Morning!

I apologize for not getting back to you. I had supervision late night and ended up rushing to get things done.

Eli, my notes indicate that you and I did not talk until after "thanksgiving" b/c you were renovating your house. I don't have our actual conversation in this particular book however, there is one more place I can check for the details. I hope this is helpful.

On another note, it is important for me reiterate that when I spoke to both you and Anu, as far as I knew, CUSSW had NOT definitively decided what/who the project would focus on. In conversation w/ Marion who I have know and worked w/ for several years, she mentioned "Lonely Soldier" and it was ME who said if they chose to focus on you, that I knew you and was sure you'd be willing to participate in the project. I later apologized to you for even making that suggestion after I spoke w/ Anu.
In addition, please note that I was having a conversation w/ my friend/colleague/comrade, there was nothing official about it.

My main concern is that I am not misrepresented by either side. Although I respect each sides need to outline facts in support of a larger point, just as I have said to various member of CUSSW, I am not willing to be used to make that point.

And if I may be honest, I think it is critical for us to remember that we all hold multiple identities and at any given time we act from a place of those multiple identities depending on context. While I do identify as a veteran, I first and foremost identify as an Afro-Latina anti-oppressive social worker in community practice. All the parts listed represent the most important pieces of my whole. I am proudly part of a much larger community of anti-oppressive social work community organizers and for me, that role is always first. My conversation w/ Marion and my suggestion to first choose you and then to consult you was born out of my belief that you would bring both oppression and peace politics to the table in a way that the other women of the book would not.

I think this is important to note. In my conversations w/ you and Marion, I was not acting as a representative of SWAN or holding my veteran identity as primary. In that context, my commitment to anti-oppressive social work practice was/is primary. In fact, in most cases anti-oppressive existence and practice is my personal and professional charge.

While I don't think you would disagree w/ my choice of identity and could even argue that what I am saying is exactly the point of the organizing, it is really important for me that I am clear about what was happening, where my suggestions were coming from, and why. I was not aware of the details of the project and frankly, I was not interested. The limits of my role was to continuously make the suggestion of bringing you to NYC if they chose you for the reason listed above.

I want you to know that I support your organizing and think what you're doing is courageous. You are creating a space for a much needed critical dialogue. I really hope that everything works out in your favor. I also hold a lit candle for the initial hopes of suggesting you. As an Afro-Latina anti-oppressive social worker in community practice, my deepest hope is that this will ultimately result in sustainable long-term, transformative change that will benefit generations of social workers not just the ones who graduate in a week.

With Love,

Kalima
kd11- revolution, love & liberation
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