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When Diversity Matters Most. The Strength Lies In Differences, Not In Similarities

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Martin Luther King, Jr., Redeeming the Prophetic Vision Interfaith Gathering

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Sunday, January 19, 2020 will mark the 14th annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Redeeming the Prophetic Vision, an annual, all volunteer-organized, interfaith community event. It seeks to honor Dr. King’s radical call for peace and justice for ALL people by helping our community to shine the light of his vision on our current local, national, and global situation; re-imagine unity across difference; renew our shared commitment to the path of social justice; and reconnect with peace and justice activists and advocates across our community.

This inspiring event is produced by The Conversation in partnership with Associated Ministries and Urban Grace Church. Come and hear Dr. Dexter Gordon’s keynote address, and see a dramatic production written and directed by C. Rosalind Bell.

After the main program, come downstairs for light refreshments, conversation, and networking. Over 25 community organizations will be on hand to chat about their programs.

Join The Conversation, Urban Grace Church, and Associated Ministries at Redeeming the Prophetic Vision 2019.  Bring your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 2:30pm to Urban Grace Church (corner of 9th & Market) in downtown Tacoma.  Plan to “fill a row” at Urban Grace!

Coming Together to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Expresses Solidarity With Black Americans Across the Nation

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National Sikh Campaign Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Expresses Solidarity With Black Americans Across the Nation

Ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day taking place on Monday, January 20, the National Sikh Campaign issued the following statement: 

“Martin Luther King Jr.’s work paved the way for Black Americans, marginalized people, and allies everywhere to stand up for dignity, understanding, and freedom,” said Anjleen Kaur Gumer, Executive Director of the National Sikh Campaign. “Now more than ever, it’s important to celebrate the progress we’ve made while acknowledging the fight isn’t over. We must continue working against racism and discrimination to create a world where everyone is treated with respect.

“Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak, began his work in the 1500s by speaking out against discrimination of women and the poor — a fight for justice that mirrors Dr. King’s hundreds of years later. Sikhs hold Guru Nanak’s values of equality closely, and believe that everyone has access to God, regardless of their background. For this reason, Sikh Americans are honored to stand with our Black neighbors in celebration and solidarity.”

In Remembrance Of Fitzgerald Redd Beaver , Gone But Never Forgotten.

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“I shall pass this way but once; therefore any good that I can do or any kindness that I may show let me do it now. For I shall not pass this way again.”
Fitzgerald Beaver – Founder THE FACTS NEWSPAPER
Photo History : Charlie James interviewing Fitzgerald Beaver at THE FACTS NEWSPAPER OFFICE on Empire Way (Martin Luther King Jr. Way) and Cherry

Forever In Our Hearts.

 

FITZGERALD REDD BEAVER (FITZ) (1922–1992)

Fitzgerald Beaver , Photo History: Friday, Aug3, 1962 News clipping photo of “From My Pen” Beavers Weekly Editorial

Fitzgerald Beaver was born January 18, 1922, in Martinsville, Virginia. He graduated from high school in Martinsville and then attended North Carolina A & T College in Greensboro, North Carolina in the late 1930s.  Beaver left college without graduating and worked as a railroad porteracross the United States. By the beginning of World War II he had arrived in the Pacific Northwest and was living in the city of Portland, Oregon.

During the war “Fitz” Beaver, as he was now known, worked briefly for the U.S. Army as a civilian employee and then was hired by the Kaiser Company in Portland as a shipyard worker. After the war he briefly resided in North Bend, Oregon where he worked at a local radio station.  Finding a career he liked, he moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue radio and public relations training.

“Eager Beaver” Fitzgerald Beaver Photo History : In 1955, Fitzgerald returned to Portland and at the age of 33 became a local radio personality known as “Eager Beaver.”

In 1955, he returned to Portland and at the age of 33 became a local radio personality known as “Eager Beaver.”  In 1961, Beaver moved to Seattle, Washington to manage radio station KZAM-FM, the first black-owned radio station in the Pacific Northwest. He stayed at the station only a few months before launching The FACTS newspaper on September 7, 1961.

