Arts and Writing Competition for Students Grades 8 to 12 is sponsored annually
by Connecticut People’s World Committee to remember the lives and dedication of Dalzenia Henry and Virginia Henry to the youth of New Haven and to make a better future.
BLACK YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Resistance 2.0 in Today’s Freedom Struggle
This SOLIDARITY PLEDGE: We Won’t Go Back! was made by all present at the People’s World Amistad Awards, Dec. 14.
“It’s up to us to defend our hard won democratic rights and protect our future. We reject all racism, bigotry, militarism and attempts at fear and division. We reject the use of smear tactics to justify war, repression and deportations. We join together in solidarity, and celebrate our diverse multi-racial, multi-national, multi-gender and multi-generational working class and people. Inspired by the historic freedom struggle, we pledge resistance and solidarity to defeat the Project 2025 corporate agenda and move forward, not back. We pledge to join in rapid response with our allies to resist every attack on any section of the people – an injury to one is an injury to all. We pledge to organize for multi-racial workers’ rights and worker power to win transformational change that puts people, peace and planet before profits. We Who Believe In Freedom Will Not Rest Until It’s Won.”
In 1964 when three young civil rights workers were murdered in Mississippi, civil rights activist Ella Baker said: “Until the killing of Black men, Black mothers’ sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother’s son—we who believe in freedom cannot rest until this happens.” James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner disappeared together during Freedom Summer. In response, hundreds more young people came to the South to take their place.
Express in artwork, essay, poetry, rap or song:
- What can you do along with others in your school to promote equality?
- What can you do along with your friends to reject, and educate against, hate speech?
- Reflect on historical figures in the freedom struggle and victories that were won. How can you help continue the fight and work to change your community now?
Share digital art work, drawings, paintings, collage, prints, photographs, essays, poems, raps or songs (max. two pages).
Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 13. MUST INCLUDE: Entry title, Name, address, phone, email, age, school, teacher’s name (if applicable). Send entries to: [email protected]. Prizes: Gift cards ($200 first place, $100 second place, $50 third place) and books. Presentation Prizes and recognition for all entries will be presented February 22 at the 51st Annual African American History Month Celebration. Info: [email protected] or leave messages at: 203-624-8664.