At 2pm, a One World, Many Stories Children's Activity Day will be held for youth ages 5-10 and their families. During this event, children will hear two stories about Gandhi and a unique peace movement in India and the United States, and will have the opportunity to have their own Peace Mentor Caricatures drawn. Participants will also see a demonstration of cotton spinning, an activity used by citizens of India to perpetuate the peace movement. A hands-on art activity will also be available.
At 6:30pm, adults are invited to attend a presentation and discussion of "The Relevance of Gandhi Today" being offered by local activist Michael Frontier and his guest from India, Prasad Gollanapalli.
Michael Frontier, a Racine resident, recently returned from a three week pilgrimage to India to honor the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Inspired by the experiences he encountered, Frontier invited Prasad Gollanapalli to visit our community and share Mahatma Gandhi's message.
Gollanapalli is a Gandhian scholar who relentlessly works with peace organizations around the world to help build bonds that will promote peace in a just and sustainable world. Gollanapalli will be making numerous appearances in the Racine/Kenosha area during July 6-9 to speak of the relevance of Gandhi today and to promote khadi materials so vital to the local economies of India.
Khadi is not only a hand-woven cloth made from thread on spinning wheels called charkha, but is also a peace movement. The Khadi movement was started by Mahatma Gandhi to promote India's economy and sustainability by encouraging people to create and buy locally from the villages of India. The activity is still vital today and can be seen in action throughout the country.
Prasad Gollanapalli is a founder of the Gandhi - King Foundation. He has toured extensively in the United States and co-taught a course on Gandhi, King and Nonviolence at Stanford University. He is a visiting Gandhian Scholar and Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The University of Rhode Island recognized and honored him for promoting global peace and nonviolence education. Gollanapalli holds a Masters Degree in Gandhian Thought and Peacemaking in addition to Masters degrees in Commerce and law.
The following public events will be held in honor of Gollanapalli's visit to Racine:
- Wednesday July 6
- 10:30am "Relevance of Gandhi Today" Sienna Center - 5635 Erie Street
- 1:30pm Youth event at Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2221 Douglas Ave., featuring:
Soul Stories – presented by children from the Martin Luther King Center
Peace Mentors – presented by children from the Cesar Chavez community Center
"Relevance of Gandhi To Today's Children" - 7:00pm Circles of Peace – Monument Square, Downtown Racine;
Sharing stories, inspiration and promoting peace and positive change.
- Thursday, July 7
- 2:00pm. One World, Many Stories at Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St, featuring:
Spinning demonstrations
Gandhian Stories,
Even you can be a Peace Mentor" Caricature Drawings
Dedication of Picture from Usha Gokani Gandhi (Gandhi's Granddaughter) - 6:30pm "Relevance of Gandhi Today" - Adult Program at the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St.
- Friday, July 8
- 12:00pm "Relevance of the Gandhi Movement Today"
UW-Parkside, Tallent Hall, Room 281 - 7:00pm Silent Gathering: Promoting peace and positive change
Corner of Spring and State streets (or any corner or street you are standing on.) Participants are asked to stand silently for peace and positive change. Circles of Peace posters will be available at the HOPES Center, 507 Sixth St, or may be downloaded at: peacelearningcircles.org.
- Saturday July 9th
- 11:00am Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba – Monument Square, Downtown Racine
- 6:00-9:00pm HOPES Center Open House - 505-507 6th Street
Featuring Khadi materials, spinning demonstrations, and informal meet and greet.
All programs are free and open to the public.
