Part 1:  Investigate the origins of your first and last name, and describe this.  Try speaking with family members and/or go to the internet for information.  Then explore what your names may reflect upon your own life.  How does your name reflect or not you who are?

Part 1:  What it means to be an American? 

Part 1:  What does it mean to be ____________ (your race)?

Part 2:  What does it mean to be ____________ (your ethnicity)? 

Part 1:  Make 6 observations of personal experiences you have been involved in or have been witness to which clearly have been examples demonstrating race and ethnic stratification in the US.  For example, in your job the workers being non-white and the bosses being white.  So I want you to describe 6 situations that you have experienced or witnessed in your own life.  With each description, I want you to comment on how this is simply a reflection of US racial and ethnic stratification, i.e. identify what aspect of race & ethnic stratification is being demonstrated by this situation.  With the example, this is a case where the top positions in organizations (public, private or non-profit) are mainly held by white people and thus they hold the power.  With each experience how did you FEEL and/or how do you FEEL now being able to comprehend more the reasons for the situation.

Part 2:  If you are white, how do you FEEL about your being complicit (unknowingly or not, unconsciously or not, wanting to or not, all these years of your life) in what Lipsitz refers to as the possessive investment in whiteness?  If you are non-white how do you FEEL knowing you have been subject to what Lipsitz refers to as the possessive investment in whiteness?

Part 1:  In your field of study/discipline/major, how do you see white supremacy/privilege being manifested in academia as well as in employment in this discipline.  How have you benefited from this and how have you been hurt by this?

Part 2:  Explore your thoughts and FEELINGS about bell hooks concept of killing rage.

For those in attendance: 

Part 1:  Reflect on  the class of February 14th.  Explore what feelings came up for you, are continuing to come up for you and why?

Part 2:  What do you need from the class (and from me) to continue on this journey of the exploration of racism in society and within yourself.  

For those not in attendance answer the following (for those in attendance simply think about the following):

1.  "what I can’t stand about other racial groups is …"

2.  "what I never want people to say, think or do about my racial group is …"

3.  "what I want you to know about my racial group is …"

At whatever level you wish to seek to work towards a society without racism, e.g. within your own personal relationships or working with community organizations or within your workplace or your school, etc…, I would like you to consider the issue of support and action. 

Part 1 - Action: In your ideal world free of racism, what do you believe are some specific necessary societal changes required to attain this ideal? What are some specific actions you COULD undertake now to work towards a society without racism? Consider various contexts, e.g. within your work and school settings, your personal relationships, your membership in various groups, such as leisure activities or religious activities.