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 Kristina O'Brien Photography |
DUSTIN WARD Hailing from Presque Isle, Maine, Dustin has a degree from the University of Southern Maine in Political Science and Economics and a Master of Divinity from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Although Dustin has experienced many levels and aspects of racism from school, church, and his surroundings, the death of George Floyd at the hands of police sparked Dustin's decision to step away from ministry and pursue advocacy for his black and brown brothers and sisters. His passion and desire is to work towards ending systemic racism, and be a change agent for the lives of black and brown men and women in communities in Maine and New England. Find out more about Dustin and his work at It Is Time, LLC. |
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Session 1 | February 4 Personal Racism: How Racism Affects the Personal World of the Black Community This session looks at how, individually, racism has a negative impact and leads to the start of tension with white brothers and sisters. We focus on how Malcolm X personally saw issues of race and racism in his time, and how living while black today remains difficult. |
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Session 2 | February 11 Racial Injustice--How Criminal Injustice and the Call for Reform Intersect
This evening we will focus on the criminal system and how efforts to reform society through legislation are negatively focused towards black communities. This will also highlight the need to call out injustices, using examples of Malcolm X and Civil Rights Movement and the Black Lives Matter protests. |
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Session 3 | February 18 Systemic Racism: How Racism is Structured to Discriminate Against BIPOC Members
Tonight's discussion takes a look at the many areas of discrimination that black and brown individuals have faced over the years in areas of daily life, including housing, economics, jobs, health and wellness, and education. We will consider its present effects as well as see how it affected Malcolm X during his lifetime. |
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Session 4 | February 25 Solutions: How Can We Move Forward Despite Past History?
How do we combat racism on a regular basis and what are we looking to accomplish? This session takes an opportunity to focus on what we can do individually and together, and what that could look like. We will evaluate the answers Malcolm X provided as well.
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Save The Town, Save the Planet Wednesday, February 10 @ 7:00 PM Join us for a program by Daphne Stratton Gignac and Cameron Runte to learn more about York EcoHOMES. Spearheaded by York Ready for 100%, the EcoHOMES program offers participants monthly recommendations of ways to live more sustainably at home. Residential buildings account for more than a quarter of York’s emissions, so home-based efforts will be key to reaching the town’s emissions reduction goals. Find out more about York EcoHomes. As well as being parts of the EcoHomes Team, Cameron Runte and Daphne Stratton Gignac are seniors at York High School, where they co-lead the YHS Eco Club. |
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Mid-Day Meditation February 2, 9, 16, and 23 at @ 12:00pm This month, join Brian Bliss for a fifteen minute meditation break every Tuesday at noon. To join a meditation, click here ahead of the session to participate via zoom. Miss a class? Check out recordings of past sessions by clicking here. |
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Book Club Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi Tuesday, February 16 @ 3:00 PM What would you change if you could travel back in time? Down a small alleyway in the heart of Tokyo, there's an underground café that's been serving carefully brewed coffee for over a hundred years. Local legend says that this shop offers its customers something else besides coffee--the chance to travel back in time. Come join us for a chat about this charming book, available through the library in print or on Hoopla for eBook or audiobook. |
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Test Your Knowledge!Tuesday February 23 @ 7:00 PM From the comfort of home, compete individually or form a team with members of your bubble. Get those fingers ready: the faster you click, the more points you win, and of course, the one with the most points wins the Big Prize! What is the Prize? You'll have to play to find out! This is an online event held via ZOOM. Click here to register and a link to join the event will be sent to you immediately.
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Blood Drive Wednesday, February 24Have a heart! York Public Library is proud to partner with the American Red Cross and be a part of all they do for our community, our country and around the world. Register here to donate blood this month. |
More Upcoming ProgramsStay tuned for upcoming programs and events, and remember you can check out our Events page any time for all the latest happenings at YPL. Have an idea for a program? Email us at info@yorkpubliclibrary.org to share your thoughts. |
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Read Woke
For the month of February: Voices of Social Justice To find a great read, peruse the Challenge resources on Beanstack and check out YPL's book lists, too. Read at your own pace and take on the monthly challenges in any order you like. We welcome the participation of all ages, and we encourage you to discuss the books you read with those around you, including us! You can share your thoughts with us at info@yorkpubliclibrary.org. |
NEW For All Ages: Art & Poetry Kits Feeling creative? Pick up one of our Grab-n-Go Activity kits made especially for Black History Month! Each kit includes art supplies and a collection of poems for inspiration. You supply the imagination to illustrate how one or more of the poems makes you feel. Just drop by during our regular Item Pickup hours to get your packet. For Pre-K: Craft Kits We have special kits for our youngest kiddos containing age-appropriate supplies and instructions. For Elementary: S.T.E.A.M. Kits The bags contain one activity sheet, and supplies to do the activity. Learn more about them by clicking here. For Young Adults: Boredom Buster Kits Each bag contains everything you need to craft, create art, or play a game. Activities vary and appeal to different interests. Available until we run out! |
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Lobby Pickup Hours: Tuesday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday 4 – 7 p.m. Thursday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Please limit to 1 person in the lobby at a time. |
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