How to Engage in Racial Justice Work in Durham

As a resident of Durham, you’ve likely heard about how liberal and progressive our community is,particularly for being in the South. What you may not realize is just how many opportunities there are to get involved in supporting racial justice work right here in Durham. From educating yourself on local and national civil rights efforts to participating in groups to further justice across our community and be part of the change you wish to see, Durham has so many ways to engage in racial justice work.

*Disclaimer: As a white, cisgender, heterosexual woman, I recognize my privilege and know my perspective is limited. This list has been compiled by me and some fellow progressives around Durham and is by no means comprehensive.

LEARN

A great place to start in your racial justice journey is to educate yourself. Learn as much as you can from those who so generously have compiled content about the complex racial history of the U.S., North Carolina, and even Durham. There are several educational spaces and opportunities, particularly beneficial to us white folks who have so often not learned true history when it comes to these topics.

• Juneteenth: June 19th, 1865 marks the day when enslaved African Americans in the Confederate state of Texas were finally freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Recently recognized as a federal holiday, Juneteenth marks the occasion for both education and celebration in communities across the country. Durham will have several events for people to learn about the significance of Juneteenth as well as Durham’s history around that holiday. Historic Stagville has hosted an incredibly moving Juneteenth tour in the past, so stay tuned for our June newsletter for specifics on what events will be happening around town.

• Racial Equity Institute (REI) Workshops: Not to oversell it, but REI was the single most life-changing education I’ve received on racial justice. REI offers both virtual and in-person events, including “Groundwater,” which is a 3-hour overview of racial inequity as a systemic, structural issue; and “Phase I,” which is a two-day workshop to shift entire perspectives on racism and equip participants to work toward change at a system level. There are additional training options, but Phase I is incredible and should be required learning for all community members. Here are upcoming dates for Phase I in Durham: June 12 – 13; August 10 – 11; October 2 – 3

• Pauli Murray Center: Designated a national historic landmark, The Pauli Murray Center connects history to contemporary human rights issues, highlighting the contributions of Durham legend and civil rights activist Pauli Murray. While all of their events are currently virtual, you can visit the site to see the outdoor educational installation about Pauli Murray’s life. They also have a section of their website with educational resources for teachers and families and another on Durham’s history of activism.

• Discover Durham’s African American Heritage Guide: Immerse yourself in the history of Durham’s African American heritage through Discover Durham’s guide. Learn about and visit historic sites all across town, from schools to cemeteries, former plantations to once thriving Black Wall Street businesses. Discover prominent Black Durhamites who contributed to business, architecture, politics, and the arts. You can view the guide virtually here, pick one up from Discover Durham’s Visitor Information Center, or have one mailed to you for free.

PARTICIPATE

Once you’ve educated yourself on racial justice issues, you can find ways to get involved in doing “the work” locally. Durham is home to several racial and social justice oriented groups that can support your growing knowledge and also turn it into action.

• Organizing Against Racism: Alumni of REI’s Phase I workshop are invited to participate in local, ongoing anti-racism groups to develop awareness around racism and work to dismantle it in our lives and institutions. In Durham, there are two caucuses that meet regularly to explore and understand the impacts of living in a racist society: People of Color Caucus and White People Caucus. Through Phase I, you’ll learn the importance of processing and unpacking the effects of racism separately for all parties to work effectively toward dismantling racism.

• Durham For All: D4A is a multiracial, cross-class progressive movement led by people of color and working-class people. This group works toward building a new majority of progressive leaders who advocate for housing, justice, education, healthcare, and economy for all. Become a member to participate in this movement where Durham belongs to all who live here.

• Durham People’s Alliance: People’s Alliance is a grassroots organization that has been advancing a progressive vision for Durham and our state for more than 40 years. PA members organize different action teams depending on issues affecting the Durham community. They have previously hosted a Racial Equity action team, which seems to be on hold for now, but sign up for email updates and follow them on social media.

SUPPORT

Give of your time to the groups above; give of your money to the groups below (or above as well). These organizations don’t have as many opportunities to participate in events or meetings locally, but they provide incredible services and resources to racial justice work, both in Durham and nationally. Check out these great groups and see which one(s) you may want to lend your support to.

• Southern Coalition for Social Justice: This Durham-based nationally recognized nonprofit brings together lawyers, social scientists, community organizers, and media specialists to support communities in dismantling racism. By focusing on voting rights, justice system reform, and environmental justice, SCSJ offers expertise in key areas impacting people of color. You can donate here.

• NCCU Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute: Recently launched in April 2023, NCCU’s School of Law is addressing systemic racism with interdisciplinary problem solving. This community research initiative aims to host conferences and workshops on social justice issues in addition to producing empirical research to advance a just and prosperous society for all people. You can donate here.

• NC Community Bail Fund of Durham: Every year since 2017, Atlanta-based Southerners on New Ground (SONG) has partnered with National Bail Out on Mother’s Day to support Black Mama’s Day Bailout. This is a nationwide movement to raise funds for mothers sitting in jails for no other reason than they did not have money to post bail. They had not been convicted of any crimes, yet a racist system was “designed to keep you in and take your money,” according to SONG activist Jade Brooks. This year, SONG is partnering with the NC Community Bail Fund of Durham to host the Freedom Train for Mother’s Day. Don’t worry, even if it’s after Mother’s Day, you can still support the NC Community Bail Fund here. You can also follow SONG’s Durham chapter via Instagram.

INTERSECTIONALITY

Racial injustice does not exist and persist within a vacuum. So many other issues of oppression based on identity are tied to racism. Sexism, homophobia, ableism, etc are all interconnected, so supporting groups addressing those issues as well helps support racial justice from an intersectionality standpoint. Below are just a handful of other groups addressing issues tied to racial justice, many of which are being threatened by proposed legislation in the NC General Assembly. Check them out to learn how you can get involved and support their work.

• Drag Story Hour of the Triangle Area: Local drag artists reading stories to children.

• Durham Crisis Response Center: Works to end domestic and sexual violence through advocacy, education, support, and prevention.

• LGBTQ Center of Durham: Creating community where all LGBTQ+ lived experiences are affirmed, supported and celebrated.

• Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham: A nonprofit dedicated to working alongside neighbors most impacted by community violence and the criminal justice system through vigils, support circles for citizens returning from incarceration, and restorative justice practices. Check out their free monthly Community Luncheon Roundtables to learn more.

• Triangle Abortion Access Coalition: A collective of pro-choice folks who oppose anti-choice harassment and share resources related to abortion.

As I noted above, this is but a sampling of the many impactful groups addressing racial and other social justice issues throughout Durham. I recommend starting with educating yourself, then branching out to find which organization(s) best suit your interests for getting further involved. Durham is the place to be for challenging yourself to be better, so start today!