Mission Statement
We engage with our nation's past honestly, commit to a diversity of relationships, and work for a just, inclusive, and equitable future for our West Bloomfield-Lakes Area community. We have a mission of self-education and a commitment to social action.
In the winter of 2021, we created a multi-racial community of support, education, and a space for authentic conversations. We are committed to our mission, and welcome you to join us.
Scroll down for a list of additional anti-racism resources.
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh, PhD
Event Planning in Progress:
Diversity Speakers Bureau
. Compiling a list of community members who will speak at schools, events and programs.
We aim to be co-conspirators in the fight for racial justice.
Join us! Email: chair@wbldems.org
Accomplishments:
—Reading and discussion antiracism books and articles, including in-depth discussion on Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla Saad.
—Committed to DEI in education by supporting educators and staff in WBSD.
— Supported a Township Resolution recognizing Juneteenth National Freedom Day in May, 2021 that encourages all community members to celebrate the countless contributions of African Americans to our nation and our community, to promote diversity, equity and community in West Bloomfield.
—Brave Spaces: Community Conversation on Race, Hope and Change. Our panelists will share their experiences as Black Americans.
We will hear the truth and talk about conceptions / misconceptions, concerns, and hopes about race in our community and nation.
We hope our conversation will be a start to understanding and healing, but not the end. We will hear stories and move forward toward
unity, in an effort to dismantle the white supremacy that has hurt too many people for far too long.
Please join us in our continuing efforts to build initiatives in unity, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Third Annual Event
Juneteenth in the WB is a community commemoration of Juneteenth. Attendees will enjoy music, storytelling, refreshments, games and the art of more than 40craftspeople. Held outdoors at West Bloomfield High School, we enjoyed the support of the broad community including the schools, Police and Fire, the West Bloomfield Public Library and Parks and Rec. Juneteenth is the oldest celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the US, Juneteenth recognizes the triumph of the human spirit.
Coming soon: June 17, 2023! www.juneteenthwb.org to volunteer, donate or learn more!
Anti Racism Resources for Awareness and Self-Education
Podcasts:
The 1619 Project podcast and New York Times Magazine.
Code Switch, National Public Radio show and podcast
Nice White Parents
This Land
Ally Henny podcast
Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi
School Colors
Resources for White People
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person, by Frederick Joseph
White Supremacy and Me, by Layla Saad
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide, by Carol Anderson
Books:
Begin Again, by Eddie Glaude
Our Time is Now, by Stacey Abrams
Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson also, The Warmth of Other Suns
The Sum of Us, by Heather McGhee
My Grandmother’s Hands, by Resmaa Menakem
How to Be an Anti-Racist, Ibram X. Kendi
The New Jim Crow,Michelle Alexander
So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeomo Oluo
Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower, by Brittney Cooper
Afropessimism by Frank Wilderson. It is a mix of memoir and critical race theory..
Thick and Other Essays by Tressie Macmillan
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David Blight
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
Movies and TV:
13th, Netflix
The Hate U Give, Hulu and other
Colin in Black and White, Netflix