Get Involved With Race & Social Justice Issues at The Seattle Public Library This Fall
release date: October 9, 2019
The Seattle Public Library offers many programs that explore current social justice issues, including civil rights, intellectual freedom and the criminal justice system. This fall, join us for a series of events where we discuss Native sacred sites, domestic violence prevention, alternatives to calling the cops and more.
SCHEDULE
Film Screening: "Honoring Licton Springs" - 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium, 206-386-4636. What happens when a group of talented Native youth learn skills to be civic leaders and budding community journalists? In early 2019, members of Clear Sky Native Youth Council began investigating the importance of sacred sites. By interviewing local Indigenous elders and learning how to do video interviews, the group lays out a compelling understanding of why Licton Springs, Seattle’s last publicly known Native sacred site is a place to be honored and cared for.
The screening of their short documentary will be accompanied by a youth discussion and mini keynote from Duwamish historian Thomas Speer and Lakota activist Matt Remle. Use the hashtag #HonoringLictonSprings to join the conversation. This project was made possible with production support from Indigenous Showcase.
Transformative Justice & Domestic Violence Prevention - 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium, 206-386-4636. How can transformative justice help change the ways we show up for survivors of domestic violence and aggressors alike? Join a timely conversation about the impact of domestic violence, intimate partner violence and the communities that are disproportionately affected. You'll hear a community report out about an initiative to work with domestic violence survivors and aggressors using transformative justice.
This program includes a report back on groundbreaking, community-led research that helps understand what happens when families and individuals experience violence. A special feedback portion of the program will leave space for most affected communities to weigh in on a proposed pilot program that seeks to help aggressors deal with mental health and substance abuse issues, while being accountable for resolving harm done in a survivor-centered way.
Alternatives to Calling the Police: Transformative Justice & Ways to Build Safety - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at Magnuson Park Community Center, Building 406, 6344 N.E. 74th Street, View Ridge Room. How can learning transformative justice help keep our communities safer? Almost two years ago, the Sandpoint community was rocked by the death of Charleena Lyles, a local mother who died after reporting a burglary to the police during a mental health crisis.
At this conversation, we'll explore alternatives to calling the police using Charleena’s and other police deaths to understand the ways that police shootings disproportionately affect Indigenous, Black and Brown communities. Along the way, we'll discuss anti-racism, de-escalation and conflict resolution resources. This program will be accompanied by a digital art display by the children from Charleena’s house complex.
Freedom Blueprints - 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at Estelita’s Library, 2533 16th Ave. S. #5103. What are the freedom blueprints in the largest collections of Black Panther newspapers? How can these important archives help us understand today's social justice issues?
We'll use art and popular education to learn from the Black Panther Newspapers at Life Enrichment Bookstore with a special deep dive from Estelita’s Library. The special selections will focus on black liberation, solidarity, food sovereignty, housing and more.
Along the way, you can also make a silk screen inspired by legendary Black Panther designer Emory Douglas and chat with community organizers and activists whose work is inspired by the Black Panthers. Listen to dazzling spoken word/hip hop artists as they share verses inspired by Black Liberation Movements past and present. Come early for refreshments by The Brown Girl Cooks.
MORE INFORMATION
Library events are free and everyone is welcome. Registration is not required. These programs are made possible with support from the Seattle Public Library Foundation.
The Library's dynamic approach to building community that enriches lives includes programming that brings people, information and ideas together to respect and embrace the well-being of the people we serve. We celebrate Seattle’s many cultures by forming strong partnerships with community organizations.