Diverse Fort Collins

EVENT: “Impact of COVID-19 on the Larimer County Justice System”

Diverse Fort Collins presents:

Judge Juan G. Villaseñor, Larimer County’s first Latino district court judge, will give a 30-minute presentation on “The Impact of COVID-19 on the Larimer County Justice System” on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020 at 3 p.m. MDT followed by Q&A

This event will not be recorded. We hope you can join us!

REGISTRATION:

FREE or pay-what-you-can tickets on EVENTBRITE

Your gift supports the programming of Diverse Fort Collins, a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other.

NOTE: Zoom link will be sent via EventBrite to registered attendees.

Presenter Bio:

Judge Juan G. Villaseñor is a district judge in the Eighth Judicial District based in Fort Collins, CO.

Before his appointment to the bench, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and was a public board member on the Colorado Medical Board.

Read about his journey to the U.S. at http://www.DiverseFortCollins.com/juan-g-villasenor

Questions? Contact DiverseFoCo@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you!

Your friends at Diverse Fort Collins

Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other.

Let’s co-create an inclusive community!

Be among the first to read news and event announcements. Type your email in the Follow box at http://www.DiverseFortCollins.com

EVENT: July 26 Book Discussion of THERE THERE by Tommy Orange with 3 Native guest speakers

Diverse Fort Collins presents a book group discussion of Pulitzer Prize finalist THERE THERE by Tommy Orange on July 26, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. via Zoom

Buy the paperback from Old Firehouse Books.

Download the author’s free Reading Guide.

GUEST SPEAKERS
We’ll hear from three Native community members about their thoughts on the novel, and what we should keep in mind as we begin the discussion.

GREGG DEAL is a husband, father, member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, artist and activist. As a provocative contemporary artist-activist, much of Deal’s work centers around Indigenous identity and pop culture, touching on issues of race relations, historical consideration and stereotype.

His first major performance piece, “The Last American Indian On Earth,” covered in The Washington Post Magazine, gained him notoriety and ground as an up-and-coming artist. Earlier this year, the Colorado resident premiered his performance “The Punk Pan-Indian Romantic Comedy” at Fort Collins Startup/Artup Week. A powerful retrospective of his work, “Voice,” was recently exhibited at the Duhesa Gallery in Colorado State University’s Lory Student Center.

AMBER LANE is affiliated with Seneca Nation, Wolf Clan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of Colorado, Boulder with a historical trauma and original language focus. She is an advocate with Herbal Gardens Wellness and a Plan Ambassador for City of Fort Collins’ Our Climate Future. She is a community advocate active in circles from all four directions trying to raise multicultural/national children in Fort Collins.

JAN IRON is Navajo and co-founder of Northern Colorado Intertribal Pow-Wow Association (NCIPA).

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Questions? Email DiverseFoCo@gmail.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

“Powerful. . . . THERE THERE has so much jangling energy and brings so much news from a distinct corner of American life that it’s a revelation.” — The New York Times

Tommy Orange’s wondrous and shattering novel follows twelve characters from Native communities: all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one another in ways they may not yet realize.

Here’s what people are saying about Diverse Fort Collins events:

“The conversation was fantastic! I loved hearing folks’ views and perspectives.”

“I always leave these meetings feeling better about the human race.”

“It was a wonderful event. The panel was perfect. Thank you for hosting.”

“I’m grateful for Diverse Fort Collins and the opportunities they’re creating for meaningful interaction between the white population and people of color in our city.”

Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other.

Let’s co-create an inclusive community! All welcome! All cultures, identities, and abilities.

Support Diverse Fort Collins programming with a gift: www.DiverseFortCollins.com/give

EVENT: June 28 Panel “Talking It Out: Being Black In America” featuring Saja Butler, Phil Donaldson, Anthony P. McGlaun

Here’s what people are saying about Diverse Fort Collins events

“The conversation was fantastic! I loved hearing folks’ views and perspectives.”

