SURJ LC/SW WA role as part of a multi-racial, multi-generational movement is to undermine white support for white supremacy and to help build a racially-just society.

That work cannot be done in isolation from or disconnected from the powerful leadership of communities of color. It is one part of a multi-racial, cross-class movement centering the leadership of people of color.

Therefore, SURJ LC/SW WA believes in resourcing organizing led by people of color, and maintaining strong accountability relationships with organizers and communities of color as central part of our theory of change.

SURJ LC/SW WA believes that we must ground our organizing in a framework of “mutual interest” -- white supremacy is integral to economic injustice, to maintaining patriarchy and other forms of oppression. Racism and white supremacy keep the many divided for the benefit of the few. We must have an inclusive, open-hearted approach to organizing, calling people into this work rather than creating barriers to participation while maintaining a clear political line. When those of us who are white realize that racial justice is core to our liberation as well, then masses of white people will withdraw support from white supremacy. Together, as part of a powerful multi-racial, cross-class movement for collective liberation we can force the system of white supremacy to crumble.In order to activate this theory of change, we employ three core strategies:

• Delegitimize racist institutions
• Fight for a fair economy that refuses to pit communities against each other
• Shift culture (meaning the underlying beliefs folks have about people and the world) in a way that undermines support for white supremacy

These strategies are dependent on multi-racial, multi-generational organizing and a specific focus on deepening, amplifying, and centering the leadership and organizing of poor and working-class folks, rural communities, and disabled folks. Within this framework, our network is using a number of tactics, including leading and participating in campaigns, base-building, direct action, relationship-building, communications work and more through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves white people to act as part of a multi-racial, multi-generational majority for justice with passion and accountability in Southwest Washington.