ALPENA ­– Several race-related events are scheduled for the next few weeks centering around Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Wednesday:

MLK Jr. discussion on race

The MLK Jr. sponsored discussion on race has been rescheduled to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13, via Zoom. This session will explore episode 2 — “The Story We Tell.” This episode is an eye-opening tale of how race served to rationalize, even justify, American social inequalities as natural. Please watch the film ahead of time–this is the link, select episode 2: https://mem.intervarsity.org/…/race-power-illusion…

Join in the discussion by requesting the Zoom link by emailing abelovedcommunity.alpena@gmail.com.

Information is also available on the MLK, Jr. Facebook page “Creating a Beloved Community.”

21-Day Equity Challenge begins Jan. 22

The 21-Day Equity Challenge — A Self-guided Learning Journey is being offered again for the Alpena community.

Food Solutions New England developed the Equity Challenge, and United Way of Washtenaw County successfully implemented the challenge, engaging over 5,000 participants in January 2020. The United Way of Northeast Michigan (and other statewide United Ways) implemented a 21-Day Equity Challenge, September 2020, with over 600 NE Michigan participants. United Way of NE Michigan is repeating this program commencing Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. The Equity Challenge is an interactive digital resource for individuals to take it upon themselves to deepen their understanding of, and willingness to confront, racism, equality, diversity and equity.

What happens during the Challenge?

For 21 days, participants receive an email “prompt” with a short reading, video or audio file. Participants are encouraged to take 10 to 15 minutes each day with the material in the prompt, though extra resources are provided in case they want to dig further into the day’s topic. Emails will be sent on Monday through Friday. Participants are encouraged to use the weekends to visit more of the resources provided and to reflect on the thoughts and ideas presented.

What types of topics do the daily prompts cover?

≤ Personal Racial Identity

≤ Personal Reflection and Implicit Bias

≤ What is Privilege?

≤ What is White Fragility?

≤ Trauma to Healing

≤ Levels of Racism

≤ Opportunity in Michigan

≤ Segregation in Michigan

≤ Housing Affordability & Homelessness

≤ Healthcare and Health Outcomes

≤ Environmental Justice

≤ The Wealth Gap and Financial Stability

≤ Early Childhood

≤ Education and School-aged Children

≤ Adverse Childhood Experiences

≤ Equity and the LGBTQI+ Community

≤ Building a Race Equity Culture

≤ Being an Ally

≤ Tools for Racial Equity Change Process

≤ Final Reflections

≤ Take Action in Your Community

Who does the Challenge?

Partner agencies, corporate partners, business owners and employees, donors, government officials, elected representatives and the general public. Everyone and anyone who feels the need to understand the social equity challenges in our society and community is invited to participate. Registration for participation can be completed on the United Way website at: www.unitedwaynemi.org.

The United Way invites you to join this transformational experience. Participation is confidential and will not be used for solicitation.

CNN writer Sara Grossman aptly stated in her article, “Flipping the Script: White Privilege and Community Building”:

“The hardest, but most transformational work for anti-racist white people and people of color is the work within ourselves and our own communities,” she writes. “White people who try to use privilege to end racial disparities and people of color committed to addressing internalized racism must make the leap of faith required to trust and support each other to define the work for our own communities. We must do this even as we share both resources and the struggle for justice, equality and humanity.”