There is an important discussion going on within the Dutch climate movement. It’s about racism.
We would like to share our feelings and perceptions about it:
We live in a deeply racist country. Therefore, we are all in one way or the other infused by racism. We believe that it is ESSENTIAL to recognise that we are all contaminated by entrenched racism, sexism and classism.
We fear the climate movement will hit a wall if it perceives itself or promotes an image of itself as a one issue movement. The fight against climate change cannot be separated from the fight against racism and other struggles against systemic inequality, injustice, exploitation and oppression.
Climate racism is a huge problem. We are aware of our own bias and racist contamination, and are step by step trying to rid ourselves of it before it rips our movement apart.
Fossil Free Culture NL is an intersectional, queer, feminist collective. We dance to the beat of our own drum:
– We commit to not hiding behind white fragility or our own fear of confronting the ugly bits that we carry in ourselves.
– We embrace the conversation about climate racism and want to contribute to creating spaces where everyone feels safe to speak up and call out.
– We encourage humbleness, openness to learn, self-reflection, and solidarity with all the persons experiencing racism.
