Posted by: Becca Parrish on January 15, 2018
One of the most persistent issues in the United States is learning how to support diverse communities. Our history has created a dynamic whereby our towns are enriched by many cultures and backgrounds, but our society is still reckoning with systemic and entrenched racism.
In November 2017, the Madison County KFTC Chapter’s Racial Justice Committee met and decided to expand its structure to include a community-building focus to its approach in addition to its more action-focused work. This work was spearheaded by members Wendy Warren (steering committee representative) and Shannon Roberts Smith.
The goal of the community-building focus of the Racial Justice Committee is to provide space for committee members and allies to form relationships outside of planning and implementing campaigns and/or actions. Also, they hope to broaden reach and encourage conversations that can be difficult for many members of the community who are new to racial justice work.
Posted by: KFTC staff on January 10, 2018
In a historic win for Fairness in western Kentucky, Paducah has become the ninth city in Kentucky to adopt an anti-discrimination ordinance that protects LGBTQ+ people.
On January 9, more than 250 people packed the Paducah City Hall chambers, about two-thirds of the crowd showing support. After lengthy public testimony and debate, the measure passed by a 4 to 1 vote.
The ordinance prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. An amendment to include exemptions for religious business owners failed by a similar 4 to 1 vote. Such an exemption exists in state law, however.
Posted by: Laura Harper Knight on January 9, 2018
KFTC Organizer Apprentices Becky Jones and James Line and Laura Harper Knight recently piloted a gender inclusivity training which is now available to members across the state.
Posted by: Becky Jones on January 3, 2018
On Thursday, November 30, Carol Taylor-Shim led an Anti-Oppression training for KFTC’s staff team. Carol is currently the director of the Bias Incident Response team at the University of Kentucky, and has over a decade of experience in diversity, inclusion, and belonging and anti-racist/anti-oppression practice. She’s also a self-described “Liberation Superhero” (after this training, I would describe her that way, too). The training addressed the questions:
- What’s the difference between diversity, inclusion, and belonging?
- How does oppression impact people and environments?
- Why are people resistant?
- What are potential next steps for KFTC?
Posted by: Joe Gallenstein on December 21, 2017
Following the recent ICE raids across northern Kentucky, and the resulting work the chapter has engaged in to protect immigrant families in northern Kentucky, the Northern Kentucky KFTC Chapter was asked to become members of the Immigrant Dignity Coalition. This coalition, made up of 28 groups/organizations in northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati, consists of business, labor, civil rights and faith communities in the greater Cincinnati area that favor the dignity and basic human rights of all people. We are citizens and immigrants working together to share educational and advocacy tools to create a more just world.
Posted by: Joe Gallenstein on December 18, 2017
Last Thursday several organizations, including Black Lives Matter Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky Justice and Peace Committee, Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, local Benedictine Sisters, Sisters of Divine Providence, the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center, Democratic Socialists of America in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, the Immigrant and Refugee Law Center, Supporting Latino Families of Northern Kentucky, Transformations CDC, the Northern Kentucky Women's Network, and the Northern Kentucky KFTC Chapter came together to host a forum on what was needed to support families being impacted by the recent ICE raids across northern Kentucky.
Posted by: KFTC staff on December 11, 2017
In the final week of November, KFTC members Russell Oliver, Stanley Sturgill, Henry Jackson, Teri Blanton, Roger Ohlman, Mary Dan Easley and Mary Love converged in Charleston, West Virginia – alongside hundreds of other concerned people – to testify to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) against the agency’s proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan.
“Now that we have cleaner, safer and cheaper ways to generate energy, the only question should be: how can we create more of those new jobs right here and right now in Appalachia? I know this because not only have I lived it, I’m still trying my best to keep living it,” said Stanley Sturgill of Harlan County, a retired coal miner and KFTC member.
Posted by: Joe Gallenstein on December 1, 2017
The Scott County chapter co-hosted a showing of the film Get Out with allies in Georgetown as a continuation of a racial justice film
Posted by: Joe Gallenstein on December 1, 2017
For the past several years members in Scott County have hosted an art and dessert auction known as the Arty Pie Party! This years event was another rousing success, with over 50 pieces of art or baked goods being up for auction.
The patrons of the Scott County Arty Pie Party have been incredibly generous, with local artists donating original pieces, members donating works they have collected over the years, delicious baked goods, and originals by well known Kentucky artists. Every year this event is the chapter’s fundraiser, and this one did not disappoint!
Posted by: Joe Gallenstein on November 29, 2017
Northern Kentucky members have expressed an interest in trying to help understand how local government works since the resistance training in January. Out of that training they hosted an Unpack Politics forum to help people better understand how different levels of government work. Be it city, county, school board, or state government, many people are unsure as to what government is responsible for what.
