Let’s Talk About Race and Collective Responsibility

It is no surprise that in the United States, racial tensions—especially between Black and White Americans—are alive and well and continue to do harm. For example, those who are Black-presenting do not get to choose or operate from the historically privileged social identities such as class, age, or ableism that White-presenting people do. In this session, therefore, you will learn how race dynamics between these two groups play out in European countries versus the United States. You will also examine how you communicate subconsciously to avoid or shut down conversations, either as a defense mechanism or to prohibit critical dialogue about racial inequity. Finally, you will learn strategies that will help us, as a collective, to move forward while simultaneously embracing the new challenges that are sure to come our way.