Date/Time
Date(s) - 07/08/2020
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Categories
Maui Goodbeer, Renee Greene, Chawne Paige and Brandon Fish will lead a discussion about race in America. Part 1 in a series.
Tonight’s subject: White Privilege and Race in America – what it means to each of us, and coming together in unity and understanding.
Dear TAO Community,
As we ring in July 4th, our nation’s birthday and our love for freedom, we also want to raise our consciousness concerning the lack of freedoms being experienced by the African American community and other people of color. We are kicking off a 6 month introspection to eliminate racism in ourselves and in our TAO community. Each month we will offer optional material to read or view before presentations or meetings occur to process the issues. Should you wish to be part of the ongoing discussions, studies, and group meetings, please email or call Sherry Stern SLStern99@aol.com or cell 612 201-9835.
July 8, Wednesday Night, 7:30 PM Wisdom Class, Part 1- White Privilege and Race in America
Optional Studies for July 8th – From the Smithsonian Institute – National Museum of African American History and Culture
Why talking about race matters. Tools and guidance are offered to empower your journey.
· Historical Foundations of Race
Introduction: Race is a human-invented, shorthand term used to describe and categorize people into various social groups based on characteristics like skin color, physical features, and genetic heredity. Race, while not a valid biological concept, is a real social construction that gives or denies benefits and privileges. American society developed the notion of race early in its formation to justify its new economic system of capitalism, which depended on the institution of forced labor, especially the enslavement of African peoples. To more accurately understand how race and its counterpart, racism, are woven into the very fabric of American society, we must explore the history of how race, white privilege, and anti-blackness came to be.
· Whiteness -Since white people in America hold most of the political, institutional, and economic power, they receive advantages that nonwhite groups do not.
Video (22 minutes) – White Privilege and Constructing White Racial Identity talks about deconstructing white privilege with Dr. Robin DiAngelo.
Diagram on Aspects & Assumptions of Whiteness & White Culture in the United States
· Being Anti-racist– To create an equal society, we must commit to making unbiased choices and being anti-racist in all aspects of our lives.
Video of author Ibram X. Kendi who wrote How To Be An Antiracist.
July 14 at 10 -11:00 AM Eastern –An ALEPH virtual panel on Jews of Color, Diversity and Equity. More info to follow. Refer to the TAO Calendar.
August 5, Wednesday Night, 7:30 PM Wisdom Class, Part 2- Racism and Violence in America – Speaker Panel led by Maui Goodbeer and Renee Greene.
Thank you for considering joining us to raise your awareness about Racism and how to make a positive difference to eliminate it.
With kindness and appreciation,
Sherry Stern, Renee Greene, Maui Goodbeer and Rabbi Marc
Renee Greene’s bio: Renee J Greene is the Financial & Special Projects Director for TAO and has her own show “Ladies Night In” on Monday Nights with guests speaking about current topics, relaxation and meditation. Renee earned a BS in Broadcasting and Communications with a Minor in Psychology from UF Gainesville. After attending Nova Law School, Renee took a break to marry Dr. Michael Fish and raise her children Brandon and Gilah. Renee returned to Nova and graduated with a Masters Degree in Human Service Admin and Psychology. She also received a Certification in Gestalt Therapy, is a Certified Life Coach, is certified in Whole Food Nutrition, and is using the time during the Covid Quarantine to become a certified Yoga Instructor. Renee grew up in Charleston, South Carolina in the heart of the south, where segregation, civil rights and racism were life realities. She has always been a proponent of racial equity. She was the object of ongoing criticism and discrimination for her Jewishness throughout school, and that has made her more passionate about educating herself and others about how to eliminate discrimination and racism.
