,A9'T ,NO ,P,C ,GONNA ,FIX IT ,BABY 
,A ,CRITIQUE ( ,ALLY ,POLITICS 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ANONYM\S 

,TEXT 3 

,AFT] SEV]AL REC5T DISAPPO9T+ & HURTFUL EXP]I5CES--& TO BE CLE>1 A LIFETIME ( RELAT$ M9OR & MAJOR RUN-9S ) FRI5DS1 COMRADES1 & ACTIVI/S--MY NE$ IS UNREL5T+ = US TO RE?9K H[ WE 5GAGE ) ! QUE/ION ( O!RNESS & \R ORGANIZ+4 ,H[ DO WE 9TEGRATE A G5U9E APPROA* TO OPPRESSION & ANTI-OPPRESSION8 ,?IS WRIT+ TAKES AP>T ! CONCEPT ( 0ALLY0 9 POLITICAL WORK ) A FOCUS ON RACE1 ?\< CLE>LY !RE >E P>ALLELS ACROSS O!R EXP]I5CES ( ID5TITY4 

,*>ITY ,IS TO ,SOLID>ITY ,:AT ,ALLY ,IS TO ,AFF9ITY 

,?ANKS TO EXP]I5CE WORK+ ) 9DIG5\S & O!R 9T]NATIONAL SOLID>ITY MOVEM5TS1 AN>*I/S & ANTIAU?ORIT>IANS DRAW A CLE> L9E BETWE5 *>ITY & SOLID>ITY BAS$ ON ! PR9CIPLES ( AFF9ITY & MUTUAL AID4 ,AFF9ITY IS JU/ :AT IT S\NDS LIKE3 ! IDEA ?AT WE CAN WORK MO/ EASILY ) PEOPLE :O %>E \R GOALS1 & ?AT \R WORK WILL BE /RONGE/ :5 \R RELATION%IPS >E BAS$ 9 TRU/1 FRI5D%IP1 & LOVE4 ,MUTUAL AID IS ! IDEA ?AT WE ALL HAVE A /AKE 9 ONE ANO!R'S LIB]ATION1 & ?AT :5 WE ACT FROM ?AT 9T]DEP5D5CE1 WE CAN %>E ) ONE ANO!R AS EQUALS4 

,*>ITY1 BY CONTRA/1 IS ONE-SID$3 ONE %>ES 0EXCESS0 WEAL? ON ONE'S [N T]MS4 ,IDEOLOGICALLY1 *>ITY IMPLIES ?AT O!RS 9H]5TLY NE$ ! HELP--?AT !Y >E UNABLE TO TAKE C>E ( !MSELVES4 ,?IS IS PATRONIZ+ & SELFI%4 ,IT E/ABLI%ES SOME PEOPLE AS ?OSE :O ASSI/1 & O!RS AS ?OSE :O NE$ ASSI/ANCE1 /ABILIZ+ OPPRESSIVE P>ADIGMS BY SOLIDIFY+ PEOPLE'S POSITIONS 9 !M4 

,AUTONOMY & SELF-DET]M9ATION >E ESS5TIAL TO ! DI/9CTION BETWE5 SOLID>ITY & *>ITY4 ,RECOGNIZ+ ! AUTONOMY & SELF-DET]M9ATION ( 9DIVIDUALS & GR\PS ACKN[L$GES !IR COMPET5CE & CAPABILITY4 ,! FRAMEWORK ( SOLID>ITY AFFIRMS ?AT O!R GR\PS HAVE SOME?+ ( WOR? TO BE GA9$ ?R\< 9T]ACTIONS ) !M1 :E!R MAT]IALLY OR BY GA9+ SOME?+ LESS TANGIBLE LIKE P]SPECTIVE1 JOY1 OR 9SPIRATION4 ,! SOLID>ITY MODEL ALSO DISPELS ! IDEA ( ONE 9SIDE & ONE \TSIDE1 =EGR\ND+ H[ 9DIVIDUALS BELONG TO MULTIPLE GR\PS & GR\PS OV]LAP ) ONE ANO!R1 :ILE DEM&+ RESPECT = ! ID5TITY & SELF-SUFFICI5CY ( EA* ( ?OSE GR\PS4 

,! *>ITY & ALLY MODELS1 ON ! O!R H&1 >E SO /RONGLY ROOT$ 9 ! IDEAS ( ,I & ! O!R ?AT !Y =CE PEOPLE 9TO DI/9CT GR\PS ) PREORDA9$ RELATION%IPS TO ONE ANO!R4 ,ACCORD+ TO ALLY POLITICS1 ! ONLY WAY TO UND]M9E ONE'S [N PRIVILEGE IS TO GIVE UP ONE'S ROLE AS AN 9DIVIDUAL POLITICAL AG5T1 & FOLL[ ! LEAD ( ?OSE MORE OR DIFF]5TLY OPPRESS$4 ,:ITE ALLIES1 = 9/ANCE1 >E EXPLICITLY TAU<T NOT TO SEEK PRAISE = !IR ALLY WORK1 ESPECIALLY FROM PEOPLE ( COLOR--YET !RE IS (T5 A DI/9CTLY SELF-CONGRATULATORY AIR TO ! WORK ( ALLY%IP & A FALSE HUMILITY4 ,MANY :ITE ALLIES DO !IR SUPPORT WORK 9 A WAY ?AT REC5TRALIZES !MSELVES AS ! ONLY 9DIVIDUALS WILL+ TO COME 9 & DO ! H>D WORK ( FI<T+ RACISM ON BEHALF ( PEOPLE ( COLOR4 

,:]EAS ALLY POLITICS SUGGE/ ?AT 9 %IFT+ ONE'S ROLE FROM ACTOR TO ALLY ONE CAN DIM9I% ONE'S CULPABILITY1 A LIB]AT+ OR AN>*I/ APPROA* PRESUMES EA* P]SON RETA9S !IR [N AG5CY :ILE ALSO ACC\NT+ = & RESPOND+ TO O!RS' DESIRES1 REVEAL+ H[ \R SURVIVAL_/LIB]ATION IS FUNDAM5TALLY L9K$ ) ! SURVIVAL_/LIB]ATION ( O!RS4 ,?IS FO/]S 9T]DEP5D5CE :ILE COMPELL+ EA* P]SON TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY = !IR [N *OICES1 ) NO BOSS OR GUIDANCE C\NSELOR TO BLAME = !IR DECISIONS4 

