Book Club - The Conversation - Part 5 Prep
PART FIVE (Chapters 9-10)
Tuesday, May 18th 6:30pm-7:30pm
Join The Conversation on Zoom:
Link: https://zoom.us/j/97370478411?pwd=bk9tN1pxNTdMdDdtUE04WWlJQmN5QT09
Meeting ID: 973 7047 8411
Passcode: 236153
Access past sessions and view the schedule for upcoming Zoom book club meetings here > https://www.theyellowbirdtable.com/the-conversation
Pt. Five (5/18/21) Prep
Chapter Nine: The Moral Cost of Condoning Racism
Dr. Livingston delves even deeper into the layers of racism, describing how racism “violates basic standards of moral decency” (p. 163). He then goes on to describe and define to the reader the scientific investigation on morality and why taking an approach of apathy toward addressing racism is a problem (p.163), with a focus on the first foundation of morality - fairness/justice (p.163).
This leads to defying the difference between equality and equity (p. 164) which we’ve been hearing so much about in recent months/years. How would you describe your thoughts on this and why being well versed in this distinction is important? How does it impact your thoughts, choices, and perceived outcomes when relating to others?
Fairness vs. Entitlement - how have these two elements created “blurred lines” in how people view the world and their behaviors? Also, describe your thoughts/experiences with perceived fairness as defined and described on pgs. 167-168.
Many find it hard to believe that racist practices and systems established in the past are linked to the present impacts (e.g., the concept of reparations). As Dr. Livingston has written on this, do you agree or disagree, or do you find it challenging to link the two, if so, why or why not) (pgs. 171-173)
Intent vs impact - the “what can I do?” question, right? In Dr. Livingston’s recollection of his summers spent in Cleveland going to SeaWorld and his realization of these practices can cause harm to the orcas they meant to care for, he describes his awareness followed by concern or lack thereof and how this same construct is applied to combating racism (pg. 176,179,180). How do these same thoughts apply to the approach of if you care about racism and why?
Chapter Ten: The Practical Importance of Redressing Racism
In this chapter, Dr. Livingston starts a discussion on diversity within organizations and groups and defines what it is - and what it is not (pgs. 183, 184).
Diversity in teams is not just demographic/racial diversity but also diversity of thought and backgrounds (pgs. 185-187). Why do you think this gets lost, and the focus seems to only be on demographic diversity in practice?
Over time, diversity becomes a benefit rather than a detriment (pg. 190 - I just really like this!)
We revisit the class dialogue in a different way in this chapter - how there could be better outcomes if working-class Whites shifted their focus from placing the blame of their class situation on racism but rather to systemic oppressions put in place by the elites (pg.195-196). Based on everything that we’ve read so far from when this was first introduced at the beginning of the book, what are your thoughts on it now, class vs. race? Have your views or thought processes changed? Why or why not?
