| Dear Brothers and Sisters, These are times unlike no other. If you're under the age of 80, then you know we are currently living through the worst economic times since 1929. In black communities throughout the Commonwealth, this means debilitating unemployment, mortgage foreclosures, hunger, poverty, family destabilization, drug abuse violence, and horrific cuts in the social safety net. Further, in Black neighborhoods throughout Massachusetts, we are losing more and more of the institutions whose purpose is to help our communities survive these difficult times. As 2010 recedes into 2011, the situation is expected to get worse. The Commonwealth is facing a projected deficit of more than $2 billion. And as is always the case with members of the Massachusetts legislature, they look to the communities they perceive to be disorganized, whose political leadership is deemed harmless in which to make cuts and inflict the most pain. That inevitably is the black communities of Massachusetts...the Democratic Party's most loyal voters since 1932! If we care about our communities, if we care about our children, if we care about the people who raised us, and if we care about the most vulnerable among us, our collective voice must loudly say not this time! That is why communities of black folk transcending the Diaspora have come together to organize THE BLACK COMMUNITY GATHERING. To be held on Saturday December 4th, Black Massachusetts residents from all walks of life are coming together to... · Develop an agenda that articulates what we as a collective community deem important to our community and what we want to see prioritized in our state budget and in our local city halls in this most crucial budget · Create a statewide network of Black organizations and activists working together on issues of common concern and become the voice of Black Massachusetts in the halls of government and corporate board rooms · Develop and train new leaders in the grassroots to ensure the agenda gets carried out, and · Commit to the empowerment and solidarity of black people working together in struggle The Gathering is about building community unity on issues of common concern. The Gathering is about recognizing the power that we collectively possess when all of us...African Americans, Black immigrants, gays, straights, artists and people with disabilities... come together, united behind a common agenda. We are a force that understands hard work and uniting behind a common agenda is how ultimately change occurs. If you are in it for the long haul, then Suffolk University Law School is where you want to be on Saturday December 4th. That being said, IF YOU ARE ANY OF THE BELOW, THE BLACK COMMUNITY GATHERING IS NOT FOR YOU: · Haters who get off destroying things before they have a chance to bear fruit; · People who like to argue, hear themselves talk, and not much else; · Come to events only to eat free food; · Have individual agendas; · Volunteer for everything and never follow through on anything; · Expect change to occur within the hour If you happen to fit any of the above criteria, we ask that you please stay home However, if you are excited about the prospect of a common agenda, the opportunity to effectively advocate for our community in the seat of power, watching change occur, developing new leaders, opportunities for new community investment, community unity that transcends issues of class, and are excited about the journey, then we hope you join us on the 4th. Please feel free to distribute this information to anyone committed to the growth and development of black people. And do feel free to call upon us at anytime if you have any questions or need more information. Peace Horace Small | 
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