Jackie Ford, Jackie Killingsworth, Arlene Johnson, and Elaine Kushmaul, members of the Diversity in Action Committee, with Pamela Ice, center, the speaker at the September Voices United meeting.
Dianne Ace
Everyone wants to be safe and to be seen. This was the topic discussed by Pamela Ice at the September meeting of Voices United. Pamela has resided in Dallas since 1981. After receiving a Master’s in Humanities from UT Arlington, she spent the next 20 years as a professor at North Lake College in Irving.
Pamela explained to the group that race is a social construct used to group people based on physical traits like skin color and facial features. Modern science and genetics show that distinct human races do not exist biologically. She explained that racism is a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. Anti-racism is the opposite. However, anti-racism is rooted in action. It involves actively challenging racism. Pamela ended her talk by emphasizing that we are one people, and we all have a shared history. The program was presented by the Voices United Diversity in Action Committee.
Rather than have a regular luncheon meeting in October, Voices United will get together for a Giving Circle. Three non-profits that operate in Denton County will be invited to give a presentation about their work and goals. The members will then be invited to make a donation to the organization of their choice. This is an annual event designed to give the members a chance to donate to local organizations. Additional information can be found on the website www.voicesunitedrr.org.
Voices United is a non-partisan group of Robson Ranch women who share progressive values, perform community outreach, provide civic awareness and social contact for members … and have a good time! We’re a 501(c)(3) group. Our annual dues are $25.