Ethical Humanist Society of the Triangle

Humanist Happy Hour in Carrboro
2017-10-11 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | NC
EHST will celebrate humanism and friendship at Crossties Barbeque in Carrboro (201 E. Main St, NC 27510). They serve BBQ and other items; here is their menu. We welcome atheists, agnostics, deists, and other non and post theists as well as the merely curious to join us!

Save Our Sons!
2017-10-08 09:30 - 11:30
Kimberly Muktarian, President of Save Our Sons Raleigh, will speak to us about her organization which supports fair and proportionate sentencing laws that allow discretion while also maintaining public safety. It was founded in 2004.

Responding to Domestic and Sexual Violence
2017-10-01 09:30 - 11:30
Domestic and sexual violence cause harm to couples and families and can become life threatening. The Durham Crisis Response Center has been providing services to such victims in the Durham area for 31 years. It has helped 20,000 women and children over that time, who have found safety at its shelter, and many more have benefited from its services. October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. Shirrell Thomas, outreach coordinator from the center, will speak to us about the mission and activities of the Center.

Disability Rights in North Carolina
2017-09-24 09:30 - 11:30
Elaine Whitford of Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC) will speak to EHST about the status of disability rights in North Carolina and how DRNC is protecting the rights of people with disabilities through individual and systems advocacy. DRNC has also recently released a report on suicide in jails in North Carolina. You will want to hear about the many issues they address in helping those with disabilities!

Charles Morris - Translating Data into Effective Videos
2017-09-16 21:30 - 2017-09-17 11:30
Local film maker Charles Morris will speak to EHST about how he translates data and fact into visual formats via videography. To see an example of how he does this, and to learn about how many jobs recycling plastic bottles provides in North and South Carolina, check out this video. You may view more of his videos at his Vimeo site.

Humanist Happy Hour in Chapel Hill
2017-09-13 14:00 - 16:00
EHST will celebrate our Humanist Happy Hour at Bar Taco at University Mall (201 S. Estes Dr, Suite 3). This is our first HHH at this venue, and we hope that all will enjoy it. It’s right next to the Silver Spot Cinema. Note that there is no entrance to Bar Taco from inside the mall, so just enter from the parking lot.

Discussion of the documentary "The Wobblies"
2017-09-10 09:30 - 11:30
EHST will discuss the documentary shown last week titled “The Wobblies.” We will use our small group discussion format to analyze the documentary. What does the film tell us about our struggles today? What can we learn from the past? You are welcome to participate in the discussions even if you were not able to attend the showing of the film last week.

Labor Day - Voices from the Past Call Out to Us
2017-09-03 09:30 - 11:30
EHST will celebrate Labor Day by showing the documentary film “The Wobblies,” about the founding of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in 1905, in the time of a widening economic chasm between industrial giants and downtrodden workers. The IWW was the only union in its time that was open to all workers, regardless of gender or ethnicity. The film will be introduced by Greta Dorfman, whose uncle, Sam Krieger, was a laborer who later became an organizer, and whose interview appears in the film.
Songwriter, itinerant laborer , and union organizer Joe Hill was martyred when he was killed by a firing squad in Utah after being found guilty of murder based mainly on sketchy witness testimony. An appeal to the Utah Supreme Court was unsuccessful. Orrin Hilton, the lawyer representing Hill during the appeal, declared: “The main thing the state had on Hill was that he was a member of the IWW, and therefore sure to be guilty. Hill tried to keep [the IWW] out of the trial, but the press fastened it upon him.” Joe Hill wrote many songs. Several renditions of the song which is the moving testament to his memory have been recorded, including by Paul Robeson, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and a modern version by Bruce Springsteen.
This song about the IWW, “Solidarity Forever,” was written by Ralph Chaplin in 1915, and has been recorded by many famous folksingers, including Utah Phillips and Pete Seeger. It is sung here by Leonard Cohen.
Due to the length of the film, a discussion of its impact and our impressions, and how it affects us today (including giving those who are against a pro-labor position an opportunity to state their opinions), will be held one week later, at our regular meeting on Sunday, September 10th.

