ILYM Anti-Racism Working Group 2020 Annual Sessions Proposal

Excerpted from “What We Believe” section of the Black Lives Matter website:

Every day, we recommit to healing ourselves and each other, and to co-creating alongside comrades, allies, and family a culture where each person feels seen, heard, and supported.
We acknowledge, respect, and celebrate differences and commonalities.
We work vigorously for freedom and justice for Black people and, by extension, all people.
We intentionally build and nurture a beloved community that is bonded together through a beautiful struggle that is restorative, not depleting.

https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/

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Illinois Yearly Meeting supports Black Lives Matter and the worldwide movement it sparked in response to state-sanctioned violence and anti-Black racism. We recognize that Quakers have been part of systems of racist oppression, and we commit to taking action toward racial justice in our community and the world.

We recognize that statements are not sufficient and recommend the following actions from Illinois Yearly Meeting and constituent monthly meetings:

- Provide material support, physical and vocal presence, and financial contributions to national and local chapters of Black Lives Matter.

- Illinois Yearly Meeting contribute $1000 to a Black-led anti-racism organization.

- Ask the Ministry and Advancement Committee to provide opportunities to hear and address grievances of racism experienced by Friends, among Friends at Annual Sessions and other gatherings of the Yearly Meeting.

- Form the anti-racism working group into an ad hoc committee on racism, that is guided by Black-led groups already working for racial justice, to continue this work by supporting and encouraging each other and monthly meetings with:

1. suggestions for further action to support racial justice.

2. opportunities for Friends to individually and collectively reflect on and learn about the effects of personal and structural racism in their lives and their spiritual journeys.

3. serving as a connector to report and share the work that individual monthly meetings do.

- Encourage the Program Planning Committee for next year’s Annual Sessions to consider our testimony of Equality as the theme of the session.