Workshop 6: Navigating the Landscapes of Power: Unearned Privilege

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

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Part of Building the World We Dream About

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Introduction
From Building the World We Dream About

You can always figure out who is executing the system. It appears that almost everybody’s executing it, even you are executing it until you are actively fighting it….
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 5 Activity 1: Deep Check-in 15 Activity 2: Suggestions for Dismantling Privilege 60 Activity 3: Large Group Discussion 15 Closing 10…
Spiritual Preparation
From Building the World We Dream About

Where and when did you notice white privilege in your day-to-day life this week? If you have White/light skin privilege, did you notice when and how it manifests in your daily routines?…
Welcoming and Entering
From Building the World We Dream About

Materials for Activity Sign-in sheet and pen or pencil Name tags for participants (durable or single-use) and bold markers Optional: Music and player Optional: Snacks and beverages Preparation for Activity Arrange chairs in a circle and set out name tags and markers on a table….
Opening
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Worship table or designated space Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Leader Resource 1, Two Kinds of Intelligence Participant evaluations from previous workshop List of this workshop’s Goals Covenant established in Workshop …
Activity 1: Deep Check-in
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 15 minutes Description of Activity Invite participants, each in turn, to share an example of when and how they have seen White privilege at work in their daily lives since the last workshop. Including All Participants Remind participants that they may pass if they choose not to share.
Activity 2: Suggestions for Dismantling Privilege
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 60 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Dismantling Privilege Small group newsprint lists of how privilege manifests in congregational life (from Workshop 5, Activity 4) Newsprint, markers, and tape for each small group Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 1 for all…
Activity 3: Large Group Discussion
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 15 minutes Description of Activity Invite participants to reflect on the small group activity. Ask, “Why does working on issues of racism require working through issues of guilt, shame, and powerlessness?”…
Closing
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Lined paper and pens/pencils Taking It Home Singing the Journey, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook supplement, enough for participants to share Optional: Keyboard Optional: Recording of the song “How Could Anyone?” by Libby Roderick, on the album…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Building the World We Dream About

Take a few moments right after the workshop to ask each other: What went well? What didn’t? Why? What do you think was the best moment of the workshop? Why? Did anything surprise you? Do we need to make changes in the way we work together?
Taking It Home: Navigating the Landscapes of Power: Unearned Privilege
From Building the World We Dream About

You can always figure out who is executing the system. It appears that almost everybody’s executing it, even you are executing it until you are actively fighting it. — Bernice Johnson Reagon, founder, Sweet Honey in the Rock Deepen your skills and capacity to identify and respond to White…
Handout 1: Dismantling Privilege
From Building the World We Dream About

Steps for Dismantling Privilege NAME IT!—Grapple with understanding what privilege is and how it works in everyday life. DEAL WITH IT!—When you identify privilege, address it, and take some personal responsibility for not allowing it to continue. REFRAME IT!—Build new roles, practices, shared…
Leader Resource 1: Two Kinds of Intelligence
From Building the World We Dream About

“Two Kinds of Intelligence,” by Jellaludin Rumi, was translated by Dr. William C. Chittick and published in The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi (Albany: State University of New York Press, 1983). Used with permission.The intellect is of two kinds: The first is acquired….
Find Out More
From Building the World We Dream About

The UUA Multicultural Growth & Witness staff group offers resources, curricula, trainings, and tools to help Unitarian Universalist congregations and leaders engage in the work of antiracism, antioppression, and multiculturalism. Visit…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 6: Navigating the Landscapes of Power: Unearned Privilege

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