The White Anti-racist Community Action Network, or WACAN, was founded in 2003. WACAN carries out the organizing activity of the Center for the Study of White American Culture.

WACAN was formed after an analysis of the 2002 White Anti-racist Leadership Conference held in New Orleans suggested that white anti-racists could use some help and encouragement in forming a community with a shared sense of purpose. Community, in this sense, was conceptualized as a broad sharing of purpose among white people working to overcome white supremacy and foster a multiracial society. Community was also conceived as extending to people of color who support white people in doing this work.

WACAN develops online media and on-the-ground events that allow white anti-racists and allies of color to meet, network, dialogue, and collaborate.

Our name is pronounced “way”-“ken” as in “awaken,” or “wakin’ up.”

The name “White Anti-racist Community Action Network” was chosen because “Center for the Study of White American Culture” was too passive a name for an organizing project. WACAN’s name also encapsulates its basic purpose, to build community as a means of encouraging, supporting and taking action.

WACAN sponsors 4 activities:

WACAN.org
WACANupdate
The White Anti-racist Summit
WACAN-NJ