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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20220108T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20220108T120000
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CREATED:20220106T195330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220106T195433Z
UID:47356-1641636000-1641643200@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:January 2022 UWSA Unlearning Circle
DESCRIPTION:January’s UWSA Unlearning Circle will explore the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond’s principle – Networking:\n \nWe recognize that the growth of a movement for social transformation requires networking – “building a net that works.” Networking means building principled relationships based on humane values.\n \nFor some of us\, the word “networking” may conjure images of settings where the goal is more important than the relationship\, and the quantity of relationships matters more than the quality of those relationships. In January’s Unlearning Circle\, we will discuss a different kind of networking–the kind of networking necessary for social change to happen.\n \nWe cannot do this work alone\, both because we need support to sustain ourselves and each other in this work\, and because undoing white supremacy requires a multitude of skills and perspectives. While the number of meaningful relationships any one of us can sustain is limited when we combine our networks\, connecting in coalitions\, we are unstoppable in effecting change.\n \nPlease join us to explore what it means to be in “principled relationships based on humane values\,” how we can build meaningful connections with one another\, and how we center relationship-building in our work to create a more equitable world.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/january-2022-uwsa-unlearning-circle/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Lecture/Guest Speaker
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20211211T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20211211T120000
DTSTAMP:20211201T201956Z
CREATED:20211201T201956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211201T201956Z
UID:47225-1639216800-1639224000@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:UWSA December 2021 Unlearning Circle
DESCRIPTION:UWSA’s December 2021 Unlearning Circle will explore the People’s Institute principle: Undoing Racism\, more specifically\, Tensions Experienced by People Who Identify as White in Racial Justice Work.\n \nWe can all agree that racism is harmful and we must work to eradicate it from ourselves and our systems. Undoing racism will be our topic for the December Unlearning Circle. This simple statement for messy\, complicated and intersectional work is broad and we will be focusing on working as self-identifying “white” people as we explore some of the tensions we commonly experience. While our intentions are good\, we often start down a path only to realize that we are engaging in practices that perpetuate racism. Sometimes\, we encounter seemingly contradictory messages that leave us unsure how to proceed\, that tempt us to drop out or paralyze us with fear of “getting it wrong”. The People’s Institute reminds us that Racism is the single most critical barrier to building effective coalitions for social change. How are we in accountable relationships when our actions and/or presence can be harmful in multi racial spaces? How do we balance compassion\, care and universal love with holding each other accountable? How does the tension between our desire to act and not being sure about what to do\, create a barrier to building effective coalitions?\n \nPlease join us this month to explore these confusing experiences and discuss what we can do to navigate these difficult situations so that we can be more effective co-conspirators.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/uwsa-december-2021-unlearning-circle/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Lecture/Guest Speaker
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20211113T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20211113T120000
DTSTAMP:20211110T214753Z
CREATED:20211110T214753Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211110T214753Z
UID:47081-1636797600-1636804800@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:November 2021 UWSA Unlearning Circle
DESCRIPTION:November’s UWSA Unlearning Circle will explore the People’s Institute principle: Analyzing Power\n \nAs a society\, we often believe that individuals and/or their communities are solely responsible for their conditions. Through the analysis of institutional power\, we can identify and unpack the systems external to the community that create the internal realities many people experience daily.\n \nWe have been brainwashed to assign responsibility for what happens to people in our society solely to individual choices. Racism is ascribed to racist feelings and actions on the part of individuals\, instead of the systems and institutions that were set up to create racism\, and to re-create racism over and over again. Please join us in this month’s Unlearning Circle\, where together we will look at how racism was\, and is “done”\, shining light on the power exercised by legal\, economic\, and social institutions to oppress BIPOC communities.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/november-2021-uwsa-unlearning-circle/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Lecture/Guest Speaker
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/16145220/UWSA-Meeting.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20211009T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20211009T120000
DTSTAMP:20211006T175657Z
CREATED:20211006T175608Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211006T175657Z
UID:46896-1633773600-1633780800@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Undoing White Supremacy October Unlearning Circle
