Healing Racism in Anchorage
April 16, 2008
Dear Fellow Citizen of Anchorage:
Once again, an incident of racial prejudice has shocked our town. Local disk-jockeys have made a “joke” at the expense of Native Alaskan women, and have been suspended pending “sensitivity training.” Does this treatment solve the problem? Not unless you think the problem is merely the public airing of sentiments and beliefs that most of us carry in our hearts.
Healing Racism in Anchorage, a grass-roots organization of volunteers, thinks there is a better, deeper way to cure the underlying sickness of prejudice, racism, and bigotry that infects our community.
A five-week session of classes begins with the video “Anchorage Is Our Home,” showing us the impact of stereotyping, prejudice, and racism in our own town. Discussion centers on the experiences and feelings of members of the class evoked by watching the video. All discussion is confidential - we agree not to report it outside of the classroom without prior consent of the speaker.
In successive meetings we watch other videos, including the powerful “The Color of Fear.” Members always have ample time to discuss, and to express their thoughts and feelings. Experienced leaders maintain confidentiality, safety, and respect at all times. Readings will also be provided for home study.
Whether you have already been a participant, or have not yet attended one of these classes, we invite you to join a new group that will meet for five successive Thursday evenings, starting May 15th:
6:30 – 8:30 P.M.
May 15 – June 12
BP Energy Center
(a separate building in back of the big BP headquarters
at the corner of Northern Lights Blvd. and New Seward Hwy.)
Cost: Free to Members
$20 for a One-Year Membership
(reduced price to students and seniors)
Sincerely,
Healing Racism in Anchorage
PO Box 92086
Anchorage, AK 99509-2086
907/561-3238; 907/677-8918 fax
www.anchoragehealingracism.org; contact ppartnow@alaska.com
