Thursday, September 20th, 2012

THE HISTORY OF September 20th, I'm ___________________ .

And I’m ___________________ . Today in 1830: the first so-called "Negro Convention of Free Men" is held in Philadelphia. The convention calls for a boycott of slave-produced goods and encourages free-produce organizations. The most active of these will be the “Colored Females Free Produce Society”. It will seek to overthrow the economic power of slavery one bolt of cotton and teaspoon of sugar at a time.

Supported by the abolition movement, the boycotts of slave produced goods, will publicize non-slave merchants and provide goods to members. They will refute the argument that boycotts ultimately hurt slaves. The movement elevates black women activists such as Frances Harper and Grace Douglass.

Thursday, September 20th, 2012

It's today’s Action Calendar!

Tonight, the Aldo Leopold Foundation presents “Imagining Nature: Writing about Life on Earth”. Author Scott Russell Sanders will read selections from his books illustrating how his own understanding of nature was formed, and discuss how writing might help us to envision a way of life that meets human needs while honoring and protecting Earth. There is a potluck at 5pm, and the presentation begins at 6. This is free, and will be held at at E13701 Levee Road in the rural township of Fairfield, Wisconsin. More info at aldoleopold.org.

Tonite at Rainbow Bookstore is the “Fall 2012 Discussion Series on the History of Radical Urban Politics in the Midwest.”  This week’s topic will be “1886 Hay Market Riot in Chicago, Milwaukee’s Bay View Massacre.”  Suggested short readings will be made available the week before each topic.  A more detailed bibliography is also available upon request.  This is tonite at 7 at the Bookstore, 426 West Gilman. For more info, email jepeck@wisc.edu or call 262-9036.

Literacy Network offers free tutors and English as a Second Language, or ESL, classes to adults throughout Madison and Dane County. The Fall 2012 schedule for ESL classes is now available. Some classes require registration. All are offered free of charge. There is free childcare offered for some classes. In addition to classes and tutors, Literacy Network also offers a computer lab, lending library, and online resources for adult learners. For more info, visit litnetwork.org or call 244-3911.

Wisconsin election officials are reaching out to voters this fall, speaking to groups around the state about “Voting 101: Back to Basics.” The Government Accountability Board created the Voting 101 speaker series to help Wisconsin voters learn what they need to know for the November General Election.  The G.A.B. is partnering with local election officials, community organizations, and elected officials to identify voter groups who are interested in hosting an event. For questions about the speaker series or to schedule an event, please contact Voter Services Specialist Meagan at 266-8175 or email meagan.wolfe@wi.gov