BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//Meetup Inc//RemoteApi//EN VERSION:2.0 METHOD:PUBLISH CALSCALE:GREGORIAN X-ORIGINAL-URL:http://feminism.meetup.com/209/calendar/10263936/ical/Femini st+Bookclub:Taking+responsibility\,+taking+direction+:+white+anti-racism... / X-WR-CALNAME:Events - Feminist Bookclub:Taking responsibility\, taking dire ction : white anti-racism... BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Feminist Bookclub:Taking responsibility\, taking direction : white anti-racism... DESCRIPTION:Feminism Meetup\n\nThe full title is: Taking responsibility\, t aking direction : white anti-racism in Canada and it is by Sheila Wilmot. \n22 copies are available through the Toronto library system. \n\nWhy this book? I took a course with the author through the Toronto Women's Bookstor e and have always wanted to read the full book. Anti-racism and anti-oppres sion is an integral part of what I believe feminism is about. I'm hoping o thers of you feel the same way and are interested in this topic.\n\nFor tho se of you who may be short on time and may not get a chance to read the ent ire book\, my suggestion is to read Chapter 3 'An Anti-Racist Feminist Look at Canadian Racism's History.\n\nPlease find a description of the book bel ow:\n\n"Wilmot argues that the participation of white progressives in anti- racist movements and organizations in Canada badly needs an overhaul. With this thesis\, she begins her assessment of anti-racist movements in Canada by guiding the reader through a summary of the ugly history and legacy of C anada's racist colonial past\, and reveals that racism remains an urgent pr oblem today\, despite the passing of centuries. Racism in Canada is inextri cably linked with capitalism\, class\, and sexism\, and the state promotes it with its laws that systemically exploit Aboriginals and people of color\ , and privilege whites\, despite its claim that Canada is a multicultural a nd democratic nation. \n\nUsing concrete examples from her extensive activi st experiences\, Wilmot illustrates her argument that white progressives wh o aim to unite with people of color against racist oppression must examine and possibly challenge their personal\, political\, and theoretical ideolog ies and acknowledge their privileged societal position\, if they are to tra nslate anti-racist ideas into effective action\, and furthermore\, help edu cate other "white folks" into taking up the cause in an informed manner. Wh ite leftists must cast aside political sectarianism and engage with Aborigi nals and people of color as equals when they assist with organizing constru ctive anti-racist organizations and movements. The balance between taking r esponsibility and taking direction is oftentimes tenuous at best\, Wilmot s uggests\, but it is essential that in the fight against white oppression\, white leftists come to the table in solidarity\, rather than come as silent aides\, or the opposite—come and paternalistically and patronizingly appro priate the organization. Wilmot devotes a significant section of her book t o highlighting and evaluating various anti-racist organizations and anti-ra cist educational resources in Canada\, and she expounds on the various acad emic approaches to anti-racism: this portion of the book is a valuable tool for both novice and experienced anti-racist activists\, and for a general or academic reader."\n\nToronto\, ON M4K 1P5 - Canada\n\nTuesday\, May 19 at 6:30 PM\n\nPhoto: http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/a/0/2/e vent_1487618.jpeg\n\nAttending: 15\n\nDetails: http://feminism.meetup.com/2 09/calendar/10263936/ LAST-MODIFIED:20090627T172439Z UID:event_10263936@meetup.com CLASS:PUBLIC CREATED:20090425T115518Z DTSTAMP:20091223T120649Z DTSTART:20090519T223000Z DTEND:20090520T003000Z GEO:43.64;-79.42 LOCATION:Mocha Mocha - 489 Danforth Ave. - Toronto\, ON M4K 1P5 - Canada URL:http://feminism.meetup.com/209/calendar/10263936/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR