You want to get the conversation on race started? Here are monthly questions designed to help you have an open and honest dialogue, with friends, family, and/or community. This is a platform for you to address undoing racism.
Racism is a global phenome. Since the 1400s when Europeans began exploration - wherever they settled the construct of racism was instituted to oppress and control the indigenous populations.
Now that conversations such as reparations and land back are in the forefront (again), should accountability be held on a global level or confined to nations to be beholden to those they oppressed solely in their country?
When having the conversation about treaty right (i.e., land back) and reparations - which category do you feel it should be held under…? Reconciliation or Conciliation?
As land in the US (i.e. Turtle Island) has been occupied as early as the 1400 to 1500s - land distribution and usage has been controlled by Europeans (i.e. white citizens of the US). The Climate Crisis and pollution continues to rise exponentially despite the awareness and warnings of the planet being in a state of exponential danger and irreversible damage. There are climate groups, organizations and activists challenging the system and initiating repair as best as they can - YET - most of these entities refuse to include the Indigenous at the table on how to heal the land and or protect it. The Indigenous know the land the best, as well as the techniques and/or methods that need to be applied for planet/land regeneration. They have been here since Time Immemorial…
Are we as a nation willing to admit how racism plays a crucial role in why white led groups and organizations will not partner with Indigenous tribes, organizations and/or activists - or better yet - let them take the lead on land healing and repairs?
Is ICE operating from an unbiased standpoint in arrests or are they targeting individuals solely on racial factors?
Should we as society expect those that proclaim to be Christians to address racism in the US - especially when they are witnesses to racial injustice?
When will the church be held accountable for its role in racism?
In your opinion - is what is happening on a presidential level (policies and laws) driven by racism or the administration wanting to be the sole ruler of the US?
What are you willing to risk for a racist free society?
What do you think is keeping the US from facing its racial shadows? Or do you think the US is fine the way it is with its race relations?
The President of the United States is threatening to “restrict a stadium deal” if the Washington Commanders keep refusing to change their name back to the “R” word. This term is a racial slur against the Indigenous (Native Americans) in the US. Should executive power be able to use the power of the purse to influence the outcome of a business deal taking place in the institution of professional sports?
Why are individuals afraid to do Racial Shadow Work™? Have you been doing yours?
With the battle of culture clash taking place, can the United Stated of America withstand the collapse of an old cultural (i.e. colonial) paradigm?
How do we as a nation have “that future conversation” with our living descendants that ‘we allowed’ citizens and non-citizens to be deported due to policies created to target them legally due to biased racial “stereotypes” and beliefs?
Since 2023 there has been this aggressive movement to dismantle DEI within US institutions. The aggression being displayed intentionally at education; from banning of books, creating policies to federally defund schools over DEI, to states to suppressing student protests on campuses and other moves, such as, getting rid of AP courses on ethnic studies.
Is the battle of DEI a necessary measure to sustain the peace in the US? Or could this action begin the fall of the union?
What role do you feel that the sitting president is supposed to play when it comes to addressing racism in the US?
Is race playing a significant role when it comes to the classification of automatic criminality assumptions and with who gets and a pass at staying and who does not?
Are we, the US and global society in general, at the cross-roads towards conciliation and addressing the wrongs of the past?
Now that Donald Trump has won the elections and the Republicans have control over the Senate - do you think that they will make race relations in US better or worse? Support your answer with at least one evidence based source
35 States in the US have made laws/policies to ban DEI? Do you agree with this political movement that could have negative outcomes to BIPOC communities in various institutional settings (ex: colleges. the workforce, etc.). Briefly defend your stance.
Zoom and the University of Florida (following Desantis’ move to banning DEI) are amongst a list of notable institutions pulling their DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs. Many facilities breaking their 2020 promises to intentionally address racism despite recognizing the need amidst a racial crisis taking place in the US. Zoom laid off a significant portion of their staff while UF completely got ride of theirs.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you feel their decisions are warranted or are they just delaying the inevitable?
