Register Now for Anti-Racism Book Dialogues 2021

18 Oct 2021 - 09 Feb 2022 | 05:00 pm - 12:00 am

Open new doors with AEU’s Anti-Racism Book Dialogs!

Last year, members of multiple Ethical Societies joined together to read and discuss anti-racist literature. This discussion group project was created by Jone Johnson Lewis, Bart Worden and the AEU Ethical Action Committee as part of the groundwork for an anti-racist framework for the AEU and our Societies. Registration is now open for fall 2021! One important goal of the project is to create a firmer foundation for the anti-racism work we do, as individuals and as members of Ethical Societies. Anti-racism work can be about individual growth and action, action as an Ethical Society, or a look at our own institutions.

A challenge to every member of the Ethical Movement: read one more book to educate yourself about racial justice and anti-racism, in the community of others who also value ethical living.  The goal of the project is to create a firmer foundation for the anti-racism work we do, as individuals and as members of Ethical Societies.  Anti-racism work can be about individual growth and action, action as an Ethical Society, or a look at our own institutions.

We have multiple opportunities, most in late October and November.  Of course no one is going to effectively partake in all of these!  The challenge is to pick one, register for it, read or watch the material, and then participate in the community dialogue via Zoom.

Each one has slightly different minimums and maximums for enrollment, and expectations.  Some are more than one session.  Some are led by professional Leaders and some by lay members of Ethical Societies.

In each one, we expect that you bring an open mind and an open heart, a commitment to understanding what the author is trying to say before critiquing their view, and a commitment to understanding what your fellow participants are saying more than arguing with them.

The dialogues are arranged in four categories, reflecting different phases of learning and understanding, and thus different needs.  We’ve linked to a page on Goodreads where possible so that you can find out more about the book.

 

Read descriptions of each book, article, or piece of literature here.

See the full schedule below, and register here to join this year’s sessions!

Anti-Racism Book Dialogs Schedule 2021:

Topic Facilitator Session Times Session Dates
When They Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Culllors Hugh Taft-Morales 4 Sessions – 5:00 – 6:30 PM ET Oct 18, Nov 8, Nov 22, Nov 29
Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong Trang Duong 1 Session – 7:00-8:30 PM ET November 1
Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Saving the World by Anand Giridharadas Paul Heymont 2 Sessions – 7:30-8:30 PM ET Oct 28, Nov 11
Three short articles on facing reactions to racism and anti-racism Emily Newman 1 Session – 7:00-8:30 PM ET October 5
Three short articles on facing reactions to racism and anti-racism  – Emily Newman – 1 Session – 7:00-8:30 PM ET – Oct 12 Emily Newman 1 Session – 7:00-8:30 PM ET October 12
Three short articles on facing reactions to racism and anti-racism  – Emily Newman – 1 Session – 7:00-8:30 PM ET – Oct 26 Emily Newman 1 Session – 7:00-8:30 PM ET October 26
Two sessions on Implicit and Unconscious Bias – viewing TEDTalks together followed by group discussions Randy Best 2 Sessions – 7-9:30 PM ET Oct 5, Oct 12
Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey Anne Klaeyson 3 Sessions – 8:00-9:30 PM ET Oct 26, Nov 2, Nov 9
Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey Anne Klaeyson 3 Sessions – 8:00-9:30 PM ET Oct 27, Nov 3, Nov 10
Critical Race Theory: An Introduction by Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic Jone Johnson Lewis 2 Sessions with optional 3rd Session 7:30-9:30 PM ET Oct 28, Nov 18, Dec 2
Belonging: The Key to Transforming and Maintaining Diversity, Inclusion and Equality at Work by Kathryn Jacob Jone Johnson Lewis 1 Session – 8:00-10:00 PM ET November 10
How to Become a Multicultural Church by Douglas J. Brouwer Jone Johnson Lewis 1 Session – 8:00-10:00 PM ET December 8
Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism by Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin Jone Johnson Lewis 1 Session – 8:00-10:00 PM ET January 12
Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home by Toko-pa Turner Jone Johnson Lewis 1 Session – 8:00-10:00 PM ET February 9

Understanding racism, whiteness, inequality, bias, history of race/racism, concepts of race: 

 

When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Asha Bandele, Angela Y. Davis (Foreword)

Goodreads

Mon. Oct. 18, Nov 8, Nov 22, Nov 29 – 5:00 – 6:30 PM ET

4 sessions, 1 1/2 hours. 4-16 participants. 

Patrisse Khan-Culllors offers a door into her experience of trauma living as a poor, young, Black, gay woman in America. My hope is that this book will offer opportunities to: (1) discuss the objective hurdles of systemic oppression she and many others face in living a fulfilling, successful life; (2) aid participants in developing their empathy and commitment to anti-racism work.

 

Participants are asked to commit to reading the whole book before the session, but if you have not finished, you’re welcome to attend, listen and ask questions. Led by Hugh Taft-Morales, Leader, Philadelphia and Baltimore Ethical Societies.

