Stand Against Racism Challenge FAQs

Launching April 4, our Stand Against Racism Challenge is a FREE virtual learning tool designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership.

Participants will download the Stand Against Racism App for their phone/tablet or log into the challenge website and are then presented with 21 days of impactful challenges such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, reflecting on personal experience and more. Participation in an activity like this helps us to discover how racial injustice and social injustice impact our community, to connect with one another, and to identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination.

Join us in making this year’s Challenge South Florida’s Largest social justice collective learning experience!

It is both an outcome and a process. As a process, we apply racial equity to policies, systems, structures and institutions by analyzing data so we can identify, uncover and remove barriers that produce disparate (unfavorable) outcomes based on race. As an outcome, racial equity is the condition that would be achieved if one’s racial identity no longer predicted, in a statistical sense, how one fares in society.

WEEK 1 – What is Critical Race Theory?
WEEK 2 – Understanding Reproductive Justice
WEEK 3 – The Importance of Living Wage
WEEK 4 – The Power of Film & TV
BONUS WEEK – Why Voting Matters

We think the Challenge is one of the most powerful interventions an organization can do. It’s the first step to build community and create an inclusive culture. This journey starts with learning, and the Challenge can lead to transformative results, including:

• Building new, positive habits that can change ourselves, our teams, our organizations and our communities
• Taking small actions alongside one another to create momentum and a sense of teamwork
• Creating a profound, elevating experience to increase the likelihood that participants will take action
• Participating in meaningful conversations about racism and social justice

To organize a team to do the Challenge together, first identify a Team Captain that can help rally team members and support with Q&As.

After identifying the Team Captain, please contact Matisse Ventura Bruer at mvbruer@ywcasouthflorida.org  to have your Team added to our list of committed teams championing the Challenge.

With your Team added to the list, the Team Captain and fellow team members can select your Team name and complete their registrations in our Stand Against Racism Challenge!

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Host a launch event to generate excitement and introduce participants to the benefits and goals of the Challenge.
• Encourage participants to use the reflection log provided in the program.
• Teams can meet weekly to discuss and reflect on the Challenge together.

Questions to explore could include:

• How did the activities make you feel?
• What were your ah-hah moments?
• What actions have you taken based on the activities? What actions would you like to take?
• What further resources (reading, research, tools, and/or strategies) do you need to take action?

Use our conversation guidelines as a way to help people feel safe when discussing their personal experiences:

• What you share within the context of the group is confidential, honored and respected.
• Use “I” statements; no one speaks for another or for an entire group of people.
• Avoid critiquing others’ experiences; focus on your own experiences.
• Be honest and willing to share.
• Listen with curiosity and the willingness to learn and change. Resist the desire to interrupt.
• Be brief and share time equally.
• Suspend judgment. Be open to the kernel of truth in each person’s story.

Contact Matisse Ventura Bruer, mvbruer@ywcasouthflorida.org to get ideas and join the movement!