The movement to end domestic and sexual violence has a long history of marginalizing and silencing the voices of women of color. In order to end gender-based violence and other forms of injustice and create true social transformation, domestic and sexual violence organizations need to center the needs of marginalized and underserved communities, particularly survivors of color. This means building organizations that center racial equity in every aspect of the work, which requires cultural shifts. Nonprofits need to cultivate practices that honor diverse cultures, lived experiences, identities, and traditions, as well as create brave spaces for individuals to fully show up as their whole selves. Resources in this section explore ways in which nonprofits can work to dismantle structural racism and promote racial equity within their own organizations.
In 2018, NRCDV embarked on a research study to understand the dynamics of racial inequity in coalition leadership advancement within the gender-based violence movement. Specifically, we sought to understand why there continues to be an overrepresentation of white women in coalition leadership positions, despite multiple field-level interventions and trainings. The results from this study became the foundation for a deep collaboration with a multi-generational group of innovators of color who are leaders in the gender-based violence (GBV) movement. Collectively, we are actively working on a project to address the institutional and systemic issues that maintain racial disparities in leadership advancement and create ongoing barriers for People of Color to thrive (not only survive) in the GBV field. Learn more:
HERE and there: An open letter to white women in the movement to end gender-based violence by Arlene Vassell (July 2020)
Dear White Women: Welcome. I’m glad you are HERE. Let’s talk about here and over there.
For years white feminism has waged a war against Black women, Black men, Black children, Black babies and our Black communities. With too many causalities to name them all. It wasn’t televised, it wasn’t video-taped, but the pain and scars remain visible in the lunch rooms and board rooms over there. Those most impacted have been silenced on the margins. Like my sister Lina Juarbe Botella would say, on the margin of the margins. You know them well. You should call them by their names. Say Their Names. All Black Lives Matter. So, Say Their Names.