Workshops

The following preprogrammed workshops and panel discussions were held, as well as several Open Space forums.

 

Experiences and Issues of Antiracism Teams

Facilitators: Regina Shands Stoltzfus and Marcia Stoesz

A discussion-based workshop designed to encourage antiracism teams and groups to share their experiences and learn from one another. Discussion topics depend on participants, but are expected to include: difficulty of functioning when the team is scattered over a large geographic area; recruiting new members; team membership priorities; the spiritual/social life of the team; finding funding; dealing with conflicts that emerge; the role of the team in the institution.

 

History of Mennonites and Racism

Presenters: Tobin Miller Shearer and Felipe Hinojosa

Felipe will review his paper, "Making Noise among the 'Quiet in the Land': Discursive Space, Identity, and the Oppositional Politics of the Mennonite Minority Ministries Council, 1968-1974" which explores the ability of the MMC to merge a cacophony of voices, from African Americans in Chicago and Virginia to Chicano/as in South Texas to Puerto Ricans in New York City, and how it reveals much about the power of not only a common understanding of oppression, but of religious under­standings of protest and collaboration across space and time. The essay constructs a theoretical framework for understanding the politics of opposition within religious arenas, specifically within the short history of the MMC. Tobin will give a presentation in which he will argue that 20th century white Mennonites have used communities of color in order to maintain a separatist, pristine, and positive identity in the larger society. He will examine evidence from white Mennonites' peace position and efforts in service and evangelism leading to a discussion about the future of the Mennonite Church.

 

Racism and Economic Globalization

Presenters: Rebeca Jimenez Yoder and Tina Hartman

In this workshop we will begin to explore how economic globalization and racism are closely related worldwide. We will also look at how economic globalization works to force the most vulnerable populations to migrate to the rich nations to be able to survive. It is becoming harder to legally migrate to the wealthier nations because of government policies set to deter the movement of people.

 

Strategy Session

This ongoing session is for anyone who wants to offer ideas and directions for the work of antiracism in the church and for Damascus Road in particular.

 

White Privilege 101

Presenters: Brenda Zook Friesen and Rick Derksen

Key to the analysis of racism presented in Damascus Road trainings is the concept of white privilege. This workshop will lead participants in an exploration of the ways that white privilege manifests itself and how privilege shapes white people. Those who have not participated in a Damascus Road Analysis training are especially encouraged to attend this workshop.

 

Antiracism Work with Youth in Educational Institutions (colleges)

Presenters: Bluffton University Student Team (Tiffany Yoder, Aaron Williams, Tony Douglas, Kara Schrock)

A discussion-based workshop beginning with shared experiences of the Bluffton University Damascus Road student team, the first student team for Damascus Road. The Bluffton Student team will talk about their experiences with training, caucusing, organizing student activities and trainings, and stimulating discussion on college campuses. The team will also talk about ways they are working at institutional racism through work with the faculty/staff Damascus Road team, the general education committee, and the first-year seminar curriculum. After sharing personal experiences, a general discussion time will follow, ranging in topics from how to effectively organize students, working with the bureaucracies of a college institution, and dealing with the particular struggles that student teams may encounter.

 

Challenges to Damascus Road from the Right, the Left, and In Between

Panel discussion: Holsey Hickman, moderator; John Stoesz, Karl McKinney, Barbara Cuffie

Panelists will articulate different viewpoints on issues that are often raised as challenges to Damascus Road. Topic 1: Antiracism as social analysis: unnecessary, unbiblical or critical for our work. Topic 2: Other "isms": How DR relates. The focus of the discussion will not be on how to resolve our controversies or differences, but rather on what the challenges and controversies mean for the development of the antiracism community. How do we develop antiracist identity as a community, while we differ on many important matters that are also important aspects of our identities?

 

Latino/a Race and Ethnicity

Panel discussion: Felipe Hinojosa, moderator; Moniqua Acosta, Iris de Leon-Hartshorn, Rolando Santiago

Building on the idea of culture and identity as constantly in flux, this panel will explore Latino race/ethnicity and its intersections with power, the church, and gender/sexuality.

