Program to highlight daily habits of an anti-racist

Monday, August 31, 2020

Being committed to anti-racism work is about building new habits, continual education, sustained action and becoming more fluent in talking to others about racism.

However, sometimes it’s hard to just get started. “Become a Better Ally: Daily Habits of an Anti-Racist” is a four-week, 15-minutes-a-day program to assist a person in becoming a better ally.

This fall, two separate four-week sessions are being offered to the Putnam County community: Sept. 13-Oct. 10 and Oct. 18-Nov. 13.

Each session will begin with a one-hour orientation. Each week, participants will receive a list of resources to listen to/read/watch, along with a weekly action. Additionally, each week participants will be paired with a buddy to talk to about the resources/actions. There will also be a weekly opportunity to talk in a larger group setting.

The program is being sponsored by the Greencastle League of Women Voters in partnership with the NAACP - Greencastle Branch #3051, Gobin Church and Ivy Tech - Greencastle Campus.

“It is not enough to think of yourself as an ally,” the Greencastle LWV said in a statement announcing the program. “The word ‘ally’ is a verb. To ally one’s self to others is to actively and consistently engage in visible work for justice and social change. What are you doing to integrate anti-racism actions into your daily life?”

The hope for this program is that it will create a habit of spending time each day doing anti-racism work and assist participants in becoming more comfortable talking to others about racial issues.

For more information or to sign up email or call Leslie Hanson at 720-3236 or greencastleleagueofwomenvoters@gmail.com.

Those interested may also sign up by using the QR code included with this article.

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    Doublethink.

    -- Posted by dreadpirateroberts on Mon, Aug 31, 2020, at 3:44 PM
  • All gatherings for this program will be conducted over zoom.

    -- Posted by Rockypenguin on Mon, Aug 31, 2020, at 5:39 PM
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    Anti-racism is racism.

    It's based on a belief that White people are guilty simply by being White.

    Shame on IVY TECH for promoting such trash.

    NAACP, LWV, and Gobin Church... not surprised.

    -- Posted by dreadpirateroberts on Wed, Sep 2, 2020, at 10:51 AM
  • Aww, no one commented on your stupid doublethink comment so you had to follow up....here you go, here is some attention you are desperate for. Do you feel better now?

    -- Posted by BJCP96 on Wed, Sep 2, 2020, at 12:55 PM
  • dreadpirateroberts,

    As a Christain, a Methodist and a member of Gobin Church, it pleases me to no end that Gobin's involvement with this program does not surprise you.

    As John Wesley stated:

    "Do All the Good You Can,

    By All the Means you can,

    In All Ways You Can,

    In All the Places You Can,

    At All Times You Can,

    To All the People You Can,

    As Long As Ever...You Can!"

    Have a lovely and blessed day.

    -- Posted by johnhecko on Wed, Sep 2, 2020, at 12:59 PM
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    BJCP - Once again we see that you have nothing of substance to offer... just personal attacks. Sad little child.

    Perhaps you should seek therapy.

    You and the others could even get a support group going... I might even be willing to supply a poster of me for your TWO MINUTES HATE.

    John Hecko - Ok. So you are happy that your church supports racism. At least your honest about it. I can appreciate that.

    -- Posted by dreadpirateroberts on Wed, Sep 2, 2020, at 2:45 PM
  • I can make assumptions, but I’d be interested to see what they’re teaching before I come to any conclusions. If the lesson is “let us not treat any two people differently on any basis” then consider me an ally.

    -- Posted by techphcy on Wed, Sep 2, 2020, at 3:58 PM
  • Dreadpirateroberts,

    I have spent much time thinking about what you have said, as well as seeing other posts of yours.

    You are obviously a smart person and feel deeply about the issues and opportunities that you speak to regularly. I, too, used to use my wit and sharp tongue to cut people down. I always felt I was pretty good at being the person in the room that had the ability to say what needed to be said, at any cost.

    I mention this because I feel that my life changed when I decided to use that energy for good. I have always struggled with finding happiness, peace, contentment - name it what you will. What I discovered was when I used this energy to simply be the smartest person in the room and say whatever needed to said, I was still not happy.

    I learned that investing in others was the key to finding peace in my life. I honestly feel that if the snark and divisive nature of discussions that you have with people were tempered with a modest level of understanding that other people have different experiences than you do, you may actually achieve the one thing that you are searching for.

    Just a thought, not looking for a continued argument. Simply just a challenge, no different than the one that I challenge myself with each and everyday.

    Honestly, being good neighbors to each other is the one thing that this community, country and world could use a bit more of.

    Peace.

    -- Posted by johnhecko on Thu, Sep 3, 2020, at 9:36 PM
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    John Hecko - Martin Luther King Jr spoke of the problems with hate begetting hate.

    Yet that is exactly what you are advocating by claiming that using racism as an antidote to racism is a "good" thing.

    I wonder about your definition of "good" and whether it is based on a Godly model or a humanist one.

    It seems to me (based on our very limited interaction) that you have traded in one set of beliefs (Old self) for another (New self) for your own benefit (in this case, peace) rather than for what is true.

    But 2+2 will always equal 4.

    I am not searching for peace. I already have it.

    I am searching for Liberty.

    -- Posted by dreadpirateroberts on Fri, Sep 4, 2020, at 10:30 AM
  • Dreadpirateroberts,

    Never really felt that I traded anything. In fact, I simply opened my eyes.

    As for my definition, I believe the Godly and humanist models coexist through virtue.

    One can have Liberty and still exhibit kindness.

    -- Posted by johnhecko on Fri, Sep 4, 2020, at 11:41 AM
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    John Hecko -

    LOL. I exhibit kindness every day. It's just that sometimes its necessary for "kindness" to be expressed through tough love.

    I will not question your faith in your beliefs, but I do question your belief system. The Methodist church is an offshoot of the Church of England, and therefore we are definitely at odds over what it means to be "Christian" and what is "good". I will leave it at that for now.

    And I do agree that one CAN have Liberty and still exhibit kindness... unfortunately, all too often it is in the name of kindness that liberty is trampled... such as when a church supports racism as an act of kindness.

    -- Posted by dreadpirateroberts on Fri, Sep 4, 2020, at 3:13 PM
  • Dreadpirateroberts,

    and, in this case, it appears liberty has every intention of trampling kindness. Please, there is no need to question my belief system, as I do not answer to you.

    I, too, believe that we do not need to settle for good enough and believe that we can do better.

    "To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea..." - James Madison

    Have a great day.

    -- Posted by johnhecko on Fri, Sep 4, 2020, at 3:43 PM
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