Since 2011, the YWCA has been sponsoring groups as part of its mission to eliminate racism. Witnessing Whiteness (WW) groups are white people coming together to do work around racism in a supportive, non-threatening setting. It is about learning to speak about race & racism, and learning how to ally with sisters and brothers of color & with other white people. WW groups are designed for individuals who identify as white. The YWCA also sponsors groups for individuals who identify as people of color, which focus on healing & internalized racism.
— The work of WW groups draws on the book Witnessing Whiteness: The Need to Talk About Race and How to Do It, by Shelly Tochluk, 2nd edition)
—We will meet for 10 sessions, one for each chapter of the book plus one to reflect on the whole & look forward. Each session will be 2 hours. We will meet Tuesday evenings, 1/17, 1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 3/21, 4/4, 4/18, 5/2 and 5/16 from 630-830pm at Southampton Church at Macklind/Nottingham.
–We are looking to have a group size between 15-25 people
–There is no charge, except for the purchase of the book. The YWCA will provide 3 facilitators to lead the discussion for free.
The WW groups strive to:
Create spaces where individuals who identify and experience the world as white persons can gain additional information, practice, scholarship and insight into creating a more just and equitable world;
Invite participants into a community of other white people committed to positive change in their lives, workplace and region;
Provide a loving and healing atmosphere to learn about and grow in understanding & skills in one of the most difficult topics in our country, race;
Gain understanding of the intersections of race and systems;
Encourage advocacy, collaboration, and strategies for change and increased knowledge;
“Build knowledge, skills, capacities, and communities that support anti-racism practices” (Tochluk);
Understand and practice interrupting racism, skills to act as agents of change, information, and sharing in the region—the goals of allies in the St Louis region.
For more information & to sign up, please contact by December 10th:
Christy Fry, christyfry19@gmail.com