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Newsletter 11/25/24
How are you holding up? I’ve been feeling sad since the election. Sometimes angry, too. I wanted to shut everything out and take care of myself. And, as I peek back out at what’s going on in the world, I feel worried. On the other hand, I have friends fueled into action, with renewed resolve to fight racism. I turned to the teachings of Anne Braden, an exemplary white ancestor who stood up, and spoke out, against racism in her lifetime. In the last published work of her lifetime (Jan – Feb 2006, Fellowship), Anne Braden said
If we are serious about the challenge of the unfinished business of racism, we must start by realizing that this is not a task we must complete. It is one we must begin.
It is certainly true that our society faces many life-and-death issues. But we can’t deal effectively with any of these problems until we mount an aggressive offense against racism. This is not only morally right; it’s a practical matter. As long as our society can dump its problems on people of color it will not seek or find real solutions. …
In every age, no matter how cruel the oppression carried on by those in power, there have been those who struggled for a different world. I believe this is the genius of humankind, the thing that makes us half divine: the fact that some human beings can envision a world that has never existed.
Below are ways to come together and plug in to this work no matter how you’re feeling. Coming together reminds us we are not alone in our feelings, rather we are surrounded by ‘half divine’ beings with a shared vision to dismantle white supremacy
In this issue:
- SURJ Gear Up Cohorts
- Welcome to SURJ-TC
- Action Alert Sign-up
- From Ally to Accomplice
TAKE ACTION |
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Gear Up for Resistance |
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Want to be ready to take action for justice as soon as Trump takes office? Eager to buff up your knowledge and organizing skills? Wishing you had an easy way to get your friends involved, too? Then consider hosting a Circle with SURJ National’s Gear Up Cohorts! We would encourage anyone to host (you don’t have to be an expert, just someone willing to gather people). SURJ National is organizing a series of learning circles, groups of 3-10 people who will spend ten weeks learning together between December and February. Every other week, SURJ will release a webinar that can be watched anytime, providing the circles with political education about the root causes of the challenges we’re facing today. On alternating weeks, the circles will meet together to debrief and practice essential movement organizing skills together, like how to mobilize our personal networks and organize a direct action. These skills will be invaluable for the work to come, and we can’t wait to have a bunch of SURJ Twin Cities members trained and ready to dive in! Fill out this form if you’re interested in either 1) hosting a Circle and inviting your friends (coaching will be provided) or 2) can’t host but want to sign up to attend a Circle: https://act.surj.org/a/gear-up-program If you want to HOST a Circle, also sign up for the HOST TRAINING ON DEC 2nd: https://www.mobilize.us/surj/event/744914/ If you want to attend a circle with other folks who live in the Twin Cities, please also email us and we will do our best to connect you to one: showingupforracialjusticemn@gmail.com |
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SURJ TC Welcome Gathering |
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As we navigate the new administration, being in community will be a powerful support and antidote to disruptions and changes. Our local SURJ chapter is excited to offer an opportunity for you to learn more about us and see if we could be a potential community for you. We are offering a Welcome Gathering on Monday, December 9 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm over Zoom. We share stories about anti-racism in our lives and then talk about how you can get more involved with SURJ-TC and how we can support you in deepening your commitment to racial justice work. Please Register here! if you would like to attend. We will offer more Welcome Gatherings in 2025, so if you can’t make this one, keep an eye on the newsletter for future Welcome Gatherings. |
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Action Alert Text Tree |
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Are you interested in receiving in-the-moment alerts and updates regarding racial justice demonstrations? Are you looking for opportunities to meet up with other SURJ-TC members at protests? We are pleased to invite you to join an Action Alert Text Group for SURJ-TC. The text group will serve two main purposes:
If you are interested in joining please complete this google form. After you sign up, yo |
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EVENTS OF INTEREST |
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From Ally to Accomplice Workshop Thursday Dec. 5th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Mixed Blood Theater, 1501 S 4th St, Mpls 55454. Led by Seena Hodges. Allies stand by. Accomplices take action. Which one are you? Using personal reflections and real-life examples, Seena Hodges invites workshop participants to take their antiracism to the next level. Go beyond DEI as a concept and turn it into action. Once you see injustice, you can’t unsee it. Sliding scale of $125 to $25. Register here!
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GET INVOLVED WITH SURJ-TC! |
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Volunteer with SURJ-TC |
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SURJ-TC works as a local chapter for SURJ National. Our work is local and so are our volunteers. Within this volunteer-driven culture, we strive always to make our work as transparent and non-hierarchical as we know how while holding ourselves accountable to organize white people to build the political will to end white supremacy and implement our theory of change (i.e., self-education, action, and calling in more white people).
We welcome volunteers in our working groups and teams and can offer a variety of tasks and areas of interest. Currently we have the following opportunities available:
If you’d like to find out more or are interested in other ways to get involved, email showingupforracialjusticemn@gmail.com. |
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Donate Today: Support SURJ-TC and Community Action
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SURJ-TC is now able to accept online donations via PayPal! Visit our donate page and click the “donate” button to set up your one-time or recurring donation! How will your donation be used? We are an all-volunteer group, and your donations will be put to good use, to help our chapter cover things like:
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JOIN US! |
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SURJ-Twin Cities Chapter: Learn more – SURJ-TC is a Minnesota chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing white people for racial justice. White people have been told for years by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) activists that we need to educate and organize our own people. So that’s what we try to do. Learn more at www.surjtc.org. SURJ-TC is one of 150 chapters and affiliates nationwide. Learn about SURJ National at surj.org.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
In solidarity,
Your friends at SURJ-TC |
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