WHEREAS the OJ Simpson trial and its aftermath reaffirm that our society does not deal effectively with the issues of sexism, racism, classism, or violence against women; and

WHEREAS NOW is an organization comprised of diverse individuals with different life experiences and different opinions, all of whom support feminist principles, the ultimate goal of equality for women and the elimination of all forms of discrimination; and

WHEREAS NOW is committed to exposing and eradicating all forms of racism and actively supports all those who experience its impact, both individual and institutional; and

WHEREAS NOW is committed to exposing and eradicating all forms of violence against women, especially domestic violence which often leads to the murder of women by someone who purported to love them; and

WHEREAS NOW recognizes that women of color are often put in the unfair position of being told to choose between their allegiance to their communities of color or to the feminist community when responding to complex issues which encompass race, class, and/or gender; and

WHEREAS NOW does not create hierarchies of oppression, as if one form of discrimination were worse than another, but rather condemns all forms of discrimination;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NOW reaffirms its commitment to activism to eradicate violence against women and to eradicate racism as issues with equal organizational priority; and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NOW recognizes the need to coordinate its public statements and actions so that they consistently represent NOW's priorities.

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NOW recognizes the importance of not ranking or trading off issues as if they were not equally onerous and deserving of our activism; and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NOW requires all who speak on behalf of the organization at any level -- local, state, or national -- to consider seriously that the impact of any statements

may go well beyond the immediate situation or location involved; and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NOW demands the intense examination of all parts of the justice system, from police departments to the courts to the elected officials who make the laws, so that the incipient racism, sexism and classism that infect our societal institutions can be rooted out and can assure all victims of discrimination that they will have fair and just treatment without regard to race, gender, or economic status; and

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NOW commits itself to intense internal examination of its own residual racism so that as an organization it is sensitive to the impact public events and political situations may have on its diverse membership, so that it can lead by example to a more equal and just future.

12/3/95 - National Board of Directors