HerlandVoice-2002-02-v20-no02_ocr.pdf
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February 2002
Volume 20, Number 2
Black History Month: A Reading List
February is designated Black History Month. A quick look
through our lending library yielded these titles you might
want to come in and check out. This is a representative but
not inclusive list of our books by and/or about Black
Americans.
:Audre Lorde:
Sister Outsider
A Burst of Life
Angela Davis:
Angela Davis, an Autobiography
Maya Angelou: just Give Me a Cool Drink of
Water 'Fore I Diiiie & Other Poems
Zora Neale Hurston
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Jewelle Gomez The Gilda Stories
bell hooks:
Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center
Ntosake Shange For Colored Girls Who have Considered
Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf
Assata, An Autobiography
In Search of our Mothers Garden
Possessing the Secret ofjoy
Meridian
The Color Purple
Toni Morrison Beloved
Bebe Moore Campbell: What You Owe Me
Assata Shakur:
Alice Walker:
Black Lesbians: An annotated Bibliography
Compiled by] R Roberts
And if you haven't read these three books below, run by your
public library and check them out. They are classics you will
want to read.
James Baldwin - The Fire Nest Time;
The Autobiography of Malcolm X;
Ralph Ellison's The Invisible Man.
Homosexuality and Scripture Conference
Seven welcoming congregations will be contributing to a
Homosexuality and Scripture conference to be held over the
March 1-2 weekend at Open Arms UCC, 3131 N. Penn.
Discussion topics range from general issues around
interpretation to a more specific focus on certain Biblical
passages. Beginning on Friday evening, March l, at 7:000
p.m., and continuing until mid-afternoon on Saturday March
2, the conference will also blend times of worship and
reflection with the offered workshops. For registration
information, call Church of the Open Arms at 405-525-9555.
Gather the Spirit: Weaving Our Lives - The 2002 Annual
Conference of SWWIRL, Southwest Unitarian Universalist
women, is slated for February 22-24 in Fort worth, Texas.
This is always a marvelous conference, full of great
workshops and tremendous growth and fun.
For more
information and printable forms go to www.swuuw.org.
www.herlandsisters.org
Women of Color
Women of Color met Saturday Night, January 19, for a
Soul Food Dinner with musical guest Monica Cantrell. Ms.
Cantrell performed an evening of Bille Holiday's songs. The
food was the bomb and the entertainment was out of this
world. Ms. Cantrell transported us back in time with such
great hits as "Good Morning Heartache" and "God Bless the
Child". Ms. Cantrell was able to make you feel that if you
closed your eyes you where listening to Ms. Holiday herself.
Women of Color is a Black Lesbian Support group that
meets the 2nd Sunday of every month at Herland at 4 pm. If
you are interested in joining Women of Color or just want
more information please contact Jacqueline at 405/842-3464
or email at jscottross42 @Hotmail.com.
Oklahoma's Environmental Education Expo 2002 is set for
February 7 at Metro Tech Conference Center in Oklahoma
City. Hosted by the Oklahoma Association for Environmental
Education (OKAEE), the event will feature nationallyrecognized speaker John C. Ryan, who will take participants
on a tour of what resources must be used before we sip our
coffee, tie our shoes, click our mouse, or step on the gas.
Once you follow a day in the life of an average North
American and see the secret lives of your food, your clothes,
and your "toys," your world will never look the same. For
registration information, see www.okprogressive.org.
Berland Supper Club
Saturday, February 9, 5:30 pm
Eat at Paco's
2124NW39th
Oklahoma City
If your New Year's Resolution was to get out and
meet more people - look no further! The last two
months we have had between 25 and 35 women.
attend the supper club.
This month the Supper Club will stay in OKC for a
run· dinner at Paco's, just down the street from
Herland. We will get a 10% discount off the regular
prices. Then we are invited to attend a fundraiser
party for Herland and the Legal Defense Fund where
we will be entertained by Mary Reynolds and Louise
Goldberg.
