Essays & resources from chris crass
Little Rock, AR Collective Liberation Book Group
Chris Crass has written widely on anti-racist organizing, lessons from women of color feminism, challenging male supremacy, and strategies to build visionary movements. His essays have been translated into half a dozen languages, taught in hundreds of classrooms, and included in over a dozen anthologies including Globalize Liberation: How to Uproot the System and Build a Better World, On the Road to Healing: An Anthology for Men Ending Sexism, and We Have Not Been Moved: Resisting Racism and Militarism in 21st Century America. He has also conducted interviews with leading left organizers over the past 20 years.
His books Towards Collective Liberation: anti-racist organizing, feminist praxis, and movement building strategy and Towards the "Other America": Anti-Racist Resources for White People Taking Action for Black Lives Matter are available at independent bookstores and online. Chris teamed up with his friends at Catalyst Project to compile the Catalyzing Liberation Toolkit that includes essays, interviews, and Catalyst curriculum designed to help develop anti-racist analysis, vision, strategy and leadership in current social justice movements. Additionally, he teamed up with the highly acclaimed movement artist, Melanie Cervantes to co-create the "United for Justice" poster. All of this and more is available here.
His books Towards Collective Liberation: anti-racist organizing, feminist praxis, and movement building strategy and Towards the "Other America": Anti-Racist Resources for White People Taking Action for Black Lives Matter are available at independent bookstores and online. Chris teamed up with his friends at Catalyst Project to compile the Catalyzing Liberation Toolkit that includes essays, interviews, and Catalyst curriculum designed to help develop anti-racist analysis, vision, strategy and leadership in current social justice movements. Additionally, he teamed up with the highly acclaimed movement artist, Melanie Cervantes to co-create the "United for Justice" poster. All of this and more is available here.
Catalyzing Liberation toolkit
This resource guide, compiled by Catalyst Project and Chris Crass, includes recommended readings, interviews, curriculum, and exercises to support grassroots activists and organizers. It is a tool to help majority white social justice efforts deepen their anti-racist analysis, and support powerful and transformative multiracial alliances and collaborative organizing efforts.
The toolkit includes essays by Elizabeth 'Betita' Martinez, Joel Olson, Sharon Martinas, Paul Kivel and Lydia Pelot-Hobbs. It includes interviews with Rachel Herzing, Carla Wallace, Robert Chanate and Corrina Gould. In addition to thirty pages of Catalyst curriculum on visioning, challenging the divide and control strategy of the ruling class, and anti-racist organizing, there is also curriculum from Tools for Change, Paul Kivel, Leah Jo Carnine, Caroline Picker, Max Toth, and the ROAR Collective on economic inequality, alliance building, challenging male supremacy, and ways we can build the movement of the 99%.
The toolkit includes essays by Elizabeth 'Betita' Martinez, Joel Olson, Sharon Martinas, Paul Kivel and Lydia Pelot-Hobbs. It includes interviews with Rachel Herzing, Carla Wallace, Robert Chanate and Corrina Gould. In addition to thirty pages of Catalyst curriculum on visioning, challenging the divide and control strategy of the ruling class, and anti-racist organizing, there is also curriculum from Tools for Change, Paul Kivel, Leah Jo Carnine, Caroline Picker, Max Toth, and the ROAR Collective on economic inequality, alliance building, challenging male supremacy, and ways we can build the movement of the 99%.
We are the 99% United for justice not divided by racism
Chris's statement about "United for Justice, Not Divided By Racism" poster.
- "When Melanie Cervantes approached me about making a poster based on a picture of my family at Occupy Knoxville, I jumped at the opportunity. The Occupy movement has opened space for all of our justice movements to step forward and provide leadership on the most critical issues we face as a people. Melanie's "We are the 99%" posters are giving shape to the movement by bringing struggles in communities of color into the center. I wanted to do this poster with Melanie, as a way of helping unite the Occupy movement to the struggle for immigrant rights. White supremacy pits white communities struggles for justice against communities of color struggles for justice. This poster represents the vision of anti-racist leadership in white communities joining with liberation struggles in communities of color, with the goal of collective liberation. When I look at my four month old baby, I think about how powerful this movement moment is for the future of our society and the world. We can do this. Thank you Melanie for all you are doing to help us see ourselves as a movement through your visionary art.
