YWCA partners with the Diocese on Witnessing Whiteness workshop
The Dismantling Racism Commission for the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri is partnering with the YWCA to host a group of diocesan members in the Y’s acclaimed Witnessing Whiteness program.
The program is open to any diocesan member who feels moved to deepen their racial education and to explore how “whiteness” might hinder that education. The 10-session workshop starts in January 2022. The Commission on Dismantling Racism endorses this effort as a tool supporting white people who who wish to take responsibility teaching themselves about racism and its attendant sins.
Witnessing Whiteness groups are for adults (18 and over) who are racially classified as white and live in the Diocese of Missouri. You can learn more about the program on the YWCA’s website. The program guides participants through an unveiling and exploration of the impact of our white racial identity and the operation of racism in our lives and communities.
The work of WW groups draws on the book Witnessing Whiteness: The Need to Talk About Race and How to Do It, by Shelly Tochluk, 2nd edition. The YWCA has developed an approach using that text along with processes for group discussions, experiential activities, and personal reflection that has yielded verifiable change in attitudes and behavior. Over 4000 people in Missouri have participated in the program.
Though the commitment is large, it is well worth your time. If you have questions, feel free to reach out by email to Mary Hovland, Rob Good, Mary Karr, or Kurt Greenbaum.
Structure and Logistics
●A team of three YWCA trained facilitators will guide the group through 10 two-hour sessions over approximately 15 weeks.
●Attendance and participation at all 10 sessions are expected. If your schedule does not allow you to attend all 10 sessions, we ask that you wait for another group that better accommodates your needs.
●The group will meet via Zoom on the following Tuesdays: January 18, January 25, February 8, February 22, March 8, March 15, March 29, April 12, April 26, May 10.
●Two-hour sessions run between 6 and 9 p.m. with a short break included.
●Each participant is asked to provide their own copy of the book.
●To sign up, please contact Mary Hovland. Use YWCA/WW in the subject line.
●Sessions are free and limited to between 15 and 18 participants.
●Sign up must be completed by Nov. 29.
●After the roster is submitted, you’ll be asked to complete enrollment paperwork to confirm your participation by Dec. 15 or your place will be forfeited.
Again - to sign up, please contact Mary Hovland. Please use YWCA/WW in the subject line so it doesn’t get deleted as spam.
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