Breaking Down Barriers Between People
2017-08-27 09:30 - 11:30
How can we break down barriers between people? How have others succeeded in doing this, and what can we learn from them? We will watch two brief videos about two different people who have succeeded. We will then break into small groups to discuss what we take away from the videos. Lastly, we will share these takeaways among the groups. Come learn, and share your own ideas with us!
Can’t come? Here are the two videos we will watch:
A Reformed White Nationalist Speaks Out On Charlottesville
For More Tolerance We, We Need More…

Bertrand Russell and the Pursuit (or Conquest) of Happiness
2017-08-20 09:30 - 11:30
Inspired by Russell’s 1930 book “The Conquest of Happiness”, EHST member Fred Breidt will cover a topic that most would argue is sorely lacking these days. As Russell states in the Preface of his book “…I venture to hope that some among those multitudes of man and women who suffer unhappiness without enjoying it, may find their situation diagnosed and a method of escape suggested”. Good humor is highly suggested for all attendees.

What We Need Now - Non-violent Communication
2017-08-13 09:30 - 11:30
Our country seems to be spiraling towards new levels of polarization, and increased violence between the warring factions. Non-violent communication is perhaps just what we need now. It is not new, but perhaps it is time to re-examine what it is, and how it can help us. Neal Caidin is co-leader of local non-violent communication practice group. Mr. Caidin will talk to us about the method, and his experience with it.

Love Your Neighbor?
2017-08-06 09:30 - 11:30
The Washington Post recently wrote about a Muslim doctor in Dawson, Minnesota. The article is a good case study of the relations between a Muslim doctor who had settled down in a small town to practice medicine, and how everything changed once Donald Trump was elected president. We will discuss the article in small groups. We encourage everyone to read this article, and especially if you plan to attend. You may read it via this link.

The 2017 American Ethical Union General Assembly
2017-07-30 09:30 - 11:30
EHST’s parent organization, the American Ethical Union, held its General Assembly in Baltimore on June 9-11. The theme of it was racial justice and transformation. Hugh Taft-Morales gave a talk during the Sunday platform program which addressed the theme of the Assembly. You may read it here. Dorothy Dale, EHST President, and Jan Broughton attended it, and will review the Assembly and what EHST can take away from it.

A Credit Union With A Unique Social Mission
2017-07-23 09:30 - 11:30
Gabriel Treves of the Durham Branch of the Latino Community Credit Union will share with EHST the mission and work of the credit union. The Credit Union was founded in 2000 as a grassroots response to a wave of robberies and muggings of Latino immigrants in Durham, North Carolina. Since then, it has become a national model for credit unions and community development financial institutions seeking to serve unbanked individuals and immigrant communities. The credit union was also recently named as one of the 2016 Best Credit Unions to Work For by the Credit Union Journal.

Criminal Justice Reform
2017-07-16 09:30 - 11:30
Ian Mance of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, is a Staff Attorney with the Southern Coalition’s criminal justice reform team. His efforts working with community organizers in Durham helped lead to a formal finding of “racial bias and racial profiling” by the Durham Police Department and a series of policy reforms aimed at deterring abusive stop-and-search practices. For more information about the Coalition’s work on reform, click here.

Gun Rights, and African Americans
2017-07-09 09:30 - 11:30
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been highly successful in promoting gun rights, and fighting any attempt to regulate them. However, did you know that there was also a national association for African American gun owners (NAAGA)? The NAAGA’s mission is “to introduce firearm use for home protection, competitive shooting, and outdoor recreational activities. We are a civil rights organization focused on self preservation of our community through armed protection and community building.” Yet, gun ownership alone may not make African Americans safer; Philando Castile was fatally shot by a police officer after informing him that he was a gun owner, but also told him that he was reaching for his wallet. Tony Collins will speak to us about NAAGA , and its work here in NC.

