Celebrating COAR's 3rd Year

​As we pass the 3rd anniversary of COAR's first (unofficial) meeting, we wanted to take a moment to appreciate how far we've come as a community committed to learning - and unlearning - to combat racism and bias in ourselves and our communities, and to reflect on next steps.

At our March COAR meeting, facilitated by Phil Gordon of SCI, we learned Catherine Hernandez's allyship creed, of which the first line reads, “When I do not act, I am complicit.” While the learning we do *in* COAR is a form of taking action, we invite you to transfer that learning into action *outside* of COAR.

Consider taking action in one or more of the following ways:

1. Volunteer to be on a local committee or commission to bring an equity lens to discussions, decisions, and planning. When we bring our learning to others, we can spread our knowledge and affect change.

• Concord-Carlisle Adult & Community Education Advisory Committee
• Open Committee Seats in Concord
• Volunteer Application Form for Committees in Carlisle

2. Attend public meetings (such as school committee or select board) and forums, and raise your voice during public comment periods to ask questions and encourage elected and appointed officials to bring an equity lens to their work.

3. Support local news outlets to bring transparency to DEI issues and the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion. Your support can start by subscribing to two local papers.

• Concord Bridge - new independent newspaper being formed in Concord. The next public forum is on Thursday, May 12, 7:30pm at Harvey Wheeler.
• Carlisle Mosquito

4. Vote in Town Elections for candidates committed to advancing equity concerns, and attend Town Meeting to likewise cast your votes for equity focused initiatives.

• Concord's Town Meeting continues, Monday, May 2, 7pm, and will begin with a vote on the proposed zoning amendment for the Thoreau Business District.
• Carlisle's Town Election is scheduled for next Tuesday, May 10.

5. When members of historically marginalized communities raise their voices, listen and amplify their messages. 

• To get involved with COAR's support of the METCO Family Collective's initiatives for change, start by joining the Collective's Facebook group as an ally.

6. Encourage other organizations you're involved with to begin - or continue - to look internally to identify ways to promote equity and belonging.

Thank you, again, for being on this journey with us. Our final meeting of the school year will be held on Monday, May 9, 7:30-9pm, or come meet us in person at Rideout Playground in Concord on June 1 at 3pm to help us kick off June Journeys 2022.

Stay tuned for info about June Journeys and our Summer Series soon... 

— COAR Team