Play explores race, power, love and fear

Neil LaBute, writer of The Shape of Things and In the Company of Men is considered one of the most powerful and prolific playwrights and screenwriters working today!

In his play “This is how it goes”, Neil Labute explores race, power, love and fear through an interracial love triangle that becomes more complex and revealing as this story of three fascinating characters unfolds.

For additional information, please visit them on the web.

Anti-Poverty Campaign - New Jersey

 

 Hello, 

I wanted to let the LSNJ community know about an opportunity to contribute your voices to a campaign that has been organized by the Anti-Poverty Network (APN) to try to get an increase in the state welfare grant amounts for the first time in over 20 years. The current grant amounts have remained stagnant since 1987, meaning that a single parent with 2 children on the TANF grant still receives only $424 a month in cash assistance, while an “unemployable” single adult receives $210 and an “employable” adult receives $140.

For anyone who finds this level of support for the state’s poorest children and adults shameful, there is any easy way to contribute to an effort to bring change. Just go to the website listed below and scroll down to the section titled “Adequate Welfare Grants Un-happy Anniversary Greeting Cards.” You will find instructions and links to a variety of “greeting cards” that the APN is going to be sending to state legislators after the December 5 APN Conference.

The idea is to gather 3 greeting cards from every individual to send to each of their state legislators. The cards explain in simple terms why the current grant levels are so inadequate and provide a place for you to fill out your name and address – personal messages are encouraged as well. There are both printable cards that can be folded into actual greeting cards and filled out in hard copy, as well as electronic cards that can be submitted by e-mail. More detailed instructions are on the website.

Participation in this effort is an individual opportunity that I hope you will consider. If we can gather enough cards, we can make a real statement to the decision-makers in Trenton that their constituents care about the individuals and families in the welfare program.  

Regards, 

Serena Rice

Managing Director

Poverty Research Institute of Legal Services of New Jersey

  

Forcing Female Genitalia Circumcision - NY Times

                                   

Drawing a Line Between Enduring Harm and Legitimate Fear, by ADAM LIPTAK, Published: November 5, 2007, NY Times 

When Alima Traore was a young girl in Mali, parts of her genitalia were cut off, which is the custom there…

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