,= A LIB]AT+ UND]/&+ ( PRIVILEGE1 EA* ( US MU/ LE>N \R /AKE 9 TOPPL+ ?OSE SY/EMS ( P[]1 RECOGNIZ+ H[ MU* WE ALL HAVE TO GA9 9 OV]TURN+ EV]Y HI]>*Y ( OPPRESSION4 ,= MANY PEOPLE1 ?IS REQUIRES A %IFT 9 VALUES4 ,A RI<TS-BAS$ DISC\RSE >\ND EQUALITY W\LD LEAD US TO BELIEVE ?AT WE C\LD ALL BECOME ATOMIZ$ MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES ( ANY RACE :O >E EI!R /RAI<T OR GAY M>RI$4 ,BUT ANYONE :O'S BE5 ON ! BOTTOM KN[S !RE'S NEV] 5\< ROOM = EV]YONE ON ! TOP--OR EV5 9 ! MIDDLE4 ,A COLLECTIVE /RUGGLE = LIB]ATION CAN (F] ALL ( US :AT WE NE$1 BUT IT MEANS SEEK+ ?+S ?AT CAN BE %>$ 9 ABUNDANCE--NOT PRIVILEGES ?AT >E BY DEF9ITION LIMIT$ RES\RCES1 SU* AS WEAL? & SOCIAL LEGITIMACY ?AT >E ONLY AVAILABLE ON ACC\NT ( O!RS' POV]TY & M>G9ALIZATION4 

,ALLY%IP AS ,ID5TITY 

,! CONCEPT ( ALLY%IP IS EMB$D$ 9 ! RI<TS-BAS$ DISC\RSE ( ID5TITY POLITICS4 ,IT ASSUMES ?AT !RE >E FIX$ GR\PS ( PEOPLE 7BLACK PEOPLE1 WOM51 GAY PEOPLE1 & SO ON7 :O >E /RUCTURALLY OPPRESS$ 9 \R SOCIETY1 & ?AT WE MU/ WORK ACROSS !SE DIFF]5CES 9 ID5TITY TO A*IEVE EQUALITY = ALL4 ,9 ! DISC\RSE ( ALLY POLITICS1 ?IS RESPONSIBILITY FALLS ESPECIALLY ON ?OSE :O B5EFIT FROM ?OSE /RUCTURAL OPPRESSIONS4 ,?US ALLY%IP IS BORN AS AN ADJUNCT ( ID5TITY--& AS AN ID5TITY UNTO ITSELF4 

,ALLY%IP C5T]S ON ! IDEA ?AT EV]YONE'S LIFE EXP]I5CES >E %AP$ BY !IR P]CEIV$ ID5TITIES1 & ?US SOMEONE ) AN ID5TITY ?AT IS PRIVILEG$ 9 \R SOCIETY CANNOT UND]/& ! EXP]I5CES ( SOMEONE ) AN ID5TITY ?AT IS OPPRESS$4 ,!RE IS NO 0ESS5TIAL0 EXP]I5CE ( BELONG+ TO ANY ( !SE CATEGORIES1 H[EV]4 ,OPPRESSION RUNS ALONG C\NTLESS AXES1 & ! SUBTLETIES ( \R EXP]I5CES >E IRR$UCIBLE--:I* MAKES A /RONG CASE = LI/5+ TO & TRU/+ EA* O!R :]EV] WE POSSIBLY CAN4 

,A GOOD ALLY LE>NS ?AT IF ONE CAN NEV] UND]/& ! IMPLICATIONS ( :AT IT IS TO WALK ?R\< ?IS WORLD AS AN OPPRESS$ .<FILL 9 ! BLANK ) A P]SON ON ! RECEIV+ 5D ( A SPECIFIC OPPRESSION.>1 ! ONLY WAY TO ACT ) 9TEGRITY IS TO FOLL[ ! LEAD]%IP ( ?OSE :O >E OPPRESS$ 9 ?AT WAY1 SUPPORT !IR PROJECTS & GOALS1 & ALWAYS SEEK \T !IR SUGGE/IONS & LI/5 TO !IR DIRECTION4 

,?IS GETS COMPLICAT$1 QUICKLY1 AS SOON AS ! ASPIR+ ALLY />TS NAVIGAT+ ?R\< ! WORLD & DISCOV]S ?AT !RE IS NO S+UL> MASS ( BLACK PEOPLE1 LAT9O FOLKS1 OR 0PEOPLE ( COLOR0 TO TAKE GUIDANCE FROM1 & ?AT PEOPLE )9 A S+LE ID5TITY NOT ONLY DISAGREE ) EA* O!R BUT ALSO (T5 HAVE DIRECTLY CONFLICT+ DESIRES & POLITICS4 ,?IS MEANS ?AT ONE CANNOT BE A :ITE ALLY 7= EXAMPLE7 AS AN ID5TITY2 ONE CAN BE AN ALLY TO SPECIFIC PEOPLE ( COLOR 9 SPECIFIC SITUATIONS1 BUT NOT TO PEOPLE ( COLOR AS A :OLE CATEGORY4 

,LEGITIMACY1 ,JU/IFICATION1 ,AU?ORITY 

,9 SEEK+ OPPRESS$ GR\PS TO TAKE DIRECTION FROM1 :ITE FOLKS ( T5 5D UP TOK5IZ+ A SPECIFIC GR\P :OSE POLITICS MO/ MAT* !IR [N4 0,:AT DOES ! ,N,A,A,C,P .<OR ,CRITICAL ,RESI/ANCE1 OR ! ,DREAM]S.> ?9K AB\T ?IS80 ,LIKEWISE1 !Y MAY LAT* ON TO ! MO/ VISIBLE 0LEAD]S0 ( A COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT IS QUICK] & EASI] TO MEET ! DIRECTOR ( AN ORGANIZATION1 M9I/] ( A *UR*1 OR POLITICIAN REPRES5T+ A DI/RICT ?AN TO BUILD REAL RELATION%IPS ) ! PEOPLE ?OSE LEAD]S PURPORT TO REPRES5T4 ,?IS APPROA* TO DISMANTL+ RACISM /RUCTURALLY RE9=CES ! HI]>*ICAL P[] ?AT WE'RE FI<T+ AGA9/ BY ASK+ A SMALL GR\P TO REPRES5T ! VIEWS ( AN 5TIRE CATEGORY ( PEOPLE ) RADICALLY DIFF]5T LIV$ EXP]I5CES4 

