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Systemic racism is a tremendous problem in our society. One way or another it affects us all.
How will we who are caught up in systemic racism come to terms with ourselves so as best to live out our values and help eradicate this injustice?
The Spiritual Life Center announces a new program that will help white people to answer this question. It is called "Understanding and Responding to Systemic Racism". In this program we will use a tool called the Experience Cycle for a spiritually grounded exploration of systemic racism. Readings, staff presentations, and brief written reflections, will be part of the process. Participants also will be invited to share their discoveries in supportive small groups.
Using the Experience Cycle, we
will clarify our feelings, study the causes and extent of the problem, engage in contemplative prayer, and discern how the Divine invites us to respond, individually and collectively. We will also learn about how we can work for justice, and how alliances between whites and people of color can help promote justice.
The program will be guided by a team of spiritual directors and educators including Dr. Agnes Curry, who teaches racism classes at St.Joseph University. Topics to be covered include the wealth gap, segregation, education, employment, reparations, health disparities, criminal justice, and voting rights. .
The program meets twice a month for 6 months via Zoom. The time is from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Mondays. In 2020 the dates are Sept 14 and 28, Oct 12 and 26, Nov 9 and 23, and Dec 14. In 2021 the dates are Jan 11 and 25, Feb 8 and 22, and Mar 8.
We request a freewill contribution ($100 suggested) but no one will be turned away for financial reasons. Full scholarships are available. Please see the registration page for options. All proceeds will be donated to an antiracism cause chosen by the participants.Contact Oscar Brockmeyer for more information at obrockmeyer@spiritlifectr.org.
