October 18, 2018

ACLU of NH Hosts Youth Forum on Race and Racism in NH on Saturday, October 20, 2018

CONTACT:

Jeanne Hruska, [email protected], (o) 603-226-3149; (c) 307-272-8727

Christina Gibson, [email protected], 916-896-8416

WHAT:

The ACLU-NH is hosting a Youth Forum on Race and Racism Saturday, October 20. This event will involve a cohort of young people, including high school and college-age participants, who will spend the day partnering with each other, working with facilitators, and building community to ask critical questions of themselves and their communities about how we, as a state, can be more inclusive and welcoming to all.

The Forum will be interactive, youth-led, and youth-focused with a goal of developing an awareness and understanding about ways to further the efforts by many people in recent years to elevate community discussion about race and racism, and to promote diversity and inclusion across New Hampshire. Participants will be challenged to analyze power structures that impede upon social equity in preparation to be effective social justice organizers and change-makers.

Youth participants, facilitators, and ACLU of NH staff will be available for press interviews from 12:30 – 1:00pm.

Devon Chaffee, executive director of ACLU of NH: “New Hampshire knows firsthand the personal and communal harm imposed by racism and other forms of discrimination. Past incidents of overt racial bias demonstrate that we, as a state, have work to do in making our state more welcoming to all. In this pursuit, we know the positive impact that empowered young people can have in their schools and communities. This is why we are excited to bring together this youth-led and youth-driven forum.

“As we work to help pursue diversity and inclusion across New Hampshire, the ACLU-NH wants to partner with impacted communities. We are not looking to impose change from outside voices but rather are asking critical questions of ourselves and our communities about how New Hampshire can be more inclusive and welcoming to all.”

WHO: ACLU of New Hampshire

WHEN: Saturday, October 20, 9am – 4pm

WHERE:

Manchester Community College

Multipurpose Room

1066 Front Street

Manchester, NH 03102