[Antiracism] WPC7: UNDERSTANDING, RESPECTING and CONNECTING

[Ka Yan Cheung]

WHO:           WPC7 (Conference on White Privilege)
 
THEME:        Youth: A Call to Action
 
WHEN:         April 26-29, 2006
 
WHERE:        St. Louis, MO
 
 
WPC is awarded the 2006 Voice of Inclusion Medallion for Exemplary
Programs: http://www.myacpa.org/mem/mem_awa.cfm 

This award recognizes individuals and exemplary campus-based programs in
the field of higher education and student affairs that have in some way
contributed to making their campus communities a welcoming environment
for all.

 
MISSION
The Conference on White Privilege serves as a yearly opportunity to
examine and explore issues of white privilege, diversity, multicultural
education, multicultural leadership, social justice, race/racism, sexual
orientation, gender relations, and other systems of
privilege/oppression. It provides participants the opportunity to get
honest about the type of society in which we live, and the advantages
that accrue to some but not others. The conference offers a means to
develop and sustain ongoing work to dismantle this system of white
privilege, white supremacy, and oppression.
 
WPC7: UNDERSTANDING, RESPECTING and CONNECTING

The theme for WPC7 is YOUTH: A Call To Action.  The dates are April
26-29, 2006, and here are a few of the conference highlights.  Please
spread the word and check the website (www.whiteprivilegeconference) for
updated information!!!

 
Key Note Speakers

Iris Jacob
Activists Generation: How Youth & Their Allies Can Achieve Social Change
This presentation is about how young people can lead activist
revolutions and challenge systems of oppression with the help of adult
allies and a careful look at the intersections of inequality. All
different oppressions cannot be dismantled without looking carefully at
how they are connected and how every person is affected. Ageism, as well
as racism needs the attention of all generations in order to achieve an
equal, supportive and inclusive world.
http://www.nccjstl.org/programs/leadership/jacob/ 

Barbara Love
Amazing Grace How Sweet Youth Sound:  Strategies for Youth Empowerment
and Liberation
Dr. Love will share her vision of youth empowerment and liberation.
Current research examining adultism or age based patterns of domination
and subordination within major societal institutions including families,
schools and the media will be presented.  Processes by which patterns of
oppression are installed on youth through these key institutions will be
discussed along with strategies for young people and adults as allies to
empower young people to work for youth liberation.
http://www.umass.edu/sje/faculty.html 
 
Joy DeGruy-Leary (tentative)

Salome Thomas-El
Why We Choose to Stay: The Powerful Influence of Teachers
Why do we choose to stay in our schools and communities?  It is not for
the accolades or the salary!  We simply stay because we understand the
power of our influence as educators, parents, social workers,
counselors, therapists, mentors and role models.  There are thousands of
committed leaders in urban, suburban and rural schools who positively
affect the children they serve.  Salome Thomas-EL learned early in life
as a student growing up in a tough neighborhood that his teachers and
principals cared.  Through their love and commitment to others, they
motivated him to become an educator.  Thomas-EL makes it a point to
thank every adult he meets for understanding the power of giving!  He
will also discuss the difficulties and obstacles we face when trying to
keep our children safe and educated in our communities.  Most times, we
are the only positive role models in the community and it is important
that our children know we are committed to improving their lives.
www.ichoosetostay.com 
 
Tim Wise
Disasters, Natural And Otherwise:  What Hurricane Katrina Tells Us About
Race, Class And Privilege In The U.S.
This presentation will examine the ways in which Hurricane Katrina
should be viewed as a symptom of a larger problem of race and class
oppression in the U.S., rather than as an aberration. The unnatural
disasters of racism and class oppression had long devastated the black
and poor communities along the gulf coast, and despite a lack of prior
media coverage, were par for the course, long before Katrina. This
speech will look at the ways that white privilege was manifested in
analysis of the disaster, media coverage of the crisis, and the
aftermath--specifically in the reconstruction of New Orleans.
http://www.timwise.org 
 
Pre-conference Professional/Student Development Institutes/Film Previews

 
Wednesday, April 26, 8:30 a.m.  - 5 p.m.

"Complex Positionality: Jews, Whiteness, and Identity" with Warren J.
Blumenfeld and Christopher MacDonald-Dennis
Many U.S. Jews often find themselves questioning the racial space they
occupy, given that most are afforded White-skinned privilege, but
understand that Jews have been historically seen as racial "others."
Moreover, Jews confound established notions of identity because of the
complexity of Jewish identity. This session will explore the history of
Jewish racialization, the multifacteted nature of Jewish identity, and
the connection between anti-Semitism and racism.
 
"White Privilege & LGBT Activism: Exploring Safety, Identity and
Community Building in LGBT Youth Organizing" with Brad Clark and Joanna
Daniels
Words like "faggot" or dyke" or "that's so gay" are everyday vocabulary
for many students and adults in an educational setting.  Homophobia is
embedded institutionally in school policies, and classroom curriculum!
What impact does this have on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
(LGBT) youth and those who are perceived to be LGBT? What does safety
mean for LGBT youth?  How does this experience vary across racial
identity, economic status, and gender?  Participants will learn
strategies for creating safer environments for LGBT student and those
perceived to be LGBT.  The day will explore the role that whiteness
plays in strengthening or sabotaging ongoing struggles across identity
and building an inclusive LGBT movement.
 
Making the Space for Youth Leadership: Adults Supporting Youth
Antiracism with Lauren Kucera & Jesse Villalobos
This is a *1/2 day institute (3-4 hours) 
 This is a pre-conference workshop for adults who are committed to
becoming stronger allies for young people working for racial justice. In
many communities, there are school or neighborhood-driven "diversity",
"equity" or antiracism initiatives and programs in place. How can we, as
adults, share power, carefully engage and support young people in their
various stages of antiracism? What risks are we willing to take? How can
we work in solidarity with youth and families of color? These are a few
critical questions toward sustaining the antiracism movement.

This institute will focus on:
.       Homework: preparing to teach and learn about institutionalized
racism from youth
.       Challenges that surface when adults facilitate youth-oriented
programs/projects addressing white privilege
.       Identifying and assessing effective resources and activities to
utilize
* These facilitators are also co-leading/facilitating portions the Youth
Institute.
 
"A Critical Dialogue on Poverty, Racism, and Education" with The Praxis
Institute for Early Childhood Education & The Culturally Relevant
Anti-Bias Leadership in Education: Theressa Lenear, Kim
Statum-Francisco, Tilman Smith & Company
The Early Childhood Education field remains the leader in efforts across
the nation to define and shape identifiers of quality learning
environments. An issue that has not been examined with an anti-racist
lens is the issue of poverty and its impact on families, programs, and
school readiness.  By shining a spotlight on children living poverty, of
which children of color are disproportionately represented, we are more
likely to include in our discussions and practices effective ways of
educating ALL of our children.  Participate in an analysis and critical
dialogue on poverty, racism, and education.  The outcomes for this
session are as follows:
 
Uncover root causes of poverty and the myths and misconceptions embedded
in the societal bias around children and families who live in poverty.
Examine the intersection of institutional racism and poverty and its
impact on the healthy growth and development of children.
Identify and critique current educational models and strategies in
educating children in poverty and
Share resources to support the quality of learning for all children,
especially children living in poverty.
 
"Empowering Youth to Eliminate Racism" with UER
This institute is for both youth and for adults who work with youth in
some capacity - teachers, parents, youth workers, directors of
youth-focused organizations, etc. In separate youth and adult ally
groups, participants will explore the ways in which youth are hurt by
racism and how these hurts are further compounded by the systematic
mistreatment of youth in societies. Utilizing listening partnerships,
youth participants will have the opportunity to explore how they
experience racism and youth oppression, and adult allies will explore
how they experienced racism and youth oppression when they were young,
and how they currently experience racism and witness youth oppression in
their work. Both groups will be taught how to do mental and emotional
healing work as practiced in Re-evaluation Counseling to begin to remove
these hurts.
 
Youth participants will strategize ways to combat racism and youth
oppression in their schools, their homes and in their communities. They
will also strategize ways to develop effective support among their youth
peers and among their adult allies. Adult allies, on the other hand,
will strategize ways to effectively support the youth in their lives to
combat racism and youth oppression. They will also strategize ways to
develop effective support for themselves and other adult allies working
with youth.
 
