Alice Coles is a community builder and activist who’s hard work and dedication to the rural town of Baywiew helped give positive redevelopment to a town that had not changed very much since African Americans began to settle there after the Civil War.

Until 2003, most of the 114 residents of Bayviewlived in the kind of abject poverty that is difficult to grasp: two- and three-room shacks with no running water and no heat, and the constant threat of fires from faulty electrical wiring. In the last year, most of those people have moved into modern housing, thanks largely to the efforts of Alice Coles.

In 1994, this single mother of two learned that the state of Virginia was planning to build a maximum-security prison on land that her ancestors had farmed for more than 300 years. “We decided to fight it,” Coles recalls, “because we didn’t have anywhere to go and we didn’t have anything to lose.” Coles, who at the time was making $5,000 a year handpicking the meat out of crabs, educated herself about how the Department of Corrections worked and traveled to Richmond to testify against building a prison less than a mile from where her children attended school.

“I didn’t have two pennies to rub together, but I told them about our dedication to our land and our children. And they listened.” Flush from that victory, Coles organized her neighbors and began applying for federal and state housing grants to turn the eyesore that was her community into a jewel. Today, 42 of a planned 132 homes are built, as are a greenhouse and a community technology center. Coles said:

“We have to look within ourselves for that one gift God has given us and use it. We just need to look around and see how we can make this world a better place to live.”

Alice Coles has appeared on 60 Minutes, PBS, and is a 2005 Impact award honoree and winner. These are just a few of the many awards and public appearances this community builder has received.

This event is sponsored by the APSU Alumni Association Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, the Felix G. Woodward Library and the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center.

For more information please contact Carol Lynnett Bennett, the Director of the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center at 931-221-6274 or fax 931-221-7952

Each representative is responsible for making sound and timely decisions on issues that are plaguing the survivability of our city, county, state, and nation. As responsible citizens we’re supposed to be the trumpets that sound the alarms signaling them to take actions.

Are we doing our forefathers justices by allowing these infractions of justice to continue unabated? Should we not be addressing these issues through the proper channels, reminding those in leadership positions that we will not permit their turning deaf ears to our uproar?

Clarksville is a growing metropolis. It is evident that in just a few short years our population will reach upward of 200,000, especially if the current sprawl is allowed to continue. With sprawl come the elements of prosperity. Some good … Some not so good. Now is the time to start preparing for the changes that will undoubtedly follow the course of action we have chosen through our election of the representatives who lead our city and county. Yes, whether we want them or not, with growth, whether define or undefined, come the imperfections associated with such progress.

As we move closer to the status of becoming a metropolitan community, we need to reconsider our ability to protect those who reside in our boundaries, identify methods to effectively deal with the inequities that will occur in our administering to a more diverse population, and start redefining how we will make the members of this great community feel more inclusive in the political, economic, and social affairs of our city and county. We also need to reassess the filling open leadership positions, and address the equity of the justice that’s being dispensed through our judicial system.

Each of those areas is pertinent in making citizens who reside within our borders feel more a part of the political and social environment. We have a constitutional mandate to demand the enforcement of local, state and federal laws that have been directed by legislative bodies who are chartered to regulate our commerce and justice systems.

We live in a country founded on the premise that equal justice is guaranteed to every citizen. Real justice begins with the establishing and dispersing the rule of law without exceptions. Laws designed to serve and protect every citizen. As citizens of this community, we need to be more aggressive in addressing the needs of our constituencies. If we are not vigilant, we are destined to become pawns of our own “inactions”.

Peace & Justice E-Blast
For the week of June 23 – July 1, 2007

Peace actions to end the Iraq War

Joyce Kisner — Monday Night Vigils on Any Corner (every Monday)

Every Monday – 6:00 p.m.
ORIGINAL CORNER: 14th and Eastland in East Nashville
SECOND CORNER: At the Wendy’s on West End Avenue , across from Centennial Park

There is no end date set for these vigils. Please join Joyce and others at the corner of 14th and Eastland in East Nashville every Monday night at 6:00 p.m. — or at that same time at ANY corner that works for you. Wouldn’t it be cool if throughout Nashville on Monday nights at 6:00 p.m. a growing number of vigils were happening on corners all around the city? Hey, why not throughout the state… even the country! To post a new corner address on the NPJC E-blast in the near future, send an email to Tamara, .

Other upcoming events

Tennessee Justice Center — Calling Parents, Doctors, Teachers, and Friends of Children on TennCare

Do you know a child on TennCare who is having problems getting what he/she needs?  Please call the Tennessee Justice Center toll-free at 1-877-608-1009 to SHARE THE STORY.