,P]HAPS Y\'VE WAT*$ OR P>TICIPAT$ 9 ORGANIZ+ ?AT SEEKS TO DEVELOP ! LEAD]%IP ( 9DIVIDUALS :O LIVE 9 A SPECIFIC NEI<BORHOOD OR WORK 9 A P>TICUL> K9D ( LABOR =CE4 ,?IS LANGUAGE SEEMS TO (F] ! B5EVOL5CE ( ! SKILLS ( ! ORGANIZ+ GR\P TO ?OSE :O HAV5'T BE5 EXPOS$ TO SU* IDEAS4 ,9 FACT1 IT IS COD$ LANGUAGE DESCRIB+ A R$UCTIVE & AU?ORIT>IAN APPROA* IMPOS+ AN ORGANIZ+ MODEL ON A GR\P ( PEOPLE FROM ! \TSIDE4 ,IT ALSO CONV5I5TLY CREATES SPOKESPEOPLE :O CAN !N BE US$ TO REPRES5T ! :OLE ( ?AT 7(T5 HET]OG5E\S7 BODY ( PEOPLE4 ,OV] ! LA/ SEV]AL DECADES1 AN 5TIRE ELITE CLASS ( POLITICIANS & SPOKESPEOPLE HAS BE5 US$ TO POLITICALLY DEMOBILIZE ! COMMUNITIES !Y CLAIM TO REPRES5T4 

,ANTIAU?ORIT>IAN :ITE ALLIES (T5 EXPRESS ?AT !Y >E WORK+ ) AU?ORIT>IAN OR NONP>TISAN COMMUNITY GR\PS1 SOMETIMES ON PROJECTS !Y DON'T BELIEVE 91 BECAUSE ! MO/ IMPORTANT ?+ IS = !M TO FOLL[ ! LEAD]%IP ( PEOPLE ( COLOR4 ,! UNSPOK5 IMPLICATION IS ?AT !RE >E NO ANTIAU?ORIT>IAN PEOPLE ( COLOR--OR NONE :O >E WOR? WORK+ )4 ,*OOS+ TO FOLL[ AU?ORIT>IAN PEOPLE ( COLOR 9 ?IS WAY 9VISIBILIZES AN>*I/ & ANTIAU?ORIT>IAN PEOPLE ( COLOR2 IT ALSO FUNCTIONS TO M>G9ALIZE & SUPPRESS EF=TS FROM LESS P[]FUL OR 9FLU5TIAL MEMB]S ( !SE COMMUNITIES4 ,9 ?IS WAY1 :ITE ALLIES DIM9I% ! AG5CY & LEV]AGE ( PEOPLE ( COLOR :O DISAGREE ) ! E/ABLI%$1 9/ITUTIONALIZ$ GR\PS1 RE9=C+ HI]>*IES ( LEGITIMACY & POLIC+ ! B\ND>IES ( POLITICAL APPROA* BY ?R[+ ! WEI<T ( !IR PRIVILEGES BEH9D ?OSE :O ALREADY HAVE MORE P[]4 ,!RE IS AT LEA/ AS BROAD A RANGE ( POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES 9 COMMUNITIES ( COLOR AS 9 :ITE COMMUNITIES1 BUT NO ONE W\LD EV] ASSUME ?AT !RE IS A S+LE :ITE COMMUNITY OR ?AT !RE >E 0REPRES5TATIVES0 CAPABLE ( SPEAK+ = ALL :ITE PEOPLE AS A :OLE4 

,:5 LE>N+ H[ TO APPROPRIATELY TAKE LEAD]%IP FROM ?OSE MORE AFFECT$ BY OPPRESSION1 ACTIVI/S MAY SEEK \T ! LEAD] ( A COMMUNITY NOT SIMPLY BECAUSE IT'S ! EASIE/ APPROA* BUT ALSO BECAUSE--:E!R !Y ADMIT IT TO !MSELVES OR NOT--!Y >E NOT JU/ LOOK+ = GUIDANCE2 !Y ALSO >E SEEK+ TO LEGITIMIZE !IR [N POLITICAL PROJECTS & ANALYSIS4 ,SOMETIMES !Y >E LOOK+ = LEGITIMACY 9 ! TRADITIONAL S5SE BY SID+ ) O!RS :O C>RY MORE MA9/REAM SOCIAL OR POLITICAL CAPITAL4 ,AT O!R TIMES !Y >E SEEK+ ! LEGITIMACY ( SID+ ) ?OSE :O (F] ! MO/ ANTI-OPPRESSION CR$IBILITY--& ! GOAL ( OPPOS+ OPPRESSION MORPHS 9TO A /RANGE POLITICAL COMPETITION 9 :I* WE VALORIZE OPPRESS$ ID5TITIES TO SU* AN EXT5T ?AT PEOPLE /RIVE TO BE ID5TIFI$ AS OPPRESS$1 OR AT LEA/ TO BE ALLI$ ) ! 0MO/ OPPRESS$40 

,AS AN ALLY GA9+ AN ANTI-OPPRESSION $UCATION1 EA* P]SON LE>NS H[ !Y B5EFIT FROM ! OPPRESSION ( O!RS BECAUSE ( ! WAY \R SOCIETY VALUES C]TA9 ID5TITIES4 ,ALLIES MU/ COME TO T]MS ) ! FACT ?AT !Y >E GRANT$ PRIVILEGE 9 \R SOCIETY SIMPLY BECAUSE ( H[ !Y LOOK OR :]E !IR FAMILY COMES FROM--& !RE IS NO?+ !Y CAN DO TO FULLY REFUSE OR R$I/RIBUTE ?OSE PRIVILEGES1 BECAUSE !Y >E RE-CREAT$ ACROSS SOCIETY4 ,! KN[L$GE ?AT ONE HAS ADVANTAGES ?AT O!RS CAN NEV] HAVE1 :I* ONE HAS DONE NO?+ TO DES]VE1 (T5 PRODUCES A DEEP S5SE ( :ITE GUILT4 

