June 1, 2018
From Tonsil Removal to Dental Hygiene Paradigm in Race Discourse
For June, we will introduce some videos helpful in understanding and working toward personal transformation related to a commitment to racial justice.
In this engaging and humorous talk, videoblogger Jay Smooth gives some suggestions for how to reframe discussions of racism to make them welcome (because they help us grow) instead of avoided (because they make us feel bad about ourselves).
Mr. Smooth challenges the good person/bad person binary, an impossible standard that keeps us from engaging issues of race. He states: "When you believe you must be perfect to be good, it makes you averse to recognizing your inevitable imperfections and that lets them stagnate and grow."
He encourages us to see that in the US, racism is a social construct that for generations was "designed to justify indefensible acts" and to "circumvent our best interests". As a social construct, it was designed to confuse us - therefore it makes sense that we wouldn't always get it right. Secondly, we are all steeped in the culture and therefore, develop unconscious thought processes and behaviors that cannot be removed like tonsils - but rather, that we can choose to attend to, like our dental hygiene. "Being good is a practice of engaging our imperfections." Most importantly, by committing to working on our imperfections and engaging the difficult interpersonal situations that come up that involve racism, it allows us to WORK TOGETHER on the more persistent and bigger matters of institutional and systemic racism - the income disparity and systemic inequities (in education, health care, legal systems, for example).
As we enter into this summer, let's make a commitment to addressing the approach we take to engaging issues of race - seeing it as a way to grow and learn instead of confirming or denying our "goodness".
Prayer for Centering
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.”
AMEN. - St. Teresa of Avila
Invitation to Silence
Growth
Closing Prayer
The Coventry Litany of Reconciliation
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,
Father, forgive.
The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own,
Father, forgive.
The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth,
Father, forgive.
Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,
Father, forgive.
Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee,
Father, forgive.
The lust which dishonors the bodies of men, women and children,
Father, forgive.
The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,
Father, forgive.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another,
as God in Christ forgave you.
Amen.
Weekly Reflection Questions/Invitation to Grow and Share
- How do you feel when someone points out a mistake you have made about something not involving race? Does this reaction or response change for you when it is something that does involve race? Why or why not?
- How does the good person-bad person binary that Jay Smooth presents show up for you - or show up in our national discourse on race matters? Can we start to identify and call out this binary when it shows up for the benefit of actually working on our inconsistencies and imperfections?
- How can this shift from thinking of racial prejudice as something we need to work on constantly like hygiene instead of something to be removed like tonsils help you to grow in courage around engaging issues of racism?
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, May 31, 5:30 pm - 8:30 PM, Wisconsin Black Historical Society, 2620 W Center St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53206: MKE Monumental: Join us for storytelling & dialogue beginning with an introduction by Dasha Kelly of Still Waters Collective and featuring true, personal stories from Ex Fabula Fellows, followed by small group dialogue with Zeidler Center facilitators. Presented by March on Milwaukee 50th, Still Waters Collective, and the Zeidler Center. Part of a series continuing the dialogue after the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Marches. Free and open to the public! Please RSVP via the link! See facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/276878966196551/
Friday, June 1, 3:00 - 5:30 pm, Bradley Tech, 931 S 4th St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Nonprofits, Race and Inclusion: Stories and Conversation. Hosted by Ex Fabula and Public Allies. Free, but space limited. Register here: https://www.exfabula.org/product/nonprofits-race-inclusion/
Talking to Kids about Racism - July 28 9 to 3 PM - $25 - at Alverno College Conference Center 3250 S 43rd St. Milwaukee, WI 53219 - Sign up here ( https://www.eventbrite.com/e/transracial-adoption-workshop-talking-to-kids-about-race-and-racism-tickets-46110358323?aff=efbeventtix)
New Resources for Racial Healing
Several new USCCB resources can assist Catholics to pray and act for racial healing. A Prayer Service for Racial Healing in Our Land (also in Spanish) includes scripture, reflection, and an examination of conscience to help Catholics call on the Divine Physician, Christ the Lord, to heal the wounds of racism throughout our land. Two new prayers are also available: Prayer to Address the Sin of Racism (in Spanish) and Prayer to Heal Racial Division (in Spanish). Find other resources at usccb.org/racism.
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