Letter from Executive Director John Feehan
May 20, 2022

I am not sure where to start this letter regarding the massacre in Buffalo, NY, because my emotions are running all over the place.

Last week I attended a meeting of the Newburyport Diversity Equity and Inclusion Alliance, where I heard why many African Americans celebrate Juneteenth. For many, this is not simply the end of slavery in our country. Rather, it is celebrated because it is the first time in our country’s existence that the ideals established in the Declaration of Independence came one step closer to realization. “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

On Saturday, May 14th, African Americans were once again massacred in our country. Once again, they were denied these fundamental rights.

According to news reports, the gunman, a young white male, had been radicalized through social media and other online portals to white supremacy hate groups.

I am sure that there are many in Conklin, NY who are wondering how this could have happened in their community. I am sure that there are many here in our community who are saying, “this could never happen here”. But the reach of conservative media, social media, and online hate groups are pervasive. If you have a TV or internet in your home, it could happen here.

Mayor Reardon and Superintendent Gallagher are to be commended for promoting discussions on racism in our community. They have the platforms to reach many young people in Newburyport. We need more programs that talk about our country’s racist heritage; how racism impacts our society today and what needs to be done to address racism’s root causes.

“…the very notion that learning about slavery or redlining or systemic racism somehow means that children are being taught to feel bad or hate themselves because they are white is absolute nonsense. No child alive today is responsible for slavery. No one in this room is responsible for slavery. But each and every single one of us bears responsibility for writing the next chapter of history….” Senator Mallory McMorrow in a speech given to the Michigan Senate.

If we want to live in a country that aspires to attain its ideals of the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all, then we need to actively counteract this hatred that is thriving. Otherwise, we run the risk of young people from Newburyport being radicalized in the same manner that this young man from Conklin NY was.

John Feehan
Executive Director
YWCA Greater Newburyport

Facility Hours

  • Mon– Fri: 6 am – 7:45 pm
  • Sat: 8 am – 1 pm
  • Sun: CLOSED

 

Become Part of Our Community

The YWCA Newburyport offers a variety of programs. Click below for registration information, or to register to become a member of the YWCA Newburyport!

Registration Information
Register Now

Make a Difference

We could not do the work we do for our community if it weren’t for the help of your donations. Thank you for your generosity!

DONATE NOW

Related Posts

get in touch

Organization/Name

Website

Presenting

Newburyport Bank

View Website

L.D. Russo

View Website

Empowerment

Anonymous Donor

Element Care

View Website

Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation, Inc

View Website

Mission

Arthur Gallagher Insurance

View Website

Caswell Mechanical

View Website

Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation

View Website

Linden Financial Services

View Website

Matter Communications Inc.

View Website

Stratford Capital Group

View Website

Williams Miller Family Foundation

Benefactor

3CM Construction Inc.

Beth Israel Health/Anna Jaques Hospital

View Website

BankProv

View Website

Dana Farber Cancer Center

View Website

Daniel Dennis and Company LLP

View Website

Valerie and John Feehan

View Website

ICON Architecture

View Website

JDS Flooring

View Website

Lynn Community Health Center

View Website

Mark Richey Woodworking

View Website

Margaret McCarthy

Salem Five Charitable Foundation

View Website

Turco Legal/p>

View Website

WIN Waste Innovations

View Website

Patron

Associated Home Care

View Website

Dry Air Systems

View Website

Nancy Forristall, Virtual Realty Group

JOGO Corporation

View Website

KABA

Klein Hornig

View Website

Lancelot Janitorial & Paper Supplies

View Website

New Ecology

View Website

Shauna Pieniazek

YWCA NEMA

View Website

Supporters

Align Credit Union

View Website

American Renaissance Painting & Restoration

Governmental Strategies

Jessica Baylor

YWCA Board of Directors

Lyndsay Cavanaugh

Fishbone Project Management

Governmental Strategies

Robert Mazzone

Governmental Strategies

Nancy McCafferty

Governmental Strategies

Julia McDonald

YWCA Board of Directors

Mead, Talerman and Costa

Governmental Strategies

Spruce Law Offices

Governmental Strategies

Christopher Welch Law Offices

Governmental Strategies

In Kind Donation

Seascoast Tent Rentals

Governmental Strategies

program registration

Registration Instructions

Register

 

facility hours

Mon-Fri: 6 am - 7:45 pm

Sat: 8 am - 1 pm     

Sunday: CLOSED