This Learning Circle Series has reached capacity. We are unable to accommodate additional participants at this time.

Overview

This summer the VT Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation is hosting a virtual learning circle series focused on racial justice in the food system. This is part of the Center’s commitment to fostering cultural change for social justice and racial equity through university-community dialogue. We will be centering our conversations on select themes from Food Solutions New England’s 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge. Our learning circles are a peer-to-peer environment with active engagement from participants in large and small group discussions with guided prompts (Click here to find out more).

We invite you to join us for conversations framed by four themes from the Racial Equity Challenge. This virtual series is for anyone who wants to explore the intersection of food, agriculture, and racism in our society. This series is also designed to help build anti-racist practices in our everyday lives. We encourage participants to join for the entire series, though we also welcome people who can only attend one or two sessions. Descriptions for our sessions are below, which include suggestions for brief preparation to help enrich our time together. We will use the guidelines below to foster a safe and trustworthy space for dialogue. Please review these guidelines and if in agreement, register in advance via the link below. Space is limited, so sign up soon to secure your spot. If you have questions, please email Garland Mason at garlandm@vt.edu or Kim Niewolny niewolny@vt.edu.

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Guidelines for Discussion

Monthly Topics and Pre-Work

Getting at the Roots of Whiteness and Anti-Blackness

Monday, June 29 3:00-4:30 PM

This session will explore whiteness perpetuated in opposition to blackness and the ways in which a continuum of white superiority/supremacy upholds white privilege. In preparation for our discussion, please read the overview of Day 5 of the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge and consider reviewing their suggested resources, which we have also outlined below:

Structural Racism and New Narratives

Thursday, July 23 3:00-4:30 PM

This session will explore the power of stories in creating our world and the different types of stories told to prevent or advance justice. In preparation for our discussion, please read the overview of Day 11 of the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge and consider reviewing their suggested resources, which we have also outlined below: 

Sovereignty and Self Determination

Thursday, August 13 3:00-4:30 PM

This session will explore how food sovereignty and self determination is directly linked with liberation from dehumanizing systems and true equity. In preparation for our discussion, please read the overview of Day 17 of the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge and consider reviewing their suggested resources, which we have also outlined below:

New Patterns, New Visions

Monday, September 14 3:00-4:30 PM

This session will explore vision and imagination as systems “leverage points” for discovering a path beyond oppressive structures and extractive paradigms. We will spend time sharing our bold imaginings and life affirming stories. In preparation for our discussion, please read the overview of Day 19 of the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge and consider reviewing their suggested resources, which we have also outlined below: