We recognize how important it is for predominantly white communities to build self-awareness and practice anti-racism dialogue so we can show up for this work without replicating harm or white savior dynamics. This is an entry point into that practice.
Archived below is a monthly series of Zoom dialogue gatherings, digging into white identity work and the communal work of dismantling racism.
This dialogue and curriculum were tailored to focus on the unique challenges and opportunities involved in anti-racism work within predominately white spaces (inclusive of personal identity work for each of us as individuals).
Class 1: September 21, 2020
Recap
Making a paradigm shift to include an examination of white identity and white culture as a part of racial justice work. Recognizing how white privilege and over-representation allow those of us in predominately white congregations to keep conversations around race at an intellectual distance. Consider the messages we receive about what it means to white in our shared society. Small group dialogue. Consider a “spheres of control/influence” model with encouragement to work on racial justice in those areas that are directly in our control (typically ourselves) and influence (those places of power or relational influence). Utilize the below “Prepare, Talk, Act” prompts to practice dismantling racism in our own places of control and influence.
Prepare, Talk, Act (Handout)
Reminder, these are personal practice exercises designed to help each of us incorporate preparation, dialogue, and action into our daily lives. We encourage each of you to dig into these opportunities for personal practice.
Bringing It Home (Handout)
The “Bringing It Home” discussion guide is meant to support your congregation's reflection on what dismantling racism work might entail for your specific context. Think of this as a helpful way to bring the conversation home to your place of direct influence. We encourage you to consider gathering for a monthly conversation within your own congregational communities to help make these important connections. You’ll find a wide variety of questions within this guide – feel free to take, leave, or adapt any of them as you see fit. The goal is simply to bring the conversation home.
Class 2: October 19, 2020
Recap
Explore what a land acknowledgment can look like for your community and share one upon the gathering. Brief analysis and small group discussion of how power is distributed in major sectors of the US economy. Introduce the main focus of this month’s session - How did the U.S. become a white dominant culture? After a brief history of whiteness, we considered how white people rationalize and justify their dominance and reflected on the current manifestations of centuries of trauma. In breakout groups, we discussed the benefits and drawbacks of maintaining a white dominant culture and how it feels to us to be part of this history.
Experiences of People of Color in Minnesota (Handout)
Bringing it Home (Handout)
The Bringing it Home Guide contains activities that are designed to help participants PREPARE themselves to recognize how our white experiences shape our perceptions, TALK to our predominantly white neighbors and church members about unintentional individual racism, and ACT to dismantle institutional racism in our community. It also contains discussion questions that can be used to support reflection on what dismantling racism work might entail in each congregation's specific context.
Class 3: November 16, 2020
Recap
This month participants asked themselves the question “How do I contribute to White supremacy culture?” We learned to recognize the characteristics of white dominant culture and talked about ways we unintentionally support it. Then we learned about antidotes for white supremacy – behaviors that we can practice that help counteract the effects of white dominance.
Prepare. Talk. Act.
These personal practice exercises are designed to help each of us dismantle racism by preparing ourselves, engaging in dialogue and taking action into our daily lives.
PREPARE
Read Introduction and Chapter 1 of White Fragility OR Explore the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s web site Talking About Race.
TALK
Share the White Culture Discussion Guide as well as any insights it gave you with another person. Encourage him/her to identify his/her antidote behaviors and name new ones. If your family is gathering for Thanksgiving, either in-person or virtually, open up the topic of race by asking “What are your hopes and dreams for America regarding our country’s racial divide?”
ACT
Consider how your resources are a source of power, research BIPOC focused organizations, and allocate your resources accordingly.
• Donate goods and supplies to support BIPOC people
• Make a financial donation to a BIPOC led organization
• Purchase goods and services from a BIPOC owned business
White Culture Characteristics (Handout)
Class 4: December 21
Recap
This month participants asked themselves the question “How do I contribute to White supremacy culture?” We learned to recognize the characteristics of white dominant culture and talked about ways we unintentionally support it. Then we learned about antidotes for white supremacy – behaviors that we can practice that help counteract the effects of white dominance.
Prepare. Talk. Act.
These personal practice exercises are designed to help each of us dismantle racism by preparing ourselves, engaging in dialogue and taking action into our daily lives.
