Wildwood ALC Commitment to Anti-Racism

The Wildwood ALC community stands firmly in solidarity with all those across the world who continue to work against systemic racism and call for transformative change. We recognize the pervasive anti-blackness and white supremacy that exist in every aspect of our society, from widespread structures and policies to our own internalized biases, which dehumanize, criminalize, and harm Black lives every day. 

We reaffirm our deep commitment to work against this oppression and toward justice, liberation, and human rights for all. We believe this work is essential to our efforts to create and uphold a learning community where all people can feel safe and free to be their authentic selves. True liberation cannot exist in the Wildwood community when it does not exist in our larger community. We will continue to hold conversations within our community about systemic and internalized racism, as well as other forms of oppression and injustice in our society, as a central focus of our program. We commit to seek out, actively listen to, and amplify the voices of Black people in our own and surrounding communities, and to follow the leadership of Black organizers, activists, and scholars in our anti-racism efforts. We also commit to create expanded opportunities for our white community members to educate ourselves, grow in our anti-racist knowledge and actions, and work to become trustworthy white allies.

We invite those within Wildwood and elsewhere to join us in the lifelong work of dismantling racism and transforming our communities and systems in ways that truly value and support Black lives. 

Wildwood staff and board members have begun compiling a list of resources and organizations that may be helpful in this journey, particularly for our white community members and friends who are looking for ways to educate themselves and be more involved in the fight against racism. We will continue to expand on this list, and we invite suggestions - please let us know if there are any resources you think we should add. Thank you!

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS:

  • Black in Boone: A Black-led advocacy group focused on action, education, and manifesting a world in which Black and Brown folks can thrive in the High Country. Financial support can be sent to PayPal.Me/BlackinBoone.

  • Small and Mighty Acts: Making activism accessible and sustainable through collective action. 

  • Watauga County NAACP 

COMPILATIONS/ ARTICLES:

BOOKS:

PODCASTS/VIDEO:

SUPPORT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES:

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