The Why
Domestic violence is an issue of social injustice, rooted in oppression. To end domestic violence, active steps must be taken at individual, local, regional, and statewide levels to end all forms of oppression. More specifically, domestic violence cannot end without addressing the oppression of Women of Color (WOC). Learn more here.
Changes We Have Made
In 2010, GCADV recognized that this critical piece of anti-oppression analysis was missing from our work, specifically in the work of undoing and ending racism. The first step was to conduct an internal evaluation of our own organization’s history of oppression and racism. Current and former WOC staff members experienced micro-aggressions from white staff members, which further undermined their work and contributed to an unhealthy work environment. With the results of the internal evaluation, GCADV made undoing racism an organizational priority. Continue reading here.
Looking Ahead
GCADV has incorporated racial justice into its trainings and community engagement projects. Trainings like ‘Don’t Knock The Hustle’ were created from conversations with community-based organizations to inform our work with larger shelters and domestic violence programs to help them better serve WOC survivors.
Learn more here about our trainings and community engagement work.
Resources
Resources for People of Color
In recognizing the emotional labor that racial justice work entails for people of color, below are resources intended to be supportive to people of color viewing this content and participating in racial justice work.
- Women of Color Network-Centralize the voices, wellness, and leadership of women of color
- Therapy for Black Girls Podcast: How Racism Impacts Our Mental Health
- Good Ancestor Podcast: Episode 001
- Surviving & Resisting Hate: A Toolkit for People of Color
- Therapy for Black Girls Podcast
- 4 Self-Care Tips for People of Color After Charlottesville
- The Black Girl Healing: A Simple Guide to Feeling Your Feelings Safely
Resources for White Aspiring Allies
GCADV has used the following resources to help drive the discussions during our monthly racial justice meetings.
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism
- Study Guide and book by Robin DiAngelo
- Why “I’m not racist” is only half the story -Short video by Robin DiAngelo
- Invisible Knapsack-Article by Peggy McIntosh on White Privilege
- Race: the Power of Illusion -Race: The Power of an Illusion is a three-part documentary series produced by California Newsreel that investigates the idea of race in society, science and history.
- Distancing Behaviors Among White Groups Talking About Racism – Handout Exercise
- Reading List by The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond