Lesbian poet stresses unity against racism
By Ellie Dorritie
Buffalo,
N.Y.
Activists from Buffalo's progressive, pro-choice,
anti-racist and lesbian/gay/ bi/ trans communities came
together again on April 8. The evening was a time to
celebrate. It was also a time for many activists to renew
their commitment to strengthening each other's struggles.
Minnie Bruce Pratt, a lesbian feminist, anti-racist author
and activist, was the evening's featured speaker. She drew
together again many of those who had taken on the right wing
here a year ago to defend women's health clinics that provide
abortions.
Pratt read from her most recent work, "Walking Back Up
Depot Street," and reflected how person is propelled into
activism for many different reasons, but all eventually take
up issues that affect each other.
Richly flavored with her experiences in the South, Pratt's
writings give voice to the resistance of the oppressed
everywhere against violence and terror. In sharing her own
experiences in organizing to lift the weight of many kinds of
oppression, Pratt emphasized the importance of making common
cause with political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal.
She explained that Abu-Jamal is targeted by the state
because he challenges the racist system, and that his
execution is planned as a way to intimidate everyone who
challenges oppression.
"Either they drive us back, or we push forward," Pratt
stressed.
She encouraged activists to participate in the fight for a
new trial for Abu-Jamal and against the prison-industrial
complex. And she called on everyone to take part in the fight
against the World Trade Organization, International Monetary
Fund and World Bank.
She connected these struggles with the battle of women and
their supporters to defend health clinics that provide
abortion.
One year ago, western New York was the target of a
right-wing campaign by Operation "Save America." These
reactionaries threatened to try to bar women from their legal
right to abortion. Disguised as religious zealots, the bigots
came with all their racism, sexism and homophobia
showing.
The response here was to bring the targeted communities
together against this common enemy. This created bonds among
activists. Together, a very broad coalition booted the bigots
out of Buffalo for the second time in recent years.
Bev Hiestand, one of the leading organizers of that
coalition, Buffalo United for Choice '99, emphasized at the
April 8 event that although progressives were victorious last
year, the right wing is not going away. Activists need to
renew and strengthen their connections to each other.
She also announced that planning has begun for a
political, issue-oriented contingent for this year's Buffalo
Gay Pride March.
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
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