Purpose: This anti-oppression workshop will focus on taking action to both identify and address common characteristics of white supremacy culture that manifest in organizations/institutions/communities. The widely known anti-racism tool, "white supremacy culture" developed by Dismantling Racism, lists out commonplace and unspoken norms that ultimately serve to reinforce systemic racism. As defined by Tema Okun, white supremacy culture characteristics are "damaging because they are used as norms and standards without being proactively named or chosen by the group…Because we all live in a white supremacy culture, these characteristics show up in the attitudes and behaviors of all of us – people of color and white people." Objectives: The workshop will introduce the concept of white supremacy culture and guide participants through discussion and reflection regarding how these characteristics show up within our communities (and ourselves). After the initial focus on identification/analysis, the workshop will transition into action planning to address white supremacy culture. This will include discussion of potential antidotes suggested by Dismantling Racism as well as holding space for participants to consider additional possible solutions. Impacts: Participants to come away with new analytical and action tools/ideas for transforming white supremacy culture to bring back to their communities.
