UNPACKING WHITENESS: CONSCIOUSNESS RAISING DIALOGUE SERIES
Curated for White participants holding spaces of privilege, the Unpacking Whiteness creates a space for participants to find community and support in learning and understanding how to practice anti-racism in their daily lives. Anti-racism is an active and ongoing process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies, practices, and attitudes in a way that redistributes power, policy, and structures to be more equitable, while drawing attention to the lived experiences of Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
All sessions are led by a Tufts faculty/staff facilitator. Our facilitators seek to create a space where people can speak with candor about their personal experiences with race, racism, and Whiteness. In this spirit, participants are expected to attend and contribute to every session.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF PARTICIPANTS?
In addition to attending eight 90-minute dialogues sessions, participants are provided with 3-5 readings/videos/podcasts, and accompanying reflection questions ahead of each week’s session. Participants are expected to read all materials and mediate on reflection questions in advance of each meeting. This structure allows for meaningful personal investigation into the topics presented in the materials, which include White privilege, White fragility, structural racism, outcomes of historical policymaking, explicit and implicit bias, and intersectionality. Drawing on the resource materials as a common starting point, the richness of the groups comes from each participant’s willingness to actively examine the influence of Whiteness on their own racial identity and personal experiences, as well as on our society and institutions. Each 90-minute session provides participants with the opportunity to share deeply, to listen, and to reflect.
Participants are expected to attend all eight sessions and are not permitted to switch groups during the length of the program.
HOW MUCH DOES THIS PROGRAM COST?
The Unpacking Whiteness Dialogue Program is free of charge and sponsored by the Office of the Provost.
WHO MAY ATTEND?
This series is open to all full-time Tufts staff and faculty through Fall 2021. Graduate students are not permitted to participate in this series, unless they are full-time Tufts employees.
WHEN DOES THIS GROUP MEET?
Below you will find a selection of timeslots that currently have openings (full sessions have been removed). Please choose the time that is most suitable to you schedule.
WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE?
Should you register to participate in this dialogue series, we will presume you have received permission from your direct supervisor to participate. Fall Registration will conclude on September 17, 2021.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Maren Greathouse, Associate Director for Diversity & Inclusion Education at maren.greathouse@tufts.edu for more information.