“I always leave these meetings feeling better about the human race.”

PANEL DISCUSSION WITH LIVE MUSIC “Talking It Out: Being Black In America”

Sunday, June 28, 2020
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. MDT
via Zoom

***This event at CAPACITY and REGISTRATION IS CLOSED***

It’s time to listen.

Diverse Fort Collins invites you to a thought-provoking online panel discussion and Q&A featuring three Black community members – Saja Butler, Phil Donaldson, and Anthony McGlaun.

The program will also feature musical performances by Mr. McGlaun and Ms. Butler, and a brief history of Juneteenth by Mr. Donaldson.

This is a unique opportunity to hear what it’s like to be Black in Fort Collins – and in America – in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many others, and the world-wide protests against police brutality and systemic racism.

This event will center the experiences of people of color (POC). If you do not identify as POC, we ask that you listen and observe only.

This event is also meant to be a safe space for POC. We may record it – and would announce this at the event – and will decide afterward whether to share the link only with those who have registered.

PANELISTS

SAJA BUTLER is the owner of Urban Monk Studios, a music studio in Fort Collins specializing in Banjo, Guitar, Uke, and Voice lessons as well as Stage Performance and Ensemble Classes for adults. She is also a member of Lois and the Lantern, as well as a solo artist.

PHIL DONALDSON is vice president of marketing and creative at PropelGrowth, a business to business marketing consultancy serving the Financial Technology space. With more than 25 years of experience, Mr. Donaldson has helped companies with branding, content development, creative direction, and media production. He is also an accomplished composer and musician.

ANTHONY P. MCGLAUN is a classically trained tenor who specializes in the music of African American composers of Art Song. Mr. McGlaun is a voice teacher as well as social justice advocate.

Link to event recording (unlisted YouTube link)

About 130 registrations
About 80 attendees (multiple attendees shared computers)
Testimonials

“The ‘Talking It Out: Being Black in America’ event was so informative and inspiring. Saja Butler, Phil Donaldson, and Anthony P. McGlaun were perfect choices for the panel, so articulate, honest, and encouraging. This was an important and timely event. Thank you so much for hosting.” – Teresa

“That was a wonderful event. I’m so glad I could be part of it. Grew up in the Philadelphia area with Black friends and family, so this is near and dear to my heart. I’m grateful for Diverse Fort Collins and the opportunities they’re creating for meaningful interaction between the white population and people of color in our city.”
– Katharine

DID YOU KNOW?

We’ve added more information to our Businesses page, including listings of Black-owned businesses in Fort Collins, and more info to our Resources page, including a section on “What can I do?”

FOLLOW US

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DiverseFortCollins
Instagram @DiverseFortCollins
Twitter @DiverseFoCo

Followers of Diverse Fort Collins received this event announcement first!

Be among the first to see news and event announcements. Type your email in the Follow box.

EVENT: A Space to Process & Breathe for Black Folx on Sunday, June 14

Sunday, June 14. 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. MDT

A Space to Process & Breath for Black Folx

For Black communities, we are experiencing so much hurt, anger, grief, sadness, and fear.

As we think about all the loss and grief we hold for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and many more, we may wonder how we can work through everything that’s happening.

Diverse Fort Collins invites you to this space to process and breath and find healing space in meditation with other Black folx.

Zhalisa Clarke of Luna Vibrations will lead us in a meditation and invitation to process in community.

This event is open to folx who identify as part of the Black community. No meditation experience is required.

The event is free. Donations welcomed but not required and will be forwarded to the nonprofit Food Bank for Larimer County.

Registration

Late June 2020

Music and Panel Discussion geared toward People of Color (POC) featuring a few well-known Black community members in Fort Collins.

Stay tuned for details coming soon!

Be among the first to hear: receive updates by entering your email in the Follow box.

We have more FREE events on the calendar! Take a look at the following, and see details and registration on the Events page at http://www.DiverseFortCollins.com

Book Group

Diverse Fort Collins book group discussion of THERE THERE by Tommy Orange on July 26, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Mention this book group for 20% off the paperback at Old Firehouse Books.

