Our first working session with Sharon, from the Challenging White Supremacy workshop. We read Solidarity not Charity: Racism in Katrina Relief Work by Molly McClure and Unraveling the Myths. 500 Years of Oppression, 500 Years of Resistance by José Lopez. The first text, a reflection on the role of white activists out of town in Katrina relief work, starting from the fact that “the mess of Katrina was caused by a storm of racism and poverty more than wind and water” and seeking what solidarity rooted in “looking at how power and privilege play out in our own lives” and the obligation to “consider our role in relation to the state and system that helped engineer this disaster.”
The second, an inspiring speech that looks at the legacies of 1492. “There are two obvious legacies that come out of 1492. The legacy that most of the governments of Europe and the established order around the world will celebrate is the legacy of Columbus as the heroic figure exemplifying the best of the European spirit of adventure and rugged individualism, who set out out to diffuse Western Civilization to the “lesser breeds of mankind” as Rudyard Kipling would say at the end of the 19th Century – that civilization about which Mahatma Ghandi, when asked by a reporter, “What do you think about Western Civilization?” responded by saying, “It would be a good idea.”” The text goes on to make the point that this “civilization” legacy is one of the West robbing the rest of the world. And then it links the history of Europe to that of the foundation of the U. S. “Two centuries ago, a former European colony decided to catch up with Europe. It succeeded so well that the United States became a monster, in which the taints, the sickess, and the inhumanity of Europe have grown to appalling dimensions.” In the last part it looks at the legacy of resistance and liberation movements, from the Indians to the Maroons and slave resistance to the riots in L.A. “So, as we look at this infamous Columbian legacy, this legacy of racism, of genocide, of all that is rotten about the Western world, when you look at this, you also have to understand that the very moment that the Europeans arrived on these shores, people resistance, and developed another legacy – a legacy of a rich history of cultures of resistance.”
Although we were more tired than during our first meeting, it’s exciting to actually begin the work, and Sharon is wonderful in the way she weaves the conversation together. I keep on thinking of the work to do back in Belgium – concretely, the “broken white” workshops with Sara and Diny & co, and the “histories of liberation movements” project with Nadia. But for the moment being, i am so very grateful to have this opportunity dig into the history of the U.S. (my assignment for next session: what would an anti-racist history of Santa Cruz look like… so much more useful than me being angry at this place) accompanied by a soul so amazing and delightful as Sharon, in the steady company of marÃa and the caravan company of visiting friends, and with the virtual connection of friends on the homefront. Won’t be able to report back from all the sessions on this blog, but check out the Nextgenderation Belgium site soon (when i finally find the time to redo it…)