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#HumansofHowardCounty Randee Wilding (he/him/his) and Josh, his husband of 21 years and a past Human Rights Commissioner, have been Howard County residents for 19 years. They have two adopted children who attend HCPSS. Randee is currently the Chief Operating Officer of the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation, a nonprofit with the goal of eradicating racism and other forms of human oppression. When asked, “what does pride month mean to you?” Randee shared, “pride means celebrating the freedom to be who we are, living fully, authentically, and honestly as ourselves and within our community. We acknowledge and honor those LGBTQIA+ who came before us and fought for visibility and equality.” The advice Randee would give to someone struggling with their identity is “breathe. You are beautiful and whole exactly as you are. The struggle you’re in may seem never-ending, but you will find your people and your way. You are not alone. Connect. Contact your local PFLAG Chapter and connect with the appropriate support group.” http://www.pflaghoco.org Finally, Randee believes representation matters to those in the LGBTQIA+ community because “you must be able to see your reflection. Every member of a marginalized group must see themselves reflected in history and in today’s culture. You don’t need to subscribe to a stereotype or single story. You are unique.”

Bridgewater, Massachusetts Celebrates Juneteenth Photos Bridgewater Communities for Civil Rights (BCCR) standout highlighting Juneteenth. Photo by Vernon Domingo. Paul S. Bracy, Founder of the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation, delivering remarks at the Juneteenth celebration. Photo by Mayumi Wyman. The raising of the Juneteenth flag on the Town Common (replacing the Pride Flag, which flew for two weeks.). Photo by Sam Baumgarten. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2022 Marlborough, MA – The Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation celebrates Juneteenth with Bridgewater Communities for Civil Rights (BCCR) in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. The following remarks were given by Paul S. Bracy, Founder of the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at the Juneteenth flag raising in Bridgewater, Massachusetts: Good afternoon. I want to thank the town Bridgewater, the Bridgewater Communities for Civil Rights organization, the organizers for this day of remembrance and having the honor of speaking to you. Make no mistake this is not a minor event, and neither was the raising of the PRIDE flag. Bridgewater is making a statement of its commitment to inclusion. June 19th, 1865, the day enslaved people in Texas found out they had been emancipated, (free from legal, social, or political restrictions). A day, a moment of celebration 2½ years after the proclamation had been announced. This was not a congressional act, rather it was a wartime proclamation by President Lincoln as Commander and Chief which affected only the states that had rebelled against the United States. Border southern states who sided with the Union were not included in the proclamation, thus slavery continued in these states until the passage of the 13th Amendment to the constitution. The proclamation was not an apology, it was a political act. Why it took so long in Texas, plantation owners had to decide when and how to announce the news — or wait for a government agent to arrive — and it was common for them to delay until after the harvest. Probably the most important aspects of the Proclamation were it allowed formerly enslaved people to search for their family members who they had been separated from, marry, have a first and last name. However, the tyranny of racial oppression did not stop and has continued to this day. I learned of Juneteenth in my early 30’s and the recognition of this day was called “Home Coming” a time for family gathering and rededication to gain true emancipation, free of legal, social, or political restrictions. Can there be true emancipation without atonement (taking action to correct previous wrongdoing on their part) from those who enslaved? I would say No. However, atonement can still occur today by the heirs who inherited this history and its outcomes. The Juneteenth flag raising, the national recognition, the community celebrations, ring hollow without atonement. This country has yet to atone for the near annihilation of indigenous people, the dislocation of Mexicans who resided in the country before the arrival of Europeans, and the enslavement of Africans. What is required is the same kind of personal commitment, vison, and persistence displayed by those who were no longer enslaved. We can transform our society and make real what we ask our children to believe when they pledge allegiance to our flag every day in school: “…with liberty and justice for all…” We can do it. I created the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation because I believe atonement can happen and true emancipation for all of us can be a reality in this country. Atoning gives us the opportunity to remove the shackles of white supremacy from both the oppressed groups and the oppressor group. We can do it! Enjoy the upcoming Juneteenth celebration and make a personal commitment to be part of the solution. As Mahatma Gandhi said ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’ Thank you for your time and the honor of speaking to you today. About Bridgewater Communities for Civil Rights (BCCR) Bridgewater Communities for Civil Rights is a community-based organization dedicated to defending the rights of all persons, while fostering open communication, providing opportunities to examine issues of social justice, and advocating for the elimination of bias and racism. Visit https://www.bccrcivilrights.org for more informaiton. About the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation The Dock C. Bracy Center is committed to human reconciliation and the eradication of racism and other forms of human oppression. Our work focuses on healing the internal emotional and cognitive harms that have allowed racism to continue to thrive in our society. We support the efforts of many other groups and individuals by providing opportunities for learning and self-reflection so that strategies to eradicate racism can become more successful. Additional information about the Center can be found by visiting the website and by following @dcbcenter. The Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation Website: http://www.dcbcenter.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/dcbcenter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dockcbracycenter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dcbcenter LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/dcbcenter TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@dcbcenter YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEWo3ofiX7CdQDzHUsn3N2Q ###

