CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES. Alliance Building for I mmigrants R ights and Racial Justice

Transcription

1 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Alliance Building for I mmigrants R ights and Racial Justice

2 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES Alliance Building for I mmigrants R ights and Racial Justice

3 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: BLACK ALLIANCE FOR JUST IMMIGRATION

4 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE TABLE OF CONTENTS

5 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Young demonstrators march at an immigrant rights rally in San Rafael, California.

6 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

7 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: INTRODUCTION AND KEY FINDINGS 1 Throughout this report, the term cross-racial alliance building is used as a shorthand for a much more complicated and diverse practice of building connections across racial, ethnic cultural and national boundaries.

8 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE INTRODUCTION AND KEY FINDINGS Beloved Community Center (BCC) Black Alliance for Just Immigration CASA de Maryland (CASA) Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO) Families for Freedom (FFF) Garden State Alliance for a New Economy (GANE) Highlander Research & Education Center (Highlander) Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA) Midwest Immigrant Health Project Mississippi Immigrant Rights Alliance (MIRA) National Domestic Workers Alliance People Organized to Win Employment Rights Power of a Million Minds Collaborative South by Southwest Experiment Sunflower Community Action (SCA) Voces de la Frontera (Voces) Establishing a cross-racial alliance-building framework as central to the organization and to the understanding of staff is key.

9 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: INTRODUCTION AND KEY FINDINGS Language is one of the major barriers and challenges to alliance building. Political education is important to establishing a shared racial and economic justice analysis. It is important to take time to develop personal relationships and trust between staff and members and all levels of an organization as well as with allies.

10 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE INTRODUCTION AND KEY FINDINGS Alliance building and educational work should be tied to concrete campaigns. Members and supporters of the Center for Intercultural Organizing gather in Portland, Oregon.

11 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: BELOVED COMMUNITY CENTER

12 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE BELOVED COMMUNITY CENTER 1. A progressive, democratically elected local government in Wilmington was overthrown by white supremacist mobs. It starts with building community and relationships. 2. The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 made any Federal marshal or other official who did not arrest an alleged runaway slave liable to a fine of $1,000. The suspected slave could not ask for a jury trial or testify on his or her own behalf. In addition, any person aiding a runaway slave by providing food or shelter was subject to six months imprisonment and a $1,000 fine. The 287(g) Agreements are contracts between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local and state law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration laws.

13 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: BELOVED COMMUNITY CENTER Spiritual Underpinnings can help to anchor alliancebuilding work.

14 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE BLACK ALLIANCE FOR JUST IMMIGRATION

15 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: BLACK ALLIANCE FOR JUST IMMIGRATION

16 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE BLACK ALLIANCE FOR JUST IMMIGRATION Building strong relationships is key to building strong alliances. The leadership of black immigrants is important in alliance building with African Americans.

17 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: CASA DE MARYLAND

18 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE CASA DE MARYLAND

19 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: CASA DE MARYLAND Immigrant rights organizations must understand more deeply the perspectives of the African American community. Immigrant rights organizations must support issues important to the African American community.

20 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE CENTER FOR INTERCULTURAL ORGANIZING

21 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: CENTER FOR INTERCULTURAL ORGANIZING

22 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE CENTER FOR INTERCULTURAL ORGANIZING Training immigrants and refugees as leaders is central to building alliances across these communities. Training non-immigrant allies is also essential to building strong cross-racial alliances. Building a shared analysis is the foundation for strategic alliances.

23 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: FAMILIES FOR FREEDOM

24 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE FAMILIES FOR FREEDOM

25 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: FAMILIES FOR FREEDOM The people affected should lead the movement for change.

26 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE GARDEN STATE ALLIANCE FOR A NEW ECONOMY

27 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: GARDEN STATE ALLIANCE FOR A NEW ECONOMY

28 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE GARDEN STATE ALLIANCE FOR A NEW ECONOMY

29 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: GARDEN STATE ALLIANCE FOR A NEW ECONOMY Structured dialogues during a campaign and throughout are critical. Establishing a common framework on race, immigration and work is also essential.

30 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE HIGHLANDER RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER

31 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: HIGHLANDER RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER

32 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE HIGHLANDER RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER Immigrant rights must be situated within the broader struggle for social justice. Conversations about race are essential to building alliances. Youth and young adult leadership development is critical for the future of movement building. A commitment to providing translation and interpretation services is a prerequisite to effective crossracial alliance building

33 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: KOREATOWN IMMIGRANT WORKERS ALLIANCE

34 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE KOREATOWN IMMIGRANT WORKERS ALLIANCE

35 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: KOREATOWN IMMIGRANT WORKERS ALLIANCE Organizational clarity and a commitment to being multiracial is an important starting point. Providing translation is critical to successful alliance building. Cultural translation is important as well. It is essential to be aware that beyond language translation there is also the issue of cultural translation and cultural differences.

