Change in Focus of Our Event [Goodbye HouseFire... Welcome to Sanctuary]

Dear DC Burners,

We have changed the focus of this weekend's online event. Please see below.

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Statement Against Systemic Oppression

These deaths —  of George Floyd, of Ahmaud Marquez Arbery, of Breonna Taylor, and of innumerable others — are not isolated instances of police brutality against a few black humans; these are representative of the entire issue of institutionalized racism in the United States.

Nothing will change until there is movement at every level of our society toward true transformation: personal, organizational, and institutional. The key will need to be a change in the underlying hearts and minds of those in the majority toward those that are considered different or in the minority. Those in positions of power and privilege will need to start acknowledging their own fear of those that are not like them.

Without personal introspection by people of privilege there will be no real change. True systemic change will only be made if the attitude of the communities and those in power are aligned to make real change.

There is no question that systemic racism and injustice exist in so many facets of our lives as Americans. The prison system is an industry that disproportionately puts poor, Black, and other people of color behind bars as a profitable venture for the powerful who are lobbying for harsher laws and longer jail sentences. There is a racial disparity in putting so many Black people behind bars for the same offenses that their Whites counterparts are not prosecuted for. Using those in jail to work for no compensation is slavery that our current system explicitly allows. 

Educational opportunities for Black and Brown people are deeply inadequate. Not only is the system unfair, it also keeps multitudes of Black and Brown people throughout their lives — perpetuating the cycle of poverty. How can we unite when we know that different parts of our community are treated so differently? We have been in conflict, and we will continue to be in conflict until we authentically face this truth head on and actually do things that address the issues — not just pay lip-service.

The question is: are we all willing to do something about this systemic oppression, and if so, what? It is easy to underestimate one’s power, but we all have power in one way or another: power to make decisions, power to help others, power to help others change perspective, power to change our own attitude.

For Whites and those in positions of privilege and power wanting to put an end to systemic racism, much can be done. Can you create dialogue among your friends and family? Are you in a position of authority? Do you have a group you can influence? Do you belong to a governmental body that makes laws? Do you enforce laws or policy? Don’t underestimate your power. Use it for good, use it to end racism and systemic oppression.

The people are unified in protest and the universe is saying “Do not let this moment where we can make a difference get squandered.” We realized this call, and we are answering.

Statement of Change of Focus of Our Event

We realize the importance of this moment. We have decided to discard the name and intent of HouseFire. Instead, we would like to focus the energies of organizers and participants in two ways: 

1) Re-focus theme camps so that they can be used as platforms to illuminate instances, issues, and impacts of systemic oppression. Before this re-focusing, any theme camp and event was invited to participate, the system designed to accept automatic sign-ups from any and every person. Given our change in focus, we now ask all theme camps to either focus on the issue of systemic racism and oppression, or provide a virtual safe space for those in need. If theme camps are not interested or able to do either of these, we would ask them to sit this one out. If you are considering an event or theme camp, we encourage you to build something that challenges and addresses racism and brutality. If you are interested and able to play a part in this weekend’s experiment, we will work with you to find a way to create space that amplifies equity and justice. Let’s have a conversation.

2) Provide a sanctuary-like space for those who need it. We will not have an effigy burn, but we may have a vigil. We understand this is a critical time in the fight against systemic oppression and that a lot of you have been working hard. We would love to offer a place to hold space for those that need it. Sanctuary will be a place of respite during this struggle. If you’re feeling tired, disconnected, frustrated, or in need of a little virtual human connection, it is our hope that Sanctuary can serve as a place of regeneration and connection. 

We hope we can serve as a platform for those who want to share their information, resources, experiences and creative processes that are in alignment with the fight against personal, institutional, and systemic oppression and the many ways in which racism takes shape in our daily lives.

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