Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. History, shares her thoughts on the importance of talking about race in her poem titled, "Talking Gets Us There".
It's normal to notice what makes us different. Because what makes us different is what makes each of us so special. There's beauty in every type of face and every type of freckle. From the curl of your hair to the color of your skin, No one is exactly the same. Not even twins.
But across time and place, people have been treated unfairly just because of their race. And so heroes get into good trouble. They have to struggle for a long while, but when they win it's worth every mile.
People of color still experience racism today. So, it's up to all of us to say, enough is enough. To speak out with all our hearts and that starts at home, Starts with asking questions about race when we're taught about it. Together I know we can tackle racism. But first, we have to talk about it.
Can We CHAT moves online
"Can We CHAT" process designers Jackie Boor and Carol Wright
Can We CHAT (Convesations about History, Awareness, and Transformation) is a facilitated group discussion process designed to advance and deepen conversations about systemic racism and social injustice. Different than a classroom design with students and an instructor or a staged presenter with an audience, Can We CHAT focuses on the personal experiences, perspectives and inquiry of individuals in the group. These interactions allow people to process thoughts and feelings as well as increase their understanding of issues without fear of being condemned, dismissed, or rebuked.
Key features of the Can We CHAT model include communication coaching and resource sharing. Participants especially value the chance to meet in small groups to discuss a prompting question related to race and then share key observations, thoughts and feelings with the larger group. Special effort is dedicated to connecting historical events and perceptions with the current issues of the day. Sample discussion topics include Ferguson, redlining, white privilege, immigration, racial inequities, implicit bias, COVID-19 and the impacts of George Floyd’s death. Each session is designed as a standalone experience and generates a meeting summary to be archived by the host client.
What participants are saying...
"Racism is nothing new. I think it’s past time for us to have these conversations and good to create this space so people can ask questions."
"This is a very personal experience. We had a lot of diversity in our group. People were open and wanted to know how can I become an ally? "
"I appreciate being able to talk in an open forum without worry of judgment or perception, and being a part of the dialogue to move us forward."
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"Can We CHAT" process designers Jackie Boor and Carol Wright