Understanding the System of Racial Inequity
Contributor: World Trust Educational Services
The purpose of this module is to provide a frame that supports Understanding the System of Racial Inequity by:
- Providing a “systems” frame that allows individual and group exploration into the nature of structural racialization
- Understanding what it means to use a systems analysis for understanding structural inequities
- Developing emotional intelligence and practicing strategic approaches to address structural inequity.
Context/Target Audience: Understanding the System of Racial Inequity is a starting place, ideal for those new to structural racism. These groups might include parents and teachers in K - 12 school communities, higher education professors and administrators, local and national government employees, health care providers, faith-based leaders and practitioners, and community-based cultural workers. The module is broken into sections that are ideally implemented in order, with the community builder first, the main lesson plan in the middle, book-ended by artistic production or case studies and next steps.
Estimated Time: 4 Hours
Materials: Laptop with Internet access, projector, screen, copies of handouts, paper, pens, 3 easel-size sheets of paper, markers, tape or easels
PowerPoint Presentation: This facilitator’s guide refers to and will support you in using the PowerPoint presentation that accompanies this Racial Equity Learning module.
Handouts referenced in the directions can be found at the end of this Facilitator’s Guide: Stories Legacy Discussion Sheet, Rock River Tree Image Handout, and System of Inequity Glossary
Section 1: Stories of Legacy, Meaning, and Wisdom
This community-building exercise provides a framework for exploring perspectives related to racial opportunity. This exercise builds a sense of connection and relationship among participants that will support the activities that follow.
Section 2: The Rock, River, and Tree: Deepening Our Understanding of History, Identity, and Culture
Maya Angelou’s inaugural poem On the Pulse of the Morning eloquently and boldly names America’s multicultural ‘rocks, rivers, and trees.’ Participants listen to Angelou’s poem and share their own ‘rocks, rivers, and trees’ in an effort to understand how the System of Inequity has been woven throughout history.
Section 3: Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity
This core 60-90 minute workshop covers components of the system of racial inequity utilizing Powerpoint presentation, film clips, and dialogue/discussion questions.
Section 4: Taking Action/Becoming Allies
Human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson shares some hard truths about America's justice system, starting with a massive imbalance along racial lines: a third of the country's black male population has been incarcerated at some point in their lives. This section brings out of the shadows issues of the poor and incarcerated, and shines a light on those who are working to bring hope and change.
Section 5: Building a Steady Wisdom That Informs Our Moral Compass
How do we stay steady in this work? How do we build our internal compass?
