Anti-Violence Work and Racial Equity

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time when anti-violence advocates work hard to bring attention to an issue that continues to affect our communities; but it’s also an important opportunity to understand how systems of oppression are interconnected. For the first episode in season two of Down the Rabbit Hole, William and guest host, Rita, are joined by Brenda Sykes, Executive Director of Bay Area Turning Point (BATP), to discuss the intersection between racial (in)equity and domestic violence. Listen in as Brenda reflects on the importance of bringing a racial justice framework to our efforts to end domestic violence, highlighting the inherent violence associated with elevating the voices of BIPOC communities, who are disproportionately impacted by DV, and the importance of examining the relationship that the anti-violence movement has with law enforcement. We also touch on the importance of self-reflection, collective action, and collaboration, and why being honest about the history of the movement and your organizations is critical. Brenda leaves non-BIPOC advocates with some words of advice: just because you inherit less risk by elevating your voice, it doesn’t mean you need to step in as a savior! For more on the importance of examining our roles within systems of power and oppression, tune in today for this informative and candid discussion with Brenda Sykes, a true leader in the anti-violence space!

You can check out Bay Area Turning Point online at bayareaturningpoint.org.

We are still working in a virtual space, so please be patient with us as we continue to work through technical issues with microphones and recordings.

If you have any questions about this episode, you can reach out to us at prevention@tcfv.org.