Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites (CARW)
HomeTrainingsResourcesLinksAlliesEventsMeetings FAQ Contact 

CARW Frequently Asked Questions

What do you mean by racism?

We understand racism as a pattern of inequality throughout the institutions of U.S. society, such as the education, health care and prison systems. Racism in these institutions harms communities of color, while privileging white people as a whole.

Why have an anti-racism group for white folks?

White people need to take responsibility for undoing racism, and not let this burden of fall only on people of color. We believe that white people have unique work to do in the process of dismantling racism, and that mutual support among white folks is essential to this process. We feel it's our job to educate and organize other white folks.

What does CARW do?

  • Monthly Educational Meetings
    • Each meeting focuses on a theme, and usually involves large and small group discussion, experiential activities, and sometimes a presentation or video. These meetings are fun, challenging and open to all. Usually 15-50 people attend any given meeting.

  • Listserv
    A forum for sharing information about anti-racism events in the broader community, as well as news and articles. The list is moderated and primarily announcements (not discussion). 400+ subscribe. For more info, view the list archives. To  join the CARW listserv  visit the subscribe page.

  • Support for people of color led groups
    As a group, we endorse events, help with fundraising, provide volunteers, and participate in direct actions & organizing campaigns led by people of color. As individuals, many of us organize and volunteer with multi-racial groups.

  • Anti-racism workshops for white folks
    Most years we hold a 6-7 week training on racism and white privilege for white people.

    How is CARW structured?

  • Coordinating Council
    An elected body of 5-7 people who  serve six month terms.  The group makes decisions through a modified consensus (when consensus cannot be reached a vote can occur which will require a 2/3’s majority for approval).  The Coordinating Council will make decisions to further the mission of CARW.  All meetings will be open to CARW members to dialogue with each other, however the Coordinating Council does have the power to make final decisions.  Examples of these may include, endorsing events and rallies, ok-ing actions of committees, allotment of any money for actions, membership structure, final approval of groups to ally ourselves with, etc.  Anything which is above or beyond the mission of CARW will require votes from the membership. Tasks that the Coordinating Council is responsible for include: coordinating membership, administration of CARW (monies, internal communication), website, email, coordinating with Cascade People’s Center, calendar of CARW events, conflict support (this includes giving leadership on caucusing within carw on issues of oppressions other than racism, for example classim, heterosexism, etc.) strategic planning, and coordinating actions of committees.  A member from each the Action and Education Committees (see below) will be selected by the committees to serve on the Coordinating Council in a voting capacity (though they will have no Coordinating Council task responsibilities in order for them to be really involved in their committee so they can do their best to actually represent the committee on the Council).

  • Action Committee:
    The Action Committee initiates organizing in white communities while honoring the leadership of anti-racist people of color-led organizations.  The Action committee is a liaison with anti-racist people of color-led organizations and coordinates actions to support them.  This committee also focuses on providing mentorship/buddy and leadership development opportunities as it pertains to solidarity work, as well as being the place where rapid response from CARW occurs as requested/needed.

  • Education Committee
    The Education Committee coordinates every-other month educational meetings, provides workshops for white folks on racism and  white privilege, internal education opportunities for CARW members (for example on classism, Indigenous issues, etc.), speaker’s bureau, and  leadership development opportunities as it relates to educational opportunities.

    How can I learn more about racism, or become involved?

    Come to the monthly educational meetings. Ask questions. Participate in a training on institutional racism sponsored by CARW or another group. Read books. Become involved in a multi-racial group. Make mistakes. Listen to feedback. Build relationships with people of color. Keep coming back.

    What if I say something "wrong"?

    We work to create a space for white folks to process issues related to racism. None of us are perfect. We are not experts. We know that real growth comes from taking risks, making mistakes and wrestling with feedback. We believe it's important to challenge each other and to sit with discomfort in order to move forward. In this process, we try to speak to each other with love and respect.

    What about other kinds of oppression ?

    CARW challenges all forms of oppression including (but not limited to) those faced by people of color, immigrants, women, working class/poor people, youth, elders, Jews, Muslims, people with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. We want to create an anti-racism movement that is accessible and relevant to all, which engages people of many identities and experiences. We recognize that each of us bring to this movement our personal experiences of both oppression and privilege, and that moving forward together involves addressing the power dynamics between us.

    So you are against racism. What are you for ?

    We are working for a world of self-determination, justice, equality and peace for all peoples; a world that respects the earth and all it's creatures. We believe that such a world cannot exist without fundamental social change is the U.S. This change must built through mass-based multi-racial social movements led by oppressed peoples and we see ourselves as a small part in this broader struggle for social transformation.

     

     

    The Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites (CARW) is a community-based organization in Seattle, WA, working to undo institutionalized racism.

    To contact us, email info @ carw.org
    Send comments about this site to website @ carw.org

    This site is hosted by riseup.net
    And designed by the CARW Web Team