Page 30 - BigConversationsDismantlingRacism

Our detailed experience also supported them as they considered complementary events
within their own organizations or similar activities in our neighboring counties.

Steering committee members took all the input from the discussions and compiled a white
paper, which was shared with the Calvert County Board of Commissioners, Board of
Education and others. The white papers can be found on the BC Clearinghouse website:
www.dismantleracism.org Attachments (1) and (2).

Over 600 people are in our data basis as of Jan. 2019 and the number continues to grow.
The Big Conversation has become more than an activity. It has become a movement that is
sustainable because more and more people are becoming aware of it and want (or need) to
see change happen.

Insights

Relationships have to be built and trust has to be established before participants feel
comfortable having tough conversations. That takes time. Don’t rush it.

When people gathered for the conversations, we asked them to speak from their own life
experience, rather than debating a position. We asked them to talk about what was
important to them. When people speak from their own experience and share their own
unique story, it’s difficult to debate or argue positions. Facilitators listened carefully as
community members shared their thoughts. We reflected their feelings and thoughts, so
they felt heard. As a result of feeling heard, participants gained more clarity and were
better able to listen to each other’s perspective. A more comfortable give and take of shared
information grew with each conversation. Participants started to see the other in a new
light. They began to see commonalities. They began to see each other as fellow
humans…with like hopes, fears, dreams and needs. They began to form friendships. They
began to honor differences.

These conversations have been a transforming experience for steering committee members,
BC-DRaP partners, participants and the community. We are so grateful to have had this
opportunity. It has been life changing for those of us who have experienced it. There are no
experts. . . We are learning and growing together.

The following pages serve as a guide for creating a program like the Big Conversation on
Dismantling Racism and Privilege in Southern Maryland. Hopefully it will help others
create important conversations in their communities.

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