Diverse Fort Collins Presents:

“Impact of COVID-19 on the Larimer County Justice System” (Free webinar by Judge Juan G. Villaseñor)

Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020 at 3 p.m. MDT
30-minute presentation followed by Q&A

DFC Action Committee

Stay tuned for the first meeting of the Diverse Fort Collins Action Committee!

We’re planning to join local voter registration efforts, and are also considering other suggestions.

Interested in joining us? Email DiverseFoCo@gmail.com with “Action!” in the subject line.

See details of these events and more at www.DiverseFortCollins.com/events

Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other.

If you’d like to help, see the About page for volunteer opportunities and the Events page for upcoming book group discussions.

Let’s co-create an inclusive community!

Your friends at Diverse Fort Collins

Say Their Names

Say his name…

George Floyd

Say her name…

Breonna Taylor

Say his name…

Ahmaud Arbery

“Hell You Talmbout” by Janelle Monáe

Video

Race Forward Statement:

JUSTICE NOW

“In the days since four Minneapolis Police Department officers killed George Floyd, hundreds of demonstrations have broken out around the country. Race Forward stands in solidarity with the millions who have marched to demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and for those Black lives who have been taken prematurely by police brutality. We join their condemnation of all forms of racist violence, whether state or state-sanctioned or from individuals and groups. We join the call for the arrest and prosecution of all four officers involved in this merciless murder…” Read more

Diverse Fort Collins stands in solidarity with our Black and African American community members.

“What can I do to help?”

See the Resources and Events pages for a few ideas.

“His Name is Shiloh. He’s My Son.”

By CSU alumna DeEtta Jones

“Every day I think about race. Actually, racism. For the past 12 years, since my son was born, it’s top of mind on a daily basis. I was born to a white mother and black father long before the prevalence of bi-and multi-racial celebrities and public figures.

“I remember taking road trips with my parents and younger sisters to family gatherings in Arkansas. I remember being pulled over by police and my father harassed for being with a white woman.

“I remember my mother being called a nigger lover. I remember being taunted as a young person or being preyed upon by older men who considered me exotic. It was awful, and even my parents’ love couldn’t shield me from the ugliness of the world…” Read more

DiverseFortCollins.com is a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other.

See the Events page for upcoming discussions and stay tuned for more coming soon.

All welcome. Let’s co-create an inclusive community!

Community Voices: Judge Juan G. Villaseñor

(1) Community Voices Guest Commentary by Judge Juan G. Villaseñor

(2) Free Event! (Webinar) “The Impact of COVID-19 on Larimer County’s Justice System” by Judge Villaseñor on August 16. See details below.

Larimer County’s First Latino District Court Judge: Juan G. Villaseñor

Growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, I never imagined that I’d be the first lawyer in my family or the first Latino district judge in Larimer County. While my grandmother wanted me to be an architect or an engineer, she would’ve been proud that I became a judge!

I immigrated to the United States when I was 15 years old, to the San Francisco Bay Area. It was a natural choice for my family because my grandfather and several of his siblings had settled there in the 1950s. He’s part of San Francisco’s history: he started La Victoria, the first Mexican bakery in the Mission District, the city’s Latino enclave.

Knowing little English when I arrived to California, it was very difficult for me to adjust to my new country. But one of my greatest traits is adaptability. As an immigrant, it’s an essential trait that you must have to learn to navigate a completely different culture, language, and more. So, I felt that the U.S. was my oyster, waiting for me to explore it. And explore I did!

Before moving to Colorado and Fort Collins in 2012, I lived in several states. At this point, I’ve lived in nearly every region of this great country. I can safely say that Colorado is, by far, my favorite state and the one where I’ve lived the longest. I’ve set roots here: my eight-year-old son is a native, my wife works here as do I, and our two other children go to school here. Fort Collins is an easy place to love, with its many outdoor events and easy access to natural spaces and rivers.