,?IS S5SE ( GUILT1 C\PL$ ) ! IDEA ?AT ! ONLY E?ICAL WAY TO ACT IS TO TAKE DIRECTION FROM O!RS1 CAN MAKE ONE FEEL P[]LESS4 ,! MODEL ( ALLY POLITICS PUTS ! BURD5 ( RACISM ON :ITE FOLKS1 9T5TIONALLY FLIPP+ ! SOCIAL HI]>*IES1 EMPHASIZ+ ?AT :ITE ALLIES CAN NEV] ESCAPE ?IS DEEP 9EQUALITY1 BUT (F]+ AT LEA/ A P>TIAL ABSOLUTION = ALLIES :O CAN /ICK TO ?IS SCRIPT3 ,LI/5 TO PEOPLE ( COLOR4 ,ONCE Y\'VE LE>N$ 5\< FROM PEOPLE ( COLOR TO BE A LESS RACI/ :ITE P]SON1 CALL \T O!R :ITE PEOPLE ON !IR RACISM4 ,Y\ WILL /ILL BE A RACI/ :ITE P]SON1 BUT Y\'LL BE A LESS RACI/ :ITE P]SON1 A MORE ACC\NTABLE :ITE P]SON4 ,IF NO?+ ELSE1 Y\'LL GA9 ! E?ICAL HI< GR\ND OV] O!R :ITE PEOPLE SO Y\ CAN TELL !M :AT TO DO4 ,?IS MODEL HAS REPEAT$LY FAIL$ TO EQUIP W\LD-BE ALLIES TO DO MORE ?AN SEEK !IR [N 5DLESSLY DEF]R$ SALVATION4 

,BE+ AN ALLY HAS COME TO MEAN LEGITIMIZ+ A POLITICAL POSITION BY BORR[+ SOMEONE ELSE'S VOICE--ALWAYS ACT+ 9 SOMEONE ELSE'S NAME )\T QUE/ION+ ! PR9CIPLE ( APPROPRIAT+ O!RS' /RUGGLES4 ,IT'S A WAY ( SIMULTANE\SLY TAK+ P[] & EVAD+ P]SONAL ACC\NTABILITY4 ,! IDEA ( ALLY%IP OBSCURES ! FACT ?AT HIDD5 *OICES >E BE+ MADE AB\T :O IS BE+ LI/5$ TO1 9CULCAT+ ! IDEA ?AT !RE IS A S+LE 0COMMUNITY ( PEOPLE ( COLOR0 %>+ COMMON 9T]E/S ?AT C\LD BE PROP]LY REPRES5T$ BY LEAD]S1 RA!R ?AN A HET]OG5E\S MASS ) BO? OV]LAPP+ & SOMETIMES DEEPLY CONTRADICTORY IDEAS4 ,?IS REPOSITIONS ! :ITE ALLY TO WIELD ! P[] ( DET]M9+ :O >E ! MO/ REPRES5TATIVE & APPROPRIATE BLACK & BR[N VOICES4 ,& :O >E :ITE ALLIES TO DET]M9E :O IS ! MO/ APPROPRIATE ANY?+8 

,EXAMPLE FROM ! ,/REETS 

,ON ,SUNDAY1 ,JULY #a#d1 #b#a#c1 9 RESPONSE TO ! ACQUITTAL ( ,TRAYVON ,M>T9'S KILL]1 & ! WIDESPREAD & CONSEQU5CELESS MURD] ( BLACK & BR[N Y\?S 9 \R SOCIETY1 \R SMALL CITY WITNESS$ ! COLLISION ( A R[DY1 ANGRY DEMON/RATION & A SOMB]1 S$5T>Y SPEAK-\T4 ,! SPEAK-\T WAS 9T5D$ TO BE A SPACE :]E 9DIVIDUALS C\LD GIVE VOICE TO !IR SORR[ & PA91 BE HELD BY FRI5DS & /RANG]S1 & F9D SOLACE 9 ONE ANO!R4 ,! M>*+ CR[D WAS LIVELY1 VOCALIZ+ RAGE ) A PALPABLE 5]GY TO RELEASE4 ,9 ! %ORT /RET* FROM ! PLAZA TO ! C\R?\SE1 FOLKS ( A V>IETY ( AGES1 RACIAL & E?NIC GR\PS1 & G5D]S F\ND PACE 9 ! /REETS TOGE!R1 RESOLUTE 9 \R DESIRE = REBELLION ON ?IS DAY ( F]OCI\S M\RN+4 ,! 9CONGRU5T 5]GIES ( ! TWO DIFF]5T EV5TS MET EA* O!R ABRUPTLY4 ,AS ! M>* >RIV$1 SMALL GR\PS TUMBL$ 9TO ! AWAIT+ SPEAK-\T1 MEET+ & *ATT+ ) ONE ANO!R4 ,?IS SUDD5LY OV]FL[+ CR[D BEGAN SITUAT+ ITSELF1 JO9+ ! GR\P ON ! SIDEWALK & SETTL+ 9TO ! /REET 9 FRONT ( IT4 

,! M>* WAS CLE>LY AN UN9VIT$ DISRUPTION1 & ! FRI5D :O WAS HOLD+ ! SPACE ( ! SPEAK-\T1 A PRISON ABOLITIONI/ & ORGANIZ] FROM A RADICAL ,AFRICAN ,AM]ICAN CULTURAL ORGANIZATION1 WAS 5C\RAG+ PEOPLE TO QUIET D[N & MOVE TO ! SIDEWALK SO ! SPEAK-\T C\LD CONT9UE4 ,AMONG HESITANT ATTEMPTS TO BR+ ! CLATT] D[N1 ! NOISE ( ! NEW CR[D SL[LY BEGAN TO L[]2 BUT RA!R ?AN GIV+ SPACE = A TRUE SIL5CE TO SETTLE1 A FEW :ITE ALLIES CAME TO ! $GE ( ! SIDEWALK1 PHYSICALLY & V]BALLY CORRALL+ PEOPLE \T ( ! /REETS & %\T+ SU* *OICE PHRASES AS1 0,%UT UP6 ,HAVE SOME RESPECT6 ,Y\'RE ALL IDIOTS60 

