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Dismantling Racism Resource Book

Do you have intentional and effective approaches to developing

leadership throughout your organization?

In order to sustain and build the work, organizations need to be intentional about
leadership development. Building power for organizations of color means building a strong
base of members and leaders. Concentrating leadership in the hands of a few weakens the
work and makes it easier for opponents to hurt the organization by discrediting one or two
individuals.

Is there a shared analysis and language about race and racism
within the organization?

Does your organization have an analysis of institutional racism and white supremacy? Some
groups of color mistakenly seek to address racial inequities by facilitating the assimilation
of people of color into dominant racist institutions, while many people of color have
internalized some of the myths about the end of institutional racism and the existence of
“equal opportunity.”

Does your organization intentionally work to educate its membership and the community
about the realities of racism?
What is your approach if you want to target the systemic racism of an institution (school
board, police department, city hall, etc.) that is headed by a person of color? Without an
analysis of institutionalized racism, it may be difficult for your organization to challenge
institutions headed by people of color due to fears of discrediting people of color public
officials.

Does your group have a strategy for dealing with people of color
groups and leaders who are recognized by the power structure
but who oppose your analysis and methods?

Racism continues to try and divide people of color in order to conquer us. Does your group
have an analysis and strategy to deal with tokenized and mainstreamed people of color who
will attack your credibility, including and especially people who are recognized by some as
“community leaders?”

Dismantling Racism Project 91 Western States Center