Page 98 - Microsoft Word - resource book.doc

Dismantling Racism Resource Book

People feeling unprepared and inexperienced at working with a race analysis

Organizations can build on the work and expertise of other organizations and institutions
that have experience working with a race analysis. This can be an impetus for building
alliances or coalitions that bring organizations with a strong history of racial justice work
together with less experienced organizations.

Relying on tried and true organizing strategies – while still being flexible - may provide
and opportunity to overcome assumptions that racial justice organizing is a whole different
ballgame than familiar organizing strategies. While we don’t want to deny that moving a
racial justice campaign may have unique strategies and challenges, sometimes the feeling
of not being equipped does not represent a lack of capacity to move a racial justice agenda.

Fear of wedging membership, wanting to avoid “divisive” issues (Alinsky
organizing rule)
If we avoid issues of race because we think it is divisive, we are avoiding some of the most
critical issues. Too many progressive organizations have sat out key racial justice fights
for fear of wedging their membership, with the effect of strengthening the racist right
wing.

It’s better to strengthen your constituencies’ understanding of and commitment to racial
justice than to avoid the issues of race and racism. Building a strong and shared analysis of
oppression is key to undermining this “cardinal organizing rule.” Sometimes confronting
points of disagreement can move an organization past seemingly huge barriers to a whole
new level of work.

Is the organization prepared not to tokenize the few people of
color who are part of the organization?

Tokenism is the act of placing a limited number of people (pick one and only one) from a
non-dominant group for a prestigious position in order to deflect criticism of oppression.
Tokenism is a form of co-optation. Sometimes it takes “the best and brightest of the
most assimilated, rewards them with position and money (though rarely genuine leadership
and power), and then uses them as a model of what is necessary to succeed, even though
there are often no more openings for others who may follow their model. Tokenism is a
method of limiting access that gives false hope to those left behind and lames them for
“not making it.” “If these two or three black women can make it, then what is wrong with
you that you can’t?”

Sometimes tokenism is unconcerned with credentials or expertise. Under pressure to stop
the displacement of Southeast Asians caused by urban “redevelopment,” the mayor

Dismantling Racism Project 96 Western States Center