Teach-ins and workshops

Anti-Racism Teach-in Part 1

Anti-racism is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies, practices, and attitudes so that power is redistributed and shared equitably (University of Calgary). This 90-minute, peer-led teach-in will provide attendees with tools and prompts to engage in a meaningful conversation with others as we unpack our varying experiences. Our hope is to raise critical consciousness and understand the opportunity for meaningful actions.

Learning outcomes—Participants will be able to:

• Know the difference between non-racist and anti-racist
• Recognize how messages about race are internalized
• Understand that racism is systemic
• Develop strategies to engage in interrupting and combating racism in your personal life and within your organization
• Develop 1-2 action steps 

Anti-Racism Teach-in Part 2

Anti-Racism Part 2 is a continuation of the conversation started in the Anti-Racism Teach-In. This 60-90 minute, peer-led teach-in will provide attendees who have participated in the original workshop (Anti-Racism Part 1) or have prior knowledge of anti-racism/activism the opportunity to develop strategies to unlearn racism and critically understand their motivations and reasons to be anti-racist. This workshop seeks to take the original content to a deeper level of self-reflection and encourage strategies for sustaining anti-racist movements and holding each other accountable.

Learning outcomes—Participants will be able to:

• Reflect on personal motivations and reasons to be anti-racist
• Develop strategies to unlearn racism and combat agents a oppression in their own life
• Develop strategies to sustain anti-racist movements and hold each other accountable

Coalition Building Teach-in

Since the development of new social movements in the mid-20th century, coalitions have become a crucial form of organization. Throughout history, coalitions have been useful for accomplishing a broad range of goals beyond the capacity of any individual or organization. These goals have ranged from information sharing to coordination of services; from community education to advocacy for major policy  and regulatory changes. This Coalition Building peer-led teach-in assists students and/or organizations seeking foundational knowledge/tools/skills to start or strengthen a coalition.

Learning outcomes—Participants will be able to:

• Define coalition and its importance
• Understand the steps involved in building a coalition
• Identify skills needed in building a coalition  
• Recognize challenges and strategies in coalition building
• Reflect on how to enhance strategies

Social Identities

In collaboration with The Program on Intergroup Relations

What are social identities? This session is an opportunity for you to increase your awareness of social identities and consider how these identities influence you in different social contexts such as the various ways your social identities are felt more or less salient at different times. If you are a group of undergraduate students, you may request this workshop directly from the IGR's CommonGround.

Learning outcomes—Participants will be able to:

• Understand the difference between personal and social identity groups
• Build awareness of one's social identities, including recognizing marginalized and privileged identities

Request the Social Identities workshop separately.

Ally Development

In collaboration with Spectrum Center

Join this session to explore what it means to be an ally. Topics of discussion and engagement include understanding motivations for being an ally and identifying actions for effective allyship. Come learn, share, and strengthen your ally journey with us! 

Learning outcomes—Participants will be able to:

• Define ally and what it means to them
• Understand the motivations for engaging in allyship
• Explore and identify actions to become an effective ally 

Power & Perspectives

In collaboration with Ginsberg Center

What is power? No, we’re not just talking about superheroes here. Join us to talk about social power, how it shows up in your life, and what we do with the power and influence we all have. 

Learning outcomes—Participants will be able to:

• Define power
• Describe the different types of power
• Apply how power shows up in their lives