Enter the River Study Guide
Session 2: Hearing our stories.
- Handout for Session 2: First memory of race
- Goal and Covenant.
Overview of goal for class. Review covenant.
- Time of prayer and reflection.
Use resources in this guide.
- First memory of race exercise.
Invite additional reflection on
this exercise for public sharing as people are comfortable. This exercise
provides an opportunity for building trust and openness among group members.
It will be particularly important to include this exercise in those settings
where group members do not know each other well.
- Chapter 1 discussion questions:
- What distinction does the author make between subtle and overt
racism? (21) Are there other ways of talking about the different kinds of
racism? One anti-racism training group talks about institutional, cultural and
individual racism. How have you described racism in the past?
- In the story about Don Guyton, Miller Shearer acknowledges that many
forces were at play in their relationship. What do you suppose pulls him to
focus on the role of subtle racism? For white people, is it possible to become
aware of one's racism without a painful experience?
- Miller Shearer lists six main reasons he believes it is important to
be concerned about racism (pp. 31-32). Which ones make the most sense to you?
Which ones need further explanation? Are there additional reasons that
motivate you to "enter the river"?
- Homework assignment:
Read Chapter 2: Why Is Talking About Racism So Hard?
Write one journal entry exploring your thoughts and feelings about what the
class discussed today.
|