Call Rhonda and Cindy (if in Enid) at (580)2424493 or Ginger (if in OKC) at 942-1535 for more
details. Next month we will hit the road again to
enjoy a potluck dinner hosted by our Enid friends.
Herland Sisters Resources, 2312 NW 39, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
405-521-9696
SAINT SYBIL
MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY?
Sybil Ludington, Matron Saint of the forgotten woman, is an
occasional contributor to the Voice.
State Representative Opio Toure has again
introduced legislation calling for a Moratorium on the Death
Penalty. There will be a Moratorium Now rally in support of
that bill on the South steps of the Capitol on Tuesday, January
29, from 4:30 until 6 pm There will be appearances by some
of the released inmates who served for years on death row
before being proved innocent.
Oklahoma is slated to execute three prisoners in
eight days beginning January 29. Demonstrations from 5 - 6
and Vigils from 8:30 until time of death will take place the
afternoon and evening of each execution in front of the
governor's mansion.
Dear Saint Sybil,
I am just heartsick, and furious. Our local rape-crisis
center has hired a new Executive Director. The person they
hired was strongly disliked by staff who interviewed him. In
his interview, he addressed himself to the men, not the
women - regardless of who asked the question!
Staff
recommendation was to hire anyone but him. Nevertheless,
the Board of Directors went ahead and hired him, and in a
classic case of adding insult to injury they are going to pay
him many thousands of dollars more than our previous
Executive Director - yes, a woman! - was getting. .
The idea of hiring a male to run a rape crisis center,
appalling as it is to me and the staff, doesn't seem to bother
the rest of our Board at all. One very sweet but clueless
woman asked me why it should bother me, a man, that a man
was going to be head of the rape crisis center - she wouldn't
mind if a woman were elected president ..... Good grief.
And for anyone who raises the "reverse discrimination" cry,
surely they know that for every women's organization that
discriminates against a male applicant, there are 100 other
organizations that will give him an edge over women
applicants.
When I tried to tell them that the only men remotely
qualified to hold a position of E.D. at a rape crisis center
wouldn't dream of taking the job if offered, they didn't get it.
There seems to be no feminist perspective at all anymore at
the Board level. You know, if it were up to men there never
would have been , nor would there be now, a movement
opposing any forms of sexist violence. Safety and trust are
the foundation for services to victims, and right or wrong,
some women survivors may not seek help from an agency
headed by a man. The opposite would not be true for male
survivors
The center's intention is to empower women, yet
there isn't a single woman qualified to be director? Male
director, female staff?? I just hate it that a man will be the
lead spokesperson for the movement in my city. I think that
while there is still male dominance in society, women should
lead predominantly female organizations.
Well, thanks for listening. I've got to go now. I'm on
my way to apply for a Director's position with B'Nai Brith and
the NAACP. True, I'm a white Episcopalian, but hey! I'm a
great administrator! Isn't that all that counts?
Disgustedly,
Jaymes Yobro
Dear Jay,
In some circles, you bet, that is all that counts - as
long as an organization is efficient, it doesn't matter if it loses
its soul. You had maybe better start thinking of your Center
as a service agency and not as an agency for social change.
Well, you pretty well said it all, and I've got to run
too;
I've got to write my chaneller a letter of
recommendation for a position as Managing Editor at the
Daily Oklahoman - I'm sure they'll hire her, she's a great
organizer!
Peace and love,
Sybil
Web Site of the Month:
***
***
www.ruralwomyn.net Check it out, this is
what the internet was made for; Sisters doing
it for ourselves!
THE HERL.II.ND BOOK CLUB
The Herland Book Club had their first meeting on
Sunday, January 6. We chose the book "What You Owe Me"
by Bebe Moore Campbell. It is the story of the struggles of a
black woman who starts a cosmetics company in the 1950's
and how she and her children fare. The book is available at
the public library, where there are several copies. It is not
yet available for purchase in paperback, unfortunately.