Tennessee Alliance for Progress (TAP) — Tennessee Progress Report on Radio Free Nashville (every Monday)

Every Monday, 5-6 p.m. CST
Radio Free Nashville, http://www.radiofreenashville.org/

Host Nell Levin, Coordinator for Tennessee Alliance for Progress, interviews key progressive leaders and activists, talks about current issues affecting our city, state and country, and plays her favorite musicians. Tune in!

Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) — weekly meeting (every Monday)

Every Monday, 6:30 – 8 p.m. CST
Red restaurant at Tribe, 1517 Church Street, Nashville 37203
Contact: Roger Schecter,

Fathers/Parents in Prison Support Group — weekly meeting (every Tuesday)

Every Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m.
The CBX of Centennial Boulevard, Men’s Minimum Security Prison

Fathers/Parents in Prison Support Group meets every Tuesday night at the CBX of Centennial Boulevard, Men’s Minimum Security Prison, at 5:30 p.m. It is a closely knit group of men who are seeking means to be better fathers to their children while they are incarcerated. It is a special needs group who, while incarcerated, work on maintaining contact and parenting their children from inside the prison walls. Part of the group is educational and discussion formatted. With written media, we assist the men who have low reading and writing skills and work on encouraging new healthy communication skills. Other men need a place to be and feel safe to express themselves away from the prison system environment even if it is only for a brief time.

The Fathers in Prison/Parents in Prison Project is seeking ex-cons who have been out for over a year, doing well, and are interested in talking to the group. We are also seeking Latino and African-American men to speak about fatherhood and what it means to them. And we specifically seek persons of all faiths.

We are open to ideas regarding interactive workshops at the CBX on parenting, self-parenting, relaxation, negotiation skills and child development. For contact information, call or email Deborah Jane Chadwick, or (615) 391-4079.

Fathers/Parents in Prison Support Group — Books needed for fathers in prison — please contribute!

Fathers/Parents in Prison Support Group is seeking Philosophy and Critical Thinking books in good condition. Reading level: high school — college. If you have books on these subjects to donate, please contact Deborah J. Chadwick, or (615) 391-4079. Books can be dropped off at NPJC, and Deborah will pick them up here.

United Food and Commercial Workers’ Union — Justice at Smithfield Farms, the largest hog processing plant in the world

Tuesday, June 26, 2007, 7:00 p.m. (for those that have not seen the “Witness” video – the story of these workers’ struggle in their own words — please join us early, at 6:30 p.m., for a showing)

Frothy Monkey Coffeehouse, 2509 12th Avenue South (between Beechwood and Sweetbriar), Nashville 37204
Contact: Kate Mason, UFCW organizer, at mailto:Every%20Monday,%206:30%20-%208%20p.m.%20CST or (202) 286-9626

The working people at Smithfield Inc.’s Tar Heel, NC hog processing plant, the largest one in the world, need our help!  They have been fighting for safer working conditions, respect, and a voice on the job for 14 years.  These workers can’t fight the company alone any longer.  UFCW has brought this cause to the national stage in a number of cities across the U.S. in the last year.  It is time for Nashville to join them in telling the company that it will not support products packaged with abuse any longer.  Join your fellow faith, community, labor, and political leaders this Tuesday for the campaign roll-out and help strategize for the summe rallies. 

Tennessee Health Care Campaign — Afternoon Radio Program on Radio Free Nashville (every Wednesday)

Every Wednesday, 4-5 p.m. CST

Listen to “Health Care in Tennessee ” on Radio Free Nashville every Wednesday from 4-5 p.m. Central Standard time, ONLINE. Radio Free Nashville is a low-power community radio station, currently available for listening online only (streaming audio).

Peace Coalition meeting

Every Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m.
Nashville Peace & Justice Center , 1016 18th Avenue South

Come be a part of this vibrant group, strategizing for peace! Make friends, plan events, end the war! The Peace Coalition meets at NPJC every Wednesday at 6 p.m. (with the exception of holidays). You’re welcome to join the in-person group or the online group, or both. For more info, check the online group or contact .

Earth Matters TN — Press Conference & Dedication of the DeFord Bailey Tribute Rose Garden, “Celebrating Past, Present, and Future Pioneers”

Wednesday, June 27, 2007, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
1001 Gale Lane and Lealand at the Carver Pavilion

Earth Matters Tennessee, in association with LifeWorks Foundation, is pleased to honor DeFord Bailey, Nashville musician and the first star of the Grand Ole Opry, in the upcoming opening and dedication of the DeFord Bailey Tribute Garden.  The garden, located in George W. Carver Food Park at the corner of Lealand (10th Ave. South) and Gale Lane in teh Sunnyside Community, will be presented on Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at 11 a.m. in a special ceremony open to the public. 

