Building a Multiracial Movement

Some Suggestions for White Folks
on Loving our Role in the Struggle

Movement work has changed in the United States since Occupy started. Internationally, of course, much bigger changes have been underway for longer. And for us back here at home, the change means that we're seeing a surge of new people, new allies, involved in struggles for justice. With these exciting numbers and new collaboration comes opportunity and challenges.

One great challenge to be met head-on is internalized racism. To put it bluntly, even when we mean well, white folks often tend to walk around oblivious to our unearned privilege and its effects. We stumble along, take up too much space, assume people agree with us, step on toes and sometimes more. White supremacy confuses our powers of perception even as we think we're working towards justice. And now, with so many new people involved, so many new connections between existing groups happening, so many people just beginning the life-long journey of unlearning racism, the problem of internalized racism is even more visible in our activist circles...

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Why Multilingual Matters: Interpreting For Everybody

Wayside has made a commitment to build and amplify voices and languages not often heard in organizing and movement spaces. We are working in Virginia and DC with organizations that see the need, and the organizing power, of connecting people across race and language especially in immigrant communities. When we begin to see language as a tool of empowerment that gives value to people's culture and way of being, our organizations grow in heart, experience, and perspective. When we begin to see that interpreting is not just "for" mono-lingual non-English speakers but in fact for everyone who is unable to understand all languages present in a conversation, we can begin to see people working from abundance and not deficiency. When we interpret well, we open space for the jokes, the perspectives and the soul of everyone in the room to come through, building deeper solidarity, democracy, and a broader movement for change.

As we continue to build interpreting capacity through trainings, consultations, and providing interpretation at Wayside and beyond, we are continually touched by the power and value of diverse voices and perspectives communicating with one another. We are in the midst of exciting times, and as we Occupy and collectively address the economic crisis and inequalities of this world, let us continue to lift up and amplify all voices. As we grow our movement, let's make sure that our dreams, struggles and visions are heard in the voice and language that most truly expresses our deepest desires and hopes!

Student Organizers "Bring It!" at Wayside

A gathering of 30 high school and college students came together here at Wayside in February to build leadership and youth organizing skills at the first annual Bring It!: Student Organizers Weekend. Participants hailed from schools and communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and DC. Led by Virginia Leavell, Jon Berger and Samatha Miller the group held workshops focused on facilitating meetings, organizing events, and general knowledge with youth organizers.
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