Anti-racism education builds resilience for everyone. Evidence shows that systemic injustice has a negative effect not only on marginalized community members who are directly impacted, but on every community member, regardless of identity. Studies support the idea that when communities take action to address racism, outcomes for every group improve.
The facilitator, Sultana Khan, is a writer, organizer, and consultant who lives in New England. She works with community members, educators, and young people to increase their understanding and activism around social change. Sultana believes equitable communities can only be developed through education, acknowledgement, and action, and tailors her approach to meet people wherever they are in their journey towards collective liberation. Her writing has been published locally and nationally, and her first book of nonfiction essays is forthcoming. Sultana is a queer woman of color and can most often be found splashing around in cold bodies of water.
Bias and Brain Development: Session 1
This workshop will use Daniel Kahneman’s theory of fast and slow thinking to explain how representation, societal structure, and brain development create a culture of biased thinking and behavior.
Microaggressions – Reflecting on Harmful Language: Session 2
This workshop will expose and explain the subtle nature of microaggressions, which are defined as "daily verbal, behavioral, and environmental communications, whether intentional or unintentional, that transmit hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to a target person because they belong to a stigmatized group."
A Racial History of Maine: Session 3
This workshop will explore the history of racial prejudice in Maine, from the persecution of residents of Malaga Island to the KKK to the history of US relations with the Tribes that have lived in this area for thousands of years. This real history is a necessary component of anti-racism education for Mainers.