Doing Our Own Work seminar in Southfield
Jeanne Mackey
Greetings,
The good folks at Allies for Change asked me to help spread the word about their upcoming anti-racist training for white people. I've taken this seminar and found it to be deeply meaningful--not to mention useful! Both the content and the training methods were stellar. See below for details.
Meanwhile, I'm preparing to attend my 50th high school reunion in Oxford, Ohio next weekend. Should be good for a few laughs.
Summer blessings,
Jeanne
Doing Our Own Work: An Anti-Racism Seminar for White People
October 5 & 6, November 16 & 17, and December 14 & 15 in Southfield, Michigan
At this time in our nation, we are witnessing an alarming resurgence of white supremacy and state sanctioned violence. It is imperative that those of us who are white do the deep work required to claim and embody an anti-racist identity, understand the privilege we carry, and interrupt racism where we live, work, study, and volunteer. Doing Our Own Work helps white people move through places where we often get stuck, so that we can step up with courage, humility, and compassion to participate in movements led by people of color and help move other white people to greater anti-racist awareness and action. Enrollment is limited to 20 people to facilitate in-depth reflection, dialogue, and community.
Doing Our Own Work is designed as a supplement to, not a substitute for, contexts where people of diverse races discuss and strategize together how racism can be challenged and dismantled.
Anti-racist action and reflection form the heart of Doing Our Own Work. Each participant is invited to identify a “sphere of influence” that serves as the focus of action and reflection. Utilizing input from the leaders, reading assignments, videos, group discussion, and structured exercises, we will explore the following topics and issues:
- The four realms of racism and change: personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural
- Historical roots of racism in the U.S.
- Movements for racial justice in the U.S.
- White privilege and unearned advantage
- Claiming and shaping an anti-racist identity
- Practicing the skills of interrupting racism
- Strategies for institutional change
- Developing networks of support and accountability
The facilitators are committed to working with the participants to create a respectful and truth-telling environment where we may bring our whole selves to this vitally important work.
This event is gender inclusive.
Leaders: Dessa Cosma and Emily Joye McGaughy (bios)
Dates: October 5 & 6, November 16 & 17, and December 14 & 15. Attendance at all six sessions is required.
Time: Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $475 ($100 deposit; $375 balance due). Includes program, resource materials, and snacks & beverages for all six days.
Scholarships and/or time payments available. No one will be turned away because of inability to pay. A nonrefundable $100 deposit will hold your place in the seminar.
Location: Northwest Unitarian Church, 23925 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield, Michigan 48075. The facility is barrier-free.
For a Full Description and Registration: http://www.alliesforchange.org/doow-southfield-2018.html
REGISTER EARLY BECAUSE ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED TO 20 PARTICIPANTS!!
For more information or to inquire about partial scholarships, email melaniemorrison@alliesforchange.org.
Doing Our Own Work is a program of Allies for Change