PREPARE
Read Chapter 5 in White Fragility by Robin D’Angelo
OR
Watch Why English Class is Silencing Students of Color (22 mins)
TALK
Share the “Intentional/Unintentional” table with someone. Work to fill out examples together. Talk about how it feels to recognize examples of unintentional racist actions in oneself.
Personal Actions Institutional Actions
Intentional Actions _________________ __________________
Unintentional Actions _________________ __________________
ACT
Explore The Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) and consider taking one of the following actions
· Attend one of their virtual events
· Sign up to receive advocacy alerts for the Electoral Justice Voter Fund
· Donate money
OR
Choose a different BIPOC led organization and find a way to get involved.
Bringing It Home Discussion Questions
We encourage you to consider gathering for a monthly conversation within your own congregational communities to deepen your understanding and help make important connections. These discussion questions are meant to support your congregational reflection on what dismantling racism work might entail for your specific context. You’ll find a wide variety of questions here – feel free to take, leave, or adapt any of them as you see fit. The goal is simply to bring the conversation home.
1. What’s one thing that stuck with you from this month’s session?
2. Since the last class, have you noticed any feelings of defensiveness or discomfort when talking about race? Share your experience(s).
3. While participating in this dialogue series, have you brought up the topic of race with family, friends, or co-workers? How did the discussion(s) go? Is there anything you would have changed in the way you participated in the discussion?
4. One of the expectations of the Dialogue Series is that participants will regularly explore the material with others through the Talk activities. Has it been easy or hard for you to find opportunities to do this? Discuss strategies for making this happen more often.
5. Are there any lingering questions that are sitting with us as we move forward from this space?
Class 5: January 19, 2021
January Recap
This month we reflected upon and processed the violent insurrection in Washington DC. We did this first by pausing to take stock of our own emotions and bodily sensations, using a share breathing exercise, body scan and small group check-in.
We then briefly unpacked the history that led to this moment – yes, the past four years, but also the past 400 years of white supremacy and white silence shaping our collective society.
Finally, we considered the complicated process of how to communicate effectively with people who have dramatically different viewpoints than one’s own, particularly when entrenched prejudice and/or misinformation is at play. We shared two practices that seek to build a bridge of understanding: listening with curiosity and listening to clarify information. We also shared a third practice that involves letting go: clearly stating where one stands and then closing the conversation.
You are invited to share your perspectives about the dialogue series in this mid-year feedback survey: https://forms.gle/cnEFNeqLE32rF1X1A
January Prepare. Talk. Act
These personal practice exercises are designed to help each of us dismantle racism by preparing ourselves, engaging in dialogue and taking action into our daily lives.
PREPARE
View and bookmark the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Speaking up to Everyday Bigotry resource - https://www.splcenter.org/20150125/speak-responding-everyday-bigotry
TALK
Choose a conversation partner. Discuss the content of this session and practice responding to entrenched prejudice or misinformation.
ACT
Practice body scanning to tune into your body (optional script below)
Make your values known - Facebook, letter to the editor, letter to your legislator
Call or write your local representative to express gratitude and support.
Body Scan (optional)
Begin by sitting or lying comfortably with your feet on the floor, in a place where you feel safe. Look around you at your environment, the walls, the ceiling, the floors. You can close your eyes if you are comfortable doing so.
Bring your attention, your awareness, to your head, your face, your eyes, your nose, your mouth. Notice any tension held there. Notice how your skin feels - cool or warm. Notice if any emotions arise or any other sensations that are present. Simply notice what you find, you do not have to change anything.
Now bring your attention to your neck and into your shoulders. Feel the muscle attachments and the weight of your head. Is there any tension, are there emotions that arise? Other sensations?
Continue with this as your awareness moves into your arms, your elbows and down to your hands.
Remember to breathe.
Now take a moment with your torso - your chest - and your abdomen. Feel your ribcage and belly as it rises and falls with your breath. What sensations, emotions, tensions do you find?
Allow your attention to drop to your hips and buttocks. Feel the support of your chair, the fold of your hips, the backs of your thighs. As you scan notice what your body is holding, what it is telling you.