While youth and adult allies will separate for a large part of the
institute, they will come together to share strategies they've developed
in their time apart. Though this is not a requirement, this institute is
ideal for youth and allies who come from the same schools or community
organizations.
 
"Autobiographical Explorations into Race and Class" with Michael Vavrus
*An all day institute plus one follow-up session for 2 hours on
Saturday.
Participants will engage in autobiographical writings in order to
explore issues of race, white privilege, and class that have affected
their lives and personal identity formation.  Focused writing prompts
and background information are provided to help stimulate writing.
Participants will find a collaborative, supportive environment for this
important work.  Open to all writing levels and experiences.  The
institute includes a two-hour follow-up debriefing session in
recognition that participants need time to critically reflect upon their
writing.
 
"Got Privilege? Let's talk! Speaking & Listening from the Heart: A
Circle Workshop for youth and adults" with Linda Wolf, Annie Huntley and
L'Erin Asantewaa
*An all day institute (Wed) plus one follow-up session for 2 1/2 hours
on Friday.
Imagine for a moment that you had a safe space to meet with peers and
adults where you had the freedom to express yourself without fear of
judgment or criticism; where everything you bring to the circle is
valued and seen as a gift, no matter what. In this place you felt safe
to tell your truth; free to share what you feel, think, see, and know;
comfortable to share your sorrows, disappointments, as well as your joy
and hope; appreciated for exactly who you are. Imagine the compassion
and understanding for yourself and others that would come from something
as nurturing and powerful as this. How might it change your life? How
might it change the world?
 
At WPC7 you can participate in an experiential circle workshop like
this, where you will learn how to use Compassionate Listening and
Non-Violent Communication to practice the art of speaking and listening
from your heart. Where you'll learn skills that support your courage to
"sit in the fire," instead of running away from conflict. 
 
Together, we will listen to each other stories and discover, as Jean
Knudsen Hoffman says, that "an enemy is one whose story we have not
heard." Come, experience a sense of sacred space, as we deconstruct the
way we have been and are affected by all faces of privilege,
particularly as determined by race, gender, class, nationality and
sexuality, and give each other the gift of ourselves.
 
"The Role of Listening and Emotional Healing in Ending Racism Part I"
with UER
No person grows up in this society without personally suffering and
internalizing the hurts and distortions of racism. The effects of these
hurts and distortions continue long after the racist events themselves,
confusing us, making life more difficult, and interfering with our
organizing efforts to end racism. These effects include both the ongoing
damage from being targeted by racism and the self-doubt and
self-denigration that result from living in a racist society. This
workshop will focus on how these hurts can be removed and how paired
listening and mental and emotional healing as practiced in Re-evaluation
Counseling can be used to do that.
 
Thursday, April 27, 8:30 a.m.  - 5 p.m.

WPC 7 Youth Leadership Institute with Lauren Kucera and Jesse Villalobos
Over the past few years, the White Privilege Conference's Youth
Leadership Institute has brought together hundreds of high school-aged
youth from across the U.S. to share strategies and build alliances to
respond to white privilege and fight for racial justice in their schools
and communities. After this challenging, yet exciting three-day
experience, many youth return home inspired, empowered and energized
with a stronger commitment and a clearer vision of their role in their
community.
 
This year the Youth Institute offers a variety of workshops to choose
from. An early session will focus on building a shared understanding of
white privilege. During the general conference, the youth institute
workshops offers various opportunities for youth to build, strengthen
and practice skills and discover their piece of the puzzle toward a
life-long commitment to racial justice.
 
Saturday, April 28, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

"The Way Home, An Experiential Journey: Transformative Learning, White
Women and Women of Color" with Shakti Butler
The Way Home Experiential Journey is an interactive presentation and
dialogue that focuses on transformative learning related to oppression
through the lens of race.  Session participants will view sections of
The Way Home, a nationally acclaimed video featuring eight separate
ethnic councils of women talking about their respective racial
experiences, to crack open a critical door of consciousness  as a
springboard for critical self-inquiry and inter-ethnic dialogue. The
session will 1) support intensive critical self-inquiry related to
internalized issues and institutionalized systems of oppression 2)
provide opportunities for transformative learning by unearthing new
questions related to conscious and unconscious embedded assumptions and
3) stimulate new ideas for taking action that interrupts patterns and
systems of behavior linked to oppression. This session should
particularly benefit teachers, trainers and students.
 
