Advice from the POC caucus?

[benbrucato]

I'd like to ask for some advice from the POC caucus. Some of my early political education began with working directly with Black Liberation activists. I spent a few years providing material aid to political prisoners and prisoners of war from the BLM, Puerto Rican independence movement, AIM, and others. The message I was used to hearing is to organize in my community, and they will organize theirs. I appreciate that.

While I feel very comfortable in communities of color on a personal level, I know that doing outreach can be (legitimately) interpreted as patriarchal. In acknowledging our current lack of diversity and the need for all of us to engage in outreach, perhaps outreach to communities of color should involve more of us than only the people of color in Occupy Albany. If left to you, it may overburden you. Further, OA might not break from its constituents failing to mirror the diversity of the communities in which we live. To that extent, I want to suggest that all of us white-skinned people open our ears to advice from the POC caucus in terms of how we might better conduct outreach to improve the diversity of Occupy Albany.

I know that one of the most important things we can do is to create a space that is safe, and affirms the agency of people of color. And to challenge ourselves and others when they assert their skin privilege. One member of the caucus raised some concerns about the predominance of white males who were available for an early occupation during the discussion tonight. I appreciated this absolutely; the statement presented an item to think about but also one without a specific proposal for action. No problem with that, but I don't want to presume how I or we as a group should address it.

A specific issue that is usually brought up in my experience is the cozy relationship white liberals build with the police. This has been a criticism that has been raised by people of color in at least two other occupations I'm aware of. I'm used to people of color urging absolutely no communication with the police. However, on this forum, two different women of color presented an opposite view - that if we don't work with the police, it will make the movement more subject to police repression and the first people targeted will be people of color. That's an important consideration, and one that I have never heard before. I don't agree that a lack of communication will lead to a higher likelihood of police repression (so far, there seems to be no correlation between communication with police and their responses at occupations around the country -- in Phoenix, there was much communication, but the crackdown was harsh: every occupier was arrested the first night). But I absolutely know that when and if they crack down on the movement, it will be felt most harshly by people of color. I also know that discussions of civil disobedience without specific relevance to the lives of people of color can be alienating, since time in jail and an arrest record disproportionately impacts them.

I'm not asking for a response to the last issue addressed here, but more to open up the floor on these issues more broadly. I know that I don't necessarily need to make this space open; even this post conveys some paternalism; these matters are probably best left for the caucus to initiate. That leads to the question: are there many members of the caucus participating here? (As a grad student in technology studies, I am well aware of 'the digital divide' - this alone should encourage internet communication to be a secondary medium, until we know it is not a barrier for people of color participating in the movement.) In the interest of time, and making sure we start off building for the occupation most effectively, I wanted to put this out there.

In solidarity,

Ben

[tainapoet]

Ben,

I guess its important to clarify that the POC Caucus has not officially met yet as a larger body than 10 or so friends in a room. It was a powerful informal discussion where we decided to form a more formal POC Caucus which will be meeting for the first time today. So to answer your last question, I don't think anyone besides me is checking this forum.

That being said, we began talking about how we feel about outreach and police interaction and repression at our informal meeting. I am sure that we are going to talk about this more at our meeting tonight.

So, I don't think I can represent a particular view from the caucus (if there ever is one point of view), but I know that this will be a part of our dialogue.

In terms of white people doing outreach in communities of color, I have mixed feelings about it, and I think it depends on how it is done. I know that I hate the concept of white people trying to "recruit" (someone in OccupyAlbany actually used that word which I found very offensive) me so they can feel more comfortable about having "diversity" without any real concern for making it a safer place for me or a place where I have a voice. And that has happened to me plenty of times. I think that it is what I am interested in starting off with in the Caucus - making sure that if we do outreach to communities of color we are simultaneously thinking of ways to maker a safer space and room for their voices. Now strategies for how to do that are yet to be determined...

Taina

[tashabeloved]

Didn't get a chance to fully read the initial post just wanted to address Outreach in communities of color by letting the POC Caucus know what I mentioned in the Teach In Forum it's below:

Also at the POC Caucus meeting on 10/19/11 there was interest from attendees about facilitating teach ins and an entire bank of knowledge interested in educating people at the encampment and in the larger communities surrounding the base. There's some good stuff there Teach In Folks should be connecting to.

[nutella]

That teach In follow up in about an our if interest is here.

