Do you think about the rights of others, when you think about your own civil liberties? Have you considered other marginalized narratives? These are questions for today’s grassroots and what national organizations should contemplate with their base. “Leadership” has many different meanings and contexts to many leaders. Just as an activist, a community organizer, or human rights advocate would share their own understanding of Solidarity.
“Equal-rights legislation is rendered hollow without policies that comprehensively address those practical barriers to economic and social parity. Equity, in essence, makes real the promise of equality.” Uncommon Common Ground (2010)
ILM is a 501c3 organization who has internalized the foundation’s acronym; Intellect, Love, Mercy. It has shown us that we cannot advocate our rights, and the rights of others, separately. In 2010 we joined LA Voice PICO network, to stand in solidarity with marginalized Los Angeles communities. Since taking this action; we have engaged city officials on issues, encouraged fellow organizations to strategically base build, and have made community organizing a core function in our work.
We have been involved in the following actions in the City of Los Angeles…
- 2012 Responsible Banking Ordinance in the City of Los Angeles
- Spoke on California’s Capitol Hill for Immigration Reform
- Marched for the Fair Hiring Ordinance in Los Angeles (Ban the Box)
- We share the victory for Prop 47 in California
- Established our own South Los Angeles Local Organizing Committee (L.O.C.), which empowers community members to lead on civic-social issues
- Peace-building in the South Los Angeles neighborhoods
- 2015 provided a platform for “Safety through Service” after Los Angeles’ summer of violence and the San Bernardino shooting
Los Angeles 2014 – African American Leaders and So-Cal Shura Council for Prop 47
Today we have joined a nationwide Solidarity Summit of community organizers, activists, and policy-makers to explore what is Solidarity?
This deepens our community organizing with other marginalized narratives to create new strategies for public safety, education, social-civic issues and more. We acknowledge the struggles of our neighbors and respect the spaces we occupy as well. America’s diversity requires a new ground strategy and leadership approach of cultural intellect.
“… but equity more precisely describes the modern-day challenge of expanding opportunity in America.” Uncommon Common Ground (2010)
What is Solidarity to you?
Intellect Love Mercy Foundation’s mission is to teach life skills to economically underprivileged youth and adults so that social ills are replaced with opportunities for intellectual and economic empowerment.”
