Conflict Clinic: Race, Whiteness + Antiracism
September 2020 - April 2021
6 Monthly 2-hour Zoom sessions
The Conflict Clinic facilitates dialogue in smaller, more intimate groups (up to 10 participants) to build trust and work at a slower pace over a longer period of time. This framework responds directly to conflict experienced by Clinic participants while continuing to offer tools to build somatic awareness, reflexive response and communication capacities.
As we challenge vulnerabilities laid bare within us, between us and systemically within society, we realize that we cannot afford to repeat past mistakes. Conflict Clinic explores radical introspection, self-care, healing, responsive assessment and bold new action steps.
Participants are guided through somatic reflection, journaling and dialogue to recognize, process and transform hidden bias, and to develop antiracism action steps specific to their daily lives.
Core Questions
What is “whiteness"?
How does it live within us?
How does white privilege perpetuate systemic racism?
What is our responsibility in dismantling racism?
What steps towards anti-racism can we commit to
How do we move towards co-liberation for all people?
Process:
Build and grow trust between cohort members
Listen to individual and collective participant experiences of conflict
Meet individual challenges with somatic, reflexive and procedural tools
Develop responsive expression and communication skills
Commit to proactive steps towards anti-racism, social equity and co-liberation
Key Tools:
Somatic Awareness - experience vulnerability/develop resiliency
Reflexive Skills – recognize identity, difference, and bias-awareness
Conflict Communication Skills – build generative engagement