Working with different communities or cultures
These days I often wonder whether the accelerating collapse of our political and economic systems will overwhelm us before we can make the changes I advocate for.
That is all the more reason to begin or continue to work on building alternatives now. To implement mutual aid, LANDBACK, and the abolition of police and prisons. Other reasons are that these political and economic systems are fundamentally unjust and need to be replaced.
One thing that concerns me, that I have witnessed many times, are the inappropriate and destructive ways white people act when they try to engage with oppressed communities.
When white people would ask me how to support communities suffering injustice, I would tell them to just show up at events organized by these communities. Very few people show up to these events which take a lot of effort to put on.
By saying just show up I meant to attend. I also meant by JUST attend to mean don’t do anything else until you are invited to do so. Which will likely not happen at your first engagement. Some level of trust must be built, first. That will involve demonstrating your commitment by continuing to show up and in an appropriate manner.
This highlights the difference between an ally and an accomplice. An ally offers support from a distance. An accomplice shows up, repeatedly, including accepting risks of doing so.
This message from my friend Sikowis Nobiss, founder of the Great Plains Action Society, demonstrates what happens when people do engage appropriately. Importantly, we were invited into this work.
Sikowis shared this with those of us who spent a week doing construction at the new Indigenous-led Urban Resilience and Innovation Hub in downtown Iowa City recently.
I wish words could truly express how I feel about all the folks that showed up for this. I am so grateful and it was such an honor to be in community with some of the most extraordinarily kind folks I have ever met.
A HUGE thank you to our unstoppable volunteer crew who braved the cold, snow, and hard labor for a work week (from Nov 30 - Dec 6) dedicated to demoing the inside of the healing justice house, which is part of our Indigenous-Led Resilience and Innovation Hub in Iowa City!
We’re not ready to make the big announcement yet, but we can say this: the vision is coming to life, thanks to those who support our vision of ReMatriation. Their sweat, solidarity, and spirit are laying the foundation for a space built by and for the people.
To our incredible partners — The Decolonial Repair Network (Honor Native Land Fund), Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, Scattergood School and the Justice and Liberation Coalition, thank you for connecting us with such grounded, brilliant, and deeply kind volunteers.
-your hands, hearts, and dedication made a huge difference. We see you, we honor you, and we are so grateful.
Sikowis Nobiss, Great Plains Action Society
This graphic shows lessons I’ve learned about engaging with communities or cultures different from yours.
