Day 6: Levels of Racism

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“Americans believe in the reality of ‘race’ as a defined, indubitable feature of the natural world. Racism—the need to ascribe bone-deep features to people and then humiliate, reduce, and destroy them—inevitably follows from this inalterable condition. In this way, racism is rendered as the innocent daughter of Mother Nature, and one is left to deplore…

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Day 5: Racial Socialization

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“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” – Lilla Watson, Indigenous Australian or Murri visual artist, activist and academic Socialization is a process we all go through – it’s how we…

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Day 4: Talking About Race & Racism

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“Oftentimes people of color are asked to educate white people on issues that the person of color has lived with and thought about for their entire lives. That can be very psychologically and emotionally exhausting for a person to then have to care about the white person’s feelings and to take those extra efforts so…

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News & Updates from CapCAN

Resources Available: The Capital Area College Access Network has partnered with its network of Historically Black Colleges and Universities alumni and advocates to provide you with a revised resource guide. HBCUs are dedicated to the mission of increasing postsecondary opportunities for Black and brown students, fostering a culture of belonging and educational equity. Get Your…

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Day 3: What is Privilege

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“For those of us called white, whiteness simply is. Whiteness becomes, for us, the unspoken, interrogated norm, taken for granted, much as water can be taken for granted by a fish.” ― Tim Wise, White Like Me Privilege is the unearned social, political, economic, and psychological benefits of membership in a group that has institutional…

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Day 2: Understanding and Reflecting on Bias

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“Worse than being less than you, is if you are perceived as a threat” John A. Powell, Othering & Belonging Institute, UC-Berkeley We all have biases. Bias is a preference in favor of or against a person, group of people,idea or thing that affects our understanding, actions and decisions. But often we’re notaware of our…

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Day 1: How do you think about your racial and social identity?

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“Not seeing race does little to deconstruct racist structures or materially improve the conditions which people of color are subject to daily. In order to dismantle unjust, racist structures, we must see race. We must see who benefits from their race, who is disproportionately impacted by negative stereotypes about their race, and to who power…

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Nominations open for Capital Area Volunteer of the Year

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Annually, the United Way of South Central Michigan-Capital Area Volunteer Center recognizes community volunteers for their significant impact on nonprofits in the Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties through their gifts of time and talent. These awards recognize individuals who provide valuable volunteerism to our community through their dedication and hard work, making a difference in…

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A message from our Chief Equity Officer

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Thank you to those who have joined us for the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge. Over the next 21 days, you’ll join many colleagues, neighbors, friends, and family as we examine the history and impacts of racism in our community. You’re taking the first step by signing up for this challenge, and now the real work…

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Partner Spotlight: One Center, One Community, Many Services

Photo shows a mural on the side of the building with an image of a tree and the name Cristo Rey Community Center.

LANSING – Since 1968, Cristo Rey Community Center has played an important role in providing vital services to the Capital Area community, particularly the Latino community. The Center takes a holistic, hands-on approach to care for the whole person, including their mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. They achieve this through an array of services that support…

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