Articles
Articles
AWAKENING TO WHITENESS
- embodying radical responsibility
Blessings Dear Friends
I imagine your hearts are breaking as is ours as we witness the ongoing tragedies and suffering in Ukraine, Yemen, Afghanistan and other parts of the world. In the midst of atrocious images of war witnessed daily on social media, let us not stop reckoning and grappling with our own country’s history of racial and ethnic atrocities that continues to show up within our schools, workplaces, communities, and nation. Let us continue to work endlessly for a more just and equitable world by committing to the lifelong practice of dismantling racism from the inside out and continue to commit to anti-racism education, accountability and action.
Awakening to Whiteness /Embodying Radical Responsibility (in collaboration with People Development Limited https://www.pdltd.net/awakening ) is back by popular demand. Please join us to continue the work of building and deepening anti-racist practice and culture.
In this series we will:
• explore, unpack, and work to change our embedded racial patterns using critical self-reflection and the heart-centered practices of Compassionate Listening;
• deepen our understanding of the historical, economic, political context of white supremacy
• practice interrupting racism while coaching one another;
• learn how to work with our triggers by building stamina, resilience and capacity to stay with discomfort;
• strive to move from shame and guilt to responsibility and solidarity;
• explore how to hold ourselves accountable, work to repair harm, act in solidarity and build authentic relationships to and with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) brothers and sisters;
• commit to working towards transformative justice and sustainable action
If you're a white person new to anti-racism work or already experienced in anti-racism work and wish to explore a creative, participatory and heart-centered approach- this course may be just for you.
We will meet on Zoom for six consecutive Mondays starting April 11th, 2022 and ending May 6th 2022. 5:30 to 7:30 EST and 6:30 to 8:30pm ADT. Cost $175. A percentage of funds will be donated to Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) programs/movements. We are also offering a sliding scale for those who need financial assistance.
Testimonials from Past Participants:
"I have been grappling with questions of racism and white privilege since age 13, and it has been such a rare opportunity and a relief to have open and honest discussions in a well-facilitated group devoted to this topic! I felt a lot of confidence in Nelly and Maureen from the very beginning, and throughout the whole course. Part of this feeling stemmed from them being so honest and real and humble about their own learning paths, while at the same time having obviously committed a lot of time, thought, research and study to the issues. They were able to facilitate a trusting, open community, a "brave space," in just a few short weeks!"
Janette Defacto
Artist/Poet/Professor, Faculty of Fine Art, St. Francis Xavier
"If we want less violence and racism we have to work with white people to do their work to ‘unlearn, and relearn’ and this course is a great start. Highly skilled facilitators. A course all white folks should take…!” Joanne Tompkins, Professor, Faculty of Education, St. Francis Xavier"
“Maureen and Nelly have big hearts and wise minds so the space always felt safe and respectful. I would highly recommend any workshop they are leading”
Barbara Conyers
Please contact Maureen St.Clair: mstclairrespect@gmail.com to register and/or for further information. Bios below!
Please send to other white identified friends, family, colleagues, coworkers!
Maureen St.Clair
I am an artist, peace educator, community facilitator, conflict resolution trainer, activist, writer and life-long learner. Born and raised in Canada, with Grenadian citizenship, I have lived and worked in Grenada, West Indies for over 25 years. I am deeply passionate about connections, entanglements, intersections, unravelling and weaving of relationships and the power of deep receptive compassionate listening in transforming interpersonal and community based conflict. As a collaborator, I co-create brave inclusive spaces enabling people collectively to do the work of self and community building and healing with a social justice and trauma informed lens.
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Nelly Marcoux has been working in support of Indigenous struggles and social justice in Guatemala and Turtle Island (in what is now called Québec, Canada) for over 15 year as a volunteer and in a professional capacity. With a background in law and graduate studies in Indigenous Governance, she is seeking to firmly ground her work in right relations and
transformative approaches to social justice. She is currently based in Tiohtià:ke (Montréal), on unceded Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) territory, and works for a local Indigenous government.