From Separation to Reparation 2021

A Monthly Conversation Series on Civic and Spiritual Resistance to Racism

“Anyone who permits another to determine the quality of his inner life gives into the hands of the other the keys to his destiny.”
– Howard Thurman

Rev. Derrick McQueen and Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie invite you to continue our journey from Separation to Reparation, committed to sustained solidarity and systemic change. Join us for monthly online sessions (followed by optional peer-to-peer learning), held from January to June 2021, focusing on the legacy of Howard Thurman, leading theologian and civic rights leader as we deepen our understanding of history and reality, private response and public responsibility.

We hope that the teachings of Thurman, as well as the voices of many other important inspirations, will help us delve deeper into the difficult and sensitive topic of racism in American life – leading us towards a more conscious collective response and repair. 

Dates

Third Thursday of the month January through June, from 7pm – 8:30pm EST.
The first two classes are open to all, for prospective participants to get a feel for the course. We will be “locking” the course in March as we delve deeper as a community.

Jan 21 –  Welcome
Feb 18 – Back Against the Wall
March 18 – Fear
April 15 – Deception
May 20 – Hate
June 17 – Love

Course Format

The course will be divided into three modalities: full group learning, small groups (4 participants) for personal sharing and reflections, and optional peer-to-peer (2 participants) continued conversations following each session.

By combining these three modalities we hope to enable all of us more time to learn from each other, share our questions and visions, as we deepen our understanding of these core issues in our lives. Each week we will send out a short email ahead of the session, with a reminder of reading suggestions and questions to help us prepare and deepen the learning. 

Reading List

Howard Thurman’s book, Jesus and the Disinherited will be our core text for this course. Please secure a copy of this book in whatever format works best for you. Two other suggested/optional books will help us ground Thurman’s theory in more contemporary context and as preparation for further learning and action following this course:

1. The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person By Fredrick Joseph
2. From Here to Equality Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century  By William A. Darity Jr., A. Kirsten Mullen

Rates

This course is open to Lab/Shul Partners – click here to become a Partner today, no financial contribution necessary.

Class is offered on a sliding scale of $8-$36 per class. If finances are an issue for you at this time, no worries! Please contact marijke@labshul.org and we will work it out.

Leaders