“Documentary shines light on COVID-19 in Fort Collins’ Hispanic community” by Erin Udell
“A homegrown documentary showcasing the impacts of COVID-19 on Larimer County’s Hispanic community will premiere Sunday.
“2020 Hispanic Community Voices: The Impact of Covid-19” will be unveiled during a special Zoom premiere from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday [Jan. 31]. The film is presented by several community organizations, including Mujeres de Colores and the Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition (ISAAC) Fund.
Read more for details, registration, and watch the trailer.
Forty community members and new friends from Canada and the United Kingdom joined Diverse FoCo’s January 24 discussion of Ijeoma Oluo’s best-selling book. Many stayed for this group photo.
Thank you to the 40 community members who attended our January 24 discussion of So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo!
We gathered in four Zoom breakout rooms to chat about Chapters 1-5 and Discussion Questions 1 and 2.
An affinity breakout room is available for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) at each at the three book group meetings.
We hope you will join us for the second meeting in this series on February 28 when our conversation will focus on Chapters 6-11 and Discussion Questions 3-4.
Attendance is open to anyone who has completed the assigned reading.
FREE and Pay-What-You-Can tickets available. Register here via EventBrite. Free tickets will sell out. Be sure to register TODAY.
Buy the paperback from Old Firehouse Books and receive a 20% discount when you mention Diverse Fort Collins Book Group. Include a note when ordering online.
Chapter Six: Is police brutality really about race? Chapter Seven: How can I talk about affirmative action? Chapter Eight: What is the school-to-prison pipeline? Chapter Nine: Why can’t I say the “N” word? Chapter Ten: What is cultural appropriation? Chapter Eleven: Why can’t I touch your hair?
Stay tuned for information on future events on discussions of podcasts, novels, and movies.
Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community project advocating for antiracism and racial equity. We connect people with resources and each other.
Let’s co-create an inclusive community!
Be among the first to read news and event announcements. Type your email in the Follow box at DiverseFortCollins.com and watch for the confirmation to complete the process.
From the City of Fort Collins: As part of the community-wide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration, the City of Fort Collins is collaborating with Colorado State University’s Black/African American Cultural Center (BAACC), CSU Police Department, Poudre School District, Poudre River Public Library District, and New Eyes Village, among other organizations, to put together a series of activities to commemorate the day and honor the legacy of Dr. King.
Activities include the mayor’s proclamation, City of Fort Collins – Local Black/African American History Website & Virtual Tour, and a candlelight vigil. Read more here.
DFC Book Group To Discuss Chapters 1-5 of Ijeoma Oluo’s Book on January 24
More than 50 people have registered for our January 24 book group discussion and we’ve added more free tickets!
You still have plenty of time to read Chapters 1-5 of the best-selling book So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, and join us on Sunday, January 24 at 2 p.m. for small group conversations on the following:
Chapter One: Is it really about race? Chapter Two: What is racism? Chapter Three: What if I talk about race wrong? Chapter Four: Why am I always being told to “check my privilege”? Chapter Five: What is intersectionality and why do I need it?
We will split into facilitated Zoom breakout rooms of about 10 people each. Come with your questions, and we’ll tackle them together in a compassionate and friendly space.
January 24: Chapters 1-5 February 28: Chapters 6-11 March 28: Chapters 12-17
Facilitators Beth, David, Karen, Katherine, Kimberly, Mara, Mia, Ricardo, Teresa, and Victoria look forward to seeing you!
Leading Civil Rights and Racial Justice Organizations Denounce Domestic Terrorism at U.S. Capitol
“The vigilantism and attacks in Washington, DC yesterday are nothing short of treason. They are part and parcel of the arc of violence enshrined in the modus operandi of white supremacy and white nationalism….”
Read the Chief’s message that accompanies the video:
“Chief Swoboda here –
“Following the despicable crimes that occurred in our nation’s capitol last week, Fort Collins community members have shared fears and concerns about the implications for their own safety. This has been an area of concern particularly among our black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) residents.
“Please know that your FCPS officers and staff will continue to support and serve you during times of unrest and uncertainty. If you call us for help, you can expect a compassionate professional to show up because that’s the kind of people we have. We genuinely care about your safety.
