Open

“Words Matter” by Carol Thomas Cissel

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

-The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr,

Read

What is White Supremacy Culture by Tema Okun (PDF)

Definitions of White Supremacy and White Supremacy Culture

Read the words and descriptions out loud, and invite students to take a turn reading if willing and able

Watch

“What is Implicit Bias?”

Discuss

• How does implicit bias relate to white supremacy culture?

• What is the difference between someone who participates in white supremacy culture vs a white supremacist?

Do

Discuss: What elements of white supremacy culture do you notice in our church community?

Create a visual representation of responses — a list, a drawing, a chart, etc. This can be as simple or as creative as the group would like, though creative or abstract visuals are encouraged.

Explore what you think could be done differently. Add your suggested solutions to the visual.

Repeat the items out loud as they are written and paraphrase what students say, confirming that they were understood correctly.

Identify and discuss your congregation’s procedure for bringing something to central leadership (such as the Board.) Explore if the students would like to present their observations and suggestions to church leadership.

Close

Thich Nhat Hanh on Compassionate Listening” (3:22)

Take Home

Review the resource provided on features of White Supremacy Culture together. Ask students to “teach” their adults about what they learned.

Discuss

• Where have you noticed these characteristics in your family or community?

• Do you practice “compassionate listening” in your home?

• How does compassionate listening relate with dismantling white supremacy culture?