Opening remarks by Rev. Dr. Cullen
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Community Task Force
This group will be focused on community events and initiatives to improve the understanding of prejudice experienced by different communities in Duxbury.
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Partnership Task Force
This group will be asked to identify all community organizations with relevance to PFD’s mission, understand how their plans and programs intersect with ours, and recommend formal collaboration where we can support the work of other groups, or they can assist us.
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Systemic Change Task Force
This group's mission will be to explore areas where systemic bias is believed to exist in Duxbury and to make recommendations on long-term efforts to make a difference in reducing its impact, by setting priorities and creating definitive programs.
Learn MoreListen to Their Stories ©
After hearing the four citizens who told their stories of experiencing prejudice, Chief McDonald spoke to the assembled and online group.
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Joseph Soares
“This is the first time I’ve done this, but as one of the very few Brown families in town I feel I need to reveal this to my community and friends. So sad how many people don't have a clue on the anger that people of color have dealing with being disrespected, discriminated, and profiled against on a daily basis. I have great friends in our town and love many families that we have befriended, but once had a wealthy executive refer to me as "My Nigger" being comical while he was intoxicated. Yes it does exist!! I honestly never thought my son or my family would have to deal with these issues in Duxbury. One day recently he was called Nigger by one of his teammates. The worst part is the kids that witnessed it didn't stand up and defend him. This has affected him profoundly and he is a great kid. Children need to be educated on these matters, and not hide behind a veiled picture of discrimination being non-existent in our community; if not they will pay the price when they leave the Duxbury bubble. Most people from Duxbury aren't aware that this behavior exists in our beautiful town and most of my friends I believe are totally not aware of this because the incidents are stifled and they afford the privilege of not seeing it residing in a wealthy community. A person of color isn't afforded this luxury even as a resident. Here are just a few of the many acts of discrimination I’ve experienced: • I grew up in Boston with forced school busing, then Randolph where I went to Blue Hills Tech for a half year and had to fight almost daily until the Principal asked me to consider going back to Randolph High. • Moving to West Bridgewater where people wrote KKK on our garage and where I dealt with a racist Principal who I heard having a racist conversation with another teacher about my family. I was attacked in school while nothing happened to the attacker. • Over the years I’ve been harassed more times than I can count by Police officers after being profiled and then officers getting upset when I was articulate and not what they expected. This still happens today. My heart bleeds for George Floyd, and his family who witnessed his gruesome MURDER and yes, this has affected me greatly and raises the fear I have of my boys living in a all-white area and being profiled by an inexperienced police officer who is in fear of a brown man. Hatred is taught and real change is necessary, I don't condone the looting or violence although focus needs to be fixed on what has taken them to this level of violence seeking change.”
Joseph Soares: Mortgage Banker, Duxbury Rotary Club member
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Prejudice Free Duxbury is a movement begun by the Duxbury Rotary Club and concerned organizations and individuals who believe it’s time we end racism and all forms of prejudice in our town. Our vision for Duxbury is a community that is safe and welcoming to all, regardless of race, religion, income, ethnicity or gender orientation.
While we’re not here to point the finger at any group or to push a radical agenda, we believe strongly that prejudice has deep roots in every community in America, including Duxbury, and that ending prejudice and the fear and hate that accompany it will take concerted action by our schools, government, civic and religious groups, employers, and of course, every caring person in town.
To achieve our goal, we invite those who share our vision to join us in planning and hosting programs that will get us listening to each other, thinking about our own biases, and working together to effect lasting change.
"If you see something that is not right, that is not fair, that is not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it." Congressman John Lewis 1940-2020
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What Ending Prejudice Will Mean For Us All
Beyond the obvious moral reason—because it’s the right thing to do—ending prejudice will benefit everyone who lives and works in Duxbury.
- First and foremost, those who’ve been targets of hate will no longer live in fear.
- People who’ve faced discrimination will be free to live, work and play where they will.
- Members of groups who felt unwelcome will move here, making this a more diverse and vibrant community.
- The reputation of Duxbury will improve, increasing home values.
- Employers will find more people willing to work here.
- Our children will grow up without the burdens of hate and fear.
- Less anger, suspicion and guilt will reduce stress and improve our health.
- With less fear, we’ll all feel safer.
- Freed from biases, we’ll find more common cause.
- Solving this problem will inspire us to work together to solve other pressing problems.
- We’ll be deeply proud of this town and what it stands for.
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You can submit this form only once.Programs
Deep Listening Sessions
When we listen to speakers, we can’t help but think about our own experiences, which means we usually don’t listen carefully; we’re really interpreting and personalizing what we hear. We're hosting a series of listening sessions, where people who have experienced racism and other form of prejudice will tell us their stories. We hope, through careful listening, to truly hear what they experienced, be moved by it, and begin the process of personal change.
Social Forum for Experiences
We're creating forums on Facebook and Instagram where you can post your testimonial -- your experiences either with prejudice, dealing with your own prejudice, or helping to effect change. We hope members of the Duxbury community will read these posts, add their own thoughts and share with friends.
Zero Incidents School Program
Our best hope for creating a prejudice-free community lies in educating our children to the importance of this issue. To that end, we're working with the Duxbury School Department to help develop and promote educational programs for students, teachers and parents that lead to zero-incidents of hate speech in our schools.
Inherent Bias Workshops
We all have built-in biases about people who are different from us—some positive, many negative. Most of us aren’t even aware of these, but they can drive behavior that may offend others, without us even knowing it. We will host workshops that help us see these biases, and by recognizing them, begin to change the way we speak with and interact with others.
Events
Past Events
| Title | Date | Day | Location | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LISTEN. REFLECT. ACT. Part 2 | 25 Aug 2020 | Tuesday | Online Event | Closed |
| Listen. Reflect. Act. End Racism. Start by Listening. | 05 Aug 2020 | Wednesday | Virtual via WEBEX |
We all start at different points.
A Map for Your Personal Journey
Various promo pages that will allow you to break between sections in your website.