President Roger Webb called the meeting of the Amherst Club to order at noon on Tuesday, April 28th, 2015, and welcomed us all.

Guest:

Arthur Kinney introduced his guest, Sonia Brand-Fisher, UMass Renaissance Center Program Director.  Sonia distributed flyers listing the numerous entertaining and informative activities taking place at the Renaissance Center Annual Festival on Sunday, May 3rd this year – everything from sword-play to falconry, plus lots of edibles. Member Ellen Kosmer, Renaissance Center Historical Garden Designer, is available at the Garden Table to answer questions from 11-1. Free admission, all welcome.  

Announcements:

Sunday, May 3rd 13th Annual Community Renaissance Festival   11 am- 4 pm Theater, music, falconry, juggling, artisans, magic shows, sword demonstrations, dancing, buffoons, Renaissance games, and more! Free souvenir buttons! Admission is free, donations are welcome. Rain or shine in the Meadow.

Raffle:  Vivienne Carey won the wine. Ellen Kosmer won the $10.

Speaker:

Russ Vernon Jones was our speaker, on "Organizing around Racism".  Speaking as a white inhabitant of Amherst, Russ talked movingly and persuasively about the difficulty we have in accepting the pervasive racism throughout our culture – even in Amherst. He asked us to reflect on our own experiences with racism – possible through observing our Black friends or colleagues struggling with ordinary events – returning expensive electronics (Yes to a white person, no to a black person), being followed on a drive through Amherst late at night after work. Look around at the racial composition of Amherst Town Meeting or town committees – whiteness everywhere, even though about 25% of Amherst residents are colored. The same applies in high school honors or AP classes. To become aware of this and to try to combat it, make a practice of talking about racial incidents – and read Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness”.  Also, consult Russ’s web site, www.coming-together Amherst.org

 
Your scribe,                                                                                                                                                    
Linda Honan