Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. – E.M. Forster
April 18, 2020 Update – Diverse Fort Collins
Hello, friends!
How are you? We hope you and your loved ones are healthy and well.
Random Acts of Kindness
Here’s a story to lift your spirits. A DFC friend reported random acts of kindness at a local store last weekend.
She had one item to buy but forgot her wallet. A cashier and a customer offered to pay for her item. Touched, she thanked them both. The cashier used his own credit card for the purchase, and she walked out the door with her faith in humanity strengthened. #FoCo proud
Would you like to share random acts of kindness you’ve experienced or witnessed? Email details to DiverseFoCo@gmail.com
Also, did you notice? People are more likely to wave and smile when you walk around your neighborhood. More so than before we added COVID-19 and coronavirus to our vocabularies.
Facebook Groups Revived!
We’re all looking for ways to connect, especially now. To that end, we’ve reactivated Diverse Fort Collins groups on Facebook!
One is a public group “Diverse Fort Collins Events” everyone is welcome to join, and the other is a private group “Diverse Fort Collins Advisors” for volunteers and advisory committee members.
Join the conversation!
Email DiverseFoCo@gmail.com if you’d like to be invited to the advisory committee group.
WHITE FRAGILITY Book Discussion Facilitators to Try Zoom
Thank you again to the 45-plus attendees of the January and February book group discussions on Robin DiAngelo’s book White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism.
The March discussion was postponed until May 17 due to direction from local, state, and federal guidelines on physical (“social”) distancing. Gov. Jared Polis extended the Stay-At-Home order to April 26. We’re not sure how soon life will return to normal. With the idea that we may need to change the event to online-only, Diverse Fort Collins volunteer facilitators will meet via Zoom later this month to test the platform.
Would you like to meet via Zoom for the third and final discussion of White Fragility? Or would you rather wait until we can meet in person, even if that means we won’t be able to gather until sometime in the summer?
Respond in the Comments section below, on our Facebook page, or in the Facebook groups. Or email DiverseFoCo@gmail.com.
DFC Executive Director Joins New Editorial Board
Executive Director Katherine Valdez recently accepted an invitation to join the newly-formed Scene Magazine and North Forty News editoral board and attended its first meeting on March 25 via conference call.
Publisher Blaine Howerton is forming the editorial board to offer guidance and insights on news coverage following his January “Boy Power!” Scene Magazine letter from the publisher. He wrote, “…Is it just me, or have we so bent over backwards to provide girls and women with opportunities, often denied them in the past, that we seem not to be concerned about providing good role models for boys….”
The letter drew many comments and criticism. He responded in the February issue with a letter from the publisher titled “Reflecting.” Here are excepts:
“I have unintentionally disrespected so many. I own that. I am truly sorry. As a white man in his mid-40s, I hold privilege. And, I haven’t done the work needed to even understand what that means. This situation has revealed to me – and so many of you – that I have a lot of learning and work to do. Implicit and unconscious bias, gender equity, prejudice, sexism, to name a few. I am committed to doing the work.
“Fort Collins is a special place. It’s a community that prides itself on openness and inclusiveness. These factors were prime in my family’s decision to call this community home. The magazine’s goal is to support and nurture that community. We will strive to do that at every turn.”
Diverse Fort Collins applauds the publisher’s decision to form an editorial board to provide input and guidance. It’s a step toward acknowledging the publications could benefit from insights by diverse community members, and the need for equity, diversity and inclusion training for staff.
Have insights and suggestions to share on these publications? Email DiverseFoCo@gmail.com
Home Alone in the Age of Coronavirus
You don’t have to experience the COVID-19 pandemic alone. There are many ways to connect with family and friends: FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. You can even watch movies “together” with friends!
Also, as you may have heard, home isn’t a safe place for some children and adults.
The Stay-At-Home orders does not mean victims of domestic violence cannot seek emergency shelter or other support services. At Crossroads Safehouse, clients are the priority.
As a trauma-informed and victim-centered social service agency, Crossroads Safehouse will continue serving clients as it navigates the current coronavirus/COVID-19 public health crisis.
Resources and Assistance
Check out the new links we’ve added on our Businesses and Resources pages for ways to support local Fort Collins artists, businesses, and others during the pandemic, and for updates on COVID-19.
Thanks to City of Fort Collins, Larimer County, Downtown Fort Collins Creative District, and many others for helping point local residents to trustworthy sources of information.
Colorado Capital Conference Rescheduled to 2021
DFC Executive Director Katherine Valdez wasn’t surprised to hear the upcoming Colorado Capital Conference in Washington, D.C. has been postponed to June 23-25, 2021.
It’s the best decision to keep everyone healthy and safe.
As the date approaches, we’ll ask for questions you’d like Katherine to pose to our congressional leaders as a representative of DFC and a member of Colorado State University President Joyce McConnell’s delegation.
How to Avoid Zoom Bombing
By now, due to Stay-at-Home orders, most people are familiar with the popular web conferencing platform, Zoom.
A DFC friend reported an upsetting Zoom bombing last week involving racial slurs. The facilitator ejected the intruder quickly, but it was an unsettling way to begin a meeting. The FBI, USA Today, and Forbes published tips on preventing this. Feel free to share these with facilitators in advance of any Zoom meetings.
Support Local Businesses! #FoCoStrong #InThisTogetherFoCo #NoCoRecovers
Now more than ever, it’s important to support our local businesses. For starters, use NoCo Nosh to order delivery from your favorite local restaurants, order a t-shirt from FoCoStrong.com ($10 goes to local businesses listed on the website), or check out the Downtown Business Association information on donating and receiving vouchers to use later.
Have a great weekend and stay safe, healthy and connected.
Your friends at Diverse Fort Collins
All Welcome. Let’s co-create an inclusive community!
Connect with us!
@DiverseFoCo Instagram and Twitter
http://www.facebook.com/DiverseFortCollins
All photos copyright (c) 2020 Katherine Valdez except where noted
Diverse Fort Collins 