Join movement for change through CARE QC

CARE QC YWCA Quad Cities

In collaboration with a grant from Healing Illinois, the YWCA Quad Cities is announces the launch of a new initiative, Community Advocates for Racial Equity (CARE QC). 

CARE QC is a white anti-racist group. It’s the first of its kind in the Quad Cities region. It is  dedicated to combating racism and promoting equity within our community.

CARE QC aims to provide opportunities for white individuals to critically examine their beliefs and behaviors rooted in privilege and systemic racism. 

This space will encourage self-reflection and learning. It will empower individuals to understand and confront their internalized racist scripts. Other metropolitan regions have similar groups. They include AWARE-LA (Alliance of White Anti-Racists Everywhere-LA) in Los Angeles and the nationwide SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice). It has 200 chapters across the country.

The first session of CARE QC will be at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11. It will be at the YWCA’s QC Empowerment Center, inside the new YWCA at 513 17th St., Rock Island.

Group’s mission

The goals of this group include but are not limited to:

  • Unlearning racism.
  • Confronting inherent bias.
  • Advocating for racial justice.
  • Improving cross-race race relationships to promote racial healing.

“We understand that some people will wonder why YWCA QC is creating a white space in order to eliminate racism,” the YWCA said. 

The nonprofit said the following quote “explains it perfectly”.

“Whites who are sincere should organize themselves and figure out some strategies to break down the prejudice that exists in white communities. This is where they can function more intelligently and more effectively, in the white community itself, and this has never been done.” — Malcolm X, interview with Jack Barnes and Barry Sheppard, Young Socialist (March-April 1965).

By joining CARE QC, you’ll be part of a collective effort to challenge racism and promote equity in the Quad Cities. Your participation can make a powerful impact, the YWCA said. 

For more information and to sign up, contact Lexy Larson Bonds at [email protected].

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