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  Tituba’s Revenge: organizing and advocacy for not-for-profit workers

  December 23, 2011 • Meg Pirie

  One of the greatest achievements of neoliberalism is the ways in which the state’s role shifted from caretaker to CFO. This ostensibly seamless transition saw the rise of the not-for-profit/non-profit sector (I use the terms interchangeably in this post), stepping in to provide necessary social services that were once the responsibility of our governments and elected officials. In other words, governments need not-for-profits, and not-for-profits, which might receive some funding form government agencies and need to comply with municipal by-laws, often prop-up governments without tackling the root causes of systemic marginalization. But perhaps the greatest achievement of all is a widespread perception and banal acceptance that this is a relationship between citizens and government that has always ‘been there’ and that no other alternative exists.

  This economic system founded on quantifiable outputs, results, and unfettered accumulation has seen the transformation of many not-for-profits from radical origins to mainstream models that mirror businesses. And while I’m not saying that all not-for-profits are bureaucratic houses of mirrors, they are workplaces and all workplaces are open to labour abuse.

  Moreover, not-for-profits do not exist in isolation; they’re part of a broader system of power and resistance. How these organizations elect to navigate said system varies. Some remain radical; others not so much. Regardless, labour abuses within this sector are relatively overlooked.

  With this in mind, the formation of Tituba’s Revenge earlier this year—a New York City collective comprised of anti-capitalist non-profit for workers who are predominantly queer women of colour—couldn’t be more timely. An ongoing working project, Tituba’s Revenge is dedicated to, in part,

  * dispelling myths about non-profits
  * redressing the current vacuum of analysis devoted to exploitative conditions within this feminized sector
  * highlighting the ways in which many non-profits help to reproduce capitalism
  * facilitating strategies for workplace organizing

  The collective is named after Tituba, a Black Caribbean woman brought to Salem, Massachusetts as a slave and later persecuted during the Salem Witch Trials for her use of African healing rituals. In this way, the act of naming is a powerful one: it gives voice to an individual lived experience and highlights shared histories of resistance.

  Their first pamphlet was just released (PDF link) and in short, it’s amazing. (more inside…)

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  2011: A Shameless Retrospective

  December 20, 2011 • Team Shameless

  What a year! People say that every year as they bid the previous one adieu but 2011 has been full of world events that have shocked and touched us. Worry is one of the words that comes to mind when we think about 2011. From worry over the economy to fretting about our political climate, it’s clear the past year was fraught with events that, despite the fast pace of our lives, has caused us to pause and reflect. However, many events have given us lots of reason to hope and to be proud.

  Here are just a few of the events and items of the past year that have caught the attention of some of your Shameless team members. We throw it to you to leave links, comments and discussion-starters in the comment section.

  In keeping with the themes of the three print issues Shameless released this year, we offer you some jumping-off points:

  –––-

  Music in 2011

  Wild Flag (self-titled album): One of Rolling Stone’s best albums of the year, including former members of Sleater Kinney, Mary Timony (ex-riot grrrl bands). [Co-founder Nicole Cohen says: “I am obsessed with this album; so so so good.”]

  On a Mission, Katy B: A major breakthrough in the dubstep music genre, as it crossed over into pop consciousness. A UK release. [Web director Julia Horel can’t stop listening to it.]

  What music did you love this year?

  –––-

  Politics in 2011:

  The Northern Ontario Indigenous community of Attawapiskat declared a state of emergency in light of a housing and supply crisis … and no one came. Help has since been slow in coming and has been mostly inappropriate and inadequate. This is a humanitarian crisis, but it’s also political because it has occurred due to colonial government policies.

  (more inside…)

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  Call for volunteers: Documenting and creating South Asian history in Canada

  December 14, 2011 • Ronak Ghorbani

  CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS - DOCUMENTING AND CREATING SOUTH ASIAN HISTORY IN
  CANADA:
  WHEN: Thursday, December 15, 6-8pm
  WHERE: 2401 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 212 (South-West Corner of Kennedy
  and Eglinton, Kennedy Station)
  WHAT TO BRING: ideas and enthusiasm!
  RSVP to: shaunga@cassa.on.ca

  CASSA is currently recruiting a team of volunteers to help out in our
  ‘Brown Canada’ project dedicated to documenting and exploring South
  Asian histories in Canada. This overall project will run for two years
  and aims to connect with diverse individuals and groups of South Asians
  in a number of ways, including setting up a memorial and participatory
  website, creative writing and digital storytelling workshops, a stage
  play revolving around the Komagata Maru historical event, a photography
  competition, art projects, intergenerational and cross-cultural
  dialogue and more.

