Day 10: Representation Matters

Dear Anti- Racist Practicing Friends and Family! 

We’ve made it to day 10, we’re a third of the way through our 30 day challenge and we are feeling different.  We feel more aware of both our white privilege and local policy.  We feel a deeper connection to the historic events taking place around us, and also to our black sisters and brothers.  We feel uncomfortable and unsure, but we’re going to keep on keeping on and we’re glad to have you by our sides to do it.  

Please don’t forget to write one or both of us to share your activities and events.   Camerin’s tribe has been regularly doing so,  Beth got her tribe off to a later start so they have been less interactive about your experiences.  It encourages all of us.  THANKS a million.  

Day 10

Today we’re going to do something fun! We’re borrowing this idea directly from 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice.  

“If you or a friend is an educator, buy said friend books that feature POC as protagonists and heroes, no matter the racial make-up of the class. A few good lists are here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. And/or purchase educational toys that feature POC, such as finger puppets, Black History Flashcards, etc for their classroom. Use these items year-round, not just in February. The racial make-up of students doesn’t matter — kids of every race need to know American history and be exposed to people from different races, religions, and countries. If the friend is interested, buy them for your pal’s classroom. Don’t be shy to ask Facebook friends that you haven’t actually talked to in ten years.”   Be sure to read and enjoy your choices if you can. 

We’d like to add that if you don’t personally know a teacher, donate the books to a school, or buy them for your place of worship or community center.  Grab a few for a white friend who has young children or is about to have a baby.  

One of our favorites is Let’s Dance by Valerie Bolling (a black author), Illustrated by Maine Diaz.  I (Camerin) have gotten to know Valerie during the Pandemic and we’ve done several, virtual book events together.  Here’s one just for you!  I have also attached an activity sheet and a coloring sheet from Valerie.  

We also love: 

 

Adults deserve great books with diverse experiences.  You may be doing the required reading of the moment: White Fragility, We Can’t Breathe, How to be Anti-Racist.  All great books but don’t forget to enjoy a little black Fiction too! 

 

Jessica Nock put together this summer reading list: 

How To Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X Kendi

Stamped (the remix by Jason Reynolds & Kendi)

Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

Deacon King Kong by James McBride

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Paradise by Toni Morrison

Salvage The Bones by Jesmyn Ward

The Color of Water by James McBride

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Sula by Toni Morrison

A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

Thick by Tressie McMillan Cottom

Kindred by Octavia Butler

The Revisioners by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

Pride by Ibi Zoboi

Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai

  

If you missed our ZOOM today with MB Nix about Charlotte City Council and the action it took Monday night in response to the protests, we have attached the visual she created.  It was informative and led to a wonderful discussion.  Here’s the link to the meeting, MB recommends starting at 1hr and 50 min in for the relevant part of the meeting: https://youtu.be/8EAtU_4JeT8

Peace,

Camerin and Beth 

 

Word of the Day: Racism

Racism = race prejudice + social and institutional power

Racism = a system of advantage based on race

Racism = a system of oppression based on race

Racism = a white supremacy system

 

Racism is different from racial prejudice, hatred, or discrimination. Racism involves one group having the power to carry out systematic discrimination through the institutional policies and practices of the society and by shaping the cultural beliefs and values that support those racist policies and practices. 

SOURCE:

Dismantling   Racism   Works   web   workbook

Please note: There is no such thing as “reverse racism”. 

 

 

Upcoming Virtual Events: 

  • 6/10 2-4pm MDT White People: Reconnect to Our Spirit and Our Humanity to Interrupt White Supremacy

  • 6/10, 3:00-4:00 pm EDT: “Anti-Racist Work Begins at Home: A Community Courageous Conversation & A Teach-in for Allies.”  Hosted by Agnes Scott College. Panelists will include Jacinta Williams, Head of Equality and Inclusion at Atlanta International School and Dr. Elilzabeth Hackett, Chair of Women’s Gender & Sexuality Studies at Agnes Scott. Moderator will be Dr. Yves-Rose Porcena, Vice-President for Equity and Inclusion at Agnes Scott. All members of the community are welcome to join. Register at www.tinyurl.com/cgdiwebinar3.

  • 6/10 Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 9p EDT:   Oprah Winfrey to host two-night special with black leaders, “Where Do We Go From Here?”  Guests will include politician Stacey Abrams, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, director Ava DuVernay, "Selma" actor David Oyelowo, Color of Change founder Rashad Robinson; and NAACP national board member Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II. Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Oprah:  Celebrities react to the death of George Floyd: 'We must act'  the special will air on OWN and all of Discovery’s 18 networks, will stream for free on the Watch OWN and Discovery Family apps, as well as OWN’s YouTube, Facebook and Instagram pages.

  • 6/10 4pm- 5:30pm EDT Understanding and Transforming White Womanhood Webinar

  • 6/20 The Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington (Virtual).  Info here. RSVP here.  

 

Reading/ Watch/Listen List: 

 

Day 8 Actions and Reflections from the group: 

  • I voted and in GA where the lines were sometimes very long and not all voting machines worked and a fear of voter suppression.   

  • My husband and I watched a webinar, “Breaking Bread Together as We Work for Justice and Healing: A Lunchtime Discussion with Candler School of Theology Faculty and Local Clergy.” A few reflections: 1) Hold onto the rage and let it work (rather than feeling the fervor now and then allowing ourselves to return to “the old normal”). 2) Open our hearts to feel the pain, and then transform it. 

  • Today I watched this powerful video of Atlanta activist Kimberly Jones explaining why some of the protests led to looting. I also talked to a staff member at my church about starting a book group to read and discuss one of the many excellent books geared toward helping white people understand white privilege (such as White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo or Biased by Jennifer Eberhardt).

  • Watched and reflected on an important video on the Candler School of Theology Facebook page.

  • Signed up for Art and Social Movements workshop with Hue House. \

  • I ordered some wonderful books with black characters to donate to a local school.

  • I heard an interview yesterday in which the book "Dying of Whiteness" (on Kendi's list) was discussed.  It sounds REALLY interesting. 

  • Setting up a movie watching date with friends to watch 13th. 

  • I loved today’s discussion to figure out how we can make policy changes.  Learned tons!  Others need to know what to do as well.  We would do more if we knew what would make policy changes happen. 

  • My neighbor, a wonderful Iranian, naturalized American citizen gave the historical context on how our police forces have come to embrace the tactics and weaponry that when activated can result in violence and brutality that we now protest. (I am researching this further and will share what I discover).

  • I have been inspired to begin a neighborhood initiative suggesting that a predominately white neighborhood team up with a predominately black/brown neighborhood to have a dialogue in person once we get to that stage. I also want folks to know that the NAACP needs an infusion of this “NOW” energy because next year the National NAACP Convention is coming to Charlotte (more on this later).

  • I re-watched 13th yesterday. There's so much important content in there. Sometimes the cyclical and mutating nature of the problem really does make the fight seem hopeless, but I'm constantly amazed by what people are doing everyday and all the energy they are putting out into the world to help make this time around different.

 

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