Recognize Destructive Patterns and Develop a Healthier Anti-Racist White Self
What does it really mean when people of color tell white people to "get over their guilt?" What does it look like when white people actually do it? How can guilt be transformed into useful action?
The truth is, feelings of white guilt can be complex and many people are confused. Ignoring unsettling feelings doesn’t help. In fact, it’s a cliché how often unchecked white guilt undermines anti-racist actions and cross-race relationships.
At this time in our history, when so many white people are waking up to privilege and oppression and seeking to get involved, how do we engage each other more productively? How can we help each other take more effective action? How do we build deeper cross-race alliances?
One way is to avoid acting out the guilty, white stereotype. To do this, guilt needs to be channeled through a healthy and productive anti-racist stance.
In this webinar, you’ll learn how to recognize the difference between shame and guilt, and how they each can lead to paralysis and destructive patterns.
You’ll receive guidance that will help you cultivate a “both/and” mindset that will allow you to hold the tension of being complicit with racism and white supremacy while simultaneously cultivating a healthy, white anti-racist identity.
You’ll also be guided through a self-reflective process to identify tensions you experience and envision next steps on your journey.
By the end of the webinar, you will be better equipped to identify when white guilt is negatively affecting a situation and engage in anti-racism efforts more effectively.
In this webinar you will:
- Address the ways white guilt might be interfering with your interactions with people of color
- Identify the difference between shame and guilt and how they can be destructive
- Hold space for guilt and cultivate a healthy anti-racist identity
- Envision more productive methods of engaging with anti-racism work
- Learn how to take more effective action in the fight against racism
Just $35
per participant
Small Group
- For 5-14 participants
- Saves over 15% off full price
Large Group
- For 15 or more participants
- Saves over 30% off full price
Testimonials
I loved the personal stories of real experiences that Shelly and Salina shared. They were so helpful in making the lessons and context feel real.”
-Rebecca G.
“This webinar taught me to approach this work with compassion for self and others and use the both/and mindset to keep conversations conversational and not confrontational.”
-Joan J.
“[What I learned was the importance of] remembering to have compassion, that everyone is at a different learning place, and to reflect on how I can just share my experiences and not push them.”
-YMA
Shelly Tochluk
Course Leader, Educator, Advocate, Author of Witnessing Whiteness and Living in the Tension: The Quest for a Spiritualized Racial Justice
Shelly is a white, middle-class, cisgender woman dedicated to supporting white people to engage more fully and healthfully in building their anti-racist practice. She is a long-time member of AWARE-LA and co-produces and facilitates their 4-day summer institute, Unmasking Whiteness. Shelly provides free online workshop series agendas and resources that align with her books so community groups can grow their own leadership and enhance their collective understanding and practice. She is also a Professor of Education at Mount Saint Mary’s University-Los Angeles, where she trains teachers to work with the diverse student population in California. Learn more about Shelly’s work at ShellyTochluk.com.
Salina Gray
Course Leader, Educator, Mentor, Champion
Salina Gray, PhD, has spent 20 years teaching in traditional public and charter schools. In 2014, she received her doctorate from Stanford University in Curriculum and Instruction in Science Education. Her research focuses on the intersection of racial and science identities with an emphasis on critical race theory. Her work has been disseminated at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, the Teachers for Social Justice conference, Free Minds Free People, and the American Educational Research Association. She currently teaches Physical Science and Life Science at Frank D. Parent Middle School in Inglewood Unified School District where she was part of the Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports leadership team. Dr. Gray is also an adjunct faculty member at Mount Saint Mary’s University-Los Angeles, in the Education Department.
Letter from the Webinar Leaders
Years ago, AWARE-LA had trouble getting white people to register for its Unmasking Whiteness Institute. Then Trayvon Martin’s killer was acquitted. Then Michael Brown’s. Then so many others. We experienced the presidential campaign, the 2016 election, and its aftermath. The institute now sells out months before the event.
Many white people’s eyes have started to open. A lot of feelings come with that new vision.
This is a critical time. People of color call for support. A lot of white people are joining the work.
The thing is, white people need to be useful solidarity partners. Too much guilt gets in the way. We’ve seen it happen time and time again.
We’re leading this webinar to share what we’ve learned during our 20 years of friendship and investment in dismantling white supremacy.
Working together, this webinar will help white people understand the pushes and pulls of expectation and accountability. It will support people through their complicated feelings and questions. “What should I do when…?” “How do I know if…?”
Together we will explore what it means to construct an accountable and healthy white anti-racist identity that productively navigates feelings of guilt, one that allows for more effective action.
In Solidarity,
Shelly & Salina
Just $35
per participant
FAQ
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Just $35
per participant