CONFRONTING SYSTEMIC RACISM IN LOUISVILLE: A "PATH FORWARD"
Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another. – Thomas Merton
We feel strongly what so many others do: This is a turning-point moment in our city. What happens next is ultimately not in the hands of the many wonderful people around the country and the world who have given their attention and care to our community. It is in the hands of Louisivillians.
There is clarity like never before about the persistent injustice faced by so many here for so long. That means the moment gives us an opportunity to make a huge difference right now. Yet there is also a possibility we could allow this chance to slip away, or allow it to be exploited to fuel ongoing partisan and cultural fighting. That's why we believe it's so important to heed to voices of leaders in our community who have taken responsibility for charting a course for change.
We have pledged to help take up the work of “A Path Forward,” a policy document developed by leaders who have long cared for our city's West End. It is a blueprint of sorts for restoring Health to our Black Community and making major strides toward equity. For the rest of us, we really believe it is a rare opportunity to participate in the "love divine" - life's most profound work of renewal and redemption.
As reflected in our Circle of Health and Harmony, we desperately need collaboration between government, philanthropy and business in order to promote Health in all its forms in our city – the “A Path Forward” website illustrates how each citizen and each sector can plug in to achieve our common goals. Visit the "What Can I Do?" tab for further direction. When each of us give our time, treasure and talent to be A Part of the Solution, we will find the way to promote Health in all its forms.
REGISTER TO VOTE, TODAY!
One way we can each give of our time today is to immediately register to vote and/or register for your absentee ballot If you register for your absentee ballot today, you can expect to see it in the mail sometime after September 15 th . The threats to our Democracy are plenty, and while much of our work needs to be done to ensure USPS and our Election Officials are protecting our Democracy, we also must stay vigilant in order to be sure each of our votes are counted. Check out KFTC's Voter Instructions for more information.
We can not allow important pieces of our community to fail while we are tending to the urgent matters for our most vulnerable during this pandemic and social justice movement.
These articles are good reminders that we must strive to have a healthier balance, a better understanding of why public spaces are so important, why stability and resiliency is imperative. We must preserve our cultural history, and invest in the capital of our already existing assets so that our Main Streets and Homeplaces maintain their unique cultural heritage while also meeting progress and integral stronger communities with broad diversity that reflect what makes a community great. Our toolsets must include alternative management choices that identify areas where investment in historic preservation will enhance the human development and attract a greater appreciation of our treasures and support economic vitality of our neighborhoods and communities. We must be creating and saving spaces that we will all be proud to call home.
Kentucky is not one story, it's hundreds of stories that can be told in different ways: by time, by people, by neighborhood - the story of numerous individuals. Small is sometimes the appropriate scale for the ecosystem of a space - and does not limit the potential for enormous influence: we must be fostering caring communities that want to respond to the challenges of their day often lead the way for the rest of the world. Long-term perspective and embracing change and seeking solutions does not need to include erasing the past.
These three important historic properties are symbolic of strategic neglect: Walker House, Elmwood and White Hall.
"Thirty Days of Stories on the Underground Railroad" is a series of podcasts created in celebration of September as International Underground Railroad Month. The Oldham County History Center is celebrating by recording a podcast story on the Underground Railroad to broadcast each day of September. Click here to listen to the podcast.
“Trees are not just for climbing, and sewers are talkative.” Check out this great article featuring the Green Heart Project in Louisville from Inside Sources.
Check out this young designer and entrepreneur in Louisville that caught our eye -- Thobi from CallMeThobs!
Actors Theatre of Louisville's first project in the virtual 2020-21 season, "The Keep Going Song," was featured as a New York Times Critic's Pick.
NOWis the time we should be asking ourselves if our lives are in balance.HEALTH is more than what you eat or how many steps you take.In order to help you achieve true, balanced health, we've created a simple tool that will guide you through holistic health.
Join us in this opportunity to become a part of the New Vision of Health. Sign up here to take the first steps towards restoring your healthier balance.
