Kasamahan x PACE Pen Pals
We’re excited to work with PACE at SFSU and create this Pen Pal program! Fill out the interest form below!
The interest form is currently open and will close on April 21st at 11:59pm pt!
Kasamahan x PACE Pen Pals is a mailing program in support of the United States Postal Service. Connect with people from other schools, like SF State’s PACE, and learn about their journey or just make a new friend! Fill out our interest form linked below. Each pen pal will have the choice of being assigned to someone from Kasamahan or PACE, and they are able to share experiences, interests, quarantine binges, or make a new friend! This is an opportunity to connect with your kasamas and pace members and talk just as we would in person
For more information please email Jelissa Alota at usfkatreasurer@gmail.com.
Kasamahan Executive Board Elections
Senior Stoles
Stoles will be free this year for Seniors and Juniors who are graduating Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 and were active for the academic year of 2020-2021! If a member has been historically active they will receive the stoles at a discount.
If you have any questions regarding this please contact Emily Estrada (usfkamembership@gmail.com) or Madison Badua (usfkareps@gmail.com).
To be considered an active member this year, you need to have at least 10 membership points by April 9th (points accumulate over the whole academic year). Get membership points by coming to workshops, KaMobz, participating in Barrio, and more! Ask your class KasamaRep or someone on eboard to find out how many points you have.
Interest form is due Wed, March 24 11:59 pm pst!
Valorant Tournament
Normally, USF Kasamahan would hold an annual basketball tournament in the Spring alongside Barrio as some of the major events for the semester. However, due to the ongoing pandemic we are unfortunately unable to host such an event. We still want to create an event that brings together unity and fun competition — so why not do it from the comfort of our own homes with one of the hottest games currently out — Valorant.
Please fill out the registration form by March 26, 2021.
Please note: There is a registration fee due March 31, 2021. venmo @jakemagsalin
- $2 Current USF Kasamahan members / alumni
- $3 Non Kasamahan USF Students
- $4 Non USF Students/Alumni
Since all of the registration fees will be going to the charity of choice of the winning team, please feel free to donate more! As this is not a fundraiser for the organization, USF Kasamahan will not be taking any of the registration fees.
Barrio Fiesta 2021
Hey Kasamas! Who’s ready for BARRIO?! Cultural Committee and our Cultural Director have some cool things planned for Kasamahan’s 48th Annual Barrio Fiesta
Check the button below for weekly rehearsals and to see which dances you are in!
For any questions please reach out to Alexa, our Cultural Director, or Cultural Committee via slack or email to usfkacultural@gmail.com!
Meet Me at UC4 – KA Zoom Study Hall
Whether you miss Kasamahan’s official unofficial home, need some study buddies, or just want to vibe, you’ve got it! We’re rebranding “UC4 Sessions” as “Meet Me On UC4”, our newly-established virtual study hall! Every Wednesday evening from 8-10pm PST, join your fellow Kasamas on Zoom in UC4-themed rooms, or connect with those of similar interests in major-specific rooms. So bring your friends, bring your homework, and let’s get this degree! Can’t wait to see you all there!
*Attending study halls will also count for membership points* Sign up at: tinyurl.com/usfkastudyhall
If you have any further questions regarding this event, feel free to contact Kien our Junior KasamaRep on Slack or by email (usfkareps@gmail.com)
Digital Dozens Fundraiser
Order your digital dozen code online for $10 for a dozen glazed Krispy Kreme donuts! Codes will be sent out on Fridays. Use these codes to buy a dozen donuts from Krispy Kreme! For more information, contact Jelissa Alota at usfkatreasurer@gmail.com
KATE PROGRAM!
Need a role model? Need a new best friend in college? Need an older sibling figure? Need someone to go on with you on zoom hangouts? Need someone who will watch all the shows with you? Need someone who’s just as foolish as you? Need someone to help you through the zoom fatigue?
Look no further! Join the KATE program! Applications are open now! Ates, Kuyas, Kapatids, and Adings can fill out the form below or click to find more information!
Any questions? Please contact Emily Estrada, Director of Membership. (usfkamembership@gmail.com)
RESOURCES ON THE JUNK TERROR BILL
Anti-Terror Law
President Rodrigo Duterte signed the bill into Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, designated as Republic Act No. 11479, on July 3 2020 and effectively replaced the Human Security Act of 2007 on July 18, 2020.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE ANTI-TERROR LAW
What is the Philippine Human Rights Act?
The Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA) calls on the United States “to suspend US security assistance to PH until human rights violations by PH security officials have ceased and responsible state forces are held accountable.” The PHRA would have the U.S. veto loans and halt military aid to the Philippine government. This would push for more accountability of the Philippine administration and protect journalists, unionists, human rights defenders, indigenous peoples, farmers, and activists. While the act has garnered some support from a handful of representatives, it still has yet to be introduced to Congress.
Show public support and read more on the Philippine Human Rights Act website.
