Thursday, May 30: Pre-Convention Workshop (afternoon)

Let’s Talk about Power:  Exploring Race, Identity Formation and Organizing

Defining Racism – Race Prejudice + (misuse of) systematic/institutional Power = Racism

Racial Prejudice comes with growing up in this country. (different from racism)

Majority of people believe changing hearts and minds will solve racism; but that puts you outside the construct, outside the institutional racism. Only part of the solution

Racism is:        Racism has the power to shape Identity and behavior

                        Racism shapes us on the deepest level of our psyche

                        We did not ask for it, but it is an outcome of living in a race-based system

                        we are socialized to internalize racism

            (The longer you swim in a culture, the more invisible it becomes.)

**The “Borderlands” are where you feel less powerful. (How does Diane define that?)

Exercise:          How did you learn the rules of race in your life?

Can you identify behaviors you have learned that are reflective of how power and race interact in your life?

Exercise:          Power Circle – What identities put you in the center(giving you power)?  What identities put you outside the circle (resulting in powerlessness)?

When a person of color enters a group we often become dependent on that  person to reflect her/his race and the needs of their race.  One person does not reflect an entire race of people.

Each organization must think about how they support the status quo that results in exclusion?

-Are the  needs and wants of the institution valued over needs and wants of  members/individuals?

- What happens when an organization brings radical Borderland identities (People of color, different sexual orientation etc) and world view into the institution?  How do people respond?

What challenges and conflicts emerge?

EVERY ORGANIZATION NEEDS TO CHANGE INTERNAL CULTURE TO GET TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

“TO STOP INSTITUTIONAL RACISM, WE MUST THROW A WRENCH INTO THE MACHINERY.”

SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES FIRST CAMPAIGN (overview)

 ***Slides will be provided (contact information provided to SCF working committee.)

                        This is in response to Prop 13’s 40 year assault

                        Biggest Winners have been corporations

                        Obstacles to Reform Prop 13 were discussed. Included in trainings and email information

                        Where Does Funding go also included in training

RESIDENTIAL & SMALL BUSINESS PROPERTY DOES NOT PAY MORE IN PROPERTY TAX

DONATIONS:  text 97779 to make donations mark it to say it is from LWV

This Proposition is building CA by making it equitable NOT equal

    The way money is spent was set by Prop. 13. NOT by new proposition

Recommendations:

•  Educate your own members
•      House parties
•      Program Meeting
• Start Neighborhood Groups
• Join Regional Coalitions
• Get Endorsements from elected officials
• Urge school districts, city council and Board of Supervisors to pass bills of support
• Create bookmarks or something with brief facts about proposition

Caucus: Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Voter Education and Empowerment

Lots of time was spend on using appropriate pronouns with transgender and gender non-conforming persons.

“Pronouns are not “preferred”.  You prefer cake over ice cream.  Pronouns are who we are.  “They are not there for you to choose what to call us.  I’m done saying “preferred pronouns” – my pronouns simply ARE my pronouns.”

Options:  he/him

                she/her

                they/them

Important to use correct pronoun.

Must be able to talk to Queer community.  Must be able to explain to them (as well as to all possible voters) how they will benefit from registering to vote and voting. 

Many of the Queer community are too frightened of going to a polling place.  Educate about Mail-in voting.  Escort to polling place.

Trans/Gender Non-conforming - Really focused on culturally competent poll workers and voter registration folks.  They encouraged connecting with the Queer community getting someone to train in queer culture and then inviting the Registrar of Voters and Local City Clerks to attend.  Then collaborate with Queer community on Voter Empowerment.  Emphasized that LGBTQ+ community needed access to voter registration and education in a safe place.  Need education about vote by mail, their rights especially if previously convicted, need to address homelessness, transportation, computer access, phone access,

CIVIL DISCOURSE:

(Mostly resources)

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CIVIL DISCOURSE (research, training of officials and community)

Weave Project. – David Brooks

                        Looking for a “relational culture” vs Individual or collective

Commonsense American:

            Recommendations for Civil Discourse:

•                         Identify issues
•                         Develop Issue Briefs
•                         Weigh In
•                         Advocate (AFTER 2/3 consensus)

Better Angels

Divided we Fall

#Revive Civility

Text Talk “Revive Civility (especially directed at youth

            Text: talk 89800

            Groups move through texted script together

Books:

•             Coming Apart – Jonathon Heights
•             Conversational Intelligence

Power of Democracy

Civic Learning Partnerships:  www.allsides.com/about

5 Leagues have Civil Discourse Committee

Caucus: CLIMATE CALAMITY/CLIMATE CRISIS.  Not Climate Change

Support Electrification of homes – Gas emits methane which is worse for environment than carbon.

climatechange [at] lwvc.org – to get to Climate Change Task Force for LWVC

Ideas and suggestions:  Starting with Local Action: Does your city have a climate action plan?  Help create one