President Helen Oloroso opened the meeting with a welcome and led us in a recitation of the Rotary pledge.  Helen presented the Thought for the Day, a quote from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”.

 

 

Helen Oloroso announced that the District Conference is April 24-25. Inspiring speakers, fellowship. There is an early discount if you sign up before March 16. Be there.  She also announced that District 6440 now has an Environmental Task Force. If you are interested, talk to Jean Saunders for more details.

 

Kathy Tate-Bradish discussed the “How Can We Make Evanston an Extraordinary Place for Kids to Grow up” World Cafe held last Saturday, Feb. 15, at Evanston Township High School. It was an amazing event. Some 81 people were in attendance, representing 17 participating partners. Among those participating were Connections for the Homeless, Officer and Gentleman Academy, the 2 Ys, Books and Breakfast, etc. 12 students participated. 11 students worked in the childcare room, led by Clare Newcomb, Harvey’s daughter. Club members participating in various capacities were Kassandre McGovern, Jackie Mack, Viviane (who is applying to become a member), Harold and Karen Bauer, Chris and Joy Joyce, Jean Saunders, Linda Gerber, Steve Steiber, and Helen Oloroso. Kathy is working on transcribing the notes, and will have a full report for all involved, with an action plan, soon. Thanks to all!!

 

Linda Gerber announced the upcoming International Service Committee meeting next Monday, the 24th, at 7:15 a.m., at RI. They will be discussing grant applications for technology for a school in India, and domestic violence in Nepal. They will also be following up on the January retreat.

 

Jean Saunders announced that Mark Gibson of Rotary is coordinating a group representing clubs in D6440 who are collaborating and learning from District efforts to protect and preserve the environment. Please contact Jean to learn more and if you would like to participate. There will be a breakout session at the district conference focused on local environmental issues.

 

Susan Prout announced that the Community Service Committee is about to consider grant requests. Please email her at swprout@comcast.net any potential grant requests that tie in with this year’s theme: “Enhancing and Improving the Quality of Life for Evanston School-aged Children and Youth in the Areas of Health, Safety, and the Environment.”

 

 

Bill Vernon boasted his son, who is working on his Eagle Scout project.

 

MaLu Simon boasted, on behalf of Paul Weber, their friends Leila and Terry Younger, who are repeat contributors to the Taste of Evanston. Over the past weekend they cashed in on their winning bid for the CRAPS night hosted by Paul and fellow instructor Don Wood. After a Mexican themed dinner at Paul and MaLu’s residence, the Youngers and their four guest couples partook in an hour-long CRAPS lesson, followed by three hours of revelry. They all enjoyed winning and the fun!

 

Linda Gerber boasted Kathy Tate-Bradish for all the hard work and effort that she and Karen Kring of the Noon Club put into the World Cafe event mentioned above. It was one of the most diverse events Linda has attended. Kathy still is working on putting together an executive summary for distribution to the participants, with ideas for further action.

 

Helen Oloroso also boasted Kathy for her role in that event.

 

Steve Goranson boasted his fellow club members for all their kind thoughts and support following the recent death of his wife, Linda. He specifically thanked Harold and Karen Bauer for having him to dinner, and Bruce Baumberger for taking him to see a production of "Legally Blonde" at Northwestern.

 

 

 

 

Cheryl holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Northwestern University, where she is an adjunct faculty member in the School of Education and Social Policy. Her research focuses on the intersections of race, class, and gender.

 

Her first book, Interracial Marriages Between Black Women and White Men, was the first academic text published on the experiences of black women in interracial marriages. Her most recent book, Interracial Relationships Between Black Women and White Men, was published in 2018. She is a longtime Evanston resident and writes a blog for Chicagonow.com, titled “Issues in Black and White.”

 

Cheryl began by asking a series of questions:

 

In what two states and one city will you find the most interracially married couples?

 

Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC.

 

What religion espouses interracial marriage as the path to world peace?

 

Baha’i.

 

What percentage of the U.S. population is interracially married? 17%. What percentage of black men are interracially married (15%) and black women(4%)? There were several other similar questions and answers.

 

Cheryl has long been interested in studying black-white interracial marriages. It is a well-kept secret that blacks experience different marriage and dating patterns from other groups. Black women are the only group of American women who cannot take it for granted that if they wish to marry within their race that there will be an ample supply of available and eligible black men. This is one of the most under-examined consequences of racism in America. Why?

 

First, there is a black economic disadvantage. Economic stability is a prerequisite to a stable marriage. Second is the high rate of incarceration of black men as compared to other racial groups. Third, black men have greater health challenges than comparable groups, potentially making them less marriageable. Fourth, there is a high rate of black male homelessness, due to the previously mentioned factors. Finally, most women of all races want to marry someone within or above their social and economic class. In the case of black men, a black woman is limited in opportunities.

 

This is the heart of the problem for black women. Black women start outnumbering black men by age 16. The comparable number for whites is age 32.

 

With fewer available men, if black women don’t consider dating men outside of the race, there is a great likelihood that they will remain single. The black women to black men disparity is highest in the age category 25-29, when for every two black men, there are three black women.

 

Cheryl purposely set out to study what happens when black women marry white men for the express reason that if black women and white men are able to form successful dating and marriage relationships, the least likely combination, and against the socio-historical backdrop of American history, then surely it should become easier for black women to date and marry any other men, too. Her goal is simply for black women to feel as free and confident as any other group of women to form romantic relationships with whomever they wish.

 

One of the major findings of her research is that when black women marry white men, these marriages are long-lasting. Studies show that, by the 10-year anniversary, black women-white men marriages had a 40% lower divorce rate than white couples.

 

History shows that no society has thrived without a strong family structure. When prejudice and racism prevent the formation of strong family units, society is diminished. Cheryl hopes that people who read her book will come away with a new and better understanding that that romantic love should not be bound by race.

 

 

 

 

 

Napat Suppsuntorn (“Potter”), Youth Exchange Student from Thailand

 

Charles Hawkins, entrepreneur

 

Donna Moore, politician

 

Hecky Powell, restaurateur

 

 

 

 

Marv Edelstein, 11 years

 

Charlotta Koppanyi, 8 years

 

Nick Powers, 7 years

 

Steve Steiber, 7 years

 

 

Eileen Heineman and Tiffany McDowell , YWCA Equity Institute

 

 

Bruce Baumberger and  Carol Bild