Fort Collins also has been very welcoming. I exclusively speak Spanish to my son, who frustratingly responds back in English, and people who hear us are very supportive and impressed.

But 100 years ago, this community wasn’t as welcoming to Latinos, who had originally settled here in 1858, about 18 years before Colorado was admitted to the United States. Latinos lived north of downtown Fort Collins, in the Tres Colonias neighborhood. It’s widely known that when they visited Old Town, they experienced discrimination. This history is well documented by our own Museum of Discovery and the Poudre River Public Library District: “Store windows displayed signs reading ‘No Dogs or Mexicans Allowed.’ Teachers often sat Hispanic students in the back of the classroom.”

Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since those days. Like the Latino families who settled here, I hope to continue to be part of Fort Collins’ vibrant Latino culture. But more work needs to be done. Latinos make up approximately 12% of Fort Collins’ population and it’s very important to engage them in our amazing community. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fortcollinscitycolorado

As a district judge, I do my part by creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere in my courtroom for anyone who has a case before me. I’m also engaged in our community, giving presentations at Colorado State University and other places. It’s important that young Latinos see someone like them in a leadership role.

I love Fort Collins and what it offers and I’m extremely proud and humbled to serve as a district court judge. For me, every day is an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives and to serve my community. It’s a duty I cherish and take very seriously.

Judge Juan G. Villaseñor is a district judge in the Eighth Judicial District based in Fort Collins. Before his appointment to the bench, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and as a public board member on the Colorado Medical Board.

Judge Villaseñor is engaged in several law-related community activities, like speaking to undergraduate business-school students at Colorado State University. Read more at the Colorado Judicial Branch website.

FREE EVENT online via Zoom! Join Diverse Fort Collins and Judge Juan G. Villaseñor on Sunday, August 16 at 3 p.m. for a 30-minute presentation on “The Impact of COVID-19 on Larimer County’s Justice System” followed by Q&A. Register at www.DiverseFortCollins.com/events

Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other.

Let’s co-create an inclusive community! All welcome!

EVENTS: Join us for WHITE FRAGILITY on June 7 and THERE THERE on July 26

Foothills Trail through Maxwell Natural Area on May 23. Photo by Katherine Valdez/Diverse Fort Collins

Hello, friends!

We hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Here’s a different perspective of this holiday by the late historian Howard Zinn and “10 Things to Remember About Memorial Day.”

WE’RE CULTIVATING COMMUNITY THROUGH BOOK DISCUSSIONS

Thank you to the 20 community members who joined us via Zoom on May 17! It was our third book group discussion on Robin DiAngelo‘s White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism.

We gathered in small groups of five people to focus on Reading Guide questions for Chapters 9-12. These two breakout sessions allowed participants to hear a variety of opinions and perspectives. Did you attend? Take this 3-minute survey to tell us what you liked and how we can improve future meetings.

Thank you to Rev. Kimberly and American Baptist Church for the use of their Zoom account, and to volunteer facilitators Beth, David, Katherine, Mara, Mia, Ricardo, and Victoria!

We’re hosting an informal chat on June 7 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to continue the conversation and focus on your questions. FREE event.

If you haven’t already received an invitation via Hobnob, please REGISTER here.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

BOOK GROUP TO DISCUSS THERE THERE BY TOMMY ORANGE ON JULY 26

Author Photo by Elena Seibert for Penguin Random House

Join us July 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for our next book group discussion!

Mention the Diverse Fort Collins book group for 20% off the paperback at Old Firehouse Books.

The New York Times called it “Powerful. . . . THERE THERE has so much jangling energy and brings so much news from a distinct corner of American life that it’s a revelation.”

From the publisher: “Tommy Orange’s wondrous and shattering novel follows twelve characters from Native communities: all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one another in ways they may not yet realize.”

See details on the Events page.

ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!

In honor of this celebration, here is History Colorado’s offerings on the experience of Asian Pacific Coloradans.