The following speech was delivered by Randee Wilding, Chief Operating Officer of the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation, on Sunday, June 26, 2022, 9am and 11am EDT at Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church in Clarksville, Maryland: Good morning Church, My name is Randee Wilding and I’m the Chief Operating Officer of the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation, a nonprofit with the goal of eradicating racism and other forms of human oppression. I am a husband of 21 years to Dr. Josh Sullivan, and a resident of Howard County for 19 years. We have two adopted African American children who attend Howard County Public Schools. LLUMC, thank you for your warm welcome. I’m honored to be here with you today. I understand that the theme for this summer’s speaking series is “Journey to Transformation.” In preparation for today, Pastor Gayle gave me this background, in her words: “We believe that God changes us continually, as we learn and grow, encounter new people and new information, and live that out in our daily being. We also believe that God calls us to continually draw our circle wider, and we are leaning into inclusion of all in our worship speakers for this summer.” I’ve also enjoyed joining you virtually to watch Rev. Hand’s sermon (1) and brothers Sink (2) and Smith’s (3) talks. Today, I would like to tell you about my journey to transformation and share a few of the foundational experiences that made me the person standing here today. Empathy How many of you have visited Ellis Island? How many of you have ancestors who immigrated to the United States and were processed through Ellis Island or Angel Island? I grew up 20 miles from here [Clarksville, MD], in Montgomery County and attended public school. In third grade, 1984, at Forest Knolls Elementary, my class and I got to experience something very special. We participated in a simulation of Ellis Island.(4) We were all given identities and I was Helmut Kraft, a 30-year-old traveling in second class from Germany whose passage was paid for by friends in Milwaukee, also my destination. So, why am I telling you about this? Why was this a foundational experience for me? Weeks before the field trip, we started learning and preparing. We learned about Ellis Island, immigration, majority groups, minority groups, different values of money, distances of train routes and cost of tickets. We learned how some immigrants were treated better than others. How women, children, elders, differently abled and those ill were treated. Who was most likely to be granted entrance and who would be deported? Nearing the time of our journey, the program educators came to the school to introduce themselves. They told us how they would be pretending to be the different workers at Ellis Island. Inspectors, medical doctors, lawyers, human aid representatives, money exchange tellers, immigration police and transportation. Finally, the day arrived, and we boarded our ship. It was a large yellow bus. And we, the weary travelers, voyaged about twenty minutes. When we disembarked, it was 1910 and the simulation began. Helmut Kraft had traveled alone, with a small suitcase and 680 German marks. The scene inside was chaotic. My classmates and I were shoved into lines and tagged. Some names were changed by impatient workers. Those that were coughing were taken to quarantine. There was the kind human aid worker, an impatient doctor and inspectors who could be persuaded to overlook issues. After I bribed the inspector to overlook the discrepancy in my papers, would I have enough money to pay for my way to Milwaukee? What about the pregnant lady who’s being harassed by the inspectors? Should I/we step in to help and risk being deported? Do you help the sick person and risk exposure to whatever they’ve got? Why did that person get to go to the front of the line? By the end of the day, every single one of us was exhausted. As exhausted as a third grader can be. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, where a traveler who is stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead alongside the road is helped by a Samaritan, who is supposed to despise him. “Jesus is described as telling the parable in response to a provocative question from a lawyer, ‘And who is my neighbor?’, in the context of the Great Commandment. The conclusion is that the neighbor figure in the parable is the one who shows mercy to the injured fellow man—that is, the Samaritan.