5 Takeaways from the Overcoming Racism Conference

As someone not entirely unfamiliar with issues related to diversity and inclusion, I was excited about this year’s Overcoming Racism Conference and surprised at how much I didn’t already know. This was the fourth annual conference hosted by the Facing Racial Equity Collaborative, and the theme “Decolonizing Minnesota & Beyond: Historical & Current Struggles” drew attention to the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Dakota War of 1862.

After everything I learned from the workshops, keynote speakers, and in talking to a small sample of the 350 conference participants during the two days, there were five things that stuck with me:

1. There are First Nation people still fighting to get their land back. For some of you, this may be nothing new. But for me, a white twenty-something year-old male with a public school education, the fact that I knew nothing about the U.S. Dakota war was a wake-up call. I was stunned when I heard Dr. Waziyatawin describe 10 reparation strategies in her keynote address, but also inspired by her courage to share the struggles of American Indians and offer ways for us to help.
2. Holidays are a good time to build bridges. I was reminded that by being curious and asking questions, like how others celebrate holidays, I can build trust between myself and others from different cultures. This may seem like a no-brainer, but as someone who lives and works in a fairly homogenous community, it can be difficult and uncomfortable to reach out to different groups. This fact, however, doesn’t make it any less important.
3. Traditional knowledge is as (or more) important than academic knowledge. You know those timeless words of wisdom you’ve heard your whole life from older relatives? “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you”; “Practice humility.” Well, one presenter referred to these as traditional knowledge, or oral history. He argued that there are subtleties in traditional knowledge that get missed if you don’t put in the face to face time to speak with elders, and that these subtleties can’t be captured with the written word.
4. Academics should spend time in the community. I was pleased to hear Dr. Rose M. Brewer address the audience frankly after her keynote address when she stated that academics need to share space and create a reciprocal relationship with community members if any progress is to be made. When it comes to race, we all need to have a seat at the table.
5. Historical trauma affects all of us. Many of our ancestors fled their country because of famine, arrived on slave ships, as refugees, or were here originally and became displaced. Many of those experiences were traumatic for our ancestors and that trauma was passed down. It’s up to us to do the healing it requires to live up to our potential.

While this conference gave me many perspectives to reflect on, what I — or any of us — decide to do with this information will determine how our society begins to overcome racism.

Oh, and if you’ve never heard of the U.S. Dakota War of 1862, I highly recommend you do some research and then watch the movie Dakota 38.