[natascia]

Taina, I could not agree with you more. There have been many times that as a Queer woman, though not a woman of color, I have not felt safe within OA. Specifically, I am not talking about physical safety, but rather I have not felt safe speaking up, particularly during GA. We say there is no leadership within the OA; however, there are clearly individuals that have emerged as leaders, and almost all of them are white men. These white men need to understand and hear that many of us do not feel comfortable within the GA. Proposals being made by women or people of color at the GA must be treated with particular sensitivity and respect, and I have observed this NOT happening on several occasions. However, because I do not feel that I am in a safe space, I have not spoken up about it during GA. I don't even know if there is a way that is designed within the format of the GA to address these matters. How do I interrupt racism, sexism or heterosexism when and if I see it within GA? Is there some way I can address it later? Is there some way I can do it right then and there? I don't see that space. Maybe someone can enlighten me here? The structure of GA seems to me to be very white and very WASP-Y, and though I understand that it is highly structured to avoid chaos with such a large group, it feels very constraining to me as a non-USer and doesn't seem to provide for things like this. I guess the only way to work on this would be to remind the white people to continuously challenge and examine their privilege within and outside of GA? I don't know... Any thought? Anyone? Also, I apologize for intruding on a forum that perhaps is not mine, considering I am white? I'm not sure who the forum is open to.

[bhawin]

I think this is a concern many POC and women have expressed in these early days of OA. While I want to praise and respect the job of the facilitators for their perseverance and hard work to get this thing launched and keep it going, we need to think a bit more creatively to involve the voices of more POC and women. I think the biggest concern I have is that some white males are NOT stepping back at GA's and in general. Sometimes there is a fear that if they don't say something, do something, act now etc etc. no one else will. That is another manifestation of white male privilege. By not stepping back there is no space for others to step into.

Another thought is maybe we need to use the point of process signal more and bring this issue up in the moment or adjust the timing and frequency of GA's and think about the primacy and culture of the GA itself. I can speak for myself that I am a very vocal and expressive person in general but at the 3 GA's I have attended (2 nearly all the way through) I did not feel empowered to speak. Now maybe that is my own personal shit and a result of me not being able to be physically present at OA as much as i would like to be, but i think it is a bit deeper.

I would also like to know if anyone who has been to several GA's has noticed this with other POC or women as well. I think it is important that voices of people who are following & supporting but not physically able to be at every GA are some how included. I am a busy (2 jobs, wife, 2 kids) person who is committed for the long haul to this movement and for now my main area of support right now is outreach and media (made the Occupy Albany: "lets start" video and one of 5 admin's on the OA facebook page). Respect to those who are there and able to attend and physically occupy, its early we're holding it down AND lets work on this.

[Emma]

(I know meetings are poc-only. Is it OK for white folks to post on this thread? If not pls let me know and I'll delete.)

A point of information related to Natascia's post: There are (that I know of, including myself) two white queer women in central roles in the facilitation & logistics working group (and we've each facilitated a GA). Also, not a WASP.

However, the issue Bhawin is bringing up about white men not stepping back - oy. Yes, and what to do about it?
I know personally I've not wanted to take more than my fair share of floor time at GAs and that's frequently stopped me from getting on stack or caused me to pass when my turn came. There are folks, though, who do feel entitled to speak way more than their "share."

I'm not sure if it's a facilitation issue. Progressive stack is supposed to be in use, but there's also topical content issues that are affecting this (like what is brought as a proposal) and structural things like the prominency of the GA that Bhawin referred to. I question that also, and would really like to see alternate structures either simultaneously, alternating, or just at different times of day.

It's also an issue that could potentially be addressed 1:1 with folks who're dominating discussions. The idea that someone else won't do it if you don't is so hard to overcome. The fact that it's career activists who're doing this most is not coincidental. But I do believe in this movement it's misplaced and counter-productive (also self-fulfilling). I'd talk to them, but I'm not sure I'm the best choice - I'll see if I can get some help on that.

Bhawin - do you have ideas about other structures (other than GA) that could be more inviting of broader participation? I feel like the People's Speak Out is great for some things (and I've wondered about a POC Speak-Out and/or a Teens Speak-Out, etc), but it's not particularly conducive for discussion.

I think this Saturday (Occupy Your State Capital - big event here in Albany) could be a good opportunity to experiment with a wider variety of forms for participation.
www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Foccupyalbany.proboards.com%2Findex.cgi%3Fboard%3Doccupycapital&h=2AQGW8O3_AQG0mz1FSov0R2cDjMitYGezuSE3q0FJbxp4JA

It'd be great to have some POC oriented stuff going on on Saturday, too. Are there POC groups in other areas around the state that might be interested in hooking up and doing something together here for this?

(oops, that link copied & pasted weird... occupyalbany.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=occupycapital )

[rachael]

I am so glad to have found this dialogue. I have noticed a lack of diverse voices since the first GA. There are far too many white male voices and far too little voices of women and people of color. I am eager to find ways to address it. We cannot change anything if we cannot get a handle on the oppression within OA. I heard there may be a womens caucus...does anyone know anything about this or have an interest in forming one.

