THE SACRED WORK OF FACING & ADDRESSING RACISM

Led by: OneSpirit Ministers Malaika & Sue

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course, meticulously designed for any individual passionate about enhancing their comprehension of racism and augmenting their ability to address both its covert and overt aspects, serves as a comprehensive platform. Our journey together, encompassing a broad spectrum of racial matters, will be housed within an atmosphere brimming with mutual respect, a willingness to embrace varied perspectives, and an innate sense of compassion.

As we launch our 6th workshop, we take pride in announcing that our content has undergone significant revisions to incorporate the rich knowledge and firsthand experiences of black professionals. These professionals, dedicatedly engaged in this noble endeavour, bring deep insights into our collective effort to confront and resolve the widespread challenges of racism.

Our esteemed OneSpirit ministers, Revs Malaika and Sue Cockerill, will continue steering these workshops, illuminating their experiences with the Black Lives Matter Movement and allyship and community activism. Our partnership with the Faith Network 4 Manchester brings a new dimension to our series. This organisation is a dynamic interfaith forum that fosters understanding, harmony, and unity among diverse faith groups. They’re dedicated to community growth and promoting interfaith dialogue. You can learn more here: https://fn4m.org/. 

Together with such robust alliances, we’re evolving, challenging the norm, and bolstering our collective response to systemic and societal issues. Embark on this journey with us and make a tangible difference with each step you take. It’s more than just a course; it’s an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause as well. Eager to get started? Sign up today and prepare to be inspired!

KEY FEATURES:

  • Examine the origins of racism and what perpetuates it.
  • Explore the effects of racism on ourselves and others—individuals, families, communities, organisations, nations, and the earth.
  • Identify inner and outer obstacles and opportunities for engaging in the work.
  • Engage in spiritual practices to support facing and challenging racism and healing the harm it creates.

“Very inspirational, shocking and shaming at times. A very important topic. I was inspired by Malaika’s and Sue’s commitment and dedication to this work, all that they’re doing and all that they’ve achieved so far.”

– Sylvia

KEY INFORMATION

WORKSHOP DATE & TIME:

All sessions will be held online via Zoom. We ask that those who sign up commit to all four sessions to experience the full depth of development offered by the course.

  • Tues 6th February 2024, 7:30-9:00pm
  • Tues 13th February 2024, 7:30-9:00pm
  • Tues 20th February 2024, 7:30-9:00pm
  • Tues 27th February 2024, 7:30-9:30pm

 

FEES
  • There is an administrative fee of £25 for the course that is directly passed on as a donation to Windrush Defenders.

“I was inspired by the honesty and openness of the facilitators. I am so glad I did this and the fact that I can’t say I enjoyed it is a compliment to the presenters. This is a meaningful course that offers the opportunity to change and behave differently but also to think and feel differently. I learned that it is important to stand up for the rights of others and not let things go because I’m embarrassed or unsure because this is the society, I live in.”

– Joy

WHAT SETS THIS APART FROM OTHER WORKSHOPS?

At OneSpirit, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that does not adhere to or promote any specific faith. Our key objective is fostering the growth and wholeness of individuals. We wholeheartedly support the essential values of peace, love, unity, respect, kindness, and understanding, and we strive to create an environment that embraces individuals from all walks of life. Our dedication lies in spreading light while emphasising the importance of love and respect for everyone, especially those who may be different from ourselves.

The benefits of participating in such a transformative workshop, like this, are amplified by our organization’s foundational focus on inclusivity and universal well-being. As you engage with our program, you will develop into a more effective and compassionate ally who can effectively put these learnings into practice in various life settings. Our approach ensures that your newfound knowledge and skills will contribute to a more inclusive and meaningful environment, both personally and professionally.

Choosing to take part in this powerful workshop with OneSpirit will provide you with a supportive community and a comprehensive toolkit to create lasting change. Together, we can promote respect, understanding, and inclusivity, making a lasting difference in the world around us. We are privileged to have a community rich with diversity, drawing together distinct, influential individuals from varied life paths, each possessing expertise in unique and impactful areas. By participating in OneSpirit’s course, you gain exclusive access to these resources, personal narratives, and firsthand experiences.

There’s truly no better method to learn the ins and outs of being an effective, compassionate ally to all people across different life domains than from those who carry diverse backgrounds. They underscore the vital importance of understanding and respecting our differences, making learning from them a genuinely enriching experience. So, join us in this journey of growth and enlightenment, and let’s make a difference together.

SIGN UP HERE

YOUR FACILITATORS

This is not an anti-racism workshop, the facilitators want to emphasise that they are not expert trainers in this field. They are two women who came together to reflect on how they could better work together. They want to share their learning and the resources they have found helpful and offer a safe and respectful environment in which to explore racism in all its manifestations. In ourselves and our communities. Our workshop series is spearheaded by two of OneSpirit’s respected ministers, Rev Malaika and Sue Cockerill. Each brings a unique perspective and wealth of personal experience to the table – Rev Malaika as a black woman who continues to navigate the way racism impacts her life daily and Sue as a white ally understanding her role in facing and challenging racism. Together, they lead a dynamic workshop series, teamed with notable guest speakers, to foster an atmosphere of understanding, intersectional harmony, and unity among diverse faith groups. Collaborating with Faith Network 4 Manchester, an interfaith forum, which started a series of listening and learning events in response to the brutal murder of George Floyd and facilitated by Rev Malaika.

REV MALAIKA

“My own experience as a black British woman is driven by a desire to embrace our rainbow nation. I walk alongside people of all colours and creeds in an attempt to make the world a better place. I have faced racism in many forms and most recently at the hands of the police and it was this that spurred me to create a series of workshops through Faith Network where black professionals in the politics, faith settings, NHS, mental health, the police service, the armed forces, sport, and culture talked about their experience. They became human library books, lending their knowledge, experience, and life stories to bring a greater understanding of why Black Lives Matter is such an important movement. In these four sessions, we would like to share some of their stories and the learning we have gained from them.”

SUE COCKERILL

“I have been on a journey with my black, brown, and white colleagues and friends here in Manchester and beyond to move, tentatively, from fear to love in addressing my role in racism. The journey had to start inside, looking at myself and will need to continue there. Exploring the white supremacist that lives in me and the privilege this has brought is where it had to begin. I also had to be prepared to take action in my own world, particularly my faith community. I know the way I have been perpetuating the suffering of my black and brown friends and colleagues and what needs to change. That is deeply shaming, and it is the place where I must begin. At this moment and any moment, we have an opportunity to make a difference and commit to change. To do that we need to acknowledge and step into, not away from, our fear and shame. Black lives will only matter when we as white folk take this step and I believe, when we recognise the sacred nature of this work”.

"What a task. To take Black Lives Matter and co-create a four-week introductory course with awareness of spiritual practice and love. To design it so that information and experience deepen as the weeks go on, with links in between, culminating in a sense that I’ve now arrived at a junction. I have been held and challenged by two women who worked so well together. I was inspired by the courage and compassion of both Malaika and Sue.”

– Lynne

MORE INFORMATION

  • Considering joining our workshop but want reassurance from those who have walked this path before you? Visit our blog post for additional testimonials from our prior participants!