Essays By Chris crass
Harsha walia's Undoing border imperialism
Harsha Walia
To Win Tomorrow, Undoing Border Imperialism is the Book We Need Now
published on Organizing Upgrade
"Longtime migrant rights organizer Harsha Walia has given our movements a tremendous gift with the release of her new book, Undoing Border Imperialism (AK Press, 2013). Walia gives us cutting edge analysis from one of the most radical and highly effective immigrant rights movements in Canada, No One Is Illegal (NOII). With local organizations throughout the country, a decade of experience, and a growing list of impressive victories, NOII is a critically important organization for all of us in the United States to study and learn from."
published on Organizing Upgrade
"Longtime migrant rights organizer Harsha Walia has given our movements a tremendous gift with the release of her new book, Undoing Border Imperialism (AK Press, 2013). Walia gives us cutting edge analysis from one of the most radical and highly effective immigrant rights movements in Canada, No One Is Illegal (NOII). With local organizations throughout the country, a decade of experience, and a growing list of impressive victories, NOII is a critically important organization for all of us in the United States to study and learn from."
Against patriarchy: Tools for men
Feminism for Men Workshop, Pittsburgh
Against Patriarchy: Tools for Men to Further Feminist Revolution
published on The Feminist Wire
For all of us who are men who believe in social justice, who want healthy and beautiful lives for our loved ones, and who are working for positive change in the world, let us commit or re-commit to making feminism central in our lives, values, and actions. Black feminist scholar bell hooks writes, “When women and men understand that working to eradicate patriarchal domination is a struggle rooted in the longing to make a world where everyone can live fully and freely, then we know our work to be a gesture of love.” She continues, “Let us draw upon that love to heighten our awareness, deepen our compassion, intensify our courage, and strengthen our commitment.” It is time for men in the millions to take courageous action in our society to further feminist revolution.
published on The Feminist Wire
For all of us who are men who believe in social justice, who want healthy and beautiful lives for our loved ones, and who are working for positive change in the world, let us commit or re-commit to making feminism central in our lives, values, and actions. Black feminist scholar bell hooks writes, “When women and men understand that working to eradicate patriarchal domination is a struggle rooted in the longing to make a world where everyone can live fully and freely, then we know our work to be a gesture of love.” She continues, “Let us draw upon that love to heighten our awareness, deepen our compassion, intensify our courage, and strengthen our commitment.” It is time for men in the millions to take courageous action in our society to further feminist revolution.
Lessons from harry potter
Expecto Patronum: Lessons From Harry Potter for Social Justice Organizing
published on Truthout
Have you daydreamed about being a member of an intergenerational social justice organization like the Order of Phoenix? Do you want Dumbledore to be your mentor? Have Dementors ever burned you out to the point where you doubted your ability to take on the Voldemorts of our world? Do you find yourself analyzing Dumbledore's Army for lessons on developing liberatory vision, culture, leadership and organization? Me too. Let's develop our magic, build our liberation movement and defeat the Voldemorts in our world. I'll meet you in the Room of Requirement. Until then, here are my top lessons from Harry Potter for social justice organizing.
published on Truthout
Have you daydreamed about being a member of an intergenerational social justice organization like the Order of Phoenix? Do you want Dumbledore to be your mentor? Have Dementors ever burned you out to the point where you doubted your ability to take on the Voldemorts of our world? Do you find yourself analyzing Dumbledore's Army for lessons on developing liberatory vision, culture, leadership and organization? Me too. Let's develop our magic, build our liberation movement and defeat the Voldemorts in our world. I'll meet you in the Room of Requirement. Until then, here are my top lessons from Harry Potter for social justice organizing.
