In December 2020, the On Earth Peace Racial Justice Learning Action Community hosted a meet-up to help members of the group reflect and “re-situate” themselves in their racial justice advocacy. During that meeting, participants had time to reflect on their racial justice journey, discuss hopes and plans for 2021, and brainstorm what recurring accountability meetings could look like. 

For the next couple of months, the OEP Racial Justice LAC will host a six-session program of bi-weekly accountability meetings to talk about confronting policies and practices of racial injustice. In these meetings, we will hold each other accountable as we build on the educational work we’ve done in past years. We will build space in our cohort to “do the work” personally and to strategize together about organizing to dismantle systems of oppression. What are the specific policies and practices in your communities that uphold racial injustice? Who is in charge of these policies? Who is already working on change efforts?  How can you join or strengthen that work? 

These meetings are for anyone who would like to discuss what the next steps of their racial justice activism could look like. If you offered a book group in your church and you are wondering what’s next - come and find a path together with others. As a result of these meetings, you will gain more information about specific problems, possible solutions, and the pathway from here to there. In addition, you will develop and strengthen basic organizing skills and Kingian Nonviolence values. Ultimately, you will gain relationships within your community and within this Learning Action Community to sustain you over the long haul.

The program runs from February 24th to May 5th. Meetings will be on Wednesdays, 7-8:30 pm US Eastern. Click here to determine what time this event starts in your time zone. We will meet on Feb. 24, March 10, March 24, April 7, April 21, and conclude on May 5, 2021. This program will be facilitated by Radiah Shabazz (a previous OEP-Racial Justice intern), Tamera Shaw, and Matt Guynn. 

On Earth Peace’s Racial Justice Learning Action Community (LAC) seeks to be a place for engagement, education, accountability, collaboration, and action among advocates and organizations actively committed to working towards justice for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). Our hope is for the creation of a Beloved Community that unleashes power and equips its members with community, capacity, and commitment to racial justice. 

Learn more about how to join this group here