Is Alcoholics Anonymous racist? Q & A with BIPOC member

A wonderful episode in discussion with Emiliano L from BIPOC (Black & Indigenous People of Color) in Sacramento, California...
Describes his journey into #AA. How he loves AA but felt he needed a safe space to share his story, outside of Traditional meetings.
He is joined by several others who describe their own sober journeys as Black, Indigenous People of Color in 12 Step recovery.
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[@erinmariesickler]

Thank you, Emiliano. I’m in another 12 step program and in a lgbtq special interest group where we’ve been holding DEIA meetings to look at and explore issues around accessibility in our meeting and the fellowship and 12 steps as a whole. I’m so grateful for it. I’m so glad you’ve found a space to get the support you need. I’d love some neurodivergent meetings…someday 🌈💜

[@daleodberg6714]

Thank you very much Emiliano L. I bow in honour of your and Black Indigenous and People of Colour here for sharing your serenity courage and wisdom.

[@JoeC_Rebellion_Dogs]

While 2022 AA Membership survey (USA/Canada) suggests that (both women and) people of color are underrepresented. Compared to the 2014 survey white members dropped from 89% to 87.7% there is still work to be done to reduce overt and systemic discrimination in the meetings and messaging. Alcohol use disorder also varies by gender identification and racial origins but the disparity still exists when accommodating these factors. "Love and tolerance of others is our code." Let's all do our part, being allies, when we see something - say something, etc.

[@rockymountainfoothills]

I would love to talk with Emiliano or someone else - as I’m a BIPOC person from Vancouver 🇨🇦 and I’m looking to start a BIPOC meeting online locally--

[@GnosticCushite]

All three of my sponsors showed their racism "blatantly" when they got comfortable around me. It was unbelievable to hear the stuff that came out their mouth. Nevertheless, I have been sober for almost 14 years. I rarely go to meetings anymore because I just can't relate to the white men at those meetings. We literally have nothing in common besides our alcoholism. I really would like to attend a BIPOC AA meeting but unfortunately there are none in my city.

[@ShannonFreng]

Gee, I drank beer prodigiously, for 25 years, then stopped, with no 'help' or problem at all--cold turkey, as they say. And I never needed to go to AA. It's definitely made for mostly feeble-minded, weak people, just so they can go into a room and be given sympathy, and shit. And they figure they have to do that for the rest of their lives? Most of the people who I've known, to be in AA, were quite demonstrably mentally ill--you could see that within five minutes of sitting and having a coffee with them. if you're thinking of joining AA, I strongly suggest asking your AA friend (most of whom appear suspiciously too ardent to get you to come to a meeting), to first let you have a coffee with some of them (other members of their AA group), outside a meeting. You should be able to easily see tell-tale signs they're mentally ill and save yourself the bother. This is especially important if you're female. If you do attend, have a trusted friend come with you, for a second opinion evaluation of them (as well as for your safety). Usually it's an ill sign, if people are too overtly gregarious to you, early on, in an attempt to recruit you, as it were.
A good line to remember from Hamlet, is this: "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." The implication being, that if someone seems to posit something, too ardently, it's usually an indication that they're trying to cover something up.