In opening our recent organizing committee meeting, we each wrote a word or phrase that related to the work we do with Racial Justice Allies. “Relationism (instead of individualism.” “Courage (not to be confused with testicles).” “Clarify the Issue before the Action.” “What’s the Point?” “ACTION—it’s OK to be embarrassed.” …
A reader brought a provocative post on white supremacist media campaigns to our attention–“White Victim on Parade” by Mike King, an Assistant Professor at SUNY-Oneonta. The seriousness of the misinformation being circulated is demonstrated by the assertion that “60% of working–class white Americans feel that racial discrimination against whites is …
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 …
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 …
The Supreme Court overturned basic enforcement for the Voting Rights Act. The next day it allowed queers to marry in California and share benefits like pensions if they were married in a state where it is legal. Mia Mingus talked about the reaction to these decisions on Facebook: “i keep …
WHAT KIND OF ACTIVE SUPPORT does a strong white ally provide to a person of color? Over the years, people of color that I have talked with have been remarkably consistent in describing the kinds of support they need from white allies. What People of Color Want from White Allies …
Lynn Gehl has created an Ally Bill of Responsibilities beginning with the two points below. Follow the link to read the full 2-page Bill of Responsibilities. PDF files are also available for your use. Do not act out of guilt, but rather out of a genuine interest in challenging the …
The RJA Statement of Unity lists “White people as a group have an essential and strategic role in fighting white supremacy/racism.” In thinking about what that means I first stalled on “strategic.” It could mean “what are the strategies we’ll use?” as it suggests the importance of those strategies. And …