Confronting Racism Discussion Group
CRDG is a discussion group committed to confronting racism in ourselves, our community, and our world by listening to BIPOC voices in anti-racism literature, films, podcasts, etc., with the ultimate goal of empowering Black, Indigenous and people of colour. To avoid learning in a white vacuum, we have our partner group of BIPOC community members who cover the same material and are available to answer questions that may arise, but do not attend the Zoom discussions. CRDG is hosted by the West-Island Black Community Association Inc.
FOUNDATIONAL IDEAS
- This group is not a place to pat yourself on the back for being a “good white person.” The ultimate goal is always about empowering the BIPOC community, rather than focusing on alleviating our own white guilt.
- Educating ourselves with existing resources, instead of relying on oppressed persons to do the work of teaching us.
- Always listening, questioning our own thoughts, and understanding anti-racism is life-long work.
WHO
White folx and those who may have not experienced being part of a minority group who are invested in working towards racial justice, beginning by confronting their own biases through education. The discussions are held in English and for those over 18 years old.
White folx and those who may have not experienced being part of a minority group who are invested in working towards racial justice, beginning by confronting their own biases through education. The discussions are held in English and for those over 18 years old.
WHAT
Set up like a book club, but not limited to books. Monthly content is voted on by the group with material ranging from documentaries, anti-racism books, biographies, articles, films, podcasts, etc. We recommended first reading White Fragility or White Supremacy and Me to bring a level of self-reflection to the other material covered – but this is not required before starting!
Set up like a book club, but not limited to books. Monthly content is voted on by the group with material ranging from documentaries, anti-racism books, biographies, articles, films, podcasts, etc. We recommended first reading White Fragility or White Supremacy and Me to bring a level of self-reflection to the other material covered – but this is not required before starting!
WHERE & WHEN
Zoom meetings on the first Tuesday of every month from 18h30-20h
Zoom meetings on the first Tuesday of every month from 18h30-20h
COST
Membership to the West-Island Black Community Association ($20 for students/seniors, $30 for adults) and providing your own copy of the material covered for the month. If you are unable to make this financial contribution but are interested in the group, please still register and reach out to us via crdg@wibca.org.
Membership to the West-Island Black Community Association ($20 for students/seniors, $30 for adults) and providing your own copy of the material covered for the month. If you are unable to make this financial contribution but are interested in the group, please still register and reach out to us via crdg@wibca.org.
I am just listening to your interview on the CBC. My heart breaks.
Is there a group like WIBCA on the west coast that I could connect with as Rachel did? I can read and I want to learn.
The pain I am feeling comes from my mixed race grandchildren’s experiences, where some can ”pass for white”- a disgusting concept to me, while others don’t have that kind of privilege. It comes from the awful fear I hide from my lovely young adult granddaughter on her move from home here to New Brunswick, to the hometown of her grandfather, a child of freed slaves and Mi’k Ma, to be with her partner in the Canadian Armed Forces. I am tired of my fear, tired of useless shame, tired of the fragility. I don’t want help with my feelings. I want to learn how to take some purposeful, useful action.
Thank you for being only yourself. Thank you for hearing me out.vf
Good morning Valerie,
We apologize for the delayed response as we are only seeing this message today and appreciate your openness about your family and injustices you see first hand.
IF you have already been in communication with us via email then you may disregard this message.
WIBCA as an entity only exists in Montreal, Quebec however we have had many individuals contact us across Canada after hearing the CBC documentary on the program.
You may email crdg@wibca.org and either Rachael or Moashella will respond to you.
WIBCA Admin