Resolution on Fighting Racism

Passed as amended, November 12, 2005

WHEREAS a recent statement by former Secretary of Education – and currently widely syndicated radio commentator – William Bennett, to the effect that were all black babies to be aborted, the crime problem would go away, did not meet with criticism from any branch of the U.S. government; and

WHEREAS this opinion, which both attacks the reproductive rights movement and criminalizes black people, is not anomalous, but suggests an ominous reactionary trend; and

WHEREAS the preventable deaths that occurred in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina revealed a federal policy of callous neglect tantamount to genocide; and

WHEREAS the National Organization for Women has always stood firmly in opposition to both sexism and racism (as was shown in NOW's immediately protesting the Bennett statement); and

WHEREAS past Women of Color and Allies (WOCA) summits, organized by NOW and various organizations focusing on women of color, have provided stimulating venues for analyzing the conjunction of sexism and racism and formulating strategies of opposition and resistance; and

WHEREAS the need for multiracial unity in the women's movement – "linking arms in dangerous times" – the slogan of the first WOCA summit in 1998, is more urgent than ever;

BE IT RESOLVED that NOW-NJ reaffirm its commitment to fighting racism and submit a bid and if accepted work vigorously: to organize a regional WOCA summit to be held during Black History Month, February 2007, around the theme, "Standing Together in Dangerous Times"; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all chapters and task forces of NOW-NJ see this summit as an opportunity to expand their multiracial make-up and address issues of particular concern to women of color; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the various statewide officers, task forces and local chapters in NOW-NJ that have been particularly focused on fighting racism – including,
but not restricted to, the NOW-NJ Task Force on Combating Racism, the Essex County Women of Color and Allies chapter, the Trenton Area chapter, and the statewide Vice President for Affirmative Action – be centrally involved in all levels of planning for the summit.

Resolution Submitted jointly by the Combating Racism Task Force of NOW-NJ and the Essex County Women of Color and Allies Chapter