“We also have amazing residents who consistently meet the moment and support others in times of need. People in our local community are experiencing fear and a range of difficult emotions, and finding small ways to express support can make a big difference.
“To anyone who’s struggling right now, please know that your local officers remain vigilant and focused on protecting you. You’re our neighbors, you’re the reason we serve, and we’re here for you no matter what.”
African American Children’s Book Fair Planned For February
The African American Children’s Book Fair will be held virtually on Saturday, February 6, 2021!
Cheyenne, Arapaho Tribes Say Renaming Mount Evans Would Help Educate, Heal
An article by Corinne Westeman in the Canyon Courier begins, “Now is the perfect time to educate the youth of both Colorado and the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes about the state’s history, particularly the Sand Creek Massacre, so that everyone can start the healing process, tribal representatives recently told the Clear Creek commissioners.
“In November, the Oklahoma-based Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes filed a federal petition to rename Mount Evans to Mount Blue Sky, a name significant to both tribes…” Read more here.
Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community projects advocating for antiracism and racial equity. We connect people with resources and each other.
Let’s co-create an inclusive community!
Be among the first to read news and event announcements. Type your email in the Follow box at DiverseFortCollins.com and watch for the confirmation email to complete the process.
Happy holidays and a wonderful new year to you all, Friends!
We’ve curated a few musical performances to help you stay in the holiday spirit. See below. But first, two exciting announcements and opportunities for Fort Collins writers and artists:
New Magazine Announces Call for Pitches in Art, Music, Outdoors, and Issues
Il rivestimento d’argento | The Silver Lining is a new Fort Collins-based magazine that seeks writers to propose story and art ideas.
February is Black History Month, and The Silver Lining plans to showcase Black voices sharing Black stories, art, music, and issues in our community that we can improve on, organizations making change, and Black local residents in the outdoors. These are paid pieces, and the magazine seeks ongoing contributors.
For the February edition, 30% of sales after print cost of the limited print and digital magazine purchases will be donated to the nonprofit Cultural Enrichment Center.
2018 Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest
Pianos About Town Seeks Diverse, Emerging Artists
Pianos About Town, an interactive public art program in Fort Collins, seeks artists or artist teams to paint or artistically decorate pianos in 2021.
The program is looking for diversity in artwork styles and concepts, with a preference for emerging artists and new and exciting ideas. Selected artists will receive an honorarium of $1,000. To apply, artists submit a letter of intent and concept rendering. The application deadline is February 1. Learn more and apply here: fcgov.com/pianoscall. Los materiales están disponibles en español.
The program is holding a virtual workshop to provide resources for potential applicants on Tuesday, January 5, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. MT. The workshop will include a presentation about the application and review process, and program staff will be available to answer questions after the presentation. Registration is not required. Click here to join the Zoom workshop.
NoCo’s own Jingle Carolers and Lyric Quartet delight and entertain. Watch for Diverse FoCo Action Committee Co-Chair Victoria Baumgart! Video: “Jingle Carolers COVID Christmas”
This talented young woman, Emma Stevens, will inspire and bring peace to your heart: “Blackbird” by The Beatles performed in Mi’kmaq. Watch the video.
Ready for a laugh? You’ll love this: Video: “12 Days of Christmas”by Warscout
New Songs Released by Fort Collins Resident
“It’s time to tear down the walls of fear and hate. United we stand, divided we fall.” – Phil Donaldson
Listen to the Build A Wall lyric video by Fort Collins musician and business owner Phil Donaldson, as well as his just-released rendition of “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing.”
NEWS
Documentary on COVID-19 Impact on FoCo Hispanic Community Premieres in January
Community activist Betty Aragon-Mitotes and director Shari Due have once again collaborated to bring us a documentary, this time about the impacts of the pandemic in Fort Collins: “Hispanic Community Voices: COVID-19.”
Read the Coloradoan article about the documentary and the Posadas by Mujeres de Colores, founded by Aragon-Mitotes.
Receive a 20% discount on So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluowhen you mention DFC Book Group
Join us for a lively discussion of the New York Times best-selling book on January 24 via Zoom! We’ll focus on Chapters 1 through 5.
Remember to mention the Diverse Fort Collins book group to receive a 20% discount off the paperback at Old Firehouse Books.