(5) The Ellis Island simulation taught me empathy and to think critically. How we treat others, especially in times of great need, reflects who we are. Our character, our morals, our self-concept are tested. Who and why were some immigrants permitted first-class access to our country, while others were deported? Who was already here? Who was brought here against their will? This was at the beginning of my journey to transformation. Altruism & Moral Identity Who is a parent or guardian? Who is a grandparent? Great-grandparent? I always knew I wanted to get married and be a parent. It was one of those feelings you have that you can’t exactly explain. But after that knowledge came other realizations. I also came to know I was gay. And, at the time, 1987, there was no visible precedent for being a gay and a father. There was no visible precedent for same sex marriage. Brother Smith: I didn’t know you were there. I didn’t know it was possible. I’m glad to know you and your story now. There seemed only pain and suffering within the gay community, from generations of oppression, hate crimes to AIDS. It wasn’t safe to be me. So, at 12 years old, I made a choice. I was going to bury my sexual orientation and pretend to be straight. Very very long story short, that didn’t work, and I wouldn’t be standing here if it had. In 2001, Josh and I met in Virginia. We did as much legal paperwork as possible to simulate legal marriage. In 2002, we relocated to Columbia, Maryland so we could begin the domestic infant adoption process. The home study, the medical screenings, the health and fire inspections and fingerprints and background checks and the daycare slot with an unknown due date. In 2005, our eldest son came home at 16 days old. In 2006, we got domestically partnered in D.C. In 2009, our youngest son came home to us at two days old. In 2010, just like Brother Smith, we dropped off our boys at daycare, skipped work, donned our best Hawaiian shirts, and headed right to the courthouse with our dearest friends. Nine years after we committed to each other and to creating a family together, we were considered legally married. Why did it take so long for our relationship and commitment to be legally recognized? Why did we have to relocate our home and jobs to start the adoption process? Why was I still seen as an abomination? Morally deficit, unworthy and ungodly? Why was it so easy for some to proclaim that LGBTQIA(6) people were less than human and undeserving of any protections? Isn’t it in everyone’s best interest to protect families? In 2016, we moved from Columbia to Woodbine. As I was beginning to get more involved in the PTA, I read a book that deeply resonated with me. In “UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World,” by Dr. Michele Borba, she provides several case studies on developing and exercising empathy.(7) One of the references within this book was to the work of Samuel P. Oliner, a Holocaust survivor, and his wife Pearl. In “Altruistic Personality: Rescuers of Jews In Nazi Europe,” published in 1988, the Oliners interviewed over 700 rescuers and bystanders to explore their experiences and motivations.(8) What were the qualities that made them react so profoundly differently than the majority? In Dr. Borba’s words, she highlights that most rescuers were: Deeply empathetic, they couldn’t stand by and watch others suffer [They had a] strong sense of self efficacy, believed they could make a difference and help others [They] internalized a strong identity based on caring values, and an ethic of social responsibility that they learned from their parents. When the rescuers asked what values their parents taught them, 44% cited caring or generosity. In contrast, bystanders were far more centered on their own needs or felt only obliged to help only a small circle of others. Their parents were more likely to stress monetary values, “Be thrifty, Get a good job,” than caring about moral concerns.(7) In the lectionary reading of Galatians 5:1, 13-25, we consider motivations. “Do we act the same way when we know no-body is watching? Sometimes we do good to earn the approval of people. Sometimes to earn the approval of God. Sometimes to appease our own guilt or sense of unworthiness. In God’s economy, ‘being’ is of far more worth than ‘doing’.”(9) Who are you? What are you ‘being’? What are you placing value on in your relationships? Are you modeling behavior for the children? This has informed my parenting as part of my journey to transformation. Humanity, Healing & Love I don’t know about you, but something broke inside me during COVID-lockdown in 2020. It wasn’t one specific thing or event. It was the tsunami of the unknown virus, the constant fear for the health and safety of my family, the incomprehensible political response and messaging and watching the rotation of the world come to a slow stop. And during that stop, something else happened. The world, that was already in some form of suspension watched – witnessed – the murder of George Floyd. Now, at the beginning of my talk, I told you I was going to share foundational experiences that made me who I am. That day and the days that followed felt like a hole had opened in my chest and love and worry and hope and fear that had accumulated came bursting out. I was in the storm. I was simultaneously fed-up with humanity and hopeful that this time we would finally help ourselves. My children are African American. They were both adopted as infants – 16 and 2 days old, when they came to us. Our eldest had a full head of hair and very soon a rolling laugh that Josh could get started with Creepy Mousey. Our youngest was two days old, though we met him when he was twelve hours old and had a persistent case of reflux. He slept reclined in a swing for the first six months. He was always smiling. And if I close my eyes, I can smell them. I can remember what it sounded like when they were drinking their bottles or squealing during bath time. My children have passed the threshold of being considered adorable and the family has moved into the knee-jerk reactions of white supremacy. We’ve had “the talk.” The talk Black parents give their children to protect them. How they are perceived differently by store owners, how they must act if stopped by law enforcement, how their skin alone – may be perceived as a threat. During lockdown, I started reading. I’ve never considered myself a reader. I started organizing. I never thought of myself as an activist. I started talking and connecting with people who were, as I would come to understand, weathering the storm with me. I connected with the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity, I connected with Howard County Courageous Conversations, I connected with my now colleague and friend, Paul S. Bracy, the founder of the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation. I was connecting with all these passionate people while at the same time being utterly disgusted with humanity. I was changing. Brother Sink mentioned in his talk how the benefits of the G.I. Bill, in 1944, welcoming home soldiers who fought in World War II, was accessible to almost exclusively white Americans. And, how that, and laws to come, compounded an already racially divided country. Much of my reading and learning has been focused on the historical and social construction of race and the effects of white supremacy(10). In “Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America,” by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, highlights that the concept of race or a racial hierarchy didn’t exist until the time of Aristotle [384 to 322 BCE]. Aristotle cast Greeks as the ideal, at the top of the human hierarchy, and Greece supreme with its intermediate climate. To Aristotle, extreme hot and cold climates produced Barbarians, inferior and lacking capacity for freedom and self-government. Enter the concept of natural slavery.