Many of us know that the U.S. has over 2.5 million people in prison, more than any other country (with 5% of the world population, the U.S. has 25% of the prisoners). We are aware of social justice campaigns working to change laws such as three-strikes laws or mandatory sentencing …
by Elbert “Big Man” Howard As I write this, because of Andy Lopez’ killing, the main focus of many people I know is on youth executions at the hands of law enforcement, and that is as it should be. I also see this in terms of a broader context, i.e. …
When I saw 12 Years a Slave, the overriding impression that came through for me was the intense psychological drive of many of the white characters in the film to extract total submission and obedience from the black men and women they held in bondage. It wasn’t enough that …
Recently I had an opportunity to sit in on a class at Santa Rosa Junior College where the speaker was Steve Martinot and the topic was “How Race Was Created and Became Part of Our Institutions.” One of my big takeaways from this talk was the concept that “the construction …
In the “Good Little White Girl” blog Janet Carter investigates the ways she learned to be white, growing up in a white liberal family in the Vermont of the 1950s and 1960s. She invites us to examine and reflect on how we all, as children, have been conditioned around race, …
Enjoy this non-white response to racialization that exposes the absurdity of oppressive language. The poem is included in Eduardo Galeano’s latest book, Children of the Days. Colored Man Beloved white brother: When I was born, I was black. When I grew up, I was black. When I am in the …
by Christopher Bowers The mission of Racial Justice Allies of Sonoma County has been to create a space in which white people can explore their social position, work to be better allies to people of color and develop a sense of responsibility for the manifestations of racism. Responsibility. Response-ability. It …
by Judy Helfand I went to the Black Panther Party 47th Reunion on Saturday to hear the women’s panel at noon and ended up staying the whole day. When the Panthers formed in 1967 I was graduating from UC Berkeley and connected up through my partner and close friends with …
by Carol Kraemer The 47th reunion of the Black Panther Party in Santa Rosa, CA, was a three day event that was largely organized by Elbert “Big Man” Howard, and his many friends who were present testified to how he was ALWAYS an organizer. I was only able to attend …
At a recent Racial Justice Allies meeting we were talking about how to be an effective ally and a member mentioned her friend who had allied herself with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, “an organization of Afrikans in America/New Afrikans whose mission is to defend the human rights of our …