Waite Park community members gathered Sunday, October 3, to finish a six-month conversation series on anti-racism and discuss next steps on how the community can continue to challenge systemic white supremacy.

The gathering was an opportunity for participants to reflect on themes of the twice monthly meetings, which included topics such as raising anti-racist children, creating welcoming and inclusive neighborhoods, and challenging implicit bias.

The series was facilitated by artists and Waite Park neighbors, Shá Cage and E.G. Bailey of Freestyle Films and Trú Rúts. As experienced community organizers, healers, and conversation facilitators, they created space and invited guest facilitators to challenge the group to lean into the discomfort that talking about race creates to think creatively about ways to unlearn internalized racism.

The conversation series was funded by the Waite Park Community Council after community members suggested the idea to the board and more than 30 neighbors signed up to participate in the new initiative.

At the final, and only in-person gathering of the six month series, members of the group discussed ways to continue the momentum on working toward becoming a more anti-racist neighborhood. Stay tuned to the newsletters for opportunities to engage in conversation with neighbors.

—Hayley Nemmers