 

What Does Antiracism Mean for Congregations?

Panel discussion: Fay Walker, moderator; Sue Glick, Sue Hahn, Doris Kung Dalton

A discussion-based workshop looking at the experiences of some antiracism teams in congregations. Panelists will open the discussion with their stories of efforts for antiracist transformation in the congregational setting. Discussion depends on participants, but is expected to include: What have we learned from the highs and lows of our collective experience?; The context of predominantly white congregations; Is antiracism a white agenda?; Training as part of a larger strategy; pre-training and post-training needs; Assuring appropriate pastoral care; Congregations as part of larger diocesan, conference, or denominational antiracism efforts; Congregation to congregation relationships (e.g., urban/suburban partnerships).Session 3 - 2:45-4:00

 

Antiracism in Missions, Service and Peacebuilding

Panel discussion: Regina Shands Stolzfus, moderator; Dionicio Acosta, John Powell, Fay Walker, Duane Ediger

Panelists representing Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Mission Network, Neighbors in Ministry, and Christian Peacemaker Teams will present some experiences of their organizations as they attempt to integrate an antiracist identity with institutional identities that emphasize missions, service and/or peacemaking. Panelists will offer examples of ways organizations have embraced antiracism, as well as difficulties encountered in institutional antiracist identity transformation.

 

Skills for Building Teams

Presenter: Barbara Cuffie

The presenter will share lessons learned and tips from her personal experiences on building effective teams. She will discuss team dynamics, what makes a good team member and leader, and why some teams generally fail to perform effectively while others seem to perform extremely well. The audience will have an opportunity to participate by sharing some of their team/group experiences as well.

Download Barbara's PowerPoint file

 

Youth and Antiracism/Racism

Panel discussion: Calenthia Dowdy, moderator; Felipe Hinojosa, Karina Derksen-Schrock, Yvonne Platts, Erica Littlewolf

Panelists will share a variety of experiences of youth engaging issues of racism and antiracism. Topics addressed by panelists will include cultural identity among Latino youth, a look back at antiracism learning in a white church youth group, antiracism training with youth, and more. These and other issues relating to youth and racism/anti­racism will be raised for open discussion among participants.

 

Dismantling Racism as a Work of Love: For God, Neighbor, Self

Presenters: Tobin Miller Shearer and Tammerie Spires

For some white people, the journey toward an antiracist identity reveals a reliance on whiteness where love for God, love for neighbor and love for self should be. Once we begin to dislodge white privilege, how do we move toward greater reliance on God? How do we reconceive obedience to Jesus' love commands? When we're stuck in the pain of white guilt, how do we move toward authentic love? Using deep stories and participatory experiences, this workshop will explore spiritual practices for learning to be in love with God, neighbor and self.

 

Empowering Ourselves: A Workshop for People of Color

Presenter: Ewuare Osayande

This workshop will deal specifically with the particular issues and concerns confronting people of color in the work of resisting and dismantling racism. We will look at the current state of the movement citing historic examples to chart our development and strategize into the future. We will look at ways of understanding the differences between our communities as well as appreciating and reaffirming the commonality of our struggle. We will address ourselves to the ways the system of white supremacy undermines us and works to instill within us a "spirit of fear." This workshop will also address the specific issue of monitoring and giving direction to white allies as well as holding each other accountable as people of color. We will affirm each other, support each other, and confirm for each other that against us no weapon will prosper!

 

Return to the Earth

Video presentation

This 20-minutes video describes the work of the Return to the Earth project. Return to the Earth supports Native Americans in burying unidentifiable ancestral remains now scattered across the U.S. (having been stolen and stored in museums and universities) and enables a process of education and reconciliation between Native and non-Native peoples.

 

 

Open Space Forums

The following Open Space Forums were also held. Several other Open Space topic were proposed, but may not have actually convened.

• Conversation with Ewuare. Following his talk, folks asked for more time to talk with Ewuare. During this forum, he engaged questions from participants.
• Why I am representing a certified white supremacist. Convened by immigration lawyer Bruce Leichty.
• Working at antiracism in colleges from the position of multicultural director.