Date Published: 4/4/2017
Author(s): DiDi Delgado
Resource Link: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/whites-only-surj-and-the-caucasian-invasion-of-racial_b_58dd5cf7e4b04ba4a5e25209
Summary: A historical and present-day exploration of white-led anti-racism groups and the inherent pitfalls of such groups. The author specifically focuses on the present-day (2017) group SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice). She details many examples of white-led anti-racism groups engaging in “problematic behavior, lack of accountability, and outright anti-Blackness,” showing how anti-racism work coming from a white lens is inherently flawed. True allyship and accompliceship is never conditional; any white-led anti-racism efforts must be accountable to BIPOC and be willing to take criticism in order to be effective and to not actively cause harm in the cause they claim to be committed to.
Take Action!
Reflect on the groups you are a part of or have considered joining. How are they accountable to BIPOC? Particularly for white-led groups, have they explicitly addressed accountability to BIPOC? If so, what are ways you can contribute to the continued conversation around accountability. If not, how can you bring it to your group's attention?