The Challenges Facing Muslim Americans in the Trump Era
2017-07-02 09:30 - 11:30
Ameer Shakil Ahmed of the Islamic Association of Cary will speak about the new challenges facing Muslim Americans in the Trump Era. Ameer (a term for a Muslim lay leader) Ahmed will address specific challenges facing Muslim Americans. The rise in hostility toward Muslim Americans was tragically marked in Chapel Hill in 2015 when 3 Muslim students were gunned down by a nonMuslim over a “parking issue.” Donald Trump campaigned on getting tougher with immigrants, and terrorists which led to his travel bans from several predominantly Muslim countries, bans blocked due to their unconstitutionality. On the other hand, the news is not all bad either. The Guardian recently reported on how Muslims have been embraced in Easton, Pennsylvania. Come hear from Ameer Ahmed how he sees the experiences locally here in the Triangle.

Bridging the Divide: Finding Ourselves in Others
2017-06-25 09:30 - 11:30
Bart Worden, Leader and Executive Director of the American Ethical Union, will examine some ways we can ethically enhance our connections with others – and especially with people whose outlook differs greatly from one’s own. “We live, so we often hear, in a highly connected age. Wherever we go, so go our tethers to the information age: our smartphones, tablets, notebooks and PCs. We now know many of our acquaintances’ birthdays, can share our opinions about just about anything far and wide with exceptional ease. We can send money, advice, or encouragement at the press of a button. And yet, despite having the technology to connect, we seem to be living in a time of growing divisions between people. The usual suspects for division: race, wealth, religion and politics are, it seems, stronger than ever, and our capacity to influence those divisions appears to be diminishing rapidly. ”
Bart Worden is the Executive Director for the American Ethical Union in New York City and the Clergy Leader for the Ethical Culture Society of Westchester in White Plains, New York. Bart has, in addition, worked in human services as a Social Worker for over thirty years with a focus on serving individuals with psychiatric disabilities and has been an administrator for a variety of rehabilitative and recovery-oriented programs. Bart’s recent social justice efforts have focused on addressing bias and discrimination in communities in Westchester County in New York and he is a member several civil rights organizations.

Celebrating Humanism
2017-06-18 09:30 - 11:30
World Humanist Day is celebrated each year on June 21st. EHST is celebrating it a few days early! We will also pay honor to all humans in our celebration of the diversity of the human species. Included in this celebration will be highlights from the recent American Humanist Association (AHA) Conference in Charleston, SC. EHST is affiliated with the AHA.

The Chatham County Artists Guild
2017-06-11 09:30 - 11:30
Ms. Shannon Bueker of the Chatham Artists Guild will speak about the work of the guild. Their work in encouraging the arts, primarily the visual arts, dovetails with our own mission to bring out the best in other people. The classes they hold allow those interested in developing their talents to experiment in various media. Ms. Bueker is an artist, and is on the Board of Directors for the Guild.

What is the Green Party Doing in NC?
2017-06-04 09:30 - 11:30
JJ Rizo of the North Carolina Green Party will speak about the national, and local party. Just what does the Green Party stand for? What are its aims and objectives, especially here in North Carolina? Mr. Rizo will speak about Green Party work in the Triangle as well. EHST presents this program as an educational program rather than as an endorsement of this, or of any political party.

NC Rep. Graig Meyer on Redistricting Reform
2017-05-28 09:30 - 11:30
EHST is honored to host North Carolina Representative Graig Meyer (D), who represents District 50 (Durham & Orange). Rep. Meyer will speak about House Bill 200, which he has sponsored. The bill calls for a nonpartisan redistricting process which would end gerrymandering in North Carolina. This bill was introduced on February 27th, passed the first reading, and is sitting on the desk of the committee on “Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.” Rep. Meyer will discuss prior legislative efforts, as well as his bill and its future. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to hear Rep. Meyer speak about this critical legislation!

