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Resisting
Rivalry: African American/Latino Organizing and Educational Campaign, an
intentional relationship-building project designed to address the racial
tensions and perceived rivalry
between
both exploited populations that have accompanied rapidly changing
demographics in
North
Carolina. The campaign involves organizing, public education, training,
advocacy and building the capacity of local African American and Latino
groups to engage in joint organizing for mutual benefit. Local
organizing campaigns are underway in Cabarrus County (Pillowtex) and in
Winston-Salem
Youth
Organizing Training Institute. REJN is
partnering with member groups to establish an
annual, Southern-oriented training program for strategic,
transformational organizing, combined
with organizational internships. It will train youth, ages 14-25, and adult allies, with the purpose of
contributing more skilled youth organizers -- and increasing
organizational support for them-- to social
change efforts and movement
building in the South.
The
Annual Gathering is REJN's primary international networking and movement building event,
where 150 grassroots activists build real and accountable relationships
across lines of race, culture, gender, class, generation, sexual
orientation and national borders. Planned and facilitated by REJN
leaders, Gathering themes have addressed global/local realities. Youth Perspectives in Organizing, the focus of our 2003
Gathering, will highlight the links between privatization, school
discrimination, labor and prisons, intergenerational organizing, and
shaping a youth political agenda.
Inter/national Networking: In
addition to hosting an international gathering, REJN trains and sends
delegations abroad to international conferences and local community site
visits work. We also affiliate with other national and regional, people
of color networks addressing the impacts of Globalization, repression
and war.
Popular Education/Training: We offer workshops, resource materials and technical assistance on
economic justice issues, transformational organizing/movement building,
and organizational development. Topics include:
· Globalization and Racism; Racist Immigration Policies; Youth & Economy
· Cross-cultural (black/Latino) Relationship Building; Multi-cultural
Facilitation
· Effective International Networking; Collaboration for Mutual Benefit
· Integrating Wellness into Organizing Work
· Youth Board of Directors Training; Inter-generational Organizing;
· Fundraising in African American Communities in the South
· History of People's Movements in the South
· Holistic analysis: Linking Issues, Struggles and Communities
· Contingent Work & Privatization: A Destabilizing Force for Workers,
Families and
Communities
Wellness Program: REJN
maintains a diverse Wellness Team, which authentically represents
several traditional and contemporary healing modalities. It leads our
efforts to create a sustaining culture of organizing, by helping us integrate mind/body/spirit wholeness, mindfulness (of our creative
power and intent), and wellness practice into our personal and
organizational lives. We include massage, meditation, smudging,
rhythm, dance, chanting, and ritual .
Constituent-based Working Groups: Over
the years, members have worked together through these issue-oriented, ad
hoc vehicles to generate new organizing and organizations, analyze
economic trends and policies, train and promote emerging leaders, lead
campaigns that have won precedent-setting legislation, and build new
allies.
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