Anti-Racism in the Abroad Context

Structural racism in the United States is the normalization and legitimization of an array of dynamics—historical, cultural, institutional, and interpersonal—that routinely advantages white people while producing cumulative and chronic adverse outcomes for people of color. It is a system of hierarchy and inequity primarily characterized by white supremacy—the preferential treatment, privilege, and power for white people at the expense of other racially oppressed people. It is also important to recognize that racism is a global issue and continues to be perpetuated in societies across the globe and it manifests in many different ways at various levels. This anti-racism workshop in an abroad context aims to offer an entryway for students to engage in observing how racism plays out in different societies outside the United States, utilizing examples, particularly media representation, that may reflect deeper messages, and what it means to be anti-racist for American students who have been abroad, or may be visiting, studying, or traveling abroad.

This workshop will engage participants in the following activities:

• Better understanding of the phrase “anti-racism”
• Learning about race and its nuances
• Recognizing how culture can shape the development of racism and power structures
• Seeing how media around the world uphold oppression in different ways
• Creating action steps toward actively recognizing oppression abroad

This workshop is designed for U-M master’s students, doctoral students, and postdoctoral scholars on all three campuses; therefore, only U-M graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are permitted to register for this workshop. While this workshop is being facilitated on behalf of Rackham’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Professional Development Certificate Program, it is open to all U-M graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. For faculty and staff, please contact [email protected] to ask if we can accommodate your attendance.

Registration is required at https://myumi.ch/6399X.

We want to ensure full and equitable participation in our events. If an accommodation would promote your full participation in this event, please follow the registration link to indicate your accommodation requirements. Please let us know as soon as possible in order to have adequate time, preferably one week, to arrange for your requested accommodations or an effective alternative.