Prepare for a lively discussion by reviewing the questions in the free Reading Guide. Facilitators will create inclusive and friendly small-group conversations via Zoom breakout rooms. This is the first of three monthly meetings. Attend one or all.
And last but not least, powerful words from the new president of the Colorado Theater Guild, a champion of antiracism, racial equity, diversity, and inclusion:
Video: “Canceling cancel culture with compassion” by Betty Hart/TedXCherryCreekWomen
Take care, and we hope you enjoy the rest of the holiday season. May the new year bring you health, happiness, and prosperity.
Your friends at Diverse Fort Collins
Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community project advocating for antiracism and racial equity. We connect people with resources and each other.
Be among the first to read news and event announcements. Type your email in the Follow box at DiverseFortCollins.com.
What an unprecedented year 2020 has been. Global pandemic; the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and many other unarmed Black people that inspired world-wide protests; the largest wildfires in Colorado recorded history, the most important presidential election of our lifetime…it all makes you want to hibernate for a year or two, doesn’t it?
Despite the challenges, so many community members made time to join us for various online events to increase their awareness and advance their racial justice education. We are grateful.
From book discussions — White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo, There There by Tommy Orange, The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein — to the workshop “A Space to Process and Breathe for Black Folx” featuring Zhalisa Clarke of Luna Vibrations and coordinated by volunteer Mia Donley…
…from the panel discussion featuring live music, “Talking It Out: Being Black in America” and the webinar “COVID-19 Impacts on the Larimer County Justice System” featuring Judge Juan G. Villasenor — you were willing to be vulnerable, to listen, to ask questions, and to learn.
Co-Chairs Victoria Baumgart and Amanda Mansfield launched the DFC Action Committee, and volunteers created four subcommittees focusing on Environmental Justice, LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces, Policy & Legislation, and Voting.
What other events would you like to see in 2021? Email your ideas to DiverseFoCo@gmail.com. Stay tuned as the DFC Advisory Committee kicks off in January and decides on programming for the year.
We hope you’ll consider Diverse Fort Collins this holiday season so that we can continue providing lively programming that responds to the needs of our community. It’s easy to give. See details here.
A big thank you to our wonderful volunteers and community supporters who provided generous gifts. We couldn’t have done all this without you!
Apply Today to Serve on the Larimer County Planning Commission
We need more people of diverse backgrounds applying for boards and commissions.
The Larimer County Planning Commission has a vacancy. Read why here. The commission is responsible for adopting a long-range master plan for the physical development of the unincorporated territory of the county, and reviews and makes recommendations on zoning, rezoning, subdivisions and special reviews.
Author Teresa Funke spoke about children’s book V de la Victoria at the Dec. 13 Christmas event by G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice.
Children’s Book V de la Victoria Featured at “Christmas in Latin America” Event
Fort Collins author Teresa Funke spoke at the Dec 13 G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice event “Christmas in Latin America” to promote the Spanish edition of her children’s book V For Victory, V de la Victoria, based on a true story in the summer of 1943. Basado en una historia real en el verano de 1943.
Miguel Montoya se siente que lo han dejado a un lado. Sus hermanos mayore están colaborando con los esfuerzos contra la guerra, pero lo único que a él se le permite hacer es llenar los entrepaños del negocio de la familia, y cuidar a su sobrino pequeño. Todo cambia cuando él conoce a un veterano herido que necesita su ayuda, y el día en que su familia más lo necesita, es Miguel el que tiene que encontrar la manera para salvar a su sobrino.
Miguel Montoya feels left behind. His older siblings are doing their part for the war effort, but all he’s allowed to do is stock shelves in the family grocery store and watch his little nephew. All of that changes when he meets a wounded veteran who needs his help, and on the day his family needs him most, it is Miguel who must do his part to save his nephe, Victor.
Funke published a Spanish version of her popular book because she realized during author visits and book giveaways at local schools that Spanish-speaking students felt left out. Learn more at TeresaFunke.com
Fort Collins Police Services Announces Plans for New Community Advisory Group
In October 2020, Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS) began a major strategic planning process to better align agency efforts with the needs of the community.
During this process, leaders identified the benefit of forming an external advisory group to help continuously improve communication, outreach, and service.