  We are looking to get in touch with excited youth to take part and lead
  projects of their interest, as well as others of all ages: researchers,
  writers, scholars, community organizers, artists, educators, activists,
  and any group or individual who is interested in exploring a specific
  aspect of South Asian history, or contribute/expand on work they are
  already doing. We invite anyone interested to attend a dinner and
  informal get together to eat, get to know each other and discuss where
  want to see this project going.

  Please RSVP your attendance to this dinner or get in touch with any
  questions, concerns, comments to: shaunga@cassa.on.ca

• • Activist Report
  • Reproductive Justice

  PEI Rally for Reproductive Rights

  November 23, 2011 • Guest Blogger

  Saturday November 19th, 2011 was the date set by the PEI Reproductive Rights Organization (PRRO) for the first rally for reproductive justice to happen in almost 25 years. The Campaign Life Coalition announced that they too would hold a rally – same time, same place - a counter rally to the renewed demands for access to abortion services on PEI.

  Saturday was a chilly but sunny November day. On Friday evening I had volunteered to distribute flyers to promote the rally at the Charlottetown farmers market - a weekly event, where folks shop for local produce, chat with friends and enjoy brunch. My Saturday morning routine involves the leisurely enjoyment of this weekend ritual; bean burritos and lattes, socializing, and stocking up on eggs and veggies.

  But this week anxiety churned in my gut - I was on a mission. In a place like PEI, the countless familiar faces and can be overwhelming at the best of times. Despite my convictions and my eagerness to promote the rally, taking a public stand on reproductive rights in PEI is speaking the unspeakable, and I felt unsure of the responses to expect. I didn’t feel prepared for this on an empty stomach.

  My partner took on the mission of acquiring the requisite food and coffee, and I got nervously got to work distributing flyers. I made my way through the busy market, handing the flyers to anyone with a free hand. “Oh, good for you!” and elderly lady told me. A man approached me trying to sell tickets for an AIDS PEI fundraiser – what a relief. AIDS PEI is an underfunded, overworked organization. In addition to their core mandate and member services, they also serve as the go-to organization for every aspect of sexual and reproductive health that the powers-that-be wish would just go away. I visited their booth and bought a raffle ticket. We exchanged flyers, and I was hearted by the moral support and solidarity.

  It became easier after I was fed and caffeinated– the support was verbal, the indifference or opposition silent, for once. Vendors and farmers bound to work the market until close expressed their support and their anger about PEI’s lack of access.

  (more inside…)

• • Activist Report
  • Indigenous

  Indigenous Young Women Speak Their Truths and Build Their Strengths in Saskatoon, November 18-21 2011

  November 18, 2011 • Julia Horel

  -FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-

  Indigenous Young Women Speak Their Truths and Build Their Strengths in Saskatoon, November 18-21 2011
  Presented by the Native Youth Sexual Health Network and Girls Action Foundation.
  
  As part of the Indigenous Young Women: Speaking Our Truths, Building Our Strengths project, a national gathering is taking place in Saskatoon on November 18th to 21st, bringing together self-identified Indigenous young women including those who identify as trans, Two Spirit, and gender non-conforming between the ages of 16 to 25; seeking to meet young women where they are at.

  “It is a critical time for young Indigenous women to come together and make our voices heard through these important community leadership initiatives, on our own terms,” says Jessica Yee, Executive Director of the Native Youth Sexual Health Network.

  A partnership between the Native Youth Sexual Health Network and Girls Action Foundation, this national gathering focuses on Indigenous young women’s leadership, empowerment, solidarity-building, and ending violence. Led by a peer Advisory of ten Indigenous young women from all across Canada, it will also provide opportunities to learn teachings from Elders and other traditional teachers and mentors. Indigenous women’s strength has always existed in Indigenous communities, and it continues to grow.

