SURJ’s role as part of a multi-racial movement is to undermine white support for white supremacy and to help build a racially-just society. That work cannot be done in isolation from or disconnected from the powerful leadership of communities of color. It is one part of a multi-racial, cross-class movement centering people of color leadership. Therefore, SURJ believes in resourcing organizing led by people of color, and maintaining strong accountability relationships with organizers and communities of color as central part of our theory of change.
SURJ Ohio State is the Ohio State University chapter of the national SURJ network.
Can Students of Color Join?
Of course! All Are Welcome to join the organization as formal members or simply attend events and meetings. SURJ has a mission to organize white people, in specific, to combat and dismantle the systems whites benefit from most. In other words, its an attempt by white people to organize, educate, and mobilize white people to fight racism. This, however, may not be a comfortable environment for people of color. SURJ OSU also maintains relationships with organizations designed specifically for students of color and can connect students of all backgrounds and identities to an organization they may feel suits them best if SURJ OSU does not seem to be the right fit.