"Rural Landscapes and Racism: Addressing White Privilege in the Rural
Midwest" with Diane Finnerty and Amalia Anderson

The rural Midwest is typically characterized as an exclusively "white"
area with little ethnic/racial diversity.  While current population
demographics show a majority of "whites," little conversation occurs
regarding how those demographics came to be, or how the fact that "rural
whiteness" is shaped by a history of cultural beliefs, practices,
social, legal, and economic policies.  More recently, rural Midwest
communities have also experienced dramatic changes in their population
composition, as jobs attract new immigrants and their families.   The
"browning of the Midwest" (as it is referred to) raises many issues
about globalization, migration, and displacement. 
Participants in this interactive institute will examine the historic
relationships between landscapes and belonging, explore the ways in
which racism and white privilege exclude and oppress in different
contexts-with particular focus on the Rural Midwest, and create an
action plan for working in Midwest communities that honors the unique
histories and realities of working in rural contexts.  This institute
will be co-facilitated by Maya/Latina and White activists engaged in
rural community organizing. Join us for a multigenerational workshop
which examines the relationships between landscapes and belonging and
explores the ways racism and white privilege exclude and oppress in
different contexts--particularly the Rural Midwest.
 
White Anti-racist Summit II with Jeff Hitchcock (WACAN.org)
The summit offers an annual opportunity for white anti-racist organizers
and allies to reflect and connect, using WPC as a backdrop. The summit
will incorporate a mix of facilitated discussion and participant-led
dialogue. Consistent with the WPC goal of encouraging ongoing
anti-racist activism, participants will be invited to engage in
visioning and planning a white anti-racist agenda for social change.
Registration Fees: *Full payment must accompany registration form.
Non-student, Summit & WPC 7                                $150.00
Late* $165.00                                
Non-Student, Summit only                                         $50.00
Late *$65.00
Student, Summit and & WPC 7                                 $100.00
Late *$105.00
Student, Summit only
$35.00                         Late *$40.00
*postmarked after April 16
*This is a separate registration fees and process.  Please log on to
http://www.wacan.org/WAS.asp for details or call Jeff Hitchcock:
908.241.5439
 
"Understanding Whiteness/Unraveling Racism" with Judy Helfand and Laurie
Lippin
Learn to use a pre-designed, participatory and experiential curriculum
for exploring what it means to be white in a  white-supremacist culture
where whiteness is the background against which people of color stand
out as "other." The model provides activities for reflecting on one's
own internalized whiteness and remapping old practices that have been
keeping white dominance in place. Engaging in sample exercises,
participants not only personalize the work, but in so doing, they build
trust with their peer, which helps them explore difficult topics.
Participants leave with a model they can begin to use immediately with
students and peers to further efforts at understanding whiteness and
unraveling racism.
 
"Critical Listening in Diverse Contexts" with John Igwebuike
This is a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves, let's-get-busy working session
on the art and skill of listening. Effective listening is the starting
point and ending point for building community, embracing diversity, and
dealing openly and patiently with differences. This workshop boldly
asserts that conflicts, disagreements, and misunderstandings (i.e., of
race, gender, ability, religion, etc.) can only begin to be bridged
through understanding that comes about not only by talking, but most
significantly by listening. Thus, in the course of this workshop,
participants are challenged to deconstruct preconceived notions and
stereotypes that they've experienced or "heard"--consciously or
unconsciously--regarding individuals and groups. Through listening
assessments, exercises, role plays, and team-building activities,
participants are given practical tools to add to their listening tool
belt for use when communicating in diverse contexts. Finally, and
distinctively, each participant will be given opportunities to
reconstruct a renewed understanding of diversity by listening critically
to sensitive (and perhaps painful) experiences of diverse group members
while having these same group members listen to her or him.
 
