2020 Series: White Supremacy Culture

Unlearning Circle: Fear of Open Conflict, Part II

Last month we dug into the White Supremacy Cultural Characteristic “fear of open conflict” and the ways it manifests in our individual lives and interactions. This month, we will continue this conversation, broadening our lens to examine how the fear of open conflict impacts our engagement and struggle to dismantle white supremacy and fight for social justice.

How does the white cultural value of niceness and civility impact how we engage in our communities and political spheres? How have we been taught to avoid conflict, and how does that shape how we push (or don’t push) for social transformation -- and how does it shape how we interpret the actions of other people and communities?

As we look back on the nationwide uprisings this past summer and the election looming in the near future, white people must critically examine how valuing politeness and appropriateness passively upholds power dynamics. Are we willing to push the envelope of our comfort in order to challenge white supremacy?

ABOUT UNLEARNING CIRCLES: UWSA’s first Unlearning Circle in the winter of 2017 was created as a place for white people to do the work of reflection and community self-education. As we continue to gather to critically examine our own participation in cultures of dominance, we build our capacity to show up as individuals and as a city-wide community network for Black, Indigenous and people of color-led anti-racist efforts in a positive and accountable way. The Unlearning Circles are an opportunity for white identifying people to explore white supremacy culture and our role and responsibilities in undoing racism. We welcome and recognize the gift of the presence of any People of Color who choose to join us.

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Resources:

[More resources will be emailed before the circle.]

White Supremacy Culture PDF https://www.dismantlingracism.org/uploads/4/3/5/7/43579015/okun_-_white_sup_culture.pdf

People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond - Antiracist Principles: https://www.pisab.org/our-principles/