Lessons from elizabeth 'Betita' martinez
Elizabeth 'Betita' Martinez
Towards Social Justice: Elizabeth ‘Betita’ Martinez and the Institute for MultiRacial Justice published in Clamor Magazine
“Elizabeth ‘Betita’ Martinez is a national and international treasure. Her life and work provide a model of internationalism and solidarity, as well as local organizing. ‘Think globally, act locally’ was her practice long before the slogan was created. From work for decolonization at the United Nations, to the Civil Rights Movement, to pioneering the women’s liberation movement, to local organizing in New Mexico and California, to top-rate journalism and political theory, Betita continues to blaze trails and create priceless legacies, mentoring countless social activists, young and old, male and female, people of all colors, gay and straight, always with astonishing patience and intelligence.” This is how Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz describes her friend of 30 years.
“Elizabeth ‘Betita’ Martinez is a national and international treasure. Her life and work provide a model of internationalism and solidarity, as well as local organizing. ‘Think globally, act locally’ was her practice long before the slogan was created. From work for decolonization at the United Nations, to the Civil Rights Movement, to pioneering the women’s liberation movement, to local organizing in New Mexico and California, to top-rate journalism and political theory, Betita continues to blaze trails and create priceless legacies, mentoring countless social activists, young and old, male and female, people of all colors, gay and straight, always with astonishing patience and intelligence.” This is how Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz describes her friend of 30 years.
lessons from barbara smith
Barbara Smith
The Truth That Never Hurts: Barbara Smith's Writings on Race, Gender and Freedom published in Z Magazine
"Smith’s writings help us understand that to be anti-racist, feminist, and pro-queer, it to build the organization, campaign and/or agenda around principles and reflect this. It’s not about guilt, it’s about responsibility and responsible organizing that furthers the possibility for collective liberation rather than individual advancement on the boot straps of white supremacy, patriarchy and class privilege. It’s not about divisiveness or infighting, it’s about doing work that matters – work that is truly revolutionary in its vision, integrity and commitment."
"Smith’s writings help us understand that to be anti-racist, feminist, and pro-queer, it to build the organization, campaign and/or agenda around principles and reflect this. It’s not about guilt, it’s about responsibility and responsible organizing that furthers the possibility for collective liberation rather than individual advancement on the boot straps of white supremacy, patriarchy and class privilege. It’s not about divisiveness or infighting, it’s about doing work that matters – work that is truly revolutionary in its vision, integrity and commitment."
What side of history do you stand on?
White America Must Make a Choice: What Side of History Do You Stand On?
published in the Knoxville News Sentinel
"It’s time to speak honestly. At all the points in history that we look back on and can’t understand how people supported such racism, in all those eras, white people said “it’s too complicated,” “it’s the way things are,” “that Black person must have done something to deserve it.” Even in the murder of Emmitt Till, many white people said “it may have been extreme, but the boy forgot his place.” Today, the verdict is in, and white people, have to choose what side of history we are on. This is our moment. Our character, values, and legacies are shaped by the choices we make in the times we live, not by the stands we imagine ourselves taking in the past."
published in the Knoxville News Sentinel
"It’s time to speak honestly. At all the points in history that we look back on and can’t understand how people supported such racism, in all those eras, white people said “it’s too complicated,” “it’s the way things are,” “that Black person must have done something to deserve it.” Even in the murder of Emmitt Till, many white people said “it may have been extreme, but the boy forgot his place.” Today, the verdict is in, and white people, have to choose what side of history we are on. This is our moment. Our character, values, and legacies are shaped by the choices we make in the times we live, not by the stands we imagine ourselves taking in the past."
Interview with nrinder Nindy kaur nann
Grounding Power: An Interview with Nrinder Nindy Kaur Nann published in Onward
"A real leader doesn't keep lessons learned to themselves. They wanna share it and hook up with others who are there or challenge the process of epiphany in the spirit of collective action and liberation. A real leader is able to facilitate change in other people in terms of their own personal-political journey and skill development."
