No. 19 Vol. 2
www.mypaperonline.com
February 2021
Randolph PEACE Seeking to Make Changes in Community
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By Steve Sears t’s an idea – a prevalence, if you will - that has always been needed, and never more so than 2020 and now as humanity is seated in 2021. Peace. “I think the kind of tipping point was, with everything that was going on racially, as well as discrimination and racism and things like that, it kind of put it on its head, so to speak,” says Meredith Ross, founder of Randolph PEACE (Partnership Endeavor for All Citizens Equality), a group that currently has 152 members that seeks to change the “climate” and embrace diversity in all. The group, which is currently limited to tackling any issues within Randolph borders, is a diverse group of individuals coming together to make a change in the community. Promoted are tolerance, understanding, and acceptance for all regardless of race, culture, ethnicity, religion, or gender identity or sexual orientation. The group meets to brainstorm ideas, and then take action for change. There is a current leadership team including Ross who are of diverse backgrounds and cultures, religions, and ethnicities. When Ross started Randolph PEACE in June of 2020, she had three goals: build a diverse cohort of individuals committed to make change; serve as positive role models for others, and especially their children, teach them to stand up when others are
hurtful, discriminatory, hateful, and recognize covert and overt racism/discrimination; and identify and develop a network of community members and organizations who can work together to make change through action and education. The group is succeeding. “I think what’s so amazing about it is that how many people were on board with the mission,” says Ross. “And I never met the majority of these people in person, which is pretty incredible, to have joined the mission with not really knowing me from Adam. I’m proud. I’m thrilled of how it came across and, as it was developing, some people kind of really raised their hand to be taking a more active role. And then we developed a leadership team.” The Randolph PEACE leadership team is comprised of women from various backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities. “Everyone kind of brings different experiences to the table. And so, it really is a group effort. I may have started this, but I am not the end all and be all. We are very collaborative; I don’t make decisions without the consultation of my team. We’re very transparent in terms of what we’re all about.” “Our focus is addressing racism with an inclusive and intersectional lens.” Randolph PEACE held a fall and winter book drive into February and had collected close to 200 books donated by early January. “I think community awareness, kind
of our most visible activity is through that holiday drive, because we really wanted to have every kid be able to see themselves in a book,” says Ross. “We wanted them to be able to read about a character that’s like them and looks like them and maybe celebrates the same holiday as them. Also, to educate our youth in cultures or religions, or gender orientations outside of something that they may be familiar with. And
ultimately, learn about other cultures and religions, but also to realize how similar we really are.” Moving forward in 2021, the group aims to carry over what they did last year, and institute some new goals. “Last year we really worked collaboratively with the school system, we’ve worked with the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee, continued on page 2
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