After Rev Deb’s mighty sermon on racism yesterday, I thought of a possible curriculum. THIS IS TOTALLY IMAGINARY AT PRESENT and I haven’t heard back from anybody because Holy shizzsnacks it’s five in the ayem. So if you have comments, it’s about the imaginaryness of it first of all.
Skin in the Game of Life is a ten session recovery program for Beacon UUs addressing racism. The goal is to help each participant understand where they are on the continuum of racism and to move themselves closer towards Unitarian Universalist principles of social justice.
1. How dare you call me a racist!
What is privilege?
What is intersectionality?
Having the conversation about racism – in ourselves, in others, in our culture. Current understanding of inclusive language and why what you say and how you say it is so important.
2. Family stories
Sharing stories about racism, tolerance and aha! moments.
Understanding families as racism incubators.
Examining racial makeup of UU congregations.
What we didn’t learn in school.
3. Otherness
Race is “policed” by, among other things:
Education, Law, Language, Affiliation, Occupation, Religion
4. “I pity the poor immigrant”.
The Canadian immigrant experience, focussing on the East Indian and Chinese migrant experience in Vancouver. The Poll Tax. The Komagata Maru.
5. The Settlers and Turtle Island
Colonialism and the ongoing resistance of First Nations.
6. Science and Race
An overview of the latest research. Facts, questions, controversies.
7. Highway of Tears
The Highway of Tears and the collisions of race, politics, media, law enforcement and gender.
8. The Laws of the Land
Current laws and important court cases.
9. Good people keeping quiet.
How social conventions stressing harmony and lack of overt conflict sap the strength of anti racism actions, and contribute to the growth of overtly racist actions. Finding allies in the struggle against racism.
10. Now what?
Continuous improvement as a model for recovering from racism.
Racism, like all human bias, requires a cognitively pragmatic, emotionally stable and physically active approach for eradication to be contemplated and achieved. The bias must be defined, its eradication valued and honoured, and its eradication must be supported by personal and collective will, and participation in activities which will challenge, inform and invigorate anti racism in UU life.
Reading List:
The Inconvenient Indian, Thomas King
CUC resolutions addressing racism, diversity, First Nations
Learning to Be White, Thandeka
Charter of Rights http://lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/Const/page-15.html#h-45
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/lou-james/racist-native-canada_b_3795232.html
http://anti-racistcanada.blogspot.ca/
http://www.anti-racism.ca/node/1
http://www.hopesite.ca/remember/history/racism_canada_1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komagata_Maru_incident
http://www.idlenomore.ca/manifesto
(link removed for safety)