Stand Against Racism – No Hate No Fear
April 25, 2019
Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those working for racial and social justice. The Stand Against Racism seeks to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities. Our 2019 theme is No Hate No Fear – how racism and immigration intersect.
Join us April 25, 2019 for a community gathering and public pledge to eliminate racism and prejudice.
YWCA is hosting a series of Lunch & Learns in advance of the April event. Please join us on the last Wednesday of the month from 11:30 am – 1 pm at YWCA’s main offices at 1608 Woodmont Blvd. | Nashville, TN 37215 .
Lunch will be provided, but please register at the EVENTBRITE links below, as seating is limited. Thank you!
* The State of Immigration and Racism in Nashville & Middle TN – Wed., Jan.30, 11:30am – 1:00pm
* Immigration, Racism & the Education System – Wed., Feb. 27, 11:30am – 1:00pm
* Immigration, Racism & the Criminal Justice System – Wed. March 27, 11:30am – 1:00pm
Please contact YWCA Sr. Manager for Social Justice Hannah Cornfield for more information 615-983-5129 or hannah.cornfield@ywcanashville.com
To learn more about our Social Justice & Advocacy work, click here.
CO-SPONSORS
2018 Stand Against Racism
YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee hosted the annual Stand Against Racism April 27 and 28 with a community rally in Public Square Park and a Youth-Led Forum at the Downtown Nashville Public Library. The Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism. More than 400 Stand Against Racism events were held across the country between April 27 and 29.
Mayor David Briley welcomed the crowd to the annual event that drew more than 200 people. Civil Rights Activist and retired educator Gloria McKissack shared how young people in the 1960’s sat down so we could all stand today. McKissack was part of the student movement from Tennessee A & I (now Tennessee State University) and Fisk University that integrated the lunch counters and other businesses across Nashville. Legal Aid Executive Director and YWCA Board Member DarKenya Waller urged the attendees to work together. “If Black or Brown people could have solved this problem by ourselves, we would have done so already,” she said.
The Friday rally included a look to the future, with remarks from Antioch High School senior and Girls Inc. club member Carol Salas. Singer Dara Tucker entertained the crowd and Southern Word Poet and Hume-Fogg High School student Bella Dotson shared a powerful spoken word piece. Two dozen community partners took part in an advocacy fair.
The first-ever, intergenerational Youth-Led Forum took place at the Downtown Nashville Public Library the following day. Planned by the YWCA’s Youth Empowerment Committee, the event kicked off with the Tennessee Titans’ Caravan. A panel discussion with players Jayon Brown, Corey Davis, and retired Titan Chris Hope, focused on character and working together to eliminate racism. Nashville 16 members Ethel Carr Crowder and Errol Groves joined the youth forum to share their experiences integrating Nashville Public Schools in 1957.
Activist and recent Fisk University graduate Justin Jones inspired the crowd with his words and a symbolic gift of stones from the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. He had just returned to Nashville from the opening of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Alabama.
The Tennessee Titans were the presenting sponsor of the two-day event. The Metro Human Relations Commission and Tennessee Human Rights Commission were returning sponsors.
