October’s UWSA Unlearning Circle will explore the People’s Institute principle: Maintaining Accountability.

Organizing with integrity requires that we be accountable to the communities struggling with racist oppression.

Conversations about accountability among white people usually begin and end with a focus on individual accountability. They center holding each other accountable.

Taking a page from our Black elders at the People’s Institute, however, our conversation will focus on accountability within the framework of organizing. Together we will identify our organizing communities. We will explore how accountability demands that our organizing communities build principled relationships with those who share our anti-racist values. Relationships that uplift the humanity of all of us. We will share history, strategies, and challenges in being accountable, as a community, to communities who struggle with racist oppression. We will consider how accountable relationships have provided a foundation for community organizing power.

Unlearning Circle Resource:

*** People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond - Antiracist Principles https://www.pisab.org/our-principles/

More recommended resources will be posted here soon

UWSA’s first Unlearning Circle in the winter of 2017 was created as a place for white people to do the work of reflection and community self-education. As we continue to gather to critically examine our own participation in cultures of dominance, we build our capacity to show up as individuals and as a city-wide community network for Black, Indigenous and people of color-led anti-racist efforts in a positive and accountable way. The Unlearning Circles are an opportunity for white identifying people to explore white supremacy culture and our role and responsibilities in undoing racism. We welcome and recognize the gift of the presence of any People of Color who choose to join us.

In solidarity,

The UWSA Organizing Team