 

Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Saving the World, by Anand Giridharadas

Goodreads  

Oct 28, Nov 11 – 7:30-8:30 PM ET

2 sessions, 1 hour/session. 5-8 participants.

 

This discussion will look at issues of good works by bad people. That’s a provocative title, but Giridharadas makes a cogent argument that relying on funds and plans from billionaires and ‘new age’ apps defeats rather than enhances movements to change the world and the conditions of oppressed and marginalized people. What’s needed instead?

 

Participants are asked to commit to reading/watching/listening to the material before each session. However, those who have not finished will still be welcome to attend and listen as well as ask questions. This group will be led by Paul Heymont.

 

Implicit and Unconscious Bias

2 sessions, 1 1/2 hours. 6-12 participants

Session 1:  Oct 5 – 7-9:30 PM ET

Implicit Bias, Stereotype Threat and Higher Ed | Russell McClain | 

and We all have implicit biases. So what can we do about it? | Dushaw Hockett | 

Session 2: Oct 12 – 7-9:30 PM ET

TED TALKS LIVE Short – Unconscious Bias by Filmmakers: Geeta Gandbhir and Perri Peltz and How Prejudiced Are You? Recognizing and Combating Unconscious Bias | Jennefer Witter

These two sessions introduce the concept of Implicit and Unconscious Bias, how it affects all fo us to different degrees, and the real harm that our unconscious biases can have on how we treat others.  Unconscious stereotyping can cause us to act differently towards others even while thinking that we are treating everyone fairly.  All of us are part of our culture.  Our attitudes and reactions are, to an extent, culturally conditioned and part of a complex cognitive process.  Greater awareness of our unconscious biases is an important part of overcoming them.  This series will use TEDTalks to raise awareness.  Discussion will focus on behaviors we might change and how our unconscious biases may be barriers to diversity in our Ethical Societies.

 

Participants are asked to commit to reading/watching/listening to the material before each session. However, those who have not finished will still be welcome to attend and listen as well as ask questions. Led by Randall S Best, Leader for the Northern Virginia Ethical Society.

 

Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey

Goodreads

TWO SECTIONS: Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9 or Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 10

8:00 – 9:30 pm ET

3 sessions, 1.5 hours. 8-15 participants.

 

“Raising White Kids” is a book, and this is a group, for families – parents, grandparents, and childcare providers  committed to equity and justice who want to equip children to be active and able participants in our racially diverse society. The goal is to learn from this resource and share our own experiences, supporting one another in taking risks to promote anti-racist behavior.

Participants are asked to commit to reading/watching/listening to the material before each session. Those who have not finished are asked to observe rather than participate actively when the discussion is about parts of the material they have not finished. Led by Anne Klaeysen, Ethical Culture Leader.

 

Facing reactions to racism and anti-racism

 

Three Articles: 

“Ways Racial Microaggressions Sneak In” 

“White People Can Hold Each Other Accountable to Stop Institutional Racism” 

“Teaching Firstgraders about Microaggressions the Small Moments Add Up”

Oct. 5, Oct. 12, or Oct 26 7-8:30 pm ET

1 session, 1 1/2 hours/session. 5-40 participants.

 

We’ll understand the various forms microaggressions take, how we can avoid them, and how we can help all parties heal when they occur. Participants should be open to learning and adjusting their behavior, as well as being an ally ready to help others grow. We’ll use the articles and slides to review concepts, share examples/scenarios, and develop a checklist of ways to have more caring interactions with others.

Participants are asked to commit to reading/watching/listening to the material before the session. Those who have not finished will still be welcome to attend and listen as well as ask questions. This single session will be offered on three different dates. This group will be led by Emily Newman.

 

Critical Race Theory: An Introduction by Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic

Goodreads

Oct. 28, Nov. 18, (Dec. 12) 7:30-9:30 pm ET

2 sessions (with optional 3rd session), 2 hours/session. 6-15 participants. 

Critical race theory is in the news, as a favorite punching bag of legislators wanting to limit what can be taught in schools or by government entities.  But what, really, is critical race theory?  The best way to find out is to see what those promoting the ideas have put together as in introduction and overview.  We’ll focus in two sessions the book itself, with an hour for discussion aimed at understanding what the authors are trying to communicate, and an hour for one or more of the “class exercises” suggested.  Note that this book is intended for an academic, not popular, audience, so the language may be aimed at those with a background in higher education.  Please read the book in advance of each of the two sessions, and make some notes on concepts you find most difficult to understand.  A third session is tentatively scheduled for those who want to talk about action possibilities in light of current events around the topic of critical race theory. 

 

Participants are asked to commit to reading/watching/listening to the material before each session. However, those who have not finished will still be welcome to attend and listen as well as ask questions. This group will be led by Jone Johnson Lewis, Leader, Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture.

 

Belonging: The Key to Transforming and Maintaining Diversity, Inclusion and Equality at Work by Kathryn Jacob

Goodreads

Wednesday, Nov. 10, 8-10:00 pm ET

1 session, 2 hours/session. 6-24 participants.  

This is one of four related dialogues.  Becoming an antiracist and multicultural Ethical Society requires culture change, and to do that work requires more than a brief introductory overview.    We’re not a workplace but many of the dynamics and principles are important in any community of human beings.  Be prepared to do some “translating.”  The AEU is small, so books on the topic relate to different organizations than ours where we share some characteristics – and where we’ll need to do some translating.  You’re encouraged to sign up for all 4 of these discussions, but it’s okay to sign up for 1 or more. For best use of our time together, please prepare for each session by identifying 5 lessons you thought were most valuable to pay attention to and 3 ideas you didn’t understand, disagreed with, or couldn’t figure out how to translate into our context.

 

Participants are asked to commit to reading/watching/listening to the material before each session. Those who have not finished will still be welcome to attend and listen as well as ask questions. Led by Jone Johnson Lewis, Leader, Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture.

 

 

How to Become a Multicultural Church by Douglas J. Brouwer

Goodreads

Wednesday, Dec. 8, 8-10:00 pm ET

1 session, 2 hours/session. 6-24 participants.  

 

This is one of four related dialogues.  Becoming an antiracist and multicultural Ethical Society requires culture change, and to do that work requires more than a brief introductory overview.  We aren’t a Christian congregation but many of the dynamics and principles are relevant to us.  Be prepared to do a fair amount of “translating.” The AEU is small, so books on the topic relate to different organizations than ours where we share some characteristics – and where we’ll need to do some translating.  You’re encouraged to sign up for all 4 of these discussions, but it’s okay to sign up for 1 or more. For best use of our time together, please prepare for each session by identifying 5 lessons you thought were most valuable to pay attention to and 3 ideas you didn’t understand, disagreed with, or couldn’t figure out how to translate into our context.

 

Participants are asked to commit to reading/watching/listening to the material before each session. Those who have not finished will still be welcome to attend and listen as well as ask questions. Led by Jone Johnson Lewis, Leader, Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture.

 

 

Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism by Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin

Goodreads

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 8-10:00 pm ET

1 session, 2 hours/session. 6-24 participants.  

 

This is one of four related dialogues.  Becoming an antiracist and multicultural Ethical Society requires culture change, and to do that work requires more than a brief introductory overview.  The AEU is small, so books on the topic relate to different organizations than ours where we share some characteristics – and where we’ll need to do some translating. The Unitarian Universalists (UU) are probably the religious group closest to us in values and principles, with some differences.  In this session we’ll look at experiences within UUism and consider how they might relate to Ethical Societies.  Be prepared to do some “translating.” You’re encouraged to sign up for all 4 of these discussions, but it’s okay to sign up for 1 or more. For best use of our time together, please prepare for each session by identifying 5 lessons you thought were most valuable to pay attention to and 3 ideas you didn’t understand, disagreed with, or couldn’t figure out how to translate into our context.

 

Participants are asked to commit to reading/watching/listening to the material before each session. Those who have not finished will still be welcome to attend and listen as well as ask questions. Led by Jone Johnson Lewis, Leader, Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture. 

 

Immersion: intersections and more depth

 

 

Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong

Goodreads

Nov 1 7-8:30 pm ET

1 session, 1 1/2 hours, 3-8 participants

 

Poet and essayist Cathy Park Hong fearlessly and provocatively blends memoir, cultural criticism, and history to expose fresh truths about racialized consciousness in America. 

 

This book traces her relationship to the English language, to shame and depression, to poetry and female friendship. A radically honest work of art, Minor Feelings forms a portrait of one Asian-American psyche – and of a writer’s search to both uncover and speak the truth.

 

This discussion hopes to broaden the racial discourse beyond the black and white. Even though it was published before the pandemic, it really speaks to the anti-Asian violence and rhetoric we have seen over the recent years. 

 

Participants will be asked to read the entire book before the session, but are welcome to join in the discussion regardless of whether you’ve completed it. Led by Trang Duong of the Washington Ethical Society.

 

Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home by Toko-pa Turner

Goodreads

Feb 9, 8:00-10:00 pm ET

1 session, 1.5 hours/session. 6-24 participants.  (informal discussion for 20-30 minutes after the session)

 

This is one of four related dialogues.  Becoming an antiracist and multicultural Ethical Society requires culture change, and to do that work requires more than a brief introductory overview.  The AEU is small, so books on the topic relate to different organizations than ours where we share some characteristics – and where we’ll need to do some translating. This book will challenge those whose approach to Ethical Societies is more rationalistic, and yet has important ideas about how to make some of the essential changes to become more inclusive.  Be prepared to do some “translating.”  You’re encouraged to sign up for all 4 of these discussions, but it’s okay to sign up for 1 or more. For best use of our time together, please prepare for each session by identifying 5 lessons you thought were most valuable to pay attention to and 3 ideas you didn’t understand, disagreed with, or couldn’t figure out how to translate into our context.  

 

Participants are asked to commit to reading/watching/listening to the material before each session. Those who have not finished are asked to observe rather than participate actively when the discussion is about parts of the material they have not finished. Led by Jone Johnson Lewis, Leader, Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture.