Taking Action for Racial Justice

Dear ISEEN Community,

We write to revisit our Values amidst the national and global uprisings against state violence and anti-Blackness. We know that education and action go hand-in-hand; that is precisely the root of our organization and its mission. ISEEN is committed to social justice in any form and feels the ever-present need for anti-racist activism and racial justice at this moment. We also urge our community members and students to speak out against racism and strive to be anti-racist.

For all of these reasons and more, ISEEN stands in solidarity with the Black community and those advocating for justice. We hold this as a VALUE; to do more and to do better, now and always.

In November 2019, ISEEN spent time internally revising our Values to more broadly include the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion. They now read as follows (also here online):

  • Adaptability: Embracing the dynamic needs of students and educators in response to an evolving society.
  • Community: Engaging in the exchange of diverse ideas and practices to build a network of authentic, supportive, and socially just relationships.  
  • Inclusivity: Creating an ethos of collaboration in which everyone is respected, valued, and represented as both a life-long learner and contributor.
  • Passion: Challenging the status quo and taking the initiative to pursue bold ideas with heart, compassion, and intention. 

The ISEEN community must do the work of racial justice in our evolving society while striving for socially just relationships with compassion and also pursuing bold ideas. To say that many of us are struggling with profound feelings of anguish, frustration, and helplessness gave the unjust systems dominating our country would be an understatement. This is our problem and we cannot remain silent.

We join our voices with those condemning the recent police killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, George Floyd, and the countless other Black Americans senselessly killed at the hands of largely White state authorities. We are working towards, and implore you to move from feelings of sympathy to empathic anti-racist action. White anti-racist scholar Robin D’Angelo reminds us that “...niceness is not courageous. Niceness is not anti-racism. Niceness will not get racism on the table and it will not keep it on the table when everyone wants it off the table. I suppose it's better than not being nice. But it takes strategic, intentional anti-racist action—it is a lifelong process that I will never be finished from.”

White people must take action and no longer remain silent while our colleagues, students, friends, neighbors, and their families are devalued, underrepresented, murdered, and denied justice. To our White members, we must do this work together, no matter how hard it is. To our non-Black POC members, we must come together to address anti-Blackness in our communities and work towards anti-racism. To our Black members, we strive to be accountable to you and to anti-racism in our world, our policies, our schools, our organization, and our hearts.

What We Can Do

We want to direct you to the work that is already being done by so many Black activists and educators. Here is a list of resources that offer support and education for all of us, and our students (this list is by no means exhaustive):

  • Minnesota Freedom Fund - pays criminal bail and immigration bonds for those who can’t afford to (IG: Instagram page)
  • Reclaim the Block - a coalition demanding investment in community-led safety initiatives (and divestment from policing) in Minneapolis (IG)
  • Black Visions Collective - an arts collective advocating and organizing for transformative justice and liberation by and for Black Minnesotans (IG)
  • Unicorn Riot - not-for-profit media organization dedicated to exposing root causes for social and environmental issues (they're doing critical citizen journalism and 24-7 coverage) (IG)
  • Northstar Health Collective - collective of health care workers & street medics that coordinate and provide health care in support of justice movements during protests and other public events
  • MPD 150 - community-based initiative challenging the narrative that police exist to protect and serve (not currently asking for donations, but an org to follow) (IG)
  • Black MN COVID-19 Response - a coalition of Black organizers and organizers from Minnesota addressing the harmful impacts of COVID-19
  • George Floyd Memorial Fund - the GoFundMe page of George Floyd's family, posted by his brother
  • Black Lives Matter - a movement that campaigns against violence and systemic racism towards black people.

Share Resources:

We invite you to use this listserv (reply all) to share additional resources that you have found helpful to take action in your communities during this time.

With love and gratitude for who you are and for being along with us in this journey.

Experientially yours,

ISEEN Board and Staff

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