Towards Racial Justice and Equity in the Berkshires
Join BRIDGE’s Towards Racial Justice and Equity in the Berkshires campaign by attending either or both of our monthly meetings:
There is no qualification to join either meeting; from professionals to residents and community leaders, all are welcome. Both are open to community members and local agencies committed to staying vigilant, in communication and unified in action, on racial disparities and injustices.
Meetings are responsive to community issues, designed for self-education and provide a framework for accountability, equity and safety within actions and education efforts.
Together, we are able to mobilize education and advocacy around equity and social justice by responding vigilantly to incidents of bullying, discrimination, gender bias, generational poverty as they arise in coalitions, schools, and community; running the Race Task Force and Towards Racial Justice and Equity in the Berkshires Campaign and hosting relevant events.
We outreach through our growing email list, via e-newsletters and local media and the BRIDGE Race Task Force Facebook page.
- Race Task Force, held the first Monday of the month, 12:30 - 2:00 pm at the Ralph Froio Senior Center in Pittsfield.
- TRJ-South, held the first Thursday of the month, 6:30-9:00 pm at the UUMSB in Housatonic. TRJ also holds regular caucus meetings for racial justice.
There is no qualification to join either meeting; from professionals to residents and community leaders, all are welcome. Both are open to community members and local agencies committed to staying vigilant, in communication and unified in action, on racial disparities and injustices.
Meetings are responsive to community issues, designed for self-education and provide a framework for accountability, equity and safety within actions and education efforts.
Together, we are able to mobilize education and advocacy around equity and social justice by responding vigilantly to incidents of bullying, discrimination, gender bias, generational poverty as they arise in coalitions, schools, and community; running the Race Task Force and Towards Racial Justice and Equity in the Berkshires Campaign and hosting relevant events.
We outreach through our growing email list, via e-newsletters and local media and the BRIDGE Race Task Force Facebook page.
core values
Core to BRIDGE is a modality that builds community while demanding increasing awareness and attention. Every training in the community or workplace we practice anti-racism--discussing race and unpacking systemic racial barriers and identify micro-inequities providing community work with resources and tools to dismantle racism.
Race Task Force and TRJ-South have adopted the following definition of RACISM (adapted from the PISAB): White Privilege + Economic & Social Power/Access + Racial Prejudice, and use the following systemic analysis on race and equity: Individual, Interpersonal, Cultural and Institutional to dismantle the political construct of race.
The core values for this work are: trust, safety, and accountability in relationships working towards transformation and liberation for all.
Race Task Force and TRJ-South have adopted the following definition of RACISM (adapted from the PISAB): White Privilege + Economic & Social Power/Access + Racial Prejudice, and use the following systemic analysis on race and equity: Individual, Interpersonal, Cultural and Institutional to dismantle the political construct of race.
The core values for this work are: trust, safety, and accountability in relationships working towards transformation and liberation for all.
Learn more about our ongoing campaigns
BRIDGE and its county-wide Race Task Force announced the launch of the Not in Our County - Berkshires campaign in 2016 aimed to unify communities throughout Berkshire County, MA to stop hate, address bullying, and build safe, inclusive communities. Currently the school committee, state representatives and Senator along with 350 resident pledges. Our BSURJ and Racial Justice volunteers have committed to follow up with securing pledges and actions. Our Race Task Force is committed to following up with any institution where intolerance or bullying happen with a formal letter and follow up from a member.
Other recent campaigns include: the Great Barrington Trust Policy, a citizen-initiated effort that helps to ensure that all residents living and working in the Great Barrington community are fully protected and supported by the local police and town government, and the W.E.B Du Bois 150th Celebration and annual Du Bois Festival, of which BRIDGE was a co-sponsor and lead coordinating organization.
Other recent campaigns include: the Great Barrington Trust Policy, a citizen-initiated effort that helps to ensure that all residents living and working in the Great Barrington community are fully protected and supported by the local police and town government, and the W.E.B Du Bois 150th Celebration and annual Du Bois Festival, of which BRIDGE was a co-sponsor and lead coordinating organization.
10+ Years of BRIDGe's Towards Racial Justice and Equity in the Berkshires campaign
Catalyzing change and integration starts by looking at the roots of the injustices perpetrated and perpetuated by systems that have been in place since the founding of this country, and continue to this day. To address issues of poverty and gender equity, we must also understand the construct of race--especially when we are being led by a minority (historically oppressed but global majority) and women Staff and Board.
Knowing this, founded and led by BRIDGE, Towards Racial Justice and Equity in the Berkshires was established in 2009 with key local Berkshire leaders from all sectors and in partnership with the Department of Justice Community Relations Division. We held the first Berkshire County-wide community dialogues on race explicitly in 2010. The BRIDGE Race Task Force began then and remains together now--meeting monthly and convening events both in response to incidents and for community education. It is a network of local leaders and community members who are dedicated to education, dialogue and actions surrounding race and ethnicity that will effect change and create safe and inclusive communities across the county.
Since 2010, several other Berkshire County groups and organizations have formed or reactivated to celebrate diversity, educate and respond in community and we are proud of these results of our joint work and collaboration. Most recently, after the heightened awareness throughout social media and parallel to the formation of Black Lives Matter in 2016, BRIDGE was asked by southern Berkshire clergy leaders to hold forums on race and TRJ-South was formed. It is a sub-task force committed to cultural humility, self-education, accountability, and action in support of the Towards Racial Justice and Equity in the Berkshires Campaign.
We also hold TRJ monthly accountability meetings -- the TRJ POGM Solidarity Caucus, TRJ Conscious Masculinity for Racial Justice and TRJ White Accomplices for Racial Justice meet every other month, with BRIDGE facilitators' support and education on the intersection of identity in racial justice work.
To support cultivating educated and accountable allies and to give language and support for those historically oppressed, BRIDGE also holds racial justice education courses that 8-12 hours long periodically throughout the year. We have 8 cohorts of alumni as a resource for those in equity and justice work at whatever level you are and from whatever identity you hold.
Knowing this, founded and led by BRIDGE, Towards Racial Justice and Equity in the Berkshires was established in 2009 with key local Berkshire leaders from all sectors and in partnership with the Department of Justice Community Relations Division. We held the first Berkshire County-wide community dialogues on race explicitly in 2010. The BRIDGE Race Task Force began then and remains together now--meeting monthly and convening events both in response to incidents and for community education. It is a network of local leaders and community members who are dedicated to education, dialogue and actions surrounding race and ethnicity that will effect change and create safe and inclusive communities across the county.
Since 2010, several other Berkshire County groups and organizations have formed or reactivated to celebrate diversity, educate and respond in community and we are proud of these results of our joint work and collaboration. Most recently, after the heightened awareness throughout social media and parallel to the formation of Black Lives Matter in 2016, BRIDGE was asked by southern Berkshire clergy leaders to hold forums on race and TRJ-South was formed. It is a sub-task force committed to cultural humility, self-education, accountability, and action in support of the Towards Racial Justice and Equity in the Berkshires Campaign.
We also hold TRJ monthly accountability meetings -- the TRJ POGM Solidarity Caucus, TRJ Conscious Masculinity for Racial Justice and TRJ White Accomplices for Racial Justice meet every other month, with BRIDGE facilitators' support and education on the intersection of identity in racial justice work.
To support cultivating educated and accountable allies and to give language and support for those historically oppressed, BRIDGE also holds racial justice education courses that 8-12 hours long periodically throughout the year. We have 8 cohorts of alumni as a resource for those in equity and justice work at whatever level you are and from whatever identity you hold.