Program Guest Speaker February 27th, 2023

On February 27th, thirteen members of the BUF BLM Action Ministry team welcomed Jason McGill as our guest speaker.  Jason is the ED of Northwest Youth Services, and hails from West Virginia.  As part of our Widening the Circle effort, Blaine police chief Donnell Tanksley and Restorative Community Coalition president Joy Gilfilen also joined the Zoom call.

Jason shared programming at NWYS, including the acquisition of a house in Ridgemont that will accommodate young adults.  Last year, over 400 homeless young people were first time participants in NWYS programs.  In all, Jason estimates there are over 1200 homeless youth in the area.

The conversation turned to the question of how the current justice system is not serving society.  Jason related the story of Portugal, which has invested considerably in preventative and rehabilitative services that reduce crime and keep individuals out of jail.  In comparison, the challenge of local reactionary policing was discussed, along with the incarceration system and continued argument over building a new jail for Whatcom County rather than investing in prevention.

Jason described his concept of Beloved Community following the teaching of Dr. King.  He also discussed allyship and promotes Dr. Cornell West’s concept of a Love Warrior.

Program Guest Speaker February 20th, 2023

On February 20th, the BUF BLM Action Ministry team welcomed Matthew Durkee as our guest speaker.  Matt identifies as transnational/transracial as he was born in Korea and adopted by a white family in Bellingham at the age of 5.  Matt is veteran and currently serves as the Director of the Veterans Resource Center at Edmonds College.

Matt shared his experience growing up and going to high school in Bellingham where he regularly faced racism, oppression and violence.  Matt was clear that Bellingham is diverse, but that only insiders see that diversity.  He also pointed out that those new to Bellingham, and those who are not insiders to Bellingham’s diversity, don’t necessarily understand the needs of the oppressed, and need to listen and not act like “saviors.”

Matt refers to the U.S. as a “salad bowl” as each individual’s uniqueness contributes to the overall “flavor” of the nation.  Matt shared that his military experience and exposure to strong leadership instilled in him a sense of creating “hand-ups” rather than “hand-outs” for the less-fortunate.  He believes in a national service model and he is a proponent of “peace officers” rather than police officers. Matt also has a strong interest in truth in education.