Letters from Young Activists: Today’s Rebel’s Speak Out . Edited by: Dan Berger, Chesa Boudin, and Kenyon Farrow
The Resource Center for Nonviolence (RCNV) presents this series of antiracism book circles as an act of radical education and collaboration. Our hope is to provide a unique opportunity to process the impact of the pandemic and respond to the renewed call for racial equity in our society. Our goal is to create a space in which participants may collectively and individually gain understanding that will result in healing, understanding, inclusion and empowerment. More importantly, they provide a way to maintain energetic human connections through virtual meeting spaces. Past circles have included participants from around the world to create transformative and educational learning spaces.
About this book:
“Whether North American or Other you will not regret the hours spent with this inspiring, compassionate, and soulful book. It allows a glimpse into the hearts of young activists of today, one much needed by their elders. Here they are, our children: beautiful, committed, serious in their belief that it is possible to assist and care for the human and the natural world. They are making of themselves an offering to the Goddess of Peace. Aché ”- Alice Walker
About the supplemental materials:
The Cha Cha Files: A Chapina Poética- Poems by Maya Chinchilla
“Here is a shifting memoir, a furturized holographic lexicon of multi-Guatemala’s, a ‘rough’ Now-edged literary explosión from the center of a Chinchilla-Centro-América. […] It is all a ferocious seeing motion – deep knowledge, open diary, activist journal, a burning vermillion life-scape over Kahlo’s bed, Anzaldua’s unloosened workshop, Maria Sabina’s black spattered visions, a Golden Gate bridgless. […] A game changer.” — Juan Felipe Herrera
La Revista: Spring 2003 Issue No. 5 Nuestro Mundo- La Revista Production Team (UCSC)
“La Revista contains powerful critical analyses of contemporary social issues, inspiring life narratives, new poetry and visual art. An important campus publication, La Revista motivates its readers to work for social change while offering a rare venue for undergraduate creative expression”- Jennifer A. Gonzalez.
Who should join?
The conversation of intergenerational inheritance is gaining momentum in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, as it relates to all the ways western colonization has impacted said communities and the healing work necessary. Activism is among that intergenerational inheritance and what activism is and how it manifests has evolved as BIPOC communities continue to peel back the layers of our personal and collective histories. It is important that this intergenerational work takes a present form in our bodies and that BIPOC have spaces to reflect on how our respective historical journeys with activism intersect with local narratives of activism in the Santa Cruz area. Honoring the wisdom and prudence of our elders, encouraging the zest and candidness of our youth, and seeking to become the best ancestors we will eventually become.
Given the text and the depth and spectrum of the letters, our discussions will bring up many different personal and political topics related to activism and peace-making. We invite participants who are interested and willing to engage in critical self reflection as it relates to activism, social justice, and family matters.
Our book circle will utilize creative writing and visual arts exercises to drive our weekly gatherings and discussions.
A Note on Affinity & Mixed Race Groups
Due to the sensitive racial nature of the books offered, the RCNV’s racial equity policy offers separate affinity groups to respect the process of participants and to provide more safety and depth in the circle. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), especially, may benefit from a unified healing experience within a safe container to grieve and process. Thus, book circles offered for mixed races and for affinity groups are determined depending on the nature of the chosen book and the skills of co-facilitators. Book circles are co-facilitated by facilitators of all races; and affinity groups are facilitated by facilitators who identify within that affinity group. Mixed race individuals are welcome to join affinity groups matching their self-identification. Our co-facilitators will do their best to support every participant in their process. Our book circles provide spaces to practice mutual respect, collaboration, and the creation of an inclusive community.
Your Circle Facilitators
Mark Gardner is an Afrikan/Black free-lance social justice educator and creator of Tackling the Taboo podcast (ask for the link if you like). He is a Coordinator for Residential Education at UCSC.
NormaAlicia Pino is an indigenous Mexican writer and performance artist. She is an educational specialist in the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UCSC.
Mark and NormaAlicia are the co-founders of Intersectionality Laboratory (i-Lab) in Santa Cruz. i-Lab is an interactive learning space which centers Indigenous wisdom and knowledge as the basis for scholarship and healing the self, the community, and the planet. Follow us on InstaGram @theilabucsc.
Schedule and Logistics
RCNV circles meet weekly on Zoom over the course of 8-10 weeks beginning in September 2021. Weekly meetings last 1 1/2 hours. This one will start on September 25th and end November 20th, 10-11:30 am PT.
Suggested donations to support the work of The Resource Center for Nonviolence is $25 per person, or more for those wishing to grant space to others. Any donation amount is accepted and no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
After you register and as our circle start date nears, your co-facilitators, NormaAlicia Pino and Mark Gardner, will reach out with more details. We look forward to seeing you.
Questions? Email muna@rcnv.org