,!IR COMM5TS W]E PO9T$LY DIRECT$ TO ! :ITE FOLKS 9 ! /REET1 ?\< ! CR[D 9 ! /REET 9CLUD$ PEOPLE ( MANY RACES4 ,DID ?IS MAKE !M UNC]TA9 TO H[ TO PROCE$ )\T CLE> GUIDANCE FROM A S+LE1 UNIT$ COMMUNITY ( COLOR8 ,:AT DOES ! :ITE ALLY H&BOOK SAY Y\ %\LD DO :5 GR\PS ( PEOPLE ( COLOR >E ACTIVELY 5GAG$ 9 CONFLICT8 ,9 ?IS CASE1 :ITE ALLIES GAVE PREF]5CE TO ! ELD]1 ! ONE ) ! MO/ IMPORTANT REPUTATION 9 RADICAL COMMUNITY4 

,P]SONALLY1 ,I ?9K ! MO/ RESPECTFUL ?+ W\LD HAVE BE5 TO GET \T ( ! WAY4 

,P]HAPS !SE :ITE ALLIES ?\<T ?AT'S :AT !Y W]E DO+ BY ADDRESS+ !IR DIRECTIVES SOLELY TO ! :ITE PEOPLE 9 ! /REET4 ,AN IRRITAT$ BRIGADE ( BIKE COPS HAD BE5 TAIL+ ! M>*1 H[EV]--ALSO NUDG+ FOLKS ON TO ! SIDEWALK4 ,:ITE ALLIES GUILT$ MANY DEMON/RATORS \T ( ! /REET1 PHYSICALLY ATTEMPT+ TO MOVE SOME PEOPLE 9 CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ! POLICE (FIC]S :O W]E TRY+ TO DO ! SAME ?+--)\T YET PUTT+ !IR H&S ON ANYONE4 ,! EFFECT ( ?IS WAS TO LEAVE ME & ANO!R WOMAN ( COLOR ISOLAT$ 9 ! /REETS ) ONLY ! POLICE >\ND US BECAUSE ALL \R COMRADES HAD BE5 PU%$ AWAY4 

,AFT] LI/5+ TO MANY1 MANY SPEE*ES1 ! CR[D BEGAN TO GET RE/LESS1 ?\< FOLKS DIDN'T WANT TO DISRESPECTFULLY LEAVE BE=E ! SPEAK-\T 5D$4 ,SOME ( ! FOLKS :O HAD M>*$ FROM ! PLAZA TO ! SPEAK-\T1 9CLUD+ SEV]AL MO!RS ( Y\?S BE+ HELD 9 ! JAIL1 RALLI$ ! CR[D TO M>* TO ! JAIL1 & A FEW PEOPLE CONT9U$ ! SPEAK-\T AS MANY FOLKS FROM ! SPEAK-\T JO9$ ! M>*+ CR[D 9 TAK+ ! DEMON/RATION \T 9TO ! NI<T4 

,DID ! BLACK FOLKS AT ! SPEAK-\T NE$ A FEW Y\NG :ITE FOLKS TO SPEAK = !M8 ,C]TA9LY NONE ( US NE$$ :ITE RADICALS TO DO ! POLICE'S JOB = !M4 

,COMMUNITY ,POLIC+ & ,P[] 

,P]HAPS ! LEA/ LEGIBLE ASPECT ( ALLY POLITICS IS ! T5D5CY = PEOPLE :O O!RWISE SEEM TO ASPIRE TO RELATION%IPS FREE ( DOM9ATION TO TRY TO EX]T CONTROL OV] O!RS4 ,IS IT BECAUSE :5 WE FEEL LIKE WE OCCUPY ! MO/ LEGITIMATE OR MO/ OBJECTIVELY JU/IFI$ POSITION1 IT IS EASY TO 9FLATE \R S5SE ( RI<TE\SNESS8 ,OR IS IT ?AT WE FEEL ?AT :5 WE HAVE ! MO/ 9=MATION--OR MO/ CONNEC TIONS--WE CAN MAKE DECISIONS = O!RS BETT] ?AN !Y CAN MAKE !M !MSELVES8 7ICK67 

,RESPECT+ 9DIVIDUAL & GR\P AUTONOMY MEANS ?AT WE DON'T NE$ MANAG]S4 ,IT MEANS ?AT NO MATT] H[ WELL POSITION$ OR KN[L$GEABLE WE BELIEVE \RSELVES TO BE1 WE UND]/& ?AT PEOPLE CAN COMMUNICATE & RESOLVE CONFLICTS BE/ :5 SPEAK+ ) HUMILITY FROM !IR [N DIRECT EXP]I5CES4 ,SOME ( ! FIR/ SKILLS TAU<T 9 CONFLICT RESOLUTION1 FACILITATION1 & DE-ESCALATION TRA9+S >E H[ NOT TO SPEAK = O!RS4 ,GOOD M$IATORS LE>N ?AT Y\ BREAK TRU/ :5 Y\ TRY TO REPRES5T O!RS )\T !IR CONS5T4 

,DUR+ ! ANTI-GLOBALIZATION MOVEM5T AT ! TURN ( ! TW5TY-FIR/ C5TURY1 ,I (T5 F\ND MYSELF 9 BAFFL+ >GUM5TS AB\T 0VIOL5CE0 ) PACIFI/S OR O!RS :O SELF-DESCRIB$ AS ADH]+ TO A /RICT CODE ( NONVIOL5CE4 ,MANY ( ! SAME FOLKS :O >GU$ ?AT WE %\LDN'T DO ANY?+ ?AT C\LD HURT SOMEONE ELSE'S PROP]TY CONSI/5TLY YELL$ AT O!R PEOPLE SO AGGRESSIVELY AS TO MAKE !M FEEL ?REAT5$2 SOME ALSO 5GAG$ 9 EMOTIONAL MANIPULATION & PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE MANEUV]S 9 MEET+S & DUR+ DEMON/RATIONS4 ,SEV]AL TIMES1 ,I SAW 0NONVIOL5T0 DEMON/RATORS PHYSICALLY HURT O!R PROTE/]S1 ATTEMPT+ TO DRAG !M \T ( ! /REETS = SPRAY PA9T+ A WALL OR BREAK+ A W9D[4 

