Batch's Blog
(click image to read news and views from Peace House OK's Director, Nathaniel Batchelder)
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Posted on September 10th, 2012 by Peace House OKC
The Peace & Dignity Journeys 2012 came through Oklahoma and on Sunday, September 9 visited with supporters to tell about their project. This year’s theme is “Water”
Eleven runners and about two or three support people are traveling from Alaska to Guatemala to reunite the Eagle and the Condor, symbols of the original cultures of the Americas. The presentation consisted of moving stories about each of the staffs they carry, bringing to life the memories and dreams of the individuals and communities that gave them to the project.
The event was organized by Brenda Golden and hosted by the Church of the Open Arms. It includes a potluck meal that was preceded by prayer led by Richard Ray Whitman, OKC artist and activist, and a song sung and drummed by activist Dennis Watson of Yukon.
For more information about the Peace and Dignity Journeys, see their web site.
Posted on September 8th, 2012 by Peace House OKC
Read with the embedded document above, or from this link.
Tip: Once the pdf is opened, click anywhere on it to increase the size and navigate around the page. Click again to reduce the size.
Posted on September 8th, 2012 by Nathaniel BatchelderTo me, S.Q.759 (to repeal affirmative action in Oklahoma) is an insult to civil rights progress.
This FORUM can inspire Oklahomans to vote NO to the extremist juggernaut and YES to politics for the betterment of the human condition. Do what you can to help spread the word.
PUBLIC FORUM IN OKC ON STATE QUESTION 759
A public Forum on State Question 759 will alert women and minorities about the consequences of passing a measure that will appear on all state ballots in the November elections. Organizers of the event say that, if passed, State Question 759’s impact will be negative for women and minorities.
The Forum is scheduled for 6 pm to 7 pm, on Thursday, September 20, with questions and answers to follow, at the Langston University OKC Campus, 4205 N. Lincoln Blvd. Doors will open at 5:30 pm for early seating and distribution of materials, organizers say.
“Oklahoma’s affirmative action policies encourage but do not mandate fair treatment of women and minorities by state agencies,” said Garland Pruitt, President of the Oklahoma City Branch of the NAACP. “Progress toward equal opportunity is good, but Oklahoma’s voluntary affirmative action policies are still needed,” he said.
M.C. for the event Dr. Robin Meyers of Mayflower Church in Oklahoma City said, “One of the cruel illusions in American society is that everyone really has an equal chance. Until we eliminate sexism and racism from the human heart, we need to systematically reach out to groups that know exactly how unfair the world can be. Affirmative action has made the world a better place, but the work is not over.”
“States that have passed legislation like State Question 759 have gone backwards in the fair treatment of women and minorities by state agencies,” said Tamya Cox, former Legislative Counsel for the ACLU of Oklahoma. Cox speaks to groups urging them to vote “No” on S.Q. 759.
Materials and talking points about State Question 759 will be available at the forum. A voter registration table will also serve attendees. “We hope folks will take materials to generate conversations about State Question 759 in clubs, organizations and houses of worship,” said Debbie Downing, a forum organizer.
Speaking at the forum will be Dr. Martha Skeeters, Associate Professor in the Women’s & Gender Studies Program at O.U.; Marilyn Luper Hildreth, lifetime civil rights advocate and Oklahoma City “sit-inner”; Bob Anderson, retired Equal Opportunity Officer for the Dept. of Environmental Quality; Ruben Aragon, Executive Director of the Latino Community Development Agency; David Wilson, Conference Superintendent of the OK Indian Missionary Conference of the United Methodist Church; and Lawrence Ware, Professor and Lecturer, Oklahoma State University.
There is no charge for the event, which is sponsored by the Oklahoma City Branch of the NAACP. Cosponsors include the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance, ACLU of Oklahoma, The Peace House, Central Oklahoma Human Rights Alliance, and the Central Oklahoma Labor Council.
Posted on September 4th, 2012 by Nathaniel Batchelder Dear Friends,
Thinking about the November Elections, it is clear to me that We The People must stand in the gap to block further drift toward America becoming a nation and government of, for, and by the rich.
From now till the elections, I implore every person passionate about justice and peace to be busy encouraging a huge voter turnout in November for candidates who will legislate for the common good and general interest of all people and earth’s challenged environment.
I would love it if 10 million Americans would pen a brief expression of their hopes and the crucial significance of voting in November, and send their note to everyone in their address book. I would love it if thousands would be in telephone touch with friends and family, extending the same message. Just imagine more people voting in 2012 than in 2008.
It is a simple reality that those elected will have the power to legislate for the nation, the states, the cities. Massive financial support for the politics of the 1% must be countered with People Power, doing all we can to encourage an outpouring of voting by The Reasonable Majority.
The stakes are daunting: It is shocking that candidates on the national scene proudly profess that they are committed to more tax cuts for the rich, shifting tax burdens to the middle class and poor, and cutting whatever social programs ease the lives of America’s most vulnerable. They would repeal the Affordable Health Care Act, removing health insurance from some 30 million qualifying people. They would privatize Medicare with vouchers. They would shift resources out of public schools with vouchers. They oppose government regulation of industry, banking, and finance as “job killers”. They oppose labor rights and raising the minimum wage. They propose cutting the Environmental Protection Agency and oppose legislation to protect the air, the oceans, and land. They laugh at the science indicating that human production of heat-trapping gases is causing global warming and climate change. They rail against women’s reproductive freedom and have curtailed women’s choices everywhere they could. And, once again, we hear the hard-liners accusing a foreign nation – Iran – of being a threat and source of weapons of mass destruction, reminiscent of the language that prepared America for war on Iraq.