This volunteer group will collaborate with the agency to evaluate engagement and service delivery, with an emphasis on Communities of Color, LGBTQIA+ and historically underserved populations.
FCPS will share more information about the community advisory group formation and opportunities to get involved in early 2021. Read more here.
Join Diverse FoCo to Discuss Chapters 1-5 of Ijeoma Oluo’s Best-Selling Book
Mark your calendars and register today for the January 24 book discussion!
We offer and informal and friendly space to focus on the first five chapters of So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo.
National Book Review said, “Oluo gives us — both white people and people of color — that language to engage in clear, constructive, and confident dialogue with each other about how to deal with racial prejudices and biases.”
Old Firehouse Books offers a 20% discount off the paperback if you mention the DFC book group.
Free and pay-what-you-can tickets are available. Details and registration: DiverseFortCollins/events
KRFC Radio Highlights Office of Emergency Management Response to COVID-19
This Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. on Faith in Progress, KRFC 88.9 FM Radio Fort Collins:
Rabbi Hillel speaks with Shayle Sabo of the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management about her office’s responses to the Cameron Peak Fire, to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the response to each of those affected the response to the other.
This is part of a series of Faith in Progress programs focusing on how the Fort Collins and Larimer County communities have responded to the Cameron Peak Fire.
A slightly longer version of this interview will be available as a podcast later this week at www.KRFCFM.org.
Photo by Nappy.co “Beautiful photos of Black and Brown people, for free”
Heal The Healers Now is a new initiative to provide meditation to U.S. healthcare providers battling COVID-19 to reduce anxiety, boost resilience, and heal trauma.
It was just a year and a half ago that Rao spoke at a local Fort Collins event “Women Empowering Women: Leadership and Justice Forum” hosted by nonprofit G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice at Everyday Joe’s Coffeehouse.
She recalled not being taking seriously by companies she contacted to request lab space for her experiments; after reading about the Detroit water crisis, she invented a device that detects lead in drinking water. Rao also emphasized the importance of adults investing time in mentoring kids.
Read Angelina Jolie’s interview with Rao here. And check out her latest innovation, Kindly, an app that helps prevent cyberbullying.
I was always someone who wanted to put a smile on someone’s face…And it soon turned into, How can we bring positivity and community to the place we live? And then when I was in second or third grade, I started thinking about how can we use science and technology to create social change.
– Gitanjali Rao
Did You Know About These Other Sources of Local News?
Your friends at Diverse Fort Collins Amanda, Beth, Bridgett, David, Jamie, Karen, Katherine, Kimberly, Mara, Mia, Ricardo, Rita, Teresa, Victoria, Zahra
Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community project advocating for antiracism and racial equity. We connect people with resources and each other.
Let’s create an inclusive community!
Be among the first to read news and event announcements. Enter your email in the Follow box at DiverseFortCollins.com
Fort Collins-Based NCIPA Hosts Annual Christmas Drive for Local Families in Need
Open your heart and contribute to Northern Colorado Intertribal Pow-wow Association’s 15th annual Christmas Drive benefiting local Native American families.
Choose from local families’ Needs and Wishes lists, or purchase gift cards. For more information and to give, visit NCIPA.
Shop Local and Colorado BIPOC-Owned Businesses This Holiday Season
One of our favorites is the unscented leave-in conditioner by Chubby Curls. Moisturizer-In- Chief Manushkka uses natural and toxin-free ingredients.
Join Us On January 24: So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo (Chapters 1-5)
If you enjoyed any of our book discussions earlier this year on White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism; There There; and The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, thenyou won’t want to miss our January 24 online meeting.
We’ll discuss the first five chapters of So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo in an informal and friendly Zoom space and breakout rooms facilitated by Beth, David, Karen, Mara, Ricardo, Teresa, and Victoria. Join us!
As we learn the truth about the holiday, it becomes increasingly uncomfortable to say “Happy Thanksgiving.”
The following is what Diverse Fort Collins posted on Facebook on November 26. If you want to learn more, click on the links in the photo caption above.
Friends,
May you enjoy time with your loved ones today! 🍁
Acknowledging that we live on the ancestral homelands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute Nations and peoples.
Diverse FoCo recognize the Indigenous peoples as original stewards of this land.
