organizers and collectives are increasingly becoming aware that:
- we are organizing and living in Indigenous peoples’ territories
- effective and inclusive organizing means being attentive to white supremacy, racism, colonialism, ableism, patriarchy, heteronormativity, transphobia, fatphobia, ageism, capitalism, and individualism and the way these systems of oppression operate inside our collectives
- different types of burn-out have a major impact on what we’re able to do in our own lives and collectively
our goal:
with these ideas in mind, our goal is to bring together people from local activist collectives to create time, space, mutual support and resources for challenging ‘isms’ in our organizing and living.
you are likely already over-busy, possibly ‘spread thin’ with various commitments, so you’re welcome to join in the co-learning process when you can: for a particular discussion, for a month at a time, or for the whole thing when you can, even if you’re unable (for whatever reason) to do the suggested readings, research or other activities.
what happens inside/outside meetings:
what we do at meetings:
- come together to discuss, brainstorm, practice and debrief how to further resist and challenge ‘isms’ in our lives & organizing
- share knowledge and resources for groups we’re a part of
- discuss readings (done ahead of time) in relation to ourselves and our organizing communities, and plan future readings
- discuss strategies to name, challenge, and transform oppressive practices and viewpoints
- unsettle our own assumptions about what it means to be an ally and how to confront and work with (our own and others’) privilege
- discuss the meaning of mutual aid, autonomy, solidarity and accountability in various contexts – within and between our families, collectives, networks and communities
outside meetings:
- reporting back to our collectives on insights, ideas, and resources
- researching and compiling resources for groups we’re a part of
- setting aside time for personal processing of readings & experiences… doing this through art, writing, poetry, song, or whatever works for you. (this is also an appropriate space — away from the group — for working through things like denial, defensiveness, entitlement, shame & guilt)
if this co-learning process interests you, please see our page on getting involved