Do you have a favorite Asian cuisine recipe you’d love to share with the world? Visit www.Slantd.com. Submissions open until June 14.

POPULAR POSTS

#BirdWatchingWhileBlack

“The white woman who called police on a black man in Central Park after a dispute about her unleashed dog has been fired from her job, her employer said Tuesday,” by Amir Ver and Laura Ly/CNN

“A Black Man Bird-Watching in Central Park Asked a White Woman to Leash Her Dog. She Called The Cops,“ by Elliot Hannon/Slate

“How Well-Intentioned White Families Can Perpetuate Racism” by Joe Pinsker/The Atlantic

“Sociologist Margaret Hagerman spent two years embedded in upper middle class white households, listening in on conversations about race.”

MORE COMMUNITY VOICES AND EVENTS

We have exciting announcements to share soon. Stay tuned!

Until then, take care and stay healthy. Remember to wash your hands before and after wearing your face covering. #InThisTogetherColorado #ForFoCo

Your Friends at Diverse Fort Collins

ダイバースフォートコリンズへようこそ (Welcome)(Japanese)

Welcome to Diverse Fort Collins

ダイバースフォートコリンズへようこそ

ALL WELCOME
オールウェルカム

Thank you for visiting Diverse Fort Collins, a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other.

ダイバースフォートコリンズのウェブサイトをご覧いただきありがとうございます。このサイトはリソースやネットワークを提供するコミュニティプロジェクトであり、ボランティアによって運営されています。

Read more about the Diverse Fort Collins Book Group below.

ダイバースフォートコリンズブックグループについてはページ後半をご覧ください。

As this website develops, you’ll be able to see lists of community organizations, ethnic businesses (such as restaurants that specialize in the cuisine of other countries) and businesses owned by people of color; a land acknowledgment, a glossary of terms, a list of the wonderful people who are Diverse Fort Collins sponsors, advisers and volunteers (including those who will translate this welcome message into Arabic, French, German, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian and other languages).

コミュニティ組織、エスニックビジネス（他国の料理に特化したレストランなど）、有色人種が運営するビジネスのリスト、ランドアグノレジメント、用語集、ダイバースフォートコリンズのスポンサーであるアドバイザーやボランティアのリスト（このメッセージをアラビア語、フランス語、韓国語、標準中国語、スペイン語に翻訳した方々を含む）などの情報をこのウェッブサイトで閲覧することができます。

You’ll also be able to connect with new friends who want to expand their social circles through discussions and other events.

また、ディスカッションやイベントを通してソーシャルネットワークを広げることもできます。

A little about me: I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. My mom is from the Philippines and my dad (who is Mexican-American from Roswell, New Mexico) grew up in East L.A. I moved to Fort Collins in 2002, and though I was often aware that I was the only person of color in the room, it wasn’t until I attended the 2015 Multicultural Community Retreat and joined my workplace’s equity and inclusion team that I began making new friends of diverse backgrounds, identities, abilities and experiences.

私について少し：私はカリフォルニア州ロサンゼルスで生まれ育ちました。私の母はフィリピン出身で、父（ニューメキシコ州ロズウェル出身のメキシコ系アメリカ人）はロサンゼルス東部で育ちました。私は2002年にフォートコリンズに移住し、自分がその場で唯一の有色人種であるという状況をたくさん経験してきました。しかし2015年に開催されたマルチカルチュラルコミュニティリトリートや、職場のエクイティアンドインクルージョンチームに参加することで、さまざまな経歴、アイデンティティ、能力、経験を持つ人々と友達になることができました。

My love of Fort Collins and my work in racial equity, diversity and inclusion inspired me to create Diverse Fort Collins.

フォートコリンズへの愛、そして人種的平等性、多様性、包括性に携わる私の仕事が、ダイバースフォートコリンズを創設するきっかけとなりました。

Our community lands on many top 10 lists for reasons we’ve all heard. On the flip side, many of my friends and colleagues who are people of color and I have had not-so-positive experiences. Some have experienced racism, racial profiling and discrimination. Some have been vocal; others silent. Some have moved away and returned; others will never return.

