LYME — On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Partnership for Social Justice hosted its second teach-in focused on addressing important issues of racial justice in the area. The event was held at the Lyme Town Green next to the Lyme Town Hall. At the gathering, several speakers were invited to address the topic of the evening: Desegregating spaces, hearts and minds.
Tariko Satterfield, Sr., a resident of New London, spoke first on the topic of desegregating hearts. Satterfield is the CEO and founder of the company ReaLifEmpire, a youth-development embassy which, among many other services, offers coaching and mentoring in both group and private settings. Satterfield shared his personal experiences with racism and racial injustice both in Alabama where he grew up, as well as in Connecticut.
Through personal stories and anecdotes, he addressed the main topic of his speech, namely, that in order for anything to change, people must first desegregate their hearts. “America is having a heart attack,” he said, explaining that our society has allowed the unhealthy parts of humanity to overtake us and now must seek recovery from the racism and prejudice overwhelming people’s hearts.
Satterfield was followed by Finn Darby-Hudgens, the community outreach and education coordinator of Connecticut Fair Housing, a program dedicated to granting all citizens free and equal access to affordable housing in Connecticut. Hudgens spoke at the event about desegregating spaces, and gave a history of affordable housing battles that have taken place in New London County.
She discussed the background of zoning laws, identified the laws’ racist roots, and explained how and why towns need to fix them, as desegregating spaces is necessary to ensure equal opportunities in and outside of housing.
Unfortunately, the last invited speaker was unable to address the crowd due to time constraints. Kevin Booker, who serves as a City Councilor of New London – and who is an area entrepreneur, social activist, and educator – will return at an upcoming Partnership event to address the topic of desegregating the mind.
The next teach-in will be at Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
The LOL Partnership for Social Justice is active in many parts of the community and invites the public’s support and participation.
More information can be found on Facebook at Lyme-Old Lyme Partnership for Social Justice.
Seems there were more residents from New London attending this event than residents from Old Lyme, can anyone explain this lack of attendance by O.L. residents/leaders ?, I do have some thoughts but it would be interesting to hear from those whom stayed away.
Whether we speak of the attatudes of Lyme or Old Lyme residents/leaders their opinion on social issues are pretty much in lock step. While I respect the right for everyone to express their views there is no denying the fact that residents of New London and the Lyme’s differ significantly in their attitude’s as to what social justice is. Just because one disagrees that doesn’t make the apposing opinion wrong and that their views have too change it simply means the tent is big enough for more that just your or just mine opinion. Try listening.