From Black Skeptics Blog:

On February 26, 2012 Black Skeptics Los Angeles will join with other black non-believers’ groups to observe a Day of Solidarity (DOS).  This annual event was conceived by Donald Wright, author of The Only Prayer I’ll Ever Pray: Let My People Go.  Wright is a member of the Humanists of Houston.  We recently spoke with him about the purpose of the DOS:

The intent of my involvement with the Humanists of Houston, in addition to the benefits of being among more like-minded individuals, is to encourage more community service and outreach as humanists. We must become more visible in the community to offset the service provided by religious organizations. Our society needs to learn that it is not religion that gives people the desire to help and care for others.

The idea of a Day of Solidarity occurred as a result of me pondering Black History Month with more focus on black free thinkers and non-believers. I felt that an effort should be given to assemble black non-believers in our local towns and cities eliminating the need for expensive travel. I visualized a special day of observance once a year on the 4^th Sunday in February to promote fellowship, share experiences, meet new non-believers, and discuss the lives of black non-believers that our typical history books omit. Also, this could be the opportunity to encourage community activism. The gathering is to be provided with minimum requirements and cost. Two or more people could meet in the park if the weather permits.

I am hoping the fellowship would be the most compelling part of the gathering. Since the beginning of my journey away from religion in 2006, I desperately needed and still need to meet more black non-believers. Fellowship, a sustaining characteristic of the church, is valuable in our society regardless of the group’s purpose. We need each other. Our technological advancements allow us to communicate with many people around the world, sharing information at the click of a button. We are meeting and making new friends online everyday. But no technology can replace the need for human interaction, face to face, the look into another person eyes during the moment of a true passionate expression, or the sight of sharing a gut wrenching laugh. Communicating through emails, Facebook, Twitter, and blogging can’t tell the whole human story.

For more information on the Day of Solidarity please contact aadayofsolidarity@yahoo.com.