Pasadena

People of Note, PONDER

People of Note: Andre Henry – Musician, Author, Activist

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While the events discussed in “All the White Friends I Couldn’t Keep” were playing out, Henry wrote his popular song “Playing Hookey” about his frustrations with White Evangelism. As he’s grown as a community activist — helping lead marches in Pasadena and even carrying a boulder around to represent the burden that Black people face in society — he’s processed through his own beliefs about Christianity and the person of Jesus.

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People assemble along the side of the road which is covered in candles. An orange table on the sidewalk provides a congregating point for participants.
JUSTICE, Police Reform

A Memorial for Pasadena’s Reginald (JR) Thomas

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There have been two street-side memorials in Pasadena recently held for young Black fathers killed by the Pasadena Police. One was on August 15th and the other was on September 30th. The first was held in Northwest Pasadena across from La Pintoresca Park just up from Washington Blvd. and the second was held on East Orange Grove Blvd. in-between the intersections of North Marengo Ave. and Garfield Ave.

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Pasadena's city hall lit up as sunset begins
JUSTICE, Justice in Action, Racial Justice

Pasadena, CA | A Tale of Two Cities, 2020

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Many people today are dissin’ 2020 like a bad penny; memes, tee shirts, and coffee mugs can all be found that denigrate the year.  And it’s no wonder: in California alone we’ve experienced unprecedented fires throughout the state, the coronavirus pandemic to deal with, nonstop political division (and at one point a 4.5 magnitude earthquake) and perhaps most importantly, like the rest of the country, we are experiencing a civil rights reckoning focused on the effects of systemic racism, white supremacy, and police brutality. As in many cities across America and beyond, residents and families in Pasadena felt compelled to protest and stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter this past summer after the horrendous death of George Floyd at the hands of police.

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