フォートコリンズは、多方面におけるポジティブなカテゴリーのトップ10にランクインされている反面、私たちのコミュニティにおいてネガティブな経験をしている有色人種の友人や同僚も数多く存在します。彼らの中には人種差別や人種プロファイリングを受けた人もいます。その経験を公にする人もいれば、誰にも打ち明けることなく心の中に留めておく人もいます。この街をいったん離れ再び戻ってくる人もいれば、永遠に戻らない人もいます。

On a happier note, I’m glad to see many businesses displaying signs such as “All Are Welcome Here” (Thank you, Toolbox Creative!) and “Safe Zone: This space respects all aspect of people, including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, religion and ability” (Thank you, Happy Lucky’s Teahouse!)

そのような中で、Toolbox Creativeの「All Are Welcome Here」やHappy Lucky’s Teahouseの「Safe Zone」といった、人種、民族、性的指向、性別表現、年齢、宗教、能力に関係なく、人々のあらゆる側面を尊重すると謳ったサインを掲げる多くの企業が存在することを嬉しく思っています。

One opportunity to get involved in Diverse Fort Collins is by joining us for book group discussions.

ダイバースフォートコリンズに参加するひとつの方法は、私たちが主催するブックグループディスカッションに参加することです。

Read details about the next book group meeting on the Events page.

次のブックグループミーティングの詳細はイベントページからご覧ください。

And mention the Diverse Fort Collins Book Group at Old Firehouse Books to receive a 20 percent discount off the paperback. Book group selections will feature fiction and nonfiction titles.

そして書店Old Firehouse Booksでダイバースフォートコリンズブックグループの名前を言えば、ペーパーバックの書籍を20％引で購入することができます。ブックグループのセレクションには、フィクションとノンフィクションのジャンルが含まれます。

If you like what Diverse Fort Collins is about, please consider supporting us with your time (volunteer) or money (sponsor)(watch for PayPal and other links coming soon.) We seek volunteers to help with strategic planning, event coordination, writing guest blog posts, etc.

ダイバースフォートコリンズの活動内容に共感される方は、ボランティアとしての参加や、スポンサーとしての資金援助（PayPalや他のサイトのリンクを近日更新する予定です）をお願いいたします。

Email DiverseFoCo@gmail.com if you’re interested, or if you have questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you.

興味のある方、または質問やコメントがある方は、DiverseFoCo @ gmail.comまでメールしてください。皆様からのメールをお待ちしております。

And follow us on social media:

ソーシャルメディアサイトでのフォローもお願いします。

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DiverseFortCollins and www.facebook.com/DiverseFoCo

Facebook（フェイスブック）: http://www.facebook.com/DiverseFortCollins and http://www.facebook.com/DiverseFoCo

Instagram: @DiverseFortCollins

Instagram（インスタグラム）: @DiverseFortCollins

There’s so much more I could say. I’ll leave it for future posts.

お伝えしたいことはもっとたくさんありますが、それは今後の投稿のために残しておこうと思います。

I love Fort Collins, and I love my life and friends here.

私はフォートコリンズやここでの生活がとても気に入っており、ここに住む人たちも大好きです。

I hope you’ll join us. All welcome. Let’s co-create an inclusive community!

オールウェルカム！みんなでインクルーシブなコミュニティを創っていきましょう。

Katherine Valdez
Founder and Executive Director, Diverse Fort Collins

創設者兼エグゼクティブディレクター
Katherine Valdez

Photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash

Register Today for May 17 WHITE FRAGILITY Book Discussion!

Join us for a discussion of Chapters 9-12 of WHITE FRAGILITY by Robin DiAngelo on Sunday, May 17 from 2:00-3:30 p.m.

