Facing Racism

“This is a raw exploration into the roots of racism and white privilege along with its effect on “non-white”, specifically black people. It’s opened my eyes to a world I’ve known only subliminally to exist and moved me to action, if even one small step at a time.”

Anne W. (2019)

“Gathering with other women to learn and reflect in a guided and supportive process has allowed me to gradually acquire deeper perspectives. Racism is absolutely central to our identity as individuals and as a society; getting our identity and relationships right is important work, deserving an investment of quality time.”

Mary K. (2019)

“When faced with racism, I often felt ill-equipped and futile in my attempts to address the situations. Exploring these texts and reflecting alongside other women transformed my heart by being able to identify and articulate the roots of racism. Because of this group I feel more confident to navigate difficult conversations and advocate to decenter whiteness in our society.”

Kelly W. (2021)

"The lessons in the dismantling racism program, specifically focused on the reading, writing and discussions around white women facing racism, have profoundly transformed my life. Through this program, my values have been reshaped and fortified, as I now perceive my country's history and the world through a new lens. My perspective on the past, present, and future has been reframed, prompting me to embark on a lifelong journey of unlearning and continuous growth. As I read, think, act, and repeat, I am forever changed, knowing that this is just the beginning of an ongoing transformation."

Kris H. (2021)

Being part of a group of women dismantling racism gave me the knowledge and words to live my life according to my beliefs. I replace anger with words of a wisdom that I didn’t have before.

Polly M. (2022)

The experience of learning about the systemic racism in the United States and more importantly examining my own racism has changed my view of the world in which I live. This racism study with other women has been life changing for me. There is so much that I was never taught in school and which I did not understand about my brothers and sisters who have a different skin color. There is still a lot for me to learn but I have a start and I want to learn more and change the behavior that contributes to the oppression of fellow citizens of my country.

Martha M. (2019)

It opened my eyes and heart to the extent of white supremacy in our society and made me aware of the impact of my inaction. I feel much more ready and empowered to speak up and to take action to promote antiracism and to help uplift people of color and marginalized people in our society.

Kathy R. (2022)

“It is not an overstatement to say this experience changed my life. Learning about the history and reality of racism opened my mind and heart. Having the time to think deeply about these issues and then discuss them with other White women solidified what I learned and inspired me to take action.”

Maureen S. (2019)

This program came at the right time for me. I think, we as a country could once again sweep this all under the carpet but I personally will not be able to sweep it away. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to explore racism with other women. I am changed and there is no going back to the status quo for me. I feel confident in my belief that racism still exists in our country and it is my duty and the duty of every citizen to admit it exists and work to identify it in our systems and laws and customs and then work to eradicate it from our systems and laws and customs. Period. It is not up for debate. There is no other side. There is no compromise.

Mary Ellen S. (2022)

Enlightening and disturbing…

I am continually grateful to be a part of Mary’s WWFR group. When I heard about it, I knew I needed to be a part of it. It has helped me to see what I needed to see and made me aware of how much I didn’t see, even though it was hard to look at. I learned the true history of the nation and began to understand how deeply racism runs in our country and within myself.

This knowledge and awareness has propelled me forward in this work. My awareness has risen, but there is much to learn and much to do. I continue to listen to Black voices and authors, begin difficult conversations or respond to others with a better base of knowledge and empathy. Delving deeper into the county’s racism and even deeper into my own has been enlightening and disturbing. Transformation is inevitably happening within me and I know there is more ahead. I continue to hope for more transformation in our country, neighborhoods and families and friends and in myself. I am less willing to just tolerate racist comments or laugh them off, when they are directed towards me. Coming up with realistic ways to bring about change and utilizing the ideas of these women and myself also gives me hope. Each wonderful woman has so much to contribute and we are full of incredible ideas, plans and are also implementing them in our lives, at our jobs and in our families.

Acknowledging my racism and privilege, even as a person of color, has changed my views, my responses and brought out my voice against racism and for true equality. I will be reaching for a world where racism is called out and changed in hopes that my grandchildren and the next generations can experience a world of greater equality and compassion. I need to do better, so the next generations of all colors can live better. This group helps me to do better and be better.

It was most important for me on this journey to have a group of women who supported me as I started down the ant-racism path. I am ever grateful for their continued support on this often difficult and frustrating journey. They have also transformed and changed and contributed honest and authentic input. Having real and hard conversations after reading each book was an amazing experience that opened me up and often brought me to tears. Amongst them, I was able to express my frustration, disgust, anger, cynicism, fears, compassion, love and hope. It helped me to know I was not alone on this lifelong journey. The growing circle of white women fighting racism continues to provide a safe place for me to be held in support and love, knowing I have more room to grow and more actions to take.

I am grateful for the trio of women who continue to bring so many white women to fight racism, Mary, Althea and Dana. Each of these women are true gifts in my life, as are each woman that proceeds on this journey, and all have made a significant difference in how I live my life as I fight racism.

Ever grateful and feeling blessed,

Janal T. (2020)

My experience as a member of the 2020 Women’s group brought personal challenge.

First, I had to confront my childhood & adult experiences through the honest lens of White Privilege.

Then, to fully participate, I had to find the words to share of what I learned.

Through the encouragement & patience of the facilitators and members, I began to gain deeper understanding of my responsibility in helping to create systemic change in our communities.

Lorraine J. (2020)

At the onset of this 9-month transformation, my goals included growing and learning to become an anti-racist woman who has come to terms with my own whiteness and complicity. This felt like an urgent need in our world, faced too often with heartbreak that could be avoided if racism were eliminated. Over the course of this process the books, reflections, and conversations went deeper and further than I anticipated. This work opened me up every day to the option of seeing clearly, listening humbly, and telling the truth when confronted with the mythology of racism. Opening my mind to the voices of Black authors allowed me to enter into conversations I didn’t know I needed to have. I made connections with others on this path, and felt emboldened and encouraged by our shared mission. This work is necessary, and my feeling of urgency melted into an understanding that this is a lifelong commitment that I must make every day: to practice antiracism by centering BIPOC, showing up in humility and honesty, and continuing to listen and learn. Knowing that I have accountability and support from a group of like-minded women keeps me inspired, creative, and committed to this work.

Mary Scott (2020)