Dear supporter of racial truth telling and healing on Martha’s Vineyard:
Thank you. Because of you, our petition asking Chilmark Town and Community Center Officials to hire a rigorous BIPOC-led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion organization, and take the lead in supporting island-wide truth and reconciliation conversations regarding race and bias, is over 400 signatures.
We are so encouraged by the response to the petition that we are raising our goal for signatures.
We need an undeniable show of support from island community members in order to bring our shared vision of racial truth telling and healing on Martha’s Vineyard into reality.
Committees making stricter guidelines around diversity, equity and inclusion is not enough.
True racial healing happens heart to heart through authentic conversation and building relationships of honesty and trust.
No quick fixes will work. We must come together as mature community members willing to do multi-decade anti-racism work.
Our goal is to have at least 1,000 community members sign the petition requesting island-wide truth and reconciliation conversations regarding race and bias.
In order to reach 1,000 plus signatures, we need your participation now to move this forward. Here are ways you can take action:
First: Email, text and post the petition so that more island community members can read it and add their support by signing the petition.
Second: Register for A Long Talk About The Uncomfortable Truth at: ALongTalk.com
Kyle Williams, founder of A Long Talk, is a co-sponsor of this petition, and a multi-generational summer resident of Oak Bluffs, MV.
A Long Talk is an anti-racism activation experience that is being implemented at some of the top academic institutions, non-profits and K-12 school districts in the nation. A Long Talk has recently launched a partnership with the island by nominating Martha’s Vineyard as their 2021 Community of Change. Their goal is to put an anti-racist at every dinner table in America, and on Martha’s Vineyard that begins with monthly Community Conversations.
Join a growing number of island folks who have already registered for the next experience on October 6, 13 and 20, 8-9:30pm EST at www.ALongTalk.com Participants must pre-register.
Choose courage over fear and let us make some good history together! Thank you.
1000 signatures here we come!!
In solidarity:
Saskia Vanderhoop – Sassafras Earth Education www.sassafrasmvy.org
David Vanderhoop – Sassafras Earth Education www.sassafrasmvy.org
Freedom Cartwright – Freedom Rail Tours
Kyle Williams – A Long Talk
Patrece Petersen – MV VeganSociety