Why We Do Identity Groups
From a workshop at the 2001 Young Religious Unitarian Universalist (YRUU) Social Justice ConferenceWe all need a safe space to talk about our differences and ask questions without worrying about offending people.
We must talk about race openly and intentionally, especially in dealing with the prison industrial complex. Racism is inherent in the prison system, and you have to look at how you can work to challenge a racist system.
White People need a place to talk about breaking down racism, because it is not up to People of Color to tell White People how to be anti-racist.
People of Color need a place to talk about the unique experiences that White People don't experience in Unitarian Universalism (UUism), YRUU and society.
Identity (ID) Groups are a place where people can talk about racism from wherever they are without pushing toward a goal.
ID Groups are also a great place to talk about linked oppressions, without losing focus on race...i.e. “I'm a White Queer Woman, and what does that mean? How does that combination of privilege and opression affect me?”
We need to actively dismantle racism. Ignoring race and being paralyzed by fear of discussing or offending won't change anything.
We want to acknowledge and embrace differences, not ignore them. We have to recognize race to be able to work against racism. Trying to be "colorblind" avoids actively working for change.
Separately, we can talk about the situations that are unique to our experience because of our race/background with people who have been through the same kinds of experiences. Then we can come back together and talk about what we have in common, and how we can work together.
Everyone is affected by racism, regardless of who they are. It is embedded in our institutions, culture, etc, as well as in our personal assumptions. It is subtle and it permeates everything we see and do. We have to deal with the subtleties of racism and how we've been conditioned to not notice it.
We all believe that racism is bad, but we have to focus on how our actions (or lack thereof) contribute to the problem.
ID groups are not just for People of Color. White People need to discuss their identities and heritage. Often, White People have a rich cultural heritage that is ignored or made invisible by society. White People have to learn to be proud of who they are while combating the imperialism and oppression present in White heritage.
For more information contact youth @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
