¡Que Viva!
I try to be discerning about asking you for financial support. Today, I write with an opportunity for you to get behind a ritual endeavor of massive proportions. Burning Man is far from perfect. But it is a “temporary autonomous zone” like no other. It is a space that allows us to experience something other than the consensus trance of our default culture. A new and beautiful possibility.
It should be possible for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color to participate in this rite. To benefit from it. And to help define it.
¡Que Viva! is the BIPOC, femme-led camp that we are privileged to be a part of. And I am asking you to give any amount to support our camp’s infrastructure.
Here is a link to our camp’s “GoFundMe”.
Please send me a note when you choose to give, I’d love to know how much we raise from my own community of friends.
This image was taken the summer before our racial uprising of 2020. Before “Black Lives Matter” signs popped up on every liberal lawn of our country.
Our camp did not need to wait for the whole country to be shaken out of its stupor.
Here is how my friend and camp leader, the artist and cultural organizer, Favianna Rodriguez talks about ¡Que Viva!
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Burning Man is a place for radical inclusion and free expression that opens the hearts and minds of all who attend. Yes, it has its flaws including that it has been a space dominated by white folks, and that is changing thanks to the incredible work of many BIPOC Burners, especially our camp!!
We are a camp of Black & Brown femmes, queer folks and activists at Burning Man. In 2019, when Burning Man last happened, we organized a protest on Playa and an online petition that surpassed 3000 signers in which we demanded that the organization take bold steps to make the event more racially inclusive. And we were successful!
In 2020, Burning Man began to plan new programs to make the event more accessible to BIPOC attendees. Our camp members have been at the heart of this work, and we are ready to return to the Playa and REST and CELEBRATE!
We are fundraising to expand our camp infrastructure, providing a safe place for BIPOC Burners. Since 2013, we have been committed to bringing more racial diversity to Burning Man, where Black campers historically have made up less than 1% of attendees. Our camp creates a safe place for BIPOC participants to experience the event and take lessons back to their community.
This will be my 9th year attending this transformative event. I have been committed to it because I love what it offers, I love the relationships that have emerged from there, and I love the ART! I’ve dedicated much of my time to bringing more BIPOC folks and helping to open doors to free expression, personal transformation and joy!
We are expanding our camp infrastructure, which was damaged during the 2-year pandemic hiatus; we are hosting a handful of new participants and improving our communal kitchen. Your donation will help make this possible!
Please invest in the joy and play of Black and Brown leaders transforming their communities.
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Saludos,
Gibrán