Continue to your knees, the crease of your knees, your lower legs.
And your feet. Feel your feet supported on the floor. Your connection with the earth. Allow any emotions, tensions, sensations to register in your awareness.
Now, take a nice breath in. Inhale and feel how it touches every part of you. As you exhale, allow any accumulated tension to melt and release with your breath.
Repeat 2 more times, more if you wish.
When you are ready, open your eyes and scan your environment to return to the present.
January Bringing It Home Discussion Questions
We encourage you to consider gathering for a monthly conversation within your own congregational communities to deepen your understanding and help make important connections. These discussion questions are meant to support your congregational reflection on what dismantling racism work might entail for your specific context. You’ll find a wide variety of questions here – feel free to take, leave, or adapt any of them as you see fit. The goal is simply to bring the conversation home.
What is one thing that stuck with you from this month’s session?
We have lived through major historic and traumatic moments relating to race, racism and expression of white identity this past year – on top of navigating a global pandemic. Take a moment as a group to allow each person to connect with their body and emotions. Share the feelings – lightness, tightness, fatigue, hope – that are present in your body today.
What does it feel like to actively connect with your body and/or emotions when witnessing racialized trauma in our country/community? How might being present with our bodily feelings relate to the work of “showing up” for our fair share of racial justice work?
What might we risk losing sight of when we approach racial justice work from an intellectual distance (i.e. as a theoretical concept rather than a lived and felt process)?
What faith resources or stories might guide us as we continue to wrestle with the complex and often painful history of white supremacy in the U.S.?
In last month’s class, we explored methods of approaching conversations around race and racism with others who may share deeply divergent views or values. Are there tools or challenges in approaching these conversations that are sticking with you here in this season of life?
Are there any lingering questions that are sitting with you as we move forward from this space?
Class 6: February 15, 2021
February Recap
This month, participants learned about microaggressions and their impact. We received guidelines and practiced giving and receiving feedback about racially biased comments and actions we have observed or committed.
February Prepare. Talk. Act.
These personal practice exercises are designed to help each of us dismantle racism by preparing ourselves, engaging in dialogue and taking action into our daily lives.
PREPARE
Watch No. You cannot touch my hair
Read Dear Anti-Racist Allies: Here’s how to respond to microaggressions and When and How to Respond to Microaggressions
Attend Tell Me The Truth: Exploring the Heart of Cross-Racial Conversations on Feb. 23, 6-7:30PM. This Facebook Live event is hosted by Shay Bouley (Black Girl in Maine Media) and Debby Irving (author of Waking Up White). Click the link to learn more and purchase tickets ($14.99).
TALK
Think of some common microaggressions. Practice giving feedback or receiving feedback aloud (alone or with a partner) on those microaggressions so next time you can respond with courage and greater confidence in the moment. Consider having an accountability partner who you can connect with to discuss bias and practice giving and receiving feedback.
ACT
Learn about and consider supporting a local or national organization focused on mental health and healing for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color such as the Northside Healing Space (North Minneapolis), Steve Fund, or the National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide.
February Bringing It Home Discussion Questions
We encourage you to consider gathering for a monthly conversation within your own congregational communities to deepen your understanding and help make important connections. These discussion questions are meant to support your congregational reflection on what dismantling racism work might entail for your specific context. You’ll find a wide variety of questions here – feel free to take, leave, or adapt any of them as you see fit. The goal is simply to bring the conversation home.
Note: Participants who are not part of a participating congregation are welcome to join in a Zoom session on Sunday morning with St. Luke Presbyterian or Monday evening with Minnetonka United Methodist Church. Contact Brennan@stluke.mn (St. Luke) or hello@jenmein.org (MUMC) for dates and link information.
1. What is one thing that stuck with you from this month’s session?
2. Explore this racial microaggression handout as a group. What other examples would you add? Identify theme, microaggression, and message to persons of color.
3. How has your awareness of racially biased comments and actions evolved or heightened over the past year? What have you noticed in yourself and others?
4. Has the concept of racial bias come up in your church and if so, how? What resources are available or needed?
5. How could this group create courageous space to give and receive feedback to each other? How can we continue to practice and help each other grow with grace and humility?