The FACTS quickly became a major media presence in black Seattle. The paper’s mission stated:  “We try to pick up where the daily papers leave off” meaning the paper would focus on stories not covered by the major daily newspapers but which were of particular interest to black Seattleites.  He gave the paper a distinctive “pink” color to separate it from its competitors. By the late 1960s, Beaver authored a popular column called “Right On!” that discussed local and regional issues.

Beaver was an eclectic personality who often clashed with other black journalists over news related to African Americans such as coverage of the race riots in Seattle and across the nation in the late 1960s.  His FACTS newspaper also became a community icon.  Its office, on the corner of Cherry Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way, was a familiar landmark in Seattle’s Central District with an old truck situated on top of the slanted roof and a large reader board.

Fitzgerald Beaver – Founder of THE FACTS NEWSPAPER Photo History: Mr Beaver built The FACTS to quickly became a major media presence in black Seattle. The paper’s mission stated: “We try to pick up where the daily papers leave off”

 

Despite his clashes with other black journalists Beaver also hired numerous young black journalists who went on to other newspapers.  Chris Bennett, owner and publisher of a competing African American weekly newspaper, The Medium, and Ernie Foster, publisher of The Skanner newspaper in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington, were aided by Beaver when they established their respective new

An ardent golfer, Beaver was a founding member of the predominantly African American Fir State Golf Club. He also served as president of the Boys and Girls Club in Seattle and worked with the Army, Navy and Coast Guard in minority recruiting programs in the 1970s and 1980s.

Fitzgerald “Fitz” Beaver died on
New Year’s Day, 1992 in Seattle, Washington at the age of 69. 

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children, Dennis, Marla, and LaVonne Beaver who are the current publishers of the newspaper.

 

Join Us In Honoring The Memory of  Fitzgerald Redd Beaver.

Please Sign, Leave a Comment or Memory for the family and Community to cherish

Here’s to women leading the revolution in 2020!

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A toast to 2019! It was a year of mass global upheavals — the largest in the past decade. People of all ages and ethnicities came together to protest climate change, children in cages and extreme economic inequity. And we can expect revolutionary dissent to continue to grow in the new year. It’s not surprising. The capitalist system is squeezing every drop out of workers. This super-exploitation of the working class has been most devastating for women and people of color. It is the reason so many movements in 2019 had women — usually women of color — in the leadership.

Across the world, female workers led a cascade of strikes this year. Mexican women were integral to huge work stoppages. Australian sisters took on the pharmaceutical giant Chemist Warehouse. Unionized Black women in the U.S.  were at the heart of coast to coast teachers’ strikes. The Chicago Teachers Union was a model of how to get the community behind labor’s demands.  In Australia and the U.S., Radical Women (RW) battled rightwing thugs, defended reproductive rights and abortion clinics. Melbourne members engaged with the indigenous people’s fight against exploitation by mining companies and against high incarceration rates — two struggles led by First Nations women. Seattle RW helped publicize the plight of missing and murdered indigenous women in the Pacific Northwest.

The Alliance of Middle Eastern and North African Socialists asked for help getting support for Iranian revolutionaries, feminists and political prisoners who continue to organize massive civil disobedience actions despite facing deadly repression. Radical Women educated and organized on this issue. In Syria, Kurdish female fighters continued to bear arms against U.S.-sponsored ethnic cleansing. Women similarly led actions in Lebanon, Iraq, Sudan, Algeria, and many other countries. This December, socialist feminists from Mexico, Argentina and the United States met in Mexico City to discuss ways to collaborate in the upcoming year.

This unprecedented wave of organizing is cause for joy, hope, and the resolve to
keep building alliances at home and abroad. Internationalism is at the core of Radical Women’s program—a program that is needed by all movements for social justice if they are to remain focused and principled. Sexism, racism, transphobia and homophobia have no place in the fight for working class liberation. Let us continue with the Trotskyist legacy of feminism and international­ism at a time when workers everywhere are enacting these ideals — both intuitively and from theoretical study. Let us ring in the new year with optimism and resolve to continue building solidarity with women and revolutionary movements around the globe!

