Source:
Start Time
7pm
Reading for Understanding
Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 7-9pm EST
Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation
What is the Dock C. Bracy Center
for Human Reconciliation?
The Dock C. Bracy Center provides services to adults who are committed to the eradication of racism. The Center is a community-focused organization offering free education, support, tools and creative problem-solving to assist people in eradicating racism from their communities.
Our organization stands out from other human relations consulting and training organizations because we focus on helping individuals explore and align their emotions and thoughts as they work to transform their communities. In addition, we offer free ongoing support to participants in our programs as they pursue their anti-racism work.
How are we going to achieve our goal?
As a learning organization, the Center seeks to understand what support people need to be committed and active in eradicating racism and other forms of human oppression.
The Finding Your Voice Program creates an environment for learning, healing, and transformation. It is rich in educational resources and offers networking support.
Reading for Understanding
As a learning organization, the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation seeks to provide opportunities to promote understanding and empathy. Book discussions provide participants with a shared experience and an opportunity to engage with others.
The Center’s Reading for Understanding monthly virtual book discussions are free and have two requirements: Read the book and make time for the discussion.
Land Acknowledgement
Every community owes its existence and strength to the generations before them, around the world, who contributed their hopes, dreams, and energy into making the history that led to this moment. Some were brought here against their will, some were drawn to migrate from their homes in hope of a better life, and some have lived on this land for more generations than can be counted. Truth and acknowledgment are critical in building mutual respect and connections across all barriers of heritage and difference.
As residents of Howard County, Maryland, we believe it is important to create dialogue to honor those that have been historically and systemically disenfranchised. So, we acknowledge the truth that is often buried: We are on the ancestral lands of the Piscataway People, who were among the first in the Western Hemisphere. We are on indigenous land that was stolen from the Piscataway People by European colonists. We pay respects to Piscataway elders and ancestors. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today.
Source: (1) University of Maryland, Land Acknowledgement, (2) Piscataway Conoy Tribe Piscataway, "The people where the rivers blend."
Meeting Norms
Process
We will respect everyone’s time by starting and ending on time.
Only one conversation at one time. Refrain from side-talk.
Be present with the people you are meeting with. Put away phones and other devices during the meeting.
Take bathroom breaks as needed.
Everyone is responsible for helping to stay on topic. Speak up if you feel like we’re getting off track.
Address conflict head on.
Everyone is responsible for upholding the norms. Acknowledge if you notice we are not doing so.
Communication
Ask questions for clarification to help avoid making assumptions.
Make sure everyone's voice is heard.
Balance your participation - speak and listen.
Listen actively to teammates without interrupting others.
Clarify when you are advocating vs offering an idea.
Say it now, in the room. Avoid waiting till later to raise an issue.
All voices count. All opinions are valid, but offer reasoning behind your thinking.
Virtual
Do not multitask (do other work) during the meeting.
Use the mute button at your site to prevent the transmission of background noise.
Speak up to get attention if you have something to say.
Turn on your video whenever possible.
Follow an organized line up to ensure each person has a chance to respond.
Source: Meeting Norms, Meeteor
Agenda
6:40pm: Waiting Room Opens
7:00pm: Meeting Begins, Brief Introduction
7:10pm: Small Group Breakout Rooms
7:50pm: 10 Minute Break (Returning to Large Group)
8:00pm: Small Group Breakout Rooms
8:30pm: Large Group Discussion
8:55pm: Wrap-up
9:00pm: Meeting Close
How does the breakout room work?
Large Group
Small Group
40 minutes
Intermission
Large Group
Small Group
30 minutes
7:00pm
9:00pm
How do we get started?
As your introduction, please share a passage from the book that most resonates with you.
Discussion Questions
ZERO-SUM THEORY: Many white Americans view race as a zero-sum game: There’s an us and a them, and what’s good for them is bad for us. This rationale animates our public policies even today, when those who benefit from our country’s drastic economic inequality sell the zero-sum story to block public support for any collective action that benefits us all, from universal healthcare to living wages.
