Irondequoit (E.R.A.S.E.) Eliminating Racism and Seeking Equity Inc.

Fundamental Principles 

E.R.A.S.E defines racism as both the personal prejudices against people of color and the systems in power and policies in place designed to directly or indirectly disadvantaged individuals, families and communities.

E.R.A.S.E further identifies racism in both segregationist-active belief in the inferiority of people of color and assimilationist-active belief that people of color are culturally or behaviorally inferior and need to be enriched to meet the white standard of normalcy in areas such as education, business, health etc. 

E.R.A.S.E believes we must take an actively anti-racist stand against both segregationist and assimilationist racism, meaning we believe all people of color are biologically, culturally, and behaviorally equal in value to white people and deserving of an equitable level of empowerment, justice, wealth, happiness and opportunity.

E.R.A.S.E believes that in order to take an active anti-racist stand for ourselves and our neighbors of color, we must be committed to recognizing, exposing, and dismantling systemic injustice in our town government, our schools, our police force, businesses, organizations, churches, and our own neighborhoods. 

E.R.A.S.E recognizes that the voices of and contributions of people of color have been silenced, limited, ignored, disregarded, patronized and disrespected throughout our history both locally and nationally. E.R.A.S.E seeks to end these injustices by working to ensure people of color’s voices are heard and serve as leadership across our community including but not limited to holding seats of power in our government, our schools and our neighborhoods. 

E.R.A.S.E believes that white people must recognize the privilege they have benefitted from throughout their own lives and their families lives at the expense of the ongoing oppression of people of color. E.R.A.S.E believes that white people must take responsibility for the role their privilege has played in the ongoing systemic racism in our communities by acknowledging that true history of white supremacy in our history, locally and nationally; and seek to be allies to the people of color in our community by supporting and working with; while taking active care to never center themselves in the fight against systemic racism.