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 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 here <http://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, <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." 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/jus tice 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.edu (607) 272-2292 ext 135 <tel:%28607%29%20272-2292%20ext%20135> www.multiculturalresourcecenter.org <http://www.multiculturalresourcecenter.org/> _____ Elan Shapiro Building Bridges Ithaca College Env Studies Frog's Way B&B 607-592-8402 elanshapiro...@gmail.com -- Elan Shapiro Building Bridges Coalition Frog's Way B&B www.frogsway-bnb.com 607-592-8402 elanshapiro...@gmail.com 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. http://www.avast.com For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ If you have questions about this list please contact the list manager, Tom Shelley, at t...@cornell.edu.
