Conversations Around Race, Racism, and the System of Policing in America

presented by Morris H. Ervin, Jr

Have you ever been afraid to talk about race, racism, or the systems of policing in America? Or have tried and it hasn’t gone as well as you would have liked?

Please join us to expand and deepen your conversations around systemic and interpersonal racism. We will be using and integrating the consciousness of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a process/language designed to create connection and natural giving from the heart. The structure of the class will be interactive and engaging.

Participants will be able to:

● Name systems that are created to systematically meet the needs of one group at the expense of the other. (Criminalization of Black Men) (Power Dynamics)

● Incorporate observations, feelings, needs, and request/that serve as a skillful way to unpack the naming of an unjust system from a connected, respected, and dignified place

● Examine the deeper needs as individuals, and institutions, while unpacking historical context, beliefs, assumptions, perspectives, cultural norms, and stereotypes that cloud the freedom to choose.

● Explore distinctions around domination systems vs systems based on needs, Self-empathy versus Acting on Feelings, and Freedom of Choice versus Dependence

The Structure and flow of the session includes:

● Mindful body awareness led practices

● Self-reflection practice questions

● Interactive Storytelling

● Fishbowl Interactive discussion

● Self-empathy practices from perspectives of race, power and privilege

● Clear do-able strategies and requests from a natural place of connection, freedom, and interdependence.