6. One of the expectations of the Dialogue Series is that participants will regularly explore the material with others through the Talk activities. Has it been easy or hard for you to find opportunities to do this? Discuss strategies for making this happen more often.
7. Are there any lingering questions that are sitting with us as we move forward from this space?
Providing and Receiving Feedback handout
Examples of Racial Microaggressions https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KGp0cMnZ2drBAQ7BfNgUEfZo2sn4v5r3/view
Class 7: March 15, 2021
Recap
This month, participants explored becoming allies for BIPOC. We talked about some essential building blocks for white people who want to become racial justice allies. We considered three focus area options and discussed possible first steps for each of us.
- Conversations with other white people about racism
- Address systemic racism in your area of interest and/ or influence
- Forming authentic/ reciprocal relationships with BIPOC
Visuals from the class:
Okorie Johnson video (min. 5:40 – 9:23)
Bringing It Home (handout)
We encourage you to consider gathering for a monthly conversation within your own congregational communities to deepen your understanding and help make important connections. These discussion questions are meant to support your congregational reflection on what dismantling racism work might entail for your specific context. You’ll find a wide variety of questions here – feel free to take, leave, or adapt any of them as you see fit. The goal is simply to bring the conversation home.
Note: Participants who are not part of a participating congregation are welcome to join in a Zoom session on Sunday morning with St. Luke Presbyterian or Monday evening with Minnetonka United Methodist Church. Contact Brennan@stluke.mn (St. Luke) or hello@jenmein.org (MUMC) for dates and link information.
Class 8: April 19, 2021
Bringing It Home Guide (PDF)
April Recap
This month, participants chose to form small groups focused on five of the elements of our society that are exhibiting institutional racism where we might be able to have some influence: education, healthcare, housing, policing, and voting rights. Each group shared information about the key issues in their area that promote racism and identified opportunities to take action designed to mitigate the institution’s racist tendencies and practices. The key ideas developed in the small groups have been captured in the Dismantling Racism Resource Guide.
April Prepare. Talk. Act.
These personal practice exercises are designed to help each of us dismantle racism by preparing ourselves, engaging in dialogue, and taking action into our daily lives.
PREPARE
Review the Dismantling Racism Action Resource Guide and select one learning opportunity to explore.
TALK
Review the Circle of Influence Diagram with someone outside of the class and encourage him/her/them to identify an area of personal influence. Share the Resource Guide with him/her/them.
ACT
Review the West Metro Dismantling Racism Network Agreements & Etiquette Guidelines. You are automatically included in the group and can unsubscribe at any time.
AND
Take action on at least one dismantling racism action you identified in your small group breakout session.
April Bringing It Home Discussion Questions
We encourage you to consider gathering for a monthly conversation within your own congregational communities to deepen your understanding and help make important connections. These discussion questions are meant to support your congregational reflection on what dismantling racism work might entail for your specific context. You’ll find a wide variety of questions here – feel free to take, leave, or adapt any of them as you see fit. The goal is simply to bring the conversation home.
Note: Participants who are not part of a participating congregation are welcome to join in a Zoom session on Sunday morning with St. Luke Presbyterian or Monday evening with Minnetonka United Methodist Church. Contact Brennan@stluke.mn (St. Luke) or hello@jenmein.org (MUMC) for dates and link information.
1. What is one thing that stuck with you from this month’s session?
2. Share the Circle of Influence Diagram. Over which areas of systemic racism do you have influence? Are you motivated to take action there? Why or why not?
3. How are you currently taking personal action to dismantle systemic racism? Have you found any organizations, web sites, or email groups that are helping you take action? (If good ideas arise, please send to adele_lennig@outlook.com to be included in the next version of the Dismantling Racism Action Resource Guide.
4. How are your church’s ministries taking action to dismantle systemic racism? Is this work happening in multiple areas? Are there any opportunities for coordination?
5. Introduce/discuss the West Metro Dismantling Racism Network. Review the Agreements & Etiquette Guidelines. Discuss how this resource could be used to promote racial justice action within your congregation.
6. Are there any lingering questions that are sitting with you as we move forward from this space?
Dismantling Racism Action Resource Guide
West Metro Dismantling Racism Network Agreements & Etiquette Guidelines
