Workshop: Unlearn to Relearn – Breaking Down Systemic Racism

As part of the Malden Reads 2021 program, Malden Reads is collaborating with Malden Community Organizing for Racial Equity (MaldenCORE) and the City of Malden to host a free 4-part-virtual workshop about unpacking systemic racism in the United States.

Workshop participants will be asked to read and reflect on the book “Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor” by Layla F. Saad. The book is divided into 28 short chapters with reflection questions at the end of each chapter. In the chapters, Saad discusses her lived experiences of racism as a result of her intersectional identities and the ways readers can dismantle forms of oppression toward communities of color.

The 4-part workshop will be led by Bwann Kellie Gwann, Assistant Director of the Urban Scholars Initiative at Lesley University. The workshop will help participants who are actively reading the book gain a deeper understanding of systemic racism in the United States through dialogue, case study review, and small group activities. There will be four 90-minute workshop session from 7-8:30 pm over Zoom on:

-Thursday, March 11th
-Thursday, March 25th
-Thursday, April 15th
-Thursday, April 29th

The workshop will cover many topics, including how Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities in the United States have been historically oppressed and different racial groups’ roles in dismantling white supremacy. The book is primarily framed as a learning experience for white people and people of color with light complexion. However, people of all racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are also encouraged to participate in and apply for the workshop.

This workshop is available only to people who live or work in Malden, are involved in a Malden organization, or have some other connection to the Malden community. The workshop is most appropriate for adults and mature high school students. The workshop will be held in English.

Participants will be asked to attend all four workshop sessions and actively engage in the reading. Participants will likely need 1-3 hours each week from March 4 through April 29 to read and journal about the assigned chapters in “Me and White Supremacy.”

Malden Public Library carries physical copies and has downloadable e-book and audiobook options available through Overdrive here.

Registration for this workshop has closed.