Study Circle Action Steps
 

To All Those with a Particular Interest in the CCC Anti-Racism Initiative:

A group of nineteen persons recently completed a six week study circle entitled
How Does Race and Ethnicity Affect Silver Spring – A Community Dialogue in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  This diverse Study Circle met on Monday evenings for six weeks building a group where stories were shared and greater understanding was established across racial and ethnic differences.  

At the final session of the Study Circle a series of Action Steps were determined:

- Individuals are committing and recommitting their energies and awareness to the issues of how race and ethnicity affect Silver Spring at all levels (intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, organization, institution, community).

- Collectively the members of the Study Circle are intentionally forming a Community of Practice Addressing Race and Ethnicity Issues in Silver Spring.  This Community of Practice will be for the purpose of supporting each other in the work of addressing race and ethnicity issues in Silver Spring by sharing this work and providing a place for the initiation of additional work.

- The Community of Practice Addressing Race and Ethnic will address such issues as racism in the criminal justice system including language accessibility, building multicultural and anti-racist institutions and organizations including churches, Montgomery College, County Council, and others.

- The Community of Practice will be loosely structured to provide for the continuation of trust-building and learning.  One of the members will explore establishing a Blog for dialogue in cyberspace.  Another member will establish a yahoo group list serve for internet communication among the members of The Community of Practice.

- The Community of Practice will meet for a series of three pot lucks after which time a decision will be made about continuation.  These will initially involve only the members of the Study Circle.  The group may be expanded to include others later.

- The first pot luck will take place in January with childcare provided if needed.  Programs at these pot lucks will alternate between those that provide for deeper understanding of the affect of race and ethnicity and support sessions for the work that is being done.  All sessions will provide for networking.  As the Community of Practice invites others to join, there will be an opportunity for new connections and actions.  

The recently completed Study Circle was sponsored by Christ Congregational Church, Montgomery Missionary Community Church and IMPACT Silver Spring.  All of these organizations are committed to support of The Community of Practice as it evolves in its efforts to answer the question – How does race and ethnicity affect Silver Spring?

One likely possibility is to hold additional study groups in order for more people to be prepared to join in the work of The Community of Practice Addressing Race and Ethnicity in Silver Spring.     

All of this wonderful positive energy and passion for creating and sustaining a thriving multicultural community in Silver Spring will truly have a significant impact on Silver Spring.

Courage in the struggle for justice and peace,

Jim Henkelman-Bahn and Delilah Marrow

More information on the CCC Anti-Racism Journey