Let's Talk Race Series
The purpose of the Let's Talk Race Series was to challenge institutional racism and foster a culture of belonging and respect by connecting community organizations and individuals through film, dialogue, storytelling and restorative justice.
With sponsorship from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, and support from local partners, DNDA produced 8 events that worked to challenge institutional racism and foster a culture of belonging in the Delridge community by connecting organizations and individuals through film, dialogue, storytelling and restorative justice.
These events included:
- Migration and the World
- The Creation of Whiteness
- Understanding Islam
- American Housing and Economics
- Nurturing the Environment and Food Access
- The American Education System
- 13th and U.S. Policies
- Restorative Justice and Healing
With guidance from the larger Delridge community, adult and youth facilitators used a variety of discussion methods, including relevant films and various activities, to provide a basis of historical understanding for participants. Discussions at each event will be led using the restorative justice practices of peacemaking and healing circles to breakdown implicit barriers, remove existing cultural misunderstandings and facilitate honest dialogue.
2018 EVENTS
Migration and the World
What does it mean to be American, and how does this affect our understanding of race? For this half-day event we will explore immigration history and our own identities. Join us for our first event of the series as we will use film, storytelling, and interactive activities to engage in critical conversations that connect us to our differences and our common humanity.
The Creation of Whiteness
We all know that racial identity is one of the most complex and continuously evolving facets of human existence, and that it has shaped much of the history of our country and our community. What is less well known is that Whiteness has an origin story. This half day workshop will explore the history of why white identity was intentionally created, how it has functioned to legitimize oppression, and what people of all racial identities can do to challenge the false ideal of whiteness in our culture. Participants will be asked to reflect on how whiteness plays a role in their lives through storytelling and dialogue. There will also be space for race-based caucusing. This event is an opportunity for connection, learning, healing, growth, and conversation.
Understanding Islam
Understanding Islam is an introductory workshop with the goal to supply participants with knowledge and resources on the fundamentals that align the Muslim world. Topics of discussion will include understanding the 5 pillars of Islam, the impact of stereotypes and deconstructing them, the various identities and experiences of Muslims, and intersectionality between Islam and other faiths/spiritual practices. Participants will be asked to reflect on how spirituality impacts their lives and the communities they identify with, through creative storytelling and dialogue. We invite people of all faiths and identities to explore the beauty of Understanding Islam with us, while taking advantage of this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow.
American Housing & Economics
Please join fellow community members for this half-day workshop on American Housing and Economics. We will look at the history of America's economic structure based in imperialism, exploitation, and extraction and how racism was used as a reason and motivation for such structure. We will then look at how this structure continues today in our current housing structure and crisis here in Seattle. Participants will take part in activities and dialogue to reflect on how this economic structure has impacted their lives through storytelling and circle practice. This will be an opportunity for learning from others experiences, healing, growth, and connection as a community.
Nurturing the Environment and Food Access
Join us at Camp Long to talk about race in the context of Nurturing the Environment and Food Access. This outdoor workshop will create space for community members to engage in courageous conversations that rely on sustaining vulnerability rather than instant resolution. This event will explore how our food systems are connected to racial injustice, how environmental protection is tied to Indigenous sovereignty, and what it would look like to have access to food that nourishes our bodies and nurtures the environment. Through open dialogue and circle practice, participants will share stories of food traditions and connections to land that build bridges across difference and promote healing.
The American Education System
We warmly invite you to an exploration and interactive discussion of the American Educational System and the populations it serves. We will look at the impacts of history and various structures that influence education in America. Participants attending this session will: Explore the impacts of race and colonization in the American Educational System, converse and question in community with each other, and define systems of oppression and racism.
Facilitators: Tanya Powers, Emma Reid and Aarushi Sahai
13th and U.S. Policies
What is justice? What is freedom? Who decides?
This half-day event will explore these questions and the intersections of policy and institutionalized racism through the film "13th." The film will be screened in two segments, followed by dialogue and storytelling to deepen our understanding of how the 13th amendment and U.S. history play a role in perpetuating systemic oppression.
Workshop goals:
1. Participants will learn about the historical context of the 13th amendment.
2. We will explore the impact of the 13th amendment on modern society’s view on criminality.
3. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the interplay between institutionalized racism and policy.
Restorative Justice & Healing
“The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world.” -Marianne Williamson
Join us for a screening of Healing Justice as we ground ourselves in practices of Restorative Justice. Humanity is in the midst of making a profound transformation, it is time for us to transition from a time of overwhelming strife to one of unity. As the well-being of our society is imperiled, we need to pay more attention to the patterns of our own behavior and actions. Our journey towards personal healing sets the trajectory for cultural healing, which leads to the healing of our world. This event is facilitated by Sophie Theriault and Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell.
