Anti-Racism Committee Minutes 10/19/2011
6:00 p.m.
AFSC
Also saved at:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rDqqsCOi5pHHsjDPI6ZI7tXh_m5ntcK-BzYfSJ-24aY/edit
To make things easier in terms of achievable goals, we broke down what committees Occupy Atlanta has and connected those to the broader areas that we want to work on. We then divided ourselves into working groups based on the areas that we were interested into contributing to, then came up with a few action points in those areas.

Creating anti-racist governance

What are our strategies to interrupt white privilege and racism in General Assembly facilitation? What other models for consensus are other “Occupy” mobilizations using that promote racial justice and address marginalization (ie. NYC progressive stacking)? How do we work directly with facilitators and working group point people to address these concerns? How do we address the “Demands” working group in particular about focusing on “solely economic issues”?

Folks in this group: Sarah, Serbius, and Vanessa

Action points: Conduct a research project this week to talk to people of color in the park about hos racism has come up for them in the space of Occupy Atlanta, and how they would like to see it addressed. We can then take this to create a larger demand to OATL, and have some tangible data to show OATL about racism existing within this space.

Building trust & connecting issues

What work is already going on in Atlanta that represent “the 99%,” and particularly the African American community that is bearing the brunt of this economic crisis and at the same time is under attack by the criminal (in)justice system, facing particular struggles with predominantly Black neighborhoods, and whose concerns have been marginalized in the mainstream media? How do we connect with what people are already doing and ask how this mobilization could support their demands in an effective and principled way? How do share information with people not involved in Occupy Atlanta for how to effectively insert themselves? How do we create bridges of trust?

Folks in this group: Tahereh, Donna

Action Points: Reach out to Legal and Tactical Unity to talk about race and to see where they are coming from or if they are even thinking about it. Also, touch base with different people of color led organizations around the city to find out why they are not participating in Occupy Atlanta, and what they may need to participate.

Creating accessible dialogue

Interpretation or transcription for General Assemblies? Material creation in other languages? Other models besides the General Assembly (ie, world café, unconference, or caucus groups based on experience – such as foreclosures, etc). How do we use Facebook, Youtube, and the new ‘zine to engage people who are not yet engaging?

Folks in this group: Aimi, Kate?, Connor

Action Points: Create a Tumblr about the work we are doing and to collect anti-racism talk in the blogsphere. This is a way to involve the participation of others who cannot attend OATL due to access needs.

Popular education for racial justice

What pop ed materials can we create that reflect how communities of color have been hit the hardest by this economic crisis (i.e. foreclosures, unemployment rates, criminalization of immigrants, etc)? How do we re-frame the “99%” to show who makes it up in Atlanta in particular? How do we challenge materials that “center whiteness” or use whiteness as a default (ie, white people only on the posters)? How do we get this narrative of racial justice out to the broader media/the public?

Folks in this group: Kathryn, Rachel, Aimi, Debra

Action Points: Put out an open call for people to redesign the OATL icon. Make these as downloadable JPG’s on OATL’s website for folks to use. Talk to OATL media/website team about this.

Honoring histories of resistance

The hard work for economic justice has been happening for a long time in Atlanta, and there are critical legacies of resistance that we should learn from. How do we learn & share these histories to hold up the movements, mobilizations, and one-the-ground work, most of which was and is led by people of color? Speakers? Workshops? Interactive time line of oppression & resistance in Georgia?

Folks in this group: Moki, Donna

Action Points: Begin to create a roundtable discussion of about 4 poeple who will come together and discuss histories of resistance in Atlanta. Also, begin to create a timeline that folks that can add to that shows the history of resistance in Atlanta and the South. There will be a phone meeting with this group on Sunday at 7pm.

Building anti-racist community

How do we ensure that these meetings/spaces for dialogue about white supremacy and racism continue to happen? How do we bring in more people? How do we have a visible/loud presence in all Occupy Atlanta events/forums/etc?

Folks in this group: Connor, Max, Aimi

Action Points: Set up the next meeting. Begin to think about creative ways to gain visibility in what we are doing ( announcements at GAs, the creation of a logo, the creation of a name, internet presence, et al). Broadcast the successes we have. Pay attention to events and other committees at OATL to link our committee with. Empower members to continue conversations on a micro-level with their friends, communities, and strangers in the park about race, OATL, and our group to continue to get the word out that we exist.
NEXT MEETING IS WEDNESDAY at 5:30pm AT AFSC (60 Walton Street) or if the weather permits, in the park.