Recap: The Creation of Whiteness
Saturday, February 24, marked the second event in DNDA’s Let’s Talk Race Series 2018: The Creation of Whiteness. Participants were encouraged to challenge preconceived ideas of race through viewing racial identity as a complex and continuously evolving facet of our collective human existence. This includes how the inception of whiteness has shaped much of our history and connection to community in America. Two dynamic young women from local nonprofit Young Women Empowered (Y-WE), Sonja Lerner and Nasra Ali, facilitated this event in collaboration with adult facilitators Bert Hopkins and Reagan Jackson.
Kicking off the event, participants journeyed through a historical timeline detailing the creation of racial identity in America before entering a discussion about how this has affected all of our individual and collective histories. Two engaging videos, one with Tim Wise and the other with Chimamanda Adichie, addressed the danger of a “single story” and brought us to a greater understanding of how the single story of whiteness can help us regain what we have lost from those who migrated and came before us. The event concluded with powerful caucus time where participants were able to engage with one another’s perspectives, including sharing personal impacts regarding the formation of systemic racial identity in our society. Attendees wrapped up the day with a warm meal and time to reflect on the day’s activities as well as their personal place and role in the community.
DNDA would like to give thanks to our sponsor, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, and to our partners for this event: Young Women Empowered (Y-WE), Fauntleroy Church UCC, Reel Grrls and others. Special thanks to all of our volunteers who made the day possible, and to our community in their efforts to strengthen ties and work towards building a beautiful and thriving Delridge.