"I Want To Be Like 'White': Concerns Regarding The Americanization Of
International And Transracial Adoption" with John Palmer
Part I of the institute will cover the many issues and concerns facing
the lives of international and transracial adoptees. Specifically, I
will provide insight into my own struggles and celebrations of growing
up as a transracial Korean adoptee living in the Midwest. In that, I
address the issue of Americanization in elementary and middle school,
identity crisis and conflict in middle and high school, identity
discovery and uncertainty in my 20's, and identity reflection as a
scholar and educator in the field of Educational Studies. In this first
part, I hope to connect with the youth about the struggles of developing
a strong identity in the face of those who want to force us into
stereotypical roles. Rather than looking at the transition from youth to
adult as an "identity crisis," I will discuss the transition as more of
an awakening that youth need to cherish and reflect upon.
 
Part II of the institute will be an interactive session, with
participants discussing international and transracial issues as well as
identity development in smaller groups and then coming together as one
large group. These small groups will be facilitated by the speaker. It
is my hope that these groups will address issues concerning not only
international and transracial adoptees' experiences, but also speak to
concerns of -- the pros and cons of Americanization; identity crisis and
awakenings; the benefits and drawbacks of international and transracial
adoption; white families raising racial minority children; the question
of international and transracial adoptees searching for birth parents
and the thoughts and concerns of the adoptees' parents; the benefits and
drawbacks of culture camps; etc. Certainly, individuals can move around
from small group to small group during the time allotted. From these
small groups, the speaker will bring the groups together as a whole and
facilitate a large group discussion.
 
"The Role of Listening and Emotional Healing in Ending Racism Part II"
with UER
This institute is for participants who have attended the Pre-conference
Institute, The Role of Listening and Emotional Healing in Ending Racism
Part I or any of the other United to End Racism workshops in this
Conference or past Conferences.. The Institute will be for those who
want to get more opportunities to understand and practice the process of
emotional healing from the hurts of racism as well as learn how to
continue this work at home for themselves, co-workers, family, and
friends.
 
Special emphasis will be placed on delving deeper into the theory of
this work which includes how racism and other oppressions are inflicted
upon people and divide us, how they damage people, how this damage is
passed from generation to generation, how people can resist such damage,
and how people can recover from it. Participants will also get the
chance to learn how to better use the paired listening partnerships and
support groups for undoing this damage, reclaiming our power, and
setting goals and developing strategies for ending institutional racism.
 
FILM PREVIEWS

 
Circle of Women: Facilitated by Tracy Bovee
This video introduces a variety of women talking about their
relationship with their bodies.  Thought provoking questions are
introduced allowing each woman to share her personal experiences about
body image.  The audience will hear about societal influences,
internalized standards of beauty, self-esteem, racial identity, and much
more.  The women's voices will empower others to gather and discuss
similar issues in their own lives or in community.
 
Making Whiteness Visible with Shakti Butler
World Trust Educational Services Inc., invites you to its first public
showing of an amazing, long awaited new video, Making Whiteness Visible.
Produced and Directed by Dr. Shakti Butler (of The Way Home and Light in
the Shadows) this new film features the experiences and stories of white
women and men - of various ages and backgrounds - who have worked to
gain insight into what it means to challenge notions of racism and white
supremacy in the United States. The up close and personal reflections of
the participants provide access to their journeys of learning and
transformation.  Their conversations reveal what was required of them
and what actions they have taken to move through the common first stages
of denial, defensiveness, guilt, fear and shame into making solid
commitments towards ending racial injustice.  The video is part of a
program that creates an informative social media piece that catalyzes
powerful dialogue in order to support learning, change and healing for
all people.  The video also provides harbor for other white people who
want to begin or continue the internal transformation that white allies
must undergo to participate in the necessary work required to undo
race-based oppression.   World Trust and Shakti Butler are also making a
public thank you to Dr. Eddie Moore Jr. and WPC who supported the making
of this film by participating in the arrangements that invited and
allowed many of the participants to be filmed during the WPC conference
in 2004.
 