  

  (Native Youth Sexual Health Network)

  “I’m honored to be a part of such a unique gathering that brings young Indigenous women from across Canada together. NWAC strives to support the advancement of Indigenous women and I feel this gathering is a fundamental opportunity for youth to come together and share their ideas for change,” says Brittany Jones, Youth Coordinator at the Native Women’s Association Canada.

  The 4+ days are jam-packed with peer-led activities and workshops ranging from sexual health, skill sharing around photography and suicide prevention to collective art projects and diverse cultural teachings from Elders and mentors. Local Indigenous community partnerships and community members have been integral to the planning process and will be present at the gathering including the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Women’s Circle Corporation and the Saskatoon Two Spirit Society. Local Indigenous hip-hop artist Lindsay “Eekwol” Knight will be performing, as will Indigenous young women performance artists from the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company. Participants will also spend a day at Wanuskewin Heritage Park celebrating, feasting, learning and dancing with local community members.

  A new zine written by Indigenous young women and edited by the Native Youth Sexual Health Network entitled “Indigenous Young Women LEAD: Our Stories, Our Strengths, Our Truths” will also be released at the gathering and available for download next week.

  In addition to the gathering, participants will have the opportunity to plan and shape 10 community actions, an important part of this project’s sustainability. “Girls Action Foundation is proud to be a partner in this important event because it invests in the strength and knowledge of Indigenous young women, who must be leading efforts for change,” states Tatiana Fraser, Executive Director of Girls Action.

  

  (Girls Action Foundation)

  For more information about the project, please visit:
  http://girlsactionfoundation.ca/en/special-projects/indigenous-young-women-speaking-our-truths-building-our-strength

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  The new must-have for Fall 2011? Unions.

  November 3, 2011 • Meg Pirie

  On October 31, The Toronto Star published a story detailing a successful union drive at H&M in Square One, a large shopping center in Mississauga. The process began in July, when Amy Tran, a member of the United Food and Commercial Union (UFCW), approached Sabrina Butt. Was she interested in a union, Tran inquired? Butt, an H&M employee since 2008, took time to gauge how receptive her full- and part-time colleagues were to this proposition.

  By mid-August, a union membership drive was in full swing. Union cards were signed and information was distributed. Reasons for organizing collectively varied from better training and scheduling, posting job opportunities internally first, clearly defined, fair wages (it was not unheard of for new hires to make more than colleagues with more seniority), and the hope that employees’ suggestions would be implemented.

  On October 6th, the labour board certification vote took place to ratify, or approve, Square One H&M’s decision to join the United Food and Commercial Workers’ union. Workers voted in favour of unionization, 25-13, a clear ‘yes’ mandate.

  (more inside…)

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  Guest Post: A Letter To The Occupy Together Movement

  October 20, 2011 • Guest Blogger

  The background/introduction to this piece is written by Shameless Arts Editor Ronak Ghorbani.

  Last Saturday, people in hundreds of cities across the world held demonstrations under the Occupy Together Banner, a growing global movement for economic justice inspired by Occupy Wall Street.

  This is the first time in recent history that people across the world are organizing under the same banner: the globalized capitalist system is unjust and not working for most people in the world. One of the most amazing things about the occupy movement is that non-activists are getting involved. A form of collective realization is happening, reflected in the Occupy slogan of “we are the 99%,” meaning that 1% of the population controls the wealth and holds any real power and influence in society. This growing consciousness is positive and necessary for any kind of social change. As Jay Smooth – a YouTube personality who made the well-watched video “How To Tell People They Sound Racist
  ” – argues in his latest video
  about Occupy Wall Street having a class-consciousness is a real threat to big businesses. It is also important to note that while a majority of the global population does fall under the 99%, people are positioned in different locations along the continuum. For example, some people are at the 95% marker, while others are at the 40% marker: there are people who have more access to money, secure jobs, education and life chances than others. In his video, Jay Smooth also picks up on the need for the Occupy movement to be more inclusive but reflects on how at its core the fight against economic injustice is something most people can get behind.

  Eighty-two countries — including Spain, Brazil, South Africa, Sweden, Russia, Australia, Mexico, France, Italy, and Germany, to name a few — have formed their own Occupy movements since the start of Occupy Wall Street. Some occupations are very similar to the New York action, such as in Toronto , where people are taking up public space, sleeping in a park, and facilitating political discussions and actions. Meanwhile, some are radically different, such as the general strikes in Greece, where the Occupy banner was taken up as an extension of the country’s already long-existing fight against government austerity measures threatening public service jobs, pensions, and unions.
  
