SUSTAINABLE EAST END ON WPKN 89.5 FM and streaming live on wpkn.org 


Debuts April 12 at 12 Noon: This monthly program will look at issues of land use, water resources,  transportation and the farming and fishing industries on the north and south forks of Long Island with host Francesca Rheannon. Today Francesca talks with Scott Chaskey, director of the Peconic Land Trust’s Quail Hill Farm, a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm.


Audio available here

Two searingly honest essays from the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Writing Awards: Blunt talk from two juniors at Winchester Thurston: Erika Drain rejects that she's 'not black enough'; and Jesse Lieberfeld is no 'ideal nice Jewish boy' when it comes to Israeli policy.





Everyone desires to stand out. No matter the profession they wish to pursue, the effort they put into their reputation, or the reasons that motivate them to do so, succeeding is always the main goal. When I was young, I loved the idea of being someone unique. A girl who stands out against the crowd, and whose work and ideas can count for something in the future. I studied, I researched, I experienced the world as best as I could, and yet, there was a barrier. I never thought about my race as something that defined me.






Fighting a Forbidden Battle:

How I Stopped Covering Up for a Hidden Wrong







By Jesse Lieberfeld




I once belonged to a wonderful religion. I belonged to a religion that allows those of us who believe in it to feel that we are the greatest people in the world -- and feel sorry for ourselves at the same time. Once, I thought that I truly belonged in this world of security, self-pity, self-proclaimed intelligence and perfect moral aesthetic. I thought myself to be somewhat privileged early on. It was soon revealed to me, however, that my fellow believers and I were not part of anything so flattering.

Benjamin Todd Jealous:Uphold Voting Rights

Each year on this day, we commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – a hero to generations of Americans.

As I prepare to speak today at an NAACP rally in front of South Carolina's state capitol, I reflect on how Dr. King risked everything to advance civil and human rights in America.

Despite repeated threats against his life, he spread the message of non-violent civil disobedience against unjust laws throughout the Jim Crow South and our nation as a whole.

His leadership has inspired Americans to win big victories that have moved our nation closer to the long-expressed, but yet-unrealized ideal that our school children repeat every day: we are "one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all".

Today, one of the greatest victories Dr. King helped win during his lifetime is under withering attack: The Voting Rights Act and the rights it protects – for all Americans to be able to participate in free and fair elections.

South Carolina has become ground zero in this battle that is taking place in state capitols across the nation.

On one side, you have civil rights activists and the U.S. Department of Justice fighting on behalf of thousands upon thousands of voters who would be disenfranchised by laws that introduce the first new financial and literacy-based obstacles to voting since we eliminated the poll tax and voting tests. Fighting on behalf of Americans like the students at South Carolina’s Benedict College, whose student identification cards have been deemed insufficient for use as voter ID.  And we are fighting on behalf of senior citizens like Larry Butler, born here in 1926 when blacks often were not issued birth certificates. Now, for the first time in his life, if Mr. Butler wants to vote it will cost him $150 to obtain the documents required by South Carolina's voter suppression law.

On the other side, you have governors like South Carolina's Nikki Haley suing to gut the Voting Rights Act after the Justice Department blocked the state’s discriminatory voter ID law. I am proud to stand alongside Attorney General Eric Holder today in front of the South Carolina State House and recommit to protecting the right to vote.

Read the speech that I will give today in front of the State House, then share with us how you will help uphold voting rights in 2012:

http://www.naacp.org/KingDay

Today, NAACP State Conference presidents who are leading battles to defend voting rights in South Carolina and several other southern states will lead this march.

We march today to defend our right to vote and to defend our nation’s dream of America as a place where everybody works, everybody contributes, and everybody counts.

We march today for good jobs that can support our families, and an education for our children that will pave the way for them to do the same.

We march today to declare our intent to defeat the deeds of any Governor who would deify our great dreamer, but desecrate his dream.

Join us in making Dr. King's dream a reality– again, please take a moment read today’s speech, then share your plan to help us uphold voting rights in 2012.

http://www.naacp.org/KingDay


Thank you,

Ben

Benjamin Todd Jealous
President & CEO
NAACP

December events


Friday, December 9 - Hayground Forum: Bread and Poetry

Saturday, December 10 - Shinnecock Museum Winter Fest

Saturday, December 10 - March & Rally in NYC to Protect Voting Rights 

Thursday, December 15th  at 8pm - Caroline Doctorow with Job Potter and friends perform Folk/Roots music at Ashawagh Hall; Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton


EAST END FOOD PANTRIES NEED OUR HELP: 

As always our local food pantries need help with the ever increasing demand from those who just can’t afford to feed their families. Here is a list of local food pantries:

Montauk: Montauk Food Pantry at St Therese of Lisieux, 55 South Etna Avenue

East Hampton / Amagansett: East Hampton Food Pantry, www.easthamptonfoodpantry.org 631-324-7195, 219-50 Accabonac Road East Hampton Food Pantry hours: Tuesdays 2–6 pm Amagansett Satellite hours: Tuesdays 4–6 pm

Sag Harbor: Sag Harbor Food Pantry: Old Whalers (First Presby.) Church – 44 Union St.   631-725-0437 provides basic provisions 10:30am-1pm Tuesdays – Donations accepted at the Church.

Bridgehampton: Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center – 551 Sag Harbor Turnpike,  631-537-0616

Southampton: Human Resources at Sacred Heart Church, 168 Hill St. 631-283-6415

Island Wide: Island Harvest with HQ in Nassau County is looking for East End Volunteers. They supply local food pantries. www.islandharvest.volunteerhub.com to register and help with local food collection/distribution. 

also: Long Island Cares/ The Harry Chapin Food Bank: http://www.licares.org/


Hayground Forum: Bread and Poetry


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