(11) In “The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together,” by Heather McGhee, she posits that many white Americans view race as a zero-sum game: There’s an us and a them, and what’s good for them is bad for us. This rationale animates our public policies even today, when those who benefit from our country’s drastic economic inequality sell the zero-sum story to block public support for any collective action that benefits us all, from universal healthcare to living wages. Further, according to McGhee, “racism hurts everyone, and when Whites and people of color manage to work together, it’s better for everybody.” She believes that if Americans united across racial and ethnic lines, it would create a “solidarity dividend” that helps our entire society.(12) In “See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love,” Valarie Kaur declares revolutionary love is the call of our times, a radical, joyful practice that extends in three directions: to others, to our opponents, and to ourselves. It enjoins us to see no stranger but instead look at others and say: You are a part of me I do not yet know.(13) You are a part of me I do not yet know. Sometimes, I get really frustrated that it took me this long to learn some of these things. Why didn’t we learn about the unequal accessibility of the G.I. Bill?(12) Why didn’t we learn about red lining(14) or Black Wall Street or that New York City was the second largest slave port in the United States?(15) How did I get to be this many years old and not know this stuff? God gave me the opportunity to continue my transformative journey and draw a wider circle through becoming Chief Operating Officer at the Dock C. Bracy Center. Thank you for welcoming me into your circle. I would like to take this opportunity to invite you into my circle. Our shared vision is this: “The United States of America is a country where all children are valued and have equal access to health, happiness, education, personal freedom, and economic security. All institutions conduct their business in a manner to ensure the human rights of every child.”(16) In closing, it is with empathy, altruism, moral identity, a recognition of our shared humanity, healing and love that we can realize that shared vision. I welcome you to join me on my journey and to learn more about the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation. Thank you. God be with you. Definitions “LGBTQIA.” lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (one's sexual or gender identity), intersex, and asexual/aromantic/agender. “White supremacy.” 1 : the belief that the white race is inherently superior to other races and that white people should have control over people of other races 2 : the social, economic, and political systems that collectively enable white people to maintain power over people of other races Citations Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church. “9:00 AM Worship Service, June 19, 2022 - LLUMC.” YouTube, uploaded by Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church, 19 June 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt1ogc7vrJI&feature=youtu.be. Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church. “LLUMC 9:00 AM Service - July 5, 2022.” YouTube, uploaded by Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church, 5 June 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPV-9dkHSZw&feature=youtu.be. Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church. “9:00 AM Worship Service, June 19, 2022 - LLUMC.” YouTube, uploaded by Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church, 19 June 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt1ogc7vrJI&feature=youtu.be. “Ellis Island Simulation for Sponsors | AmericansAll.” Americans All, https://americansall.org/page/ellis-island-simulation-sponsors. Accessed 25 June 2022. Wikipedia contributors. (2022, June 19). Parable of the Good Samaritan. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:04, June 25, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Parable_of_the_Good_Samaritan&oldid=1093883766 “LGBTQIA” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/LGBTQIA. Accessed 25 Jun. 2022. Dr., Borba Michele. UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World. Reprint, Touchstone, 2017. Oliner, Samuel. The Altruistic Personality: Rescuers of Jews in Nazi Europe. Reprint, Touchstone, 1992. Clanger, Mother. “Galatians 5:1, 13–25.” The Reflectionary, 7 Aug. 2016, https://reflectionary.org/2016/06/13/galatians-51-13-25/. Kendi, Ibram. Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America (National Book Award Winner). Reprint, Bold Type Books, 2017. “White supremacy” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20supremacy. Accessed 15 Jun. 2022. McGhee, Heather. The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together. Reprint, One World, 2022. Kaur, Valarie. See No Stranger. Penguin Random House, 2021. Rothstein, Richard. The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. Reprint, Liveright, 2018. Smith, Clint. How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America. Little, Brown and Company, 2021. “The Pledge | Dock C. Bracy Center Inc.” Dock C. Bracy Center, www.dcbcenter.org/the-pledge. Accessed 25 June 2022.