,:Y DO PEOPLE FEEL JU/IFI$ TRY+ TO PACIFY O!RS--EV5 :5 !Y KN[ LITTLE AB\T !M8 ,SU* VEHEM5T ATTEMPTS TO CONTA9 O!RS' RAGE & REBELLION (T5 NE$LESSLY ESCALATE CONFLICT BETWE5 ?OSE :O %\LD BE ABLE TO /RUGGLE TOGE!R1 NOT AGA9/ EA* ANO!R4 

,= 9/ANCE1 A FEW YE>S AGO1 AT A ,MAY ,DAY M>* 9 \R T[N1 AN UNNECESS>Y CONFLICT ]UPT$ \T ( ATTEMPTS TO NEGOTIATE )9 A L>GE CR[D AB\T :E!R OR NOT SOME %\LD CONT9UE M>*+ 9 ! /REET )\T A P]MIT4 ,AT LEA/ ONE GR\P ( ORGANIZ$ UNDOCUM5T$ FOLKS ASK$ O!RS TO /AY \T ( ! /REETS BECAUSE !Y DIDN'T WANT TO RISK >RE/4 ,9 ?IS M9IMALLY POLIC$ & L[-T5SION SITUATION1 RA!R ?AN BEG9N+ CONV]SATIONS AB\T :E!R IT WAS POSSIBLE TO CREATE SPACE :]E SOME PEOPLE C\LD BE 9 ! /REET & SOME C\LD BE ON ! SIDEWALK1 SEV]AL PEOPLE %IFT$ IMM$IATELY 9TO CONTROL & MANAGEM5T MODE1 9CREAS+ ! ANTAGONISM & >TIFICIALLY CREAT+ TWO OPPOS+ SIDES4 

,9 RETROSPECT1 !RE W]E NUM]\S WAYS ?AT WE C\LD HAVE WORK$ ?R\< ?IS RESPECTFULLY ) BETT] COMMUNICATION BO? BE=E & DUR+ ! M>*4 ,! CONFLICT BR\<T UP IMPORTANT QUE/IONS AB\T H[ TO NAVIGATE MULTIPLE RISK LEVELS )9 A S+LE EV5T1 BUILD TRU/ ?AT CAN TRANSLATE 9TO PLANS = SAFETY 9 ! /REETS1 & ORGANIZE EXIT /RATEGIES ?AT ACCOMMODATE DIFF]5T GR\PS ( PEOPLE4 ,BUT ! COMMUNICATION BY SOME PEOPLE ON BEHALF ( O!RS DRAMATICALLY ESCALAT$ ! SITUATION4 

,:ILE ! M>* WAS /ILL 9 PROGRESS1 SOMEH[ ,I WAS TASK$ ) TALK+ TO MEMB]S ( A DIFF]5T ORGANIZATION :O WORK 9 A NE>BY NEI<BORHOOD ) UNDOCUM5T$ FOLKS4 ,I APPROA*$ A GR\P ( PEOPLE :O W]E VISIBLY UPSET ?AT O!RS REMA9$ 9 ! /REETS1 & ,I HAD A BRIEF BUT 9T5SE 9T]ACTION ) A MAN ,I'D NEV] MET BE=E4 ,I DON'T REMEMB] ! EXACT WORDS ?AT WE EX*ANG$1 BUT ,I REMEMB] CALMLY APPROA*+ HIM & ASK+ IF WE C\LD SPEAK AB\T :AT WAS GO+ ON4 ,HE RESPOND$ BY SCREAM+ 9 MY FACE4 

,AFT] WALK+ AWAY FROM ?AT 9T]ACTION1 ,I TURN$ TO A WOMAN FROM ! SAME ORGANIZATION TO TRY AGA9 TO SEE IF WE C\LD /RATEGIZE A WORKABLE SOLUTION4 ,%E LAUN*$ 9TO A TIRADE AB\T H[ ,I MU/ NOT UND]/& ! DISPROPORTIONATE POLICE H>ASSM5T ?AT PEOPLE ( COLOR--ESPECIALLY UNDOCUM5T$ PEOPLE--W\LD FACE IF ! POLICE *OSE TO ATTACK ! M>* ?AT DAY4 ,) H>D-TO-VEIL IRRITATION1 ,I ASK$ H] IF %E HAD EV] P]SONALLY EXP]I5C$ POLICE VIOL5CE OR HAD EV] SP5T TIME 9 JAIL4 ,:5 %E ANSW]$ 0NO10 ,I TOLD H] H[ RIDICUL\S IT FELT = H] TO MAKE SU* BASELESS ASSUMPTIONS AB\T ME :5 ,I HAD MORE /ORIES ?AN ,I C>$ TO %>E AB\T POLICE VIOL5CE 9 BO? SOCIAL & POLITICAL CONTEXTS RELAT+ TO RACE & G5D]4 ,!N ,I ASK$ H] :AT K9D ( CONV]SATION %E EXPECT$ WE C\LD HAVE :5 %E WAS SPEAK+ SO /RID5TLY AB\T EXP]I5CES ?AT W]5'T EV5 H]S4 ,%E APOLOGIZ$ & SAID ?AT %E W\LD JU/ RA!R TALK AFT] ! M>* WAS OV]4 

