania Avenue? An intergenerational Gathering representing our tribes and regions at the Inauguration of the next President of the United States. To share this moment together and to show, in great numbers, that we plan on contributing to this critical chapter in history?
Our contribution will be one of struggle and transformation. We define our agenda of hope, an agenda of hope that our country will start building more schools than prisons, hope that 3rd grade reading levels of our young people would be used to ascertain how better to teach them, not to project the growth in the prison population.
We will scribe stories of leaders like Bo Taylor, who we lost too soon, but who in his short life saved hundreds of young people from the terror of gangs and incarceration. Stories of communities like Columbus, taking over empty lots and growing food to feed their families. Stories of hundreds of young people in Chicago introducing direct action into their on going campaigns to raise the level of civic tension to push towards success. We will keep the memories of our fallen comrades alive like, Raymond Cervantes who was stabbed to death in northern California 2 days after completing his certification in the 2 day nonviolence core.
We will close our chapter with dawn...the sun rising over our communities warming the skin of children freed. Shinning light on America's declared promise for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
So do we "Gather" at the inauguration? Do we stand by the thousands showing our commitment to holding our new president accountable. We all will have to contribute to raising resources, your willingness to be there must be intrinsically bound to your willingness to help raise money to get there. Please respond to this discussion and let me know what you think.
On January 20, 2009 President Elect Barack Obama will be inaugurated in Washington DC. I have spoken to some of you and have suggested that we create a presence at the inauguration. Over the past year we have trained in Kingian nonviolence, its philosophy and it applications, we have created local campaigns that will call upon all levels of civic society to stop to violence and incarceration in our communities. The feedback I got about going to introduce our movement by thousands of gathering family members holding down a few blocks of the inauguration parade route was positive so i wanted to share the idea with all of you...
The election of Barack Obama opens us to a moment to introduce our movement to a new administration. We represent tens of thousand of the most affected, people caught up in the tragedy of violence and incarceration. We also represent thousands of success stories of personal and community transformation. Our collective experience and work together has created a tomorrow pregnant with promise. It is critical that we recognize this moment and that all of us hold the pen of history. The question we must ask ourselves is, as history is being written will we ensure that our liberation is a part of it?
I am reminded of a story Mr. B often tells about A Phillip Randolph and President Roosevelt. After meeting with A. Phillip Randolph about the abuse facing the Pullman porters, President Roosevelt said that he did not agree with the plight of the Pullman porters, and that he not only had the power to stop the injustice, he was also inclined to do so. And Roosevelt asked A. Phillip Randolph to do one thing..."Go out and make me do it." It is a directive that we must once again adopt. Any change we want to see, any change that we are fighting for, we will have to "make him do it." We can do so by continuing to engage our community in our struggle and we must support one another across the country in our local campaigns.
We share a commitment in building a movement that recognizes and integrates our diverse cultures and communities. We must continue building our national family that prays for each others success and understands Dr. Kings prophetic words, "Either we go up together or we go down together, let us develop this kind of dangerous unselfishness."
Does Jan. 20, 2009 offer an opportunity for us to "Gather" on Pennsylvania Avenue? An intergenerational Gathering representing our tribes and regions at the Inauguration of the next President of the United States. To share this moment together and to show, in great numbers, that we plan on contributing to this critical chapter in history?
Our contribution will be one of struggle and transformation. We define our agenda of hope, an agenda of hope that our country will start building more schools than prisons, hope that 3rd grade reading levels of our young people would be used to ascertain how better to teach them, not to project the growth in the prison population.
We will scribe stories of leaders like Bo Taylor, who we lost too soon, but who in his short life saved hundreds of young people from the terror of gangs and incarceration. Stories of communities like Columbus, taking over empty lots and growing food to feed their families. Stories of hundreds of young people in Chicago introducing direct action into their on going campaigns to raise the level of civic tension to push towards success. We will keep the memories of our fallen comrades alive like, Raymond Cervantes who was stabbed to death in northern California 2 days after completing his certification in the 2 day nonviolence core.
We will close our chapter with dawn...the sun rising over our communities warming the skin of children freed. Shinning light on America's declared promise for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
So do we "Gather" at the inauguration? Do we stand by the thousands showing our commitment to holding our new president accountable. We all will have to contribute to raising resources, your willingness to be there must be intrinsically bound to your willingness to help raise money to get there. Please respond to this discussion and let me know what you think.
