Announcing 2018 SURJ Reading Groups

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If you are interested in participating in a  SURJ Reading group could use the sign-up link in this flyer to let us know. You can simply answer the “best location” question with WES as the answer.

The meeting time will either be on Sundays after platform or the 2nd Tuesday of the month evening. For more information, please reach out to Laura Bradshaw (laurabradshaw5@gmail.com).

 

 

Please read the below message in its entirety to see if you are interested in and able to commit to 2018 study/reading groups. (You may have already received this if you were in a group last year, in which case apologies for the double email and no need to fill out the signup form again if you already did so!)

What:

For the past two years, reading groups have been organized by the SURJ education team. The mission of these study groups is to educate white people about structural racism with the purpose of moving them into activism for racial justice. While readings form the basis of these groups, we are hoping groups will work together towards increasingly more active participation in anti-racism work beyond the monthly discussions.
 
When: Groups meet approximately once a month, for 7-8 months. We hope to begin 2018 reading groups in March/April following facilitator training early March.
 
What we offer: Based on feedback from last year’s participants, some of what we offer will be different this year.
  • Experienced Facilitators: Last year, anyone who expressed interest in facilitating a group did so following a one-day training. Many committed individuals stepped up for this role and did great work, but some members and facilitators expressed a desire for more training and experience. Therefore, we are drawing from our talented SURJ and partner communities to find facilitators with experience doing this work to facilitate this year’s groups. (If you or someone you know is a good candidate for this, please email annie.hirschhorn@gmail.com)
  • Range of Curricula: Last year, groups were assigned curricula based on the type of group (beginner/1.0, 2.0, affinity group, etc.) with articles and videos for each month and topic. Based on feedback, we plan this year to offer access to a wider range of articles, videos, podcasts, etc. on a range of topics to allow more choice among facilitators and participants. If there are groups that would like more structured “assignments,” we will offer resources for this as well.
 
What we expect: Over the past two years, many people have committed to reading groups and engaged in meaningful discussion. There have also been issues with attendance and sustained, meaningful participation. We hope that outlining the following expectations upfront will encourage only those who can make this commitment to participate:
1. Participation
  • What: Members will attend all meetings of their reading group. It is understood that something may come up unexpectedly and require a participant to miss a meeting, but anyone who might miss more than two should consider waiting until they have less of a time conflict.
  • Why: It is part of our white privilege to be able to opt in to fighting for racial justice and working to dismantle white supremacy culture when those who are at the center of this struggle, individuals of color, do not have the choice to “opt out.” In order to have the difficult conversations needed to take meaningful steps toward active anti-racism, it is crucial that groups be able to create a sense of community through regular participation and attendance.

2. Openness

  • What: Readings and discussions will focus on topics of white privilege, systemic racism, and white supremacy culture. These can be uncomfortable subjects, and we ask participants to be open to this discomfort as a means to reach greater understanding and to be a more able, active participant in combating the systems that hold us all back.
  • Why: Leaning into discomfort allows us to challenge ourselves and the culture we live in. By being part of a study group, you are opening yourself up to learning more about your white privilege, which can be uncomfortable but is also the only way to become better equipped to combat a culture that reinforces it.
3. Moving Toward Action
  • What: Reading and discussion form the basis of these groups, but we have found that this alone does not ignite the activism that SURJ is about. We are therefore focusing this year on more consistently translating our learning into action. “Action” can mean many things, and group members will be invited to take action in whatever physical, financial, or other ways they are able.
  • Why: Our mission for reading groups centers on action through education; the education piece is a starting point, but alone is insufficient. It is our hope that reading group participants will gain greater understanding and translate that into deeper participation.

 

 

We know this represents a serious commitment, but are confident that participants will gain more than they can imagine by their efforts. If this is something that interests you, please click here to sign up! (This form is for both new and return participants–it will ask if you were in a group last year and whether you would like to continue with that group.) Please fill out this form by Sunday, March 4 and don’t hesitate to contact surjdc+reading@gmail.com with any questions.