Locally Made Organic Cotton Fabrics
2017-05-21 09:30 - 11:30
Pittsboro has a fabric store which sells organic cotton fabric, which is locally produced. Fabric artist Julie Moore started and runs Studio 17, a fabric art store and sewing workshop, which sells organic cotton fabrics both to manufacturers and retailers. She also has been making fiber art cremation and burial products, also made with organic cotton. All products are biodegradable, as well. During this process she also found a way to help Montagnard families from Vietnam find meaningful work by bringing them into her business. Ms. Moore will speak about her transition from dentistry to quilting or making organic cotton fabrics. She is a great example of one person making a positive difference in our local community!

Working on Redistricting: When and How?
2017-05-07 09:30 - 11:30
Rhoda Silver, retired social worker, current activist, long-time resident of Durham, will speak to us about opportunities to change gerrymandering in the State of North Carolina. She will discuss the current situation and what we can do to change it.

Growing Up Muslim in Post September 11th America: A Conversation with Somia Youssef
2017-04-30 09:30 - 11:30
Somia Youssef, who is the daughter of North Carolina State University Professor Mohamed Youssef, grew up in the Raleigh-Cary area and is an observant Muslim. She will talk to us about “Growing Up an Observant Muslim in Post September 11th America.” Ms. Youssef is a recent summa cum laude graduate of NC State, Valedictorian, and is entering Duke University this fall to study for her PhD in political science, focusing on political theory. She is an articulate, inspiring speaker.

Book Group Discussion of "Summer of the Big Bachi"
2017-04-23 11:30 - 13:00
The EHST book group (open to the public) will discuss the book Summer of the Big Bachi by Naomi Hirahara.
We will discuss the book in Meeting Room C at the Chapel Hill Public Library.
Here’s a description of the book from the publisher:
In the foothills of Pasadena, Mas Arai is just another Japanese-American gardener, his lawnmower blades clean and sharp, his truck carefully tuned. But while Mas keeps lawns neatly trimmed, his own life has gone to seed. His wife is dead. And his livelihood is falling into the hands of the men he once hired by the day. For Mas, a life of sin is catching up to him. And now bachi—the spirit of retribution—is knocking on his door.
It begins when a stranger comes around, asking questions about a nurseryman who once lived in Hiroshima, a man known as Joji Haneda. By the end of the summer, Joji will be dead and Mas’s own life will be in danger. For while Mas was building a life on the edge of the American dream, he has kept powerful secrets: about three friends long ago, about two lives entwined, and about what really happened when the bomb fell on Hiroshima in August 1945.
A spellbinding mystery played out from war-torn Japan to the rich tidewaters of L.A.’s multicultural landscape, this stunning debut novel weaves a powerful tale of family, loyalty, and the price of both survival and forgiveness.

The Long Reach of Reason (TED Talk)
2017-04-23 09:30 - 11:30
EHST will show the TED Talk animated video titled “The Long Reach of Reason.” This interesting cartoon style TED Talk is between Steven Pinker and Rebecca Newberger. Their conversation is quite real and insightful. After this 15-minute video, we will open up the floor for discussion. Philosophers and ethicists will enjoy this brief exploration the arc of reason.

What Can We Do?
2017-04-16 09:30 - 11:30
Many Ethical Humanists are asking the question, “What can we do to defend and fight for our values?” This question will be the focus of our discussion this Sunday. Please bring your ideas and suggestions to share with others, as well as be open to ideas which others will offer.

Poetry Sunday
2017-04-09 09:30 - 11:30
EHST is celebrating the human experience with a Poetry Sunday. Longtime EHST friend Hugh Giblin will help us celebrate with his poetry, and other local poets will also participate. Poetry enhances the lives of humanity, including when it shines a light on spheres that may be painful or unpleasant. Come join us in an appreciation of some local poets.

Discussion of Film - A Home On The Range
2017-04-02 09:30 - 11:30
We will hold a discussion Sunday to allow for a full review of the documentary shown last week (3/26) titled A Home On the Range. Member Greta Dorfman will help facilitate the discussion; she grew up in the community shown in the documentary. Even if you did not make it to the program on 3/26 you are welcome to attend and participate in the discussion.