Tags: 2009, gather, gathering, inagauration, the
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cindy Lorena on -
I would definitely be down to organize and mobilize for January 20th. Seeing that I am in the DC/MD Metro area, I offer myself for if/when this idea materializes.
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Permalink Reply by Kazu on -
That'd be dope. I don't know if I'll be able to make it all the way from out here, but I'd be down to support in any way I can.
RIP RC.
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Permalink Reply by Greg JL on -
I agree, Obama, has said himself that he needs to be pressured. When constituents complained about his conservative Senate votes that he said he needed to be forced to do it. Marches, protests, electronic organizing especially around his key advisors will be important.
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Permalink Reply by carlos on -
Yea I went to the Millions More Movement in D.C. awhile back and so I know we definitely need to go support the efforts for CHANGE because as of 11/04/08 there should be a change in the way we think, the actions we make, but for some of our people they need to see real change in us and they will step it up too or get stuck and left behind ( and see thats where I come in at THE YOUTH i'm 26 now and if I was confused before this election I'm not anymore because the only thing stopping me-us-you-them-we is NOT GETTING INVOLVED so yea we have gots to stay on the scene. City to City, County to County, State to State, People to People Growing and Developing
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Permalink Reply by Malia Lazu on -
Cindy- If we make this happen we are going to need floors and sleeping bags, I know we will not be able to afford hotels so this is going to be movement style! thanks for offering and we will take you up on it!
Cindy Lorena said:I would definitely be down to organize and mobilize for January 20th. Seeing that I am in the DC/MD Metro area, I offer myself for if/when this idea materializes.
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Permalink Reply by Denise Gray on -
Hello,
I just spoke to you briefly on the phone today (11/6/08).....I am very much interested in making our presence known at the inauguration. As you are aware, I had a one time prison experience....used that time wisely...hence my organization "Hope Alive"; My book project "In Prison @ 5" and hands on community outreach efforts. I have a passion to change the way that offenders and exoffenders are treated!!!!!
Keep Me Posted,
Denise Gray
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Permalink Reply by Ash-Lee W. Henderson on -
I agree that we should make this happen. I know an elder that may be able to help with housing. I'll find out an repost the information!
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Permalink Reply by Malia Lazu on
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Please post a blog about your book!
Denise Gray said:Hello,
I just spoke to you briefly on the phone today (11/6/08).....I am very much interested in making our presence known at the inauguration. As you are aware, I had a one time prison experience....used that time wisely...hence my organization "Hope Alive"; My book project "In Prison @ 5" and hands on community outreach efforts. I have a passion to change the way that offenders and exoffenders are treated!!!!!
Keep Me Posted,
Denise Gray
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Permalink Reply by Ashley on -
I as well think that this will be a great idea and I have my tickets already. If there is anything else that I could do just let me know.
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Permalink Reply by Tshaka on -
We should push for a sea of people to show support and celebrate this historic time!
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Permalink Reply by carol saffen on -
Absolutely YES! Regardless of whether I can be there physically-I will be there spiritually. I am willing to do what I can to help raise funds to help get others there. We need a sea of people--an ocean of people.--Let us make sure we are seen and heard and President elect Obama knows we are serious about change and we expect his support-I believe he is genuine about being ready for change-A bridge to real progress is finally here.
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The Gathering’s Mission
The mission of The Gathering is to build an Intergenerational, movement, rooted in history, cultures and non-violent direct action to heal communities, build collective strength and generate an environment of hope and opportunity.
Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system. These groups are working under extremely difficult circumstances and many of them with little or no resources. The Gathering is a national movement that creates a coordinated space to 1) fortify relationships between regional groups, 2) support local endeavors and 3) enhance the ongoing organizing of non-violent direct action training. Central to its mission is strengthening our moral environment.
- “a project of tides center” -
"The Gathering" is a project of Tides Center 501c3
Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system. These groups are working under extremely difficult circumstances and many of them with little or no resources. The Gathering is a national movement that creates a coordinated space to 1) fortify relationships between regional groups, 2) support local endeavors and 3) enhance the ongoing organizing of non-violent direct action training. Central to its mission is strengthening our moral environment.
- “a project of tides center” -
"The Gathering" is a project of Tides Center 501c3
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