Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)

with speaker Tara Romano, president of NC Women United

and Sara Cross of SURJ

This month’s program portion features Tara Romano, who will make an informative–and possibly challenging—address. Tara is president of NC Women United (NCWU)–a visible and effective proponent of activism for women’s issues. You can read NCWU’s March newsletter by clicking on the link HERE.

Tara will encourage our branch to join a new movement called Showing Up for Racial Justice (or SURJ), showingupforracialjustice.org. Through membership in SURJ, Tara and fellow members promote action that challenges racial injustice and more.

There is a recent online article that Tara wrote in the last few days on the subject of the disagreements over Charlotte’s anti-discrimination laws. Click the link to read a fair and informative account of the controversy over the Charlotte ordinance.

SURJ is a national organization with about 100 chapters:  “SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing White people for racial justice. Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves White people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability. We work to connect people across the country while supporting and collaborating with local and national racial justice organizing efforts. SURJ provides a space to build relationships, skills and political analysis to act for change.”; The six core values are: calling people in, not calling out; taking risks, learning and keeping going; tap into mutual interest; accountability through collective action; enough for everyone; growing is good. SURJ helps people educate themselves about racism through workshops provided by OAR, Organizing Against Racism, oarnc.org. They also sponsor a book club and living room conversations.

We are delighted that Tara and Sara will join us and hope that you will be present. Bring a friend. Tara’s address will be another in a series of memorable programs we have enjoyed this year.