Black Radical Congress: Principles of Unity
<http://www.blackradicalcongress.com/principles.html>
PRINCIPLES OF UNITY
The Black Radical Congress will convene to establish a "center
without walls" for transformative politics that will focus on the
conditions of Black working and poor people. Recognizing
contributions from diverse tendencies within Black Radicalism--
including socialism, revolutionary nationalism and feminism--we are
united in opposition to all forms of oppression, including class
exploitation, racism, patriarchy, homophobia, anti-immigration
prejudice and imperialism. We began with a gathering on June
19-21, 1998. From there we will identify proposals for action and
establish paths forward. The Black Radical Congress does not intend
to replace or displace existing organizations, parties or campaigns
but will contribute to mobilizing unaffiliated individuals, as well
as organizations, around common concerns.
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1. We recognize the diverse historical tendencies in the Black
radical tradition including revolutionary nationalism, feminism and
socialism.
2. The technological revolution and capitalist globalization have
changed the economy, labor force and class formations that need to
inform our analysis and strategies. The increased class polarization
created by these developments demands that we, as Black radicals,
ally ourselves with the most oppressed sectors of our communities
and society.
3. Gender and sexuality can no longer be viewed solely as personal
issues but must be a basic part of our analyses, politics and
struggles.
4. We reject racial and biological determinism, Black patriarchy and
Black capitalism as solutions to problems facing Black people.
5. We must see the struggle in global terms.
6. We need to meet people where they are, taking seriously identity
politics and single issue reform groups, at the same time that we
push for a larger vision that links these struggles.
7. We must be democratic and inclusive in our dealings with one
another, making room for constructive criticism and honest dissent
within our ranks. There must be open venues for civil and comradely
debates to occur.
8. Our discussions should be informed not only by a critique of what
now exists, but by serious efforts to forge a creative vision of a
new society.
9. We cannot limit ourselves to electoral politics--we must identify
multiple sites of struggles.
10. We must overcome divisions within the Black radical forces, such
as those of generation, region, and occupation. We must forge a
common language that is accessible and relevant.
11. Black radicals must build a national congress of radical forces
in the Black community to strengthen radicalism as the legitimate
voice of Black working and poor people, and to build organized
resistance.
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