36 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE MIDWEST IMMIGRANT HEALTH PROJECT

37 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: MIDWEST IMMIGRANT HEALTH PROJECT

38 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE MIDWEST IMMIGRANT HEALTH PROJECT Time and effort building relationships is well spent. Transfer the power to workers. After you develop relationships with them, transfer the power to them, says Rich

39 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: MISSISSIPPI IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ALLIANCE

40 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE MISSISSIPPI IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ALLIANCE

41 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: MISSISSIPPI IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ALLIANCE Connecting the struggle of African Americans and Latinos is essential.

42 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE MISSISSIPPI IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ALLIANCE An integrated staff and board help to build an integrated movement. Cross-racial partnerships can lead to victories.

43 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: NATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS ALLIANCE

44 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE NATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS ALLIANCE

45 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: NATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS ALLIANCE Culture work is important to building alliances. Participatory democracy strengthens alliances. Broadening alliances increases power.

46 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE PEOPLE ORGANIZED TO WIN EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

47 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: PEOPLE ORGANIZED TO WIN EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

48 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE PEOPLE ORGANIZED TO WIN EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS Analysis and ongoing political education are essential to building multiracial unity. Addressing differences in how racism and economic exploitation are experienced by different racial groups is important. Interpersonal relationships matter in building alliances.

49 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: POWER OF A MILLION MINDS COLLABORATIVE

50 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE POWER OF A MILLION MINDS COLLABORATIVE

51 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: POWER OF A MILLION MINDS COLLABORATIVE A foundation of strong relationships must anchor a cross-racial alliance. Providing transportation is important to insuring participation.

52 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST EXPERIMENT

53 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST EXPERIMENT

54 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST EXPERIMENT Alliances built upon relations are stronger than those that are issue-driven. Developing youth leadership can help push the alliance building process. The exchange of culture and sharing food are important ways to build relationships.

55 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: SUNFLOWER COMMUNITY ACTION 1 SCA uses the terms Latino/a and Hispanic interchangeably. This report reflects the terminology used by the interviewee.

56 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE SUNFLOWER COMMUNITY ACTION

57 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: SUNFLOWER COMMUNITY ACTION Focus on shared struggle. SCA focuses on the commonality that is bigger than either of the two interest groups. Think bigger and partner with others to win.

58 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE VOCES DE LA FRONTERA

59 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: VOCES DE LA FRONTERA

60 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE VOCES DE LA FRONTERA Providing opportunities for cross-racial contextual learning is important to relationship building and alliance building. Find a unifying issue. High schools are excellent places for alliance building.

61 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: RECOMMENDATIONS TO FUNDERS Support solidarity and relationship building activities. Cross-racial alliance building work takes time and requires intentionality and commitment, so long-term strategic funding is important. Support the efforts of African American groups to build alliances with immigrant groups. Become catalysts for cross-racial dialogue.

62 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE RECOMMENDATIONS TO FUNDERS Invest in the development of cross-racial analysis and education. I n v e s t i n e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n a n d new approaches. African American ministers from Oakland, Calif. march with local Latino ministers in Phoenix on May 29, 2010 against SB1070. Provide resources for leadership development and the engagement of young people.

63 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: RECOMMENDATIONS TO FUNDERS Help build the capacity of organizations to provide translation and interpretation. Support the use of culture and art as relationship building tools. Provide general support for movement building spaces and convenings. A delegation of African Americans and black immigrants led by the Black Alliance for Just Immigration gather with members of Coalición de Derechos Humanos at the border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border near Tucson.

64 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE APPENDIX I: Beloved Community Center (BCC) Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) Casa de Maryland (CASA) Center for Intercultural Organizing (CIO) Families for Freedom (FFF) Garden State Alliance for a New Economy (GANE) Highlander Research and Education Center Koreatown Immigrant Worker s Alliance (KIWA) Midwest Immigrant Health Project (MIHP) Center for New Community

65 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: APPENDIX I: ORGANIZATIONS INTERVIEWED AND CONTACTS Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance (MIRA) National Domestic Worker s Alliance (NDWA) Power of A Million Minds Youth Collaborative (PMMC) People Organized to Win Employment Rights (POWER) Sunflower Community Action (SCA) South by Southwest Experiment (SxSW) Voces de la Frontera (Voces)

66 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE APPENDIX II: Applied Research Center (ARC) Association of Black Foundation Executives Center for Community Change (CCC) Center for Third World Organizing

67 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: APPENDIX II: ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES FOR CROSS-RACIAL ALLIANCE BUILDING Colectivo Flatlander Community Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (Community Coalition) Grantmakers Concerned for Immigrants and Refugees Highlander Research and Education Center Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP)

68 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE APPENDIX II: ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES FOR CROSS-RACIAL ALLIANCE BUILDING Kirwan Institute Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Miami Workers Center Multiethnic Immigrant Worker Organizing Network (MIWON)

69 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: APPENDIX II: ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES FOR CROSS-RACIAL ALLIANCE BUILDING National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) New Orleans Workers Center for Racial Justice Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity (PRE) Program for Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE), Public Interest Projects

70 ALLIANCE BUILDING FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RACIAL JUSTICE APPENDIX II: ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES FOR CROSS-RACIAL ALLIANCE BUILDING Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture Southeast Regional Economic Justice Network (REJN) The Southern Regional Council Center for Labor Research and Education, University of California, Berkeley

71 CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: APPENDIX III: INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

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