Cyndi Shanahan, Chair for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
What is Critical Race Theory (CRT) and why is it being talked about so much? Check out these explanations of CRT and the current controversy:
Britannica.com
EdWeek.com
American Bar Association
Purdue Online Writing Lab
Critical Race Theory: A Primer (Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic, members of the original movement, have written a primer for nonlawyers that makes the now sprawling literature of critical race theory easily accessible to the beginner.) This brief book would be good for a discussion group since there are discussion questions at the end and suggested readings.
Answering Your Questions About CRT (Five PBS News Hour 2-minute Videos)
Collaborating with women of color is a great way to get to know each other and possibly present programs together. National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is an organization with sections (like our branches) all around Virginia. Click on this link to see if a section is in your community.
Supporting Black-owned businesses is a way to support the whole Black community. Here is a list with links to 150 such businesses.
DE&I Resources Powerpoint Presentation Feb 2021
Confronting Prejudice: How to Protect Yourself and Help Others | Pepperdine Online California
Resources to Help Empower Asian and Pacific Islander Communities
TWO BOOKS THAT WOULD WORK GREAT IN A DISSCUSSION GROUP:
The Rabbit Effect: Live Longer, Happier, and Healthier with the Groundbreaking Science of Kindness by Kelli Harding, 2019, 272 pages
Discover an eye-opening and provocative new way to look at our health based on the latest groundbreaking discoveries in the science of compassion, kindness, and human connection. As Dr. Kelli Harding reveals in this eye-opening book, the rabbits were just the beginning of a much larger story. Groundbreaking new research shows that love, friendship, community, life’s purpose, and our environment can have a greater impact on our health than anything that happens in the doctor’s office. For instance, chronic loneliness can be as unhealthy as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day; napping regularly can decrease one’s risk of heart disease; and people with purpose are less likely to get sick. Through provocative storytelling and compelling research, Harding presents a new model for you to take charge of your health.
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown, 2018 192 pages
Austin Channing Brown’s first encounter with a racialized America came at age seven, when she discovered her parents named her Austin to deceive future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and churches, Austin writes, “I had to learn what it means to love blackness,” a journey that led to a lifetime spent navigating America’s racial divide as a writer, speaker, and expert helping organizations practice genuine inclusion.
In a time when nearly every institution (schools, churches, universities, businesses) claims to value diversity in its mission statement, Austin writes in breathtaking detail about her journey to self-worth and the pitfalls that kill our attempts at racial justice. Her stories bear witness to the complexity of America’s social fabric—from Black Cleveland neighborhoods to private schools in the middle-class suburbs, from prison walls to the boardrooms at majority-white organizations.
Study Questions:
https://bookclubchat.com/books/book-club-questions-for-im-still-here-black-dignity-in-a-world-made-for-whiteness-by-austin-channing-brown/
Second study guide:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/50e26f21e4b0c2f4976dc211/t/5b831f8e6d2a73bb5c1c62cf/1535319958420/imstillhere_discussionguide.pdf
AAUW Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Toolkit
One of the goals of the updated (2020) AAUW Strategic Plan is to “embody the goals and spirit of inclusion, diversity and intersectionality across all AAUW activities and participants.” The Diversity and Equity Committee was focused on this goal as the Toolkit was developed. Read Kim Churches’ s statement about this here.
The AAUW Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) resources aim to identify best practices for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within AAUW. These resources present guidelines for how AAUW branches, national members, student members and individual members can demonstrate an understanding of AAUW’s mission, values, goals and strategic plan. It is meant to start the inclusion conversation. We encourage all members to seek ways to incorporate inclusive practices into their branches and daily life.
AAUW of Virginia has begun removing items from our resource list below as we find them duplicated in the toolkit. Duplicate items are indicated by a strikethrough.
Feb. 10, 2021: Governor Northam Announces Second Report on Systemic Bias in Virginia Law
“Our Commonwealth remains focused on acknowledging and righting the wrongs of our past,” said Governor Northam. “This latest report makes clear that there is still work to do to shed the ugly remnants of Virginia’s history. The Commission is already having a significant impact on our shared legislative priorities and I look forward to continuing our partnership to build a more honest, equitable, and inclusive future for all.” FULL REPORT
Disproportionate Load
Hispanics have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic in Virginia. While they make up 10 percent of the population, Hispanics account for more than one-third of confirmed cases in which the race of persons tested were reported. See the visual breakdown.
What Virginia Localities are Doing
Alexandria
Race and Social Equity FAQs (Alexandria)
RESOURCES AND PRESENTATIONS:
Me and White Supremecy by Layla Saad
Here is an NPR article on this one
https://www.npr.org/2020/07/06/887646740/me-and-white-supremacy-helps-you-do-the-work-of-dismantling-racism
The Color of Law – by Richard Rothstein
Here is an article from NPR that discusses the book: https://www.npr.org/2017/05/17/528822128/the-color-of-law-details-how-u-s-housing-policies-created-segregation
Diversity Training Games and Exercises
National Museum of African American History and Culture: Talking About Race.
Keynote (Idella Glenn)
Inclusion and AAUW Branches (Cyndi Shanahan)
Unconscious (Implicit) Bias (Denise Murden) Worksheet accompanying Slide 13
Workshop Activity: Silent Interviews (Barbara Craig)
Workshop Activity: Unearned Privilege Exercise/Privilege Walk (Idella Glenn & Marj Easterling
Workshop Activity: DIE+K New Yorker Facilitator Guide (Terry Stefffin) DIE +K Definitions Chart
DIE+K New Yorker Covers Used in Activity
List of Books to Enrich Your Knowledge of Diversity and Inclusion
18 Books Every White Ally Should Read
Reading List for Racial Equity
Resources for Group Discussions Regarding the Book Waking Up White by Debby Irving Resource #1 Resource #2
Debby Irving TED Talk: Finding Myself in the Story or Race
Resource #3: 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge
Inclusion Icebreakers and Activities
Inclusion Discussion Ideas and Tips
Links to Web Resources
Diversity, Inclusion, Equity Dictionary
Anti Racism Resources
Website for resources on films, videos, books: Challenging Racism
ARTICLES
Diversity Training Steps into the Future With Virtual Reality. (Technology companies are leveraging virtual reality software meant to address issues with diversity and inclusion.)
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
Talking About Race (National Museum of African American History & Culture)
NYT Review of CASTE by Isabel Wilkerson
New Yorker Review of the new book CASTE by Isabel Wilkerson
Omar Johnson NYTimes June 14, 2020
Mapping Our Roles in Social Change Ecosystems (2020)
Five Phrases Your Black Friend Wishes You’d Stop Using
Beyond Contact Without Fellowship
10 Simple Ways White People Can Step Up to Fight Everyday Racism
33 Books With Black Heroes & Characters That Every Kid Should Read
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
Foster Belonging on Your Campus (or in your branch!)
WEBINARS
VIDEOS/DOCUMENTARIES (Click on each to learn more, or to view)
Black Women and Criminal (In)justice: Missing Voices in the U.S. Incarceration Conversation
Segregated by Design: The Color of Law
Nick News Presents Kids, Race & Unity, Hosted by Alicia Keys
First broadcast of “Tell Me More” on PBS with Brian Stevenson (Just Mercy)