Category Archives: social justice

Juneteenth—Freedom, Jubilee, Liberation Day

Posted on June 19, 2020 by jyourist

Juneteenth is a day to commemorate freedom from chattel slavery in this country, but also a reminder for white people to continue to grapple with their white privilege and work toward eliminating the racial oppression alive and well in the … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, African-Americans, civil rights, Civil War, freedom, justice, race, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“A Riot is the Language of the Unheard”

Posted on May 30, 2020 by jyourist

…Certain conditions continue to exist in our society, which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, equity, justice, politics, social justice | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Dr. Quentin Young 1923-2016

Posted on March 8, 2016 by jyourist

This is a tribute to Dr. Quentin Young, a resident of Hyde Park for most of his life, who was a dedicated advocate for single payer healthcare and a civil rights advocate. He died yesterday at 92. I met him … Continue reading →

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“We Light These Lights: A New Hanerot Hallelu Prayer for Hanukkah” by Rabbi Brant Rosen

Posted on December 7, 2015 by jyourist

We light these lights for the instigators and the refusers the obstinate and unyielding for the ones who kept marching the ones who tended the fires the ones who would not bow down. We light these lights for the sparks … Continue reading →

Posted in light, poetry, sacred, social justice, truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Posted on December 5, 2014 by jyourist

59 years ago today the Montgomery Bus boycott began and lasted 381 days. Between 30,000 to 40,000 African Americans boycotted the metropolitan bus company in response to the arrest of Rosa Parks because she refused to give up her seat to … Continue reading →

Posted in equity, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“I can’t breathe…”

Posted on December 4, 2014 by jyourist
Posted in race, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Creative dislocations

Posted on June 21, 2014 by jyourist

Today I attended the memorial service of an old teacher of mine, John Fish. He was an activist, teacher, pastor, co-founder of the ACM Urban Studies Program, founder of the Princeton Project ’55. He was on boards and an active … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, death, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Do Everything”

Posted on December 28, 2013 by jyourist

Today we toured the F.E.W. distillery in Evanston. Though the name refers to crafting small batches of whiskey, rye, and gin, the name is also the initials of Frances Elizabeth Willard, president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union from 1879-1898, … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, chicago, social justice | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Eisenhower’s finest moment

Posted on September 25, 2013 by jyourist

56 years ago today, the Little Rock Nine entered Central High School for their first full day of school accompanied by the 101st Airborne, sent by President Eisenhower to protect them and keep them safe. The governor of Arkansas, Governor … Continue reading →

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Each day you start over

Posted on February 24, 2012 by jyourist

“You can take my order,” the woman in the dark coat said. My student answered, “I just want to put this order in first.” “You can take more than one order at a time,” I chimed in. “That’s what I … Continue reading →

Posted in school, social justice, Teaching | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments