Chicago Indymedia : http://chicago.indymedia.org/archive
Chicago Indymedia

LOCAL News :: Civil & Human Rights : Gender & Sexuality : Miscellaneous

People of Color Caucus Statement at the First Convention, New SDS

At the First Convention of the New Students for a Demoratic Society (SDS), a brief statement was read by the People of Color Caucus. It was read in the hopes to open a dialogue on addressing a historic racial blindspot within the student Left and American Left as a whole.

The statement has been posted here in its entirety.
We are the People of Color Caucus and some of us are members of SDS, some of us are not. As a community of people of color we are collectively penning a letter of constructive criticism regarding the accountability of SDS to their stated goals including real participatory democracy. We do this with respect and revolutionary love.

As People of Color, we have witnessed that being at this conference was an alienating experience, and this caucus is meant to change that dynamic. In our collective analysis, we have observed these points:

* SDS and much of the progressive left has been historically, a white-male dominated, heterosexist movement. While attempts have been made to challenge these realities, we recognize at this convention the domination of whiteness and everything that comes along with that social construct;
* SDS should engage in a cultural sensitivity that allows us to feel comfortable in this space;
* Sometimes as a white led organization, SDS is going to have to take a back seat and work in solidarity on issues that directly affect people of color;
* We as a community of color, come from a myriad of narratives and perspectives, but are united by our common oppression and need for liberation. A People of Color politic expresses an inclusive politic that struggles against all systems of oppression,
* SDS is supposed to be a group for the masses seeking to abolish oppression, but it is currently alienating for People of Color to engage SDS in this effort of movement building

We call upon like-minded individuals in SDS to work with us with an open heart, listen to our concerns as People of Color and work with us in solidarity to help achieve liberation for all peoples, while remembering to respect our space.
 
 

Donate

Views

Account Login

Media Centers

 

This site made manifest by dadaIMC software