January's Toolkit Theme: Empathy
Hello,

Welcome to the first Racial Justice Toolkit following Westborough’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2021 Virtual Community Celebration! In an effort to set aside some time in our busy lives, Westborough Connects invites you to reflect on our time together on January 18th through a series of monthly recommendations for contemplation, enlightenment, and action.

Each month’s toolkit will have a theme and include at least four recommendations for things to read, listen to, watch, or do. The resources will be free and available through the Westborough Public Library. 


"We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers."
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.


This month’s theme is Empathy:

We are all wired for empathy. Our development, environmental circumstances and life experiences ignite this ability to sense how other people feel or better yet, put ourselves in other people's shoes. What really is empathy? Psychology Today describes empathy as "the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person, animal, or fictional character." In essence, empathy is the necessary emotional ingredient for establishing meaningful relationships, behaving compassionately, and being able to experience other people's point of view other than our own. Ultimately, empathy leads to open-hearted and altruistic behaviors towards others that come from within. It is our hope that this month's recommendations will help you to self reflect on your own empathy and most importantly on your ability to display empathy. 

If you weren’t able to join us during the live event, you’re still invited to watch it via Westborough TV’s YouTube channel HERE.

Dr. Jamele Adams, AKA Harlym 1Two5, along with our student poets, were powerful voices inspiring us to act with Love, Inclusion, and Trust (LIT). As participants so bravely shared during the presentation, we have a long way to go. We have a lot to learn. But, we are ready to listen; we are ready to learn; we are ready to act. The time is now. Join us in learning, listening, and acting for racial justice together as a community. 

Thank you,
The 2021 Racial Justice Toolkit team at Westborough Connects


P.S. Your feedback is valuable and helps us plan our future events. If you attended the 3rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2021 Virtual Community Celebration, we want to hear from you. If you haven’t as yet filled the feedback form, please click HERE.
“Let me see the me in the we.”
-Dr. Jamele Adams
ONE Video
"Implicit Bias: Peanut Butter, Jelly and Racism,"
by Saleen Reshamwala, The New York Times (2m30s
ONE Article
by Elizabeth Svoboda, Greater Good Magazine
ONE Book Recommendation
Each of the books listed below is available through Westborough Public Library.
  • For children and people of all ages: The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena
  • For middle grades, young adults and people of all ages: Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar
  • For adults: Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
With Your Own Two Hands
  • For adults: Complete one of the activities in the Greater Good article, "8 Ways to Stand Up to Hate." (link above)
If you have received this email as a forward and wish to receive the monthly Racial Justice Toolkit email for the remainder of 2021, please click HERE. If you would like to be added to the Westborough Connects Diversity & Inclusion mailing list, please click HERE.
About Westborough Connects

Westborough Connects is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN # 84-1751472) focused on building a more connected and kind community where everybody feels like they belong. Often in partnership with others, Westborough Connects creates opportunities to support and celebrate the diversity, spirit, and character of Westborough through programs and events that are community-based, strengths-based and dedicated to connecting people to resources and each other.