White Supremacy

[close] Anyone and everyone is welcome to join this group. Our intention is to be a welcoming space for discussion and learning on topics of racial justice. Our vision is to become better informed allies and advocates for racial justice, engage with individuals who may be new to the movement for racial justice, and support the important work of authors of color as they tell their stories. This is an online group, and anyone from anywhere is welcome to join. If you are local to Columbus, OH and would like to get involved with Columbus SURJ in real life, please write to surjcolumbusoh@gmail.com. We will read one book every 2 months or so, and you will have the opportunity to read at your own pace. A discussion thread will be posted at the beginning of the two months, and you can visit it to discuss, pose questions, etc. as often as you like. We understand that people have different schedules, so we wanted to make engagement as flexible and easy as possible. If there are books on racial justice topics that you would like to recommend to others in the group, feel free to add them to the "To Read" shelf on our group's bookshelf.

[close] “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou I feel like I have seen through the "smoke and mirrors" of the "American Dream" since the pandemic. This group is about stepping out of our comfort zones by picking up and reading things we would not necessarily pick up on our own. This group is not about being right or wrong, its about discussing what you are learning as we go. This group is being moderated by a 44 y/o privileged white woman who now knows better and wants to do better. I am never done learning. I make mistakes. I can be wrong or misinformed, and I am always willing to discuss that.

[close] In this Book Group, we will focus on gaining the knowledge and vocabulary to challenge negative stereotypes about Blacks. For example: • Blacks always live in rundown slums and ghettos • Blacks are taking all the good jobs from Whites • I am not a racist, I see everyone as equal Maybe you have heard these comments and wished you had the information or language to offer a counter perspective. Or, maybe you have these beliefs and want to explore alternative viewpoints. If so, this Book Group is for you. I started it because I had these experiences and have struggled to develop coherent contrasting-stories about Blacks. I adopted the term stories after watching a TED Talk titled: The Danger of a Single Story by author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. As stated earlier, in this Book Group, we will focus on gaining the knowledge and vocabulary to challenge negative stereotypes about Blacks. We will do that by reading books about race and racism. The goal is to amass a variety of alternative messages members might use in personal or professional situations. The discussion format will be very specific. After reading the monthly book, members will post threads that describe a negative stereotype or belief about Blacks; then share insights from the book that might be used as a counterpoint to that stereotype or belief. This Group is about members sharing what they learned and how it might be used to combat negativity about Blacks. It will be a safe space for posting these messages; without fear of challenges to chosen stereotypes, beliefs, or counterpoints. We will be a group of member learners. This Group is not about debating book merits, conclusions, or topics. If you want to debate the content about books on race or racism, this Group IS NOT for you. I know you will help me become more knowledgeable and articulate about the Black experience. Barbara Moderator

[close] A place to discuss all the unique aspects of Deaf culture as highlighted in the thriller Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes) by Lance & James Morcan. This group can also be an intersection of sorts where Deaf and hearing people can engage and learn from each other.