Core Tenets

Meaningful Dialogue

Our group is rooted in on-going dialogue. We center our discussions around the voices and messages of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). We place extra emphasis on sharing, understanding, amplifying, and validating the lived experiences of our Black siblings. We do not refute or question these experiences when they are shared in our group, but listen with open minds and hearts.

Responsibility

We recognize that racism exists, and it is not enough to simply be “not racist,” in order to fundamentally change systems that perpetuate racial oppression, both within Powhatan and across the nation. We maintain the need for our community members to engage in work, both on a personal and community-level, that is explicitly anti-racist in nature in order to see lasting change.

Education

We seek change through educational opportunities and advocacy-based actions. We work to educate ourselves and each other surrounding the work of anti-racism, both on a micro- and macro- level. We agree that individual initiative is key to the success of this movement, and we ask all members to take responsibility for their own learning and growth, especially our white members, as we also work together to grow as a community. We recognize that our members who are BIPOC can often feel exhausted when continually called upon to serve as primary sources of information, and we work to take care of each other. We seek out opportunities to read, listen, and learn from one another both in formal and informal settings, leading with love, open minds, and open hearts.

Respect

We treat all members with respect, even when opinions differ. No trolling, bullying, or vulgar behavior will be tolerated.

Accountability

When a mistake is made, we correct it and grow from it. We expect that mistakes will happen, and we give each other the grace and space to grow together in community.

Confidentiality

This is a private, safe space. We maintain that safety and privacy by agreeing not to share information that is shared within the group with external parties. This includes screenshots, copy and pasting text, or post-sharing. We protect one another in their efforts to share and grow.