Saturday, June 11, 2022, 12am – Monday, June 13, 2022, 12am EDT Please take a moment to ask yourself the following question. What is white people’s role in ending white supremacy? This is a thought exercise. You do not need to register for an event. Rather, please take time during the weekend of June 11, 2022 to contemplate this question and submit an idea at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnH4wV1jsJ_xAwWYVbTaOs2gAgowBC6ezqeBuJ_-ZCvDsA7g/viewform?usp=sf_link Learn more about this project and our work at: https://www.dcbcenter.org/post/using-algorithms-for-problem-solving

On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 12-1pm EDT (UTC-4), the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation participated in "Teaching Human Rights & Equity: A Conversation with Educators on Social Justice in the Classroom" on National Teachers' Day, hosted by Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity. The webinar featured the following panelists: Dr. Denise Boston, Equity and Restorative Practices Manager in the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity Randee Wilding, Chief Operating Officer in the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation Erika Chavarria, Wilde Lake High School Spanish Teacher and Founder of Columbia Community Cares Kenny Porritt, Reach Academy Program Lead and Special Educator at Long Reach High School Special thanks to our hosts Claudia Allen and Marla Moore from the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity. Recordings of the conversation are available at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoCoOHRE/videos/472012444676126 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTCAV4gXZIA

On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, 12-1pm EDT (UTC-4), the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation participated in "Parenting with Pride" hosted by Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity. The webinar featured several panelists including Randee Wilding, Chief Operating Officer, Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation. Special thanks to our host Marla Moore from the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity. A recording of the conversation is available at: https://youtu.be/o0YyoiL7K4Q "Make sure you watch the replay of Parenting with Pride! You can catch the replay here or on the Howard County Government YouTube channel. This was a phenomenal, eye-opening discussion that you truly do not want to miss." #Pride

Photo by MARK JARRET CHAVOUS/THE ENTERPRISE Every member of our Finding Your Voice Program (FYVP) has taken the following personal Pledge: I pledge to educate myself on racism issues and all other forms of human oppression and to share my learning with my family, my circle of friends, my co-workers, and my community even if it means challenging conversations with those I encounter. I pledge to seek out information and opportunities to understand how I and others have been affected by racist mythology and to expand my consciousness to be more aware and sensitive to the use of overt and subtle expressions of racial stereotypes. I pledge to display courage in the presence of racial injustice, to call out racism where and when it occurs and to facilitate open and compassionate conversations that will contribute to better understanding of the effects of racist mythology on all people. I pledge to support public policy solutions that will prominently, openly, and enthusiastically promote racial equity in all aspects of human affairs, and to work to eradicate racism from our society. This month, we're spotlighting Sam Baumgarten, FYVP member, and Bridgewater Communities for Civil Rights (BCCR) for their continued Pride Month efforts. For the second consecutive year, Bridgewater (MA) Communities for Civil Rights made a request to the Bridgewater Town Council to write and support a resolution recognizing Pride Month and raising the Pride Flag in Bridgewater. The Council was unanimous in its support, and the flag raising ceremonies took place on June 1st. The Pride Flag will fly until June 15th, and will then be replaced by the Juneteenth Flag, the first time that flag will go up in Bridgewater. Please read The Enterprise June 3, 2022 "Bridgewater kicks off Pride Month celebration with flag raising ceremony" at: https://www.enterprisenews.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2022/06/03/bridgewater-kicks-pride-month-celebration-flag-raising-ceremony/7479393001/ For more information about BCCR, please visit their website at: https://www.bccrcivilrights.org

We've all heard about algorithms and how they affect what we see on social media. Some of you may have experience with crowdsourcing. Today, we're going to try something different and we would like your help. We know that everyone has some ideas on how to create positive change. We believe that it's going to take ten percent of the population (The Tipping Point) to achieve our shared vision. We also believe algorithms and crowdsourcing can be used for problem solving social issues. We should be using every available tool. This is an invitation to add your voice. Today, we're asking you to anonymously answer the following question: What can white people do to combat white supremacy? What are you going to do with all those ideas? Allow for idea collection time. Apply the topic modeling algorithm to the collected text. Publish a summary of the collected information. Decide if this process was successful and, if so, repeat it. Please share this with others and subscribe to our mailing list for organizational and program updates. Related Articles "Preventing racial hate crimes means tackling white supremacist ideology" Rashawn Ray, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, The Brookings Institute https://www.brookings.edu/blog/how-we-rise/2022/05/17/preventing-racial-hate-crimes-means-tackling-white-supremacist-ideology/ "Opinion White Americans must speak out against white supremacy" Michele L. Norris, May 16, 2022, The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/05/16/white-americans-speak-against-great-replacement-theory/ "Topic Modeling Case Study, Introduction to Text Analysis: A Coursebook" Brandon Walsh and Sarah Horowitz https://walshbr.com/textanalysiscoursebook/book/topic-modeling/topic-modeling-case-study/ Definitions Crowdsourcing is the practice of obtaining information by enlisting the services of a large number of people. Topic modeling is a computer algorithm which reads text input and summarizes the top ten topics (or themes) that are found within the text. This model can be used in a variety of ways, such as reducing a large set of documents to a smaller subset containing topics of interest.

Reading for Understanding: Monthly Virtual Book Discussions FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2022 Marlborough, MA – The Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation today announced the book selection of its 2023 monthly book discussion series, Reading for Understanding. As a learning organization, the Center seeks to provide opportunities to promote understanding and empathy. The book discussion provides participants with a shared experience and an opportunity to engage with others. “Our Reading for Understanding workgroup has been collaborating to plan an excellent year of monthly reading and celebration of black-owned bookstores. Our hope is that communities and organizations will join us for the discussions and/or reuse our resources for their own discussions. We use the book as a shared experience and the virtual breakout rooms as an opportunity to engage with others from around the world.” -- Randee Wilding, Chief Operating Officer The Center’s Reading for Understanding monthly book discussions are free and have two requirements: Read the book and make time for the discussion. The 2023 Reading for Understanding book discussion schedule and celebrated black-owned bookstore is as follows: The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Others, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 7-9pm EST (UTC-5). Bookstore: Da Book Joint, Chicago, Illinois, https://www.dabookjoint.com A Country of Strangers: Blacks and Whites in America by David K. Shipler, Wednesday, February 22, 2023 7-9pm EST (UTC-5). Bookstore: Cafe con Libros, Brooklyn, New York, https://www.cafeconlibrosbk.com America for Americans: A History of Xenophobia in the United States by Erika Lee, Wednesday, March 22, 2023, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). Bookstore: Uncle Bobbies, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, https://www.unclebobbies.com An Uncommon Faith: A Pragmatic Approach to the Study of African American Religion by Eddie S. Glaude Jr., Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). Bookstore: Community Book Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, https://readcbc.com How the Other Half Eats: The Untold Story of Food and Inequality in America by Priya Fielding-Singh, PhD, Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). Bookstore: Ida’s Bookshop, Collingswood, New Jersey, https://www.oursisterbookshops.com/idas Living While Black: Using Joy, Beauty, and Connection to Heal Racial Trauma by Guilaine Kinouani, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). Bookstore: The Dock Bookshop, Fort Worth, Texas, https://www.thedockbookshop.com Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present by Harriet A. Washington, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). Bookstore: Dare Books, Longwood, Florida, https://darebooks.com Not a Nation of Immigrants: Settler Colonialism, White Supremacy, and a History of Erasure and Exclusion by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Wednesday, August 23, 2023, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). Bookstore: Reparations Club, Los Angeles, California, https://rep.club Why We Can’t Wait by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). Bookstore: Mahogany Books, Washington, D.C., https://www.mahoganybooks.com Learning from the Germans: Race and the Memory of Evil by Susan Nieman, Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). Bookstore: Black Pearl Books, Austin, Texas, https://blackpearlbookstore.com The Other Slavery: The Uncovered Story of Indian Enslavement in America by Andres Resendez, Wednesday, November 22, 2023, 7-9pm EST (UTC-5). Bookstore: Word Up Community Bookshop, New York, New York, https://www.wordupbooks.com Racism Without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in America by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, Wednesday, December 27, 2023, 7-9pm EST (UTC-5). Bookstore: Blackstone Bookstore, Ypsilanti, Michigan, https://www.blackstonebookstore.com The 2022 Reading for Understanding book discussion schedule is as follows: You Are Your Best Thing by Tarana Burke, Brené Brown, Wednesday, June 22, 2022, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America by Ijeoma Oluo, Wednesday, August 24, 2022, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph, Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho, Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 7-9pm EDT (UTC-4). The Purpose of Power by Alicia Garza, Wednesday, November 23, 2022, 7-9pm EST (UTC-5). Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson, Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 7-9pm EST (UTC-5). If you are interested in participating in our Reading for Understanding events, please register at: https://www.dcbcenter.org/events. What should a participant expect? Participants should expect an email with a read-ahead presentation and a one question quiz to access the meeting credentials preceding the event. All book discussions are two hours and use Zoom breakout rooms to create small virtual discussion groups. We start together as a large group (7-7:10pm), briefly return to a large group at the half-way point (7:50-8pm) and conclude as a large group (8:40-9pm). Virtual doors open at 6:45pm, unless otherwise noted. All times are Eastern United States. Support black-owned bookstores. Where and how you choose to spend money has power. Visit https://aalbc.com/bookstores/list.php to find a store in your area or shop directly from https://aalbc.com. “African American Literature Book Club, AALBC.com is the oldest, largest, and most frequently visited web site dedicated to books by, or about, people of African descent. Started in 1997, AALBC.com is a widely recognized source of information about Black authors.” Source: AALBC.com Participants are encouraged to continue learning through the Center’s Eradicating Racism: A Path Forward learning series and joining our Finding Your Voice Program. About the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation The Dock C. Bracy Center is committed to human reconciliation and the eradication of racism and other forms of human oppression. Our work focuses on healing the internal emotional and cognitive harms that have allowed racism to continue to thrive in our society. We support the efforts of many other groups and individuals by providing opportunities for learning and self-reflection so that strategies to eradicate racism can become more successful. Additional information about the Center can be found by visiting the website and by following @dcbcenter. The Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation Website: http://www.dcbcenter.