Flashlights February 27, 2023

Racism has been declared a public health crisis and is a key obstacle to reducing health inequity.  Flashlights, our anti-racism project, was intentionally designed for people who identify as white to “do the work.” We offer a few tangible strategies for having conversations; the bigger goal is to have a dialogue in which participants are practicing. We create a learning environment that invites authentic expression and bypasses a one-and-done, informational approach. 

After an opening week of setting the learning space, the following 9 weeks pair a 15 minute podcast (participants listen on their own time) with a 60 minute Zoom session. Each week, the podcast co-hosts’ and listeners reflect on a work of art that invites all into a learning and listening space and heightens emotional connection. The non-expert co-hosts' conversation explores some aspect of racism and white people's relationship with it.

Each Live Learning Session on Zoom offers 60 minutes of facilitated practice of conversations about race. Flashlights holds up a mirror to show the culture white people inhabit, and what could be if we showed up as alternative voices willing to talk and act regarding racism. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

This course will take 10 weeks to complete. Because community building is essential, we ask that you commit to all 10 weeks.

10 live sessions (Please put these sessions on your calendar)
Course schedule – Mondays, 12:00-1:00pm

February 27th – Live Learning Session 1 (only)

March 6th – Live Learning Session 2  (podcast: ”One Tree”)

March 13th – Live Learning Session 3  (podcast: “How Do We Build Culture?”)

March 20th – Live Learning Session 4  (podcast: “A Parable of Privilege”)

March 27th – Live Learning Session 5  (podcast: “Winter Sundays”)

April 3rd – Live Learning Session 6  (podcast:  “Own your story”) 

April 10th – Live Learning Session 7  (podcast: “Tension”)

April 17th – Live Learning Session 8  (podcast: “How Did You Come to Your Understanding?”)

April 24th – Live Learning Session 9  (podcast: “ Assumptions”) 

May 1st – Live Learning Session 10 (podcast: “Underlying Narratives”)

A facilitator will lead guided discussions and activities related to the podcast, skills and participants’ needs.

We strive to host inclusive and accessible events that enable all individuals, including those with disabilities to engage fully. Please let us know of any accommodations that will assist your full participation.

You should receive 2 emails from us before the course begins.  Please email us at registration.rmphtc@ucdenver.edu if they do not show up in your inbox (please check your spam folder, as well).