TO: YWCA Leaders
FROM: YWCA USA Communications
DATE: July 20, 2016
SUBJECT: Responding to Violence
Dear YWCA Leaders,
In the wake of so much violence, our hearts continue to be heavy. Yet, these constant acts of violence make us even more resolute that justice and equity cannot wait. We know that many of you share our deepest sympathies for those directly impacted and may be impacted yourselves. As such, we wanted to provide some specific tools and support for YWCAs as you respond to violence and the impact of trauma in your own communities.
YWCA has an important lens through which we understand state-sanctioned violence. Our mission puts women and communities of color at the forefront by calling for the elimination of racism, women's empowerment, and the promotion of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Furthermore, we recognize that all violence is not acknowledged or responded to equally – a concept introduced to the network in the Persimmon Paper: Our Collective Power. YWCA asks the question: which communities get justice, and which do not? Finally, our Mission Impact Framework and Theory of Change can help us structure our responses to violence of this magnitude.
As we work together for justice, here are some steps you can take locally to continue making change:
Speak out when violence occurs, and continuing speaking out even when there isn't violence on the front page. Here are some ways you can do this:
- Issue a public statement to the press and on social media. Here are some examples of YWCA USA statements regarding violence and oppression. You can always share YWCA USA's statements with your local reporters.
- Share resources, articles, blogs, and research that dispel myths and put women and girls of color at the forefront. Share original YWCA resources like the racial profiling checklists and these Stand Against Racism resources that focus on girls of color as well as blogs and op-eds like Dara's Ebony piece and Donte's response to violence in Ferguson.
- Use graphics and visuals to make information more quickly understandable. Here are some new YWCA graphics you can begin using now.
Talk to your policy makers and local leaders. Here are some simple, clear messages you can share:
- YWCA cares about ending racial profiling and excessive force. We want real policy change to address these issues.
- Racial profiling and excessive force are well-documented forms of violence against men and boys of color, but did you know that women and girls are impacted as well? At YWCA, we are concerned about the impact of over-policing on the entire community. What actions can you take this year to make change?
- YWCA [association name] provides [list some key services] in your community and we are becoming increasingly concerned about racial profiling and excessive force. One thing you might not know about YWCA is that we are committed to racial justice and ensuring equal protection under the law for everyone. We would like to set up a time to talk with you further about tangible policy solutions to end racial profiling.
Take stock of the resources and relationships you already have locally and consider how you can use them to be a part of the solution. Here are just a few ways:
- If other community organizations are actively working on this issue, ask yourself what opportunities may exist for collaboration. What can your YWCA bring to the organizing table?
- If you have an existing relationship with local law enforcement, build on that trust to open a dialogue with them about how to address and end racial bias in policing.
- If there are marches, rallies, and other grassroots activism in your community, how can your YWCA get involved? Can your YWCA have a presence on the ground and show community leaders that YWCA is on a mission? Get creative: If you run a childcare center, can you stay open late to provide more community members the opportunity to be involved?
- Consider convening a community dialogue or providing space, if you have it, for student and activist groups to meet.
- Elevate the fact that women and girls of color are also impacted by disproportionate policing and they deserve our outrage as well.
Help provide care for your staff, your colleagues, your community members, and anyone else around you who might be directly or indirectly impacted. Trauma is very real. The people closest to or members of particular communities are often the most strongly impacted in the wake of a crisis. Consider your employee's needs. Our work eliminating racism and empowering women starts at home. While we recognize the importance of responding swiftly, we also realize that many employees are feeling alone, frustrated, dismayed, shocked, hurt, and unsafe. Many of us cannot simply carry on "business as usual." In addition, consider ways that your organization, in its own way, can provide support for impacted communities in the wake of tragedies. Here are just a few ideas:
- Connect with mental health providers in the community to provide support to your staff or maybe in a group setting for community members.
- Hold a vigil where community members can come together to mourn and find comfort.
- Invite your employees to a free or discounted cost yoga class.
- Recognize that everyone's needs will be different. Some on your team may need some time off or flexibility in the wake of these tragedies, while others may find comfort in staying busy at work.
- Here are some external resources that can help you generate other ideas:
As always, thank you for your continued commitment to standing up for social justice and pushing our bold mission forward. Please reach out to communications@ywca.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
YWCA USA Communications
#NationalCommunications