Aligne Academy

I am an activist, educator, and dual citizen living outside of the US. I had been looking for the right context in which I could devote time to reflect upon my different roles and responsibilities-- I felt I needed to consolidate and strengthen my efforts and work in more effective and meaningful ways. Participating in "The Path to an Anti-Racist Society" workshop with Birungi gave me a structured opportunity to tie lots of thoughts together and build upon my existing knowledge. This workshop also reminded me to dig deeper into policies that, in my context, provide further justification for the kind of organizational development and change I wish to see in the workplace and in society at large. Birungi was flexible in accommodating my participation from a different time zone, and I appreciated her openness and honesty as a facilitator. The different kinds of materials Birungi selected were very engaging and thought-provoking. I am so glad that I took the time to participate in this workshop! Thank you, Birungi, for your inspiration and solidarity in this long-term work to build a better world together!

Birungi Ives has developed a curriculum that goes deep. The readings and exercises offer ways into thinking and rethinking race, and they model ways to talk about this difficult subject. Ms. Ives leads the sessions with an openness and lack of judgment that encourage participants to share honestly and with vulnerability. Generous with her own thoughts and exploration into the issues, Ms. Ives leads the way to overcoming discomfort and posturing into authentic self-assessment. Following the topics of the news and the interests and comments of participants, Ms. Ives also immerses herself in the issues, not holding herself at a remove. My experience shook me loose from a place I had been stuck involving the shame that comes up when looking at my own complicity. The Path to an Anti-Racist Society was a powerful, useful workshop.

Thank you Birungi, for designing and facilitating an excellent overview of systemic racism and anti-racism theory and action. As a teacher, I was so impressed by YOUR teaching. You created a perfect learning environment, established trust among our group members, invited participation, and helped us all make connections and move along our own paths. This is very important work that brings up all kinds of feelings. You helped us name and work through what came up. You are making the world a better place, one person at a time. Your impact will ripple out from your workshop and bring important change to our world. A million thanks.

For many, the most effective anti-racist education is one that pushes you to confront the racial injustice in the country, but gives you the space to be uncomfortable in its existence and your complicity in it. In this regard, "The Path to an Anti-Racist Society" didn't disappoint. Birungi Ives does a fantastic job curating resources, asking questions that produce true self-reflection, and moderating discussions about the tough issues. While I did the work for each session, I could note the shifts in my understanding of systemic racism and how that understanding would change my actions going forward. It was in the discussions, however, that Ives's mastery as a leader truly shone through. In the session I attended, most of the participants were a few steps along their anti-racist education path, and Ives was able to meet us where we were and bring us forward in our understanding and how that might affect our lives going forward in the anti-racist work we wanted to do. She had the perfect balance of sharing her wisdom and knowledge and letting the participants discuss and speak about their own knowledge and experiences. I think she would do a wonderful job tailoring the discussions to groups with differing levels of experience with anti-racist work, whether they be just starting on that journey or well down the road in it. I'm so grateful to Ives for the work she has done to put together this course, and absolutely recommend it to any people or their companies if they're looking for a strong anti-racist course.

I am looking forward to seeing how all of these pieces will be woven together in class. While some of the material is familiar to me, I’ve listened or read it before; I found more was “revealed” to me each time. I am in turmoil (like most Americans.) The people in my church, a group of conservative Evangelicals while I am a liberal Episcopalian - long story about how I landed where I am - are intent in celebrating the myth that “because I am nice, b/c I follow God’s rule I can not be racist.” I hear comments about reverse racism and the list goes on. I am in Manassas, VA - a place that literally has the first blood of the Civil War in it’s soil. A place where the human trafficking and torture of African’s was celebrated. It is in our ecosystem. I’ve been noticing and working towards opening church members hearts, minds and spirits to their participation in white supremacy. In conversation I hear he most common white supremacist Evangelical pronouncement, “Where in the Bible does it talk about what we should do about racism? I am not a racist. The sins of the owners of African’s who were trafficked are not my sins.” For those of you who are interested in Christianity, read Scripture and theologians, the message is clear in Christianity; how can we not work to dismantle white supremacy? How can we not work for reparations? This series clarified more of where I need to grow, lean in and where I might seek to move those in my faith community. The material was thought and soul provoking. The materials and activities had just the right amount of necessary gut punches, aha moments, push towards compassion, vulnerability and intellectual stimulation. To move towards something radically new our hears, minds and spirits must also be radically changed. This week was part of a new beginning for me in this journey. This is the work we are all called to do to actualize God’s kingdom here on earth. (BTW: I am not someone who will try to convert anyone. Christianity doesn’t have a corner on faith or Godliness. In fact, the Church, as it was and is, is one of the most powerful seats of white supremacy. I also don’t, contrary to most, think anyone else has to believe in God, the divide etc. I honor your path.)