Sign the petition to Cut U.S. Military Aid to the Philippines and Support the PHRA here.
RESOURCES FOR BLACK LIVES MATTER
STAY UPDATED
WHERE YOU CAN SUPPORT
- George Floyd Memorial Fund: Created by George Floyd’s brother, Philonise, to help the family cover funeral expenses and support the Floyd family as they seek justice for George Floyd. Some of the funds will also go to his children to support their education.
- I Run With Maud Fundraiser: Created by Ahmaud Arbery’s best friend, Akeen Baker, to financially support Ahmaud Arbery’s mother, Ms. Wanda Cooper-Jones, and his family as they seek justice for Ahmaud.
- Black Visions Collective: Minnesota-based organization advocating for ALL Black lives (including trans and queer people) through campaigns. https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/
- Reclaim the Block: Organizes Minneapolis community and city council members to reallocate money from the police department to other areas of the city’s budget that invest in community health and safety. https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home
- Northstar Health Collective: Works with mainstream anti-authoritarian organizations to create safe events such as trainings, continuing education and other community events. https://www.northstarhealthcollective.org/
- The Bail Project: Critical tool to preventing incarceration and combating racial and economic disparities in the bail system. https://bailproject.org/
- Minnesota Freedom Fund: Works with the National Lawyers Guild and Legal Rights Center to provide monetary support by paying criminal bails and immigration bonds. https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
- Learn about the movement: Black Lives Matter
- Ways You Can Help
- Anti-Racism Reading List (@changingwomxn)
PETITIONS YOU CAN SIGN
- Justice for Big Floyd
- Justice for George Floyd
- Justice for Tony McDade
- I Run With Maud Petition
- Justice for Breonna Taylor
- Defund the Minneapolis Police Department
Image from @sainthoax on Instagram of the names of “black men and women who have been murdered by the police in recent years. The names in yellow were 21 and under.“
A letter from our Executive Director and Community Affairs Co-Directors:
On Monday, May 25, George Floyd fell victim to another act of anti-black police brutality. With one of his final sentences being “I can’t breathe,” George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer, who was violently kneeling on Floyd’s neck to hold him down. George Floyd was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead. A police statement cited that Floyd appeared to be in “medical distress”, not mentioning how George Floyd was pinned to the ground by the police officer, compressing his airway.
There have been numbers of incidents regarding police brutality and systematic dehumanization towards the Black community throughout American history. These continuous acts are forms of oppression that are cruel and unacceptable. And we must recognize that silence is never a way to face such injustices.
We, the members of Kasamahan at the University of San Francisco, stand in solidarity with the Black community and condemn the atrocities brought against them. As non-black people of color, we will not be able to fully understand the traumas and struggles the Black community faces. Therefore, we must be allies by uplifting, listening to, and respecting the voices of the Black community. Addressing the ongoing injustices within the Black community is the first step in overcoming the discord between our communities. Standing in solidarity with the Black community is a step to dismantle our prejudices and break the cycle of oppression.
Being a part of the Asian-American community, it is imperative to address the harm caused by the myth of Asians being labeled as the “model minority.” We cannot highlight our experiences as Asian Americans without acknowledging the history of anti-blackness within our community. This myth only deepens the divide between Asians and Black people. We must recognize these issues within our community as it heavily impacts the struggles of the Black community.
Silence and neutrality only perpetuate injustice – we must stand in solidarity with our Black siblings and take action to support them.
- What you can do to show your support
- Stay educated:
- Learn about the BLM movement https://blacklivesmatter.com/
- Learn about all the innocent lives taken away without justice
- REMEMBER THEIR NAMES!
- Recognize your privilege, raise awareness:
- Analyze your own internalized, implicit biases and learned anti-blackness
- Uplift the voices of the Black community, use your platform to speak up, help educate others
- Take action:
- Donate to Black-serving organizations (See last slide for more information)
- Sign petitions, visit www.justiceforbigfloyd.com
- Text “FLOYD” to 55156
- Stay involved:
- Challenge the model minority myth
- Educate your family and friends on the injustices black people face
- Call out racism when you see it
To show our support for those affected, as an organization, we will be signing petitions and spreading awareness through our social media platforms. In addition, Kasamahan will be donating to the TGI Justice Project, Minnesota Freedom Fund, and George Floyd Memorial Fund.
In solidarity,
Frances Capupus
Executive Director
Frances Nicole Talino & Krystel Salvador
Community Affairs Co-Directors
QUICK LINKS
We have a page that is updated with new links and resources. Go to USFKasamahan.carrd.co for these quick links or click the button above.
MORE INFORMATION SOON TO COME.
If you’re looking for a way to receive weekly updates, sign up here:
FEEDBACK FORM
This year we are continuing the use of the anonymous feedback form for anyone to drop E-board with any compliments, comments or concerns for anything at any time! Like our newsletter? Hate it? Enjoy one of our events? See an area for improvement? Let us know so that we can better cater to you!
