By Kerul Dyer
Last week, as people gathered to celebrate Juneteenth in Medford at the BASE event, a dark shadow of hate peppered the outskirts of the crowd. The small group holding signs were thankfully missed by many in attendance and minimally impacted the lively celebration – but their grave and violent depictions disturbed many youth at the event.
At hand are members of the “Salt Shaker” group, known for displaying grotesque images and harassing passersby with obscene commentary and extreme judgment. One of the signs equated the so-called “abortion abolitionists” with abolitionists of slavery. Even further, the images depicted graphic images of the broken bodies of Black slaves, a bloody fetus, complete with a comic book-like story line that compared pro-choice women to white slave owners.
The “protest,” which consisted of a few angry white men, could not have come at a more inappropriate time or place, with many young children present. They were gathered in remembrance of the freeing of 250,000 slaves from captivity two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was decreed.
Peace House deplores the abhorrent gesture by the christian nationalist organization based out of Grants Pass, officially known as the Rogue Valley Salt Shakers. You can read more about the group and its activities and roots in two articles we published in the past several weeks.
BASE provided a statement addressing the impact on youth present at the event, titled Moving Forward that included the following:
“We understand that this is an ongoing journey and that our youth will likely encounter similar situations throughout their lives. It is our mission at BASE to continually support and empower our community to stand strong against injustice and to foster environments of inclusion and respect.”
-Vance Beach, Executive Director, BASE
BASE also provided the following Educational Worksheet for those traumatized by the incident.
Educational Worksheet: Understanding and Responding to Racism and Discrimination
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
- It is important to recognize and validate your emotions. Feeling upset, angry, or confused is a natural response to witnessing or experiencing racism.
2. Seek Support
- Talk to trusted adults, friends, or mentors about your feelings.
- Reach out to BASE mentors or counselors for guidance and support.
3. Educate Yourself
- Understanding the history and context of racism can empower you to respond effectively.
- Recommended Reading:
- “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
- “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
4. Constructive Responses
- Learn and practice de-escalation techniques to safely navigate hostile situations.
- Use your voice to advocate for yourself and others, either through dialogue or peaceful protest.
5. Know Your Rights
- Familiarize yourself with your rights in different situations (school, public events, etc.).
- Resource: ACLU Know Your Rights
6. Community and Collective Action
- Join or support organizations that work towards racial justice and equity.
- Participate in community discussions and initiatives to promote understanding and change.
Helpful Links and Resources
