http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/07/27/antiracist-organizations-resources-for-fighting-white-racism/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:29:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/07/27/antiracist-organizations-resources-for-fighting-white-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-9046 Kristen Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:23:57 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=3125#comment-9046 I'm currently a member of a white antiracist group that grew out of one of the PI's Undoing Racism workshops several years ago (before I moved here). We caucus and meet both alone (once or twice a month) and jointly with the affiliated people of color group (about once a month). While we are all involved with various actions that support antiracism, from teaching to writing op-eds to speaking at school board meetings to attending rallies, when we white folks come together we mainly operate as a very personal support group. It has been truly invaluable to me to be able to be around other white people who have a shared understanding of racism and to know I can bring my worries, share my recent experiences, and get advice and encouragement. It is also worth noting that the core of our group is white folks over 50 from all walks of life, and we span the ages of 20s-70ish - a wonderfully eclectic bunch. ~ When I moved to this city, I immediately found a home in this group. I've actually never attended an antiracism workshop and have gained my knowledge from graduate school instead. But one issue that our group has been discussing the past few months is how we can offer a hand to other white people who may want to take the next step beyond the weekend antiracism workshop they had to go to for their work or something but wound up experiencing some bit of intrigue or enlightenment. Unfortunately, there are few in-betweens from first exposure to "getting it," as they say. I find that having a class for a whole semester is enough time for students to develop a good base of knowledge, but I have little assurance that they are well-equipped to pack their bags and hop the antiracism train. It requires so much learning AND unlearning, and without known resources, I think a lot of people fail to move very far, even against their own inclinations. ~Just a bunch of thoughts. Many thanks for this post! I’m currently a member of a white antiracist group that grew out of one of the PI’s Undoing Racism workshops several years ago (before I moved here). We caucus and meet both alone (once or twice a month) and jointly with the affiliated people of color group (about once a month). While we are all involved with various actions that support antiracism, from teaching to writing op-eds to speaking at school board meetings to attending rallies, when we white folks come together we mainly operate as a very personal support group. It has been truly invaluable to me to be able to be around other white people who have a shared understanding of racism and to know I can bring my worries, share my recent experiences, and get advice and encouragement. It is also worth noting that the core of our group is white folks over 50 from all walks of life, and we span the ages of 20s-70ish – a wonderfully eclectic bunch.
~
When I moved to this city, I immediately found a home in this group. I’ve actually never attended an antiracism workshop and have gained my knowledge from graduate school instead. But one issue that our group has been discussing the past few months is how we can offer a hand to other white people who may want to take the next step beyond the weekend antiracism workshop they had to go to for their work or something but wound up experiencing some bit of intrigue or enlightenment. Unfortunately, there are few in-betweens from first exposure to “getting it,” as they say. I find that having a class for a whole semester is enough time for students to develop a good base of knowledge, but I have little assurance that they are well-equipped to pack their bags and hop the antiracism train. It requires so much learning AND unlearning, and without known resources, I think a lot of people fail to move very far, even against their own inclinations.
~Just a bunch of thoughts. Many thanks for this post!

]]> http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2009/07/27/antiracist-organizations-resources-for-fighting-white-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-9044 Jessie Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:03:29 +0000 http://www.racismreview.com/blog/?p=3125#comment-9044 Nice post, Joe. I think that the strategy one takes depends on the definition of the problem as well. Is this a mental illness? Is it a legal/discrimination issue? Is it less about individual bigotry and more about structural inequality? Or, is it a spiritual or religious issue? It seems to me that we need a multi-pronged approach and an energized antiracist movement. Nice post, Joe. I think that the strategy one takes depends on the definition of the problem as well. Is this a mental illness? Is it a legal/discrimination issue? Is it less about individual bigotry and more about structural inequality? Or, is it a spiritual or religious issue? It seems to me that we need a multi-pronged approach and an energized antiracist movement.

]]>