You can find fiery Radical Women writings on the RW webpage. Learn more about RW through The Radical Women Manifesto, an exhilarating exploration of Marxist feminist theory and organizing methods. Buy a copy or read it on Google Books.

Donations are appreciated! As a grassroots group, Radical Women is sustained by support from people like you. Please contribute online or mail a check, payable to Radical Women, National Office 5018 Rainier Ave S Seattle, WA 98118 USA.

Holiday Spirit Comes to Georgetown, Othello, and Many Other Tiny House Villages

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Georgetown and Othello tiny house village residents came together Friday evening at South Seattle College Georgetown Campus for a festive holiday celebration and dinner.

Tables were loaded with gifts and food gathered by LIHI board vice president Melinda Nichols, Alice Lockridge, and SSC Georgetown Campus faculty and staff, including Judy Reed and Betsy McConnell-Gutierrez who organized the event for the third year.

Thank you to the North Bend Water Aerobics class for donating blankets; to Linda Uno for donating coats; Anne Wetmore, Pinky Dale, and Nancy Mason who donated time and gifts; and to the Sallal Grange for donating food.

 

Toys and clothing were donated by residents of Snoqualmie Valley with Debby Peterman and the Snoqualmie Valley Kiwanis collecting and organizing the gifts.

 

Tiny house villages are celebrating the holidays this week with dinners, cookie decorating, twinkling lights, and visits from Santa.

Twinkling Lights and Snowflakes Glow at Whittier Heights Tiny House Village

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Snowflakes hanging from fishing line seem to float over the twinkling Whittier Heights Tiny House Village thanks the work of LIHI employees Theresa Hohman,  Kori Arnson, volunteer Jeff Hegenauer and village residents. They are planning to leave the lights up through February to brighten the dark days of winter.

Chairman Smith Corrects the Record on the FY20 NDAA

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House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement ahead of the House vote on the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.

“Before my colleagues and I cast our votes on the FY20 NDAA, one thing must be made clear: This is the most progressive defense bill we have passed in decades.

“After months of hard-fought negotiations, our bill is now final, and contains major wins for Democrats and working people and promotes our national security. Despite this sweeping success, some have decried the bill, saying it fails to live up to progressive values. To those detractors I ask one simple question: Which of the provisions that did not make it into our final bill did President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Chairman Inhofe not hate?

“From the moment we passed our bill through the House without the support of a single Republican vote, it was clear that our counterparts in the Senate and White House fundamentally opposed the Democratic priorities included in the bill.

“Do you know what they also hated? The repeal of the ‘widow’s tax’ and granting paid parental leave for federal employees. But, because of our tireless work, we succeeded in getting these provisions included. Because of this hard work, our bill will have real impacts on Americans leading real lives.

“Throughout the negotiations I failed in one way: I was unable to turn President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Chairman Inhofe into Democrats and convince them to suddenly accept all of the provisions they despise. Nonetheless, we have accomplished more with this bill than anyone ever thought possible given the realities of a Trump White House and a Republican-controlled Senate, and we should be proud of that.

“To those who say that this bill isn’t enough – I could not disagree more. When I look at the widows, the parents, and families who will benefit from the bill, it is enough. We are delivering more for families across this country than anyone even conceived of going into this year.

“To those who say that we should have ‘fought harder’ or ‘held the line’ – I can assure you we fought the entire time until the very end. President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Chairman Inhofe would have killed the bill over these provisions. If we kill the bill, we would have gotten nothing. Not a single Democratic priority.

“Leader McConnell and Chairman Inhofe would have been thrilled to pass a ‘skinny NDAA’ with zero Democratic priorities. That alternative bill would have none of the key policies we fought so hard for – no paid parental leave, no “widow’s tax” repeal, and nothing to address PFAS.

