Joe Cole joined us this evening for a thought-provoking presentation on Addressing Racism and Working for Racial Equality in Community Building.

Joe started with a long view of history, noting that the competitive culture of domination is recent, only 5000 years. Prior to that human cultures were collaborative, demonstrating that a cultural values of sustainability, equity, justice and diversity are possible for humanity.

Joe went on to track colonialism, slavery, and eradication of indigenous peoples and note their lasting impacts today. He explored the difference between racial prejudice, which anyone may experience, and racism, as system of oppression which in American benefits white people. Noting that racism harms all people and that all people have a vested interest in working for racial equality, Joe pointed out that this is long and often painful work requiring care and preparation from facilitators and persistence in communities.

Joe offered a number of strategies for addressing racism in community noting that it takes time to address racism and resistance is expected.

See the full WebChat here:

Video: https://youtu.be/GczjWIm7BhI

Slides: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzP_-_GeVmPddENROXphZjNOS1B0N09NSFZDNm…