Spiritual Exploration of Privilege, Racism and Allyship- cont'd

Based on a class taught by Rev. Dr. Ryan G. Polly, we continue the exploration of systemic racism and examine our role in both participating in it and dismantling it.

Join us for an in-depth discussion on white privilege, spiritual bypass and spiritual solutions as we explore systemic racism and take a deep dive into the hidden biases and priveleges, in order to move into a place of authentic conversation and the ability to show up as an ally.  We will also explore ways in which our Unity community can respond.

Meeting outside, bring a chair. In inclement weather we will meet inside, bring a mask :)

Week 1 Homework (please do as much as you can in order to get as much out of this as you can)

The notion of race is a socio-historical concept based on arbitrary meanings that help construct the idea of the “other”. Racial labels reflect societal attitudes and perceived group differences. These differences vary from one society to another and change over time generating a process called racial formation best exemplified in the United States by the idea of “whiteness.”

 

“Ethnicity” is best understood as the dynamic, evolving process between identity and culture in individuals. Ethnicity is the product of the actions taken by an ethnic group (ex. Latinx, Chinese, Arabic) as they shape and reshape their definition of culture and the influences of social, economic, and political processes.

 

Here is a good resource that explores this further: https://www.thoughtco.com/sociology-of-race-and-ethnicity-3026285 

 

This week you will be exploring these and other core concepts and you will seek to understand your relationship with race and identity. In order to work toward anti-racism and allyship, we must first look within. Simply being a spiritually minded person does not automatically mean allyship or anti-racist. White people have benefited from racism and taking the time to self-explore is critical.  While non-white people have been oppressed by racism, the systemic nature of it still shapes non-white identities. It is important to have a critical understanding about how systemic racism and white supremacy shapes the self before learning how to dismantle it.

 

Step One:

Race can be difficult to talk about and too often white people become defensive.  Let’s begin by watching this video on White Fragility (please note- this is the longest of the videos, the remaining ones are fairly short)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45ey4jgoxeU&t=21s

 

Step Two:

Read the transcript on this website to better understand racial and ethnic identity development:

https://www.embracerace.org/resources/recording-and-resources-understanding-racial-ethnic-identity-development#transcript 

 

Step Three: 

Watch VIDEOS related to this week’s content:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvIO2GU8yTU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKsqfn8aH8k&feature=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlGyHcGuE6c

 

Step Four: 

Answer the following reflection questions in advance of next week's class. 

 

1. How would you describe your ethnic and racial background?

2. What ways do you identify with these and/or other ethnic and racial heritages?

3. What events, situations, moments, or processes have led to a greater awareness of your ethnic/racial background?

4. What are some of the reasons how we have managed to be a full functioning adult in 2020 and not know what to do about racism?

5. In So you want to talk about race the author states ‘It’s about race if a person of color thinks it is about race.  It is about race if it disproportionately or differently affects people of color.’  What social or political issues that many believe are not about race, may actually be?

6. How does your spiritual identity align with your racial identity?  How does it inform your work towards allyship? 

7. When we feel defensive talking about race, what could we do?

 

We

 

When
August 21st, 2020 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Location
18313 Lappans Rd
Boonsboro, MD
United States
Contact
Phone: 2404095940