BACKGROUND

Madison Wisconsin Institute for the Healing of Racism, Inc.

Non Profit-Tax Exempt Non-Religious Non Partisan 501-C3

Richard Davis / PRESIDENT

Caters to the general public no matter what nationality, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

BACKGROUND:

INSTITUTES FOUNDED IN 1989

HEALING RACISM IN AMERICA

A prescription for the disease/by Nathan Rutstein

Establishing an Institute for the Healing of Racism

In Coordination with Cherry Steinwender (Center for the Healing of Racism/Houston Texas) National Resource Center for the Healing of Racism

Mission

An Institute for the Healing of Racism is founded in the belief that racism is the most powerful and persistent obstacle to the attainment of a just and peaceful society. An Institute recognizes the essential oneness of the human race; that all human beings share common ancestors; and that all of us share the responsibility to realize in our personal and social lives the oneness of humanity.

An Institute seeks to create an environment in which men and women of all races can address each other in a spirit of open and honest discussion, free of blame and victimization. The principle of trusting consultation, grounded in the belief that truth lies not in the individual perspective, but in the unity of diverse souls, is fundamental to every aspect of an Institute.

An Institute recognizes that racism is, above all else, a social and spiritual disease, a disease woven into the moral and spiritual fiber of society. It is born of ignorance and fear, which feed upon each other in a monstrous cycle. That of which we are ignorant becomes a source of fear. Fear itself breeds greater ignorance, which further magnifies fear, and so on.

The hope of breaking this cycle lies in the recognition that racism is a disease which takes little account of laws and statutes, but which reaches deep into the individual heart and mind. It is felt that only through addressing racism in our own hearts can men and women of all races generate a compelling power to eradicate this pernicious disease which so cripples our nation and retards its progress toward true peace and justice.

Purpose

To accomplish its mission, an institute must foster an understanding of how it affects all people. An institute is based on the notion that whites suffer from an inherent and at times subconscious feeling of superiority, and that ceaseless exertions are required to over come this attitude. In turn, the suspicion harbored by people of color, resulting from a legacy of oppression, must also be addressed. An Institute faces these challenges in a sensitive and non-threatening manner.

Honest and frank dialogue involving all races must occur so that individuals may help heal each other. In the process, mutual understanding develops, which evolves into genuine and sincere friendship and love

An Institute for the Healing of Racism has two major purposes:

1. To help individuals heal their disease or wound and,

2. To become a center for social action, whose aim is to foster racial unity within the community.

How an Institute Functions

The purposes of an Institute are ultimately inseparable.Neither can operate as a complete remedy, for the wisdom gained through personal reflection must be coupled with action in order to have useful results. At the same time, becoming involved in social action without embracing the therapeutic process could be irresponsible.

Since denial is a major obstacle, participants in an Institute begin with group discussions designed to help identify and understand how racism is manifested and how it impacts all levels of society. With this knowledge, participants become motivated to rid them~ selves of the main elements responsible for perpetuating the disease and retarding the healing of the wound. They become ready to attack the problem.

In a trusting atmosphere, individuals do not hesitate to share their true feelings. They feel comfortable, as their views are shared, not as a form of confession, but with the realization that they are afflicted with a disease or a wound and want to become better.

In this trusting and helping atmosphere, it is easy to recognize that an Institute provides women and men with an opportunity to make a sincere attempt to cure their sickness or heal their wound. The sharing is not only a way to relieve inner pain, it is also an appeal for help. When people of color reveal what it is like to be patronized or rejected because of skin color – treatment which in turn fuels deep seeded suspicion – whites gain valuable insights into the ugly effects of the disease. Conversely, when whites openly describe their struggle to conquer feelings of superiority, people of color observe a meaningful effort to deal with deeply-ingrained emotions. Members of all races respond to each other with appropriate compassion and support, founded upon unconditional love. In this way, an Institute fosters a real attempt to destroy the root of a serious, pernicious social ill.

When genuine friendships are forged in this manner, the group evolves into a dependable force for social action. Armed with the knowledge of how hurtful racism is to a person and a community, members of the Institute become highly motivated to work to foster racial unity. Many Institutes involve themselves by promoting their principles through working with their local school systems. Others may choose another means of action for promoting social action. The key is that the Institute has galvanized its members into taking concrete action.

Madison Wisconsin Institute for the Healing of Racism, Inc.

Non Profit-Tax Exempt 501(c)(3), Non-Religious, Non-Partisan

Catering to General Public Regardless of Nationality, Race, Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity/Expression

Minimum Age for Participation – 16 years

COMBATING RACIAL CONDITIONING WITH KNOWLEDGE, LOVE, COMPASSION, FEARLESSNESS, INTERVENTION and ACTION

DOWNLOAD BROCHURE HERE

NOTE: This new series addresses Action/Fear/Resistance with new interesting documents and video bytes on eight different subjects.

JAN 29th TH -APRIL 2ND

10 WEEK SERIES 2015

(Thursdays 6pm-8pm)

Place: 902 West Shore Drive. Time: 6-8 p.m.

Registration Fee $20. Please mail with your registration form to:

Richard Davis

902 West Shore Drive

Madison, WI 53715

Offering Credit to Teachers (Professional Development)

Please commit to attend each week! A ten week commitment is preferable for full impact!

For orientation, reading is essential. Books listed below are strongly recommended.

IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE

– Uprooting Racism, Work for Racial Justice by Paul Kivel

– White Like Me by Tim Wise

– Racial Healing by Nathan Rutstein / Reggie Newkirk (for format)

Books are available at:

A Room of One’s Own

307 W. Johnson 608-257-7888

Rainbow Bookstore

426 W. Gilman St 608-257-6050

Training sessions available to public and private enterprises.

FEEDBACK FROM A PARTICIPANT

“I only hope that I can somehow change who I am in my remaining lifetime and pass on to my children what little I now know so they do not have to wait 46 years to finally learn the meaning of racism.”

Police Captain Dale G. Burke, University of Wisconsin Police

SUGGESTED DONATIONS

The Madison Wisconsin Institute for Healing of Racism, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to providing education to help heal and eradicate racism in individuals, communities and institutions.Tax deductible contributions to defray expenses are appreciated.

Or email at rdavis1@wisc.edu