(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam branch of the American Association of University Women is encouraging the community to join them for their second annual summer read series. The book that is being read is called “The Gift of our Wounds: A Sikh and a Former White Supremacist Find Forgiveness After Hate.”
The AAUW’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee is exploring the possibility of a fall program with one of the authors to come and speak about the book. The book was written by Arno Michaelis, a former white supremacist, and Pardeep Singh Kaleka, who lost his father in the August 2012 Sikh Temple shooting in Oak Creek. Committee member Annette Kamps says that there was a similar panel held last year with members who were victimized by hate in the community.
“Those panel members were sharing examples of that,” says Kamps. “So, that too has spurred us on to continue this program.”
Kamps says that Pardeep’s philosophy is holistic and involves everyone. Both authors have established programs that engage the entire community and inspire positive action. One of those groups is called “Not in Our Town.” Kamps says the overall theme of the group is “Unite for Community.”
“So, it’s a matter of just everyone not necessarily being best friends or whatever but understanding each other and being open to see all walks of life and everyone being equally human,” Kamps says.
Copies of the book are available in audio and text form at the Beaver Dam Community Library or from any AAUW member.