We will be meeting again on Saturday, February 16
at 5:00 pm at the Herland bookstore. We decided to move
our meeting to the third Saturday of the month so that the
book selection would have time to be announced in the
newsletter each month so that new members could have time
to join us. We will meet from 5:00 to 6:00, which will give
folks time to leave for Saturday evening events, or the book
club crew might decide to go out afterwards.
Please bring an idea for a book to read to the next
meeting. If you can, check to see if the book is available
from the public library or if it is available from local
bookstores, preferably in paperback. If a book is available
in paperback but not currently at the bookstore, we can
make it a future book selection and request the store order
extra copies. I hope you can join us for our next meeting!
SOUL FORCE
By Paul Barby
I attended both the training Saturday Qanuary 5)
afternoon in the Ledo room at the Habana and was part of the
vigil at Village Baptist Church that commenced at 7:30 a.m
the next morning and concluded after church services
ended about 12:30 p.m. The group of 47 or so, may have
been more than 50 total with some corning and going during
the morning, conducted a silent vigil in a line on the sidewalk
along the parking lot across from the "welcome" entrance to
the church. Both sides were very respectful, those in the vigil
singing various songs softly as the congregants walked past
into the church. There were very few direct contacts with
individuals, most trying to ignore our presence as they went
in. Several different times, men (presumed to be deacons)
came out with hot coffee for us, passing down the line with
pleasant greetings.
As the congregants left after services they were
more responsive, no discussions with two or three
exceptions
and
then
not
harsh,
but
"good
morning's" and "hello's" from the majority or a nod or a wave
from their cars as they drove out of the parking lot. It was
most interesting to observe the children, who seemed fearful
of what was happening as they came in, making more eye
contact when they left; and quite interesting to me, was
watching the children in the cars, obviously asking parents
questions about us, as they drove by. I could hear the "why's"
after each answer they got! It was a good feeling to be part of
this.
Now, let me be very direct and blunt about what the
Soulforce vigil is about for glbt persons in my opinion. Many
of us, myself included have little or no use for "religion." A
number of you reading this think that these vigils are about
religion and since you Reject "religion," you want no part of
it.
Think about this again. This is about what "religion"
is doing to us. It is about starting dialogue with the very
source of the discrimination and hatred directed at us. We
must show these people who we are. They do not know us.
This vigil was an opportunity for many to see us as regular
people who are just as human as they are. I believe it was
effective. These vigils will continue on the first Sunday of
each month through June or earlier if that church agrees to
enter into dialogue with us to get to know who GLBT people
are. This is not about debating scripture or praying over
each other . .. it is about getting to know each other.
I urge each one of you to take part in the vigil
Sunday, February 2. You do not have to be religious to
participate. You do need to recognize that the teachings of
certain religious groups are killing us literally. This vigil is in
the spirit of Gandhi and King. Join us on February 2.
Although many of the 50+ participating in the vigil were from
OKC, there were a number from Tulsa and some wonderful
people from Texas and Kentucky.
I personally thank
everyone who was there. It was cold at 7:30 that morning!!!!
But there we were, standing quietly, wearing our Soulforce Tshirts over layered thermals and sweaters. That T-Shirt has a
big red stop sign and a powerful message on the back:
"Stop spiritual violence against God's
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender
Children. www. soulforce.or~"
The 20' banner we held in front of the church for the
whole morning said, "Southern Baptist teachings are killing
our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender children. Stop
spiritual violence." Sure made those driving by crane their
necks to read it. Some honked and waved. Interesting
morning! To repeat my blunt statement: You need to
participate. This is our Rosa Parks event, our march to
Birmingham, if you will This is not about religion; it is about
bigotry taught by religion to people who do not know us.
They must get to know us. Soulforce, like Gandhi and King, is
effective in it's use of gentle yet powerful persuasion. Corne
for the training on Saturday, February 1, & then join us in the
vigil February 2.
Ed. Note: The next Soulforce training in non-violence
will take place Saturday, February 2, 2002, from 2 - 6:30 p.m.
at the Church of the Open Arms, 3131 N. Hudson, Oklahoma
City. A training is required for those wishing to participate in
the Vigil Sunday rooming, February 3. For more information
go to www.soulforceinoklahoma.org;
OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES DAY AT THE
LEGISLATURE:
Tuesday Feb. 12
Through the years,
thousands of Oklahomans have found that the Day at the
Legislature is THE place to learn about the legislative issues
they care about from people who are experienced and
knowledgeable .. The fee with lunch is $22 if you make your
registrations before Feb 4.
Make the checks payable to:
Oklahoma Conference of Churches, at 30 l NW 36 St,
Oklahoma City Ok 73118. For further information call 405525-2928.
RAIN
As the new executive· director of the Regional
AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN), Jean Ann Van Krevelen,
MSW is excited about the prospects of serving her
community in this capacity. "Oklahomans are so aware of
what it means to overcome tough times and support their
neighbors," Van Krevelen said. "My goal is to remind
community members that there is still a tremendous need to
support persons living with HIVI AIDS."
Van Krevelen, a long-term resident of Oklahoma,
oversees statewide services, services, with main offices
located in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. RAIN Oklahoma is a
non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a
compassionate response to HIVI AIDS through education and
service. RAIN Volunteers provide non-medical practical
assistance and emotional support to people living with
HIV/AIDS throughout the state of Oklahoma. RAIN staff
provides educational programs about HIVI AIDS, teaching
the facts and helping to dispel the stigma of the disease. To
. date, they have served over 700 people.
RAIN is entirely funded by individuals and
businesses, faith organizations and private foundations. "We
do not receive money from state or federal government
agencies. We have had a particularly difficult time after the
events of September 11th, as many of the dollars that would
have come to our agency were sent to help the victims in
New York and Washington, D.C. "
RAIN's finances and volunteer base have also been
affected by the increasing disinterest in HIVI AIDS issues by
the general public. . "I strongly feel that we have become
complacent in our response to AIDS. Over saturation in the
media, coupled with new treatment methods have decreased
the sense of urgency that used to be associated with this
issue."
One way that RAIN is striving to generate a
renewed sense of interest is in the development of advisory
boards, both in Oklahoma City and in Tulsa. These boards
will meet quarterly and will help RAIN stay in tune with the
communities' needs and interests. Additionally, the advisory
board will be responsible for the creation of two fundraising
activities per year.
"I am really excited about the
development of these boards. It is a very effective way of
strengthening community ties. Those ties are essential in
providing relevant, compassionate services."
RAIN is also committed to outreach in the
community. In addition to HIVI AIDS education, they also
speak to interested parties about the services offered at
RAIN. Interested parties should contact the office to schedule
a time.
"We are truly in need of financial support, as weli
as volunteerisrn. Sometimes, it is a matter of making people
aware of your need. I am so grateful that everyone I have
spoken with has been exceptionally supportive."
If you would like to lend your support, contact
RAIN at (405) 94 7-3434 or at rainokla@swbell.net. Their
address is 1601 N. Drexel Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73107,
website is www.rainoklahoma.org.
The Voice is published by: Herland Sister Resources, Inc. 2312 NW 39••,
Oklahoma City, OK 73 I 12. The Voice is offered as an open forum for
community discourse. Articles refl ect the opinions of the author and not
necessarily those of Herland sister Resources. Unsolicited articles and
letters to the editor are welcomed and must be signed by the writer with full
name and address. Upon request, letters or articles may be printed under a
pseudonym or anonymously. Subscriptions to The Voice are free upon
request although a donation is requested to meet publication and
distribution costs.
Herland Sister Resources
2312NW39
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Address Service Requested
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REBECCA R. HOLT, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology
Our Editor says:
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