Pursuing Racial Reconciliation at the Dinner Table: Online Reflection and Discussion
Welcome to Our Online Community!
We are excited to embark on a journey of racial reconciliation, and we invite you to join us as we extend our in-person conversations to a broader audience through this Substack platform. Our goal is to create a space where individuals can engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and learn from one another.
Purpose of Our Online Community
This online community is designed to complement our in-person dinner gatherings, allowing us to connect with individuals from various backgrounds and experiences. By sharing our thoughts and reflections here, we can broaden our understanding of racial reconciliation and explore how it impacts our lives and communities.
Descendants for Racial Reconciliation Mission
As disciples of Jesus Christ and descendants of early pioneers, we recognize the historical racial harms experienced by impacted communities. Our mission is to take specific actions that encourage compassion, healing, and reconciliation among us.
Our Values
Truth: We embrace education to uncover and acknowledge historical truths. Collaborating with other organizations will deepen our understanding and promote broader awareness of the historical impacts of racism in the church and other communities.
Creating Space for Healing: We value open dialogue, active listening, storytelling, and family history as essential elements of our discussions.
Reconciliation: We view reconciliation as an ongoing interaction between groups, focused on developing relationships built on trust and respect for diverse perspectives.
Conversation Agreements
To foster a safe and respectful environment for our conversations, we ask all participants to adhere to the following agreements:
Confidentiality: Maintain the privacy of individuals' thoughts and experiences shared within the group.
Listening: Listen attentively and respectfully without interrupting.
Sharing: Use "I" statements to share personal experiences and avoid generalizations.
Curiosity: Approach discussions with a genuine desire to learn and understand.
Responsibility: Take responsibility for your own learning and reflect on your biases and assumptions.
Commitment: Remain committed to the goals of healing, growth, and understanding, respecting the process and each other.
These conversations may bring up strong emotions or past experiences. Engage at your own pace and participate as much as feels right for you. If the discussion feels overwhelming, take a break or seek support. We encourage having a trusted friend, family member, or counselor as part of your support system. Prioritizing self-care is essential as we navigate these discussions together. If you feel any harm needs to be addressed in the conversation, please email me at rleavitt@inursecoach.com.
Your Voice Matters
As we begin this journey, we invite you to reflect on the question: What does reconciliation mean to you?
Please share your thoughts in the online community chat. You can also respond to this prompt: What’s one thing you hope to gain or contribute in these conversations?
Rachel, thank you creating this online discussion space!