News from the Director:
Friends Center connects Philadelphians today to the Quaker history of the city founded by William Penn. While that history includes many examples for us Quakers to be proud of, it also includes many things we should rightly be ashamed of. (For example, while Penn approved the Charter of Liberties for Pennsylvania in 1701, which later became a major basis for the Constitutional Bill of Rights, Penn also enslaved other humans.)
While we cannot afford to gloss over the past (whatever your background or affiliations), we also need inspiration from stories of people acting with courage for good.
Two local exhibitions this month provide an incredibly timely look back: The American Friends Service Committee’s “Wage Peace” exhibition for their 100th anniversary is on view now at the African American Museum of Philadelphia; and “Uprooted: Life in Japanese American Farm Labor Camps” is coming to Friends Center later this month. Details for both are below.
I hope you’ll take time to see them and to reflect on a query: What meaning might these stories have for you today?
Finally, I’m grateful to all of you here at Friends Center today for being part of the present story. You are inspiring!
AROUND FRIENDS CENTER
Traffic Pattern Changes on Cherry St. in Jan.-Feb.
The contractor rebuilding the Love Park Garage has requested temporary changes in traffic patterns for our block of Cherry Street during the morning and evening rush hour throughout January and February. You should have received timeline information last week. If you have any questions, please contact Chris.
The Mobile CPR Project
The Mobile CPR Project is conducting a free, 30-minute, non-certification class on March 20th at noon in the Martin Luther King Room. Space is limited.
Uprooted Exhibit
This month, Friends Center will be hosting the exhibition “Uprooted: Life in Japanese American Farm Labor Camps During World War II.” The exhibit was brought to us by the Japanese American Citizens League. The exhibit runs from February 18th through March 9th in the Cherry Street Room, and focuses on the Japanese American Farm Labor Camps during WWII. For more information, or to schedule a guided tour, please contact Teresa Maebori.
Net Tuesday
The next Net Tuesday will take place on February 7th. Ali Wilson of Seer Interactive will be on hand to discuss the ins and outs of Google Grants. This free event begins at 6pm in the Rufus Jones Room. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP here.
TENANT NEWS
American Friends Service Committee
Read AP News’ article on the ‘Waging Peace,’ American Friends Service Committee’s exhibit marking their centennial. Exhibit details: http://exhibit.afsc.org/.
AFSC and others hosted an event for Syrian refugee families here at Friend Center last Saturday, take a look.
CAIR- Philadelphia
CAIR-Philadelphia participated in the ACLU’s press conference regarding their lawsuit on behalf of the families turned away at Philadelphia International Airport last weekend. Read about it here.
Art-Reach
Read about Art-Reach’s collaboration with FringeArts for a ‘radically accessible’ Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret here.