COMMUNITY RETREAT IN LEE TO COMMEMORATE RACE AMITY DAY

Multicultural BRIDGE Hosts Workshops on Race Education, Healing and
Relations
LEE, MA​ – In observance of Race Amity Day​, Multicultural BRIDGE ​invites members
of the community to a free retreat for race education, healing and relations at the
BRIDGE offices and the Lee Common on Sunday, June 11th​.
The day’s events will include an opportunity for community dialogue, an exploration of
racial affairs in Berkshire county, and a prayer vigil at Park Place, the commons in Lee,
where community members will stand in solidarity against the harmful impacts of
racism. The day will conclude with a movie screening of a Not in Our Town film, A Day
at Manhattan Beach, which depicts a portrait of a community grappling with a suspected
hate crime after an African American family’s home was set on fire in Manhattan Beach,
CA. A facilitated discussion will follow. All are welcome to attend; please RSVP to
adminsupport@multiculturalbridge.org with subject line “Amity Day,” and specify the
workshop (s) for which you are registering.
In 2015, Gov. Patrick designated the second Sunday in June as Race Amity Day, which
recognizes that the people of the commonwealth are its greatest asset, and that the
state is comprised of multicultural, multiethnic and multiracial citizens. Communities
across the state are encouraged to recognize and celebrate friendship, collegiality,
civility, respect and kindness. The day originated from within the Baha’i community as a
way to focus on building friendship to break down racial barriers.
The full schedule for Race Amity Day in Lee includes*:
● 8:00-9:00 AM: What is Racial Amity? Intentions, Overview, State of racial affairs
in Berkshire County
● 9-10:30 Where are we on the journey? Gwendolyn and Morgan Burns
● 11-12:30 Race Education Workshop-Facilitating Stephanie Wright and
Gwendolyn VanSant
● 12:30-1:30 lunch/walk in Lee
● 12:45-1:15 Cultural Sharing (Bring a personal artifact, poem song letter as it
relates to your race & heritage)
● 1:30-3:00 Valuing Racial Identity in the Family Unit with Christy Daignault,MSW
and Anna White, Berkshire Multiracial Families
● 4-5:15 Community Vigil Prayer for Impact of Race & Racism with Liz
Blackshine at Park Plaza in Lee (bring posters, candles)
● 5:30-6:00 Cultural Sharing (bring a personal artifact, song, letter as it relates to
your race & heritage)
● 6:00-7:00 NIOT Film: A Day at Manhattan Beach.
● 7:00 Closing, Commitments & Intentions
● Participants. Wrap Up & Next Steps. Review Local Action Items
*Energy Healing work will be available throughout the day by a certified Reiki
practitioner as well.
This year, communities across the Commonwealth will celebrate Race Amity Day after
many cities and towns have adopted welcoming resolutions, ordinances and policies to
build community cohesion and inclusion: Last month in the Berkshires, Williamstown,
Pittsfield and Great Barrington each voted and passed such local policies or Sanctuary
Commitments — with Becket joining in late May as the most recent Berkshire town to
adopt similar language. While the details of each policy are specific to the town, they
each echo the same ideals of fairness, inclusion and community support. A statewide
bill, the Safe Communities Act, is also currently being considered at the State House at
a June 9th hearing.
Great Barrington’s policy, called a Trust Policy, was adopted on May 1st during Town
Meeting, and local community members are invited to attend Race Amity Day in Lee as
a continuation of the region’s legacy of social justice and recent decision to adopt the
Trust Policy. “Race Amity Day is in complete alignment with the intent of the Trust
Policy,” said Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant, founding director and CEO of Multicultural
BRIDGE, the organization the spearheaded the policy’s campaign and host of the Race
Amity Day workshops. “It’s an important opportunity to connect with our friends and
neighbors as we have important conversations on race, and come together to advance
equity and justice in our local communities.”
Great Barrington’s Trust Policy provides a broad framework to help ensure that all
residents living and working in the community are fully protected and supported by the
police and town government. The policy works to ensure fairness, protect civil liberties
and build transparency with the town and police — to the benefit of all community
members, regardless of race, skin color, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual
orientation, mental or physical disability, immigration status, religious or political opinion
or activity, or homed or homeless status.
The Trust Policy was initially drafted and filed by Gwendolyn VanSant, CEO and
founding director of Multicultural BRIDGE, with partners Berkshire Showing Up for
Racial Justice, Berkshire Interfaith Organizing, and Lia Spillotes, executive director at
Community Health Programs (CHP).
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About Multicultural BRIDGE
Multicultural BRIDGE is a local nonprofit working in the Berkshires, across the state and
around the country to promote mutual understanding and acceptance among diverse
groups, while also serving as a resource to local institutions and the community at large.
BRIDGE serves as catalysts for change through collaboration, education, training,
dialogue, fellowship and advocacy. Learn more at www.multiculturalbridge.org