Hollins and Govan have pooled together resources, assessment tools, examples, and counter examples to the most common everyday happenings when facilitating tough conversations. Articulating the obvious patterns of behavior, of both a group of participants and as facilitators, this manual holds one's hand and eradicates excuses surrounding touchy subjects, personal triggers, internalized self-doubt, and our common journey to unveil if not dismantle complex systems of oppression. After 10 years of doing this work, I feel more prepared to continue and wish I had this tool a decade ago.
As the lead trainer for the YWCA of Seattle|King|Snohomish and an activist for 20 years, I believe that Caprice Hollins and Ilsa Govan have created an extremely effective way to have courageous conversation around race and racism. Their organized approach, along with an understanding of how the human mind comprehends information and the human heart processes feelings around cultural competency, race and racism is outstanding. As culturally competent training around race has become a cornerstone to effective policy and program solutions, their book could not come at a better time.
Wow! This book is the most practical, comprehensive, useful guide for facilitating courageous conversations on race that I've ever read. I've attended a few of Cultures Connecting workshops and have been impressed with the facilitators' ability to create dynamic, inclusive AND challenging workshops that move everyone forward in their cultural competence. The expertise that Caprice and Ilsa offer in this book is invaluable for any facilitator wanting to grow their skills. I cannot recommend it enough and will definitely use these strategies in future trainings I facilitate.
The illumination that there is no 'one right way to engage in conversations about racism, power and privilege' was very freeing. Caprice and Ilsa offer a number of strategies and thoughtful approaches on how we can respectfully engage in often-difficult conversations, which helps to keep me mindful that the onus is on me, not the other person. Since reading this book, I am moved to discard my tired mantra of 'if only I had said' and revise it to 'if only I had asked.' I can see how this little change can advance a conversation in a very powerful way!
Do you have a passion to authentically penetrate one of the most unfinished conversations in the United States? This thought-provoking book offers: An opportunity to extend on how you currently engage folks in courageous discussions on “race” while simultaneously strengthening your own reflective journey towards cultural competence! I encourage you to do what I have done-to grasp onto the gift of this radiant vision and interweave it’s brilliance into your present work!
Caprice & Ilsa have taken Richard Bach's admonition to heart in this book: “Learning is finding out what we already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you." Their fabulous book helps new and seasoned facilitators learn, do and teach so that participants in these conversations can approach conversations on race with open hearts and grace.
Caprice D. Hollins and Ilsa M. Govan have created an honest and forthright, multiple perspectives guide for all levels of racial and social justice workshop facilitators. From how to organize and maximize the physical space and create a productive, engaging atmosphere, to methods for redirecting those who attempt to control the conversation, this guide offers direction for engaging in honest, critical dialogue. Authors offer ways to scaffold prior knowledge, defuse intercultural conflict and engage in the introspective reflection required to be successful in social justice activism. A welcome addition to the field.
Leading one of the most diverse school districts in the nation requires me to not only continue to develop my own cultural competency but to ensure our school community also invests itself in this lifelong work. Dr. Caprice Hollins and Ilsa Govan have produced an invaluable tool-kit that drives home how race, prejudice and bias impact our society and the schoolhouse. They provide us with practical exercises and strategies to shepherd personal and institutional growth. Through understanding, not judgment, they help us to see the world through a compassionate lens that enables us to push one another toward greater competence while cultivating the human goodness we each possess. The authors, both with strong backgrounds in education, demonstrate profound understanding of the complexity of this work. This book ought to be considered foundational for all school leaders as we collective deliver on the moral imperative of creating a more equitable and just society.
As the lead trainer for the YWCA of SeattleKingSnohomish and an activist for 20 years, I believe that Caprice Hollins and Ilsa Govan have created an extremely effective way to have courageous conversation around race and racism. Their organized approach, along with an understanding of how the human mind comprehends information and the human heart processes feelings around cultural competency, race and racism is outstanding. As culturally competent training around race has become a cornerstone to effective policy and program solutions, their book could not come at a better time.
Caprice & Ilsa have taken Richard Bach's admonition to heart in this book: "Learning is finding out what we already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you." Their fabulous book helps new and seasoned facilitators learn, do and teach so that participants in these conversations can approach conversations on race with open hearts and grace.
Caprice D. Hollins and Ilsa M. Govan have created an honest and forthright, multiple perspectives guide for all levels of racial and social justice workshop facilitators. From how to organize and maximize the physical space and create a productive, engaging atmosphere, to methods for redirecting those who attempt to control the conversation, this guide offers direction for engaging in honest, critical dialogue. Authors offer ways to scaffold prior knowledge, defuse intercultural conflict and engage in the introspective reflection required to be successful in social justice activism. A welcome addition to the field.
Do you have a passion to authentically penetrate one of the most unfinished conversations in the United States? This thought-provoking book offers: An opportunity to extend on how you currently engage folks in courageous discussions on "race" while simultaneously strengthening your own reflective journey towards cultural competence! I encourage you to do what I have done-to grasp onto the gift of this radiant vision and interweave it's brilliance into your present work!
Hollins and Govan have pooled together resources, assessment tools, examples, and counter examples to the most common everyday happenings when facilitating tough conversations. Articulating the obvious patterns of behavior, of both a group of participants and as facilitators, this manual holds one's hand and eradicates excuses surrounding touchy subjects, personal triggers, internalized self-doubt, and our common journey to unveil if not dismantle complex systems of oppression. After 10 years of doing this work, I feel more prepared to continue and wish I had this tool a decade ago.
Leading one of the most diverse school districts in the nation requires me to not only continue to develop my own cultural competency but to ensure our school community also invests itself in this lifelong work. Dr. Caprice Hollins and Ilsa Govan have produced an invaluable tool-kit that drives home how race, prejudice and bias impact our society and the schoolhouse. They provide us with practical exercises and strategies to shepherd personal and institutional growth. Through understanding, not judgment, they help us to see the world through a compassionate lens that enables us to push one another toward greater competence while cultivating the human goodness we each possess. The authors, both with strong backgrounds in education, demonstrate profound understanding of the complexity of this work. This book ought to be considered foundational for all school leaders as we collective deliver on the moral imperative of creating a more equitable and just society.
The illumination that there is no 'one right way to engage in conversations about racism, power and privilege' was very freeing. Caprice and Ilsa offer a number of strategies and thoughtful approaches on how we can respectfully engage in often-difficult conversations, which helps to keep me mindful that the onus is on me, not the other person. Since reading this book, I am moved to discard my tired mantra of 'if only I had said' and revise it to 'if only I had asked.' I can see how this little change can advance a conversation in a very powerful way!
Wow! This book is the most practical, comprehensive, useful guide for facilitating courageous conversations on race that I've ever read. I've attended a few of Cultures Connecting workshops and have been impressed with the facilitators' ability to create dynamic, inclusive AND challenging workshops that move everyone forward in their cultural competence. The expertise that Caprice and Ilsa offer in this book is invaluable for any facilitator wanting to grow their skills. I cannot recommend it enough and will definitely use these strategies in future trainings I facilitate.