  Although the Occupy movement is working to create open and direct democracy, Jessica Yee points out that there are problems with the use of the word “occupy”: it is not inclusive of Indigenous peoples and it replicates ever-present systems of oppression. A call has been made to decolonize Wall Street. In the U.S. state of New Mexico, the Occupy Albuquerque general assembly decided to re-name their movement (Un)occupy Albuquerque out of respect for Indigenous peoples.
  
  Steps like this draw attention to the fact that capitalism was established in North America through the process of colonization. The word occupy has a strong and historical meaning globally, as many countries have been colonized and many continue to be occupied through wars, western corporations or, in the case of Palestine, by a state. As Harsha Walia outlines in her article below, it is important to look at this movement and past political movements critically in order to move forward in ways that address the experiences and concerns of as many of the 99% as possible.

  ––––––-

  This piece by guest blogger Harsha Walia originally appeared on rabble.ca and Racialicious.

  I wish I could start with the ritualistic “I love you” for the Occupy Movement. To be honest, it has been a space of turmoil for me. But also one of virulent optimism. What I outline below are not criticisms. I am inspired that the dynamic of the movement thus far has been organic, so that all those who choose to participate are collectively responsible for its evolution. To everyone – I offer my deepest respect.

  I am writing today with Grace Lee Boggs in mind:

  The coming struggle is a political struggle to take political power out of the hands of the few and put it into the hands of the many. But in order to get this power into the hands of the many, it will be necessary for the many not only to fight the powerful few but to fight and clash among themselves as well.

  This may sound counter-productive, but I find it a poignant reminder that, in our state of elation, we cannot under-estimate the difficult terrain ahead. I look forward to the processes that will further these conversations.

  Occupations on Occupied Land
  
  One of the broad principles in a working statement of unity (yet to be formally adopted) of Occupy Vancouver thus far includes an acknowledgement of unceded Coast Salish territories. There has been opposition to this as being “divisive” and “focusing on First Nations issues.” I would argue that acknowledging Indigenous lands is a necessary and critical starting point for two primary reasons.

  (more inside…)

• • Activist Report
  • Indigenous

  Recommended Reading: On colonialism and “Occupy Wall Street”

  October 3, 2011 • Julia Horel

  “The “OCCUPY WALL STREET” slogan has gone viral and international now. From the protests on the streets of WALL STREET in the name of “ending capitalism” – organizers, protestors, and activists have been encouraged to “occupy” different places that symbolize greed and power. There’s just one problem: THE UNITED STATES IS ALREADY BEING OCCUPIED. THIS IS INDIGENOUS LAND. And it’s been occupied for quite some time now.

  I also need to mention that New York City is Haudenosaunee territory and home to many other First Nations. Waiting to see if that’s been mentioned anywhere. (Author’s note: Manhattan “proper” is home to to the Lenape who were defrauded of the island by the Dutch in 1626 – see more from Tequila Sovereign).

  … Colonialism also leads to capitalism, globalization, and industrialization. How can we truly end capitalism without ending colonialism?” - Jessica Yee

  Jessica Yee, the founder and executive director of the Native Youth Sexual Health Network, has written an important post on the colonizing language being used in the “Occupy Wall Street” movement.

  Check out the full piece (including a piece of artwork by Shameless blogger Erin Konsmo) at Racialicious or rabble.ca.

  –––––––––-

  JonPaul Montano has also written an Open Letter to Occupy Wall Street that offers another voice to call out the colonizing language of the movement, and offers some suggestions:

  “1) Acknowledge that the United States of America is a colonial country, a country of settlers, built upon the land of indigenous nations; and/or…

  2) Demand immediate freedom for indigenous political prisoner Leonard Peltier; and/or…

  3) Demand that the colonial government of the United States of America honor all treaties signed with all indigenous nations whose lands are now collectively referred to as the “United States of America”; and/or…

  4) Make some kind of mention that you are indeed aware that you are settlers and that you are not intending to repeat the mistakes of all of the settler do-gooders that have come before you. In other words, that you are willing to obtain the consent of indigenous people before you do anything on indigenous land.” - JonPaul Montano

  Read the whole letter here.

