Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a far-left agitation group based in Louisville, Kentucky, with affiliate chapters across the United States. SURJ is characterized by its aggressive “social justice” campaigns centered around white Americans engaging in criminal justice and racial reconciliation advocacy. According to HuffPost, the organization was formed in 2009.[1] SURJ’s most notable founders are Carla Wallace, activist and founder of the center-left Fairness Campaign; activist Pamela McMichael; and TV director JLove Calderon.
SURJ originated as a project of the Social Good Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and donor advised fund provider known for sponsoring left-leaning organizations. The group is currently seeking nonprofit status with the IRS. [2]
SURJ Action is the advocacy and lobbying arm of SURJ.
Background
Showing Up for Racial Justice’s (SURJ) goal is to pressure white Americans into conversations around left-wing interpretations of race and organizing for far-left racial justice movements, such as Black Lives Matter.
SURJ claims over 120 affiliate chapters in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. Various chapters have hosted events, participated in marches and rallies alongside radical groups like Black Lives Matter, and encouraged members to support asylum seekers.[3]
SURJ’s program centers around SURJ Faith, SURJ Families, Disability Justice, and an annual Poor and Working Class Gathering. It provides written resources on topics such as the alleged characteristics of a white supremacist culture, including “worship of the written word,” “individualism,” and “objectivity” [4] and a cross-class capacity tool to help people understand how to bring white people “across the class spectrum” to tackle “white supremacy” and engage in the “complex struggle and beauty of collective liberation,”[5] among other left-wing programs.
Leadership
Carla Wallace is the co-founder of the Louisville, Kentucky branch of SURJ. Wallace is also the co-founder of the center-left Fairness Campaign. Wallace is a lifelong activist organizing for liberal causes relating to immigration, environmental issues, and healthcare in Kentucky and across the country.[6]
Pamela McMichael is a longtime LGBT and political activist and former director of the Highlander Research and Education Center.[7]
JLove Calderon is an author, activist, producer, and director. In 2007, she published That White Girl. She has co-edited four books, including Love, Race, and Liberation: ‘Til the White Day is Done and Occupying Privilege.[8]
Funding
SURJ is funded by the Social Good Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and donor fund provider known for sponsoring left-leaning organizations. The law firm Skadden, Arp, Slate, Meager & Flom, LLP has reportedly assisted SURJ in obtaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS. The same firm helped SURJ’s sister organization, SURJ Action, obtain 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status.[9]