In This Issue:
- From the Director
- Truth School Trainer Gathering
- April Classes
- Truth School Covid-19 Policy
- What Participants are Saying
- BIPOC Poets and Organizers Retreat
- Negro Spirituals: What is Owed? Andrea Ayvazian article
- Andrea’s Daily Hampshire Gazette Column: Passing the activist torch
What to write to our precious Truth School “family” in the midst of the pain and violence of a world at war? What to write, in this perilous time, to a family of activists struggling to promote peace, dismantle racism, work for justice, protect our planet, save our children, fight oppression, and love our neighbor? What to say when our tender hearts are hurting and maybe even broken?
In response to these questions, I have written a Manifesto. My first Manifesto. I decided to write a Manifesto to state what we believe in, not what we oppose; what we envision, not what we fear; what we are working to create, not what exists today.
And so here it is, a Manifesto. I ask that you read this with open hearts, and sprinkle on these words your loving grace. It was written with love and with gratitude for your work, words, and witness. In the Manifesto, I am bold enough to say ‘WE,’ so I am wrapping you inside this proclamation that I have written. I trust that is all right.
We believe that although there is evil in this world, evil does not win.
We believe that the hearts of compassionate, brave, and justice-loving people are woven together with golden threads.
We believe that together we have strength and power that is unstoppable.
We believe that our love for humanity is glowing in our hearts.
We believe that fatigue, worry, and sorrow come in waves, yet deep renewal, dogged tenacity, and new growth come in even bigger waves.
We believe that although pain and suffering are rampant in this world, goodness and grace blanket the globe.
We believe that tenderness can be trampled but somehow never crushed.
We believe that broken hearts still beat, broken hearts can mend, and broken hearts grow stronger over time.
We believe that the world needs us, and that we are equal to the tasks that lie before us.
We believe that we are called to heal, repair, and restore this beautiful but broken world.
We believe that each person is born with a spark of divine energy within them, and that ember bursts into flame when we embrace love, work for justice, and seek peace.
We believe in unsung heroes, in do-ers, and in the extraordinary gifts bestowed on ordinary people who can and do change the world.
We believe in the virtue and powerful impact of work for the common good.
We believe in the astonishing strength found in community.
We believe in three great loves: Love of neighbor. Love of children. Love of creation.
We believe in a world transformed.
We believe. We still believe.
APRIL 2022 CLASSES
For complete information on all of our class offerings, and to register for a class, visit Truth School or click on the links for specific classes below. All classes are Eastern Standard Time.
If you register for a class but can’t make it, please let us know. Accurate information about class size is important for trainers to know for preparation and planning purposes. Thank you for this courtesy.
Microaggressions: Death by a Thousand Cuts
with Amihan Matias, Sunday, April 3, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Funding Our Movements for Social Change
with Leti Bueno, Thursday, April 7, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Music of the Civil Rights Movement 1940s-1960s
with Dr. Kathy Bullock, Saturday, April 9, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Slowing Down the Conversation:
One Step Toward Cross-Racial Coalition Building
with Imani Chapman and Franny Silverman, Sunday, April 10, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Ancestor Wisdom: Wounds, Gifts and Legacies
with Ebony LaBrew and Julie Rosier, Tuesday, April 12, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Connection to the Land: How to have reciprocal relationships of respect and healing where the voices of the ancestors speak to our bodies, minds, and spirit
with Irene Strong Oak Lefebvre. Earth Day, Friday, April 22, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Compassionate Listening and Speaking:
Changing the World from the Inside Out
with Yael Petretti and Kattye Soares, Sunday, April 24, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Connecting Us
with Sauda Garrett, Tuesday, April 26, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Ladder 2 Leadership
with Nikai Fondon, Wednesday, April 27, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Resting To Rise: A Daring To Rest Community Nap
with Benita Jackson, Saturday, April 30, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Truth School Spring 2022 Covid-19 Safety Protocols
The Truth School will be transitioning to some in-person classes in April and May 2022. We are committed to protecting your health and safety while you attend Truth School classes so we ask you all to comply with the following COVID-19 safety Protocols.Masks – We require that all participants and trainers wear masks at all times during the class.
Covid Vaccines/Testing – COVID vaccination or recent (within 3 days) negative COVID test results are required. We will ask you to show documentation at the class.
Physical Distancing – We will arrange seating so that there is adequate spacing in between participants, and between trainer and participants. We will limit the number of participants in each in-person class to ensure that we can safely space people.
Ventilation – We will provide ventilation in training rooms by opening windows. If a training site does not have windows that will open, we will provide an air purifier, and will notify participants ahead of time.
Illness – If you have any signs of a cough, cold, fever or are not feeling well, please stay home.
Sanitizing – We will provide hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes at each class.
What Participants Are Saying…
Our Truth School Trainer, Franny Choi, is sponsoring this event!
Announcing Applications for the Witches & Warriors Retreat
Applications open this Tuesday, March 15 for our inaugural Witches & Warriors Retreat: a space for BIPOC poets, organizers, and movement workers! Taking place this July in upstate NY, the retreat is an opportunity for BIPOC poets and activists to gather, rest, collaborate, and dream together about possible connections between poetry and movement-building. Activities will include workshops, discussions, writing sessions with faculty mentors, rest and play time, and a public event. This year, we are thrilled to welcome Alexis Pauline Gumbs and Cynthia Dewi Oka as faculty!
Who: 12 BIPOC poets, organizers, and activists who are interested in the intersection of poetry and movement building, with priority given to folks located in the Northeast.
When: July 21-24, 2022
Where: The Watershed Retreat center, upstate New York
Cost: Free to attend!
How to apply: Applications open on March 15, 2022, and are due on Saturday, April 30 at www.brewandforge.com/retreat.
What Is Owed?
by Andrea Ayvazian | Mar 14, 2022
Most houses of worship pay an annual licensing fee to sing hymns and contemporary music each week in worship services. But what about Spirituals sung in predominately white churches… READ MORE