“That is why I so am proud of this bill – because of everything that is contained in its 1,249 individual provisions and more than 4,000 pages. I am proud that this bill will change the lives of millions by providing paid parental leave. I am proud that this bill will better provide for the widows and families of those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. And I am proud that this bill reflects Democratic priorities and American values.

“And make no mistake about it, I will continue to fight for the provisions we did not get, hopefully at some point with a Senate and President who better reflect the values of our country. I know how important these provisions are.”

Teach For America Washington – WAnderlust Weekend

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Hosted by Teach For America Washington, WAnderlust Weekend is an opportunity for current and prospective educators and champions to develop a greater understanding of the unique educational landscape here in Washington. Participants will engage with our theme, “Reimagining Education with 2020 Vision” firsthand by participating in district and charter school visits, networking with educational organizations, non-profits, and schools at a hiring and resource fair, attending dynamic professional development in breakout sessions, hearing from change-makers and thought leaders in the education space, and celebrating all that is possible in Washington at our annual Winter Soiree.

Beyond the Pen and Paper: Gage Academy of Art Hosts Drawing Jam ’19 Seattle Residents Revel in Art, Local Music And Street Food

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On the cusp of their 30 th anniversary, the Gage Academy of Art , a non-profit organization, recently hosted its annual Drawing Jam. Hundreds of visitors explored the Gage Capitol Hill Campus to enjoy the event. The all-day art festival included free art supplies for guests, art lessons from Gage Academy instructors, live models, drag artists, DJ’s and live music by local musicians. Art fans were treated to in-depth demos from accomplished artists including Max Ginsburg, Elijah Evenson, Gary Faigin, one of the Gage Academy’s co-founders, Mark Kang-O’Higgins and Dominique Medici. Children were invited to let their imaginations run wild by drawing their favorite models and participating in the kid-friendly clay studio, papermaking session and face painting.
Stefano Catalani, executive director of Gage Academy, stated “Drawing Jam is truly a celebration of art, life, creativity and imagination with Gage as the giant studio for everyone to explore. We are thrilled to bring art into the community and help celebrate the holidays.”
This year, Cookie Couture, the ever-popular drag queen, joined Drawing Jam as one of the event’s drag performances and influencers. In addition to creating art, visitors had the opportunity to enjoy roasted chestnuts, local food trucks and visit the Holidaze Art Market to shop for unique gifts. All items at the market were created by the Gage Academy professors, students and local artists.
The Gage Academy of Art hosts workshops, courses, youth programs and open studios throughout the year. The coming year will mark the academy’s 30 th anniversary. To learn more about Gage Academy of Art, please visit https://www.gageacademy.org/ .
About Gage Academy of Art
Gage Academy of Art ( www.gageacademy.org ), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is celebrating nearly 30 years as a vibrant extended-learning and contemporary art center, providing community based artistic development for artists of all ages and abilities. Featuring year-round programs that engage and inspire, Gage is home to public art events, lectures, youth programming and exhibitions. Guided by the belief that artists are made, not born, Gage strives to educate, enrich and engage artists and the community in the visual arts. Gage offers instruction in the principles of drawing, painting and sculpting.

Navigating the pathway to college graduation successfully requires hard work, sacrifice and resources. It also takes a community.

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Nyomi Bennett (Cohort 18) was this year’s recipient of the Frederick Douglass award

At Rainier Scholars, we recruit fourth-graders into a cohort, so that students belong to a community of highly motivated students who share a vision of college success.  The initial phase of our program is the 14-month Academic Enrichment Phase (AEP), which begins the summer before the start of fifth grade and continues twice weekly during the school year. During this phase, scholars develop the skills needed to thrive in college preparatory settings. We honor the completion of AEP with a Rites of Passage ceremony, celebrating our scholars’ accomplishments and hard work.

Nyomi Bennett (Cohort 18) was this year’s recipient of the Frederick Douglass award, in recognition of her dedication to her own and her classmates’ education, as well her willingness to fight through obstacles with grace, wisdom and maturity. After completing 14 months of academic enrichment, Nyomi is now a sixth-grader at Seattle Girls’ School.