Antiracism Working Group for White Parents
The Antiracism Working Group for White Parents was founded by Gordon parents who wanted to actively support the anti-bias and multicultural education Gordon offers students by providing opportunities for white parents to examine their own racial identities and privilege, to uncover and challenge their own biases, and to develop anti-racism parenting skills.
The group supports ongoing learning and peer leadership as a way to build white parent capacity in the fight against racism, at home, school, work and beyond.
The leadership of this group collaborated with Gordon's Assistant Head of School and Gordon's Parents of Students of Color to create this series of parent dialogues for the 2020-2021 school year.
Community agreements
Make space/ take space, challenge yourself to listen or speak
Use “I” statements, speak from your own experience
Don’t assume other people’s kids, families, partners, communities are white
Check in when something rubs you the wrong way
We are responsible for building this learning space together
Email conversation
In addition to their monthly meetings, this group has been exchanging resources and processing ideas via email. Anyone who wishes to join the conversation should email:
Sarah Bowman at sarahbowmanmph@gmail.com or
Eli Nixon at ramshackleenterprises@gmail.com
Online resources
Parents interested in antiracism work should also visit www.gordonschool.org/antiracismresources
The Antiracism Working Group for White Parents was formed in 2015 by a group of Gordon parents committed to making space for parents to continue learning about anti-racism parenting skills, what it means to hold white privilege, and being active in the fight against racism.
Building on a number of conversations, including those around the 2015 Unpacking Race symposium, these parents worked with the Parents of Students of Color and the Gordon administration to create a program of activities that began in the fall of 2015.
For more information, contact parents:
Sarah Bowman at sarahbowmanmph@gmail.com
Eli Nixon at ramshackleenterprises@gmail.com