We’re not the first or last to choose this work. Why would you want to be alone in this history?” —Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson
Last night, over 700 people joined us for White people’s work to not give up: a conversation on strategy and staying for the long haul with political strategist Scot Nakagawa and movement leader Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson. We heard an incredibly moving discussion (moderated by SURJ Co-Founder Carla Wallace!) about why strategizing to continue the work despite burnout and fatigue is so critical in this particular moment; the emotional skills required to stay in the movement; the many movement leaders and organizers that have inspired both Scot and Ash-Lee, and so, so much more.
”I have no time for guilt. It’s paralyzing. Solidarity is what we should be thinking about instead. It’s also a skill.”—Scot Nakagawa
“White people are the swing! The fascist project actually desperately needs you. It’s built to make whiteness feel like home when everything else feels uncertain. Your job in this moment is to make somewhere else feel more like home than that.”—Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson
Here is a link to the recording, which includes the transcript and captions.
Resources from the call:
• Phone bank with SURJ this month to help elect Randy Villegas in California – from anywhere in the country!
• Become a SURJ National Member – commit to action and fund our work!
• The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook (Scot Nakagawa’s Substack)
”Just because I’m pessimistic doesn’t mean I’m giving up. We have to be hopeful pessimists. It’s the hope that you’ll make a difference in the future, even if it’s not your future.”—Scot Nakagawa