21-DAY RACIAL EQUITY LEARNING CHALLENGE
For twenty-one days, follow the posts below in an effort to further your understanding of race, privilege, inclusion, equity and justice. Each day includes one element that will develop your understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression and equity. Each day, there will be an opportunity that asks you to read, watch, listen, notice and/or act. The downloadable chart will allow tracking of your activity and reflection on the experience of the day. As with any learning experience, we encourage you to participate in the challenge and daily reflection with an open mind. By learning and reflecting together, not only will the learning deepen, but it will enhance your community of others engaging in this meaningful work.
This challenge was originally developed by Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., Dr. Marguerite Penick-Parks and Debby Irving. It has been adapted by permission from a version created by Jini Rae Sparkman, Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the Holderness School.
Click on the button below for a downloadable spreadsheet to keep track of your progress and add reflections each day.
21-Day Racial Equity Challenge Journal Spreadsheet
WEEK-BY-WEEK THEMES
Week 1: Race
“There is no such thing as race. None. There is just a human race. Scientifically, anthropologically, racism is a construct – a social construct. And it has benefits. Money can be made off of it, and people who don’t like themselves can feel better because of it. It can describe certain kinds of behavior that are wrong or misleading. So, it has a social function, racism.” – Toni Morrison
The first seven days of the challenge take a look at Race; how racism has been constructed, how it influences our thoughts and actions, and how it influences structures all around us.
Week 2: Expanding Perspectives
“You never understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” – Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
As we continue in the next seven days of the challenge, we seek to gain empathy by listening to conversations surrounding the experiences of others.
Week 3: Courageous Conversations
“Lean into the discomfort of the work.” – Brené Brown
As we enter the final seven days of the challenge, we engage in conversations that compel us to move beyond our own comfort zone. But as we know with any learning environment, it is only through stepping into these spaces that we are able to grow.