Why We Exist
To actively create a world that is liberated from destructive white privilege and oppression.
Our History
What’s Up?! was formed in the fall of 2011, by a group of White-identified people studying anti-racism and participating in corresponding actions to challenge white supremacy. Our original name was WWHAT’S UP? (Whites Working and Hoping to Abolish Total Supremacy, Undermining Privilege). At one point the core group was multi-racial and, WHAT’S UP?! changed our name by dropping the first “W” in the summer of 2014. We changed Hoping to Healing to acknowledge that we all need to heal from racism. We remain focused on raising the consciousness of White people and organizing in solidarity with People of Color. Since 2014, WHAT’S UP?! has been an affiliate of Showing Up for Racial Justice which is “a national network of groups and individuals organizing White people for racial justice.” As of of the summer of 2018, What’s Up?! no longer has a core group that meets regularly. Our main function at this point includes maintaining resources on the website, sharing articles, events and conversation on the email discussion lists and hosting workshops and study groups for white identified people.
What We Believe
–Racism hurts everyone and that unlearning racism is liberating for all
–Personal transformation is necessary
–Everyone has a role in dismantling oppressions
–We must work as whole people, acknowledging intersectionalities of oppression
–It’s vital to create accessible spaces that allow for the full participation of everyone
–Transparency and accountability are empowering
–Unlearning racism is a lifelong journey of growing and evolving
–Love is a tool for change
Our Goals
–To educate ourselves and strengthen our abilities to work for racial justice
–To support and encourage white people in challenging white supremacy, personally and structurally.
–To work in collaboration with organizations led by people of color and other allied individuals or organizations in the struggle for racial justice and collective liberation
WHAT'S UP?! Pittsburgh 