A Killing In Choctaw /The Power of Forgiveness: Carl Raye's
Autobiographical Movie Documentary with Carl Raye
"A Killing In Choctaw" is a documentary on Raye's life and how the
incident of 1962 defined his life and held him prisoner in his own skin
for over 20 years.  Through effective narration, reenactment, archival
footage, and interviews with actual witnesses of the murder and trial
participants, the documentary takes us back to the 1960's and sets the
social context that bred such a horrific crime. We then follow the
subsequent trauma, depression, and denial that young Raye suffered and
endured for over twenty years until he met a man in 1984 who taught him
about the power of forgiveness.  Raye attributes the act of forgiving
the man who killed his father to saving his life. He describes it as
being the most enjoyable moment of his life and a day of freedom from
his self imposed prison.
 
White Privilege 101:  Getting in on the Conversation facilitated by
Nancy Wright and Adam Burke
This video deals with the issues of White privilege, White supremacy and
other forms of institutional and systemic oppression in a direct and
positive way.  The video allows for the viewers to engage in a
conversation about how these issues saturate our society.  White
Privilege 101 is a collection of keynote speeches and interviews of
presenters and participants from the Annual Conference on White
Privilege.  This video will guide you through the complex issue of White
privilege in three phases:
1)      Privilege:  Getting in on the Conversation
                           Definition of White Privilege
2)      Reflecting on How White Privilege Exists in Our Society
                           Examples of White Privilege
3)      Dealing with Issues of Guilt
                           Plan of Action for the Future
An accompanying facilitator's guide will provide background information
on white privilege, classroom activities and a comprehensive resource
list.  The facilitator's guide is designed to provide facilitators with
critical information to deal effectively with issues of White privilege
and White supremacy.
 
*The Youth Closing and Celebration Event*

Join us on the evening of Saturday, April 29th for the WPC 7 "Youth
Celebration"!  This year features stars from the groundbreaking film
RIZE including Tommy the Clown, and youth Krumpers and Clowns from South
Central Los Angeles (www.rizemovie.com); national "rap"tivists and
political hip-hoppers, Jus Rhyme and Raw Potential as AR-15
(www.ar15entertainment); and the Destiny Arts martial arts and dance
troupe from Oakland, CA (www.destinyarts.org).  Come to celebrate and
enjoy the talents of youth artists who have creatively used music and
dance to disrupt, subvert, dismantle, and effectively "flip the game" on
systems of white privilege, white supremacy and oppression.  Join the
youth as they RIZE on Saturday, April 29th!  $5 students and $10 adults
(limited seating available)!

 
*A featured panel discussion at WPC7..

"Carrying on the Work: Women Across Generations" coordinated by Judy
Helfand
Coming together to learn from and inspire each other, a diverse panel of
women explores issues of power dynamics between youth and older women,
collaboration, mentorship, and the challenges of activism. As community
organizers, educators from elementary through university, nonprofit
activists, and more, these women talk about how they are building toward
social justice--and involving youth. Panelists will share stories about
cross-generational challenges and rewards and invite participation from
the audience.  Panelists include Tarah Fleming, Judy Helfand, Marqita
Jones, Julie Landsman, Kati Li, Barbara Love, Berni Smyth, Adrien Wing,
and Catherine Wong.
 
*A featured workshop at WPC7..

"Karate Chops, Geishas, Nerds, & the Asian Invasion: Asians & Asian
Americans in the American media" facilitated by John Palmer
Covering the 1950s to the present, this talk address the stereotypes
portrayed in the mainstream media. Taking a "humorous" look at how the
American mainstream media has depicted Asians and Asian Americans as the
"forever foreigner" and the "model minority," this talk hopes to shed
light on the experiences of the Asian American.  
Many Americans believe that Asian Americans are the "model minority" and
thus do not suffer from racial discrimination and oppression. In
addition, because of the stereotypes in the media, Asian Americans are
not typically considered "real" Americans. By taking a closer look at
these stereotypes, I hope to show how these stereotypes have caused not
only anguish within the Asian American community, but have also led to
increased hate crimes against Asian Americans and as a result the
further belief that Asian Americans are second-class citizens. Through
an in-depth into the stereotypical portrayals of Asians and Asian
Americans in the American mainstream media, I hope to inform the
audience that no stereotype is a "good" stereotype.
 

 
Rates

Individual/Corporate                          $285           
Faculty/Administrator                        $230           
Teachers/Non-profit                          $160           
College Student                                  $125           
High School Student                          $100 
High School Institute (Th-Sat)          $145 *(125 students max).