Save the dates! The 2013 Overcoming Racism conference will be held November 15-16 at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul
Join us May 23 for film & discussion: Refocus the Frame 2013 kicks off on May 23 with Outlawing Shakespeare: The Battle for the Tucson Mind Download & share the flyer
And save the date for The Central Park Five on July 25
Scroll down for upcoming YWCA Racial Justice workshops and upcoming Discussions That Encounter topics
Related Learning & Action Opportunities--Scroll Down!
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How to Talk to Kids About Race
Saturday, May 25, 2013 9:30–11:30 am
YWCA of Minneapolis Midtown
Whether it's your own kids, your classroom or just a group of kids you care about, it can be tough to know what and when to say to them about race. How do we teach kids about history without saddling them with pain, shame, guilt or hopelessness? How do we create young people who will grow into adults, ready to take action and advocate for racial justice? Join us to discuss these questions and more!
Open to the public; $10 Click here to RSVP
Racism and Humor
Monday, June 3, 2013
6:30–8:30 pm
Mixed Blood Theatre 1501 S 4th Street, Mpls. 55454 Racism and humor run hand-in-hand throughout the media and our culture. Is it OK to laugh at a racist joke? Why do so many TV shows rely on stereotypes and biases for character development and humor? Is there a healthy way to explore questions of racial justice through humor? We invite you to join us to explore the intersection of race and humor.
Open to the public; $10 suggested donation Click here to RSVP
Save the Date for Its Time to Talk: Forums on Race - October 23, 2013 For more than a decade, diverse community leaders -- from business, education, arts, and community service -- have come together participate in dialogues on race and commit to eliminating racism at the annual It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race program. This year, we are celebrating our 11th Annual It’s Time to Talk event on October 23. We invite you to join us! There are many ways to get involved, from being an event sponsor to hosting a table, from attending as an individual to being trained as a racial justice facilitator. Click here for more information
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For over seven years, Discussions that Encounter has facilitated open discussions about race, racism and white privilege. These events are open to all and sponsored free of charge in Minneapolis on the second and fourth Thursday evening of each month. Our vision is to provide an environment where people of all walks-of-life and backgrounds can openly discuss any aspects of racism. We use video or prepared materials to pursue a specific topic with ample time for facilitated conversation. The objectives of these forums are to raise awareness, build relationships, assist all along the journey of overcoming racism, provide education on historical and current topics, and facilitate open conversations that can't usually be approached across the "races." Notices are sent prior to each Discussion Forum with details on topic, location and directions. Contact Bill Keatts at wkeatts@austin.rr.com to receive information or to be added to the regular distribution. ***Brotherhood Brew offers sales of organic, free-trade coffee, exotic teas, and hot cocoa at our Discussion Forums.
Previews of coming Discussion Forums:
5/9/13 – Being planned
5/23/13 – FREC (Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative) film series at Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater
6/13/13 – David McGee presents Build Wealth MN
6/27/13 – Being planned
7/11/13 – David Ellis and Bob-e Epps present the ACES Program (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
7/25/13 – FREC (Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative) film series at Capri Theater
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Make 2013 the Year of the Dakota in your city: Minneapolis and St. Paul have passed resolutions with powerful, truth telling language, that commit them to ensuring that the Dakota perspective is presented, and to promoting the well-being and growth of the American Indian community. How about getting it passed in your city? What about Ramsey County?? If you want the text of the resolution so you can promote it, let us know! Read a Pioneer Press article about the resolution.
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Brotherhood, Inc. offers a wide variety of coffee, tea and cocoa products for sale or delivery. These products are available at all Discussions that Encounter Forums and directly through the website www.brotherhoodmn.org. Sales assist in achieving their mission to enable African-American youth and young men to envision and achieve successful futures. Brotherhood, Inc. aspires to create a pathway out of poverty, gangs and incarceration by offering comprehensive and culturally-sensitive educational opportunities, social services, legal services and in-house employment all under one roof.
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Bdote Sacred Sites Tour
Bdote is the Dakota word for "meeting place of rivers" and specifically the confluence of the Mississippi River and Minnesota River which is located near Fort Snelling and the Mendota Bridge. Join Jim Bear and/or other Dakota elders who will be graciously guiding a tour of several sites within the Bdote area.
