Programming

TRHT Symposium

Join George Mason University’s Center for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation for the Inaugural Truth and Racial Healing Symposium on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The Symposium will take place virtually with the opening ceremony beginning at 12:00pm.

The Inaugural theme, “To the Beat of One Drum”, has been adopted from the 2021 theme for the National Day of Racial Healing. The history of the drum represents the rhythm of the heart-space that unifies us throughout the human diaspora. Truth, racial healing, and transformation is an anti-racist movement seeking to repair harm caused by racist systems, structures, practices and policies. This symposium is formed as a means to unify and center us to seek solutions that dismantle these racist practices for the betterment of all humanity.

Please mark your calendars to hear from a line of great presenters that will engage you on topics of racial healing and transformation.

Schedule:

The Role of Black Women in American Democracy and the Black Freedom Struggle
April 6th | View the Recording | Pass: 687$qawS
Reading & Conversation w/ DaMaris B. Hill, PhD on the role of Black Women in American Democracy and the Black Freedom Struggle at George Mason University. Some of the topics to be discussed include the role of Black women in the anti-racism movement and the Black freedom struggle. This discussion will be moderated by Charles Chavis. This event will conclude with a Q+A moderated by Charles.

Civility and Tolerance Lecture by Rashawn Ray
April 13th | View the Recording | Pass: peyi5C#+
From mass shootings to police killings to hate crimes, the United States is witnessing what seems like an unprecedented number of violent and divisive incidents. During this #BlackLivesMatter movement, political polarization from Capitol Hill to the NFL is at one of the highest levels in our country’s history and social media seem to be another mechanism to segregate and isolate rather than unify

Presenting research from a series of studies on police-community relations, implicit bias, and the role of social media in establishing social movements, Ray argues that sociological findings on inequality inherently bends scholars toward social justice and leads to an obligation for social activism.

Consciousness is Power: Understanding Violence Against Asians in America
April 20th | View the Recording | Pass: STks9BH=
The recent rise in violence against Asians in America have alarmed, shocked, and angered many, however, this violence is not new. In this space, we will learn about the complex history of Asian America and uncover the systemic roots of their oppression. We will also highlight the rich history of solidarity between Asians and other communities of color, connecting that legacy to the work we see today. Finally, we will envision what safety in our communities can look like by creating and cultivating networks of care. 

Rx Racial Healing Circles

Rx Racial Healing Circles (RHCs), created by our center’s Senior Scholar Dr. Gail Christopher while at the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, are founded on the principles of jettisoning the hierarchy of human value and narrative change through storytelling. The uniqueness of RHCs come from their focus on health, well-being, agency, inclusion, and our common humanity.

Racial healing is an ongoing process beyond an individual circle experience. As such, we recommend that individuals engage in multiple racial healing and transformation activities for long-term, immersive learning.

How Can I Participate?

Our Spring 2021 open enrollment circles are full. However, you can sign up here to be the first to know about future open enrollment RHC dates or request an RHC in a closed enrollment format here for a specific Mason department, organization, or unit.