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/dcbcenter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dockcbracycenter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dcbcenter LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/dcbcenter TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@dcbcenter YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEWo3ofiX7CdQDzHUsn3N2Q ###

We're pleased to announce that our Reading for Understanding group is now on Goodreads. This supplements our monthly virtual events and enables the ability for asynchronous discussion for a wider audience. Please use the following invitation link to join us on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/group/invite/1170098-reading-for-understanding?invite_token=NDkyMjJkYWMtN2Y2YS00NGZiLWI2MjMtNTM0NzJiMzNjMWEx&utm_medium=email&utm_source=copypastegroup. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our email list below.

Reading for Understanding: Monthly Virtual Book Discussion The Center’s Reading for Understanding monthly book discussions are free and have two requirements: Read the book and make time for the discussion. Virtual small group book discussion of "Barracoon: The Story of the Last Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston. Please purchase and read/listen to "Barracoon: The Story of the Last Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston before our virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 25th, 7-9pm Eastern Standard Time. "A major literary event: a newly published work from the author of the American classic Their Eyes Were Watching God, with a foreword from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, brilliantly illuminates the horror and injustices of slavery as it tells the true story of one of the last-known survivors of the Atlantic slave trade--abducted from Africa on the last "Black Cargo" ship to arrive in the United States." Source: https://www.mahoganybooks.com/9780062748218 Please purchase and read/listen to "Barracoon: The Story of the Last Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston before our virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 25th, 7-9pm Eastern Standard Time. Register today at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/225845880107 Reading for Understanding Monthly virtual book discussions hosted by the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation As a learning organization, the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation seeks to provide opportunities to promote understanding and empathy. Book discussions provide participants with a shared experience and an opportunity to engage with others. The Center’s Reading for Understanding monthly book discussions are free and have two requirements: Read the book and make time for the discussion. What should a participant expect? Participants should expect an email with a read-ahead presentation and meeting credentials the Monday preceding the event. All book discussions are two hours and use Zoom breakout rooms to create small discussion groups. We start together as a large group (7-7:10pm), briefly return to a large group at the half-way point (7:50-8pm) and conclude as a large group (8:40-9pm). Virtual doors open at 6:45pm, unless otherwise noted. All times are Eastern Standard Time. Support black-owned or independent bookstores. Many black-owned and independent bookstores now offer shipping. Find a store in your area and shop in-person or online. Participants are encouraged to continue learning through the Center’s Eradicating Racism: A Path Forward learning series. About the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation The Dock C. Bracy Center is committed to human reconciliation and the eradication of racism and other forms of human oppression. Our work focuses on healing the internal emotional and cognitive harms that have allowed racism to continue to thrive in our society. We support the efforts of many other groups and individuals by providing opportunities for learning and self-reflection so that strategies to eradicate racism can become more successful. Additional information about the Center can be found by visiting the website and by following @dcbcenter. The Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation Website: http://www.dcbcenter.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/dcbcenter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dockcbracycenter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dcbcenter LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/dcbcenter

