Liora Norwich, Executive Director of the NFSJ, with NFSJ staff In early June of 2020, days after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis, the Network issued this statement, which was endorsed by hundreds of community leaders and Winchester institutions. Since last Friday we have found ourselves once again grappling … Read more
On Saturday, May 14 2022, a gunman drove 200 miles to Buffalo, NY to carry out a terror attack specifically against Black people in the only grocery store located in a community of color. The gunman shot 13 people, 11 of whom were Black and 10 of whom died from their wounds. Beyond the shock … Read more
In line with our mission to advance equity and inclusion through supporting initiatives for systemic change in Winchester, the Network for Social Justice strongly supports a “Yes” vote on the referendum to proceed with the planned mixed-use, mixed-income development on the Waterfield parcel in Winchester Center, scheduled for June 22. In the words of Residents … Read more
In early February 2020, when COVID was emerging in communities across the country and the world, the Network published this piece against fear-based xenophobia, particularly targeting Asian Americans. In light of a disturbing national rise in violent crimes and hate incidents against Asian Americans, we felt it worth re-running the piece and reiterating its central theme: that fear … Read more
We at the Network maintain a keen awareness of the impact of language on our interpersonal relationships, our institutional policies and practices, and our culture. Language can be both a reflection of our beliefs and a powerful agent of change. Because of this, we are launching a Newsletter exploration around particular words and phrases. We … Read more
On Wednesday we watched in rage, disbelief and pain as America’s frayed democracy sustained a further blow from those who sought to subvert the results of the November 3rd election. There is much to unpack from the extraordinary scenes we witnessed, including the impact of baseless claims of election fraud that have spawned rampant conspiracy … Read more
By Mayra Rodriguez-Howard Black Lives Matter is a movement that sheds light on police brutality toward the Black community and uncovers ways by which systems in our society prevent Black people from reaching their full potential. It has opened doors to examine the means by which our systems deny people of color the fair share … Read more
By Tachera and Kenny Roberts, Resident Directors of Winchester ABC What does ‘Black Lives Matter’ mean to us? It’s a centuries-long plea for our lives. Not just to matter, but literally to live. Black American lives have been casualties of the systemic commoditization of our bodies since our ancestors were kidnapped and enslaved. Our “value” … Read more
Riots. Law and Order. Protest Violence. Public Order. This is the verbiage that has been blasted across news channels over the past two weeks in response to protests over yet another shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake, at the hands of police. Instead of united outrage over the deeply imbedded racism in our country … Read more
Written by WHS Student (Class of 2023) Adah Nordan For the past 6 months, I have worked with Winchester Student Allies for Native Mascot Change (WSANMC), a group of high school allies aiming to remove and change the Sachem mascot. On Thursday, July 16th, I attended a rally organized by Mass Peace Action, United American Indians … Read more