"A real leader doesn't keep lessons learned to themselves. They wanna share it and hook up with others who are there or challenge the process of epiphany in the spirit of collective action and liberation. A real leader is able to facilitate change in other people in terms of their own personal-political journey and skill development."
Interview with Ingrid Chapman
We Can Do This: Direct Action against Global Capitalism and US Imperialism: An interview with Ingrid Chapman published in Clamor Magazine
Ingrid Chapman has been involved in direct action organizing for many years. At 23, she has helped pull off successful mass actions, worked with thousands of activists around the country and bases her work in the question, “How do we build broad based movements capable of challenging global capitalism and US imperialism?” While it is easy to get depressed about the state of the world these days, those in power would also like us to forget that the largest anti-war movement in history was mobilized this past year and that global movements for justice are standing up against capitalism. Ingrid Chapman is one of the many younger generation radicals developing visionary politics and strategic practice to build our movements.
Ingrid Chapman has been involved in direct action organizing for many years. At 23, she has helped pull off successful mass actions, worked with thousands of activists around the country and bases her work in the question, “How do we build broad based movements capable of challenging global capitalism and US imperialism?” While it is easy to get depressed about the state of the world these days, those in power would also like us to forget that the largest anti-war movement in history was mobilized this past year and that global movements for justice are standing up against capitalism. Ingrid Chapman is one of the many younger generation radicals developing visionary politics and strategic practice to build our movements.
Interview with Dan Berger
Getting to the Roots of Liberation: an interview with Dan Berger published on ZNet
As radicals, we often speak about the need to go to the root of the problem. We put forward critique after critique about what’s wrong in the world. We present the facts and frameworks for why we need fundamental change in this society. We are against patriarchy, white supremacy, heterosexism, authoritarianism and imperialism. We build communities of resistance around shared analysis of the problems. What about being rooted in solutions, in history, in traditions and communities? Activists who are white often struggle to understand our connections to our communities and histories. We have a hard time imagining what it means to be rooted – heart, mind and soul – in something we’re for rather than against. To be in the streets with thousands of individuals against Bush is far less powerful for me then to be with groups of dozens united behind shared politics of what we are for. Building communities and organizations of millions united in shared vision and concrete programs to get there is the work of left/radicals.
As radicals, we often speak about the need to go to the root of the problem. We put forward critique after critique about what’s wrong in the world. We present the facts and frameworks for why we need fundamental change in this society. We are against patriarchy, white supremacy, heterosexism, authoritarianism and imperialism. We build communities of resistance around shared analysis of the problems. What about being rooted in solutions, in history, in traditions and communities? Activists who are white often struggle to understand our connections to our communities and histories. We have a hard time imagining what it means to be rooted – heart, mind and soul – in something we’re for rather than against. To be in the streets with thousands of individuals against Bush is far less powerful for me then to be with groups of dozens united behind shared politics of what we are for. Building communities and organizations of millions united in shared vision and concrete programs to get there is the work of left/radicals.
Interview with Pauline Hwang and Helen Luu
Finding Colours of Resistance: An interview with Pauline Hwang and Helen Luu published in Clamor Magazine
What lessons have we learned since the anti-WTO actions in Seattle? Can those lessons be applied to anti-war organizing? Can local struggles challenge global capitalism? How do we build movement for global justice that is anti-racist, multiracial and feminist? Pauline Hwang and Helen Luu have not only been asking these hard questions, they have worked to open up movement wide discussions about these issues in Canada and the United States. Pauline and Helen’s activist work, writing and ability to connect people through the Colours of Resistance network have all helped to keep the hard issues on the table. And, as they argue, these are issues we must face if we’re serious about collective liberation.
