Conversations about race in America have escalated this summer, including within the performing arts space. Walton Arts Center is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and to standing against racism in all forms. Recently, the WAC Board of Directors formalized a standing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committee to complement the staff DEI committee that formed last year.  

The staff DEI committee takes an active role in educating committee members and staff about diversity topics to better inform WAC’s commitment to DEI on multiple levels—from staffing to programming to creating safe spaces and more. The DEI learning and resources subcommittee identifies educational materials on topics including race, for the committee to study.

Rachel Burkevich, programming specialist at WAC, leads the learning and resources subcommittee. Here, she shares five resources on race and racism that the DEI committee has studied and along with what she personally learned in each one. If you are a racial ally interested in learning more on the topics of race and racism, we recommend exploring Rachel’s picks:

Books

So You Want to Talk About Race – Ijeoma Oluo – If you have ever been frustrated when speaking to someone about racism because you were having trouble finding the right words and/or connecting with them, then this is the book for you. In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo takes the reader through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to "model minorities" in an attempt to make honest conversations about race and racism possible, and break down how they are a part of almost every aspect of American life. This book has been an invaluable resource to me as I conduct thoughtful conversations with family, friends and others.

How to Be an Anti-Racist – Ibram X. Kendi – In How To Be An Anti-Racist, Ibram X. Kendi does an incredible job illustrating racism and racist behaviors by using stories from his own life growing up as a Black American where he is not always on the right side of racist behavior. Kendi explains that there is no such thing as “not racist” – one is either racist or anti-racist. “Not-racist” is a label but being anti-racist is an action and Kendi takes great care in distinguishing the two. This was an incredibly interesting read as I (a late ‘80s baby) was raised in a time when proclaiming you were “not a racist” and “didn’t see color” were considered progressive statements/ideas. This book helped to educate me on how those statements/ideas are misguided and do not serve to inspire growth and understanding.  

Articles

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack – Peggy McIntosh – In this article, Peggy McIntosh writes about what privilege looks like and how racist “invisible systems” have infiltrated and shaped the way America operates. These systems are what secure power and wealth for certain groups while simultaneously locking other groups into inability and poverty. Once we can recognize these “invisible systems” and understand what makes them racist, only then will we be able to address and change them to be more equitable. Now that these “invisible systems” have been revealed to me, I am able to spot and then interrupt them.

Walking While Black – Garnette Cadogan – In this article, Garnette Cadogan beautifully illustrates what it is like to just take a walk as a Black man in America. In order to survive walking, Cadogan must be constantly aware of his posture, gaze, disposition, clothing, gait, etc. Most people do not consider how something as simple and pedestrian as walking down the street can be a completely different experience for others. I think this article resonated so deeply with me is that I am a woman who has also walked down the street before. My experiences are in no way the same, but there are enough similarities that I was able to imagine how much worse these experiences are for a Black person.

Listen

How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race – Michel Martin – Talking to children about racism can be very difficult, but it is so important for parents to take time and care to facilitate thoughtful dialogue and also be ready to address things as they come up. Martin explains that parental silence on racism has helped to perpetuate confusion and apathy in white children. As a parent of two young white children, I know how intimidating these conversations can be. I had a hard time accepting that I would not always have the exact right answer and that it was ok because I could learn with my children. Once you push through that fear of being wrong, I believe you will find that children are much more understanding and thoughtful than we give them credit for.