,AFT] ! M>*1 MY H\SEMATE TOLD ME A /ORY FROM ! DAY ?AT ,I CAN ONLY EXPLA9 AS A TEMPOR>Y LOSS ( P]SPECTIVE4 ,:ILE %E WAS WALK+ 9 ! /REET ) H] FIVE-YE>-OLD NEPHEW1 A MUTUAL FRI5D ( \RS :O WAS FRU/RAT$LY TRY+ TO R$IRECT EV]YONE (F ! /REET & ON TO ! SIDEWALK APPROA*$ H]4 ,) A BULLHORN TO H] M\?1 ?IS FRI5D %\T$ AT MY H\SEMATE TO GET \T ( ! /REET4 ,AT ?IS PO9T1 MY H\SEMATE SAID TO ME ) SOME CONFUSION & SADNESS1 0,I ?\<T %E WAS COM+ TO TALK TO ME1 BUT %E DIDN'T EV5 SAY HELLO TO ME4 ,%E DIDN'T SPEAK MY NAME4 ,%E PRET5D$ ?AT %E DIDN'T KN[ ME4 ,I KN[ %E KN[S :O ,I AM1 BUT %E ACT$ LIKE ,I WAS JU/ A BODY1 SEP>AT$ FROM \R HE>TS40 

,NOT ,TRY+ TO ,GET ,COM=TABLE--,TRY+ TO ,GET ,FREE 

,WE >E TOLD ?AT RESI/ANCE LIES 9 0SPEAK+ TRU? TO P[]0 RA!R ?AN ATTACK+ P[] MAT]IALLY4 ,WE >E TOLD BY AN >RAY ( HI<LY TRA9$ 0:ITE ALLIES0 ?AT ! V]Y ?+S WE NE$ TO DO 9 ORD] TO FREE \RSELVES FROM DOM9ATION CANNOT BE DONE BY US BECAUSE WE'RE SIMPLY TOO VULN]ABLE TO /ATE REPRESSION4 ,AT MASS RALLIES1 WE'RE REPLAY$ 5DLESS EMPTY CALLS = REVOLUTION & MILITANCY FROM A BY GONE ]A :ILE 9 PRACTICE BE+ =C$ TO FETI%IZE \R SPIRITUAL P[]LESSNESS40 --FROM ! Z9E ,ESCALAT+ ,ID5TITY 

,REVOLUTION>Y /RUGGLE IS 9DE$ RADICALLY UNSAFE4 ,IT IS A PROJECT ?AT CAN & DOES MEAN PRISON OR DEA? = SOME ( US1 & IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE AW>E ?AT !SE RISKS CAN 9T5SIFY BAS$ ON :]E PEOPLE >E SITUAT$ 9 ! MATRICES ( OPPRESSION4 ,! CONCEPT & ROLE ( ALLY POLITICS1 H[EV]1 HAS DI/ORT$ ?IS AW>5ESS 9TO A PRACTICE ( COLLECTIVE POLIC+ BY W\LD-BE MANAG]S :O >E %IELD$ FROM CRITICISM BY ! AU?ORITY ( A DEP]SONALIZ$1 /]EOTYP$ O!R4 

,! ALLY FRAMEWORK 9DIVIDUALIZES /RUCTURES ( OPPRESSION1 %IFT+ DISCUSSION AWAY FROM H[ TO ATTACK ?OSE /RUCTURES & EMPHASIZ+ 9DIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR 9/EAD4 ,! FOCUS ON 9DIVIDUAL PRIVILEGE HAS BECOME SU* A POPUL> POLITICAL DISC\RSE PRECISELY BECAUSE IT DOES NOT NECESS>ILY QUE/ION ! /RUCTURES ?AT CREATE ?AT PRIVILEGE4 ,IT IS ESS5TIAL TO UND]/& H[ SY/EMATIC =MS ( OPPRESSION %APE US1 BUT ! PO9T IS TO COLLECTIVELY DISMANTLE ! /RUCTURES ( DOM9ATION ?AT PRODUCE & P]PETUATE ?OSE PRIVILEGES4 ,9DIVIDUAL TRANS=MATION CAN ONLY HAPP5 CONCURR5TLY1 NOT PRIOR TO ?IS4 ,WE ALL EXP]I5CE FE> & D\BT1 & WANT+ TO REL9QUI% \R RESPONSIBILITY = ! *OICES WE MAKE IS A NATURAL RESPONSE TO ?OSE FEEL+S1 BUT WE MU/ HOLD ?OSE FE>S AS \R [N1 AS WE MU/ HOLD \R DESIRES = FRE$OM AS \R [N4 ,:5 WE ACT ON BEHALF ( AN IMAG9$ 0O!R10 IT MAKES HONE/ COMMUNICATION >\ND TACTICS1 /RATEGY1 & SOLID>ITY IMPOSSIBLE1 %ATT]+ \R RELATION%IPS & FUEL+ MI/RU/ :]E !RE C\LD BE AFF9ITY4 ,\R RELATION%IPS >E NOT :AT WE NE$ TO BE BREAK+4 

,JU/ ,BECAUSE ,Y\ ,FEEL ,LIKE ,Y\ ,BROKE ,IT1 ,DOESN'T ,MEAN ,Y\ ,NE$ TO ,FIX ,IT 

,GR[+ UP 9 ?IS CULTURE1 WE'RE TAU<T SO MU* HATR$ = ! P>TS ( \RSELVES AS WELL AS O!RS :O >E DIFF]5T FROM ! MA9/REAM OR DOM9ANT CULTURE4 ,WE LE>N :AT IT MEANS TO HAVE GOOD HAIR OR A GOOD NOSE2 WE'RE TOLD \R LI<TE/-SK9N$ SIBL+ IS ! MO/ BEAUTIFUL2 WE'RE TAU<T %AME AB\T ! SIZE & %APE ( \R BODIES1 & AB\T :O & :AT WE DESIRE4 ,:ITE SUPREMACY1 MISOGYNY1 & ALL ! IDEOLOGIES ?AT CREATE 0! O!R0 >E AT ONCE SUP]FICIAL & 9CR$IBLY ROOT$ )9 US4 

