Category: Day of Racial Healing

WHEREAS, we have all witnessed racial divisiveness rising in America’s urban, rural, suburban, and tribal communities today that threatens the very core of this great country’s unified front; and

WHEREAS, just like those who came before us, it is our duty to protect the children of this country and maintain communities in which they may all be given the opportunity to succeed; and

WHEREAS, we understand and recognize that there is a racial divide in our country and we must all work earnestly to heal the wounds created by racial, ethnic and religious bias and build an equitable and just society so that all children can thrive; and

WHEREAS, children have the right to be provided every opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in nurturing environments that don’t violate their safety, dignity, and humanity; and

WHEREAS, every single person has the capability to make a simple change within him or herself that can have a profound effect on an entire society; and

WHEREAS, if we all dedicate ourselves to the principles of truth, racial healing and transformation, we can all bring about the necessary changes in thinking and behavior that will propel this great country forward as a unified force where racial biases will become a thing of the past; and

WHEREAS, racial healing is a vital and crucial commitment to the education, social, mental and over all well-being of all our children; and

WHEREAS,  ________________ (insert company/organization name), in conjunction with others throughout the United States of America, acknowledges January 22, 2019 as the “National Day of Racial Healing,” and urges all citizens to promote racial healing and transformation in the ways that are best suited for them individually, as a means to working together to ensure the best quality of life for every child. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ________________, (company representative) do hereby proclaim that this organization honors and recognizes January 22, 2019 as the “National Day of Racial Healing.”

MAYORAL/STATE PROCLAMATION

“A National Day of Racial Healing” OR “A Day of Racial Healing”

WHEREAS, we have all witnessed racial divisiveness rising in America’s urban, rural, suburban, and tribal communities today that threatens the very core of this great county’s unified front; and

WHEREAS, just like those who came before us, it is our duty to protect the children of this country and maintain communities in which they all may be given the opportunity to succeed; and

WHEREAS, we understand and recognize that there is a racial divide in our country and we must all work earnestly to heal the wounds created by racial, ethnic and religious bias and build an equitable and just society so that all children can thrive; and

WHEREAS, children have the right to be provided every opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in nurturing environments that don’t violate their safety, dignity, and humanity; and

WHEREAS, every single person has the capability to make a simple change within him or herself that can have a profound effect on an entire society; and

WHEREAS, if we all dedicate ourselves to the principles of truth, racial healing and transformation, we can all bring about the necessary changes in thinking and behavior that will propel this great county forward as a unified force where racial biases will become a thing of the past; and

WHEREAS, racial healing is a vital and crucial commitment to the education, social, mental and overall well-being of all our children; and

WHEREAS, the city/state of _________________, in conjunction with others throughout the United States of American acknowledges the Tuesday immediately following the third Monday of January on which the life and achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr. are celebrated,  as “A National Day of Racial Healing” and urges all citizens to promote racial healing and transformation in the ways that are best suited for them individually, as a means to working together to ensure the best quality of life for every child.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ____________________ , (insert mayor or state representative), on this ___ Day of January, 20__  do hereby proclaim that this city/state honors and recognizes “A National Day of Racial Healing.” (OR “A Day of Racial Healing.”)

DAY OF RACIAL HEALING 2020

“A Bridge to Hope”

WHEREAS, in El Paso, the crisis of conduct by a racially motivated citizen drew both national and international attention on August 3 , 2019, inspired by the tone of a President, whose words  were set in place in the shooter’s manifesto, resulting in constituents’ demand for Congress’ immediate return from their break to effect change” (Jon Meacham, August 19, 2019, “The power of a President’s words,” Time Magazine); 

WHEREAS, the rhetoric of the leader of our country has turned deadly;

WHEREAS, in addition, “ICE has requested the detention of 3,076 U.S. citizens from October 2002 to December 2018…It isn’t even about being born on American soil. It’s about our brown skin in America.” (Julissa Arce, August 19, 2019, “Our Brown Skin Makes Us a Target for Hate,” Time Magazine);

WHEREAS, “This brown skin will continue to glow against the darkness that has fallen in America because those in El Paso are seeing “hundreds lin(ing) up to donate blood, an Army Private leading several children to safety, and nearly a half million dollars being donated to scholarships for the undocumented to attend college;”

WHEREAS, El Paso has shown us the way, through its promotion of racial healing and its contribution “to building the equitable society our children deserve;”

