Continued social distancing and a watershed cultural movement have combined to prompt our League to launch a new, virtual (for now) "Community Conversation" series.
We want to provide a space for interested members of the community to participate in thoughtful, respectful conversations about current events. Each gathering will have a specific focus which we’ll consider with a local perspective.
This week’s starting point for conversation is the recent Stephen Colbert interview with Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist.
Through small group discussions (enabled through Zoom breakout rooms) on an approximately bi-weekly basis, this is a come-when-you-can, come-as-you-are arrangement - we know everyone won't be able to attend every time. Group discussion leaders - from the League and from the community - will shape the conversation around podcasts, articles, books, and other art forms that we share ahead of time, and that are often suggested by participants. We'll also have a short synopsis of the selected resource available in case you don't have time to experience it before the discussion.
Because we all get Zoom-weary, these conversations will be no more than one hour each.
Our first topic - which we expect to explore for many weeks - is systemic, structural racism in America.
We want to embrace the hard work of confronting bias in ourselves and our world and ultimately determine steps we can, especially locally, to encourage a more inclusive and just society.
Discussion on July 21 will be inspired by this 12 minute clip of Stephen Colbert interviewing Ibram X. Kendi, one of America's foremost historians and leading antiracist voices and author of How to Be an Antiracist. Watch at:
Zoom room opens at 5:05 for meeting start time of 5:15 - see connection details below
Local action
Our local action item from our first meeting was simple: Support a local Black-owned eatery, as listed here in the Daily News Journal
If you missed our first meeting
It’s not necessary, but if you’re interested, our first meeting centered on the On Being Project podcast "Talking About Whiteness," featuring author Eula Biss and host Krista Tippett. It is available on many podcast apps, or you can access it at the On Being Website at onbeing.org/programs/eula-biss-talking-about-whiteness.
7/21 Zoom meeting details
The Zoom room will open at 5:05; we'll start the meeting at 5:15.
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Meeting ID: 371 301 9570
Password: rucoboro
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Meeting ID: 371 301 9570
Password: 421360