Small Group
7:10-7:50pm
8:00-8:30pm
Source: Discussion Guide
Discussion Questions
1. Discuss Heather McGhee’s definition of zero-sum theory. Why is this a harmful—and false—way of looking at race and public policy?
2. How does McGhee’s background in economics influence her thinking about matters of race? How does she use this to show us a new way into, and out of, a centuries-long problem?
3. McGhee uses the example of public pools to illustrate how racism caused people to destroy something that could have benefited us all. Can you identify other “pools”— public goods that you see America going without—and how do you now think differently about the role racism might have played in this dynamic?
Small Group
7:10-7:50pm
8:00-8:30pm
Source: Discussion Guide
Discussion Questions
4. Why would laborers like the white auto workers McGhee describes refuse to unionize? How does this enhance your understanding of the “mystery” of people who vote against their own interests?
5. Let’s talk about the way McGhee’s metaphor of “the drained pool” has led to the student debt crisis—and how it is influencing generations of Black and white college graduates.
6. What role did racism play in the housing crisis that led to the Great Recession? How could the subprime mortgage crisis and ensuing financial collapse have been stopped?
Small Group
7:10-7:50pm
8:00-8:30pm
Source: Discussion Guide
Discussion Questions
7. McGhee writes that white people are the most segregated people in America. What are some of the costs of continuing to segregate like this? What are the benefits of integration—both culturally and economically?
8. McGhee coined the phrase “The Solidarity Dividend” to describe Americans reaching across racial lines to work together for the common good—and securing better lives for us all. Discuss some of the examples she shares where such solidarity has been achieved.
9. What’s one thing you can do this week to work toward solidarity?
Small Group
7:10-7:50pm
8:00-8:30pm
Source: Discussion Guide
Discussion Questions
10. McGhee shares a memory of white classmates proudly stating that they are fiscally conservative and socially liberal but challenges the morality of fiscal conservatism when we can afford to eliminate poverty. Do you agree with McGhee? Why or why not? How can you best explain this concept to peers or family members who might also think of themselves as “fiscally conservative but socially liberal”?
11. What are some ways white people can work to challenge zero-sum thinking?
Small Group
7:10-7:50pm
8:00-8:30pm
Source: Discussion Guide
November
December
February
March
April
May
June
July
2022
August
September
October
January
Large Group Discussion
“You've got solutions and you bring the receipts in the book. In what way might you [we] be able to directly impact the policies of the current U.S. administration?” – Ilana, Ontario, Canada
“If ‘a thoughtful and committed group of citizens’ who had the time and means to work toward creating a world that sees diversity as a superpower came to you [us], what would be the first three actions you would suggest they take?”�– Ken, New York, USA
LargeGroup
8:30-9pm
Large Group Discussion
“As an Asian living in the US, I constantly have the fear of being judged by my look and my influent English. I appreciate your book telling me the history and the root of racism issues in the US. However, a harsh truth is that your book probably will not be read by people who actually need to read it the most. How can we change the mindset of those people who hold judgements toward race and even the word “racism”? A lot of people don’t admit there is racism in this country. How can we reach a state where people have a basic and common understanding of all different cultures and ethnicities, and embrace the beauty of diversity?” – Gina, North Carolina, USA
LargeGroup
8:30-9pm
Large Group Discussion
“When the Build Back Better plan was introduced, I had a conversation with a best friend who happens to be white. I said I was for it because people who can't support their kids result to bad decisions like committing crimes. We both went to the same university and both earned degrees in Criminal Justice. Yet his worldview led his position to be "I don't want my tax dollars going to that." This despite the fact that we both have numerous friends who are police officers and stand in the line of fire on a daily basis. It seems not education, but a lack of empathy is the main obstacle of progress. How can we overcome this when love can't be legislated?” – Bruce, Texas, USA
LargeGroup
8:30-9pm
Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT)
W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF)
Dr. Gail C. Christopher
https://wkkf.issuelab.org/resource/truth-racial-healing-transformation-implementation-guidebook.html
Source: TRHT Website
TRHT Dallas
Dallas Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation
2020 Report
Source: Dallas TRHT
Thank you.
Did you enjoy this event?
Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation
Website: http://www.dcbcenter.org
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