Walking the Color Line
Eliminating Racism through Education and Communication
by Jonathan Palmer | Aug 31, 2010
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Summary:
Racism is a social construct created to justify oppression and discrimination throughout the world. Racism allowed for the rationalization of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the Trail of Tears, the Holocaust and much more. While these deplorable efforts where orchestrated by the basest of leaders, they are propogated by ignorance. Ignorance of the truth, origins and impacts of racism and the underlying current within our society. Today it sits quietly, blindly, in the middle of room, blocking progress, connections and communications amongst different racial and ethnic groups and their organizations.
We are proposing a series of educational sessions to expose members of different racial and ethnic groups to both other cultures as well as the nondominant culture that exists within their community/family/selves to normalize the experiencing of an unknown cultures or races and remove the barriers that exist, thereby allowing them to build connections that were never considered and reduce the gulfs between races.
The project will begin with an analysis and information session to benchmark the ideas, beliefs and experiences of participants in regards to race, culture and identity. This will include a control group as well as an invitation to the general public. Throughout the year, the educational sessions will explore each of the communities of color as well as white cultures. At the close of the project year, a second session will be held to analyze and evaluate the change in perceptions and progress and develop strategies for replication in other venues and areas
About You
About You
First Name
Jonathan
Last Name
Palmer
Title
Executive Director
Website
Organization
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center
Country
United States, MN, Ramsey County
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center
Organization Email
Organization Website
Organization Phone
651-224-4601
Organization Address
270 North Kent Street
Organization City
Saint Paul
Organization Zipcode
55102
Brief description of your organization
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center is a private, nonprofit social service agency located in the Summit University area, our programming includes: After School/Summer Day Camp, Early Learning Center, Senior Programming, Food Shelf/Clothing Closet. We administer the Martin Luther King Center housing our partners offering specialized services and programs including Project Cheer and Project Voice.
Organization Country
United States, MN
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Your idea
Name your project
Walking the Color Line: Eliminating Racism through Education and Communication
Country your work focuses on
United States, MN, Ramsey County
Describe your project. Explain the extent to which it mitigates the effects of racism
Racism is a social construct created to justify oppression and discrimination throughout the world. Racism allowed for the rationalization of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the Trail of Tears, the Holocaust and much more. While these deplorable efforts where orchestrated by the basest of leaders, they are propogated by ignorance. Ignorance of the truth, origins and impacts of racism and the underlying current within our society. Today it sits quietly, blindly, in the middle of room, blocking progress, connections and communications amongst different racial and ethnic groups and their organizations.
We are proposing a series of educational sessions to expose members of different racial and ethnic groups to both other cultures as well as the nondominant culture that exists within their community/family/selves to normalize the experiencing of an unknown cultures or races and remove the barriers that exist, thereby allowing them to build connections that were never considered and reduce the gulfs between races.
The project will begin with an analysis and information session to benchmark the ideas, beliefs and experiences of participants in regards to race, culture and identity. This will include a control group as well as an invitation to the general public. Throughout the year, the educational sessions will explore each of the communities of color as well as white cultures. At the close of the project year, a second session will be held to analyze and evaluate the change in perceptions and progress and develop strategies for replication in other venues and areas
Project starting date
November 1, 2010
Project ending date
November 30, 2011
Total project budget - required field
$25,000
Website URL
Innovation
What makes your project unique?
Racism persists because ideas are introduced by media, parents, schools, etc. and are not analyzed critically. This project will allow people to raise the forbidden questions and talk about them openly and honestly in a productive manners so that the foundation of their beliefs is not ignorance. Groups can get swept up in "mass hysteria" or carrying what was passed down from generation to generation, it is only when exposed up front and personally, in a non-threatening manner, do they begin to cast off preconceived notions and question early ideas.
In 2009, we launched a Speakers series to expose community members to history and current affairs centered around race and culture that was "below the radar", bringing in speakers such as a former Black Panther or a White civil rights activist who worked with Martin Luther King, Jr. to provide "hands on" experience for community members; to allow them to question the ideas and experiences and gain a better understanding of other races and movements. The impact was phenomenal.
