The 5 Pillars of White Supremacy in DC

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At the end of the day, policy solutions cannot bring Black Liberation, nor can anti-oppression trainings. Both tactics can merely give us space to envision and articulate alternatives. Ultimately, we must create new co-operative systems and new models of social interactions that respect the inherent dignity of Black people. We must limit the power of the state to direct our lives, which means that Black communities and communities in solidarity with Black liberation must take responsibility for solving our own problems. We cannot ultimately rely on the police to make us safe or social workers and psychologist to make us whole. We must take care of our neighbors and empower our communities. We must teach each other and learn from each other new models of being our best, most gorgeous, most lovingly empathetic selves.

Movement For Black Lives Guiding Principles

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Below is a slightly modified version of the guiding principles adapted from the recent Movement for Black Lives Convening. #2 was added in order to contextualize the principles for non-Black people working in solidarity for the movement. They help paint of picture of what the Movement for Black Lives is and should provide and excellent … Continue reading Movement For Black Lives Guiding Principles

#CallThemIn: Sample Agenda

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#CallThemIn in the next collaborative social project from the Well Examined Life. We are hoping to encourage honest conversations about racial injustice and white supremacy across the country. To get involved in this project please go here: https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/callthemindc?source=direct_link&referrer=aaron-goggans The important thing about hosting a #CallThemIn event is to not let perfect be the enemy of … Continue reading #CallThemIn: Sample Agenda

#CallThemIn: Introduction to Movement For Black Lives, Racial Injustice and White Supremacy

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This is the first document for the #CallThemIn social project. #CallThemIn in the next collaborative social project from the Well Examined Life. We are hoping to encourage honest conversations about racial injustice and white supremacy across the country. To get involved in this project please go here: https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/callthemindc?source=direct_link&referrer=aaron-goggans Below is an brief overview of the … Continue reading #CallThemIn: Introduction to Movement For Black Lives, Racial Injustice and White Supremacy

#CallThemIn : Guiding Principles of the Movement For Black Lives

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#CallThemIn in the next collaborative social project from the Well Examined Life. We are hoping to encourage honest conversations about racial injustice and white supremacy across the country. To get involved in this project please go here: https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/callthemindc?source=direct_link&referrer=aaron-goggans Below is a slightly modified version of the guiding principles adapted from the recent Movement for Black … Continue reading #CallThemIn : Guiding Principles of the Movement For Black Lives

#IfIDieInPoliceCustody

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#IfIDieInPoliceCustody don’t say I was an organizer. Don’t talk about how I knew what to say when everyone else was too shocked or too scared to say anything. Don’t say I was courageous. Don’t say I was smart. Don’t mention all the work I did for “the community.” Tell them I was too busy being Black to worry about bein' good. Describe for them how I danced down the street with my headphones blasting the soulful sounds of Nina Simone into my brain. Tell them that the feeling of her voice bouncing off the cavernous walls of my skull is the closest to feeling liberated I ever get.