There is a big problem in Burlington, and it is getting worse.
There has been a rash of bullying and harassment of children of color in the Burlington schools. The Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism, a member of the Racine Interfaith Coalition and WISDOM, has been working to get authorities to take concrete action to protect black and brown children. They have received promises, but little more. In the meantime, the attacks have grown worse, and some Coalition members have even received death threats.
Please join affiliates from the WISDOM network THIS THURSDAY to let the people working to dismantle racism in Burlington know that we stand with them.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Please join us if you can. This is a real opportunity to show support for our brothers and sisters who are striving for racial equity in a very difficult situation.
We will pray together
We will learn what is happening on the ground right now in Burlington
We will hear words of support from WISDOM and Gamaliel members from around the state and nation.
We will talk about what comes next and how we can all help.
ESTHER encourages an African American to apply for appointment to the Grand Chute Police and Fire Commission
Background of racist social-media posts by police officer
Last summer ESTHER Organizer Bill Van Lopik was informed that Grand Chute Police Officer Laluzerne had posted racist comments on social media. Most of the posts were from high school, but a more recent one referred to Boogaloo, a white supremacist movement.
After connecting with a Black Lives Matter group, Bill and others from ESTHER joined a protest, at which Grand Chute Police Chief Greg Peterson agreed to meet with ESTHER President Gary Crevier. News surfaced that the department was conducting a thorough investigation of Laluzerne. Some wondered if an outside, unbiased individual or group should conduct such investigations. The officer was thoroughly questioned and “put on notice,” but was not disciplined or fired.1
“Living an Abolitionist Life: Resistance, Creativity, Hip Hop Civics Ed, Intersectionality, & Black Joy”
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Bettina Love
Dr. Love will discuss how intersectionality and Abolitionist teaching creates a space where Black lives matter and sensibilities are nurtured to engage communities in the work of fighting for visibility, inclusion, and justice. Her talk will end by calling all of us to engage in critical dialogues about racial violence, oppression, and how to make sustainable change in our communities. She will challenge us to envision a world built on Black joy, creativity, imagination, boldness, ingenuity, and the rebellious spirit and methods of abolitionists.
Featured Musical Performance: “Agitate: A Story Through Song,” performed by Griot B
Sponsored by African Heritage, Inc., Lawrence University Diversity and Intercultural Center, and Fox Cities Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee
Everyone welcome. No charge.
Advance registration required for this
online event.
President-elect Biden has asked the nation to mark a national COVID victims memorial on the eve of the Inauguration. See here for more about the memorial. WISDOM and EXPO leaders will lead Memorial Services in front of seven of the 14 Wisconsin prisons in which men and women have died of the virus. Prisons at which vigils will be held are listed below.
Details for all locations are the same:
Tuesday, January 19
5:30 pm
Masks are required and social distancing will be honored.
Please bring your own candle.
Please try to arrive by 5:15.
The memorial services will be brief and prayerful.
United Way Fox Cities is offering a 21-week “Equity Challenge,” a powerful opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives and our community. The challenge begins on February 1 (but participants can join any time) and continues through June 21. Each Monday during the challenge, participants will receive an email with topics to explore to develop deeper interpersonal understandings, build a stronger awareness of current systems, and engage in opportunities to take action.
Appleton Area School District Black Student Union presents:
2021 Black History Month Celebration
The opening event, offered on Zoom, introduces Black History Month and features presentations and performances by AASD students and administrators, Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford and St. Louis singer LaToya Wilson.
Have you wanted the skills to interrupt bullying or other harmful hehaviors and comments? Are you looking for tools to invite people into challenging conversations rather than shutting them down? Do you wonder when it’s appropriate to Stand, Speak and Act?
If so, this event is for you.
Become an agent for change and a co-creator of positive narratives about race and other identities in your places of influence. Participants will unpack real-life scenarios to enable them to challenge prejudice effectively in our community.
Sponsored by Lawrence University Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Open to all Lawrence students, staff, and faculty. Wider Appleton communtity cordially invited.
Saad is a well known consultant on race issues worldwide. Using a step-by-step reflection process, she encourages people with white privilege to examine their thoughts and behaviors (often unconscious) that affect Black people negatively. Journaling is an integral part of the program that will make the book-study meaningful for you as a transformational Lenten process. The weekly discussion in a group of peers will utilize the Circle Way, a non-hierarchical (no leader) style of listening, storytelling and respectful discussion. Please purchase an online version of the book at Amazon.com or a hard copy to your local bookstore.
We will meet via Zoom every Tuesday from 6:30-8:00PM, starting Feb. 23 and continuing through Mar. 30. To sign up or for questions, please contact Bill Kessenich, moderator, at kessenichw@gmail.com.
“Living an Abolitionist Life: Resistance, Creativity, Hip Hop Civics Ed, Intersectionality, & Black Joy”
matter and sensibilities are nurtured to engage communities in the work of fighting for visibility, inclusion, and justice. Her talk will end by calling all of us to engage in critical dialogues about racial violence, oppression, and how to make sustainable change in our communities. She will challenge us to envision a world built on Black joy, creativity, imagination, boldness, ingenuity, and the rebellious spirit and methods of abolitionists.
President-elect Biden has asked the nation to mark a national COVID victims memorial on the eve of the Inauguration. See 
United Way Fox Cities is offering a 21-week “Equity Challenge,” a powerful opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives and our community. The challenge begins on February 1 (but participants can join any time) and continues through June 21. Each Monday during the challenge, participants will receive an email with topics to explore to develop deeper interpersonal understandings, build a stronger awareness of current systems, and engage in opportunities to take action.
Have you wanted the skills to interrupt bullying or other harmful hehaviors and comments? Are you looking for tools to invite people into challenging conversations rather than shutting them down? Do you wonder when it’s appropriate to Stand, Speak and Act?
The social justice committee of St. Bernard Parish (Appleton), an ESTHER partner, is sponsoring a Lenten book study group using the New York Times best seller, 
