UWSA May 2022 Unlearning Circle

We hope you will join us for May’s Unlearning Circle where we will explore our role in building accountable communities. Historically, white folks relied heavily on police for everyday problems. But thanks to leadership and guidance from communities of color, the tides are turning: every day, more white people want to know how to abandon reliance on police.

We now recognize that policing does not solve our problems, and worse yet, is truly dangerous to all communities of color, poor and working class folks, disabled folks, queer folks, and more… We understand that policing is not only harmful today, but also has clear, traceable roots to horrific legacies of white supremacist violence: “catching” enslaved people running for freedom; forcing Indigenous peoples out of their lands, in favor of white settlements; protecting white folks’ wealth.

These days, many of us dream of a world without police and beyond policing. We know our communities thrive with more resources, not more policing.

How do we envision community safety beyond policing? Black racial and economic justice activist and abolitionist Zach Norris thoughtfully titled his book, “We keep us safe!” So, what is our role in creating secure and just communities? How do we link our anti-racist values to our everyday neighborhood behaviors? Join us for our May Unlearning Circle to explore how we, as white Austinites, might contribute to safer, more accountable communities.

UWSA’s first Unlearning Circle in the winter of 2017 was created as a place for white people to do the work of reflection and community self-education. As we continue to gather to critically examine our own participation in cultures of dominance, we build our capacity to show up as individuals and as a city-wide community network for Black, Indigenous and people of color-led anti-racist efforts in a positive and accountable way. The Unlearning Circles are an opportunity for white identifying people to explore white supremacy culture and our role and responsibilities in undoing racism. We welcome and recognize the gift of the presence of any People of Color who choose to join us.