Let’s Talk about Racism! Anti-Racism and Decolonization – Virtual Training for Students at Universität Hamburg and Its Partner Universities Worldwide

The English edition of PIASTA’s Let’s Talk about Racism workshop has gone global! We’ve seized the opportunity of virtual exchange to talk about anti-racism and decolonization across borders and with students from universities worldwide. No matter where you study or what subject – join us and enrich this conversation with your individual perspectives and viewpoints. Let’s learn together and let’s learn from each other!

What will you need to join?

• A stable internet connection (not from a smartphone, preferably)
• Willingness to participate with your camera turned on
• Strong English skills for active participation in discussions

Racism, colonial structures, critical whiteness – you might come across these terms time and again, but do you really know what they are all about? What do they mean and how are they relevant to our personal daily lives? In this online workshop we will deal with the origins of critical whiteness research, look at the colonial power construct of race, trace its origin, and consider the effects of structural and institutional racism.

We will listen to each other, discuss, and reflect on privileges. And we will address the discomfort that white people experience when confronted with (their own, personal) racism (white fragility), as well as the need for empowerment strategies for people affected by racism. Through group exercises, video analysis, and discussions, we will become aware of self-perception, question universal truths and stereotypes, and attempt to understand intersectional forms of discrimination, while continually trying to practice changes of perspective.

Ideally, we will create a space for a respectful and mindful exchange of thoughts and ideas on highly important social topics and strengthen our joint position for an equitable and anti-racist society.

And who are we? We are Wondibel (she/her/hers), certified lawyer, Black, and Kathrin (she/her/hers), white. We welcome all who are up for having respectful conversations. Please have your camera switched on and be prepared to actively participate.

Learning objectives:

• become familiar with the terminology that is used in the context of the social category race
• identify and question racist social structures and white privilege
• raise awareness of – and exercise – ant-racist thinking and action

Course content:

• historical overview of critical whiteness research, racism, and coloniality
• exercises for reflecting on white privilegeand white fragility
• discussion, analysis, and reflection of (unconscious) everyday racism