Anti-Racism Educational Workshop

Session Goals Recognizing that racism exists Understanding racism and its complexities Responding to racism and becoming an ally

Group Standards In order to have courageous conversations about racism what do you need to feel comfortable and safe in this environment? What can you offer?

Definition Game Ally: a member of the dominant social group who takes a stand against social injustice directed at a group or individual targeted by discrimination e.g. person who takes a stand against racism. Anti-Racism: included beliefs, actions, movements, and policies adopted or developed to address racism. Discrimination: the granting or denying of certain rights to certain groups. This is an action directed towards persons or groups based on prejudice. There are many forms of this term e.g. racism, homophobia, sexism, and so on. Dominant/Majority Group: refers to a group that shapes or controls other groups through social, economic, cultural, political, or religious power. In Canada this generally refers to White Anglo-Saxon Christian males. Ethnocentric: the belief in the superiority of one’s own ethnicity. It’s a disposition to judge others on the standards and practices of one’s own culture. Prejudice: a preconceived opinion about an individual or group without adequate knowledge or thought.

Definition Game Cont’d Race: a social and political construct which categorizes people on the basis of biological characteristics such as skin colour, eye shape, hair texture, body size, etc. There is no scientific basis for race. Racism: a form of discrimination based on physical characteristics such as skin colour. It is prejudice plus power used to the advantage of one group over another. Stereotype: a generalization, usually exaggerated, oversimplified and often offensive, that is used to describe or distinguish a group. Systemic/Institutional Racism: the propagation of racial superiority by social institutions through their policies, practices, procedures, and organizational, culture and values, either consciously or unconsciously. Privileged: belonging to a group that enjoys special privileges. In Canada, groups that enjoy social privileges are White, Canadian born, English speaking, male, heterosexual, and so on. White Privilege: the privileges afforded to the dominant racial group through the structures of institutions and systems. Xenophobia: an unreasonable fear of strangers or foreigners.

Flower Power/Assessing My Attitudes A chance to critically reflect on our own identity and where we stand within our society according to our power/powerlessness and privilege/oppression. We can all experience both power/privilege and powerlessness/oppression in different situations.

Privilege Line-Up A chance to empathize with a perspective you don’t normally identify with.

Scenarios A chance to explore different actions that allies can take when responding to racism.

Responding to Racism Six steps to speaking up against everyday discrimination: Be ready Identify the behaviour Appeal to principles Set limits Find an ally/be an ally Be vigilant

Responding to Racism Cont’d What can I do? Assume racism is everywhere, everyday Notice who is the centre of attention and who is in the centre of power Notice how racism is denied, minimized, and justified Notice how White privilege is normalized Understand and learn form the history of Whiteness and racism Understand the connections between racism, economic issues, sexism, and other forms of injustice Take a stand against injustice Step in purposively Be strategic Don’t confuse the battle with war Support the struggles of people of colour Support the leadership of people of color Learn something about the history of White people whoa have worked for racial justice Don’t do it alone Accept the “onion theory” Talk with your children and other young people about racism Educate others Remember it is in your interest to end racism

Reflection and Evaluation Were the goals met? What did you learn from this workshop? Short music video called “The Love You Give” (or other!)