BEGIN:VCALENDAR METHOD:PUBLISH VERSION:2.0 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN PRODID:-//NONSGML Sandhills Development\, LLC//NONSGML Sugar Calendar Fe eds v3.4.0//EN X-WR-CALNAME:Taking a Knee for Change "Book Launch Party" X-WR-CALDESC:Portland Downtown X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/New_York BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 DTSTART:20230318T020000 TZNAME:EDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 DTSTART:20230318T020000 TZNAME:EDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Taking a Knee for Change "Book Launch Party" DESCRIPTION:Portland\, Maine - On Saturday\, September 16\, 2023\, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Portland Public Library\, artist and activist Titi de Baccarat will officially present his new book Taking a Knee for Change\, a Maine-based photographic project developed over the past two years to document a cross-section of individuals\, including immigrants like himself\, who are seeking to end racism and promote social justice in Maine today.\nThe book is prefaced by Bob Greene (Historian\, Retire d Associated Press Journalist) and features both photographs (taken mont hs after the murder of George Floyd by 10 Maine photographers) of Mainer s from different walks of life\, kneeling and their personal story and e xperience with social justice.\ndeBaccarat said “I believe the book co uld in fact\, move people from one position to another no matter what yo ur political beliefs because you could find a paragraph in the book that you resonate with.”\nThe Taking a Knee for Change “Book Launch Part y” is both the official presentation of the book Taking a Knee for Cha nge to the general public and a celebration to honor the diverse communi ties of Maine who for the past two years have supported and made possibl e the publication of the book.\nThe event is open to the public and incl udes video screenings\, music with DJ RRug\, book sale and signing\, pho to exhibition\, free appetizers and drinks and many more surprises.\nEar lier this year\, Titi de Baccarat received a $5\,000 grant\, provided by the American Rescue Plan Maine Project Grants\, a sub-grant program adm inistered by the SPACE Gallery for the National Endowment for the Arts\, to publish his book Taking a Knee for Change.\ndeBaccarat said “That grant allowed me to work with two wonderful artists\, Veronica Pounds an d Erin Thomas on the book cover design and layout. The grant also helped fund research and consultancy work\, editorial\, administrative and lia ison work as well as stipends to photographers for the use of their phot ographs in the book.”\nIn June 2023\, Titi de Baccarat organized a fun draising campaign called Taking a Knee for Change on Kickstarter to rais e more funds to start printing the book. The response from the community has been powerful and generous. Titi de Baccarat collected nearly $8\,0 00.\ndeBaccarat said “Now that the book is out\, my goal is to be able to cover the cost of publishing an additional 500 books that will be di stributed free to Maine schools in 2024.”\nHere are some quotes writte n by institutions and by Mainers about the book Taking a Knee for Change :\n\nPortland Public Library is honored to support the work of an asylum seeker who has become a neighbor and friend\, and will continue to supp ort equality and inclusion in our community.\n\nSarah Skawinski\, MLIS | Adult Services Director\nMembership Chair\, Maine Library Association\n \nAs an artist\, and a New Mainer\, Titi de Baccarat turns fresh eyes to ward our own times of turmoil as Mainers of all kinds try to square the American promise that "All men are created equal " to the paradox of mod ern clashes that seem to shout the opposite. Does Taking a Knee mean def iance and protest\, or deference and defense\, of something deeper? In o ur new century\, Mainers new and old still seek the answer -- in a gestu re of solidarity and humanity that may seem still\, but is never silent. Artist Titi de Baccarat's book makes it clear -- for Mainers\, to Take A Knee is to Take A Stand".\n\nHerb Adams Former State Legislator\,\nPro fessor History and Social Science SMCC\n\nTiti de Baccarat brings togeth er a diverse group of Mainers to express what it’s like to suffer raci sm and hate in our society and what it means for all of us — white\, B lack and brown — to come together in the spirit of solidarity to fight against these injustices. de Baccarat’s work shows us what it means t o be in a true community where we support each other in our struggles an d stand together as one people.\n\nAndy O’Brien\nCommunications Direct or Maine AFL-CIO\n\nTo bow on bended knee provides a powerful gesture an d symbol needed in today’s chaotic times as we struggle to create a so ciety in which acceptance is shared equally among ALL citizens of widely diverse social\, economic\, racial\, educational\, religious and sexual backgrounds throughout history. To bow down offers moments of peace\, r everence and time to reflect upon our past experiences\, both positive a nd negative\, and how best to create a more just and welcoming community for one and all in the immediate years ahead.\n\nBruce Brown\nArt Colle ctor and Curator of Photography at Cove Street Arts\n\n"The struggle aga inst injustice is a struggle that should resonate and engage with every member of our community. Taking a Knee for Change is an endeavor motivat ed by love of community. Its mission is a noble one\, brought about by t he concern that life\, liberty\, and safety of our neighbors are threate ned by social systems."\n\nJoseph N. Jackson\nExecutive Director Maine P risoner Advocacy Coalition\nMaine Inside Out: Director of Community Prog rams\n\nI love seeing how your project has grown and spread its wisdom t o so many people! Your insights about how racism keeps us down as a cult ure have been eloquently expressed in artifacts and installations\, and now a book. I'm excited for "Taking a Knee for Change" to reach even mor e hearts and minds to move our society toward true equity for all.\n\nLi sa Savage\nEducator\n\nThank you\, Titi de Baccarat\, for this inspiring project\, for gathering this diverse group of Mainers to talk about the many reasons they take a knee. It is a gift you have given us to activa te\, ponder\, repeat\, celebrate\, and carry on in the face of injustice and inequality.\n\nNatasha Mayers\nFounder and Coordinator of ARRT! and Editor of the Maine Arts Journal\n\nFor more information about the Taki ng a Knee for Change "Book Launch Party"\, please visit https://www.thek neelingartphotography.com or email Titi de Baccarat at krystaldebac@gmai l.com URL;VALUE=URI:https://portlandmaine.com/events/taking-a-knee-for-change- book-launch-party/ UID:urn:uuid:6839d07f-35d9-47ca-8cca-e125288e8a74 STATUS:CONFIRMED ORGANIZER: DTSTAMP:20260530T221739Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230916T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230916T153000 LOCATION:5 Monument Square\, Portland\, Maine 04101\, US END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR