Re: [sustainable_tompkins-l] Fw: TONIGHT: Invitatation
Thank you Elan and Marty for your contributions to this discussion. I have been active in social justice movements for many years and have experience with this organizing approach of white folks coming together to work on things in hopes of that leading to active solidarity with people of color led movement. And, I too, have some mixed feelings about the approach. That being said, I also feel that some of the comments made in this thread are yet again very solid examples of the lack of race and class (among other things) analysis within mainstream environmental activism. Talking about race in its scientific context or identifying as part of the human race solely or feeling like being called 'white' is somehow racist are all ways in which white supremacy plays itself out. Yes, we live in a white supremacist world, a white supremacist society; we live in a country founded and built on genocide, slavery and an ongoing structural racism. This could not be more apparent in how the effects of environmental degredation and climate change are affecting populations in different ways including people of color and poor people bearing the brunt of it. If we are ever even remotely going to consider a future planet that survives and thrives from an environmental standpoint, we are going to have to recognize that that is not separate from the ways that oppressions play themselves out in our world and we can't win one fight without the other. So, yea, maybe I am unsure about the proposed approach by SURJ - if people want to have a reasoned, respectful debate on why that may or may not be a good approach in general or here in Ithaca, I'd love to have that conversation. But either way, I would really like to challenge folks here on thinking about how desperately needed it is for white people deal with their own racism (yes, we're all racist, we all have work to do on that) and center that in any struggle they are part of for a better world. It is the only way those struggles will ever go anywhere. my thoughts, oona --- The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men. - Alice Walker On 8/24/15 4:03 PM, Marty Hiller wrote: My impression, FWIW, is that the purpose of having whites meet separately is so we can participate actively in the movement for equality without the emotional charge that's attached to speaking up about race at events organized by people of color. This is a situation where carrying the dominant skin color genuinely limits our ability to contribute, and I think there's some value in creating a separate forum for us to vent about the issues and search for ways that we can contribute as allies. However, I have to admit I have mixed feelings when I think about the analogous situation WRT gender. This is very similar to the conversation women have had about men dominating the airspace in mixed-gender feminist groups, and claiming authority to speak on our behalf. But when men started meeting separately, the movement they formed did not end up serving equality. Instead the leaders that emerged sought to re-establish the old world order in which men acted as protectors and providers and took pride in that role (e.g. Robert Bly, Louis Farrakhan.) And while I grant that men acting as protectors and providers is a step up from men acting as irresponsible deadbeats who leech off women and abandon them (e.g. Jack Kerouac) or playboys who champion free love and treat marriage as a trap to be avoided (e.g. Hugh Hefner,) it's still a far cry from equality. The men who sincerely tried to further feminism were characterized as sissies and fakers (Sensitive New Age Guys,) and their movement died along with their image. So while it's clear that whites have to step up to the plate to help solve this problem, I think we're at great risk of falling prey to our own prejudices in the process. It's risky to create such a group, and it's only acceptable to the extent that they work closely with, and in deference to, their sister organizations among people of color. - Marty On Aug 24, 2015, at 2:34 PM, Pegi Ficken fp...@hotmail.com wrote: How about the designation of race as human. That's the only race I can identify. Pegi From: rltcay...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [sustainable_tompkins-l] Fw: TONIGHT: Invitatation Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2015 11:56:38 -0400 To: sustainable_tompkins-l@list.cornell.edu Point taken about race. Let's realize that race (social construct) only matters as people behave as if it were real thereby creating social structures. As they say, soft ideas with hard consequences. And the consequences are all around us, not the least of which is knowing that nonwhites can't expect to be treated with dignity in public spaces. I, for one, recognize the caste-like (black/white) race system
Re: [sustainable_tompkins-l] Fw: TONIGHT: Invitatation
Why whites? Hi Dave I take it as a given that race is an ever shifting *social construct,* nonetheless used to create enormous negative impact on most of the world's people. Most people of color I know who work for racial justice recognize the value of whites (also a social construct) educating whites for a significant part of the struggle because its simply too exhausting and overwhelming for people of color to continuously be called on to pierce the layers of miseducation, denial of gross disadvantage that they experience, and of the subliminal *or* blatant bias that the vast majority of US citizens carry. The message to me is : First, once you get it , work on your own people, and use your advantages constructively for the benefit of all who are less advantaged. Be in solidarity and support when needed and asked for, but most of all communicate the urgency, outrageous unfairness, and the avenues for structural and systemic change, to people who you can most influence. also see, in the message that went out: *Why so white?* We know, we know. The notion of showing up to a space that is intentionally held for anti-racist white folks can seem counter-intuitive, and awkward. To learn more about the strategy behind this, read about SURJ's dedication to accountability http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/accountability here. http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/accountability In the words of one SURJ Ithaca member, *In my life's work, this has been the first time I have ever been a part of a group that is intentionally built for white folks who are interested in helping move towards a racially just society. My personal life is far more diverse than that, so the concept did feel awkward to me at first. But after being a part of so many racial justice groups that ended up being dominated/distracted by well-intentioned white folks, I try to listen to my brothers sisters of color, who, in my world, have been very encouraging of white folks to find their own spaces/angles to do this work from. There are ways for us to all work together, and respect the different angles we are working from.* *SURJ's work is informed by freedom fighters of color, and has a powerful alliance with the current Black Lives Matter movement. For instance, at the recent Black Lives Convening conference in Cleveland, **this message from SURJ * http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/cleveland *was posted shared on their website. As someone who deeply respects the powerful origins of the BLM movement, I also respect the white counterpart organization that they have thoughtfully collaborated with, and trust that as a space where I can do my best work.* Thanks for listening Elan Shapiro On Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 8:07 AM, David Peter McCobb d...@cornell.edu wrote: Joanna, why advertise as for white people? For me this just continues the silly binary tradition. I prefer to consider myself light brown, deep tan in parts, am proud of a perhaps tiny fraction of Native American blood on my half Canadian French side, and of my european ethnic or at least national diversity. I think most blacks are really of mixed blood, though they are, I suspect they are admonished or discredited for acknowledging white impurities. Even our president is typically taken to be simply back, even though he has every right to be proud of his blend. Someday in this country maybe we will be comfortable that we are all heterozygous, and all the same species. And monkeys with clothes on, as I am fond of saying! David David P. McCobb, Ph.D. Neurobiology and Behavior Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 On Aug 24, 2015, at 7:41 AM, Joanne Cipolla cipol...@yahoo.com wrote: Please consider coming to a wonderful gathering of like minded white people who want to support the local Black Lives Matter movement. Details below..please share with your circles. Thanks! Joanne Cipolla-Dennis Hi fellow racial justice advocates! Ithaca has very recently started up a SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/about Chapter, and you're invited to participate/co-create this new entity ! You can read a LOT more about SURJ the Ithaca SURJ Chapter below, but we also encourage you to show up to our gathering *next Monday, August 24th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Quaker Meeting House* (120 3rd St, Ithaca, NY 14850). *Feel free to bring a dish to pass, though no pressure! Light dinner foods will be provided. *What is SURJ?* SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing White people for racial justice. Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves White people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability. We work to connect people across the country while supporting and collaborating with local and national racial justice organizing efforts. SURJ provides a space to build relationships, skills and political analysis to
Re: [sustainable_tompkins-l] Fw: TONIGHT: Invitatation
Joanna, why advertise as for white people? For me this just continues the silly binary tradition. I prefer to consider myself light brown, deep tan in parts, am proud of a perhaps tiny fraction of Native American blood on my half Canadian French side, and of my european ethnic or at least national diversity. I think most blacks are really of mixed blood, though they are, I suspect they are admonished or discredited for acknowledging white impurities. Even our president is typically taken to be simply back, even though he has every right to be proud of his blend. Someday in this country maybe we will be comfortable that we are all heterozygous, and all the same species. And monkeys with clothes on, as I am fond of saying! David David P. McCobb, Ph.D. Neurobiology and Behavior Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 On Aug 24, 2015, at 7:41 AM, Joanne Cipolla cipol...@yahoo.commailto:cipol...@yahoo.com wrote: Please consider coming to a wonderful gathering of like minded white people who want to support the local Black Lives Matter movement. Details below..please share with your circles. Thanks! Joanne Cipolla-Dennis Hi fellow racial justice advocates! Ithaca has very recently started up a SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice)http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/about Chapter, and you're invited to participate/co-create this new entity ! You can read a LOT more about SURJ the Ithaca SURJ Chapter below, but we also encourage you to show up to our gathering next Monday, August 24th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Quaker Meeting House (120 3rd St, Ithaca, NY 14850). *Feel free to bring a dish to pass, though no pressure! Light dinner foods will be provided. What is SURJ? SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing White people for racial justice. Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves White people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability. We work to connect people across the country while supporting and collaborating with local and national racial justice organizing efforts. SURJ provides a space to build relationships, skills and political analysis to act for change. Read more herehttp://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/about! Why so white? We know, we know. The notion of showing up to a space that is intentionally held for anti-racist white folks can seem counter-intuitive, and awkward. To learn more about the strategy behind this, read about SURJ's dedication to accountability http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/accountability here.http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/accountability In the words of one SURJ Ithaca member, In my life's work, this has been the first time I have ever been a part of a group that is intentionally built for white folks who are interested in helping move towards a racially just society. My personal life is far more diverse than that, so the concept did feel awkward to me at first. But after being a part of so many racial justice groups that ended up being dominated/distracted by well-intentioned white folks, I try to listen to my brothers sisters of color, who, in my world, have been very encouraging of white folks to find their own spaces/angles to do this work from. There are ways for us to all work together, and respect the different angles we are working from. SURJ's work is informed by freedom fighters of color, and has a powerful alliance with the current Black Lives Matter movement. For instance, at the recent Black Lives Convening conference in Cleveland, this message from SURJ http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/cleveland was posted shared on their website. As someone who deeply respects the powerful origins of the BLM movement, I also respect the white counterpart organization that they have thoughtfully collaborated with, and trust that as a space where I can do my best work. What do we do? SURJ Ithaca is in its formative stages, so we encourage you to be a part of the co-creation process and help develop a space that you want to come to. We have no interest in adding another obligation onto your schedule, but rather, a healing, learning, building, and active space where we can learn from each other, process together, and also delve into creative racial justice work in the political/poetic/organized/artistic/educational/structural/institutional/justice realm(s). A place where we can show up for racial justice, and work towards the institutional interpersonal co-liberation of both our brothers sisters, and ourselves. Because as many of us know, these spaces are few far between, and the lives of the people we love, the wellness of this country is depending on it. Much love, Eden Connelly, Kate Cardina , Reed Steberger , Elan Shapiro Eden Connelly Project Development Engagement Coordinator Multicultural Resource Center ec...@cornell.edumailto:ec...@cornell.edu (607) 272-2292 ext 135
RE: [sustainable_tompkins-l] Fw: TONIGHT: Invitatation
Non-whites will be denied admission? From: bounce-119564398-12863...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-119564398-12863...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of David Peter McCobb Sent: Monday, August 24, 2015 10:41 AM To: SUSTAINABLE_TOMPKINS-L Subject: Re: [sustainable_tompkins-l] Fw: TONIGHT: Invitatation Why not just say people, and let it appeal to whoever is interested? I personally resent being called white, and can't help hearing it as racist. David David P. McCobb, Ph.D. Neurobiology and Behavior Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 On Aug 24, 2015, at 9:09 AM, Elan Shapiro elanshapiro...@gmail.com wrote: Why whites? Hi Dave I take it as a given that race is an ever shifting social construct, nonetheless used to create enormous negative impact on most of the world's people. Most people of color I know who work for racial justice recognize the value of whites (also a social construct) educating whites for a significant part of the struggle because its simply too exhausting and overwhelming for people of color to continuously be called on to pierce the layers of miseducation, denial of gross disadvantage that they experience, and of the subliminal or blatant bias that the vast majority of US citizens carry. The message to me is : First, once you get it , work on your own people, and use your advantages constructively for the benefit of all who are less advantaged. Be in solidarity and support when needed and asked for, but most of all communicate the urgency, outrageous unfairness, and the avenues for structural and systemic change, to people who you can most influence. also see, in the message that went out: Why so white? We know, we know. The notion of showing up to a space that is intentionally held for anti-racist white folks can seem counter-intuitive, and awkward. To learn more about the strategy behind this, read about SURJ's dedication to accountability http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/accountability here. http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/accountability In the words of one SURJ Ithaca member, In my life's work, this has been the first time I have ever been a part of a group that is intentionally built for white folks who are interested in helping move towards a racially just society. My personal life is far more diverse than that, so the concept did feel awkward to me at first. But after being a part of so many racial justice groups that ended up being dominated/distracted by well-intentioned white folks, I try to listen to my brothers sisters of color, who, in my world, have been very encouraging of white folks to find their own spaces/angles to do this work from. There are ways for us to all work together, and respect the different angles we are working from. SURJ's work is informed by freedom fighters of color, and has a powerful alliance with the current Black Lives Matter movement. For instance, at the recent Black Lives Convening conference in Cleveland, http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/cleveland this message from SURJ was posted shared on their website. As someone who deeply respects the powerful origins of the BLM movement, I also respect the white counterpart organization that they have thoughtfully collaborated with, and trust that as a space where I can do my best work. Thanks for listening Elan Shapiro On Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 8:07 AM, David Peter McCobb d...@cornell.edu wrote: Joanna, why advertise as for white people? For me this just continues the silly binary tradition. I prefer to consider myself light brown, deep tan in parts, am proud of a perhaps tiny fraction of Native American blood on my half Canadian French side, and of my european ethnic or at least national diversity. I think most blacks are really of mixed blood, though they are, I suspect they are admonished or discredited for acknowledging white impurities. Even our president is typically taken to be simply back, even though he has every right to be proud of his blend. Someday in this country maybe we will be comfortable that we are all heterozygous, and all the same species. And monkeys with clothes on, as I am fond of saying! David David P. McCobb, Ph.D. Neurobiology and Behavior Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 On Aug 24, 2015, at 7:41 AM, Joanne Cipolla cipol...@yahoo.com wrote: Please consider coming to a wonderful gathering of like minded white people who want to support the local Black Lives Matter movement. Details below..please share with your circles. Thanks! Joanne Cipolla-Dennis Hi fellow racial justice advocates! Ithaca has very recently started up a http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/about SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) Chapter, and you're invited to participate/co-create this new entity ! You can read a LOT more about SURJ the Ithaca SURJ Chapter below, but we also encourage you to show up to our gathering next Monday, August 24th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Quaker Meeting House (120 3rd
Re: [sustainable_tompkins-l] Fw: TONIGHT: Invitatation
Point taken about race. Let's realize that race (social construct) only matters as people behave as if it were real thereby creating social structures. As they say, soft ideas with hard consequences. And the consequences are all around us, not the least of which is knowing that nonwhites can't expect to be treated with dignity in public spaces. I, for one, recognize the caste-like (black/white) race system in the U.S. (And sorting of others such as Asians into fictional categories.). When there is a race system present, every person has a race designation. I self-identify as Euro-American. Still, I. can understand the need for so-called whites to become more aware of how pervasive and insidious the race system is and how best to resist and confront it so as not to be complicit in it. 'Nuff said? Regi (Sociologist by trade) Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Dostoyevsky. On Aug 24, 2015, at 10:41 AM, David Peter McCobb d...@cornell.edu wrote: Why not just say people, and let it appeal to whoever is interested? I personally resent being called white, and can't help hearing it as racist. David David P. McCobb, Ph.D. Neurobiology and Behavior Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 On Aug 24, 2015, at 9:09 AM, Elan Shapiro elanshapiro...@gmail.com wrote: Why whites? Hi Dave I take it as a given that race is an ever shifting social construct, nonetheless used to create enormous negative impact on most of the world's people. Most people of color I know who work for racial justice recognize the value of whites (also a social construct) educating whites for a significant part of the struggle because its simply too exhausting and overwhelming for people of color to continuously be called on to pierce the layers of miseducation, denial of gross disadvantage that they experience, and of the subliminal or blatant bias that the vast majority of US citizens carry. The message to me is : First, once you get it , work on your own people, and use your advantages constructively for the benefit of all who are less advantaged. Be in solidarity and support when needed and asked for, but most of all communicate the urgency, outrageous unfairness, and the avenues for structural and systemic change, to people who you can most influence. also see, in the message that went out: Why so white? We know, we know. The notion of showing up to a space that is intentionally held for anti-racist white folks can seem counter-intuitive, and awkward. To learn more about the strategy behind this, read about SURJ's dedication to accountability here. In the words of one SURJ Ithaca member, In my life's work, this has been the first time I have ever been a part of a group that is intentionally built for white folks who are interested in helping move towards a racially just society. My personal life is far more diverse than that, so the concept did feel awkward to me at first. But after being a part of so many racial justice groups that ended up being dominated/distracted by well-intentioned white folks, I try to listen to my brothers sisters of color, who, in my world, have been very encouraging of white folks to find their own spaces/angles to do this work from. There are ways for us to all work together, and respect the different angles we are working from. SURJ's work is informed by freedom fighters of color, and has a powerful alliance with the current Black Lives Matter movement. For instance, at the recent Black Lives Convening conference in Cleveland, this message from SURJ was posted shared on their website. As someone who deeply respects the powerful origins of the BLM movement, I also respect the white counterpart organization that they have thoughtfully collaborated with, and trust that as a space where I can do my best work. Thanks for listening Elan Shapiro On Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 8:07 AM, David Peter McCobb d...@cornell.edu wrote: Joanna, why advertise as for white people? For me this just continues the silly binary tradition. I prefer to consider myself light brown, deep tan in parts, am proud of a perhaps tiny fraction of Native American blood on my half Canadian French side, and of my european ethnic or at least national diversity. I think most blacks are really of mixed blood, though they are, I suspect they are admonished or discredited for acknowledging white impurities. Even our president is typically taken to be simply back, even though he has every right to be proud of his blend. Someday in this country maybe we will be comfortable that we are all heterozygous, and all the same species. And monkeys with clothes on, as I am fond of saying! David David P. McCobb, Ph.D. Neurobiology and Behavior Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 On Aug 24, 2015, at 7:41 AM,
RE: [sustainable_tompkins-l] Fw: TONIGHT: Invitatation
How about the designation of race as human. That's the only race I can identify. Pegi From: rltcay...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [sustainable_tompkins-l] Fw: TONIGHT: Invitatation Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2015 11:56:38 -0400 To: sustainable_tompkins-l@list.cornell.edu Point taken about race. Let's realize that race (social construct) only matters as people behave as if it were real thereby creating social structures. As they say, soft ideas with hard consequences. And the consequences are all around us, not the least of which is knowing that nonwhites can't expect to be treated with dignity in public spaces. I, for one, recognize the caste-like (black/white) race system in the U.S. (And sorting of others such as Asians into fictional categories.). When there is a race system present, every person has a race designation. I self-identify as Euro-American. Still, I. can understand the need for so-called whites to become more aware of how pervasive and insidious the race system is and how best to resist and confront it so as not to be complicit in it. 'Nuff said? Regi(Sociologist by trade) Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Dostoyevsky. On Aug 24, 2015, at 10:41 AM, David Peter McCobb d...@cornell.edu wrote: Why not just say people, and let it appeal to whoever is interested? I personally resent being called white, and can't help hearing it as racist. David David P. McCobb, Ph.D. Neurobiology and Behavior Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 On Aug 24, 2015, at 9:09 AM, Elan Shapiro elanshapiro...@gmail.com wrote: Why whites? Hi Dave I take it as a given that race is an ever shifting social construct, nonetheless used to create enormous negative impact on most of the world's people. Most people of color I know who work for racial justice recognize the value of whites (also a social construct) educating whites for a significant part of the struggle because its simply too exhausting and overwhelming for people of color to continuously be called on to pierce the layers of miseducation, denial of gross disadvantage that they experience, and of the subliminal or blatant bias that the vast majority of US citizens carry. The message to me is : First, once you get it , work on your own people, and use your advantages constructively for the benefit of all who are less advantaged. Be in solidarity and support when needed and asked for, but most of all communicate the urgency, outrageous unfairness, and the avenues for structural and systemic change, to people who you can most influence. also see, in the message that went out: Why so white? We know, we know. The notion of showing up to a space that is intentionally held for anti-racist white folks can seem counter-intuitive, and awkward. To learn more about the strategy behind this, read about SURJ's dedication to accountability here. In the words of one SURJ Ithaca member, In my life's work, this has been the first time I have ever been a part of a group that is intentionally built for white folks who are interested in helping move towards a racially just society. My personal life is far more diverse than that, so the concept did feel awkward to me at first. But after being a part of so many racial justice groups that ended up being dominated/distracted by well-intentioned white folks, I try to listen to my brothers sisters of color, who, in my world, have been very encouraging of white folks to find their own spaces/angles to do this work from. There are ways for us to all work together, and respect the different angles we are working from. SURJ's work is informed by freedom fighters of color, and has a powerful alliance with the current Black Lives Matter movement. For instance, at the recent Black Lives Convening conference in Cleveland, this message from SURJ was posted shared on their website. As someone who deeply respects the powerful origins of the BLM movement, I also respect the white counterpart organization that they have thoughtfully collaborated with, and trust that as a space where I can do my best work. Thanks for listening Elan Shapiro On Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 8:07 AM, David Peter McCobb d...@cornell.edu wrote: Joanna, why advertise as for white people? For me this just continues the silly binary tradition. I prefer to consider myself light brown, deep tan in parts, am proud of a perhaps tiny fraction of Native American blood on my half Canadian French side, and of my european ethnic or at least national diversity. I think most blacks are really of mixed blood, though they are, I suspect they are admonished or discredited for acknowledging white impurities. Even our president is typically taken to be simply back, even though he has every right to be proud of his blend. Someday in this country maybe we will be comfortable
Re: [sustainable_tompkins-l] Fw: TONIGHT: Invitatation
Then species and race are redundant. Race is an important concept, e.g., for scholars, but is problematic for application to individuals because of rich underlying subdivision, fuzzy boundaries, and particularly for the rapid interbreeding of recent (though by no means exclusively recent) history. David P. McCobb, Ph.D. Neurobiology and Behavior Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 On Aug 24, 2015, at 2:35 PM, Pegi Ficken fp...@hotmail.commailto:fp...@hotmail.com wrote: How about the designation of race as human. That's the only race I can identify. Pegi From: rltcay...@gmail.commailto:rltcay...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [sustainable_tompkins-l] Fw: TONIGHT: Invitatation Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2015 11:56:38 -0400 To: sustainable_tompkins-l@list.cornell.edumailto:sustainable_tompkins-l@list.cornell.edu Point taken about race. Let's realize that race (social construct) only matters as people behave as if it were real thereby creating social structures. As they say, soft ideas with hard consequences. And the consequences are all around us, not the least of which is knowing that nonwhites can't expect to be treated with dignity in public spaces. I, for one, recognize the caste-like (black/white) race system in the U.S. (And sorting of others such as Asians into fictional categories.). When there is a race system present, every person has a race designation. I self-identify as Euro-American. Still, I. can understand the need for so-called whites to become more aware of how pervasive and insidious the race system is and how best to resist and confront it so as not to be complicit in it. 'Nuff said? Regi (Sociologist by trade) Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Dostoyevsky. On Aug 24, 2015, at 10:41 AM, David Peter McCobb d...@cornell.edumailto:d...@cornell.edu wrote: Why not just say people, and let it appeal to whoever is interested? I personally resent being called white, and can't help hearing it as racist. David David P. McCobb, Ph.D. Neurobiology and Behavior Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 On Aug 24, 2015, at 9:09 AM, Elan Shapiro elanshapiro...@gmail.commailto:elanshapiro...@gmail.com wrote: Why whites? Hi Dave I take it as a given that race is an ever shifting social construct, nonetheless used to create enormous negative impact on most of the world's people. Most people of color I know who work for racial justice recognize the value of whites (also a social construct) educating whites for a significant part of the struggle because its simply too exhausting and overwhelming for people of color to continuously be called on to pierce the layers of miseducation, denial of gross disadvantage that they experience, and of the subliminal or blatant bias that the vast majority of US citizens carry. The message to me is : First, once you get it , work on your own people, and use your advantages constructively for the benefit of all who are less advantaged. Be in solidarity and support when needed and asked for, but most of all communicate the urgency, outrageous unfairness, and the avenues for structural and systemic change, to people who you can most influence. also see, in the message that went out: Why so white? We know, we know. The notion of showing up to a space that is intentionally held for anti-racist white folks can seem counter-intuitive, and awkward. To learn more about the strategy behind this, read about SURJ's dedication to accountability http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/accountability here.http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/accountability In the words of one SURJ Ithaca member, In my life's work, this has been the first time I have ever been a part of a group that is intentionally built for white folks who are interested in helping move towards a racially just society. My personal life is far more diverse than that, so the concept did feel awkward to me at first. But after being a part of so many racial justice groups that ended up being dominated/distracted by well-intentioned white folks, I try to listen to my brothers sisters of color, who, in my world, have been very encouraging of white folks to find their own spaces/angles to do this work from. There are ways for us to all work together, and respect the different angles we are working from. SURJ's work is informed by freedom fighters of color, and has a powerful alliance with the current Black Lives Matter movement. For instance, at the recent Black Lives Convening conference in Cleveland, this message from SURJ http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/cleveland was posted shared on their website. As someone who deeply respects the powerful origins of the BLM movement, I also respect the white counterpart organization that they have thoughtfully collaborated with, and trust that as a space where I can do my best work. Thanks