If you have not received and responded to an invitation via Hobnob, please REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT using the following link: https://forms.gle/kvFc7hoBurQbGpjbA

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, May 17 at 2:00 p.m.!

-We will send Zoom details via email the day of the event.

-If this is your first Zoom meeting, please sign in 10 minutes early.

-This discussion focuses on the book. As a courtesy to other attendees, if you have not completed the reading, please listen and observe.

-Please download the Reading Guide from RobinDiAngelo.com and have pen and paper handy to jot notes for the breakout sessions.

-See specific discussion questions below.

AGENDA

-Welcome & Introduction of Facilitators

-Review of Community Guidelines

-Zoom communication & technology tips

-Breakout Session 1 (Reading Guide Questions for Chapters 9-10)

-Report Back to Main Group

-Breakout Session 2 (Reading Guide Questions for Chapters 11-12)

-Report Back to Main Group

-Next Book Selection and Meeting Date

Questions we will discuss during the meeting, from the Reading Guide by Ozlem Sensoy and Robin DiAngelo (beacon.org/whitefragility):

Chapter 9

(#1) Why are white people more receptive to other white people (rather than people of color) educating them on race? What does this say about the role white people must play in addressing systemic racism in society broadly and specifically in our homes, with our friends and family members, and in our workplaces with our colleagues?

(#4) Now consider the assumptionsunderlying those claims on p. 121. Which ones have you held? Do you still hold some of these? If so, how do they function for you and what would it mean to you to shift them (what do you see yourself as having to “give up”)?

Chapter 10

(#3) DiAngelo presents these rules in a language of critique in order to reveal how they function. Of course, the “rules” are rarely explicitly expressed in this way. Consider what you hear white people say that communicates “do not give me feedback under any circumstances” etc.? Go through each of the eleven rules and share how you have heard these rules expressed in practice.

(#5) In your own words, what is problematic about common guidelines for building trust in discussions about racism (e.g. “don’t judge”)? How do these guidelines function? Who are they for? Whose comfort do they protect?

Chapter 11

(#1) The author opens this chapter with the story of a woman of color in a multiracial group stating that she did not want to be subjected to white women’s tears. Why were white women asked not to cry in the group?

(#6) White women often assume a shared sisterhood with women of color. What is problematic about this assumption?

(#8) The author writes, “Since many of us have not learned how racism works and our role in it, our tears may come from shock and distress about what we didn’t know or recognize. For people of color, our tears demonstrate our racial insulation and privilege” (pp. 135-36). Discuss this passage and the ways that white emotional distress and shock (tears, defensiveness, anger grief) shape conversations on racism. What do these dynamics reveal about the sociopolitical function of emotions?

Chapter 12

(#4) If we accept that racism is always operating, the question becomes not “Isracism taking place?” but rather, “How is racism taking place in this specific context? How does awareness of that change how we think about our lives and our actions?

(#7) Discuss the suggestions for continuing the work of antiracism. Which are the most challenging? How can you meet those challenges?

Final Discussion of WHITE FRAGILITY on May 17

Join Us on May 17 to Discuss Chapters 9-12 of WHITE FRAGILITY!

We will meet virtually via Zoom and break out into small groups to discuss Chapters 9-12.

There are two ways to register:

(1) If you attended one or both of our previous WHITE FRAGILITY discussions, we have your email address on file and sent you an email or text invitation via HobNob.

If you responded to the original HobNob invitation, no further action is needed unless your plans have changed. Please update your response if necessary. You’ll receive Zoom details via a Hobnob update.

(2) If you responded to the original Facebook event, please update it to “Going” if you plan to join us, or to “Interested” if your plans have changed and you can no longer attend. Stay tuned for further registration details.

The book is still available from Old Fireside Books for 20% off if you mention the Diverse Fort Collins book group. Curbside pick up or delivery is available.

Questions? Email DiverseFoCo@gmail.com

We hope to see you on Sunday, May 17 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Your friends at Diverse Fort Collins.