How do we understand the roots of racism and its consequences for people and communities? How do we interpret the different forms racism takes, its relationship to capitalism, and its intersections with other types of oppression? How do we analyze the dynamics between racist ideologies and racist social structures? And how do diverse social and political theories inform the strategies we adopt in anti-racist organizing? 

This workshop will begin on Thursday, March 24th at at 7:00 with back-to-back lectures by two scholars, Mariana Ortega and Touré Reed, who share a commitment to anti-racist organizing but represent different academic disciplines and adopt different theoretical approaches to analyzing racism. On Friday morning, students, faculty, and members of the larger community will engage in small-group dialogues about the tools critical theory offers for anti-racist social movements. We will conclude the workshop on Friday afternoon by coming back together to share what we have discussed, recognize our differences, and identify strategies for moving forward in solidarity.

Breakout Sessions

“Organizing against Racism in the Pioneer Valley,” Campus Center 905-909
    Candejah Pink (Organizer, Springfield No One Leaves)
    Amilcar Shabazz (Professor and Faculty Advisor for Diversity and Excellence, UMass)

“Confronting Racism and White Supremacy in the U.S.” Campus Center 804-08
    Toussaint Losier (Professor of Afro-American Studies, UMass)
    Loretta Ross (Human and Women's Rights Activist)

“What is the Role of White People in the Dismantling of White Supremacy?” Campus Center 911-915
    Matilda Cantwell (Organizer and Interfaith Fellow, Smith College)
    Millie Thayer (Professor of Sociology, UMass)

“Confronting Racism and White Supremacy in STPEC” (STPEC Community), Campus Center 917
    Moise St. Louis (STPEC Alum; Professor and Associate Dean of Students, St. Michael's College)
    Cynthia Peters (STPEC Alum; Organizer)