RACISM STUDY GUIDE
Mary Lu Bowen

Session I  Introduction and Why Care

*       Define racism. (Large group)

*       Break into small groups and talk about racism.  Be sure to include the following points in your discussion.

                Do you know any racists?  

                Are you one?  

                To what extent?  

                How can you/they become less racist?  

*       Coming back to large group talk about the differences between individual bias and institutional racism?  Ask participants to refer back to what they said in their small group discussion.

*       Read introduction and "Why Care" sections of Pollard paper (Individually)

*       In small group discuss how you feel about the NYSCC and/or your congregation or faith group being involved in the discussion of racism.  What would you like the outcome of the discussion to be?  Share these discussion with large group.  Post hoped for outcomes on newsprint.

*       In the 1960s, it was noted that Sunday morning was the most segregated time of the week.  How has this changed?  Discuss in large group what is healthy or harmful to individuals/groups of people by our present patterns of worship attendance.

*       In what ways are the scripture passages in the text helpful to you in learning to value diversity or that glorify the unique qualities of all human beings.  List other texts from scripture carrying similar messages to those used in the text.  (Small group, then large group).

*       In small group discuss how does your religious teachings influence your ideas of "right and wrong"?  What obstacles have you faced because of the choices you made about social justice?  How were you affirmed for acting on your sense of right and wrong?  Relating to racism?

*       In addition to hate crimes based on race given in the article, add some from your experience and/or recent events.  How were these issues addressed in your congregation - sermons/newsletters/classes/ conversations/opportunities for action or to support those who do act?  Were most people comfortable or uncomfortable with this?  (Large group)

 Session II  The Record - Then and Now

*       As you were in primary grades, describe how behavior of early settlers to native people and the arrival of slaves was presented to you.  How has this affected your attitudes about yourself and those from other ethnic backgrounds?  (Small group)

*       The text cites examples of ways 19th century ideas of "manifest destiny", white man's burden" and "social Darwinism" encouraged Europeans to feel they were superior people.  In what ways has this played out in the 20th century?  How do these ideas affect the culture in our land today?  In what ways have we made progress?  (Large group)

*       Still in large group list social reforms that represent progress in human services evolving after 1890.  What other events or social movements took place at the same time?  

*       What forces caused these reforms to be shaped by laws/practices/policies of Jim Crow?  What are some examples of how social reforms were enacted into law in ways that disenfranchised African Americans and sought to restore white rule?  (small group)

*       In large group, list examples of problems that remained after the Civil Rights Act of 1965 removed legal hurdles from the path of civil rights.

*       Still in large group discuss in what context we hear messages today similar to that of the senator quoted in the article after the acquisition of the Philippines?  Look on the web or in the newspaper and listen and watch radio and television for both overt and subtle examples.  Keep a diary of these findings.

*       During the past year you heard about members of Congress speaking to the Council of Concerned Citizens.  Role play in small group being a guest on a TV talk show. Identify with the racist aspects, and occasionally bring up free speech arguments.  Have one person conduct the interview (Don't forget to include a remote interview with someone responding from the other side).

*       Discuss the definition of racism given in the text.  How is this different from the definition you gave at the beginning of this study?

*       The author states that racism today is manifest by behavior that knowingly or unknowingly has the power to dehumanize and devolve.   In what ways have you participated in such behavior?

 Session III    Elements of Racism

*       In small group discuss:

                -       What fears and how to deal with them did you learn from  your parents?
                         Did you learn these from explicit teachings or non-verbal clues?

                -       Knowingly what beliefs have you taught your children?  What do you
                        perceive you may have unknowingly passed on to them?

                -       Did you and your spouse pass on the same knowing/unknowing
                        messages about the value of people?  How is this reflected in their lives?

*       In small group focus on the following:

                -       The ethos of our places of work/worship are largely determined by
                         unwritten rules.  Identify unwritten rules at your place of business that
                         are harmful/helpful.  Do likewise for your congregation

                -       What happens when one knowingly/unknowingly breaks these unwritten
                        rules?

                -       Check out your perception with co-workers/members of your
                        congregation.

*       Have those who are comfortable doing so, share conversations from previous two small group discussions with the large group.

*       In large group continue discussing beliefs:

                -       Brainstorm and list what have we learned to believe regarding the role of
                        the white male from our study of history

                -       List beliefs about being patriotic, being American that can teach value of
                        every persons.  List those that can teach about the superiority of some
                        over others.

*       In what ways do lynchings and notions about black persons as inferior still survive.  Give examples in addition to those listed in this paper.  (small group)           

*       In large group turn attention to the following:

                -       list stereotypes you have heard about black persons and others of color

                -       What are some misconceptions, fears and thoughts of superiority have
                        you heard from well-meaning whites?

*       What are some rules of the white man's game you have played to get along and get ahead?  If there were times you did not play by white man's rules describe what occurred as a result.  What did you learn from it?  Where did you get support/affirmation?  (Small group, with large group sharing afterwards).

*       What events of the past year seem to perpetuate the system.  What gives hope?  (Large group)

*       Resistance to change/status quo/preservation of power are all factors in the persistence of racism.  Still in large group brainstorm/list things that would have to change if we drop our societal opposition to multi-culturalism:

        beliefs                  language               value of persons                world view

  *       How can we in the religious community bring hope?  Discuss strategies to overcome resistance.  List some ways we could promote a more inclusive way of valuing people.  What can you/your congregation do differently to become more inclusive?