January 2010 E-newsletter

Dear Friend,

Just after the New Year began, a federal appeals court overturned Washington State’s law barring felons from voting, because, as the court put it, the state's criminal-justice system is "infected" with racial discrimination.
 
The “infection” of structural racism affects life in communities across the West, and organizations are implementing multiple strategies to treat the infection and inoculate their communities to prevent its spread. This month we focus on two such efforts: one to hold Nevada lawmakers accountable for the racial impacts of their decisions; the other to ensure that people don’t count themselves out by ignoring the Census.

In solidarity,

Dan Petegorsky, Executive Director

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Nevada Racial Equity Report Card

On December 15, the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) released the first ever Nevada Racial Equity Report Card. The report card was a joint effort of Western States Center and PLAN. Read more...

2010 Census: Money on the Table

The data collected by the Census this year will be used to determine a host of issues critical to our communities. The census, much like voting, is another tool that community groups can use to advance their own goals and make a difference at the state and federal level. Read more...

Oregon Special Election 

Ballots have been mailed for Oregon's special election to preserve new sources of revenue for state services. Polling is drawing the race closer, but the forces to preserve public schools and public services are implementing an amazing field program to get out the vote. Find out more at: voteyesfororegon.org

Join the Center in Making Change!

A sincere THANK YOU to all those who prioritized Western States Center in their 2009 giving.  In spite of tough economic times, your donations made this one of the best years ever for the Center.  We look forward to striving for justice together as a new year, and a new decade, kick off with new challenges and opportunities.
 

Helen Kim (left), Kelley Weigel (center) and Rockwood Leadership Institute Executive Director (and trainer) Akaya Winwood (right).

Center Travel: Picture of the Month Kelley Weigel attended Rockwood Leadership Institute's Art of Leadership training for women in Sonoma, CA at the end of last year.