Tapestry of Faith: Building the World We Dream About: An Anti-racism Multicultural Program

Leader Resource 3: Getting Unstuck

Sometimes a group rambles or has no spark (not a good thing for a simulation!). If a group seems lost and needs a sense of direction, "coach" them toward a more active and provocative stance by suggesting that they employ one of these strategies. Note: Some of these strategies can be adapted for use as wild cards.

The Board

  • The Board might state a preference for hiring a BGLT (bisexual, gay, lesbian, or transgender) Person of Color for the position
  • The Board might decide to hold meetings in closed session for reasons of confidentiality.
  • The Board might refuse to meet with a person or special interest group that wants to talk about the position.

White Allies

  • White Allies might demand to meet with the Board and ask that a person from an oppressed group be encouraged to apply.
  • White Allies might form a partnership with the Caucus for People of Color and People from Marginalized Racial or Ethnic Groups to work out a joint strategy.
  • White Allies might create a set of antiracist/antioppression policies to give to the Board or the Caucus for People of Color and People from Marginalized Racial or Ethnic Groups.

Social Justice Working Group

  • The Social Justice Working Group might hold a meeting with the White Allies and suggest that their work serves to further marginalize already marginalized groups.
  • The Social Justice Working Group might partner with the Caucus for People of Color and People from Marginalized Racial or Ethnic Groups to advocate that the position be held by a Person of Color.
  • The Social Justice Working Group might advocate with the Board that the salary for the position be 90% of the minister's pay.

People of Color Caucus

  • The Caucus for People of Color and People from Marginalized Racial or Ethnic Groups might demand a meeting with the Board to talk about a former employee of Color who was wrongfully dismissed.
  • The Caucus for People of Color and People from Marginalized Racial or Ethnic Groups might call for a Person of Color or from a racially or ethnically marginalized group to be hired for the position.
  • The Caucus for People of Color and People from Marginalized Racial or Ethnic Groups might call a meeting with the White Allies in order to confront them on promoting practices that do not serve the People of Color and racially or ethnically marginalized community within the congregation.
  • The Caucus for People of Color and People from Marginalized Racial or Ethnic Groups might compose an open letter that describes the bad experiences of racially or ethnically marginalized people in the congregation and submit it to the newsletter editor for publication.

Random Congregants

  • Individual congregants might create and promote radical, individualistic agendas that run contrary one toward the other.
  • Individual congregants might work with others to create a small group that pushes a specific agenda (such as a balanced budget or expansion of the music director's hours and salary).
  • Individual congregants and informal groups might create pockets of resistance to change.