ICPJ’s own Stephanie Oswald had a great op-ed placed in the Ann Arbor News on Friday, November 30.

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On going events surrounding the Jena 6 have shed light on current race relations in America. Nooses have been Hung:

• On a Professor’s Door at Columbia University
• On the Campus of the Univ. of Maryland
• In a Police Station in New York
• In Offices in Pittsburgh and North Carolina

RACISM NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED NOW!

Participate in a Candid Conversation about Race at:

The Anti-Racist Cookbook Discussion
Saturday, November 3, 2007, 10am-2pm
First United Methodist Church, 209 Washtenaw Ave, Ypsilanti, MI

For more information or to RSVP contact:
Stephanie@icpj.net or call 734-663-1870 RSVPs desired but not necessary to participate)

We will offer you a list of ingredients and preparations that will enable you to feed yourself with knowledge, ideas, and discussion strategies that can improve your understanding of race, racism, and discrimination.

As part of the Michigan Food Stamp Challenge, we’ve been talking about the future of food stamps and how they relate to the Farm Bill.

In the Senate, there are two committees that decide what happens to food stamps and programs like it. The Agriculture Committee sets the rules for these programs in the Farm Bill, and the Finance Committee provides the funds. Continue Reading »

The civil rights rally in Jena, Louisiana reminds our nation that racism remains a real issue, and this a recent reflection on the God’s Politics blog that it’s not just a southern concern, but that “Jena is America.”

How can we overcome this legacy of injustice?

To help build a better understanding of your own cultural background, and how that influences your perceptions, ICPJ is organizing a discussion on the ANTI-RACIST COOKBOOK, scheduled for Tuesday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ann Arbor Community Center, 625 North Main St.

Come prepared to talk about your personal stories and experiences regarding race, discrimination, and what you can do to open lines of communication. If possible please RSVP by e-mailing stephanie@icpj.net or calling ICPJ at 734-663-1870.

You can download a flyer for the event.

Jena is America, but a better America is possible. Together we can take a small step to make that possible.

Dinner and a Movie: Minimum Wage. Morgan Spurlock’s 30 Days takes his successful Super Size Me formula to explore one of America’s most pressing issues on the small screen. In the first episode, welfare, watch as Spurlock and his fiancée, Alex Jamieson, undertake a 30 day social experiment and find themselves landing multiple jobs, working 14-hour days, sharing a bus pass, and shivering in a run-down apartment just to make ends meet. Unfortunately, for millions of Americans, this is reality. Join us for this provocative movie, a scrumptious meal, and a lively discussion. Don’t miss out!
This show dares you to “take a walk in someone else’s shoes.”

Where: Memorial Christian Church ~ 730 Tappan St. Ann Arbor.

When: Thursday, September 20, 6:30 p.m.

Why: To make a difference to ensure the American dream is a reality for everyone.

How Much: FREE!!! You are invited to bring a dish to share, but it is not required. Donations are accepted.

RSVP to info@icpj.net or call 734-663-1870.

Who: Sponsored by the Hunger & CROP Walk Working Group of the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice.

Spread the word. Download the September 2007 Dinner and a Movie Poster (pdf) and share it with your friends!

Could you live on $3 worth of food each day?

That’s all the average food stamp recipient gets. Three dollars a day, just $1 per meal.Can you imagine feeding your 14-year old growing son on that amount?

Yet even this small amount is under threat. Congress will vote on proposed cuts to Food Stamps this October. The time to act is now.

That’s why we’re asking you to take the Challenge. Try one living for one week from September 4-10 on just $21. Get a glimpse of what people living on food stamps face every week.

Visit www.MichiganFoodStampChallenge.org to learn more, or signup below:

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