Naming Racism: A Reading and Discussion Group

“What’s the problem with being “not racist”? It is a claim that signifies neutrality: “I am not a racist, but neither am I aggressively against racism.” But there is no neutrality in the racism struggle. The opposite of “racist” isn’t “not racist.” It is “antiracist.” ― Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be an Antiracist*

“For those of us who work to raise the racial consciousness of whites, simply getting whites to acknowledge that our race gives us advantages is a major effort. The defensiveness, denial, and resistance are deep.” ― Robin DiAngelo, White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism*

This reading group was created so that we have a safe space to learn, to reflect and to act. We encourage you to join us in our growth and be part of our collective learning.  Together, we can push each other to be part of a larger, more global, solution.

Please contact events@messageparis.org if you have questions, suggestions or want to tell us your thoughts!

*This is not neccesarily the book we will be reading. The readings will include shorter articles, podcasts and longer readings that have audio options (so even if you are not usually good at finishing books you can still join this group!).