In age of Trump candidacy, understanding racism is crucial

On October 18, Partners for a Racism-Free Community will host the first part of a new series we have launched called Building Blocks centered on understanding the fundamentals of racism. In our particular line of work, we know addressing racism happens in various ways: advocacy, policy change, community dialogue and education. However, we know that education is a fundamental part of the puzzle. We cannot address institutional racism without first understanding the pieces that build it and we cannot hope to heal communities without holding our communities accountable for the disparities it actively maintains.

In order to truly address any problem affecting people and the systems they create, you must have context. Examining the cause, deconstructing its existence and evaluating the ways in which the issue perpetuates itself is ultimately the most effective way of ensuring functional strategies are being developed to address the problem at hand.

One thing we are certain of is this, in the age of a Donald Trump candidacy, building understandings around racism is vital. People need to understand that their participation in racism is far more complex than yelling a racial epithet. Racism informs actions like the flag incident Forrest Hills. Racism drives continued segregation in neighborhoods. Racism impacts hiring biases. 

Our October Building Block will look at defining what racism is, examining the language of racism and looking at the ways in which it exists at the institutional level and individual level. Participants will be given the opportunity to learn the fundamental elements of racism while also being provided with strategies to discuss instances of racism in the workplace, at home or in the community. Please join us for Understanding the Fundamentals of Racism on October 18, 2016 from 11:30-12:30 at 118 Commerce SW. Tickets may be purchased here.