In this group, we will provide anti-racist education through the use of “Looking Inward” dialogues. Dialogues that explore racial advantage specifically address White privilege, Whiteness, and the social context of past and current domination by Whites, primarily within the U.S., in a way that provides space for: a) examining the presumed alliance across individuals who experience racial advantage, b) exploring unconscious bias or microaggressions, and c) creating room for racially advantaged individuals to find peer support in challenging racism and stereotyping. These dialogues are currently available to students, but we hope to open them to faculty and staff in the near future. If you are interested in creating a space to learn about Whiteness, anti-racism, and allyship, please contact
diversity@brandeis.edu.
“Looking Inward” Dialogues that Explore Racial Advantage - Level 1
In this group, we will be exploring the shared and divergent experience of White identified people, the historical oppression of BIPOC people, and salient aspects of White Supremacy culture. We will explore the many ways in which White embodied people enjoy racial advantage and struggle with difficult feelings in response to that advantage that make relationships with BIPOC more difficult for them to negotiate in a healthy manner. We explore the ideas of White saviorism, implicit bias, and, finally, the development of a personal anti-racism plan.
The convener will help group members to identify their social location within our culture, identify the process of White racial identity development, and develop a nuanced understanding of how racial disadvantage effects BIPOC lived experience both historically and currently. Through readings and videos the convener will create a supportive environment for students to learn more about their own racial identity and to appreciate the advantages and disadvantages afforded to those of different races in the US context. The three meetings will culminate in each member with the help of the group committing to their own personal anti-racism plan.
Facilitated by Joy Von Steiger, the group will meet for 90 minutes on three consecutive Fridays from 2-3:30 pm. In support of group members’ attendance at all three meetings, they will receive a copy of the book Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad.
“Looking Inward” Dialogues that Explore Racial Advantage - Level 2
Following the Level 1 group, students are invited to participate in a subsequent group that looks more deeply at the White embodied experience, how group members understand their own developmental challenges with regard to cross racial relationship development, and the racialized experience of students at Brandeis.
The convener will provide readings and videos about the racial history at Brandeis, will invite guests to join the group to discuss the experience of BIPOC community members at Brandeis and will support members to operationalize their anti-racism action plans.
This group will meet for 90 mins on 12-1:30pm for three consecutive Fridays.
To sign up for the Looking Inward Dialogues that Explore Racial Advantage, please contact Joy von Steiger at diversity@brandeis.edu.