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Dismantling Racism Resource Book

Building Alliances Across Race: Principles

This handout is part of a larger curriculum set developed by the Dismantling
Racism Project of Western States Center.

Background:

In much of the West, communities of color have not yet built enough political power to move their
agendas entirely on their own. In this context, communities of color and primarily white
organizations, who would like to think of themselves as anti-racist allies, must build effective
alliances in order to successfully move racial justice organizing, particularly at a statewide level.
People often talk about building coalitions and alliances in a very idealistic way, but this is not easy
work. Building alliances across difference, especially race, can be riddled with potential pitfalls and
conflict. This work is incredibly important and requires a great deal thoughtfulness - much more
than good intentions. These principles were designed to help groups proactively think about how to
build effective, working relationships in an organizing context across racial differences. (These
principles do not address strategic questions of when it is effective to build alliances.)

We encourage you to use these as a working tool. Sit down with the

people you intend to work with early in your process. Review these
principles and discuss how they might relate to your collective endeavors.

PRINCIPLES:

1. Have a clearly stated organizational commitment to multi-racial,
racial justice organizing. It is not enough for individual members of an

organization to have a moral or personal commitment. This commitment must
be supported by the organization’s time and resources.

2. When primarily white organizations are building alliances with people of

color, white organizations must have a commitment to becoming anti-
racist. In practical terms, anti-racism means much more than a superficial

commitment to “diversity.” To be anti-racist involves, among other things, a
willingness to critique and change organizational culture, practices, and
structures that oppress and exclude people of color. This work requires an
openness to changing how you do things. It is not always easy.

3. Organizations of color must have a commitment to struggle with

their white ally organizations. This means that even if white people and

Dismantling Racism Project 112 Western States Center