,IT IS 9EVITABLE ?AT AS WE DEVELOP A CRITICAL ANALYSIS ( ! V>I\S AXES ( ID5TITY--RACE1 G5D]1 CLASS1 ABILITY1 & MORE--?AT WE WILL EXP]I5CE DEEPLY P]SONAL & POLITICAL MOM5TS ( SELF-REALIZATION AB\T \RSELVES & \R RELATION%IPS ) O!RS AS WELL AS ! WAY ?IS CULTURE FUNCTIONS4 ,IT IS IMPORTANT & POSITIVE ?AT WE MAKE ?OSE K9DS ( DEVELOPM5TS 9 ID5TIFY+ H[ OPPRESSION WORKS1 9T]NALLY & EXT]NALLY4 ,YET WE MU/ NOT GET SO CAU<T UP 9 \R [N SELF-DISCOV]IES ?AT WE UN?9K+LY PUT ?OSE BREAK?R\< MOM5TS ON O!RS :O LIVE DAILY ) ! REALITIES WE >E JU/ BEG9N+ TO UND]/&4 

,TRAYVON ,M>T9 BECAME A SYMBOL = ?IS G5]ATION ( ! NORMALCY ( VIOL5CE P]PETRAT$ AGA9/ CRIM9ALIZ$1 BLACK BODIES4 ,! EV5TS >\ND HIS DEA? & HIS MURD]]'S ACQUITTAL W]E DRAMATICALLY EMOTIONAL = MANY ( MY Y\NG] :ITE FRI5DS2 IT WAS CLE>LY A MOM5T ( REALIZATION AB\T SOME?+ BIG4 ,9 CONV]SATIONS ) O!R FRI5DS ( COLOR1 H[EV]1 ! PA9 ( ! UNEXCEPTIONALITY ( ?IS CASE WAS ALWAYS AT ! =EFRONT4 ,WE ALL KN[ ?IS IS /&>D TREATM5T = Y\?S ( COLOR4 ,A Y\NG FRI5D ( M9E PUT IT BE/ :5 HE SAID1 0,( C\RSE ,I'M MAD2 ,I'M ALWAYS MAD AT ! POLICE4 ,BUT ,I DON'T KN[ :Y ANYONE IS SURPRIS$4 ,?IS IS H[ WE'RE ALWAYS TREAT$4 ,I JU/ WI% ?OSE :ITE GIRLS W\LD /OP CRY+ & GET UP40 

,H]E >E A FEW TIPS4 

,SL[ D[N3 ,DON'T TRY TO FIX IT4 ,DON'T RU% TO F9D AN ANSW] OR ACT \T ( Y\R GUILT4 ,REMEMB] ?AT MANY ( Y\R COMRADES HAVE BE5 DO+ ?IS WORK = A LONG TIME & EXP]I5CE ! K9D ( OPPRESSION Y\'RE LE>N+ AB\T MORE ACUTELY ?AN Y\4 ,IT DIDN'T />T ) Y\ & ISN'T GO+ TO 5D ) Y\4 

,KEEP IT 9T]NAL3 ,DON'T TAKE UP TOO MU* SPACE ) Y\R ?\<TS & EMOTIONS4 ,BE S5SITIVE TO ! FACT ?AT FOLKS >E 9 A V>IETY ( PLACES 9 RELATION TO :AT Y\'RE WORK+ ?R\<2 DON'T =CE CONV]SATIONS ON O!RS1 ESPECIALLY ?R\< ! GUISE ( PUBLIC ORGANIZ+4 

,WRITE AB\T IT3 ,GIVE Y\RSELF ! UN$IT$ SPACE TO FEEL ALL ! ?+S Y\ NE$ TO1 BUT KN[ ?AT IT MAY HURT O!RS IF Y\ %>E Y\R FEEL+S UN?9K+LY4 

,READ AB\T IT3 ,LOOK = RES\RCES FROM PEOPLE ( A V>IETY ( POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES & EXP]I5CES ( ID5TITY TO *ALL5GE Y\RSELF & GET ! WIDE/ RANGE ( 9PUT4 

,LI/5 TO OLD] PEOPLE3 ,LI/5+ TO /ORIES FROM Y\R EI<TY-YE>-OLD ,AFRICAN ,AM]ICAN NEI<BOR :5 Y\'RE WORK+ ?R\< QUE/IONS >\ND RACISM WILL LIKELY BE ?\<T PROVOK+1 REG>DLESS ( !IR POLITICAL IDEOLOGY OR Y\R LIFE EXP]I5CE4 ,DON'T UND]E/IMATE :AT A LITTLE P]SPECTIVE CAN DO = Y\4 

,DON'T MAKE Y\R PROCESS ! PROBLEM ( Y\R COMRADES3 ,BE C>EFUL NOT TO C5TRALIZE Y\RSELF1 Y\R /AKE 9 FIX+ ! PROBLEM1 OR Y\R EGO4 ,WORK IT \T ON Y\R [N1 & ) CLOSE FRI5DS & M5TORS4 

0,ALL Y\ SEE >E DEMOGRAPHICS 

,ALL Y\ HE> IS 0SY/EMS0 

,)\T UNDRESS+ ME D[N TO ! SUM ( MY P>TS Y\ CANNOT A*IEVE ?AT *ECK+-Y\R-PRIVILEGE ]ECTION4 

,Y\ DEF5D DOGMA CUZ IT'S ALL Y\'VE GOT LEFT 

,BUT 

,HUMANITY WON'T FIT 9TO DATA B>S OR SCRIPT$ SYLLABI 

,& WON'T /ICK >\ND :5 Y\ CAN NO LONG] SEE IT4 

,UNDRESS+ US ALL ) Y\R POLITICS Y\ BECOME ! MO/ CORRECT 

,& ALSO AN 5TITY Y\'D PROBABLY HATE--C\LD Y\ ESCAPE = A MOM5T4 

,Y\ /EAL \R DIGNITY & UND]M9E \R FRI5D%IP 

,:5 ! DOTS CONNECT 

,& ,I SEE Y\ SEE+ ME ?R\< ! ACTIVI/ GAZE4 

,I'M NOT ! BEAT+ HE>T ,I FEEL 

,Y\R EYES JU/ REFLECT A FEMALE QUE] BLOB ( COLOR40 

--,RAKHEE ,DEVA/HALI 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#h1 #bba 3 ,A9'T ,NO ,P,C ,GONNA ,FIX IT ,BABY -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #g1 #bbb 3 ,A9'T ,NO ,P,C ,GONNA ,FIX IT ,BABY -- ,UPDAT$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/