CLR James Essay Contest on Gender, Race, Class, & Empire

In recognition of Women’s History month, the Onyx Foundation
http://www.onyxfoundation.org would like to announce our second annual
C.L.R. James Scholar Essay Contest. This year the essay contest focuses
on questions of gender in relation to democratic movements from below
tackling issues of patriarchy, race, class, and empire.

The contest deadline is July 1, 2008. Further details can be found in the
attached flyer, its text provided below in the body of this email, and on
the Onyx Foundation Web site at:
http://www.onyxfoundation.org/programs/essay_contest

The contest is open to students of all levels, lifelong learners,
community members and activists. Please share this exciting opportunity
with organizations and individuals in your networks. Thanks for your
support of this project.

Sincerely,

Jason Schultz
Onyx Foundation
jms@onyxfoundation.org

Second Annual C.L.R. James Scholar Essay Contest

We are constantly bombarded with images concerning the victimized state of
women around the globe. Politicians, academics, and even some social
justice activists tell us that women’s liberation is little more than a
mirage. Yet, these images hide a reality much more profound, inspiring,
and courageous.

There is a proud tradition of women who have refused to accept subordinate
roles to their families or to the state. Whether organizing rent strikes
or workplace strikes; fighting for reproductive freedom or education;
sometimes with people of other genders and sometimes on their own; women
have played vital roles in countless social movements and local organizing
around the globe. It is in the spirit of this legacy that the Onyx
Foundation would like to invite women and men to participate in an essay
contest that seeks to explore and advance democratic visions of women’s
liberation.

Essays should examine only ONE of the following themes. If you would like
to write about something different yet related to the theme of women’s
liberation, contact us to discuss your idea.

• “A Woman’s Place”: A Look at Selma James and the Politics of the
International Wages for Housework Campaign
• An Anti-Imperialist Perspective for Women’s Liberation: Looking at the
U.S. Invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan
• Sex, Race & Class: Histories of women of color in social movements or
revolutions
• Reflections on Organizing: Lessons from your own independent organizing
with women in schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces

Please visit www.onyxfoundation.org for additional information on essay
topics.

Essays must be a minimum of 1500 words. There is no maximum length.
Include a cover page with your contact information: name, street address,
email (if available), and telephone number. Video or audio essays will
also be considered.

Submission Deadline: July 1, 2008

Mail Essays to:
The Onyx Foundation • P.O. Box 750238 • New Orleans, LA 70175-0238

or email to:
essaycontest@onyxfoundation.org

1st Place Prize— $250
2nd Place Prize— $150
3rd Place Prize— $100

Winners will be announced in August 2008 and their essays may be published
in Onyx Foundation publications. Visit the Onyx Foundation web site at
www.onyxfoundation.org for more information.