September 9, 2020

​30 Days of Anti-Racism

Today's challenge as we focus on the goal of a world that more fully understands and addresses racism is to "engage in the difficult conversation."  

Have you had an experience that made you uncomfortable?  Maybe someone forcibly or subtly said something that was racist and it made your stomach ache.  That's a good clue of what could initiate "the difficult conversation."  Like anything, practicing makes it easier to engage in a difficult conversation in a healthy way.  You could even do a pretend scenario with a friend and take turns practicing how to open up a dialogue and name the elephant in the room.  

Morgan Stafford, who put the 30 day of anti-racism calendar together, has this insight and suggestion for today.  
"Often, when another white person says or does something racists in our presence, we are not sure how to respond. Anti-racists learn to interrupt racism, even though it may be uncomfortable because authentic anti-racism means addressing racism whenever you witness it."
He suggests watching this video to help us learn and practice how to engage in difficult conversations.

Here are six things to keep in mind when engaging in a difficult conversation:

1. Listen up.
2. Be clear about how you feel and what you want.
3. Look at the issue from their perspective.
4. If things aren't going to plan, take a break.
5. Agree to disagree.
6. Look after yourself.

Keep Psalm 121 in front of you as well.  "I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

Peace,
Dean