YWCA to Host “Stand Against Racism” Rally at City Hall

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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Joe Parello, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

The YWCA of Central Massachusetts will host the “Stand Against Racism” in the City Hall Commons this week.

The event is a collaboration of over 50 organizations and groups throughout Worcester, and is a part of a larger national movement involving YWCA branches from all over the country.

The public stand will take place Friday at 3 pm and will feature speak-outs, remarks and performances from local groups including Black Men Rising and Youth Empowerment and Activism.

Linda Cavaioli, the YWCA’s Executive Director, hopes that many groups throughout the city will join Friday in spreading a message of tolerance.

“Today, the YWCA Central Massachusetts is calling on all local organizations, corporations, churches and other houses of worship, government agencies and individuals in central Massachusetts to join with us by becoming a participating site of the 2012 Stand Against Racism,” Cavaioli said. “Any group of any size that believes in a society free of racism is invited to join us.”

The Stand Against Racism is a movement started by the YWCA aiming to bring people together across the country to raise awareness that racism still exists. The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, a group providing services to individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities, is a participating site, and recruiter Heather Root says the reason why is simple.

"The Bridge takes a Stand Against Racism because it’s the right thing to do,” Root said. “We are an incredibly diverse agency, and believe everybody should be treated equally and respectfully."

The stand is expected to run until 5 pm, but the Stand Against Racism Board of Directors hope that their message of awareness and tolerance will last a great deal longer. Stephanie Williams of the board feels that way, and believes we must always be open to thinking about the impacts and causes of racism.

“It's very timely in terms of what is happening in America today,” Williams said. “While it's officially one day, we need to sustain the dialogue and reach beyond the hero and holiday models. I think it's really important in terms of race relations because teaching doesn't always result in learning, and learning happens at the speed of interest.”