Appropriately, the garden will house nearly a dozen different varieties of miniature and tea roses named for country music singers and songs including Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Lynn Anderson, Elvis, and songs “Ring of Fire,” “Tennessee Waltz,” and “Rocky Top.”  The flowers are just a sampling from the Nashville Music Collection, which consists of apx. 20 different varieties of flora including flowers named after Pam Tillis, Minnie Pearl, Amy Grant and Blue Bayou, to name a few.  This is the first time the country music roses will ever be housed together in one location but it is not the last appearance these roses will make in the Nashville area.  “There is no more fitting a tribute to the man who helped make the Grand Ole Opry a household name than for Nashville to honor DeFord Bailey with a living tribute of a garden populated by flowers named after the singers and songs in country music,” explains Pat Bullard of Life Works.  The event will feature DeFord Bailey’s family including Jr. & Carlos Bailey, biographer David Morton, Sizwe Herring, Lisa Bullard, Skipper Poole, Silas Tyrone Newsome, Dr. Louis Mishu, and Gwynelle Dismukes.

Nashville Branch of the NAACP –  Mayoral Candidate Debate

Thursday, June 28, 2007, 6:00 p.m.
Nashville Downtown Public Library, 615 Church Street, Nashville, TN  37219
Contact the Nashville office: (615) 329-0999Join the Nashville Branch of the NAACP in a Mayoral Candidate Debate at the Nashville Downtown Public Library.

Women in Black — silent peace vigil (every Thursday)

Every Thursday, 12:15 — 12:45 p.m.
The bridge on Broadway across from the Tennessean building

Join local Nashvillians in protesting war by participating in Women in Black’s silent peace vigils.  Vigils happen every Thursday at the location above.  Women in Black is an international peace network.  It is not an organization, but a means of mobilization and a formula for action.  Women in Black vigils were started in Israel in 1988 by women protesting against Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.  Women in Black has developed in the U.S., England, Italy, Spain, Azerbaijan and in FR Yugoslavia, where women in Belgrade have stood in weekly vigils since 1991 to protest war and the Serbian regime’s policies of nationalist aggression.  Women in Black NY has been standing in solidarity with the women of Belgrade ever since 1993.

NPJC — Leadership Institute – Workshop #2: “Strategic Planning for Grassroots Organizations” by Cecilia Mynatt, Center for Non-profit Management

Thursday, June 28, 2007, 6-8 p.m.
Nashville Peace & Justice Center, 1016 18th Ave. S, Nashville 37212
$25 per workshop of the Leadership Institute (unless you pre-registered)
Contact: Tamara Ambar Losel, (615) 321-9066 or

Know where you’re going and how you’ll get there.  Learn to set achievable short and long-term goals, build power within your organization, research and plan strategically, identify and maximize opportunities, and lead your group in making decisions.  This workshop will be led by Cecilia Mynatt, consultant in Strategic Planning for the Center for Non-profit Management.  Don’t miss it!

La Casa (Central American Solidarity Association) — Pastors for Peace presentation & potluck dinner

Monday, July 9, 2007, 6:00 p.m. potluck dinner (presentation at 7:00 p.m.)
1925 19th Avenue South, right off of Portland Avenue, which runs between Belmont Blvd. and 21st Ave. S.
Contact: Eugene Teselle at eugene.

La Casa will host a Pastors for Peace caravan on its way to Cuba.  This will be on Monday, July 9, with a potluck dinner at 6 and the presentation at 7.

NPJC — Dialogue Circle (follow-up to May 24 Circle)

Tuesday, July 17, 2007, 6-7:30 p.m.
Nashville Peace & Justice Center, 1016 18th Ave. S, Nashville 37212
Contact: Tamara or Keith, or  

Mark your calendar for our next Dialogue at NPJC, a follow-up to the first Circle on May 24.  Inspired by the film, The Color of Fear, we will continue to discuss race and the effects of racism in our society.  Our objective is simply to have a safe space to talk and listen to each other’s experiences, respect our differences, and build trust and community.  All are welcome!  Let us build bridges of understanding together.  Coexistence is ours, if we want it!

JOB LISTINGS

Looking for jobs in peace and justice? How do you find out about them? NPJC wants to help you connect your skills and talents to meaningful work in Nashville . Please send an email to Tamara () whenever you hear about job openings in social/economic/racial justice, human rights, advocacy, and peace or conflict resolution!

• Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity seeks a Faith Relations Coordinator (Americorps)to develop and implement an annual plan for making contact and building relationships with local faith organizations and act as the liaison between organizations and NAHFH.  Work to maximize financial and volunteer support through communications and meetings.  Coordinate with and assist the Development Manager in the production of reports and lists to support the annual campaign for faith organizations and in the production and distribution of mailings for this constituency.  Interact with various program and development staff to achieve the best possible outcomes for various collaborative jobs or duties requiring a team effort.  Contribute to the team effort by willingly participating in NAHFH development events and in the Development Team staff meetings and functions.
• TN Conference on Social Welfare seeks an Advancement Coordinator for a part-time position with the possibility of full-time.  Contribute to the growth and expansion of the oldest, multi-issue social policy group in Tennessee as we approach our 100th Anniversary!  This part-time, contract position involves assuring TCSW membership, donor and conference operations are neat, organized, smooth, and efficient; positive external relations through the media; and swift response to rapidly changing electronic options for better performance.  For additional information about the Tennessee Conference on Social Welfare, (see: http://www.tcsw.org/).  Employment begins in July.  The position is for an average of 15-20 hours per week at $13/hr for a qualified individual, with hours being 1 to 5 p.m.  For a full job description.
• StoryCorps is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated Facilitators for a year-long commitment to work part-time at our newest StoryBooth in Nashville, TN.  StoryCorps’ mission is to instruct and inspire people to record one another’s stories in sound.  StoryBoothsare small, comfortable recording studios where friends, families and neighbors bring each other to conduct 40-minute audio interviews.  The stories recorded in these booths are housed at the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center.  Each week, stories from teh project air on NPR’s Morning Edition.  Interviews from teh Griot Initiative, a grassroots national tour that brings StoryCorps directly into African-American lives and communities across the nation, air on NPR’s News and Notes.  The collection wiill become our nation’s largest oral history archive.  For more detials about the position.  
• Visit the Center for Nonprofit Management’s Job board to view job listings.
• Visit Idealist.org, Action Without Borders, to view job listings.
• Visit the job listings in the non-profit section of Craigslist, Nashville.

…AND MORE…

Visit the Middle TN Progressive Calendar and get connected to more social justice events in our area for the next two months!

Spread the word! 

Change is possible, and it happens everyday! Forward this message to everyone you know, and encourage them to join our mailing list.

To subscribe to our weekly E-blast, send an e-mail with “subscribe to E-blast” in the subject line to .

To receive our bi-monthly newsletter, Alternatives, and other mailings, include your name and contact info in the body of the email (along with issues and/or organizations that interest you).

About the Nashville Peace & Justice Center

• African American men are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as white males (9.5% compared to 4% for whites).
• Among young men (20 to 24-years-old) 76.5 of whites were employed, compared to 68.8% of blacks.
• For blacks over 25-years-old with less than a high school education 60% are unemployed, as compared to 53% of whites.
• African American men earn only 75% as much as their white counterparts.
• For African Americans under 18-years-old, 33.5% live in poverty, compared to 10% of white youths.
• Among black Americans, 47.9% own their homes, whereas 75.8% of whites own homes. In addition, blacks are three times more likely to obtain high-priced mortgages than whites.
• Black men are more than 7 times more likely to be incarcerated than white men.
• Average jail sentences for African American males are 10 months longer than for white men.
• Young black men between 15 and 34-years-old are nine times more likely to die of homicide than white men the same age and they are almost seven times as likely to contract HIV/AIDS.
• Black children do well in early childhood–over two-thirds are enrolled in early childhood education programs, such as Head Start, compared to 64% of white children. However, black children, especially males, begin to drop out in middle school and high school at alarming rates.
• Twenty-one percent of teachers in majority black schools had less than three years experience, compared to 10 percent in majority white schools.
• Dollars spent per black student were 82% of those spent per white student.

For Excutive Summary: click here

For Report Abstracts: click here

To Obtain Complete 2007 Report: click here

On June 21, our two multi-millionaire U.S. senators from Tennessee, Lamar Alexander and Bill Frist, voted “no” again on a bill to increase the minimum wage. I find this appalling.

Growing up on a small farm in Tennessee, it was impressed upon me that hard work was not only expected but also is an important character trait. I think most people agree that no one in the United States who works full time for a living should have to live in poverty. To me, that means they can afford basic housing, groceries (not including meals out), needed health care, child care and other necessities.

According to most polls, Americans from all social, regional and political parties overwhelmingly support an increase in the minimum wage — 82 percent by a survey in 2005 (see people-press.org). Aren’t politicians constantly claiming to support the views of their constituents? Support for an increase in the minimum wage has remained above 80 percent since this question was asked in 1998. The last increase was from $4.75 to $5.15 in 1997.

As a clever smoke screen, we’re told that this will have a negative effect on business and the economy. Do you believe that this issue primarily affects teenagers? About 70 percent of minimum wage earners are adults age 20 or older; over half are 25 or older. The reality is that many households depend on minimum-wage workers for a substantial portion of their income.

Recently, Tennessee attempted but failed to raise the state minimum wage. Did your county representative vote against a fair shake for working people?

Please don’t take my word on this issue. Explore the information for yourself: http://www.ceprdata.org/. Hard work should be rewarded with a living wage.

BETH ROBINSON
Clarksville 37043