“How to be An Anti-Racist” study group

We are pleased to be able to announce a 4-session study group on Dr. Ibram X Kendi’s book, How To Be An Anti-Racist. 
Pre-registration is required.
Dates: January 27, February 3, February 10, February 24
Place: Green Mountain Power, 66 Merchants Row, Rutland, VT
Time: 5:30 – 7:45

What this group is:  A place for about 12 people of varied ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds and experiences to come together and use Dr. Kendi’s book as a springboard to think pro-actively about what it looks like for each of us to be living an anti-racist life on the daily.  We will read from, quote and discuss passages and aspects of the book that resonate strongly for us; we will immerse ourselves in the definitions of terms and ideas laid out by Dr. Kendi, so that we can grapple with the concept and with the reality of an anti-racist life, seeking to answer these questions:  What does living an anti-racist life look like in our homes? What does it look like at work and at school? What does living an anti-racist life look like in the supermarket, in the parking lot, at Town Meeting, at the PTO, the potluck supper, the 4th of July parade and the Thanksgiving table? What actions can we take that impact larger systems, and go beyond personal interactions?

What this group is NOT:  A therapy session.  A place for white people to come to grips with the lifelong impact of growing up in a racist society on their thoughts, feelings and actions (there are other places for that, notably the NAACP’s group sessions on Me & White Supremacy, using Layla Saad’s curriculum). A place to share stories about the racism of other people.  A place to complain about the ills of society.

Group Expectation: Participants do NOT need to complete the entire book by the first session on January 27th. For the our first meeting, we ask that participants read the introduction and the first three chapters.

If interested, please contact Julie Conason, julicona@gmail.com ASAP.  Spaces are limited for this study group.