To block this agenda, we must sometimes vote for candidates disappointing on one or more issues important to us. Some are repelled by the idea of voting for any “lesser of two evils”. I say our first priority is to prevent a greater evil from ruling the America I grew up in. Those who win in November will define the America we will live in.
Let us all Get Out The Vote as the first best step in this election season, and Keep Hope Alive.
Blessings and Peace,
Nathaniel Batchelder, Oklahoma City
Posted on August 30th, 2012 by Peace House OKCA public forum on State Question 759 will alert women and minorities about the consequences of passing a measure that will appear on all state ballots in the November elections. Organizers of the event say that, if passed, State Question 759’s impact will be negative for women and minorities.
The forum is scheduled for 6 pm to 7 pm, on Thursday, September 20, with questions and answers to follow, at the Langston University OKC Campus, 4205 N. Lincoln Blvd. Doors will open at 5:30 pm for early seating and distribution of materials, organizers say.
“Oklahoma’s affirmative action policies encourage but do not mandate fair treatment of women and minorities by state agencies,” said Garland Pruitt, President of the Oklahoma City Branch of the NAACP. “Progress toward equal opportunity is good, but Oklahoma’s voluntary affirmative action policies are still needed,” he said.
Emcee for the event, Dr. Robin Meyers of Mayflower Church in Oklahoma City, said, “One of the cruel illusions in American society is that everyone really has an equal chance. Until we eliminate sexism and racism from the human heart, we need to systematically reach out to groups that know exactly how unfair the world can be. Affirmative action has made the world a better place, but the work is not over.”
“States that have passed legislation like State Question 759 have gone backwards in the fair treatment of women and minorities by state agencies,” said Tamya Cox, former Legislative Counsel for the ACLU of Oklahoma. Cox speaks to groups urging them to vote “No” on S.Q. 759.
Materials and talking points about State Question 759 will be available at the forum. A voter registration table will also serve attendees. “We hope folks will take materials to generate conversations about State Question 759 in clubs, organizations and houses of worship,” said Debbie Downing, a forum organizer.
Speaking at the forum will be Dr. Martha Skeeters, Associate Professor in the Women’s & Gender Studies Program at O.U.; Marilyn Luper Hildreth, lifetime civil rights advocate and Oklahoma City “sit-inner”; Bob Anderson, retired Equal Opportunity Officer for the Dept. of Environmental Quality; Ruben Aragon, Executive Director of the Latino Community Development Agency; David Wilson, Conference Superintendent of the OK Indian Missionary Conference of the United Methodist Church; and Lawrence Ware, Professor and Lecturer, Oklahoma State University.
There is no charge for the event, which is sponsored by the Oklahoma City Branch of the NAACP. Cosponsors include the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance, ACLU of Oklahoma, The Peace House, Central Oklahoma Human Rights Alliance, and the Central Oklahoma Labor Council.
Posted on August 18th, 2012 by Nathaniel BatchelderUpdate (Sunday 8/19, 8:50 pm):
With signs reading “Happy EID Celebration”, “We Love Religious Diversity” and other messages of support, eight folks from different communities gathered at the American Islamic Association Mosque at 8:30 am, Sunday, to welcome Muslims arriving for the 9 a.m. Eid service signaling the end of Ramadan. (This was the Mosque hit with paint balls).
Hundreds of colorfully dressed members of the Mosque including families and children passed the supportive vigilers who waved to each car and family that entered. Many smiles and words of thanks gave assurance this project was worth doing.
Toward Interfaith Understanding and Respect, – - – Nathaniel Batchelder, Peace House in Oklahoma City
Support OKC’s Islamic community, which recently suffered a paint ball attack on their Mosque. Telephone a friend about this opportunity.
Sunday, August 19th is the Eid celebration ending the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
We are invited by Imam Imad Enchassi (Islamic Society of Oklahoma City) and Dr. Hammad Ahmed (Islamic Council of Oklahoma) to show support for our Islamic neighbors and an expression of sadness about anti-Muslim sentiments that may have inspired the paint ball attack on the Islamic Council of Oklahoma.
Let us stand with OKC Muslims as they celebrate Eid. Let us gather at 8:30 am before the 9:00 am celebrations at both of the Oklahoma City Mosques.
Bring a sign with you or just come to stand in silent support. We might stand for an hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 am. We have been invited inside to join and meet members of the Mosques.
Pick one location for your solidarity action:
- Islamic Society of Oklahoma City, 3815 N. St. Clair (block east of Portland north of NW 37th St).
- Islamic Council of Oklahoma, 3201 NW 48th Street
- Nathaniel Batchelder and friends of religious diversity
Posted on August 12th, 2012 by Peace House OKC The Peace House and the Peace Education Institute will host the 2012 Fall Peace Festival on Sunday, November 11 from 11 to 5 pm.
Mark your calendars for the season’s most popular event for peace and justice information and networking, handmade crafts, natural and Oklahoma grown food, music, dancing and fun!
See our Festival Info Page for all the details, and how to get a table for your organization or business.
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