Conversations on Racial Healing
– A Safe Place to Talk about Race
Conversations on Racial Healing is a series of nine meetings to learn about and to discuss racism and racial bias. The series is designed to provide information on several topics related to race relations and to offer a safe place to voluntarily share your experiences regarding racism. The goals are:
-
- to educate the mind with new facts and research about types of racism
- to examine life experiences and share from your heart
- to build relationships with other groups so we can support each other’s efforts to accept others without prejudice
In this program, people of all backgrounds meet weekly to talk about race. Two facilitators guide the discussion, using materials based on the book “Racial Healing: The Institutes for the Healing of Racism.”
Between October, 2018, and March, 2019, we completed several Conversations on Racial Healing series in: Auburn, Rocklin and Roseville, thanks to a civil discourse grant from the Placer Community Foundation. Please see the Schedule section below for details on upcoming series as they become available.
If you would like to join our email list, please fill out our Contact form.
To find more resources to help with this project click on the link in the drop down menu for this section – Resources
You can also visit our Facebook page at: https:/www.facebook.com/racialhealingproject/
Background
As of 2019, the 5 largest ethnic groups in Placer County are White (Non-Hispanic) (71.4%), White (Hispanic) (11.4%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (8.18%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.51%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (1.92%).
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/placer-county-ca#ethnicity
Another demographic projection shows that from 2017 to 2030, the white population of the county will decrease from 74.52 % to 71.75 % of the county’s population. These projections show that Placer County’s Hispanic ethnic group will increase from 13.89 % to 15.46 %, while the Asian ethnic group will increase from 6.21 % to 6.68 %. From the data in the “Population Estimates and Projections by Race/Ethnicity” report for Placer County on page 6:
http://www.bscc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/Demographic-Reference-Data-Placer.pdf
Increase in Racially-Motivated Incidences and Hate Crimes: according to the Sacramento Bee, statewide, there was a 102% increase in hate crimes from 2014-18 at churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship. In Placer County, Roseville reported 19 in 2016-17:
https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article214661610.html
- How can we adjust to the new neighbors among us?
- How can we welcome new people here, make them feel comfortable and make new friends?
- What words and actions can we avoid that might offend or hurt people of color (we are all people of color)?
You may be thinking “I’m not racist so this change doesn’t concern me.” But what about covert or unconscious racism? You know, the stereotypes that we have grown up with and that we see in the media? The assumptions we make about people of color before we even speak with them. How many people of color can we count as friends or even acquaintances?
We know we were not born with the tendency to mistrust people. How have we been “infected” over time by the disease of racism?
We invite you to join us for conversations about racial healing. Over time, we will learn about, explore and discuss things like:
- the history of American slavery and racism
- the history of people of color in Placer County: why did they settle here? what were their hopes for the future?
- how our institutions — our schools, our faith groups, our health and justice systems — may contribute to attitudes that exclude, patronize or minimize people of color
- current studies that show the progress of people of color
- what does current science say about the real or imagined differences among us?
- how can we be a model of acceptance, respect and equality for other white people who sincerely want to live in harmony with people of color?
We’ll learn together how to become allies and to stand with people of color when they are threatened or looked down on. We will explore our own experiences of racism or prejudice in a supportive, non-confrontational environment. We can unlearn the out-of-date stereotypes that still affect our words and behavior — so that we can all share the richness of the diversity among us!
Resources
Want to learn more? We have compiled lists of books, videos and websites that examine the disease of racism and how we can heal from its effects – CLICK HERE
Schedule of Current Conversations on Racial Healing Series:
Please see our Share Dinner and Discussions tab under Racial Healing Project tab for our informal Summer 2022 monthly Dessert and Discussion gatherings. Anyone is welcome to join in!
Roseville September 2022 series – in-person series for Roseville residents:
Tuesdays, September 20 – November 15, 2022 – 7 to 9 pm
Location: Library at Buljan Middle School, 100 Hallissy Dr, Roseville, CA 95678
See our flyer here. To register on EventBrite, click here. We will contact you by email with more series information.
