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This webinar is a part of a two-part series. Attendance at both sessions is encouraged. However, people may sign up for the webinar without also signing up for the workshop. The webinar is REQUIRED to attend the workshop. (The registration link for the workshop will be e-mailed to you upon registration for the webinar.)

This two day webinar + workshop explores the history of and links between racism, classism, ableism and other forms of systemic oppression. Histories of ableism shape how disability uniquely lives in the bodyminds of the present, but those histories are rarely unearthed.

Webinar, Friday, October 16, 1 to 4pm Eastern: The webinar will contextualize and explore the racist-ableist roots of eugenics, white supremacy, enslavement, institutionalization and incarceration so participants can identify how disability is implicated and/or excluded from our work.

Workshop, Sunday, October 18, 1 to 4pm Eastern: After developing a more expansive understanding of disability and ableism the workshop will allow participants to find ways to implement practices of Disability Justice to increase solidarity between and across more people and movements. (REQUIRES A SEPARATE REGISTRATION PROCESS. You will receive these details once you have registered for the webinar.)

This event is free and open to all. Donations welcome. This event has been sponsored by the Wild Ivy Social Justice Network, a project of the Western Mass Recovery Learning Community.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS:

DUSTIN GIBSON: Dustin brings lived experience, scholarship, histories, art and resources into classrooms, neighborhoods, and carceral institutions to support people in collectively imagining and building a world free from institutionalization and incarceration. He is guided by the aspiration, legacies, and pursuit of liberation as he strives to address the nexus between race, class, and disability. https://www.dustinpgibson.com/

TALILA "TL" LEWIS: TL is an abolitionist organizer-attorney who works to ground social justice movements in disability justice. Lewis’ advocacy primarily focuses on police and prison abolition, decriminalizing disability and survival, ending wrongful convictions of deaf and disabled people, and supporting multiply-marginalized deaf and disabled people affected by mass incarceration. https://www.talilalewis.com/

DORIAN ESPER-TAYLOR: Dorian advocates for the rights of folks with disabilities and surviving institutional violence since their own life has been shaped by such experiences. They work as a paralegal for the Lavender Rights Project, and attend school with hope of completing a Bachelors in Law and Policy. They seek to bring his motto "accessibility as an afterthought is the opposite of inclusion" into all gender-affirmative services and organizations. https://www.lavenderrightsproject.org/staff

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Join us on Facebook and Youtube for a three-part series of virtual events exploring abolition as a critical framework for change. Scholars, activists, and organizers will lead these community conversations about challenging systems and reimagining ways to achieve justice and liberation.

On October 16th Derecka Purnell will lead the conversation about abolition across systems for our annual Amplify Your Voice series. A human rights lawyer, writer, and organizer, she works to end police and prison violence by providing legal assistance, research, and trainings to community based organizations through an abolitionist framework.

This presentation will occur LIVE on the Graduate College of Social Work's Facebook and YouTube page Friday, October 16 th at 3:00 p.m.

EYES ON ABOLITION: Social Justice solutions with Derecka Purnell

Date: Friday, October 16, 2020
Time: 3:00 p.m.
The event will be streamed live via Facebook and Youtube
In case you missed the first event in our Eyes on Abolition series view the recording of Social Justice Solutions with Dr. Ruth Wilson Gilmore here.

SUBMIT A QUESTION

If you have a specific question about abolition as a critical framework for change OR a question you'd like to ask our speaker please CLICK HERE to submit your question. All approved questions will be asked dusting the live event.

VIRTUAL VIEWING FAQ

Q: How do I watch the live simulcast on the Graduate College of Social Work’s Facebook page?

A: The Live Simulcast will appear on the college’s main homepage. Once the simulcast begins you will be able to view as well as ask questions in the designated chatbox. Click here for an event reminder.

Q: How do I watch the live simulcast on the Graduate College of Social Work’s Youtube page?

A: The Live Simulcast will appear on the college’s main homepage under “uploads.” Once the simulcast begins you will be able to view the event as well as ask questions in the designated chatbox.

Q. What if I don't follow GCSW Facebook Page?

A: You can still watch the live feed on the GCSW Youtube page and subscribe. By hitting the bell icon on our Youtube page you will receive notifications when the event is live!

Q: Can guests ask/submit questions during the live simulcast?

A: Yes. Guests will be able to ask questions during the live simulcast. Questions will be moderated and shown on screen during the Q & A portion of the simulcast.

Q: Will this live event be available to view after the event?

A: Yes. This event will be archived on the GCSW Youtube page and available under the video section of the GCSW Facebook page.

Should you have additional questions about our three-part virtual events series please email uhgcsw@gmail.com.

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You are invited to join in a weekly gathering to mourn and deepen our collective resolve to promote justice.
We will gather weekly on Fridays at 5 pm, starting this Friday, June 12, at Field Park in Williamstown (the green on the rotary). Together, we will join in respectful silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, in honor of George Floyd and the countless other Black people killed by police brutality and other forms of white supremacist violence. We aspire to practice this every week until the November election.
All are welcome. We hope that this weekly gathering may serve to deepen our commitment as a community to dismantle systemic racism. We recognize that Williamstown, too, must uproot white supremacy. Williamstown, too, must change so that those of us who are Black can breathe. We gather on Fridays to recognize these truths and recommit ourselves to the work.
Please wear a mask, practice social distancing, and invite your friends and family.
You are invited to bring signs or works of art if you are so moved. Anger is welcome. Rage is welcome. Grief is welcome. Exhaustion is welcome. We welcome all heartfelt expressions in honor of Black liberation and ending white supremacy.
Parking is available at the Williamstown Public Library and the Old Williams Inn.
Please spread the word!
Questions? Contact Rachel Payne at 617-309-0186 or rachel.r.payne@gmail.com

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