Jews Talk Racial Justice - Ep 5: Tracie and April Live: Intergroup Collaboration in Savannah and Beyond
QUICK EPISODE OVERVIEW
In a live launch for the podcast, April and Tracie interact with nearly 200 supporters. After participants talk in small groups (not recorded), April and Tracie dig deep into a question from Morgan, a Jewish community member and Mom from Savannah. Morgan is looking to deepen the connection between the Jewish community and the larger Savannah community while advancing justice.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
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Click here to access the audio version on Buzzsprout.
At the beginning of the episode, Tracie models how to name the context we are in while this episode is being recorded (global coronavirus pandemic where everyone is sitting in their homes, election season in the U.S., the start of school for many children and families, a time filled with loneliness, etc.). Take a moment to describe the reality you are currently in and where we are collectively. What value might there be in taking the time to do this?
Reflecting on her own experiences in activism, April suggests that Morgan build a local network of people to support her in social justice efforts in her city, Savannah. How have the relationships you’ve built supported you and helped you move collective efforts forward? And, how might local support networks differ from virtual or more geographically spread-out support networks?
When answering Morgan’s question, Tracie reminds white Jews/Jews with white privilege to stay humble, especially in racial justice efforts. Why is this important? How can we balance humility with pride and making sure our voices are heard?
April shares some wisdom with us, inviting us to “think of it like a traditional conversion process” when entering a new space. What does this look like in reality? Might this look different for certain folks? And, what can we learn from Jewish conversation processes, no matter the denomination?
INSIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE
“Build a network of people around you on the local level so are you formally or informally organizing with other folks. Have different relational meetings to identify people in your local community who also care about the same issues who can back and support you - and also may be able to pull different levers to help move things forward.”
“I have some things to contribute and I am still learning. Holding that both/and is going to be key, because there is a long history of white-skinned Jews in America doing things that look like integration but, in fact, might be forcing folks to align to the way we want things to be.”
“Take a longer view and give yourself space.”
“Relationship moves at the speed of trust.”
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
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