In the Community February 13, 2012

 

In the Community February 13, 2012

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day

 

"What the world really needs is more love and less paper work."  … Entertainer, singer, and actress Pearl Bailey (d. 1990).  She played the title role in the all-black Broadway production of "Hello, Dolly," wrote several books, and earned her bachelor's degree in theology from Georgetown University at age 67.

 

 

"In the Community" is also on the website: www.harmonyalliance.org/Events.  The Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH) was founded in 1999 and is committed to justice, equal opportunity, cross-cultural understanding, and appreciation for diversity.  We work together  through programs, publications, social events, and advocacy to make West Michigan a place where all are welcomed and respected.

 

Please help support ACEH.  Dues are $20 a year ($35/two years) for an individual; $30 a year ($50/two years) for a family; $40 for nonprofits; $75 for businesses. You can pay at the website www.harmonyalliance.org/Join with PayPal, or send a check to ACEH, c/o Treasurer Bin Lim, Box 3007, Holland 49422-3007, or sign up at any ACEH meeting or social event. THANKS! ¡GRACIAS!

 

TODAY, Mon, Feb 13, 5 pm: Deadline to register for Holland First.  See Community Opportunities, below.

 

TONIGHT, Mon, Feb 13, 9 pm: Documentary: "Slavery by Another Name," based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Douglas Blackmon, explores the "neo-slavery" that lasted until World War II.  The Thirteenth Amendment states that slavery was abolished, except as a punishment for a crime—but in the years after the Civil War laws were passed to criminalize everyday African American life.  On WGVU-TV.

 

Wed, Feb 15, business hours: Do you need to go to the Mexican Consulate in Detroit and don't have transportation? Staff of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan will be available at the Immigration Assistance Program in Kalamazoo on Feb. 15 to review documents and fill out applications for passports and registrations.  A bus will go from Kalamazoo to Detroit on Thurs, Feb 23.  To make an appointment, call (616) 742-0200 immediately.  At Old EPS Building, 219 North Westnedge, Kalamazoo.

 

Wed, Feb 15, noon: "End Game: Afghanistan and Iraq," by Dr. James Goode, Middle East Studies Program, Grand Valley State University.  Part of Great Decisions Series sponsored by Herrick District Library and World Affairs Council of Western Michigan.  At Herrick District Library auditorium, 300 South River, Holland.

 

Wed, Feb 15, 4 pm: "Human Rights, Civil Rights, and Islam," by Lena F. Masri, community leader, civil rights activist, and staff attorney for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Michigan; she has been featured in several documentaries and on major media outlets.  At GVSU, Room 2250 Kirkhof Center, Allendale.

 

Tues, Feb 21, 7 pm: Community Read Film and Presentation: "Up from the Bottoms: The search for the American Dream," with Muskegon author Jim Schaub.  African American residents of Muskegon tell stories of migrating from the south to the north during the war years and beyond.  Sponsored by Herrick District Library and Grand Valley State University.  At Herrick District Library, 300 South River, Holland.

 

Wed, Feb 22, 7:30 pm: Annual A. J. Muste Lecture: "Another World Instead: Some Pacifist Poets and Poetics, from William Stafford to Occupy Wall Street," by award-winning poet Fred Marchant of Suffolk University.  The lecture series began in 1985 to commemorate the life and work of A. J. Muste, a Hope College alumnus and an activist for peace and justice.  At Winants Auditorium, Graves Hall, 263 College Ave between 10^th and 12^th Sts, Holland.

 

Fri, Feb 24, 7:30 am to 2:30 pm (includes breakfast and box lunch): Annual Community Forum of Partners for a Racism-Free Community: "Expect Equality."  Speaker is Tim Wise, one of the most prominent anti-racism writers and educators in the U.S.  $55.  Register at www.prfc-gr.org  At Kroc Center, 2500 South Division Ave, SW, Grand Rapids.

 

Sat, Feb 25, 11 am: Program for kids: "Meet Harriet Tubman," by Michigan Humanities Council re-enactor Rosie Chapman.  Part of Community Reading Project sponsored by Herrick District Library and GVSU.  At Herrick District Library, 300 South River, Holland.

 

 

 

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES:

 Holland First,  Racial Healing Institute

           

(1) Holland First, a program of the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce: eight-week Spring 2012 sessions on Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 8:50 pm, beginning Feb 21 and continuing through April 17 (no class April 3).  Holland First aims to help people understand the community through the eyes of diversity, including local history, business, resources, law enforcement, government, education, and art/culture; guest speakers, breakout sessions, discussions.  Facilitator is Dante Villarreal. Sponsors are Chemical Bank and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Blue Care Network of Michigan.  Holland First is free; participants must  attend all eight sessions.  Deadline to register is Feb. 13. Call the Chamber at (616) 392-2389.

 

(2) 8-week Institute for Racial Healing, Tuesdays, Feb 28 through April 24, 3 to 5 pm.  Through facilitated dialogue and activities, participants learn, share, and process within a multicultural group and examine the inheritance of our history, institutionalized racism, contemporary bias, and ways to be an ally in healing racial divides.  $100 per person; financial hardship scholarships available.  Register at (616) 846-9074 or at www.ethnicdiversity.org.  Deadline to register is February 10.  Sponsored by Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance.  At GVSU Meijer Campus, 515 South Waverly, Holland.