Are you anti-Reed?
No! Student organizers, just like the student body in general, have a wide range of feelings about Reed. What matters is that we all share a common goal of changing Reed for the better, to be a more inclusive and less racist institution.
Are you anti-Hum 110?
Yes, we are against Hum 110 in its current iteration. Our stance is that until Hum 110 is no longer Eurocentric, it should not remain mandatory.
Are you anti-white?
No, but we do believe in holding white people accountable for their privilege.
Do you do things besides protests?
In short, yes. Most of what we do is behind-the-scenes. We meet with faculty and administration, create educational materials, and do a lot of organizing work to make institutional change happen. We’re trying to make it less behind-the-scenes (which is why this website exists).
Why can't you be more agreeable/less hostile/change your tactics?
RAR listens to many perspectives and acts as we see fit. Historically, both at Reed and more broadly, protestors are criticized for not protesting within the limits of the institution(s) they are seeking to change. In hindsight, their actions are often watered down, while their accomplishments are praised. We work with the administration when possible, but direct action has proven to be the most effective method of creating institutional change at Reed.
It's also extremely common to criticize black and brown people when they don't communicate their pain palatably, also known as tone policing. Hostility and aggression are often read onto POC, especially black people, based on racist stereotypes and used as a way to undermine their voices. It's important to understand that perceptions of hostility can be charged with these subtexts. For more info on tone policing take a look at this article or this comic.
It's also extremely common to criticize black and brown people when they don't communicate their pain palatably, also known as tone policing. Hostility and aggression are often read onto POC, especially black people, based on racist stereotypes and used as a way to undermine their voices. It's important to understand that perceptions of hostility can be charged with these subtexts. For more info on tone policing take a look at this article or this comic.
How can I help?
Come join the sit-in! We need as many people as possible.
Voicing your support on social media and boosting our posts is enormously helpful to us as organizers. If you're a student, talk to your professors and administrators you know about why you support RAR. Your friends too! Parents and alumni are encouraged to email administration. Alumni can join the Boycott Reed movement. We also accept Paypal donations - money goes to supplies for protests, and any leftover goes to supporting other anti-racist causes in Portland.
Also, if you have any media that might be useful to us (such as video footage of protests or old syllabi) please email us at [email protected], submit it to our website, or message the RAR Facebook page. You can also check the facebook page if you're interested in attending one of our meetings, which usually take place in the Infoshoppe.
Voicing your support on social media and boosting our posts is enormously helpful to us as organizers. If you're a student, talk to your professors and administrators you know about why you support RAR. Your friends too! Parents and alumni are encouraged to email administration. Alumni can join the Boycott Reed movement. We also accept Paypal donations - money goes to supplies for protests, and any leftover goes to supporting other anti-racist causes in Portland.
Also, if you have any media that might be useful to us (such as video footage of protests or old syllabi) please email us at [email protected], submit it to our website, or message the RAR Facebook page. You can also check the facebook page if you're interested in attending one of our meetings, which usually take place in the Infoshoppe.
Boycott FAQs
A document answering questions about this year's September 25th boycott