DESCRIPTION:October’s UWSA Unlearning Circle will explore the People’s Institute principle: Maintaining Accountability. \nOrganizing with integrity requires that we be accountable to the communities struggling with racist oppression. \nConversations about accountability among white people usually begin and end with a focus on individual accountability. They center holding each other accountable.\n \nTaking a page from our Black elders at the People’s Institute\, however\, our conversation will focus on accountability within the framework of organizing. Together we will identify our organizing communities. We will explore how accountability demands that our organizing communities build principled relationships with those who share our anti-racist values. Relationships that uplift the humanity of all of us. We will share history\, strategies\, and challenges in being accountable\, as a community\, to communities who struggle with racist oppression. We will consider how accountable relationships have provided a foundation for community organizing power.\n \nUnlearning Circle Resource: \n*** People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond – Antiracist Principles https://www.pisab.org/our-principles/ \nMore recommended resources will be posted here soon \nUWSA’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.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/undoing-white-supremacy-october-unlearning-circle/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/16145220/UWSA-Meeting.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210911T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210911T120000
DTSTAMP:20210909T154517Z
CREATED:20210909T154349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210909T154517Z
UID:46756-1631354400-1631361600@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:UWSA September Unlearning Circle
DESCRIPTION:Please mark your calendar for Undoing White Supremacy Austin’s September Unlearning Circle on Saturday September 11\, 2021 from 10 am to noon.\n \nThe topic for this month is Sharing Culture.\n \nThe People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB) describes the Undoing Racism principle of Sharing Culture as\, “Culture is the life support system of a community. If a community’s culture is respected and nurtured\, the community’s power will grow”.\n \nWhat is culture\, and what do we mean when we talk about white culture in the United States? What is your/your ancestors’ story regarding how they came to this land\, and what was their experience in relationship to the dominant culture?\n \nWhat cultures\, subcultures\, and communities do you consider yourself a part of? Are there ways your communities reinforce dominant American power structures? Are there other ways your communities nurture resistance?\n \nHow can we generate a way of being with each other that honors and respects all cultures? Please come to this Unlearning Circle ready to share a piece of your cultural identity (a song\, a dance\, a story\, a family recipe\, an heirloom\, etc.) that gives you life. We will also do a short journaling exercise. Register here.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/uwsa-september-unlearning-circle/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building,Lecture/Guest Speaker
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/16145220/UWSA-Meeting.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210814T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210814T120000
DTSTAMP:20210805T005855Z
CREATED:20210805T005855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210805T005855Z
UID:46575-1628935200-1628942400@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:August Unlearning Circle: Gatekeepers
DESCRIPTION:Please mark your calendar for Undoing White Supremacy Austin’s August’s Unlearning Circle on Saturday August 14\, 2021 from 10 am to noon. Register for this event HERE.\n \nGatekeeping is the topic for this month. The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond defines the anti-racist principle of gatekeeping as follows:\n \nPersons who work in institutions function as gatekeepers. Gatekeepers are expected to ensure that the institution perpetuates itself. The gatekeeper becomes an agent of institutional transformation by operating with anti-racist values and networking with those who share those values and maintain accountability in the community. Gatekeepers regulate the progress and speed of social change.\n \nWhat do you see in your mind’s eye when you imagine a gate? What are the gates that you keep?\n \nIn some way\, we are all gatekeepers. We control information flow. We interpret\, define\, measure\, evaluate\, translate\, and speak for people-with or without their permission. We titrate the progress of social change.\n \nWe manage the gate\, but we don’t own the gate.\n \nWe all have power. When we don’t understand\, or fail to acknowledge our power\, we are dangerous particularly to those who are most directly impacted by not having access to that power\, those who are Black\, indigenous and people of color and who have other marginalized identities.\n \nIn this Unlearning Circle\, we will explore together our roles as gatekeepers. We will help each other discover how\, in our gatekeeping roles\, we can be accountable for the power we have to support racial justice.\n \nPlease join us for this juicy conversation.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/august-unlearning-circle-gatekeepers/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building,Lecture/Guest Speaker
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/16145220/UWSA-Meeting.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210710T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210710T120000
DTSTAMP:20210708T145823Z
CREATED:20210708T145655Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210708T145823Z
UID:46357-1625911200-1625918400@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Unlearning Circle - Internalized White Superiority
