Testimonials

Thank you for leading us through these discussions. Out of a month of far too many Zoom meetings, this is the meeting from which I benefit the most and I look forward to most.

The experience with my exploring racism group has enabled me to better understand racism (individual, structural, institutional), privilege, trauma, health impacts, redlining and so much more. Life experience by itself did not inform my understanding. Getting together with a trusted group to learn/share my role in how we got here and my role in how we move forward with the worked required to dismantle racism has been very rich. I encourage you to invest in this work.

Exploring Racism has provided me the opportunity to learn about how racism permeates many parts of our society. My cohort consists of people that have opened their minds, hearts and souls to understand this issue from a personal point of view. Truly understanding the problem of racism is half the solution and more importantly fighting racism is everyone’s fight

I thought I was a pretty rational and informed person. What I discovered: I never really took the time to dig in and interrogate my beliefs around race. This both surprised me and humbled me. I have much work to do. I have been aware of ”Scapegoating” in nature, in our political system. Through this work I now realize that institutional racism explains how Black Americans have been scapegoated through our laws and governance. The beliefs I developed in part through my upbringing were influenced by this institutional bias. I am now working to revamp my thinking and beliefs with a more realistic view of the world.

Exploring racism has enabled me to examine my own bias. In realizing my long-held positions regarding race were not valid and in fact, harmful to myself and others, it has enabled me to become more adept at not accepting the status quo. It has helped me be more curious, less judgmental and more able to question what I am hearing/seeing in a way that has been very helpful in day to day problem solving and relationship development. I never considered that my thoughts were racist. Learning what racism truly is helped me understand the need to put myself in the shoes of others and experience life from a different and sometimes uncomfortable perspective.

The value of a safe place to have honest and meaningful conversations about race cannot be underestimated. ERG creates small, intimate groups that develop a deep sense of trust that, frankly, are the only way to explore race and racism from a deeply personal vantage point. Talking about race and the role of white people is extraordinarily difficult and full of personal risk. Most of us want real change to happen, but we lack the language and courage to act. ERG is one of the few places where pow- erful conversations with people you respect can take place. I have found it engaging and em- powering, and strongly recommend the experi- ence. It has prepared me to work more effectively for change.

The Exploring Racism Group (ERG) provides a safe, collaborative framework to discuss and consider biases in our daily lives. We often walk through life with assumptions regarding race and the motivations driving behavior. ERG’s facilitated process provides opportunities to learn, reflect and rethink the innate biases influencing our thinking and experiences. The time investment in ERG has improved my ability to remove unconscious assumptions and stereotypes and replace them with curiosity and empathy.

For me, the ERG has provided an opportunity to speak openly and explore thoughts on racism with peers in a safe and confident setting. The sense of trust formed with fellow members while sharing ideas and experiences has been very rewarding.

If you're interested in a supportive, but assertive, experience to help you learn more about how individual, institutional, structural and unconscious racism impacts society, your organization and your personal life, this experience with ERG can be very rewarding. The facilitators are experienced in assisting the development and growth of each individual's anti-racist perspectives and skills.