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Discussion Guide & Resources

“The food industry is the nexus of almost all of the major forces in our politics today. … It’s super closely linked with climate change and ethics. It’s the nexus of minimum wage fights, of immigration law, of criminal justice reform, of health care debates, of education. You’d be hard-pressed to find a political issue that doesn’t have food implications.” — Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

Thank you for your interest in joining our local conversation following the FSNE 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge. Below you will find resources and readings that we hope will provide a common starting point for dialog.

In addition, we hope you’ll look at our discussion guidelines to help us have honest and meaningful conversation.

Discussion Guidelines

Adapted from FSNE’s Discussion Guide
  • Listen deeply
  • Speak from your own experience
    Make I statements rather than generalized “We” statements
  • Be Curious, Open & Respectful
    Call in, not out; throw sunshine (clarity), not shade
  • One Mic
    Be respectful of those speaking to let them finish a complete thought. One voice at a time.
  • We can’t be articulate all the time
    Give the benefit of the doubt and ask questions; Deconstruct language, request clarification when needed
  • Expect & accept a lack of closure
  • We don’t have to agree
    We are engaging in dialog not debate. Be open to be challenged, to change your mind and to deal with uncertainty
  • Be conscious of intent vs. impact
    No matter the intention, you are responsible for your impact

Recommended Readings & Resources

Challenge Pre-Work

ARTICLE: “Backgrounder: Dismantling Racism in the Food System

BLOG POST: Why we can’t separate justice and sustainability in the food system

WATCH: Soul Fire Farm: Uprooting racism in the U.S. food system with agriculture (3 min)

REVIEW: Glossary of relevant terms from Racial Equity Tools

Week 1: Recognize

DIAGRAM: Cycles of Socialization and Liberation

REVIEW: Racial Identity Development Models

REVIEW: Whiteness

READ: We Are Not Disposable, Food Workers Organizing on the COVID Frontlines

ARTICLE: “A Reflection on Anti-Black Racism”

ARTICLE: “White Supremacy Culture (SURJ)”

Week 2: Reckon & Repair

READ: Levels of Racism

READ: “Structual Racism as Fundamental Driver of Health Disparities”

WATCH: “Segregated by Design”

DIAGRAM: “Racial Equity Stages”

READ: Continuum on Becoming an Anti-Racist Multicultural Organization

REPORT: The Color of Food

Week 3: Regeneration & New Possibilities

WATCH: “The Government Alliance on Race and Equity”

READ: Food Sovereignty (Climate Justice Alliance)

READ: The Moment for Food Sovereignty is Now (Civil Eats)

READ: Reparations … The Time is Now

INFOGRAPHIC: A Nation Built on the Back of Slavery and Racism

READ: Asset Framing: The Other Side of the Story

Additional Resources

Additional Resources from FSNE

National Young Farmers Coalition Racial Equity Toolkit