Buncombe Community Remembrance Project: June 2023

Important News/Events/Stories

This e-newsletter shares what the Buncombe Community Remembrance Project is doing and offers other news, events and stories that align with its work. Below are some items that are noteworthy. As always, feel free to share any or all of these items or the entire e-newsletter.

Alerts

The NAACP has issued a travel advisory for Florida. statement

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has issued a warning advising immigrants not to travel to Florida. article

The Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions declares that the historic low number of historically underrepresented men of color in health care professions is a national crisis. statement

National News

The US ranks 45th (down from 42nd in 2022) in the Reporters without Borders 2023 World Press Freedom Index article 

Though the Black churches are vital to their communities, attendance is declining. article 

The spread of Dollar stores harms Black communities. article 

Across the nation states are working to roll back child labor protection laws. article 

The Sentencing Project released this report on juvenile justice. There has been a significant decrease in the incarceration rate of juveniles. However, racial and ethnic disparities in youth incarceration and sentencing persist.
 

A criminal record can hamper a person’s future. In Michigan, they noted that, and in this article from the Good News Network, they reported that Michigan cleared the criminal records for thousands of low-level, non-violent offenders, offering meaningful second chances. 

State News

***Important voting information: The NC Board of Elections released these 10 facts about the NC photo ID requirement for voting. This goes into effect now!

NC GOP lawmakers are on the verge of filing a number of rule changes rooted in voter suppression. article  

GOP controlled NC General Assembly has decided not to join a multi-state organization that maintains voter roll integrity. article 

Derogatory remarks cause 2 NC GOP members to resign from their leadership positions in the General Assembly. article 

In NC are you allowed to film the police? This article answers that question. article 

The NC Supreme Court continues to find ways to disfranchise Black voters. article 

An abortion ban will worsen the health safety of Black women in NC. article 

The NC GOP with its supermajority control of the NC General Assembly overrode Gov. Cooper’s veto of the abortion bill. article 

There are some folks working to reverse the decline in the number of Black farmers. article 

Millions were raised to restore and preserve Nina Simone’s childhood home. article 

On June 2 Fort Bragg will be renamed Fort Liberty. article 

Issues in Education

The US House of Representatives revoked President Biden’s student debt relief plan. article 

The college racial gap is widening article 

The targeting of DEI efforts in higher education is a concern on HBCU campuses. article 

Degrees from NC higher education institutions face a future of being devalued. article 

Here is an interesting article about how some folks and school system in WNC feel about the question “Does diversity, equity & inclusion belong in public education?” article 

School boards are the real political battlegrounds. article 

NC teacher pay is in the bottom 5 of the nation. article 

In some NC county schools’, the history curriculum is being changed in secret. article 

Battling Racism

An interesting article that looks at how race riots caused the destruction of Black communities. article 

The Associated Press did a yearlong study on the legacy of racism in America and its impact on the health inequities Black people face. article 

Pres. Biden tells Howard University graduates that white supremacy is real article 

Black Californians hope the state’s reparations proposal will become a reality. article 

People of color become used to discrimination. article 

Reversing the decline in the number of Black farmers. article 

Black victims of violent crime are disproportionately denied aid in many states. article 

When Black drivers interact with the police, words count. article 

A Harvard University study finds that the history of racist policies toward Black and Latinx communities has resulted in them have higher exposure to “forever chemicals” in their water. article 

A 20-year Yale University study shows a disproportionate number of excess deaths for African Americans. article 

One reason so many Black women die in pregnancy is because doctors don’t take them seriously. article 

Rep. Lauren Bobert says that “fighting hate and antisemitism” is really code to attack conservatives. article 

Local Happenings

Keep up with local businesses offerings and efforts Go local asheville 

Monique Pierre is the new CEO of the Housing Authority of Asheville. article 

My Daddy Taught Me That gains a new home. article 

The Asheville City Council and Asheville GreenWorks have partnered to create a new tree nursery in East Asheville. article 

The City of Asheville and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association are in partnership to put on a week-long 2023 Juneteenth Celebration! 
Click on the link to see the sponsors and events planned for the week of Monday 6/12 – Sunday 6/18! info. 

The California Reparations Task Force has compiled a collection of expert testimonies regarding reparations. article 

Community Efforts

The Asheville and Buncombe County Community Reparations ComissionCommission webpage

• The Commission’s project page Project page  
• The next meeting of the Community Reparations Commission is scheduled for June 12, 2023 from 6pm-8pm at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Banquet Room:  87 Haywood Street,  Asheville, NC 28801

The Racial Justice Coalition has a website that provides several ways for folks to get involved in the community. 

The Reparations Stakeholders Authority of Asheville has created the RSAA Reparations Fund. Here is information on how people can learn and support this effort organized by the Tzedek Social Justice Fund.

Hood Huggers offers a fun way to learn about the history of Black Asheville. They also organize volunteer opportunities at the Peace Garden – there are regular Community volunteer days. The Farm stand is open on Friday’s from 3pm-7pm every week. Get details about how to book a tour, volunteering or taking part in their other community actions here. 

The Color of Asheville’s“Black-Owned Businesses and Community Directory

Black Wall Street AVL works to support Black Businesses in Asheville. Check out their website for more information. 

Support an Asheville community Shiloh Resource Center 

Remembrance Projects Nationally & Locally

The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) has been the important partner not only to Buncombe County but to all communities willing and working to address their history of racial injustice. As in each edition of this e-newsletter, the Buncombe Community Remembrance Project continues to highlight several items from EJI.

1. EJI is currently working with nearly 100 communities to advance Community Remembrance Projects. More than half have erected historical markers. You can find out more about the communities that have erected EJI sponsored Community Remembrance Project markers here.
2. You can view what is on each of the markers for Buncombe County, front and back, here as compiled by the Equal Justice Initiative. To see the markers, go to the following sites: for Mr. John Humphries – College & Spruce Streets; for Mr. Bob Brackett – Triangle Park; and for Mr. Hezekiah Rankin – Craven Street & Emma Road.
3. The full stories about each of the three men who were lynched are captured in this document. 
4. The Equal Justice Initiative shared this webpage of the Historical Markers Installation Ceremony In Asheville on October 30th of 2021.

     Please remember:

1. That if you want to stay connected to the work of the Equal Justice Initiative? Sign up for updates about their work here.
2. Every day of the year offers important racial justice history. If you want to get a daily reminder of that history, the Equal Justice Initiative offers this sign-up. Go here to get today’s reminder.

The NC Black Alliance offers this webpage with a page entitled – “Access to Healthcare: What You Need to Know” along with other pages that have articles and information concerning the Black community.

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