This project will build on that initiative and bring three unique elements: 1. Exposure-this is not just a black and white issue, but can and must include people from all races to be productive as well as the unique aspect of race often not considered: bi- and multiracial people and the embracing of their entire heritage; 2. Comprehensive Exploration-no questions will be discarded if done respectfully, the only way people will be able to dispense with misunderstandings and misinformation is to be able to safely explore ideas and thoughts. We will manage and monitor the dialogues to maintain respectful communication, but otherwise provide the opportunity to examine "everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask"; 3. Innovative Phenomenon-a unique "speed dating" portion of the sessions to allow participants to explore one on one with an individual of another race, the ideas and beliefs that they carry in their every day life.
Impact
Tell us about the social impact of your project as it relates to ONE of these three areas: Education, Employment or Housing
The project will provide open and clear exploration of ideas and the tools for participants to educate not only themselves, but others in their community. Participants will experience a reduction in ignorance and ignorant belief systems, allowing for the bridging of racial and cultural gaps as well as the ability to recognize and identify racism and racial barriers and the tools for working towards their deconstruction.
List any specific activities associated with the project and a timeline for the activities
Community Analysis and Information Benchmarking Session - November 2010
Community Education Sessions - Monthly, December 2010-October 2011
Community Evaluation Session - November 2011
Final Report - November 2011
Please summarize the involvement of people of color in the decision-making of your project
Hallie Q. Brown is a historically African American organization whose leadership is African American and responsibile for the development of this initiative. The control group will include representatives of and organizations from the communities of color. The analysis will be performed by a collaboration of representatives of communities of color.
Please list which communities of color your project will involve and/or impact
African
African American
Latino
Native American
Asian-Pacific
What age group will your project impact?
Children (0-12 years), Teens/adolescents (13-19 years), Adults (20-60 years), Elders (60+ years).
Which gender(s) will your project focus on?
Male, Female.
What geographic area(s) will your project affect?
Twin Cities Metro Area (specify below).
If you selected either Twin Cities Metro Area or Other above, please specify or identify the area
Primarily focused on Minneapolis and Saint Paul
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Idea phase
If your project is a collaborative effort, please list the other organizations involved
While the project is a new idea, we consider it an expansion of the initial Speaker series program which laid the groundwork for this and was solely Hallie Q. Brown. Therefore, we are in the process of recruiting existing Hallie Q. Brown partners and related agencies to this effort. Those who are or will be approached include but are not limited to: NAACP, International Institute of Minnesota, American Indian OIC, Minnesota Coalition of Scottish Clans, CAPI, Neighborhood House, Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota,
Who or what is expected to change as a result of your project?
Racism. Plainly and simply, we expect to reduce the supply of racism by eliminating the demand. Exposing participants and the broader public to the truth and giving them tools for identifying and exposing racism, will our community more effectively combat it.
What information will you provide in the final report to demonstrate the achievement of your results?
Correlational analysis of perceptions and ideas pre- and post project year, benchmark analysis of progress, informational report of the methodology, results and replicable tools and elements.
What methods will be used to gather the information?
Surveys, written and oral; naturalistic observation, archival research, etc.
What do you hope to learn about racism and its impact?
We hope to be able to define racism clearly as a social construct based upon preconceived notions and having no basis in reality as well as learn the most effective ways for eliminating it within the scope of the project.
What percentage do people of color comprise your board of directors?
90%
Documentation
Funding sources: Please check all that apply
Individual donations, In-kind donations, Foundations, Businesses, Earned revenue, Local government, State government.
Other
In submitting this application, the applicant agrees to the following (check all boxes)
The applicant will spend the money solely for the purpose stated in the grant award and will return the unexpended portion of the funds, if any. In addition, the applicant will provide an interim and/or final report, as required., The applicant realizes that payment of funds will be at the convenience of the Foundation. The Foundation reserves the right to cancel the grant and/or modify previously agreed-upon payments should such actions be deemed necessary by the Foundation., The applicant understands that the Foundation may review any or all information submitted as part of this request with advisors of the Foundation’s choosing, if deemed necessary by the Foundation., The applicant intends to comply with the terms of the Minnesota Charitable Solicitation Act (MS §309), if applicable..
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