The Master's tools will never dismantle the Master's House.
—Audre Lord

CARA recognizes the plane crash assaults as an immoral act that has no relationship with social justice. We agree with writer Audre Lord when she asserts that strategies used to oppress people are not useful to undermine the roots of their oppression. CARA supports productive and progressive strategies to create loving and just communities around the world. We also stand in solidarity with people of color around the world who are being colonized and occupied and we support their struggle for liberation.

We recognize the need for America to take a stance of great humility about its role nationally and internationally and the impact its decisions and policies have for people around the globe. We urge our leaders to think critically about American foreign policies that support a context of violence and oppression for indigenous peoples in developing countries.

We appeal to our leaders and American media to be more thoughtful about the potential repercussions of reckless rhetoric that leads to racist attacks and to instead use their power to encourage careful and critical thinking among Americans and others who are influenced by their leadership.

CARA is distressed about our country's military response to the plane crash assaults. We recognize that rape is often used as a tool of war and know that women are often the most brutally impacted by war. We also challenge our leadership's tokenization of the plight of Afghan women to justify carpet-bombing their country and their people. We urge our national leaders to authentically support Afghan women and their families by creating responsible, thoughtful, and productive responses that increase the possibility of a peaceful and just world.

We are heartened to observe ways that people have come together to support each other and build community in response to a tragic event. We deeply hope that communities will continue to support each other on a foundation of careful reflection, humility, respect, safety, and peace.