Animating Antiracist Ways of Being:

The idea that oppression, and in particular, racism, is not only a matter of individual prejudice but a systemic, institutional problem of power is foundational to the Introduction to Antiracism workshop, and requires structural intervention to dismantle. Conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect and courageous space, this workshop is designed to explore racism as a systemic, institutional problem of power that goes beyond personal prejudice. Participants will experience first-hand Crossroad's effective methodology for facilitating productive conversations about race. They will also be be introduced to a strategic methodology that can assist people in effectively organizing to dismantle racism in their institutions.

The workshop is open to all interested persons, especially leaders in organizations and congregations responsible for diversity or social justice agendas in healthcare, public, and private school systems, colleges and universities, government, philanthropic, public safety, faith-based and community-based organizations.

This workshop:

•  Introduces a framework for understanding what systemic racism is and what is its relationship to white dominant culture in the USA

•  Begins exploring how the values of white dominant culture operating through US institutions replicate patterns of intersectional oppression that advantage white people disproportionately and that harm people of color regardless of intent

• Invites participants – both individuals and institutions - to consider how they are upholding via institutional practices and norms - – often in unintentional ways - systemic racism

• Begins unpacking what the long-term strategic work of dismantling institutional practices upholding systemic racism will require of the institution and its stakeholders

Participants to this workshop will gain shared language and frameworks with which to grapple not only their unwitting legitimization of systemic racism but with what committing to the work of dismantling racism and of cultivating antiracist culture and practice in their institutions will require. They will be introduced to a strategic methodology that can assist them to organize the work of dismantling racism in the institutions in which they are invested.

ACCESSING THE WORKSHOP:

All participants must be able to attend this workshop in person at Steppenwolf Theatre at 1650 N. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60614, from 9am-5pm. Further information regarding transport/parking will be delivered upon registration.

TIMING CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE REGISTERING:

Participants will not be granted access to the workshop after the Courageous Space Agreement, which is generally concluded in the first 30 minutes. Full-day workshops include a 90-minute lunch break, as well as breaks to stretch and take care of yourself every hour.

All workshop participants are expected to attend the complete workshop from beginning to end, going "in and out" of the workshop space is not permitted. We are happy to make reasonable accommodations as folks work remotely and manage technical issues However, if facilitators perceive continued disengagement that is not communicated, the participant will be dropped and not allowed to re-enter.