Color of Fear Viewing and DiscussionMIT Winter 2006 Movement warmup, Sally Jamison and debrief, Todd Sessoms.Workshop Discussion adapted from TCNJ Color of Fear Project 1Background: A group of students asked to view this film as a way to deepen our discussions about power and privilege in the context of race. They wanted to make sure that we as a cohort are facing and taking the issues of racism seriously. My understanding is that they thought that the film would help reach people in a new way.GOALS: To use the film as a way (i) to identify how racism is experienced by very different people; (ii) to identify some of the dynamics that play out in the context of conversations around race; (iii) to notice & share how viewers identify with/ respond/react to film; and (iv) to identify what learned about self, dialogues on race or about racism, power and privilege by watching the film.Sally and Todd, does this capture what you were aiming for? To experience a way in which movement and drama can be used to begin processing ideas and as a strategy for working with concepts before a discussion. As I understand it, after experiencing something that can hit a strong emotional chord, people may not immediately have words for a discussion. Movement might be a way to bridge and find a middle ground for processing, communicating and then translating the experience so that we can then begin a discussion.HOOKS: Warming up via movement with Sally (Todd, do you want to introduce your goals and guidelines here? or after I’ve introduced the film?)15 minutesFrame: (5 minutes)We are going to see a film in which 8 men agreed to sit together to talk “in an unconstrained” way about their experiences with, beliefs and values relating race, color, ethnicity and culture. Roberto Almanzan, one of the participants shared how the group came together: Lee Mun Wah is a community therapist who also worked with men’s groups. He picked men to participate in the project “he thought could be honest, open and expressive on race and ethnicity issues while being filmed.”?Should I share everything Roberto says? Does this change the way in which people experiencethe film? Soften it in a way that’s useful? Or in a way that removes responsibility? “The dialogueduring the weekend was spontaneous and intense. I did not know that Mun Wah as the facilitatorhad prepared a list of about twenty questions to stimulate our dialogue. It did not matter because once he asked his first question about how we identified ethnically or racially, we never stopped talking. Fear, tears, rage, frustration and confusion filled the room as each of us revealed how wehad been impacted by racism and our coping strategies. Slowly, hesitatingly, we also talked about the prejudice we’ve experienced and seen directed at our own ethnic group by other peopleof color. We saw that through no fault of our own, all of us have internalized messages that devalue people of color and that portray White people as more intelligent, able, moral and credible. Becoming aware of this can often precipitate anxiety and personal discomfort in people but it is fundamentally a healing experience that opens new vistas and possibilities. By the end ofthe weekend, by talking openly, listening intently and reflecting on each other’s experiences, we all came to a deep understanding of, connection to and empathy with each other. “(p3)1 1 Color of Fear Project (2003) http://tcnj.edu/~kpearson/color/packet.html1You will have a chance:- to hear how racism is experienced by very different people; - to identify some of the dynamics that play out in the context of conversations around race which Johnson and Tatum describe; - to learn more about yourself in the context of discussions around race- share and discuss what you learned about dialogues on race, about racism, power and privilege, or about yourself by watching the film.Todd, the other place that you could introduce your goals?Some ground rules implicit in our covenant and worth highlighting:- listen to each other with respect- speak about your own thoughts, reactions, feelings and experiences not those of others- do not debate someone else’s experiences; - do not argue with their statements.Discussion benefits from the input of many people. Discussions about difference are most valuable whenmany perspectives are involved. Maybe first “serial testimony” ( 20 minutes – I need to think about this…. In terms of leaving enough time at the end to discuss film. Set up seems important. Perhaps Sally, what you are doing will be enough. Words won’t be necessary? )Opening written reflection (5 minutes) What’s hard or scary about talking about race? Share with discussion group 10 minutesSerial testimony = bearing witness, giving evidence; speaking the truth of one’s experience and perspective; bearing responsibility for one’s own truth… ...strength of this method is that it challenges participants to speak their own truth while protecting them from becoming the focus of discussion. (p8)1 The goal is not to challenge, teach or commiserate. The goal is to hear a wide range of perspectives.Here’s how it will work: - Listen to each other with respect, without interrupting to comment or asking questions- Speak about your own thoughts, reactions, feelings and experiences, not those of others- During your turn, do not comment on what others have said before you. (p8)You may have strong reactions to the process. Pause. Hold onto and reflect on your thoughts and feelings. There will be time to continue talking about this both after the film and in other settings.Film: “Color of Fear” 90 minutesShow 30 minutes. “With whom do you most identify in the video why?”Pause… Personal writing – With whom do you most identity in the video? why?10 minute break ?Show rest of film. (60 minutes)1From emotion to movement to wordsTodd’s movement debrief. (How long do you think Todd? 20-30 minutes?)I. Class splits into small groups.Sonja, there was once talk of designing intentional conversation groups. If this is so, can the arrangement happen here? If not, I am happy to split folks up into groups. Ideally, they would notbe larger than 6, but that is certainly flexible.II. Instructions givenAdapted from Augusto Boal’s, Theatre of the Oppressed, this is an activity that creates sculpturesout of our bodies. In each small group a