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Although Sister Cities is a solidarity organization committed to social justice transformation in El Salvador and the U.S., it still bears the legacy of the racism inherent in U.S. systems, institutions, and policies. To the best of our knowledge, Sister Cities has not been intentional in naming and tracing ways in which race and (anti-)racism have shaped its structures and processes. This leads us to note and accept that anti-racist work is necessary now AND it is also ongoing and changing in response to histories and realties. To this end, here we review both the histories and realities, as well as our commitments that provide a rationale for RJE in Sister Cities.
Histories & Realities
Sister Cities is a solidarity organization formed in the context of historical and ongoing racism, imperialism, and paternalism. Historically, it used the white privilege of its members to bring attention to the injustices occurring during the civil war in El Salvador, and we never recognized what this means as a network and in our current efforts.
Sister Cities’ work is not possible without our relationships with CRIPDES, rural Salvadoran communities, and of course, our staff in El Salvador. If Sister Cities is truly working to end oppression and inequality, we must start from within to ensure we are not reproducing the very injustices we purport to fight.
Structural power imbalances within Sister Cities exist due to race (white privilege), language, and access to resources, including technology/internet.
It is a reality that many members of sistering U.S. committees are aging. It is also a reality that Sister Cities has struggled to recruit and keep a diverse membership (age, ethnicity/race, income).
Young social justice advocates embrace more radical approaches to address racial justice and equity - in place of ‘performative’ advocacy, such as solidarity statements, they call for structural changes and call on organizations to dedicate their time, attention, and money to crafting and sustaining equity.
Commitments
We will work towards building a Sister Cities Network that actively practices and embodies diversity, inclusivity, and equity.
We will honor solidarity and the centering of traditionally marginalized experiences and knowledges - our "solidarity work" will not be done for the purpose of feeling like "good people" and will not privilege what "we" think is right;
White saviorism is not solidarity, and it is not in line with racial justice or equity.
Anti-racism is an ongoing process and, as a network, we will continuously analyze, reflect, and examine our own internalized racism and the anti-racist actions we take individually and as an organization.
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