To add to my previous message, I would like to state that I attended the GA on Monday night. I spoke up (for the first time) because I could not allow another female facilitator to be cut off. I was nervous but I could not allow another woman to be cut off mid-sentence by a man. They were both facilitators and, as I have seen many times at the GA, when the woman pauses to gather her thoughts the man picks up and finishes off what he feels she was going to say. We must recognize this sort of sexism, which is difficult for many because it is so common in our society. If we continue to let the male voices be the majority we are perpetuating part of the problem that we should be opposing as a group. Women we need to speak up for one another and surely men will began to see and hopefully understand this problem. ALSO THE POC CAUCUS, I REALIZE IS NOT THE PROPER VENUE TO CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION SO PERHAPS A NEW TREAD SHOULD BE STARTED FOR WOMEN. any thoughts?

[natascia]

Bhawin, I too am a very outspoken and fairly assertive person, and I don't feel like the GA is a safe space for me. I've seen what Emma has seen with white men cutting women off, and I agree with her. It's such a pervasive and dominant privilege that they carry that they don't see it. I will be participating in the Women's Caucus on Saturday, and I will definitely bring this up to the caucus and perhaps one of us could talk to some of these white men that have emerged as leaders. I completely agree, that the white men need to step back in order to create space for others. In regards to Emma's post, it is not that I am saying that certain individuals are WASPs, but I am referring to the whole culture of the GA, which is indeed very WASP-Y. As a non-USer, I was born and raised in Italy, I am accustomed to debate and the exchange of ideas in a more free-flowing manner where people are allowed to say things and throw out ideas. At the GAs I've felt completely stifled and afraid to make a mistake, use the wrong process, or the wrong hand signal, or commit an infraction against these very rigid "laws" so I just don't speak up. I know for a fact that we have many many brilliant minds present at the GAs that would have amazing contributions, but we're not hearing from them. Like I said, I will bring this to the Women's Caucus on Saturday. By the way, I am extremely pleased that we are at least talking about this.

[tooladder]

#1 I'll conceed that maybe underneath was some underlying subconcious racism/sexism I need to deal with. Looking at it objectively I wonder if I would have made the motion if it was a WASP male who had said/done the same thing. I'll try to be more aware of that. I'm sorry I did it and I'll try to be more respectful in the future. I think a large part of why it might have cropped up is because I have similar feelings and fustrations over being blown off because of my hearing issue and the social awkwardness that comes with it. I'm doing the best I can to help the movement, and apologize for my part in the aggressive sexist/racist behaviour and will try to be more aware of such tendencies in myself and correct them.


#2 If we don't start shortening GAs we are going to keep losing supporters. If Facilitators and WG heads had a quick meeting before the GA many issues could be worked out quicker and proposals could be more clear cut options to choose from instead of open ended debates on times, and locations that go on for hours. If anyone has a disagreement with it they can block it and return it to the WG and work with the work group to fix their issue there not in G.A.

[Emma]

Women's Caucus on Saturday? I must have missed where this is posted about. Can you share more details?
Clearly, if such a thing is happening, it needs to be fully inclusive of women of color. Who is organizing it, and how?

[rachael]

I have not heard of a Women's Caucus on Saturday. I too would like more info if anyone has any to share. I have a canopy that I am willing to donate to be for women if needed. All women.

[natascia]

Hello all, we're meeting some time between 11 and 3 pm on saturday. I found out about the caucus from Carmen Rau. She has indicated Sarah Podber as one of the organizers. I don't know her; I'll be meeting her for the first time tomorrow. Tooladder, I'm sorry, I don't know your real name, it is very responsible of you to admit that you need work and try to set about the business of doing it. Good for you! We ALL need work, some of us on racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, whatever! I hope you do not feel isolated as a result of this discussion. I was not there for the incident, but I'm sure you were doing your best in the moment. I'll post more details as I have them about the Women's Caucus here. Thanks all!

[carmenrau]

Hi, I just want to clarify that the women's gathering was started out of Holding Our Own women's foundation. The group gathered informally a little over a week ago at the Women's Building. Most of the women involved are also part of the POC Caucus. We had an initial conversation about whether we wanted to form an "official" caucus at OA and that was tabled until we could gather again. Our meeting was very short because it was held right before the POC Caucus the same night at the WB.

If there is interest in a women's caucus, we would love to have us all join forces (sorry for the military term:)). Sarah Podber and Jessica Pino--with me in the peanut gallery--took the lead on the intial meeting and were in the process of organizing something for this Saturday.

I posted in the Women's Caucus thread. Can we continue this conversation there? Also if you want we can add you the google group we set up a couple days ago.

My email carmen.rau at gmail.com.

Carmen

[jess]

A meeting has been set up for the Women's Caucus.

Please see the "Posts for events Calendar here" forum or the "Women's Caucus" form for details!

Or check out the Facebook invite:
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156947514401836

Please spread the word!

[benbrucato]

Sorry to jump back on here, but I was hoping to get some more feedback on the original question in case anyone in the POC caucus is interested in help with outreach related issues.

I could propose that the Radical Caucus conduct a sort of "check your privilege" teach-in, part of which would involve how to do outreach in communities of color without pulling the kind of shit that Taina experienced. I'd be curious to know what other kinds of things the POC caucus would like us to address.

Thanks much,

Ben