DESCRIPTION:The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond teaches us that in order to undo racism we who self-identify as white must analyze and explore our own internalized belief that we are superior to Black\, Indigenous and People of Color. PISAB defines internalized racial superiority as:\n \nThe acceptance of and acting out of a superior definition is rooted in the historical designation of one’s race. Over many generations\, this process of empowerment and access expresses itself as unearned privileges\, access to institutional power\, and invisible advantages based upon race.\n \nWhile we may not consciously think this\, our behaviors often expose our deep-seated bias. As such\, our institutions and systems are also based on this belief of white supremacy. Our Declaration of Independence declares that “all men are created equal”\, so it can be easy to assume this is how our country was founded and how it runs. This concept of internalized racial superiority is so abhorrent to us that we avoid thinking about it\, deny it and distance ourselves from it with ideas such as “color blindness” and the “oneness of all humanity” — resulting in harm to our non-white neighbors and friends.\n \nAs white people\, it is often hard to see internalized racial superiority play out in ourselves and our institutions; but working collectively in honest conversation and reflection allows us to dive deeper than we can on our own. Please join us for this important discussion at our Unlearning Circle on July 10\, 2021.\n \n\nAbout Unlearning Circles:\nUWSA’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.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/unlearning-circle-internalized-white-superiority/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building,Lecture/Guest Speaker
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/16142154/Unlearning-Circle.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210612T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210612T120000
DTSTAMP:20210608T224937Z
CREATED:20210608T224937Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210608T224937Z
UID:46261-1623492000-1623499200@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:June Unlearning Circle: Developing Anti-Racist Leadership
DESCRIPTION:The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond teaches us that in order to undo racism\, we must develop “anti-racist leadership […] intentionally and systematically within local communities and organizations”. In order to develop anti-racist leadership\, we must break down the myths we are taught in the United States about “leadership”\, what makes good “leaders”\, and what we expect our leaders to do on our behalf. In order to undo racism\, it is important to develop anti-racist leadership in ourselves and in our organizing. This requires us to consider models of leadership other than those dictated by white supremacy culture. We need each other to cultivate an accountable pathway to anti-racist leadership.\n\n \nRegister here. 
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/june-unlearning-circle-developing-anti-racist-leadership/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Lecture/Guest Speaker
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210515T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210515T120000
DTSTAMP:20210512T203918Z
CREATED:20210512T203918Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210512T203918Z
UID:46132-1621072800-1621080000@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Learning from the History of Whiteness
DESCRIPTION:The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond teaches us that in order to undo racism\, we must learn from history. The history of racism in the United States is synonymous with the creation of whiteness. “White” as a racial category was conceived in the American colonies as the way to divide and conquer people in order to suppress interracial alliances with African slaves. Whiteness does exist without anti-blackness.\n\n \nAs we learn from history\, what does it mean to be white? What does it mean to be white and anti-racist?
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/learning-from-the-history-of-whiteness/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building,Lecture/Guest Speaker
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210318T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210318T200000
DTSTAMP:20210310T181801Z
CREATED:20210310T181722Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210310T181801Z
UID:45652-1616094000-1616097600@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:UWSA Actionar: Confronting White Backlash to Austin’s Policing Reforms - Part II
DESCRIPTION:On Thursday\, March 18th\, we will be gathering for the second Actionar of 2021\, where we will be looking at the white backlash to last summer’s uprisings\, and the movement to defund the police. How is this reinvestment in white supremacy impeding the reallocation of funding away from policing – both in Austin’s City Council\, and in the 2021 legislative session? Join us as we map out what’s on the horizon for the next few months.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/uwsa-actionar-confronting-white-backlash-to-austins-policing-reforms-part-ii-2/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Activism/Protest,Class/Skill-Building
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/16145220/UWSA-Meeting.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210313T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210313T120000
DTSTAMP:20210310T000439Z
CREATED:20210309T235815Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210310T000439Z
UID:45650-1615629600-1615636800@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Unlearning Circle - Anti-Blackness / White Innocence
DESCRIPTION:“The spatial politics of safety organizes the urban landscape. Bodies that arouse feelings of fear\, disgust\, rage\, guilt\, or even discomfort must be made disposable and targeted for removal in order to secure a sense of safety for whites. In other words\, the space that white people occupy must be cleansed. The visibility of poor Black bodies (as well as certain non-Black POC\, trans people\, homeless people\, differently-abled people\, and so forth) induces anxiety\, so these bodies must be contained\, controlled\, and removed. Prisons and urban ghettoes prevent Black and brown bodies from contaminating white space. Historically\, appeals to the safety of women have sanctioned the expansion of the police and prison regimes while conjuring the racist image of the Black male rapist.” ~ Jackie Wang in Against Innocence: Race\, Gender\, and the Politics of Safety. \nThis unlearning circle will explore the myth of white innocence as a manifestation of anti-blackness.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/unlearning-circle-anti-blackness-white-innocence/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/16145220/UWSA-Meeting.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210311T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210311T200000
