PRINCETON YWCA AND TRENTON YWCA TAKE A STAND AGAINST RACISM

On On April 11, the Racial Justice Institute of the YWCAs of Trenton and Princeton organized a successful and inspiring "Stand Against Racism." Throughout Mercer County, more than 50 organizations representing thousands of people of all ages stood for one common goal: the elimination of racism.

Countless organizations including corporations, non-profits, schools, and houses of worship joined both YWs in "taking a stand" as participating host sites. Organizations customized their event to meet their particular needs - private or open to the public; morning, afternoon, or evening; main spokesperson, showing a movie or video about racism or panel discussion; short or long presentation. No matter what form they took, all events raise awareness that racism still exists in our communities and participants committed to taking action for peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people.

In Princeton, Borough Mayor Mildred Trotman presented the YWCA with an official letter of commendation, and a joint legislative resolution was presented by Senator Shirley Turner, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, and Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Board President Jill Jachera had the following words to say:

We stand here today linked in spirit and intent with more than 5,000 participants from nearly 60 organizations. City governments,
Fortune 500 companies, entire school districts (both Trenton and Princeton have signed up), and non-profit organizations all have been brought together by the YWCAs of Princeton and Trenton around the same belief: that racism still exists in our communities and that it must be eliminated.

All change starts with intent. And as we stand here today, we intend to unite the community and overcome the messages of hate and discrimination promulgated by the more than 30 hate groups in New Jersey with a powerful unity of thousands of people that believe in peace. There is strength in numbers!

It is fortuitous for us that this Stand Against Racism comes at a time when there is much talk about racial issues in the election.

The YWCAs of Princeton and Trenton hope that as a commmunity, we will take advantage of the opportunity that the recent focus on race presents, by advancing our dialogue on race in a meaningful and unprecedented way. The problem of racism is immense and complex and there are those who criticize the YWCA for thinking that we can eliminate it. I don't know if we can eliminate racism in my lifetime, but what I do know is that refusing to try is not an option because racism hurts everyone!

And here today to help us try are the Honorable Mayor Trotman of Princeton Borough; Minister William Carter, the Minister for Music of our neighbor, the First Baptist Church; and Reverend Carlton Earl Branscomb, the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church. Welcome and thank you for joining the YWCA in its mission.