If you would like to join our email list for announcements of local events and videos, please fill out our Contact form.
We would also appreciate your financial support for continuing our programs! Please click here to donate.
History of Previous Local Series:
Rocklin October 2021 series on Zoom:
Thursdays, October 14 – November 18, 2021 – 7 to 8:30 pm (6 meetings)
See our flyer here. To register on EventBrite, click here. We will contact you by email with the Zoom Meeting information.
Roseville September 2021 series on Zoom for City of Roseville staff:
Tuesdays, September 21 – November 16, 2021, 2-4 pm.
Roseville April 2021 series on Zoom for City of Roseville staff:
Tuesdays, April 13 – June 8, 2021, 2-4 pm.
Roseville January 2021 series on Zoom:
Tuesdays, January 12 – March 9, 2021 – 7 to 9 pm.
Roseville Oct 2020 series on Zoom:
Mondays, October 19 – December 14, 2020, 7-9 pm.
Rocklin Oct 2020 series on Zoom:
Thursdays, October 29 – December 10, 2020, 6-8 pm.
Rocklin Fall 2020 series on Zoom:
Mondays, September 21 – November 16, 2020, 2-4 pm.
Rocklin 2020 series on Zoom:
Wednesdays, July 22 – September 16, 2020, 7-9 pm.
Rocklin 2020 series:
Tuesdays, March 24 – May 19, 2020, 7-9 pm – update: we postponed this in-person series in light of coronavirus concerns.
Rocklin Event Center – Room 102, 2650 Sunset Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95677
See our flyer here. To register at the City of Rocklin’s Parks & Recreation Department website, click here and sign in or create a new account. Then put 14001 in the Search box and click on the Conversations on Racial Healing link to complete your registration. Or call the Parks & Rec Department at (916) 625-5200.
Rocklin 2019 series:
Tuesdays, September 17 – November 19, 2019 (except October 29), 7-9 pm
Rocklin Event Center – Room 102, 2650 Sunset Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95677
Elk Grove 2019 series:
Sundays, January 20 – March 17, 2019
private home in Elk Grove
Auburn 2019 series:
Wednesdays, January 9 – March 6, 2019 at 7:30-9:30 pm
Unity of Auburn, Sanctuary, 1212 High Street, Auburn, CA 95603
Roseville 2019 series:
Mondays, January 7 – March 4, 2019 at 7:00-9:00 pm
Heritage Inn Express, Presidents Room, 204 Harding Blvd, Roseville, CA 95678
Auburn 2018 series:
Tuesdays, September 18 – November 13, 2018
Canyon View Community Center, 471 Maidu Drive, Auburn, CA 95603
Rocklin 2018 series:
Mondays, September 17 – November 12, 2018
Rocklin Event Center, 2650 Sunset Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95677
Roseville 2018 series:
Saturdays, September 22 – November 17, 2018
Agape Alive Church, 202 Bonita St, Roseville, CA 95678
Elk Grove 2018 series:
Sundays, April 15 – June 3, 2018
private home in Elk Grove
Rocklin 2018 series:
Wednesdays, March 28 – May 23, 2018
Rocklin Event Center, 2650 Sunset Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95677
Rocklin 2017 series:
Wednesdays, August 30 – October 25, 2017
Rocklin Event Center, 2650 Sunset Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95677
Auburn 2016 series:
Tuesdays, January 12 – March 8, 2016
Mercy Center Auburn, 535 Sacramento St, Auburn, CA 95603
Original pilot series in Rocklin 2015:
Tuesdays, June 15 – September 1, 2015
Community Room at Stanford Court, 3220 Santa Fe Way, Rocklin, CA 95765
Viewing of the Selma film and discussion with race relations expert Dr. Joy DeGruy that motivated the Racial Healing Project:
January, 2015 in Rocklin