DTSTAMP:20210303T170825Z
CREATED:20210303T170825Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210303T170825Z
UID:45626-1615489200-1615492800@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:UWSA Actionar: Confronting White Backlash to Austin’s Policing Reforms - Part II
DESCRIPTION:On Thursday\, March 11th\, we will be gathering for the second Actionar of 2021\, where we will be looking at the white backlash to last summer’s uprisings\, and the movement to defund the police. How is this reinvestment in white supremacy impeding the reallocation of funding away from policing – both in Austin’s City Council\, and in the 2021 legislative session? Join us as we map out what’s on the horizon for the next few months.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/uwsa-actionar-confronting-white-backlash-to-austins-policing-reforms-part-ii/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/16145220/UWSA-Meeting.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210213T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210213T120000
DTSTAMP:20210211T003830Z
CREATED:20210211T003830Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210211T003830Z
UID:45535-1613210400-1613217600@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Unlearning Circle: Anti-Blackness
DESCRIPTION:Anti-blackness is foundational to racism\, particularly in the United States. We cannot dismantle white supremacy without uprooting anti-blackness. In February’s Unlearning Circle we will come together to explore what anti-blackness is and how it operates in our relationships and within us. Please join us in discussion as we work to unlearn and dismantle this pillar of white supremacy. \nWe will post more resources on our website as the date approaches. \nWe recommend taking some time to watch the following video in advance of the date: Khalil Muhammad Facing Our Racial Past (22 mins)
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/unlearning-circle-anti-blackness/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building,Lecture/Guest Speaker
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/16145220/UWSA-Meeting.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20210109T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20210109T120000
DTSTAMP:20210105T215015Z
CREATED:20210105T215015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210105T215015Z
UID:45350-1610186400-1610193600@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Unlearning Circle - White Supremacy Culture
DESCRIPTION:In a world that so often feels defined by extremes\, it can be tempting to rely on the white supremacy culture characteristic of either/or thinking*\, where we define events\, ideas\, and people as either all good or all bad . As we look towards Joe Biden’s inauguration and the political conflicts that exist both in Congress and in our communities\, we can also see the looming trap of either/or thinking – that we can only be either in support of or in opposition to a politician or a policy platform\, rather than allowing room for an approach that includes strong support for some positions and vocal critique of others. \nIn our own lives\, either/or thinking is frequently tied to perfectionism and a fear of making mistakes. For white folks striving to practice anti-racism\, this can show up in the idea that there are “good white people” and “bad white people\,” which can lead us to avoid taking risks or honestly examining how we enact white supremacy for fear of threatening our status as “good white people.” Outside of either/or thinking is space for nuance\, growth\, and a fuller embrace of our own and others’ humanity. \nJoin us for an unlearning circle where we will explore the ways that either/or thinking shows up in our lives and ask: how can we recognize and release either/or thinking in service of dismantling white supremacy culture? \n*Credit to Tema Okun and Keneth Jones for their work naming and describing characteristics of white supremacy culture \nABOUT UNLEARNING CIRCLES: \nUWSA’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. \nResources: \nExcommunicate Me from the Church of SJ\nhttps://www.autostraddle.com/kin-aesthetics-excommunicate-me-from-the-church-of-social-justice-386640/ \nWhite Supremacy Culture PDF https://www.dismantlingracism.org/uploads/4/3/5/7/43579015/okun_-_white_sup_culture.pd \nPeople’s Institute for Survival and Beyond – Antiracist Principles https://www.pisab.org/our-principles/
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/unlearning-circle-white-supremacy-culture/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building,Lecture/Guest Speaker
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/media.theaustincommon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/16142154/Unlearning-Circle.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20201219T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20201219T120000
DTSTAMP:20201217T150352Z
CREATED:20201216T175042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201217T150352Z
UID:45281-1608372000-1608379200@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Unlearning Circle - Exploring White Supremacy Characteristics: Paternalism
