OLLI at Duke's “Courageous Conversations About Race” Special Interest Group
“Race matters—in our nation and around the world. It is critical that we address racial issues in order to uncover personal and institutional biases that prevent all people, and especially people of color, from reaching their fullest potential.” Glenn Singleton, Author, “Courageous Conversations About Race”
"The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them." Ida B. Wells
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO END RACISM?
- Check out our "Take Action!" page!
- Check the OLLI at Duke Members Facebook page for events of interest to SIG members.
NEXT COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS DISCUSSION, OPEN TO ALL OLLI MEMBERS (MONTHLY ON 2ND THURSDAYS): OCT 12,2023, 3:00-4:30PM,
Zoom link, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84034214472?pwd=C516bEYAxG55S86ClpwYidhaxatKzw.1#success
- Quick Links to 2023 Meeting Notes: Oct. 12 (Racial Autobiography 2) Sept 14 (Racial Autobiography), June 8 (Implicit Bias), May 11 (Internalized Racial Oppression), April 13 (White Fragility), March 9 (Reentry From Incarceration), Feb 9 (Juvenile Injustice), Jan 12 (Mass Incarceration)
- Quick Links to 2022 Meeting Notes: Nov. 10 (Election Results) | Oct. 20 (Voter Suppression) | Sept. 8 (Gerrymandering) | Aug. 11 (No meeting) | Jul. 14th (Urban Renewal) | Jun. 9th (Gun Violence)| May 12th (Reproductive Rights)| Apr. 14th (Gentrification)| Mar. 10th ("Who We Are" Film)| Feb. 10th (OLLI Course Review)| Jan. 13 (OLLI Course Review)
- Quick Links to 2021 Meeting Notes: Dec. 8 (No meeting) | Nov. 11 (Courageous Conversations)| Oct. 14 (Reparations)| Sept. 9 (Critical Race Theory)
- For more information and to get on our SIG email list, contact the Steering Committee: olliatduke.courageous@gmail.com
FALL 2023 OLLI CLASSES OF POSSIBLE INTEREST TO COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION PARTICIPANTS
- Highlighting this class offered by members of our SIG's steering committee, Cathy Rimer-Surles and Althea Alton - Implicit Bias: How It Works and What We Can Do About It, Thursday, 11am, Zoom
- Jamestown, VA: A Struggling English Colony in a New Light, Monday, 9am, Zoom
- Northern Civil War Soldiers: Letters From a Diverse Front, Tuesday, 9am, Zoom
- Hannah Arendt: On Human Nature, Totalitarianism, Identity, and the Holocaust, Tuesday, 11am, Zoom
- The '60s at Duke: Desegregation, Student Activism, and the Fight for Racial Justice, Tuesday, 1:30pm, Zoom
- The Borscht Belt: A Nostalgic Journey, Tuesday, 1:30pm, in person classroom
- Gentrification in Durham: Impacts of Race and Class, Tuesday, 3:30pm, Zoom
- Reading "Beloved" and "Kindred": Trauma and Triumph, Wednesday, 9am, in person classroom
- Religion and Genocide, Wednesday, 9am, Zoom
- America in Classic Films, Wednesday, 1:30pm, in person classroom
- Guide to Local Jazz, Wednesday, 3:30pm, in person classroom
HISTORY OF THIS SIG
In the Fall 2020 term, OLLI offered several courses that addressed aspects of systemic racism both locally and globally. The classes offered opportunities for OLLI members to learn more about the history of systemic racism and how it applies to our lives today. There was a great deal of discussion on how to address racism in ourselves and in our communities, and how, in the absence of making anti-racist choices, we (un)consciously uphold aspects of systemic racism. Many who participated in these classes were enthusiastic about the anti-racism momentum that had been created and were eager to continue with their learning and self-examination. Thus, a new Special Interest Group (SIG) – “Courageous Conversations about Race” – was established for participants in these classes. We now welcome ALL OLLI MEMBERS who are interested in the issues we discuss. Special Interest Groups are an added bonus to membership with OLLI at Duke, and there is no charge for participating.
OUR PURPOSES FOR THIS SIG
- To create respectful and open-hearted relationships across our differences
- To explore our personal experience with race and unpack our unconscious or implicit bias in a supportive environment
- To provide a supportive and honest atmosphere to ask questions and engage in conversations about issues and challenges perpetuated by systemic racism in the USA
- To develop shared language, understanding and accountability
