FAQ

What if I'm afraid to talk about race and other differences?

You know what? So is almost everybody else! That means we really need to learn how to speak consciously, from the heart, and armed with facts. For that we need training, awareness of our own biases, and the ability to see another’s point of view.

I don’t blame, shame, or guilt students into learning. It wastes time and energy that we need to undo the work. So I’ll provide a few audio meditations to help you work on those feelings outside of class.

We didn’t create America’s racist or sexist systems, but we’re the only ones who can do something about it.

What if I unintentionally say something racist or sexist?

Then you'll be called in, not called out. That means that as the facilitator, I will focus on the comment, not the commenter. I will clarify with you what was said and what was intended. I'll explain why the comment was offensive, and invite discussion from the group so everyone can learn from it. We can talk about hard topics without making people feel bad. I expect you to listen, understand, and own the impact of your words without excuses.

I'm not white. Why should I take a course on racism?

Learning to talk about race and racism is not just a white thing! Having personal experience with racism doesn't mean we know how to have effective discussions about race with non-black people. Join us and add to the discussion!

Your courses seem expensive. I want to learn, but this is pricey.

If you’re here, I’m guessing that you are serious about undoing the damage being caused by racism. In order to do that, we have to acknowledge some facts.

• The United States was built with the free labor of generations of enslaved Black people. So please don’t ask me to do this work for a price that doesn’t honor my history, education, and experience.

• Receiving sensitive information in a format that empowers, rather than belittles, is critical.

• Learning from a Black woman with first-hand experience and the ability to connect the past to the present is important.

• Asking a Black person to do work that is emotionally draining in a way that doesn’t make you uncomfortable is emotional labor. Asking your Black friends to do this for free is wrong, so turning to someone who chooses to do this for work is definitely the right move.

• In addition to the emotional labor, you receive my research, teaching, facilitation, and intuitive skills. If this was easy, everyone would do it.

The time I take to prepare and recover from creating an open, loving, respectful space for race discussions is worth gold. These open discussions and activities are how change occurs. Hiding or minimizing the cost to me as the facilitator doesn’t help you to understand the toll racism takes. Because regardless of how well-meaning you are, if you’re here to learn, you will say or do something racist. And that’s okay because I’m willing to help you without guilting you.