What lessons have we learned since the anti-WTO actions in Seattle? Can those lessons be applied to anti-war organizing? Can local struggles challenge global capitalism? How do we build movement for global justice that is anti-racist, multiracial and feminist? Pauline Hwang and Helen Luu have not only been asking these hard questions, they have worked to open up movement wide discussions about these issues in Canada and the United States. Pauline and Helen’s activist work, writing and ability to connect people through the Colours of Resistance network have all helped to keep the hard issues on the table. And, as they argue, these are issues we must face if we’re serious about collective liberation.
interview with Laura Close
Organizer as a Catalyst: An Interview with Laura Close published in Clamor Magazine
Laura Close moves fast. I first met her at a student activist conference when she was on tour with Call to Action giving workshops around the country. In between leading workshops on group decision making and strategic planning she would stop for a minute to talk with other young activists. I’d hear her say things like ‘We need to learn the skills, to build our movements, to build our power, to win concrete demands and stick with it for the long haul’. At 21 she was the national organizer of the STARC Alliance, Students Transforming and Resisting Corporations. She’s been to over 70 campuses around the United States and given over 100 workshops. She teamed up with Nisha Anand to lead anti-racism trainings in the majority white sections of the global justice movement. She helped put together a training program with STARC that now includes grassroots organizing, direct action, women’s leadership and against classism workshops. Her work is guided by a commitment to developing other people’s leadership
Laura Close moves fast. I first met her at a student activist conference when she was on tour with Call to Action giving workshops around the country. In between leading workshops on group decision making and strategic planning she would stop for a minute to talk with other young activists. I’d hear her say things like ‘We need to learn the skills, to build our movements, to build our power, to win concrete demands and stick with it for the long haul’. At 21 she was the national organizer of the STARC Alliance, Students Transforming and Resisting Corporations. She’s been to over 70 campuses around the United States and given over 100 workshops. She teamed up with Nisha Anand to lead anti-racism trainings in the majority white sections of the global justice movement. She helped put together a training program with STARC that now includes grassroots organizing, direct action, women’s leadership and against classism workshops. Her work is guided by a commitment to developing other people’s leadership
Interview with Max Elbaum
Interview with Max Elbaum Reflecting on Left Movement Building Efforts in the 1960s-1990s published in Onward
Max Elbaum is a longtime activist and author of Revolution in the Air, crucial reading for all of us who want to build movement for collective liberation. Elbaum uses his experience, knowledge, research and passion for social change to give us a critical examination of the New Communist Movement of the 60s-80s. Looking at the political discussions, debates and organizing of the time, he gives us a detailed list of lessons drawing from the mistakes and the successes. As an anarchist who believes that neither anarchism nor Marxism hold the exclusive rights to the truth, I think we can move forward if we have the courage to look at our movements honestly, evaluate and strategize accordingly. Elbaum’s book is a useful tool to help us get there.
Max Elbaum is a longtime activist and author of Revolution in the Air, crucial reading for all of us who want to build movement for collective liberation. Elbaum uses his experience, knowledge, research and passion for social change to give us a critical examination of the New Communist Movement of the 60s-80s. Looking at the political discussions, debates and organizing of the time, he gives us a detailed list of lessons drawing from the mistakes and the successes. As an anarchist who believes that neither anarchism nor Marxism hold the exclusive rights to the truth, I think we can move forward if we have the courage to look at our movements honestly, evaluate and strategize accordingly. Elbaum’s book is a useful tool to help us get there.
Panel Discussion with Movement Leaders
Justice and Survival: A Forum on Building Movements to Stop War published in Left Turn
We’re here to talk about how to prevent the most powerful nation on the planet and potentially in human history from continuing to wage genocidal wars in the Global South, and from militarizing and waging violence on communities of color and working class communities in the U.S.
We’re here to talk about how to prevent the most powerful nation on the planet and potentially in human history from continuing to wage genocidal wars in the Global South, and from militarizing and waging violence on communities of color and working class communities in the U.S.
chris crass on lessons from mass direct action organizing
This talk is part of a Catalyst Project Study and Struggle panel on Lessons from the summer of non-compliance in Arizona after the passage of anti-immigrant legislation SB 1070. Chris's section, which draws lessons from Seattle WTO organizing and the direct action organizing in Arizona, begins at 2:49 in this video and continues into the video below.
"we win everyday" talk at UCLA
Closing of a talk at the University of California, Los Angeles.
