People of Color Caucus

During an Anti-Authoritarian People of Color (APOC) caucus today [Saturday, March 29, 2008], APOC at this gathering decided that we want to challenge Food Not Bombs as a "movement" to critically analyze patterns of white dominance, white supremacy and racial exclusivity within Food Not Bombs groups.

In starting out it's necessary to emphasize that although we demand recognition of the unpleasant realities of white supremacy within this "movement", it is not the intention of anti-authoritarian people of color to stir up more feelings of white guilt. Guilt is NEVER proactive. Instead, people of color at this Food Not Bombs Gathering hope to further conversation around developing meaningful cross-racial solidarity in our movement and encourage our white allies to take action on these issues.

Nor is it people of color's intention to establish the fight against white supremacy against other forms of oppression. Distinct forms of oppression such as patriarchy, queerphobia and speciesism must ALL be recognized in both their individual and interconnected roles in a larger system of hierarchy and domination.

Though we are all the inheritors of a long racist past, we've also inherited generations of hard won progress of breaking free of that past. We can't bring that progress to a halt - especially within our movement - by acting like we've already won by pretending that race is now a relatively negligible issue, or claiming to be "color blind."

Here are just some things that have been experienced by people of color in this "movement":

Constantly Dealing with Unchecked White Privilege:

• The absurd assertions that we are all "colored" or "tribal" or "from Africa" that lack a fundamental understanding of the racial dynamics that uphold the racial divisions supporting the capitalist system in North Amerikkka.
• The equally ridiculous claim that people of color can just as easily "drop out" by squatting and dumpster-diving, which many people of color do anyway purely as a matter of necessity rather than ability. White activists who live in "marginalized" subcultures still have white skin privilege and the ability to choose whether to remain marginalized, a luxury that many people of color do not have.

Rampant Cultural Appropriation:

• Dreadlocks, tribal earth rituals, Mohawks - practicing traditions of marginalized cultures without having come from that culture makes the original meanings behind those symbols invisible. It perpetuates the growing invisibility of indigenous and other POC cultures. White folks have their own cultures and ethnic roots that date back over a millenia; research and embrace that instead of stealing others ' cultures.

Tokenization:

• Asking for our "unique" opinion on something, as if we could speak for people of color in general.
• Expecting us to do the necessary outreach to communities of color.
• Expecting us to bottomline anti-racist and environmental justice organizing within our movement.

These phenomena are offensive, annoying, and contribute to people of color not feeling welcome in this "movement", or not feeling okay calling out fucked up shit.

With these difficulties in sight, and a shared understanding of the long-term nature of this discussion, people of color and white folks have a lot of work to do in confronting white cultural domination in this "movement." While many people of color want to work on anti-racist organizing and are often more aware of patterns of white supremacy, exclusivity, and racism in this "movement", white allies must be aware of these issues and use their privilege to challenge them and to ensure that these patterns are continuously being dismantled.

FNB specifically seeks to achieve, through horizontally structured and consensus based organizing: community, equality, and a rejection of capitalism and all systematic forms of oppression that assist in its perpetuation. FNB strives to reach these goals and sustain this "movement" through solidarity, not charity in many ways.

Community is viewed and upheld as necessary for liberation and for maintaining positivity of our movements as a whole. Without the alternative of a network based on love rather than abuse, on understanding rather than control, we all suffer. FNB has taken huge strides towards creating this necessary community, however there is still work to do!

We've discussed and hope to convey positive ways to further incorporate marginalized and oppressed groups in FNB as a community and a "movement."

For example

• carpooling from people of color neighborhoods to the cooking and sharing sites so as to actively engage marginalized groups and to allow them the space to be involved in those processes.
• Opening up public versus private kitchens so that the inviting nature of Food Not Bombs is established and sustained.
• Going beyond once a week or once a month meetings in oppressed communities to create dialogues and unity with the folks we share food with.
• Other things, from small to big acts of solidarity, not charity!, will help this "movement" sustain its momentum and worthiness.

We have a long way to go, let's get there together and keep it posi. "If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time; but if you've come because your liberation is bound up with mine then let us work together."