White People need to talk about Race & Racism toward our siblings of color. On Wednesday, May 20, All Souls created a #bravespace to do just that— What Are White People To Do? Combating Racism in the Era of Covid-19 Panelists included: Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Rev. Barbara Prose, All Souls ministers, Nehemiah Frank, founder of the Black Wall Street Times, Laura Bellis, The United League for Social Action (TULSA) & Take Control Initiative, Kelli McLoud-Schingen, Global Diversity and Inclusion & World Stage Theatre, Chad Johnson, Professor of Human Relations, Psychiatry OU & REWIRE Facilitator, and Rev. Gerald Davis, (TULSA) & Minister of Church of the Restoration, UU.
White People’s Responsibility
The goal of the webinar is to acknowledge that White Americans have a responsibility to do something in light of the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on non-white Americans, while there also continues to be racial violence, murder and injustice perpetrated against unarmed brown and black people. In relationship with leaders of color in our community, our white panelists joined them in discussing ways white people can take the initiative to inform themselves of racism impact on our history, our cultures, and our bodies of government. And, tangible ways white people can do the work of dismantling their internal racism and bias.
In addition, the All Souls program, REWIRE—a class for white people to unlearn racism—our panelists shared their selections of books they have engaged with to help them do their own individual work and work in their communities to break down systems of oppression.
Racial Justice Book Selections
Check out these book selections to help you on YOUR JOURNEY to systematically and individually dismantle racism. What titles would you add? What books, films, or groups would you recommend to help white people find their way out of racial bias?
Stamped for the Beginning, Ibram X. Kendi
How to be an Anti Racist, Ibram X. Kendi
White Fragility, Robin DiAngelo
Color of Law, Richard Rothstein
Our Souls to Keep, George Henderson
Witnessing Whiteness, Shelly Tochluk (REWIRE Curriculum)
Being White:Finding Our Place in a Multiethnic World, Paula Harris
Towards the “Other America,’ Chris Crass
The Heart of Whiteness, Robert Jensen
Everyday White People Confront Racial and Social Injustice, Eddie Moore Jr.
My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies, Resmaa Menakem
The Fire Next Time, James Baldwin
Between The World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates
Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Alone in the Cafeteria, Beverly Daniel Tatum
Race Matters, Cornel West
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, Michelle Alexander
White Rage
, Carol Anderson
One of the attendees brought up a good point …. we don’t need “Safe Spaces” for white people to do their work, we need #BraveSpaces. Yes. This work is painful and we’ve learned that the healing is in the pain. All Souls is here to help you heal and works toward healing racial divide. If you’re interested in REWIRE or other All Souls justice initiatives, please complete this short form.
What are White People to Do? Combating Racism in the Era of COVID-19 is a continuation of All Souls mission to create a multicultural, genuinely diverse community to help us create a world we hope it will one day become.
Read from the collective conscience of our World Cafe on Race & past events for white people to commit to break down racism.