The following is history and information for awareness and education, so we can do better for each other and all people. Especially now, during a global pandemic .
Did you know Crayola collaborated with color experts to offer more diverse skin colors? Learn more about the Colors of the World crayons.
Volunteer with Diverse Fort Collins!
Diverse Fort Collins Advisory Committee will meet for the first time on January 13 to begin discussing 2021 events. This committee consists of community members from a variety of industries who will assist Founder & Executive Katherine Valdez with strategic planning and programming. Thank you to Co-Chairs Mia Donley, Teresa R. Funke, and Karen Wong-Brown!
DFC Action Committee held two kick-off meetings this autumn, and will meet again in January. Four subcommittees focus on Environmental Justice, LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces, Policy & Legislation, and Voting.
Want to get involved? Email Co-Chairs Victoria Baumgart and Amanda Mansfield at ActionDiverseFoCo@gmail.com. Thank you to Victoria, Amanda, and subcommittee chairs Zahra Al-Saloom, Rita Kissen, Jamie K. Moyer, and Brigett Neff!
We also seek volunteers to help with Community Voices guest columns, event coordination, social media, and website development. See the About page for details and email DiverseFoCo@gmail.com for more information.
Wishing you and your loved ones a merry, safe, and healthy holiday season!
Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community project advocating for racial equity and antiracism. We connect people with resources and each other.
Let’s co-create an inclusive community!
Be among the first to read news and event announcements. Enter your email address in the Follow box at http://www.DiverseFortCollins.com and watch for the confirmation email to complete the process.
Equity Indicators Project: The City of Fort Collins seeks feedback from community members on what measures it should track in the equity/diversity/inclusion space.
Along with partner the CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance, the city is gathering community input to select equity indicators to track in a dashboard for increased accountability and resource alignment.
Community members can participate in a survey and/or a focus group. The SURVEY CLOSES November 1 and is available in four languages.
Focus groups are meeting this week and next week through October 29.
Check out OurCity for more information and access to the survey links.
This is a much-needed initiative to help advance equity and inclusion in Fort Collins.
Take the survey and volunteer for a focus group today!
DFC Launches Action Committee
Diverse Fort Collins launched its Action Committee recently, and about 50 volunteers formed four Subcommittees: (1) Voting (2) Policy & Legislation (3) Environmental Justice and (4) LGBTQIA+ Safe Spaces for people of all ages and ethnicities
Stay tuned for information on upcoming meetings and projects!
DiverseFoCo Receives Generous Gift from Local Boutique
Sunday Supply Co., a boutique in downtown Fort Collins, chose Diverse Fort Collins for its Sunday Giving program.
A portion of all September sales went to Diverse FoCo. Thanks to this generous gift, new events and programs are in the works. Stay tuned for updates.
Thank you, Sunday Supply Co.! We love seeing women of various ethnicities and identities modeling your clothing.
Diverse FoCo Book Group
Read the first five chapters of our latest book group selection, and join us on January 24!
January 24: Chapters 1-5 2:00-4:00 p.m. MT So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Buy the paperbackfrom Old Firehouse Books. Receive a 20% discount when you mention Diverse Fort Collins book group. Mention the discount in the notes when ordering online.
Read more details on our Events page. We look forward to seeing you on January 24!
Fort Collins Reads Presents Alice Hoffman in conversation with NPR’s Maureen Corrigan on November 1
“If you do not believe in evil, you are doomed to live in a world you will never understand.” – opening sentence of THE WORLD THAT WE KNEW by Alice Hoffman
“[A] hymn to the power of resistance, perseverance, and enduring love in dark times… gravely beautiful… Hoffman the storyteller continues to dazzle.” – The New York Times Book Review
Fort Collins Reads in partnership with KUNC presents a virtual event: Alice Hoffman in conversation with Maureen Corrigan, November 1 at 2 p.m.
Diverse Fort Collins (DFC) Action Committee invites you to attend one of two informational meetings at 7 to 9 pm on Tuesday, September 15 or 7 pm to 9 pm Monday, September 28 via Zoom.
Attendees will have the opportunity to share volunteer interests and what actions they want the committee to focus on.
DFC is dedicated to advocating for antiracism and racial equity, and offers a website to provide resources to the community related to antiracism, racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The purpose of the DFC Action Committee is to enable action around racial equity and work toward dismantling systemic racism in our Northern Colorado community.
