Dear John,
Today is election day! While the outcomes are unclear (and may be for several days in the case of the presidential election), we are clear that there is work to be done following the election . . . regardless of the results . . . so, join us for this year’s Race and Power in America Summit—the place where our collective planning for that work begins!
As you know this year’s Summit will be held December 4-7 in Detroit. Our theme, “A Pivotal Moment in Time: Resistance, Persistence, Insistence!,” reflects our concern with the growing embrace of authoritarianism in this country and its inextricable link to an insidious racist agenda, as well as our commitment to reclaiming the arts, disciplines, and attitudes of community-based organizing as the antidote to both. Leaders and organizers from across the Gamaliel Network, along with national and local partners and allies, will gather together for those four days in December to deepen relationships, learn from practitioners, and develop strategies to address these challenges.
Again, at this time the outcomes are unclear, but to quote Deepak Bhargava, President of JPB Foundation and one of Gamaliel’s generous funders: “However the vote tallies turn out, the post-election period is likely to be volatile and may be dangerous. We can expect to see more mis- and dis-information, attempts to interfere with the counting of ballots and the certification of the election, and even political violence and attacks on civil society organizations, including grassroots groups on the frontlines.”
Gamaliel, this is not the time to be timid! Let’s pay attention to what’s happening in our communities post-election, continue to fight for our values, and come prepared to Race and Power to plan and launch the next two years of our organizing with the goal of achieving the Beloved Community!
In solidarity,
