We are continuing our discussion on race and racism. Things are probably going to be uncomfortable. There may be some shame, some guilt, some confusion, some anger. And that’s okay. Racial justice should not make you feel good.
All around the world, racism continues to negatively impact the lives of people of color. Whether it be through micro-aggressions, implicit bias, or police brutality, it’s all harmful. The United States has a long-standing history of racism. Though it’s taken different forms over the years, it is still just as present as it ever was.
We recognize racism didn’t end when we ushered in the first Black president of the United States. We want to do our part to fight for the lives of people of color. These issues underlie so many of the global issues around the world. Fully understanding the topic is a big first step to creating change for the marginalized around the world. It's why we are devoting so much time to the topic.
Take a look at these three mini videos and pick out some of the activities to further your understanding of a complicated topic.
We are proud of you for digging in, even when it's uncomfortable.
Video #1:
Video #2:
Video #3:
Think About:
- What are some unique characteristics that you think define you? Are you a dancer? Are you part of a religion or faith? Are you part of a team? Are you part of a family? How would you feel if these unique characteristics were threatened or stereotyped on a day-to-day basis? How would that change you?
- How comfortable are you talking about the topics of race and racism? Why do you think that is?
- How do you personally define racism? Where do you think this definition comes from?
- Do you believe that racism is still a problem today? Why or why not?
- What are some examples of racism that you see today?
Activities:
- Create a Timeline. Create a timeline that demonstrates the development of new forms of racism over time. Be sure to include examples from both America and the rest of the world. Check out this example to get you started, and then share what you learned with your troop. http://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/racismimmigration-timeline.pdf
- Create a PSA. What do you want your peers to know about racism? Get the word out through video, Snapchat, a blog post, a letter to the editor in your local newspaper, or an Instagram post. Bring others into the conversation!
- Chalkboard. Since meeting last month, how have your views on race and racism changed? Write your thoughts down and share them with your troop.
- Have a conversation. One of the most important things we can do is talk to one another, and more importantly, listen to one another. The more we hear, believe, understand, and know, the better we become at expanding how we see things. That's important. Start a conversation about what you've learned so far. See what others have to say.
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