Why Study?

As James Baldwin says, “Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Through study we can face difficult histories and conversations around race and racism, as well as the joyful, revolutionary, powerful movements that have fought for liberation. We can also correct the false, harmful narratives that were given to us and use that new-found knowledge to evaluate narratives that we will continue to encounter from the people around us, the media, and institutions like schools and workplaces.

Social movements throughout history have engaged in political education as a means to inform organizing and action in our streets, communities, and institutions. Our knowledge is not an end in itself. It is a tool to help us find ways to dismantle white supremacy and build strong communities.

"I went into this course completely unaware of all the wonderful, heartbreaking, and life-changing information it would expose me to. It helped me to combat the depression and hopelessness that previously surrounded my mentality on the subject of social change. Totally rad people :]"

-Study & Action participant

Why Action?

Study is a form of action, but sometimes people get stuck in it. We seek to understand so we can act. If we are not using our knowledge to actively dismantle white supremacy in ourselves, our communities, and our world, it is a fruitless and self-indulgent activity.

That is not to say that taking action is easy nor that, if we learn some arbitrary amount of facts, we will somehow intuitively know how to show up and take action. Building community for taking action with others and within ourselves is critical to making it a practice. The only way to build a better world is to do the work, and to make doing the work a lifelong practice.

It’s also important to note that action can look like a lot of different things. We will talk about this throughout the Study and Action course, but the most common idea of what “action” is - showing up to march and hold signs in the streets - while important, is far from the only form of action one can take. Action can also mean supporting mutual aid projects, helping with various projects of local organizations, even driving people to and from appointments or events.

"Study and Action gave me the tools, words, and support to take my activism from the armchair to the streets. The readings and discussions helped me gain knowledge and deeper understanding, and the accountability with like-minded people helped me find ways to put action behind my words."

-Study & Action participant

Why Study and Action?

Just as study can feel like spinning our wheels, action without study can be unfocused or ineffective. By combining study and action we seek to find ways to effectively get involved with abolition and liberation work and build radical community.

The state enacts violence intersectionally, therefore we must also work intersectionally. By coming together we break down silos and binaries. Abolitionist Ruth Wilson Gilmore talks about people having different entry points to liberation struggle through their different experiences and identities. Our coming together allows us to learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives and expand the footprint of abolition.

"Study & Action really helped guide my eyes, ears and heart towards the activism and community work that is transforming the world. I appreciated that the course intentionally uplifted the work of Black, Brown, Indigenous, queer, trans, and disabled scholars and activists rather than pointing us to watered-down or white-washed versions of history. I learned so much and feel like I have a new, hopeful context with which to continue engaging in social justice and anti-racist work."

-Study & Action participant

There are materials that need to be covered before each class, including the first class. Once signed up and confirmed, a link to the syllabus goes out in the welcome email, so you will know ahead of time what each week's materials are. There is a mix of reading, listening, and watching. People with varying abilities estimate studying to take 6 to 9 hours a week.

We also ask participants to commit to taking at least two actions during the course of Study and Action. Reading and studying is part of the unlearning/relearning process, but the ultimate purpose of study is to be able to show up and actively work against white supremacy. Action does not have to mean showing up at a protests, particularly in the time of COVID-19. Throughout the course we discuss what taking action looks like and support people in finding ways to show up that are sustainable and fit their circumstances.

Finally, we ask that participants donate $30 to a local BIPOC-led organization. Typically we will specify which organization in the welcome email that goes out to participants. The amount, however, is flexible. You can give more or less depending on your financial situation (participants hold themselves accountable for this). You are also welcome to ask people you know to give instead of giving yourself.

Ideally you can make all seven classes. We do a lot to build community to have hard conversations with, but we also know that life happens and sometimes you can't make all seven.

If you know in advance that you cannot make one class, you should fill out the registration form and one of our facilitators will contact you to discuss whether or not the current session is a good fit. We offer the course once a quarter (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall) with a break over November and December, so sometimes we ask folks to wait until the next session. However sometimes we will have you participate even if you will miss one class.

"This class not only gave me the information and resources to decolonize my thinking and become anti-racist, it also gave me a truly safe space to process this learning with others. My heart hurt, but that was okay. Sometimes I was nervous, but that was okay. We sat with the discomfort, but we did it together... and for that, I will be forever grateful."

-Study & Action participant

Yes. The course is free to take. We do ask participants to give $30 to one of the local organizations we work with, however we recognize that this amount, or a monetary donation in general, is not possible for all participants. We discuss other options for donations in the registration confirmation email, but please don't let this be the reason you decide not to take Study and Action!

Materials are provided through our syllabus so participants do not have to purchase any books, articles, or subscriptions.

"The Study and Action group is a great class and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in examining racism and how to start dismantling it."

-Study & Action participant