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Taking Time for Conversation
When I was invited to participate in a New Conversations session, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Race and racism have been at the center of some of the volunteer work I do in the community, so I wanted to go and find out more. What can we do about this issue?
I think most of us would say we’re not racist, but we still are not sensitive to those things we do that are. I’ve grown up and lived my life in a primarily white community, and that alone can unintentionally limit a person’s view on topics like this one. So I’ve taken steps to try to increase my knowledge and awareness on this issue. Through my volunteer work in prisons, I am with very diverse populations. I’ve tried to walk in other people’s boots, so I can understand how race and racism played a part in getting them to where they are today.
Participating in New Conversations was a natural step for me. During the session we viewed some very good videos about how we can unintentionally offend someone, which led to some interesting discussions. The conversations sparked by these scenarios were helpful because they showed me how others were affected. I think it’s easy to get locked into our own mindsets. Unless we take time for conversations like these, we won’t ever understand where others are coming from. We need to all truly give each other an opportunity to be heard and keep an open mind with one another.
Having an opportunity to participate in New Conversations was one more step in reminding me to be sensitive to others—and it was another wonderful reminder about how important our relationships with each other are.
- Ray Hunder, donor advisor
The Saint Paul Foundation
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I Was Raised on the American Dream
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New Conversations Tool Creates a Common Experience
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Thinking About Race in a New Way
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Understanding People Different from Yourself
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Talking About Race for the First Time Ever
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