Fruita for Equality is a collaboration to support equality, inclusivity, and diversity through meaningful conversations and action in the community.
November 2021
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Mesa County Libraries will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25 and 26, for Thanksgiving. In addition, our libraries will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24. Happy Thanksgiving! |
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Spooky Pumpkin Extravaganza Recap |
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It was so wonderful seeing all of the adorable Halloween costumes at our Spooky Pumpkin Extravaganza!
Serendipitously, our event coincided with the Trick or Treat Street event hosted in Downtown Fruita, so event timing was perfect and the event was well attended. We gave out approximately 25 pumpkins and shared information about Fruita for Equality.
It was a really wonderful event, and we are so thankful to the many people who volunteered their time and donated supplies. In particular, we would like to thank the Fruita Rotary Club for donating pumpkins!
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Endurance & Grief Training |
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We discussed endurance and grief at the November committee meeting. In particular, the group discussed the need for coping skills related to pandemic fatigue. For many committee members, there is a sense of loss of agency or autonomy. For others, maintaining compassion for humanity was cited as a challenge when working with others who have a different point of view.
Some advice that was shared at the meeting included recognizing that many of us have experienced some form of grief - for a loved one or a major life change, for example - and that it can be helpful to provide stability and radiate peace. We aren’t always acting as our best selves, and recognizing this in ourselves and others can be an opportunity to build common ground and understanding, even with people with whom you disagree.
Another suggestion is that it can be powerful to share your experiences with others. Perhaps their experience is different from yours, but this is OK. Acknowledging the adversities that we face to others provides opportunities to build common ground and to experience compassion, even for those whose views are different.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration |
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David Combs from Black Citizens and Friends joined us to tell us about the plans for the 2022 celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Black Citizens and Friends is planning a five-day celebration with different events around the community. They are currently identifying partners and are in the early stages of planning. A member of Fruita for Equality will attend their planning meetings and look for opportunities where the committee could participate.
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The December Fruita for Equality meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, at the Fruita Branch Library IdeaLab or virtually (Please note that this meeting date is the SECOND Monday of the month due to the Christmas holiday).
Agenda:
- Skill Development
- Living Room Conversation Planning
- New Business
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Mesa County Libraries offer
Mirrors and Windows Reading Experience
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Participate in the Mirrors and Windows Reading Experience to explore the stories of our diverse world.
Discovering the experiences of others will help you connect with your neighbors in Mesa County.
Complete this reading experience by earning badges. For each badge, you will select and explore a title, reflect and/or share how the materials you chose sit with you. Each badge you earn will allow you to discover new stories or connect with stories similar to your own.
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Book/Media recommendations |
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eVideo available only on Kanopy - By Blood by Outcast Films
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A chronicle of American Indians of African descent battling to regain their tribal citizenship. "By Blood" explores the impact of this battle, which has manifested into a broader conflict about race, identity, and the sovereign rights of indigenous people.
The film demonstrates both sides of the battle, the shared emotional impact of the issue, and the rising urgency of the debate: a Native American and African American history has been overlooked, and a tribal body feels as though their sovereignty is under siege.
Winner of Best Short Documentary at the Native American Film Festival Of The Southeast and nominated for the Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Award at the Cleveland International Film Festival.
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Tommy Orange's wondrous and shattering novel follows 12 characters from Native communities, all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one another in ways they may not yet realize. Among them are Jacquie Red Feather, newly sober and trying to make it back to the family she left behind; Dene Oxendene, pulling his life together after his uncle's death and working at the powwow to honor his memory; and 14-year-old Orvil, coming to perform traditional dance for the very first time.
Together, this chorus of voices tells of the plight of the urban Native American--grappling with a complex and painful history, with an inheritance of beauty and spirituality, with communion and sacrifice and heroism. Hailed as an instant classic, "There There" is at once poignant and unflinching, utterly contemporary and truly unforgettable.
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About Fruita for Equality |
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Have a question about Fruita for Equality?
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