The symbol representing The Gathering is the Sankofa Bird. Sankofa means "go back to the past in order to build for the future," or we should not forget our past when moving ahead. Visually and symbolically "Sankofa" is expressed as a mythic bird that flies forward while looking backward with an egg (symbolizing the future) in its mouth.
Sankofa is a realization of self and spirit. It represents the concepts of self-identity, redefinition and vision. It symbolizes an understanding of one's destiny and collective identity of the larger cultural group.
Sankofa is symbolic of spiritual mind-set and cultural awakening. Whatever we have lost, forgotten, forgone or been stripped of, can be reclaimed, revived, preserved and perpetuated. Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that they require national solidarity and collective focus to stop the political and moral obscenities that are severely undermining our justice system and violating the most sacred tenants of the Constitution of the United States of America.
The Gathering evolved out of this understanding, it creates an intergenerational, interracial, and multicultural space.
The Gathering is a National movement for coordination to engage organizations in a common covenant for justice and ending child incarceration. It was founded by actor/activist Harry Belafonte in 2005 after he witnessed police officers called in by school administrators put handcuffs on 5-year-old Ja'eisha Scott's wrists and ankles after a half-hour temper tantrum and took the 40-pound girl to the local police station before releasing her to her mother. Mr. Belafonte realized that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system.
Since this watershed moment, there have been 6 Gatherings over the past year and half. Collectively over 1,000 youth and 200 elders have come together and declared their commitment to this mobilization. The Gatherings have also been about bridging the gap between communities and different ethnic groups. Gatherings have been hosted by the Latino community in Santa Cruz, the Native American community at Onondaga Nation, the Caucasian Community in Appalachia, the Asian Community in Orange County as well as the Black community in Epps, Alabama. It's about bringing awareness to each of our communities. One HOOD has been involved in the Gathering from the first Gathering of the Youth in Epps, Alabama. It is because of One HOOD's participation and commitment to improving the lives of the youth in our communities that we have been asked coordinate the Pittsburgh Regional Gathering..
The Pittsburgh Regional Gathering is a collaboration between various organizations who desire to see Pittsburgh be a more livable city for all its residents especially the youth. The Organizations involved include One HOOD, PIIN, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Metro Urban Institute, Potter's House Ministries, Voices Against Violence, Darkins Communications, Mental Health Association-Allegheny County, You Sister's Project, Bethesda Presbyterian Church, Thomas Merton Center, Millions More Movement of Southwest PA, The BlackWatch Movement, Brotha Ash Productions, The League of Young Voters, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Disciples of the Village and the United Christian Hip-Hop Coalition.
The Pittsburgh Regional Gathering will begin on August 3, 2007, at 7:00pm with a kickoff concert at the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty featuring conscience Hip-Hop artist Wise Intelligent from Poor Righteous Teachers, as well as powerful and positive Hip-Hop artists from Pittsburgh. We want to show our youth we can have fun in a safe environment with positive music.
On Saturday August 4, 2007, at 9:00am there will be a conference centering on how we can effectively come together to provide and implement solutions to save the youth of our communities that are dieing daily. This conference will be hosted by the Metro Urban Institute and will take place at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Panels will be conducted and discussions will focus on the areas of Economics, Politics, Education, the Role of the Church, and the Role of Pop Culture/Media. Our Keynote Speaker will be Fred Hampton Jr. and we will have words of encouragement from Mumia Abu-Jamal. We will also have a panel highlighting injustices that have taken place in Pittsburgh and attorneys will provide guidance on how best to proceed when an injustice happens to you.
On Sunday, August 5 2007, we are calling on the faith community, be they Christians, Jews, Muslims or Other, to hold their services outside in the community. Our youth need to see more people of faith in the community encouraging righteous and moral conduct. At 3:00pm we will have a interfaith community dialogue at the historic Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Homewood then proceed to walk through the community in a show of unity under God.
We are still seeking organizations and individuals who would like to help us make the Pittsburgh Regional Gathering a reality. We also extend a special invitation to all of our elders for their participation. Please fell free to contact us at pittsburghgathering@gmail.com for more information or log on to www.thegatheringforjustice.org.
More info on prior Gatherings:
Harry Belafonte organizes 'The Gathering'I Chose To Be A Civil Rights Warrior
Who I'd like to meet: SAVE THE DATES: Nov 16-17 2007
The Gathering Convention will be a time for us to come together nationally, discuss our common agenda for justice, adopt our covenant and exchange organizing and policy models. The Convention will be Nov 16-17 2007, in Oakland, California.
National staff is creating a update list for those interested in attending the Convention. Please e-mail malia@thegatheringforjustice.org to be added to our email list.
glitter-graphics.com Hello,just stopped by to show some love your way.Hope all is well. *Donations can be made through our main organization, The Boston Womans Fund at BostonWomensFund.org Take care and enjoy the holiday season.
Humble thanks for nominating Jasiri X for "5" 2008 Pittsburgh Hip-hop Awards!
Please complete the historic event by Voting for Jasiri X to win!
LYRICISTS OF THE YEAR SINGLE OF THE YEAR MIXTAPE OF THE YEAR BEST INSPIRATIONAL ARTIST (or consider our brother REV J.E. Gamble) MYSPACE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Please Vote for Cynik Lethal - Male Artist and CD OF THE YEAR
A committed coalition of community groups and individuals gathered outside of the Allegheny County Courthouse and called for the immediate dismissal of all charges against Pamela Lawton on August 7th after her trail for disorderly conduct was post-phoned until September 20th 2007.
At which time it will be more than a year since Police Officer Eric Tatusko pulled his gun and approached Pamela Lawton's vehicle from the passenger side, where 7year old Joshalyn Lawton sat and threatened to blow her brains out unless she and the other children in the mini van stopped moving around.
Ms. Lawton's vehicle was towed at the time and she received a summons in the mail 3 weeks later indicating that she was being charged with disorderly conduct.
Pittsburgh's OMI (Office Of Municipal Investigations) has recently cleared officer Tatusko of any charges, however Ms. Lawton still faces charges of disorderly conduct.
Why is the District Attorney's office wasting time and money to punish a single mother of five children who has no previous criminal record and is of no threat to the community? - Minister Jasiri X
I'm very disappointed in the religious community, it would seem to interest people of God that this is a case where a woman who in her most desperate moment, fearing for her life and the lives of her children, she calls out for Jesus and is now being charged with disorderly conduct (the very same charge that Jesus Christ was charged with before being crucified). - Paradise Gray
We, the concerned people of the City Of Pittsburgh demand that District Attorney Stephen Zappala drop the charges of disorderly conduct against Ms. Pamela Lawton effective immediately.
Peace, I appreciate the add. Yo, feel free to hit me up anytime. My sophomore album "Legacy"is now available, so please click below and check back for new exclusives and updates. I do my best to change up my page:http://www.myspace.com/akir on the regular.
Online Now!