• • Activist Report

  Critical Sass: the Dutch perspective on (inter)national feminist issues

  August 31, 2011 • Critical Sass

  Critical Sass was founded on a rainy summer’s day in 2010 by Gina and Dieuwertje de Graaff, two sisters who felt they should share their growing feminist obsession with the rest of the world instead of agreeing empathically with each other in bars.

  Our initial ambition was to bring the Dutch perspective on (inter)national issues to the feminist blogosphere. Holland has no shortage of great blogs that write about everything from ableism to sexist advertising to our deeply screwed political situation, but a lot of this blogging happens in Dutch. While a deeply poetic and amusing language, Dutch is also understood by only about 28 million people worldwide, hence our decision to stick to English.

  It used to be quite difficult to keep your eye-rolling to a minimum when you introduced yourself as Dutch on holidays. You’d brace yourself for the requisite gushing about “prostitutes” paying taxes and legally purchasable weed and tolerance and social security. This has become progressively more awkward because of the fact that while this gushing took place, the situation in the Netherlands was rapidly deteriorating. For about a decade, anti-Islam sentiments have been hijacking any discussion about immigration, nationalism, crime, culture and women’s rights.

  Due to a marriage of convenience between the conservatives and certain Christian factions (which seems to be working quite well for them both), such issues as abortion periodically find themselves under fire. A small but prominent Christian party, the SGP, Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij, bans women from being elected as political representatives, and this issue forces the Dutch to decide what they find more important: freedom of religion or the right not to be discriminated against?

  Some time ago, Dutch women made their sisters worldwide jealous with how happy they are. Content with part-time jobs, some women in the Netherlands are able to enjoy long lunches with their girlfriends, raise their kids, practice their hobbies and exercise. It’s great that our women are so happy, but it also shows that in Holland, choice feminism is still very much prevalent, and this slows down actual equality as well as keeps gender stereotypes alive.

  There’s a lot to discuss, and that’s why Critical Sass was founded. We, Gina (28) and Dieuwertje (25), are the editors and main contributors, but we have a great team of men and women that offer their perspective on a regular basis. We also want to cover events from a variety of countries; most feminist blogs tend to concentrate on one particular country, which is understandable, but leaves us wondering what is happening everywhere else. Feminists from all over are most welcome to submit posts on the situation in their own country: the more, the better!

  Our concept of feminism is fairly broad – we don’t just focus on male/female issues, but are also interested in other manifestations of oppression and marginalization. Therefore, we write about matters such as LGBTQ rights, animal rights, race-related topics, religion, immigration and ageism, and how they intersect. In a no-holds-barred expose of contemporary mores, we bring you pop culture, politics, reviews of books and film, academic questions and ad-busting and more. Stay tuned.

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  Neoliberalism, Politics, and Youth

  August 30, 2011 • Meg Pirie

  Like so many Shameless articles I write, my initial intentions and detailed plans get abandoned, only to become fluid starting points for a less-tidy set of observations. So, while I was originally going to offer some commentary after riots erupted in the London, England neighborhood of Tottenham (I still will), I am also going to talk about youth and politics, as we near closer and closer to the provincial election in Ontario.

  First of all, for those who say they simply did not see the outpouring of rage we saw spread across England coming…well, that’s just willful ignorance. The riots that began in Tottenham and spread across London, England (and Birmingham and Manchester) did not magically appear, only to vaporize like some Harry Potter dementor. As far back as 2001,The Guardian reported that the British government was not doing enough to tackle issues surrounding social exclusion. The recent and aggressive erosion of benefits, post-secondary education, and spending on social services has taken a toll on the facets of the population—women, trans people, youth, people with disabilities, the underemployed, the unemployed, and many others—with the smallest room for unanticipated hardships and cutbacks.

  Of paramount importance now is an acknowledgment that violence takes on many forms. Certainly, sending a small business up in flames is violence. But so is systemic racism. So are austerity measures that lead to cuts in social spending, health benefits, youth clubs, and primary education, helping to fuel a generation of disenfranchised youth, ghettoized to housing projects or estates. And guess what? The profiling police in England, Canada, and the United States engage in is incredibly violent, too.

  (more inside…)

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