DESCRIPTION:As we move forward into the new year\, President-elect Biden will take office and we look forward to the marked differences in the new administration. However\, Biden has demonstrated characteristics of white supremacy\, such as paternalism. In an interview before the election\, he said that “you ain’t black” if you vote for President Trump. Biden apologized for the statement\, but it will be important to continue to hold him accountable as he begins his presidency. Like Biden\, white liberals often assume that they know what is best for BIPOC people and make decisions based on their assumptions. By doing so\, white people maintain their power\, instead of building power\, and miss the solutions from those closest to the problems. \nThus\, we will be considering how paternalism appears in various contexts- including our President-elect\, nonprofits and their funding sources\, and our own giving during this time of year (is it charity or solidarity?). We will discuss these personal ways we define for others what they need and move into fixing instead of inquiring. \nJoin us for an unlearning circle where we will delve into our paternalism in our lives and ask: how can we recognize and interrupt our paternalism in order to dismantle white supremacy culture and create lasting solutions? \n  \nABOUT UNLEARNING CIRCLES: \nUWSA’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. \n  \nAdditional resources will be added shortly! \nWhite Supremacy Culture \nhttps://www.dismantlingracism.org/uploads/4/3/5/7/43579015/okun_-_white_sup_culture.pdf \nPeople’s Institute for Survival and Beyond – Antiracist Principles https://www.pisab.org/our-principles/
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/unlearning-circle-exploring-white-supremacy-characteristics-paternalism/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building,Lecture/Guest Speaker
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20201012T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20201012T200000
DTSTAMP:20201009T010336Z
CREATED:20201009T010336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201009T010336Z
UID:44948-1602522000-1602532800@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Virtual City Council Candidate Forum: Institutional Racism in Austin
DESCRIPTION:Institutional and systemic racism have been in the national spotlight lately\, but what is your local government doing here in Austin? How do your local candidates feel about issues that are important to you\, and how will local politicians represent your interests if you elect them? \nTo find out more\, join us for a virtual City Council Candidate Forum co-sponsored by Communities of Color United (CCU)\, Grassroots Leadership\, & Undoing White Supremacy Austin. \nDid you know: \n\nAustin City Council has 10 seats—half of those seats are up for grabs this election!\nCity Council can make big changes that affect you and your community on a day-to-day basis\, including decisions about city budget and policy\nYour City Council member represents YOU!\n\nAs a member of the Austin community\, you have the right to have your voice heard at the polls and access to the information you need to make informed decisions in the voting booth. \nJoin us in community to meet your City Council candidates and learn more about their views and commitments concerning institutional racism in Austin. \nForum discussion will focus on issues of policing\, gentrification\, and funding for R.E.A.L. solutions. Specifically\, candidates will be asked to discuss their commitments to the RISE (COVID relief) fund\, development of the Austin Equity Office\, funding for Austin Public Health\, and access to low-income housing. \nWHEN: October 12\, 2020 \n\nDiscussion with candidates for Districts 4 & 10: 5pm\nDiscussion with candidates for Districts 2\, 6\, & 7: 6:30pm\n\nFind your city council district on a map here or search by address here
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/virtual-city-council-candidate-forum-institutional-racism-in-austin/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Important City Meeting,Lecture/Guest Speaker
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20201001T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20201001T193000
DTSTAMP:20200922T225417Z
CREATED:20200922T225417Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200922T225417Z
UID:44781-1601577000-1601580600@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:UWSA Fall Actionar
DESCRIPTION:Please join us for a recap of this past summer’s budget process and to talk through how we’re going to move forward through the election season and the winter months.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/uwsa-fall-actionar/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building,Lecture/Guest Speaker
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20200715T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20200715T193000
DTSTAMP:20200709T020249Z
CREATED:20200709T020249Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200709T020249Z
UID:44037-1594837800-1594841400@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Policing in Austin & the Upcoming City Budget Process
DESCRIPTION:As conversations about defunding the police continue\, UWSA is looking closer at how white people specifically fit into this change process in Austin. This is meant to be the start of an on-going discussion as we reimagine what public safety can look like in our community. \nJoin us for a two-part Actionar about policing in Austin and the upcoming Austin budget process. (An actionar is like an interactive webinar + action steps. We’re learning and taking action!) \nPart 2: July 15th\, 6:30-7:30 pm \n\nDelve into specifics of the city budget and divesting from the Austin Police Department\nBuild relationships with people in your district\nOrganize to take action\n\nBefore you attend: \n\nWe highly recommend you watch Communities of Color United’s teach-in\, “Our Vision for a City Without Cops” (all or at least mins 18:41 to 28:00 on the history of policing) – https://www.facebook.com/CCUCoalition/videos/1412037072329977\nReview Grassroots Leadership’s Defund the Police website – https://defundaustinpolice.com/\nReview characteristics of white supremacy culture – https://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/white-supremacy-culture-characteristics.html\nFind out what Council District you live in if you don’t already know – https://www.austintexas.gov/GIS/CouncilDistrictMap/\n\n  \nWhat to bring: \n\nCuriosity\nA commitment to dismantling white supremacy\nA pen and paper
