Dear reader,

There's a desperate need. It's about racism. It's about denial of racism. It's about white people not doing anything about racism. It's about the need for white people to take a stand.

There's a desperate need in our world, and in our lives. You can agonize and wring your hands, or you can do something about it. What can one person do? Not much. But together we can build community. I know you're one of the doers. Why? Because you joined WACAN.

WHAT'S WACAN ABOUT?

You've heard all the talk about "values" after last month's elections. What a farce. Mainstream values today say it's "okay" to not care about racism. It's okay to deny it. It's okay to say people who work for racial justice are the "real racists." Shades of Big Brother and doublespeak. The mainstream of the United States can deny people of color. They can deny individual and isolated white people. But when white people organize, when we build ourselves up to become effective partners in multiracial coalitions...it becomes a different game.

WACAN is about real values. Our values. Your values. The fourth statement of WACAN's beliefs says:

White people have a responsibility and moral imperative to work collectively with one another in alliance with people of color, to transform the racial structure of northern North America from one centered on white values to one centered on multiracial values.

Nothing will change if we don't find a way to move ahead. It's our duty to build our numbers and build our network so we can educate, inspire, recruit, and become not just well-intentioned, but also more effective allies to people of color. Let's face it. WACAN is not for just anyone. You're an amazing person just to be here. Bless you. We need more people like you.

WHAT WACAN CAN DO FOR YOU

In a moment I'm going to ask for your special support. But first I'd like to reflect on what WACAN can bring to you. I think you'll admit that organizing around privilege is a complex and challenging problem. How do we do it? How can white people, as a privileged group, become effective in working to undo that privilege? There aren't many road maps available.

Let's be realistic. Working to undo privilege is not likely to be popular with other members of the privileged group. White anti-racists get little support from white culture. Some of us draw support from cultures of color, but when does this become exploitative, drawing off resources needed by those cultures? We need to support ourselves. As a member of WACAN you belong to a group of over 500 people who share an interest in your work and values. If someone told you two years ago that such a group would come into being, what would you have said?

We share beliefs and values, but there are lots of areas where opinions and views need to be worked out. Most seasoned white anti-racists openly admit we're still learning how to do the work. There's no one way. With any movement for social change there are alternatives, issues, differing viewpoints and approaches. WACAN provides a forum for expressing and testing these views.

At the same time, white anti-racists have been perennially "re-inventing the wheel." Because we are often isolated, and little is available in the way of educational material and support groups, most of us have the experience of trying to sort things out on our own. WACAN helps us do a better job. If you are new to the fold, WACAN offers you a chance to learn from more seasoned veterans. If you've been a white anti-racist activist for a number of years, you have a chance to offer advice and mentor others. If you know someone who is beginning to see beyond the mainstream denial of racism, WACAN can help that person step into a new community with a new perspective.

On WACAN you can connect with others, rub shoulders with some well-known activists, encourage new activists in their growth, and learn what's happening in other places around the country. There's really no need for us to remain isolated in our local communities. Grassroots work is key. But when we cannot share our efforts with one another, we limit our potential. WACAN allows you to network, share resources, develop content, announce events, build relationships, raise consciousness, and experience a greater sense of power and possibility.

WHAT DOES WACAN NEED?

How often do you have a chance to support a white anti-racist organization?

WACAN needs financial support. We're in the midst of our annual fundraising drive. Your tax deductible donation of $35 to WACAN will help us meet our goal of raising $2000 or more between now and January 8, 2005.

WACAN needs members. We have our own version of red and blue states. See our color-coded membership map. Blue states have at least one member. Red states have 250 or more members. We want to turn the entire map red. Work with us toward that goal by telling your friends and colleagues about WACAN. Our immediate goal is to reach 600 members by January 8.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

WACAN is a project of the Center for the Study of White American Culture, Inc. Since the Center was founded in 1995, it has advocated for mobilizing a white antiracist response to racial injustice. More information about the Center is available at www.euroamerican.org.

WACAN was started in April 2003. Over the last 12 months WACAN's membership has increased 150% and now stands at slightly more than 500 people. In 2004 WACAN sponsored a two-day institute at the White Privilege Conference on "Finding White Anti-racist Community." We hosted guest appearances by Judith Katz in June, and currently by Tim Wise. In October we began a book club.

We plan to grow, to maintain and improve our services, to encourage broader participation, to move toward a critical mass, to promote self-governance, to partner with grassroots groups, and to promote the formation of new groups. In April 2005 WACAN is sponsoring a White Anti-racist Summit at the 6th White Privilege Conference in Pella, IA. Members of WACAN will be kept up to date on developments.

We're only beginning. With your help, we can build an effective network to challenge racism and transform our society from one centered on white values to one centered on multiracial values.

Sincerely,

Jeff Hitchcock

P.S. We have received a grant that will match your donation up to a total of $2,000. We're asking for an average $35 donation, but with Groundspring.org we can accept donations as little as $1.

TO DONATE TO WACAN

Click this button:

Or go online to www.wacan.org

Or send a check payable to: "Center for Study"
245 West 4th Avenue
Roselle, NJ 07203

For more information about the Center for The Study of White American Culture, see www.euroamerican.org

Our online credit card donations are processed by Groundspring.org, a reputable partner to many activist organizations. For more information about Groundspring.org, see www.groundspring.org