Showing Up for Racial Justice
Formation | 2009 |
---|---|
Website | surj |
Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a network organizing
History
This section contains content that is written like an advertisement. (March 2024) |
Black activists and intellectuals from Malcolm X to Toni Morrison have argued for decades that white people bear the primary responsibility for rooting out racism. Carla F. Wallace, SURJ co-founder, said the aim is to engage white people in a larger racial justice movement led by people of color.[1] She asks "what is our mutual interest in working for a different society? ... We must move from it being something that we do when we have time on a Saturday to something that we do because our lives depend on it."[2]
Tactics
One SURJ tactic is deep canvassing, using the power of personal narrative in lengthy non-judgmental conversations to build white support for racial justice.[1] SURJ focuses on “calling in” White people to support racial justice grounded in the vision of Black leaders.[3] SURJ says it’s White people’s responsibility to do anti-racism work and not rely on persons of color to teach White people about racism.[4]
Criminal justice reform
Following the
Police accountability
SURJ called for police accountability and strengthened oversight in the San Diego County jail.[9] SURJ was part of the Citizens for a Safer Cleveland coalition,[10] whose police accountability initiative created a new Community Policing Commission composed of 13 civilians with final decision-making power regarding discipline in police misconduct cases.[11] In the debate over license plate readers, Melissa Cherry from Nashville chapter of SURJ said she was suspicious of private funding for law enforcement with discussion of defunding the police.[12]
See also
References
- ^ a b Scharfenberg, David (June 12, 2020). "Here come the white people — a new antiracist movement takes flight - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ^ "Dear white people: Being an ally isn't always what you think". Associated Press News. June 13, 2020.
- ^ "One group's unique approach to putting words into action in the fight for racial justice, equality". WRBL. 2020-07-06. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ^ "Your big questions about race, answered". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ^ Archie, Ayana. "Kyle Rittenhouse verdict sparks Louisville protests. Here's what they said". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ^ "Racial justice group canvasses community in hopes of removing cash bail from Louisville". whas11.com. October 10, 2021. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ "Voices on San Diego County jails audit". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2022-02-04. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ Fields, Cameron (2021-04-20). "Citizens for a Safer Cleveland coalition aims to address police accountability". cleveland.com. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ "Yes on Issue 24, which would provide community police oversight, passes". WEWS. 2021-11-03. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ Wadhwani, Anita (2021-04-20). "Debate over license plate readers returns to Metro Council Tuesday". Tennessee Lookout. Retrieved 2022-02-12.