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/policing-in-austin-the-upcoming-city-budget-process/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Activism/Protest,Lecture/Guest Speaker
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20200711T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20200711T120000
DTSTAMP:20200709T000147Z
CREATED:20200708T234118Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200709T000147Z
UID:44025-1594461600-1594468800@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Unlearning Circle on White Supremacy Cultural Characteristics
DESCRIPTION:This Unlearning Circle is the first in a multi-month series that will explore how people\, and white people in particular\, have been racialized and socialized in white supremacy culture. We ground these circles in the work of Tema Okun and others\, such as Kenneth Jones\, and Daniel Buford of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond\, who have outlined these characteristics. Our discussion will focus on how these aspects shape our cultural norms: how we think and act\, and how they show up in our institutions and our communities. This month we will be discussing the characteristic of Sense of Urgency.\n \n\n\nWe begin this series with a reflection of white folks’ internalized sense of urgency because\, over the past month\, many white people are “waking up to racism”. With so many white people urgently wanting to become “anti-racist”\, how can we\, as white folks\, harness our energies to support the racial justice work led by communities of color who have been fighting white supremacy for generations?\n \n\n\nUWSA relies heavily on the Principles and steps of Undoing Racism as developed by The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB). This series is based on the PISAB principle of Identifying and Analyzing the Manifestations of Racism: Individual acts of racism are supported by institutions and are nurtured by the societal practices such as militarism and cultural racism\, which reinforce and perpetuate racism.\n \n\n\nThis is 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. Please join us for one or more of the circles in this series!\n \n\n\nSuggested Resources\n(Recommended reading\, listening\, and/or viewing to prepare for our conversation)\nResources:\nWhite Supremacy Culture\, from Dismantling Racism: A Workbook for Social Change Groups\, by Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun\, ChangeWork\, 2001; http://cwsworkshop.org/PARC_site_B/dr-culture.html\nopenDemocracy: White Urgency to End Racism: Why Now?\nhttps://www.opendemocracy.net/en/transformation/white-urgency-end-racism-why-now/\nMetro UK: The Emotional Impact of Watching White People Wake up to Racism in Real Time\nhttps://metro.co.uk/2020/06/12/emotional-impact-watching-white-people-wake-racism-real-time-12839920/\nFurther reading:\nWhite Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack https://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/mcintosh.pdf\nwhite beloveds: #BlackLivesMatter is not a trend\, it’s an invitation to our own freedom too\nhttps://plantedmoredeeply.wordpress.com/2020/06/28/white-beloveds-blacklivesmatter-is-not-a-trend-its-an-invitation-to-our-own-freedom-too/
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/unlearning-circle-on-white-supremacy-cultural-characteristics/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building,Lecture/Guest Speaker
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20200616T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20200616T200000
DTSTAMP:20200615T162740Z
CREATED:20200615T162740Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200615T162740Z
UID:43602-1592332200-1592337600@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Introduction to Undoing White Supremacy Austin
DESCRIPTION:Have you attended a protest or webinar recently about police violence and been moved by calls from Black leaders to get involved? Do you want to learn how you can plug into efforts to defund the police and work to undo white supremacy in a way that is accountable to communities of color who are leading this work? \nUWSA (pronounced ooh-suh) is a group of primarily white identifying organizers who come together with the common purpose of dismantling white supremacy systemically\, culturally and within ourselves. We rely heavily on the Principles and steps of Undoing Racism promulgated by The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB). Join members of Undoing White Supremacy Austin this Tuesday evening to learn about our history\, approach to this work\, and how you can get connected.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/introduction-to-undoing-white-supremacy-austin/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building,Lecture/Guest Speaker
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20200613T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20200613T120000
DTSTAMP:20200603T180111Z
CREATED:20200603T180023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200603T180111Z
UID:43374-1592042400-1592049600@theaustincommon.com
SUMMARY:Unlearning Circle: the Everyday Violence of Policing
DESCRIPTION:UWSA’s Unlearning Circles provide an opportunity for primarily white identifying people to come and explore white supremacy culture and our role and responsibilities in undoing racism. We rely heavily on the principles and steps of undoing racism promulgated by The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB). \nIn June\, we continue a multi-month series on violence perpetuated by White Supremacy Culture. This series is based on the PISAB principle: Identifying and Analyzing the Manifestations of Racism: Individual acts of racism are supported by institutions and are nurtured by the societal practices such as militarism and cultural racism\, which enforce and perpetuate racism. \nMore information will be posted in the next few days.
URL:https://theaustincommon.com/event/unlearning-circle-the-everyday-violence-of-policing/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Class/Skill-Building,Lecture/Guest Speaker
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END:VCALENDAR