"If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." - Lilla Watson
In a time when immigrants, refugees, Black, brown, queer and trans, cash poor and houseless folks are under attack, we ask ourselves: how do we support people across a vast spectrum of identities and experiences? We know that this work isn't about "helping" people, but we build bridges because our collective liberation depends on it. We all suffer in this war economy, and we know that we are not free until everyone is free.
This process starts with unlearning - those of us who have more "privilege" in the system (in race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, education, and citizenship) have to do the most work to do to understand both the experiences of others and how we've been socialized to normalize and enact the dominant culture. It's a never-ending journey of reflection and practice, but it's a beautiful one that heals our souls with every step we take away from colonial culture and separation towards interdependence.
Here are a few resources to begin:
- Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) - find your local chapter here! SURJ is a national network that organizes white people to show up for racial justice through community organizing, mobilizing and education.
- Understanding Racism and White Supremacy - this is a collection of articles, books and videos that unpacks whiteness, colonialism, identity, cultural appropriation and much more.
- Tools for White Guys Working for Social Change - here's a great list of practical strategies to disrupt everyday patterns of domination that show up in our lives (not just for white guys!)
- Decolonization - the Just Transition Begins with Unlearning - a post from our own Paula Kahn about the “Decolonizing Organizing” session at CODEPINK’s Sonoma Peace Camp 2017, along with more resources!
We know this stuff is hard - prepare to challenge your worldview, feel a bit uncomfortable, and mess up a bunch. We're here to support you - reach out to [email protected] with any questions or comments about this process!