WHEREAS, a vision of our country, such of that of El Paso’s, “to become a place where all children can thrive,” “despite perceived differences” (Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.), is necessary across America for “shift(ing) our national discourse” (January 2017, “National Day of Racial Healing,” healourcommunities org);

WHEREAS, “it will take aggressive plans and action to tamp down the kind of hate that spawned the unconscionable massacre in El Paso” including “tamping down racist rhetoric” (August 16, 2019, “Abbott’s powerful message to racist domestic terrorists: Texas won’t stand for you here,” www.dallasnews.com/editorials);

WHEREAS, Governor Abbot has made “a powerful statement: ‘Texas is stronger when we come together in pursuit of a shared goal;’”

WHEREAS, Arizona’s mayors of cities and townships can themselves join in pursuit of their shared dedication to “bring about the necessary changes in thinking and behavior to propel (our great state) forward as a unified force where racial biases will become a thing of the past” (January 22, 2019, “A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council, City of Minneapolis: A National Day of Racial Healing);  

WHEREAS, “we understand and recognize that there is a racial divide in our country and that we all must work earnestly to heal the wounds created by racial, ethnic and religious biases;”

WHEREAS, presently our city governments, supported by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation (https//healourcommunities.org/day-of-racial-healing), have an opportunity, through this Declaration, “to take a first step in proclaiming that all residents are respected and protected,” by hosting an annual racial healing community event for the public in February which will have a “positive and profound impact on the entire state of (Arizona),”  (https://www.cabu.gov, January 22, 2019, “Mayor Tim Keller Recognizes National Day of Racial Healing in Albuquerque”);

THEREFORE, BE IT DECLARED that in order to remain steadfast to the mutual commitment of each city “to honor and create equitable communities in which all children and families can thrive,” the People Demanding Justice Community Coalition calls for all mayors in the State of Arizona to establish  “A National Day of Racial Healing” on the first Tuesday following Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, beginning on January 21, 2020.

______________________________________________

Written and submitted by Joanne Scott Woods, M.A., M.Ed., Coordinator of People Demanding Justice Community Coalition (PDJCC) and Campaign Manager and Research Director for the PDJCC National Day of Racial Healing Campaign in Arizona, signed on October 2, 2019, as a Citizen Petition to Mayor Kate Gallego and Council. Co-signed in support by Kim Baker, Project Director of PDJCC and Project Director and Field Director for the PDJCC National Day of Racial Healing Campaign in Arizona.

Phoenix, AZ 85023      justice4allinaz@gmail.com                  

This Event, hosted by PDJCC, was published on our Facebook Community Page “People Demanding Action Community Coalition.”

Tuesday, JANUARY 21, 2020, from 6 to 7 PM

FAMILY OF FAITH CHRISTIAN CHURCH at 950 E. Pecan Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85040

Beginning this year, on the Tuesday following MLK Day, a Day of Racial Healing has been proclaimed by MAYOR KATE GALLEGO and REPRESENTATIVE REGINALD BOLDING. Cake will be served! DR. WARREN H. STEWART, SR. who will be our KEYNOTE SPEAKER commends the leadership of PDJCC, Joanne Scott Woods and Kim Baker, for “getting this most important observance for Phoenix, especially as it relates to police-community race relations.” PASTOR GLENN DENNARD will be welcoming all of us in their Fellowship Hall. CEPAND ALIZADEH, Communications Director of the Office of Mayor Gallego, will be reading her Proclamation. Other speakers include MERISSA HAMILTON, Legislative Chair on Policing and Policing Diversion Programs and Co-Chair on Women’s Programs and Services, and KIM BAKER, Elder and Prophet of the Pentecostal Deliverance Church of God in Christ, Peoria, with JOANNE SCOTT WOODS, M.A., M.Ed. moderating.

The Annual Racial Healing Community Project – a #HowWeHeal BOOK CLUB – associated with W. K. Kellogg Foundation’s Enterprise for the Day of Racial Healing and initiated by PDJCC – will begin this year from February through November on 2nd Tuesdays, from 6 to 7 pm @ Barnes & Noble Metrocenter. The hash tag #HowWeHeal is from the Foundation’s work of “inspiring action in every community to bridge racial divides and begin to heal.” A B & N Staff Bookseller will facilitate the discussions of the self-help book “My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies” by therapist Resmaa Menakem which takes readers through a step-by-step healing process with chapters for black and white communities and the police.

Also introduced at the Celebration will be opportunities for volunteering for the 2020 RACIAL HEALING CAMPAIGN through securing email endorsements, assembling & distributing campaign buttons, fundraising, website support and social media – YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!