Target audience: Faith community leaders, interfaith leaders, "Healing Minnesota Stories" planning group, community members interested in learning more. Anyone may participate in a tour of the Bdote Sacred Sites. We desire for the whole group to ride together and to keep the group relatively small, so please RSVP early to allow us to plan appropriately for our outings.
For more information and to sign up, go to <http://visitbdote.eventbrite.com>.
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Gustavus Speaker Series on U.S. Dakota War of 1862 Archived Online
- Dr. John Peacock, “War of Words: Writings by Dakota People in Their Own Language and Later in English During and After the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862”
- Glenn Wasicuna, “A Dakota Way of Life”
- Dr. Gary Clayton Anderson, “The Dakota War Trials: Travesty of Justice or Reasonable Retribution?”
- Thomas Maltman, “Based on a True Story: Researching a Controversial History to Create Fiction”
- Corinne Monjeau-Marz, "Aftermath of the 1862 War: Reviewing the Years from 1862-1866"
- Dr. Gwen Westerman, "We Are Still Here"
This U.S.-Dakota War lecture series was made possible with funds from Gustavus Adolphus College, Minnesota Humanities Council, and the State of Minnesota through the Minnesota Historical Society from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
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Here is a recap of the 10 reparation strategies offered by Waziyatawin at the 2012 Overcoming Racism conference, as tweeted by @Two_Cranes #10DakotaReparations (thanks, Liz!)
1. Return state/federal lands to Dakota. Can start w/ non-revenue-producing state parks
2. Contribute* to re-purchase of lands for land return, a form of paying "back rent" (see below for how)
3. Lobby for return of Dakota sacred sites & for access to them, such as Coldwater Spring in Mpls
4. Take down Fort Snelling, which "celebrates the righteousness of pioneer settlement"
5. Lobby for the return of sacred objects from places like museums & Minnesota Historical Society
6. Remove icons, colonial symbols incl street names, names of sports teams, schools, etc.
7. Form action groups to fight/protect the Dakota land we all love; work to stop development industry
8. Support Dakota language programs, including fundraise for them
9. Support Dakota protests, right to have ceremony; provide legal support; support anti-colonial struggle
10. Support direct-action training camps
*Donations to the Dakota nonprofit Oyate Nipi Kte (The People Shall Live) will support Makoce Ikikcu (Recovering Land)
Online: http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Oyate-Nipi-Kte
By mail: Oyate Nipi Kte, 4052 Hwy 212 SE, Granite Falls, MN 56241
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What Does Justice Look Like? by Waziyatawin Read more about it
The Color of Wealth by Rose Brewer and others Read more about it
Download a reflection on Joe Feagin's book, The White Racial Frame.
No-Man's-Land by Eulah Biss found in the February 2008 issue of The Believer, Believermag.com. Subtitle: Fear, Racism, and the Historically Troubling Attitude of American Pioneers.
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Join our list (upper left) so you don't miss the next edition!
Read the Spring 2013 e-news
Read the Winter 2013 e-news
Read the Spring 2012 e-news
Read the Winter 2012 e-news
2012 Overcoming Racism conference description & information
Photos from the 2012 conference If you missed the conference, or want to hear more…
Listen to TruthToTell's 11/19 episode, originally broadcast on KFAI radio
Overcoming Racism conference keynote speakers Dr. Rose M. Brewer & Waziyatawin and conference co-host Herbert Perkins explore decolonization and other conference themes with TTT's Andy Driscoll & Michelle Alimoradi
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Listen to a conversation with the two 2011 conference keynoters and conference co-host Antonia Apolinario Wilcoxon about racial framing and the conference on Truth To Tell, KFAI Radio. Or watch the in-studio video (keynoters both participated by phone)
More info on or linked from the 2011 Conference page, including workshop and plenary information.
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Lots of great photos from the 2010 Overcoming Racism: Recognizing and Challenging the Legacies That Oppress Us conference can be found at overcomingracism.shutterfly.com/ Thanks to Miss Marie Photography for taking and sharing the photos!
