Race was intentionally constructed. Come join us and together let's deconstruct it even more intentionally! |
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How CTTT-RVA is making a difference:
UNITY WALK 2020 was a success!
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"Today, we dare to dream on behalf of the past, present, and future generations of all of humankind who chose and do choose bravery. Attend the Unity Walk on August 28th and more importantly choose to ignite change in your community. Like, Comment, & Share this speech. Tell everyone how you will choose bravery." from the Founder of See Me #IAMHERE & President of Black Lives Matter 804, Chloe Edwards
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Videorecording by David Martin of Martin Images News
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Lawrence Robinson of Brothers Righteous in Movement (BRIM) invited the support of ally organizations, the Richmond Pledge to End Racism & Coming To The Table - RVA to a community event and march through the Gilpin Court community to celebrate "unity in the community" and to support "stopping the violence and increasing the peace" on Saturday, September 5, 2020. We served foods and beverages supplied by various community organizations and made new friends and allies
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THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES IN THE PURSUIT OF RACIAL HEALING and SOCIAL JUSTICE - To commemorate the Dr. Martin Luther King's Speech of August 28,1963 ;CTTT-RVA organized a contemplative walk on Arthur Ashe Boulevard and streets surrounding the Virginia Museum of History and Culture ( VMHC).
With the dream of Dr. King and the vision of a united Richmond ,Virginia ; CTTT- RVA stood in solidarity with members of the many organizations represented at the first CTTT-RVA Unity Walk.
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Touchstone: Intent vs Impact |
Touchstones rule! In Coming To The Table facilitated conversations, “Touchstones” are an integral feature of creating safe and brave space or atmosphere for honestly and authentically sharing our stories, feelings, ideas and beliefs at our “Table”. There are 13 touchstones we highlight as part of our regular way of communicating and being with each other. They help set the tone for healthy relationship-building and healing as we listen and learn from someone else’s lived experience. The vulnerability level sometimes feels high. The temptation to react rather than understand and then respond from that place is often strong. We received a personal story from a CTTT - RVA member this week:
Twice last week something happened at work that really ticked me off. The action “the other” had taken was totally confusing lines of communication, creating an embarrassment for me and awkwardness for a third person. “How dare she!” “He should stay in his own lane!” “Ouch!” Luckily, I didn’t hit the send button on my scathing, judgy emails. I remembered a Touchstone: Intent vs Impact. The anger gave way to “trying it on,” listening deeply, considering the good intentions of two who are not “other”, but co-workers who really do want what I want here.
Bonnie and Danita should be gratified to know that the touchstones are seeping into my core, even at work!
The intent didn’t change the result of the action, though. Confusion and awkwardness still need to be cleared. It is important for me to express my “ouch!” and explain how the action affected myself and someone else, but without that self-satisfied heat. I still have to do my part to create a system that will keep it from happening again. I will do that, but I will have a less volatile attitude than in my unsent emails. The heat felt kind of good in the moment, but that knee-jerk reaction was about to break something fragile: healthy relationships and common goals.
Go, Touchstones!!
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Sign Up to become a Coming To The Table national member
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We encourage all CTTT - RVA members to also become members of Coming To The Table at the national level. Our local chapter is part of a big family all across our nation, under a collective umbrella.
As a member of Coming To The Table, you become part of a nationwide community committed to truth-telling, transformation and liberation.
There's no membership fee to join Coming To The Table, but the ability for CTTT to meet ever-growing needs, including providing support to our local chapter, DOES depend on the generous financial support of our members. So we hope you will contribute financially, as you are able!
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Volunteering with CTTT - RVA is a wonderful opportunity to get involved and connect with others. The work you contribute is always valued as we pursue our mission of a just and truthful society that acknowledges and seeks to heal from the racial wounds of the past. We especially need those wanting to be trained and mentored as facilitators (all races, ages, genders) and we need some help behind the scenes with things like maintaining our mailing lists, for instance.
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Featured Video And Articles
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Check out the featured video and articles below to help further the conversation on racism and its impact.
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Marsha's "Pulpit": 12 Were Called
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The CTTT-RVA Board of Directors met for the first installment of a “progressive retreat” recently, meeting in the virtual space. I have to tell you, the only reason I am a board member is because it is part of the job description of a Co-CEO. I found my past experience with boards tedious and stressful.
Last night was not that kind of meeting. Board chair Martha Rollins invited process experts Bonnie and Mel Dowdy to facilitate this series of board training meetings. Last night was all about articulating our personal “call” and truth to each other, like we do at all our Tables. This Board is forming that relationships leg that will help stabilize our Table for what is to come. The next part of the retreat will focus on knowing the history leg of our local Table, using the progressive vision of our Logic Model. That document was created as an aid to keep our eyes on the prize: our Mission in bringing about "a just and truthful society that acknowledges and seeks to heal wounds.....from slavery and the many forms of racism it spawned."
You should know the demographics of our Board. There are 12 members: 3 African American (AA) women, 3 European American (EA) women, 3 AA men, and 3 EA men. Most are “old wise heads” with years of experience in lots of different parts of the community. You can read about the members on the website. All have agreed to be on THIS board because the Vision of racial healing calls them, not because it feeds their egos or will look good on their resumes. They are inspired by the energy and passion of our founding leaders, our volunteers, and by the joyful hope they see and hear in our “clumsy and courageous” conversations. Because we are a Table organization and I am a theologian at heart, my mind pictures the 12 on the original “Christian Board." They didn’t understand everything, but they knew the Spirit they were called to follow. It was in following, in being present, that they learned. At the small board meetings and at the larger public gatherings, they learned a new way of being and doing. Let it be so.
Grow in light!
Marsha
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We walk in the spirit; we walk with the spirit."...READ MORE
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"Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America."
~~ John Lewis
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Coming To The Table - RVA
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