Dismantling systems of oppression is long-game work. And white people have some very specific work to do to recognize and transform white supremacy culture. These “office hours” are intentionally designed to bring together white-identifying people around the rigorous work of deconstructing white supremacy culture, within ourselves, and the systems we live and work in.
WHAT: These office hours are a blend of structured presentation and unstructured discussion space, and registration is required. Group mentoring format includes weekly themes, journal prompts, and mutual accountability. September Office Hours will more deeply explore the characteristics of white supremacy culture (and its antidotes) summarized by Tema Okun: Perfectionism, Sense of urgency, Defensiveness, Quantity over quality, Worship of the written word, Only one right way, Paternalism, Either/or thinking, Power hoarding, Fear of open conflict, Individualism, I’m the only one, Progress is bigger, more, Objectivity, and Right to comfort. Please read up about it here.
WHEN: Most Wednesdays from 12-12:45pm Eastern Standard Time (please note your time zone when booking). Attend one, some, or all meeting dates. You’re welcome to schedule a recurring enrollment so you don’t have to sign up for the individual slots.
WHY WHITE ANTI-RACISM AFFINITY GROUPS: We will follow the model of white anti-racism affinity groups, also known as caucuses, which create rigorous growth space for white privilege holders. It is absolutely essential to learn from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and to center BIPOC voices and requests in the work of dismantling white body supremacy. White anti-racism affinity spaces supplement the social change process by creating a container for white and white-passing folx to build essential skills, and excavate personal and structural racism in a way that does not further burden, retraumatize, and cause harm to BIPOC. To learn more about the philosophy and guidance for white caucus / white anti-racism affinity groups, please check out www.racialequitytools.org, these tips and guidelines, and Roots of Justice’s FAQ’s.
FACILITATOR: Alex facilitates this space as a white queer ciswoman, with the intention of equipping white privilege holders with more capacity to move from being an ally with good intentions to being an active change agent, to help re-imagine and shift our social, cultural, and political systems. Alex does this work in coordination with BIPOC stakeholders to practice accountability and responsibility to the broader movement for Black lives.
To those who identify as BIPOC and are seeking BIPOC community, please check out the healing spaces being held by Chanelle John with Hive Soul Yoga, Rachael Junard, Susanna Barkataki and Michelle C. Johnson. You’re always welcome to email me at alex@intrayogatherapy.com, whether you have feedback, concerns, or want to connect around anti-oppression work in general.
COST: As payment, please contribute to Alex's scholarship and education fund: www.paypal.me/ytscholarshipfund. Suggested payment is $5-$35 per office hours event. Your contributions will cover the costs of offering this work, and profits will remain in the scholarship fund for BIPOC yoga students/clients working with Alex, support Alex’s social justice education, and will be directly redistributed to BIPOC leaders and educators.
Homework:
Robin DiAngelo and Resmaa Menakem: In Conversation from On Being with Krista Tippett on Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-being-with-krista-tippett/id150892556?i=1000483835599
Resmaa Menakem on the Ten Percent Happier Podcast:
"Why we're all suffering from racial trauma (even white people) -- and how to handle it"
https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/resmaa-...
Resmaa Menakem’s interview from the On Being Podcast:
https://onbeing.org/…/resmaa-menakem-notice-the-rage-notic…/
