Doing Our Own Work: For White People Wanting to Unlearn Racism and Foster Racial Justice

Many white people are well-intentioned, yet seek additional awareness, knowledge, and skills to more effectively engage in cross-race relationships and anti-racism efforts. Two workshops have been developed intent to support them in becoming more conscious, competent, and committed to working for racial justice.  Participants will also explore how to develop a “racial justice lens” to more critically notice and address racial inequities in a variety of contexts.

Here are the descriptions of each workshop:

Part 1 (November 4): Systemic Racism:
How it impacts white people and people of color.

• the social construction of race and how “whiteness” was created
• the history of how racism in government and institutional policies and practices created many of the inequities we see today
• examples and experiences of white privilege
• how white people benefit from racism but are also harmed by it, and what we have to gain from racial justice
• strategies to dismantle structural racism and use our privilege for social justice.

Part 2 (November 5):  Individual and Interpersonal Racism:
How we have internalized racism and how it impacts our interactions with others.

• our stereotypes and implicit biases
• the ways we have internalized and express racial superiority
• tools to use in speaking up when we encounter bias or microaggressions
• how to more effectively engage in alllyship
• next steps in our journey in unlearning racism and creating racial justice.

We are also offering an Introduction to this work on Tuesday, October 3, from 6:30pm – 9:00pm, which will provide a foundation and touch on many issues that will be addressed in the two full day-workshops described above. Click here for information about the Introduction.

Each workshop is experiential and interactive, providing a supportive and non-judgmental environment to explore racism on personal and structural levels.  Tools and techniques used will include videos, personal reflections, small and large group discussions and activities, and presentations.

Diane Goodman has been addressing issues of diversity and social justice for over 30 years as a trainer, consultant, facilitator, professor, speaker, author, and activist.  Her extensive and varied background enables her to bring a range of skills and perspectives to meet the needs of her clients.

She has worked with numerous organizations, non-profit agencies, community groups, schools and  universities to create environment that allow all people to feel valued, to be treated fairly, and to work together productively.  Diane has also designed, led, and twined trainers for intergroup dialogues in community and academic contexts. Recently, she has been facilitating groups for community members to explore race, racism and whiteness.

Diane is the author of the book, Promoting Diversity and Social Justice: Educating People from Privileged Groups (2^nd ed., 2011) and co-editor of and contributor to Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice (3^rd ed., 2016) and other publications.

This workshop is presented in partnership with Stony Point Center, which is a retreat center offering radical hospitality, as well as a multi-faith community cultivating peace and justice.  Stony Point Center is located in New York’s Hudson Valley.

* No one will be turned away based on ability to pay. Please contact Melinda Darer: 845-304-5616 or Melinda@focusinginternational.org to make other arrangements.