Anti-Racism for Beginners: A Free 14-Session Class

A course designed for beginners covering the history and realities of racism in the United States, impact on contemporary issues, crucial concepts and ideas, and paths to allyship and further action.

Class Description

Whether you are new to the idea of anti-racist work or you just want to learn more, this class is a space to grow.

Each of the 14 sessions is designed for beginners and covers the history and realities of racism in the United States, as well as the impact of racism on contemporary issues like housing, education, medicine, criminal justice, and nutrition. Instructors will explain and explore crucial concepts like privilege and intersectionality.

Finally, the course will discuss ways everyone can become better anti-racist allies and advocates. This is a meaningful and substantial curriculum that we are proud to offer to all participants at no cost.

Cost

Free

FORMAT

Participate live online: Mondays at 5pm PST / 8pm EST (Zoom link will be provided)

Watch later: Videos will be posted after the session each week so you can participate at your own pace.

Discuss: The class has a dedicated Facebook group available available for participants to process course content with peers.

Instructors

  • Tychelle Graham, social worker, anti-racist educator
  • Jojo Murdock, speaker, educational specialist, foster care justice advocate
  • Silas Morgan, professor of religion
  • Melody Stanford Martin, author, social ethicist

Learning Objectives

  1. Grow in awareness of the realities of racism
  2. Gain knowledge of the history and construction of systemic racism
  3. Decenter white normativity, contextualize social locations
  4. Understand the role of core beliefs and language
  5. Learn tools for critical dialogue and self-education on the path to being a better advocat

Class SCHEDULE

# Section Theme/topic
1 Intro What is racism? An introduction to this course
2 History History of racism: 1600’s – pre-Civil Rights
3 Issues Where is racism in our economy, housing, and education?
4 Issues Where is racism in our justice system?
5 Issues Where is racism in our food, nutrition, and medicine?
6 Concepts How does racism operate inside core beliefs and stereotypes?
7 History History of racism: Civil Rights – today
8 Concepts What is whiteness?
9 Concepts What is intersectionality?
10 Concepts What is privilege?
11 Concepts What are the “masks of domination” (fragility, benevolence, othering, tokenizing, gaslighting, anonymity)?
12 Concepts What is generational trauma?
13 Action What is anti-racist work
14 Action What is an ally? What is an advocate? What is an accomplice?

GRADING

Assignments are optional and self-directed. There is no grading.