Being Uncomfortable and the Original Series
Author: Dialogue on Race President and CEO Maxine Crump
People often ask if the Dialogue on Race Series is a safe space. The answer is another question. What do you fear could be unsafe in a program designed to talk about race?
I will offer clarification.
Racism is already an unsafe situation in our society.
Talking about race can be uncomfortable.
It is true that people need safe spaces.
Here is one example of someone who was not in a safe space: a white graduate student called Yale University campus police on a Black graduate student who was napping in their dormitory’s common room. Both the white graduate student and the police relied on the language of “belonging” to question the Black student’s presence in the building. The implication was that someone like her could not possibly belong in a Yale dorm. She had every reason to feel safe. But remnants of racism still left her unsafe. A Racist society makes it unsafe for marginalized groups.
Where can we talk about race if not in the Dialogue on Race series?
The Dialogue on Race Original Series is designed to be a place for an open, honest conversation about race.
The dialogue on race series is an educational process for having the conversation. It is structured in six weekly sessions, using factual materials and trained facilitators who set a supportive environment where everyone’s voices can be heard. It’s a brave space! A brave space is a supportive space where participants can be open, honest, and brave. Participants leave confident and inspired with tools and language for having productive conversations about race and becoming a part of change.
We look forward to welcoming your voice to the conversation.