What Others Are Saying About Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation

Lo que otros dicen en Español

“With interactive exercises, thought provoking viewpoints, and action planning, Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation gives us a real opportunity to work for more inclusive democratic communities.”

—Jim Hunt, Founder of The Unity Project and President of the National League of Cities

“From building relationships of trust, to developing concrete solutions, Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation helps people have meaningful dialogue as they work toward creating a fair, inclusive and just community and country.”

—The Honorable Jack Kemp, Former U.S. Representative from New York, Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Former Vice Presidential Candidate

“Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation is a practical tool to help communities address intolerance imbedded in the social, political and cultural traditions and institutions that shape society. We should embrace this guide to help build a pathway to the ‘Beloved Community,’ an all-inclusive America that values the dignity of every human being.”

—The Honorable John Lewis, U.S. Representative from Georgia

“The process of study circles is powerful. Racism is one of the most pressing and enduring legacies of our country. This publication not only helps people have a meaningful dialogue about the problem, but also helps them develop and carry out their own solutions.”

—The Honorable Bill Bradley, Former U.S. Senator from New Jersey

“Racism affects all of us, but we don’t often have the chance to talk about how. This guide can help everyone find their voice in this vital conversation.”

—Helen Samhan, Executive Director of the Arab American Institute Foundation

“This discussion guide will make it possible for people of all backgrounds to have open and frank conversations and to develop strong relationships. This can open the door for real community change.”

—The Honorable William Winter, Former Governor of Mississippi

“We need to continually break the silence about racism whenever we can. This new study circle guide will help communities build the kind of diverse, meaningful dialogue our country needs. It will help people get past their fear and their anger, and take the risk of speaking up. It will help them know that others will listen and support them. And it will help them make sure that the risks they take are worth the effort—that they can lead to effective action and social change.”

—Beverly Daniel Tatum, President of Spelman College and Author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?

“A discussion guide such as this that makes it possible for people to come together to talk about serious issues is always welcomed.”

—Caryl Stern-LaRosa, Senior Associate National Director, Anti-Defamation League

“This is a valuable tool. It will help public offi cials and their diverse constituencies connect to each other. And it provides a way for everyone to be a true participant in creating a more equitable and inclusive community.”

—Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Offi cials Educational Fund

“Racism must be met head-on in any type of community organizing. Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation offers a way for all of us to work together to move our country forward and will inspire everyday people to take leadership roles to erase racism from their communities.”

—Laura Harris, Executive Director of Americans for Indian Opportunity

“A comprehensive tool that helps people work toward creating a strong democratic community where all voices are heard.”

—Kurt Schmoke, Dean of Howard University School of Law and Former Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland

“To ignore the legacy of racism in our country is to perpetuate it. Only by good people coming together to create open dialogue can we build a strong, vibrant democracy that works for everyone. Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation makes it possible to start these critical conversations.”

—Tzeitel Paras-Caracci, Mayor of Duarte, California, President, Asian Pacific American Municipal Offi cials (APAMO), National League of Cities

“Successful communities value diversity and are the foundation of a healthy nation.  Public administrators are at the forefront in creating these communities. Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation is an excellent tool for public officials and communities to work together to address the effects of disparities among groups, and thus build strong viable democratic communities."

—John E. Saunders, III, CAE, Executive Director of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators

“Meaningful dialogue can be a powerful catalyst for collective action. This new study circle guide will help community coalitions add diverse voices, energy, and creativity to their work to address structural racism. It is a valuable addition to an array of tools seeking to advance racial justice.”

—Lori Villarosa, Director of Philanthropic Initiative forRacial Equity

“Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation is a bold, visionary and practical resource for facilitating a new level of cooperation and understanding beyond the boundaries of racial and ethnic diversity. It provides realistic and clear steps for creating models of multicultural awareness and human interaction, based on ‘best practices.’ The Study Circles Resource Center has produced a remarkable and humanistic workbook that makes a unique contribution to a growing literature on the ‘American Dilemma’ of deconstructing race and racism.”

—Manning Marable, Professor of Public Affairs, History and African-American Studies, and Director of the Center for Contemporary Black History, Columbia University

“It’s critical that youth take part in the national conversation on racism. This study circle discussion guide will give young people the chance to share their important perspectives and work together with their community to help make racism a thing of the past.”

—Jenny Sazama, Director and Co-Founder of Youth on Board

“As the first city in the country to use community-wide study circles, Lima heartily commends SCRC for creating Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation. The study circle process has enabled thousands of residents in our city to build relationships, address racism, and ultimately take dialogue to action-oriented strategies.”

—David Berger, Mayor of Lima, Ohio

“Thank you, SCRC, for your courage in helping us uproot the stubborn reality of racism that continues to blight our nation. Thank you for providing wise, experience-tested guidelines to stoke our own courage to work with others for healing and action.”

—Frances Moore Lappé, Author, Social Innovator and Co-Founder of The Small Planet Institute