We intend to partner with local anti-racist organizations and co-create inclusion with local partners.
The Action Committee also acknowledges intersectionality and aims to address multiple levels of social injustice in its work. (For a better understanding of intersectionality, see this Kimberly Crenshaw speech).
The September 15 info meeting has occurred.
The September 28 info meeting has occurred.
We look forward to seeing you at one of these meetings and working to promote racial justice!
Victoria Baumgart, Co-Lead, DFC Action Committee Amanda Mansfield, Co-Lead, DFC Action Committee Katherine Valdez, Founder & Executive Director, Diverse Fort Collins
Rabbi Hillel Katzir of KRFC Radio Fort Collins interviewed Katherine Valdez, Mia Donley and Victoria Baumgart of Diverse Fort Collins for the “Faith In Progress” public affairs program.
They discussed Diverse FoCo’s origins, purpose and goals; how the national landscape has changed since the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many others, and the subsequent worldwide peaceful demonstrations in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement; and upcoming opportunities to advance racial justice in Fort Collins.
(Register for the Sept. 15 or Sept. 28 Action Committee information meetings here.)
The interview will air at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 on 88.9 FM (listen live here) and will be available as a podcast afterward. Watch the video.
Video Available of Sept. 3 Town Hall on Action & Allyship
Fort Collins Interfaith Council and World Wisdoms Project presented the fourth and final Town Hall on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 9 – 11 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST).
The event began with a talk on allyship amd action, followed by seven-minute presentations by Diverse Fort Collins, Northern Colorado Intertribal Pow Wow Association, The BIPOC Alliance, Fort Collins International Center, The Family Center/La Familia, and New Eyes Village.
Founder Katherine Valdez represented Diverse FoCo.
On our News page, read about the 2021 City Manager’s Recommended City Budget, the call for volunteers to serve on the new Colorado Redistricting Commissions, and check out links to NPR’s Code Switch andother resources.
And here’s a new post that summarizes the reasons for #BlackLivesMatter (Thanks to Denise for sharing this):
“The following is an EXCELLENT summary. Pass it on to those who you think are open, but don’t yet understand…
Don’t really get all the BLM stuff?
Hope this helps:
400 years ago white people enslaved black people.
And sold them.
And treated them as less than human.
For 250 years.
While white men built the country and created its laws and its systems of government.
While 10, 15 generations of white families got to grow and flourish and make choices that could make their lives better.
150 years ago white people “freed” black people from slavery.
But then angry white people created laws that made it impossible for them to vote.
Or to own land.
Or to have the same rights as white people. And even erected monuments glorifying people who actively had fought to keep them enslaved.
All while another 5, 10 generations of white families got to grow and accumulate wealth and gain land and get an education.
60 years ago we made it “legal” for black people to vote, and to be “free” from discrimination.
But angry white people still fought to keep schools segregated.
And closed off neighborhoods to white people only.*
And made it harder for black people to get bank loans*, or get quality education or health care, or to (gasp) marry a white person.
All while another two to three generations of white families got to grow and pass their wealth down to their children and their children’s children.
Present day:
And then we entered an age where we had the technology to make PUBLIC the things that were already happening in private– the beatings, the stop and frisk laws, the unequal distribution of justice, the police brutality (in the south, police began as slave patrols designed to catch runaway slaves).**
And only now, after 400+ years and 20+ generations of a white head start, are we STARTING to truly have a dialogue about what it means to be black.
White privilege doesn’t mean you haven’t suffered or fought or worked hard.
It doesn’t mean white people are responsible for the sins of our ancestors.
It doesn’t mean you can’t be proud of who you are.
It DOES mean that we need to acknowledge that the system our ancestors created is built FOR white people.
It DOES mean that Black people are treated at a disadvantage because of the color of their skin.
It DOES mean that we owe it to our neighbors– of all colors– to acknowledge that and work to make our world more equitable.
Because Black Lives Matter.
Understanding why we have to say this matters.
Your voice in this movement matters.
Recognizing privilege, power and history matters.
copied and pasted – PLEASE DO THE SAME”
* Learn more about redlining and other unconstitutional practices by joining our discussion of THE COLOR OF LAW: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein on Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. See details and register here.
