Have you done anti-racism training, or decentering whiteness training, or cultural humility training and still long for a place to practice identifying racism when you see it, and to get better at knowing what to say or do when it happens? Consider joining the Anti-Racism Circle of Practice—a group of clergy and lay people in the conference who are committed to getting better at addressing racism when we see it.
We meet the second Thursday of the month September through May each year at 5:30 AZ time by Zoom.
Participants agree:
To attend all the meetings and be in communication with the group if this is impossible
To hold a safe place for us to share our failures and struggles and learn from each other
To make a financial contribution to the Conference Decentering Whiteness Task Force work:
$125 – Standard annual investment
$75 or $50 – Reduced annual investment
$25 – Scholarship investment
Full scholarship – Available when necessary, so that finances do not prevent participation
This is what participants say about their experience of the group work:
From Dax:
I first came to the Southwest Conference Antiracism Circle of Practice after doing some deeper reflection with members of my church through the Conference’s Decentering Whiteness learning opportunities. I wanted a place where I could keep learning and talk openly with others about what I was noticing and experiencing.
Over the years, the COP has given me tools for reflecting on everyday moments and thinking more carefully about how I respond when race and whiteness are at work. It has also helped me learn what to do when I don’t respond well - how to move beyond defensiveness, take accountability, and consider what repair might look like when harm has been done.
More than anything, it has given me a community where I can keep practicing, reflecting, and growing alongside others who are committed to doing the same.
From Lanie:
I am a lay member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Albuquerque, NM (since 2005).
It was only in the last 20 years that I became aware of "The Making of America" on the back of black people i.e. institutional racism in which we (were unconsciously) embedded. At the turn of the Century, reading books helped me understand the history of racism in America (probably starting with Obama's "The Audacity of Hope" -2006 and then "White Fragility" -2018, and "How to be an Anti-racist" -2019). I became uncomfortable enough with the situation that I finally felt I had to "do something", take some kind of action which resulted in my joining several UCC SW Conference on-line anti-racism groups during the past 3 years and becoming a member of the local Albuquerque Branch of the NAACP a year ago. I continue to engage with the SWC Anti-Racism Circle of Practice because we still learn from each other without judgment.
Questions? Contact one of the facilitators, Donna Cavedon donnacavedon@yahoo.com or Randi Walker randi-walker-3891@att.net.