Letter from Allies
Dear Color of Violence Registrants who do not identify as women of color or trans/queer people of color,
In consultation with the women of color and trans/queer people of color planners of COV4, we - a group of white folks and cis-identified men – are reaching out to you about ways to best support the goal of the conference.
The organizers of COV4 offer the following guidance with regard to our participation in the conference:
“For COV4, we ask that individuals and communities respect the ongoing priority of centering women of color and trans/queer people of color organizers, speakers, presenters, participants and conference attendees. In the case of registration beyond the space capacity of the conference, we will prioritize women of color/trans people of color/people of color in admission and seating. Facilitators/presenters of some sessions/events may request narrower criteria for attendance of their events. More broadly, we urge each one of us and all of us as a collective group to consider how our participation in (or decision to not attend) COV4 can reflect the race/gender political intentions of the conference and contribute to a greater politic of which we are all a part.”
In the spirit of this guidance, we offer the following as possible steps you might take to respect, honor and support the goal of centering women of color and trans/queer people of color in the space of COV 4 conference:
If you’d like to discuss these options in fuller detail, or if you want to sign up for volunteering, please email us at inthespiritcov4@gmail.com.
In the spirit of COV4,
Ann Russo, Ann-Meredith Wootton, Erica Meiners, Erin Tinnon, Ivan Irenas
Jane Hereth, Jen Curley, Lara Brooks, Laurie Fuller, Lee Jacobs Riggs
In consultation with the women of color and trans/queer people of color planners of COV4, we - a group of white folks and cis-identified men – are reaching out to you about ways to best support the goal of the conference.
The organizers of COV4 offer the following guidance with regard to our participation in the conference:
“For COV4, we ask that individuals and communities respect the ongoing priority of centering women of color and trans/queer people of color organizers, speakers, presenters, participants and conference attendees. In the case of registration beyond the space capacity of the conference, we will prioritize women of color/trans people of color/people of color in admission and seating. Facilitators/presenters of some sessions/events may request narrower criteria for attendance of their events. More broadly, we urge each one of us and all of us as a collective group to consider how our participation in (or decision to not attend) COV4 can reflect the race/gender political intentions of the conference and contribute to a greater politic of which we are all a part.”
In the spirit of this guidance, we offer the following as possible steps you might take to respect, honor and support the goal of centering women of color and trans/queer people of color in the space of COV 4 conference:
- If conference registration closes, choose to withdraw your registration in order to create space for women of color and trans/queer people of color; in so doing, you could also contribute your registration fees to support the scholarships for the conference.
- Choose to volunteer at the conference, rather than to attend workshops:
a. Assist with logistics;
b. Talk with other white folks and cis-identified men about the importance of honoring women-of-color and trans/queer people of color space;
c. Fundraise for scholarships for women of color and trans/queer people of color to attend. - If you decide to attend a workshop or panel, choose to step back when the space is full so to allow for more women of color and trans/queer people of color to attend.
- Do not attend workshops deemed for women of color and trans/queer people of color only.
- Whether or not you attend the conference, continue to keep up with and support INCITE!’s work in other ways.
If you’d like to discuss these options in fuller detail, or if you want to sign up for volunteering, please email us at inthespiritcov4@gmail.com.
In the spirit of COV4,
Ann Russo, Ann-Meredith Wootton, Erica Meiners, Erin Tinnon, Ivan Irenas
Jane Hereth, Jen Curley, Lara Brooks, Laurie Fuller, Lee Jacobs Riggs