**Read about how our modern police forces grew out of Night Patrols and Slave Patrols in So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo and register for our January/February/March discussions. See details and registration here.
Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other. We are dedicated to advocating for antiracism and racial equity.
Hello, friends! We have a lot going on this month and next. Join us!
NEW EVENT!TOWN HALL ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 AT 9 A.M. MST [ Here’s the link to the video. ]
Fort Collins Interfaith Council and World Wisdoms Project present the fourth and final Town Hall on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 9 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) featuring local BIPOC (Black Indigenous and Other People of Color) organizations working toward racial equity and dismantling structural and institutional racism: Northern Colorado Intertribal Pow Wow Association, The BIPOC Alliance, Diverse Fort Collins, La Familia, and New Eyes Village.
Diverse Fort Collins founder Katherine Valdez has been invited to speak about the community project’s origin and mission, the launch of its new Advisory and Action committees, recent and upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and its positive impact on the community.
Congratulations to Shawna and Julie who recently won drawings for our book club titles, The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein and There There by Tommy Orange.
Attend our book groups for a chance to win!
COLORADO POLITICS COVERS AUGUST 16 WEBINAR
Colorado Politics reporter Michael Karlik wrote an article on Diverse FoCo’s Aug. 16 webinar “Impact of COVID-19 on the Larimer County Justice System” featuring Judge Juan G. Villasenor, Larimer County’s first Latino district court judge.
Check out Diverse Fort Collins Meetup Group on Meetup
DIVERSE FOCO SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
We’re searching for volunteers to assist us with Event Coordination, Social Media, Website Development, Strategic Planning, and other projects.
Interested? Learn more by emailing your LinkedIn profile to DiverseFoCo@gmail.com with “Volunteer” in the subject line, and tell us which area interests you.
Would you like to start learning to speak Spanish or brush up on your Spanish skills from courses you took years ago?
Are you an intermediate or advanced Spanish speaker who would like to practice with a friendly group of community members twice a month?
Well, you’re in luck! Diverse FoCo is partnering with Spanish teacher Maureen (“Marina”) McCarthy to offer affordable, small-group language classes (no more than four students per class).
Classes meet on Mondays, and start at the beginning of every month. Whether you’re a beginning, intermediate or advanced student, Marina offers a class for you.
Online prices are $25/one student, $40/two students, $48/three students, $52/four students. Four is the maximum per class.
To supplement your studies, Marina also offers participation in a twice-per-monthSpanish ConversationOpportunity via Zoom for intermediate and advanced speakers.
Intercambio is at 5:15 pm on first Wednesdays and third Tuesdays of every month.
A beginners group is starting soon. [Every other Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. starting October 14 via Zoom.]
We welcome native speakers to join to make this an Intercambio!
For more information and to register, contact MaureenMcCarthyCO@gmail.com or call (970) 980-1151
Be among the first to see Diverse Fort Collins news and event announcements. Type your email in the Follow box at DiverseFortCollins.com or DiverseFoCo.com
October 4, 2:00-4:00 p.m. MT. The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein
The New York Times called it “a powerful and disturbing history of residential segregation in America.”
Join us for a lively discussion! Judge Juan G. Villaseñorwill kick off the discussion with a 10-minute talk on his impressions of this best-selling book.
Come with your questions and we’ll tackle them together in small-group facilitated discussions. Prepare by reviewing the Reading Guide Discussion Questions.
Buy the paperback from Old Firehouse Books (20% discount if you mention DFC book group)
Colorado may gain a Congressional seat! Apply to serve on the independent commissions on redistricting.
From the website https://redistricting.colorado.gov/ “Colorado currently has seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. Census is conducted every ten years, and afterward the U.S. Congress reapportions the number of congressional seats each state has based on population.
“In 2018, the Colorado General Assembly referred Senate Concurrent Resolutions 18-004 and 18-005 to the voters as Amendments Y, which addressed Congressional Redistricting, and Amendment Z, which addressed Legislative Redistricting. Both passed with over 70% approval in the 2018 General Election…”
Information on Candidates in the November 3 General Election
The following are a few candidates whose core values include racial equity, inclusion, and antiracism.
Diverse Fort Collins 