Tag Archives: social justice

Kate’s Flag

Posted on September 26, 2020 by jyourist

This is my grandmother’s American flag. It has 48 stars, before Alaska and Hawaii became states. I remember my father telling me that this flag was the very first thing she purchased when she came to the United States over … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, democracy, equity, father | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“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

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

Jane Addams 1860-1935: A Foe of War and Need

Posted on September 6, 2013 by jyourist

When I permanently moved to Chicago in the early seventies, I volunteered at Jane Addams Center Hull House on Broadway, a northside branch of the original Hull House. (In the early 60s, 12 of the original 13 buildings of Hull … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, compassion, democracy, museums, neighborhood, peace | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

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

“…pleading for a time when hatred and cruelty will not control the hearts of men.”

Posted on March 13, 2011 by jyourist

Clarence Darrow died today in 1938. For the last 50 years, civil rights activists, lawyers, and labor leaders have gathered on this date to toss a wreath into the Jackson Park Lagoon from the Clarence Darrow Memorial Bridge, where his … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, capital punishment, chicago, compassion, crime, labor, politics, school, social justice, Teaching, union | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment