Annapolis, MD – March 6, 2018 — The Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis will be hosting an afternoon with Educator and Author Debby Irving who will present and facilitate a speaker workshop, “Waking Up White: I’m a Good Person, Isn’t that Enough?” that will focus on the everyday perpetuation of racial inequality by well-intentioned white people.
“For decades, this congregation has devoted time and resources to create a more racially literate congregation, county, and society. We have learned we must continue to have these hard discussions until race has no more power to divide us. Irving’s workshop is an important step in that process,” stated UUCA’s Associate Minister, Reverend John Crestwell.EVENT DETAILS:WHO?This workshop is designed to support white people in making the paradigm shift from ‘fixing’ and ‘helping’ those believed to be inferior, to focusing on internalized white superiority and its role in perpetuating racism at the individual, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural levels.
This event will especially benefit educators, elected officials, clergy, and leaders in government, communities, business, and nonprofit – ALL people who are interested in dismantling unconscious bias in themselves and in the institutions where they work and the communities where they live.
WHAT?Using historical and media images, Debby examines how she used her white-skewed belief system to interpret the world around her. Socialized on a narrow worldview, Debby explores how she spent decades silently reaffirming harmful, archaic racial patterns instead of questioning the racial disparities and tensions she could see and feel. This workshop is designed to support white people in making the paradigm shift from ‘fixing’ and ‘helping’ those believed to be inferior, to focusing on internalized white superiority and its role in perpetuating racism at the individual, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural levels. This presentation includes intervals for reflection and small group discussion.
The cost for the seminar is $20 if bought online at https://tinyurl.com/UUCA-DebbyIrving or $25 at the door.
WHY?In the last few years, much outrage and confusion about America’s ongoing racial tensions has surfaced. Consider some local events in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County:
Racially inflammatory words and alliances by Anne Arundel Council members. Profiling of residents who live in HACA communities by Annapolis police. Black Lives Matter banners hung and torn down or vandalized in Annapolis. Underserved, non-white youth who have been victims of violence and gangs Ongoing racial incidents at Anne Arundel County schools.While mainstream culture and media often brings a good/bad, black/brown/white version of events involving individual actions, racial justice author and educator Debby Irving encourages people to bring more nuance, historical knowledge, and personal reflection to the issue.
WHEN?Sunday, March 18, 2018 – 2:00-5:00 p.m.
WHERE?Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis333 Dubois Road Annapolis, MD 21401 410-266-8044
ABOUT DEBBY IRVINGDebby Irving is a racial justice educator, author, and public speaker. Debby Irving is a racial justice educator, author, and public speaker. A community organizer and classroom teacher for 25 years, Debby Irving grappled with racial injustice without understanding racism as a systemic issue or her own whiteness as an obstacle to it. A graduate of the Winsor School in Boston, she holds a BA from Kenyon College and an MBA from Simmons College. Her first book, Waking Up White, tells the story of how she went from well-meaning to well-doing. See more: www.debbyirving.com
ABOUT THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF ANNAPOLISThe Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis began in 1956 as a small fellowship meeting and currently has over 500 members and friends. It is a self-governing church with the association of congregations in the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Unitarian Universalism has seven principles that bind us together as we strive to live in right relationship with each other in our communities and in the world.
The congregation has a long history of being engaged in anti-racism literacy and racial and social justice initiatives. Currently, many members are leaders and participants in Showing Up for Racial Justice; Coming to the Table, Robin Diangelo book discussion and participants in other anti-racism education, training and community organizing venues.
For more information, please visit the UUCA website at www.UUAnnapolis.org or the Facebook page at UUCAnnapolis.