Paul: It is with deep sadness that I write to you about my reactions to the mass killing in Buffalo NY at Tops Supermarket where 10 people loss their life and 3 were wounded in what appears to have been a racially motivated tragedy. Here at the Center our loving thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims including the family and loved ones of the suspect. There are no words to make sense of this tragedy or any other whether it’s a mass killing or a single life lost. I won’t try. Our democracy as it exists today is in danger, the MAGA Movement is real and in front of our faces every day, its mantra is white nationalism, its leader wants to make this country a dictatorship ruled by him for whites. This problem of white nationalism extends far beyond the borders of the United States. In-fact the white replacement theory began in France. What is the tipping point for “concerned” white people? Was I surprised by this tragedy? Yes and No. Surprised because here again the suspected mass killer is young. Not surprised, because white supremacy messaging has become mainstream consumption for many people, the audience is large. What is troubling, is the silence and lack of action by “concerned” “liberal” white people. This is a problem within their group visited on non-white people and others. People of Color cannot fix this problem they can and will support and participate in transforming our society, however concerned white people in significant numbers have yet to demonstrate they understand and are committed to resolving this issue. Thus, there is questioning among People of Color whether white people can be trusted. It will be impossible to build the kinds of allyships necessary to transform our society to include all without committed white people in large numbers. Do “concerned” white people see a threat to them and the people they love as I see the threat to me and the people I love? Thoughts + Emotions determine Behavior leading to Outcomes is a simple model. I thought about this model in reference to the suspected mass killer. This is not a professional opinion or conclusion, rather it comes from what has been reported: Thoughts and Emotions: radicalized by white replacement theory creating a perceived threat; Behavior: prepare to and kill the enemies of his group; Outcomes: death, destruction, unimaginable pain, trauma, for families and loved ones including his own. 10 people dead 3 people wounded and one young man’s life altered forever because of a lie. Is there a large segment of whites who feel that the changing demographics are a threat to them? I feel pretty certain that Payton S. Gendron, 18 years of age, did not receive an honest and truthful education about his country’s history or his connectedness to all of humanity, had he perhaps he would not have become radicalized and make the decisions he did. You, me and others may be unsure what needs to be done, but that should not stop us from engaging in serious problem-solving endeavors to find out and develop strategies and solutions to eradicate white supremacy mythology and protect the youngest amongst us from those corrupting messages. The work we have been doing in the Finding Your Voice Program, concerning teaching a more accurate account of US history is appropriate, important and necessary. Finding your voice in this conversation is essential, using your understanding and compassion is crucial to bringing others along. I must remind myself at times like this, that the Dock C. Bracy Center for Human Reconciliation is embarked not in a sprint to a finish line but rather a marathon of personal and societal transformations and that I am a significant piece of the transformation as you are. We need to lay the foundation together for others to continue and complete the transformation. Randee: I don’t presume to know how you’re feeling. I’m telling you how I feel, parent to parent -- human to human. My heart is aching, my jaw is clenched and my anxiety level is high. I'm writing to you about my parental instinct. This past weekend, my family and I had the privilege to visit a very scenic area in my state. It's also primarily white. Restaurants, parks, mini-golf, markets — all almost exclusively white spaces. I am white and my children are black. They are also teenagers. One son loves to plan ahead — food, activities, purchases, etc.. He also loves watching video gamers on Twitch, a live streaming service that focuses on video games. This weekend, he had already asked to go to an arcade (picture Chuck E. Cheese) that we love to visit when we visit this area. "Absolutely," I said. When we got back to where we were staying on Saturday night, my husband and I heard the news about the mass shooting in Buffalo. "Honey, I need you to stay off Twitch," I said to my youngest son. "A white supremacist shot people and broadcasted it." "OK," he said. The next morning, as planned, we headed to the arcade. We got there right when they opened, so we were the first ones in. The boys got tokens and ran in separate directions to their favorite machines, while I'm sipping my coffee and noticing what new machines were installed. A couple minutes later, the door to the arcade opened and in walked about five young white men. Suddenly, I was on high-alert. Whatever the parental alarm that sounds when there is a perceived risk was blaring in my head. Where were my children? For the next few minutes, I bounced back and forth trying to keep an eye on the group of men and my children. Where is the nearest exit? What can I throw? Will I be able to keep them safe? Then, they were gone. The group had purchased their activity tickets and had gone on. What just happened? Is this what black people feel like in white spaces? Breath. Is that how white people feel when they see my teenage sons or any black person? Is the great replacement theory (GRT) activating some base instinct? Do white people really believe that their existence and their progeny is at risk? Apparently, they do and I was blissfully unaware. On Monday, Michele L. Norris wrote: "GRT is like the fertilizer that feeds and sustains white fear when America’s racial makeup is changing. These trends will continue and how that is explained — or alternatively exploited — will impact the safety and security of all Americans." Source: The Washington Post, Opinion, May 16, 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/05/16/white-americans-speak-against-great-replacement-theory/. At 18, the shooter — the domestic terrorist — was so fearful that he and his whiteness were going to be replaced, he planned to kill as many black people as possible. He felt so threatened that he killed ten black people and would have continued, had he not been stopped? My parental instinct did exactly what it was supposed to do. Continually do threat assessments. My heart is doing what it is supposed to do too. What is your heart telling you?