June 26, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

June 26, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Erika, Lauralee, Hilde, Libby, Alice, Martie, Liz, Angie, Lucie, Rod, David, Heidi, Nan

Chalice Lighting

Introductions

Moment of silence in remembrance of Charleena Lyles, mother, killed by Seattle police.

Communications Committee Report:  Lauralee excitedly presented the Rainbow Poster to be displayed in the Wayside Pulpit

Hilde updated on the RE Committee plans to incorporate race education into RE studies.

David will research who is working on laws to increase ability to change law enforcement officers' accountability/ability to prosecute.

Members are encouraged to write letters to newspaper/magazine editors as well as government representatives re police abuses, profiling and incarceration.

Those present signed a condolence card Liz will mail to Charleena Lyles' family.

Program:  28 Racist Attitudes

Smoke and Mirrors
We use the current politically correct language; we listen to the right music; we state the liberal line; we're seen at the right meetings with the right people.  We even interrupt racist remarks when the right people are watching and when there is no risk to us. We look lie anti-racists.

Reality Check and Consequence
This is the "Avon Ally," the cosmetic approach. People of color and other white anti-racists see through this pretense quickly.  This pseudo-anti-racist posturing only serves to collude with racism and weakens the credibility of sincere white anti-racists.