Open Letter: On Solidarity, Accountability and Building Together
To our beloved community, from She the People,
We still believe in solidarity. We still believe that democracy should be about belonging. We still believe in a politics we have not yet seen. Our faith in these possibilities has not waivered, but it is being tested.
The revelation of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous speech by Latino leaders in Los Angeles, specifically by Latina elected official Nuri Martinez, was alarming and painful to hear. Their racist remarks made public sentiments we know exist in our communities and are, arguably, the most significant barrier to building strong, lasting multiracial coalitions.
We cannot let this be a moment primarily of distress. We have an opportunity to mature the movement. We can be honest not only about the work to be done outside our communities, but also the work to be done within. We need to be honest that building a country that is governed by love and justice - our shared values - should not rest on the power of representation alone. While Martinez is the first Latina elected to the Los Angeles City Council, her race clearly does not guarantee her work, let alone her heart, is grounded in values of love, justice, and belonging.
The foundation of our work is a deep and abiding belief that we can unite across differences and transform this country. We must continue to advocate for our own and others’ humanity and dignity. We maintain hope in solidarity because racism should not have the last word.
This week, Los Angeles City Councilmember-elect Eunisses Hernandez – is setting new standards for Latinx leaders. The solidarity pledge she and organizers at Mijente crafted “acknowledge and condemn the pervasive existence of racism and colorism in the community, denounce anti-Indigenous sentiments, and affirm Black Lives Matter” and commits to disrupt patterns of white supremacy and oppression by working in solidarity with marginalized groups. This is how we move forward, together.
She the People will continue to support leaders who believe in and work for racial, economic and gender justice - in solidarity. It is the most important quality of leadership of our age.
We have dedicated our lives to making solidarity a living reality. Multiracial work must directly address the racism and bias in our own communities - and lift up those that embody solidarity. Our work to build solidarity among women of color must acknowledge racism that poison communities of color. We must all be champions of racial justice. Our work must be grounded in the values of a country governed by love, justice, and belonging. We must lift up those who have developed that gift as a beacon for others.
She the People is a multiracial team, dedicated to the belief that we can live into a life, and into a democracy, governed by love, justice, and belonging. While each member of our team comes to the work from different communities, we are recommitting ourselves to making this solidarity journey together.
In love and solidarity,
Aimee Allison, Founder and President
Mallory Adamski, Communications Director
Fariha Hussain, Major Gifts and Donor Relations Director
Jessica Jone, Executive Assistant
Anna Cho, Chief of Staff