DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Women Against Racism records, 1982-1984 | 1984-04-08 Doris Davenport to The Ad Hoc Committee of Women Against Racism Page 2

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Women Against Racism records, 1982-1984

1984-04-08 Doris Davenport to The Ad Hoc Committee of Women Against Racism Page 2

work you so arrogantly colonized to your purposes. At this point, it is for me, not you, to decide what is "fair." Fairness was not, or had not, been a concern of yours, or this inhumane act could not have occurred. 
    Third, as I said, I am charging this AD Hoc Committee the sum of $60 - reprint fees. It does not matter that the essay was pulled: what matters is that it was zeroxed and used, at all, without my consent. If you like, you may think of this token sum as minimal compensation for the "hardships" you are causing me.
     Fourth, I leave it up to your "honor" and growing sense of responsibility, to contact all the other writers whose work you used, and to make the appropriate amends as they, not you, decide upon. 
    Finally, I expect the letter ( to me) and the money, within this week. I demand that my rights as an author, a feminist and a person be acknowledged, in the ways specified here, immediately. I demand that you fully acknowledge your act of aggression against me, an Afro-American woman, for the horrendous act of white racism that it is . If any of you feel it necessary to talk to me further, you will please put it in writing or call me at work. Do NOT add to these (continuing) insults by calling me at home. By doing the above, you will be acting responsibly and in a way that will enable this blatant racism and disrespect to end - at least, in this instance. By ignoring this letter you will simply force me to take other, further actions. What you have to understand is that you are wrong. And I resent most definitely having to tell you how to behave in the appropriate manner and using my time on such an issue.
    In conclusion, as a friend of mine pointed out, whites have always stolen from Black people, especially in this country. She implies that nothing more - or less - could be expected of you. (Even as I accidentally discovered this incident, there are probably hundreds more occurring.) Still, I maintain that despite your lowered (or lack of) consciousness it is possible to expect you to grow beyond such racism. Your response to this letter will at least suggest such growth. 

Sincerely ,

Doris Davenport 
doris davenport

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work you so arrogantly colonized to your purposes. At this point, it is for me, not you, to decide what is "fair." Fairness was not, or had not, been a concern of yours, or this inhumane act could not have occurred. Third, as I said, I am charging this AD Hoc Committee the sum of $60 - reprint fees. It does not matter that the essay was pulled: what matters is that it was zeroxed and used, at all, without my consent. If you like, you may think of this token sum as minimal compensation for the "hardships" you are causing me. Fourth, I leave it up to your "honor" and growing sense of responsibility, to contact all the other writers whose work you used, and to make the appropriate amends as they, not you, decide upon. Finally, I expect the letter ( to me) and the money, within this week. I demand that my rights as an author, a feminist and a person be acknowledged, in the ways specified here, immediately. I demand that you fully acknowledge your act of aggression against me, an Afro-American woman, for the horrendous act of white racism that it is . If any of you feel it necessary to talk to me further, you will please put it in writing or call me at work. Do NOT add to these (continuing) insults by calling me at home. By doing the above, you will be acting responsibly and in a way that will enable this blatant racism and disrespect to end - at least, in this instance. By ignoring this letter you will simply force me to take other, further actions. What you have to understand is that you are wrong. And I resent most definitely having to tell you how to behave in the appropriate manner and using my time on such an issue. In conclusion, as a friend of mine pointed out, whites have always stolen from Black people, especially in this country. She implies that nothing more - or less - could be expected of you. (Even as I accidentally discovered this incident, there are probably hundreds more occurring.) Still, I maintain that despite your lowered (or lack of) consciousness it is possible to expect you to grow beyond such racism. Your response to this letter will at least suggest such growth. Sincerely , Doris Davenport doris davenport